Science Fiction
The first book I ever bought for myself was City at World’s End by Edmond Hamilton. It was Science Fiction and introduced me to the “space-time continuum” (no, Spock didn’t make that term up for Star Trek!). I was 10 years old. The book was used and cost 5 cents. I’ve liked science fiction ever since. The library was filled with Sci-Fi books. I enjoyed most.
Then one day I found The Skylark of Space by E.E. (Doc) Smith and my life was never the same. It was a “Space Opera” which is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes space warfare, risk-taking space adventures and chivalric romance. Looking for more Doc Smith novels I soon found his “Lensmen” series and WOW the immense space battles were overwhelming. I used to imagine winning the lottery and having enough money to make a movie of the Lensmen books.
Turns out I didn’t have to – J Michael Straczynski did it for me when he wrote and filmed the TV series Babylon 5. It debuted in 1993 and was the first series to introduce viewers to the concept of a five-year arc, with a defined beginning, middle and end. The series launched in 1994 and ran for five seasons and 110 episodes. It was Huge; it was Space Opera on a grand scale, and I am so pleased that J. Michael was allowed to do it and I was able and can STILL watch it.
In college I expanded my horizons to Tolkien, Alan Drury Political novels, and Ayn Rand Individualism novels. I will admit to only buying Atlas Shrugged because it was the biggest book on the rack at 1083 pages. Today my “to Read” pile includes Hunter S. Thompson Songs of the Doomed; Charles Krauthammer Things That Matter (Charles is a master wordsmith); Michael Hastings The Operators and Word Press for Dummies (9th Edition). These days, most of my Sci-Fi I listen to in the car. I no longer go to sleep thinking about an alien landing nearby and giving me his ship. I kinda miss those dreams.
kongoboken 