Science Fiction Meme
February 17th, 2007 by 
Morgan J. Locke
OK, I haven’t been tagged, but can’t resist.
Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror?
Science Fiction. But I can’t say I’m monogamous, especially when it comes to fantasy, mysteries/ thrillers, or popular science.
Hardback or Trade Paperback or Mass Market Paperback?
I lean toward paperbacks, but for my favorite authors, I won’t wait.
Heinlein or Asimov?
Tough call. They both have major strengths, and serious weaknesses.
Amazon or Brick and Mortar?
Yes.
Barnes & Noble or Borders?
Borders… that’s the closest. .. but I’ll take what I can get.
Hitchhiker or Discworld?
Hitchhiker, but I haven’t read Discworld.
Bookmark or Dogear?
Bookmark, naturally.
Magazine: Asimov’s Science Fiction or Fantasy & Science Fiction?
I browse them, but subscribe to neither.
Alphabetize by author Alphabetize by title or random?
Random. I haven’t properly organized my books for about the last three moves. Maybe when I’m retired.
Keep, Throw Away or Sell?
Keep. I am a re-reader. And I like to have them there for the kids, just in case.
Year’s Best Science Fiction series (edited by Gardner Dozois) or Years Best SF series (edited by David G. Hartwell)?
Are you kidding? Both.
Keep dustjacket or toss it?
I am indifferent.
Read with dustjacket or remove it?
Usually leave it on, but I cry no tears if it gets misplaced.
Short story or novel?
Novels, mostly, but a good short story is like fine chocolate — rich, quick, hits you right where you need to be hit.
Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket?
Potter. I’ve never gotten hooked by Snicket, though my kids like them a lot.
Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?
When brain shuts down from sheer exhaustion.
“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time”?
Once upon a time, by a mile.
Buy or Borrow?
Buy.
Buying choice: Book Reviews, Recommendation or Browse?
All three: Book Reviews (3), Recommendation (1), Browse (2).
Lewis or Tolkien?
Tolkien; I reread him annually till I was in my 30s, and still do occasionally, but I went on a Lewis binge in my 20s.
Hard SF or Space Opera?
Hard SF by a kilometer, but I won’t say no to well-written space opera.
Collection (short stories by the same author) or Anthology (short stories by different authors)?
Collections.
Hugo or Nebula?
Not a big selection criterion for me, but I lean toward a Neb.
Golden Age SF or New Wave SF?
Dude! All of the above.
Tidy ending or Cliffhanger?
I like my stories to end, but ambiguity’s OK.
Morning reading, Afternoon reading or Nighttime reading?
Hah, don’t I wish! Nighttime or traveltime.
Standalone or Series?
Yes.
Urban fantasy or high fantasy?
Urban. But George RR Martin ate my brain with his Song of Ice and Fire, and Bujold also took the top of my head off with Curse of Chalion et seq.
New or used?
New, unless I can’t find it new.
Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?
Top X favorite genre books read last year? (Where X is 5 or less)
Top X favorite genre books of all time? (Where X is 5 or less)
X favorite genre series? (Where X is 5 or less)
Top X favorite genre short stories? (Where X is 5 or less)
Let me get back to you on the rest of these tomorrow — my brain is shutting down. But I will add one:
Currently Reading?
Seeker by Jack McDevitt. Just started it. I’m about to go read him some more before brain shuts down. Incidentally, if you like your SF hard, you can’t go wrong by reading McDevitt. My favorite so far is hard to pick — I like all his stuff — but try DeepSix. It’s about a planet about to be swallowed up by a Jovian world, and the scientists who, when it becomes clear the doomed world had once harbored intelligent life, try to gather as much info as they possibly can before the world is obliterated. Naturally, things go horribly wrong…
Tag:
My fellow EatOurBrainiacs…
Posted in Daily Life | 
1 Comment »
February 17th, 2007 at 3:13 am
Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror?
Science Fiction or Fantasy; depends on the day and what’s to hand. Horror very rarely.
Hardback or Trade Paperback or Mass Market Paperback?
I love the feel of a hardcover book, but between economics and availability, I can’t get high church.
Heinlein or Asimov?
What Morgan said. I’m so aware of Heinlein’s tendency to hector–and yet he is (for my money) generally a more entertaining writer. On the other hand, Asimov often has the coolest ideas.
Amazon or Brick and Mortar?
All of the above.
Barnes & Noble or Borders?
On the East Coast, B&N. In SF, Borders–mostly because they’re closer. I wrote three books in the B&N Cafe in my NYC neighborhood, and I have some loyalty.
Hitchhiker or Discworld?
Not so much.
Bookmark or Dogear?
Dogear (hangs head in shame)
Magazine: Asimov’s Science Fiction or Fantasy & Science Fiction?
I browse them, but subscribe to neither. I sell more to F&SF than Asimovs, though.
Alphabetize by author Alphabetize by title or random?
I should alphabetize by author within category (can you tell I worked in a library once?) but life is too short and chaotic.
Keep, Throw Away or Sell?
Keep. Except when forced to give away. NEVER throw away books!
Year’s Best Science Fiction series (edited by Gardner Dozois) or Years Best SF series (edited by David G. Hartwell)?
I miss Terry Carr.
Keep dustjacket or toss it?
Keep, as long as possible
Read with dustjacket or remove it?
With. Unless it falls off or tears into shreds.
Short story or novel?
Novels. Except when not.
Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket?
HP. Read one Snicket and you’ve read them all.
Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?
When book falls from hand.
“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time”?
Once upon a time.
Buy or Borrow?
Whatever works, but owning is best.
Buying choice: Book Reviews, Recommendation or Browse?
All three
Lewis or Tolkien?
Lewis. My secret shame is that I can listen to Tolkein or read his work aloud, but drift away when I’m reading him to myself. Re: Lewis, there should be a clarifying question: Narnia or Perelandra. I go for Perelandra, myself.
Hard SF or Space Opera?
Hard SF except when not.
Collection (short stories by the same author) or Anthology (short stories by different authors)?
Anthology. Except when it’s collection.
Hugo or Nebula?
Nebbish.
Golden Age SF or New Wave SF?
All of the Above.
Tidy ending or Cliffhanger?
What Morgan said. A story should end, but I don’t need all the ends tied up neatly.
Morning reading, Afternoon reading or Nighttime reading?
Walking, standing in line, waiting for a kid to come out of school, while cooking, while waiting for the dog to poop, while brushing my teeth…
Standalone or Series?
Standalone, except when Seriess.
Urban fantasy or high fantasy?
Urban.
New or used?
Whatever.
Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?
Space Relations by Donald Barr.
Top X favorite genre books read last year?
I came late to the Naomi Novik parade, but…those.. Twilight. Old Man’s War . Spin
Top X favorite genre books of all time?
Left Hand of Darkness, Wild Seed, Kushiel’s Dart, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
X favorite genre series?
I don’t think in terms of series.
Top X favorite genre short stories?
Ack! I think my ability to name names has just deserted me.
Currently Reading?
I tend to have several books going at once. I’m re-reading The Name of the Rose; I’m reading Jane Eyre with YG, and I’m reading my way through several manuscripts.