Finally finished! Top 100 Sci Fi Books

I admit, I really lost my momentum on this project after 2019 ended. I eventually got back on track and, with a bit of grim determination, finished.

Here then are the last batch of books I read from this list:

World War Z Brooks, Max Like “Sleeping Giants” the way this story is told is unusual and engrossing. The zombies are terrifying and I found an unusual (for this genre) level of hope throughout.
Red Rising Brown, Pierce First of a trilogy, I enjoyed this tale of insurrection, redemption, and revenge.
The Girl with All the Gifts Carey, M.R. Grotesque and grim; I really dislike horror, and this book did nothing to change my mind.
The Blazing World & Other Writings Cavendish, Margaret NOT AVAILABLE to read
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet Chambers, Becky Lots of character development, but little actual plot. It’s a great reminder that the world can be a pretty great place.
The Fold Clines, Peter A very slow start that ended up feeling a lot like Crichton in its intensity and pacing. The characters are a bit flat, but the main issue is that it’s the 2nd book of a series and SHOULD NOT BE on this list!!!
Viriconium Harrison, John Owing a great deal to Jack Vance’s Dying Earth and Michael Moorcock’s Far Future, this was confusing and odd.
Watchers Koontz, Dean Simple language and a fast pace give this horror story more depth than it deserves. It’s a lot of fun, though.
The Left Hand of Darkness Le Guin, Ursula Insightful look at the effect of sex (and gender) on society. LeGuin’s writing is part of what makes this a compelling novel. That said, I didn’t love it.
The Best of All Possible Worlds Lord, Karen The 2nd book by this author in these lists, I find I respect the author and her abilities more than I enjoy her work.
The Giver Lowry, Lois It’s problematic to envision that the only society that can have no prejudice, pain, fear, war, etc. is one in which everyone looks alike. That concept is the core of this novel, and made it a ‘fail’ for me.
I am Legend Matheson, Richard AWFUL. Depressing and, although I’m told it is influential, I just did not enjoy this novel.
The City & The City Mieville, China This was an odd book with a complicated dual plot. It resolved, but I was not impressed.
Sleeping Giants Neuvel, Sylvain This was FANTASTIC. An unusual plot devices and characters with very clear ‘voices’ makes this one of the best books I’ve read all year.
Woman on the Edge of Time Piercy, Marge Two, maybe three novels in one. I found the promised land far too painful in light of the current political climate. Read it and weep for how much we have lost.
The Plot Against America Roth, Philip Counter-factual fiction at its most brilliant, and depressingly relevant to modern times.
The Female Man Russ, Joanna I found this story to be too depressing and upsetting. Well-written, but not a plot I wanted to invest time in. I am a woman living in a time when #metoo is necessary because too many men do not respect women.
The Sparrow Russell, Mary Doria Another tale of colonization, including ‘good works’ turned to harm, brutality, sick sexuality, and a crisis of faith.
Snow Crash Stephenson, Neal No, just . . . No. (I wish I were smart enough to appreciate S’s work.)
The Gone World Sweterlitsch, Tom Intense and intricate.
Veniss Underground Vandermeer, Jeff I just do not like Vandermeer’s work.
The Big Book of Science Fiction Vandermeer, Jeff and Ann NOT REVIEWED. Mostly because it’s a collection, and I think that’s cheating.
Slaughterhouse Five Vonnegut, Kurt I’m never great with non-linear story lines, and when its compounded by having an unreliable narrator, I get grumpy. *sigh* but I see why this is a classic, despite having a tragic ending.
The Martian Weir, Andy Yeah. I get why everyone went nuts about this, and why it’s a movie. I didn’t love it, but that shouldn’t stop you.
The Doomsday Book Willis, Connie There was a lot I liked about this book, but the grimness of the middle ages was tough to take. High praise for having a female protagonist.

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