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I have a new favorite (living) author, John Scalzi. His writing reminds me of John Updike, Douglas Adams, Jerry Pournelle, and an eight-grade class clown, all rolled into one.
I just happened to come across a recommendation for his first book, Old Man’s War, a little over a year ago, and I enjoyed it immensely. I’ve read the first sequel, The Ghost Brigades, which, while not as groundbreaking as the first, had several new and different themes–and twists–to make it worthwhile. He has already published other sequels that I’m looking forward to reading.
Then, I enjoyed Redshirts, a parody of Star Trek-like shows, written from the prospective of a crew on an interstellar spaceship in the far future. It’s also a decent satire of the television entertainment shows.
Now, I’m reading Android’s Dream, which is a riff on Phillip K. Dick’s novel which was the inspiration for the movie Blade Runner. This one is more humorous, like Redshirts, than the war series, but still with some serious undertones. I’m enjoying it so far.
By the way, when I say I read these books, I have actually listened to audio versions of all of them. I think it’s fair to say I’ve read them, because I hear all of the authors own words, not a visual interpretation of them. It’s an interesting question, though, if anyone would like to comment.
So, go out and grab a copy of Old Man’s War from your bookseller of choice. You know where to fine Amazon and Audible, and I’ll give a plug for the independent bookseller closest to me, Park Road Books, where I try to buy all my printed books.
And, as a Scalzi character once said, “Try to stay out of the narrative.”