Neil Fein's Blog

These are books I read over and over and over, whem I'm too tired to start a new book. No matter how much I loved the book, if I didn't re-read it, it won't be here. The Shadow of the Torturer, Perdido Street Station, and Cryptonomicon may be some of the best books I've ever read (possibly better than some ofthe books on this list) but they just aren't, to me, re-readable.

Jake was telling me at tonight's potluck that he tends not to re-read books. But he reads a lot of non-fiction, I think; I don't re-rean non-fiction books, but I do refer back to them on ocassion.

• Where Do We Go From Here?, Isaac Asimov, Ed.
  This anthology introduced me to science-fiction in general, and Larry Niven in particular.
  
• Dangerous Visions, Harlan Ellison, Ed.
  I read this anthology for the first time in college, and have been re-reading it ever since.
  
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
  I was tempted to put its sequel, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe as well. Little need be said about this, the king of comedy sci-fi. (And I really don't care for folks who don't like the name sci-fi. Deal.)
  
• Ringworld, by Larry Niven
  Speaking of Mr. Niven... I've worn out four copies of this book. His collection Neutron Star is a close second.
  
• The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury
  I read through this incessantly when younger. In particular, I own a version illustrated by Ian Miller that holds fond memories.
  
• The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein
  I forgot about this one. I've reread it perhaps five or six times. Job, a Comedy of Justice, Starship Troopers, Methuselah's Children, and Stranger in a Strange Land are close behind.
  
• The Stainless Steel Rat, by Harry Harrison
  The original Rat, before we had to deal with his wife and kiddies whining at him.
  
• The Illearth War, by Stephen R. Donaldson
  So far, the best of the Covenant books, and the one I've re-read the most often.
  
• The Man Who Folded Himself, by David Gerrold
  Good, clean homoerotic, narcissistic fun. The scenes on prehistoric earth are particularly meaningful. His collaboration with Larry Niven, The Flying Sorcerers is also excellent.
  
• The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman
  One of the best novels I've read, period. The sequel isn't worth your time. All My Sins Remembered is almost as good.
  
• The End of Eternity, by Isaac Asimov
  His best and by far the most underrated of his novels. And the one with the grandest scope, and that includes the excellent Foundation Trilogy. The novels The Caves of Steel and The Naked Sun are also excellent, as is the collection I, robot.
  
• Callahan's Croostime Saloon, by Spider Robinson
  The first three books are kinda one big book, but this is where it all started.
  
• Dune, Frank Herbert
  Been through three copies of this epic. It was given to me by a teacher in grade school I kept in touch with.
  
• Steel Beach, by John Varley
  One of the newer books on this list, but the book of his I've reread the most. The Ophiuchi Hotline is a very close second.
  
• Breakfast of Champions, by Kurt Vonnegut
  The cumulation of many of Vonnegut's interlocked novels. His short story collection welcome to the Monkey House is also a personal favorite.
  
• Gateway, by Frederick Pohl
  The lead character, Robinette Broadhead (sp?) is one of the most memorable characters I've encountered.
  
• Macroscope, by Piers Anthony
  This is what Mr. Anthony could produce if he stopped churning out unicorn books.
  
• The Lathe of Heaven, by Ursula K. LeGuin
  On some days I think that The Left Hand of Darkness is a better book, but I have a sentimental attachment to this one.
  
• A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L'Engle
  Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin will live forever in this book.
  
• Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion, by Dan Simmons
  This is the only entry with two books, as these two are really one long novel published in two volumes.
  
• Flatland, by Edwin Abbot.
  The oldest book on this list, I've read both the original and an edition annotated by Ian Stewart.
  
• The Mote in God's Eye, by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
  This is the best first-contact story I've ever read. By that singular entity, NivenPournelle. Their Inferno is also excellent.
  
• The Stars My Destination, Alfred Bester
  Followed closely by The Demolished Man
  
• A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving
  The only book on here about gravestones.
  
• Cosmos, by Carl Sagan
  Also check out Broca's Brain.

There are many, many other writers I love such as Gene Wolfe, Neil Gaiman, Terry Bisson, Orson Scott Card, Malcolm Gladwell, Alan Lightman, and Simon Winchester. Their books just don't lend to my re-reading them. Maybe it has something to do with when I first read these books.

Originally crossposted from my LiveJournal. Will update this if I think of anything I've missed.