I’ve finally acquired enough science fiction books to hold me (hopefully) over the summer YET few enough that I’ll clear out 90% of previous unread novels languishing in dark forgotten corners of my bookshelves…. A valiant statement I know. Most likely more will arrive mysteriously in the mail — when I sleepwalk I buy books (books in the mail = evidence of sleepwalking)…
1. The Time Hoppers, Robert Silverberg (1967) (MY REVIEW)
Another overpopulation themed novel! From the few reviews I’ve read this pales in comparison his masterpiece on the same theme, The World Inside. Regardless of its ultimate quality my obsession with social sci-fi dealing with overpopulation necessitated that I procure a copy — the presence of time travel as the main motivating element of the plot does not bode well.
2. The Cosmic Rape, Theodore Sturgeon (1958) (MY REVIEW)
I’ve only read one of Theodore Sturgeon’s novels, More Than Human, an undisputed masterpiece of the genre. Without doubt this is a lesser work of his opera but medusa-like aliens taking over humanity sounds like a quick/silly/interesting read. And the cover is quite spectacular…
3. Journey to the Center, Brian Stableford (1982) (MY REVIEW)
I saw this cover in the bookstore when I was a kid and could not for the life of me remember the title. I found it a few days back and purchased it without much research based on that childhood experience alone. Stableford isn’t considered a member of the top tier of sci-fi writers but I’ve been branching out lately so I thought I’d give Journey to the Center a try — oh, and there’s a Dyson Sphere… if anyone knows a particularly worthwhile novel of his please let me know!
4. The Star Dwellers, James Blish (1961) (MY REVIEW)
A simplistic story about alien contact — I’ve always kind of liked Blish — A Case of Conscience, The Seedling Stars, They Shall Have Stars, and few short stories from Galactic Cluster are not without merit and a certain charm.
5. Web of Everywhere, John Brunner (1974)
John Brunner is one of my favorite science fiction writers — namely, Stand on Zanzibar, the short story ‘Lungfish‘, The Sheep Look Up, The Jagged Orbit, The Whole Man, Meeting at Infinity — some of his works unfortunately fall into the least favorite sci-fi novels of all time category, The Wrong End of Time, Born Under Mars, The Dramaturges of Yan, and Interstellar Empire… Hopefully Web of Everywhere becomes an honored member of the former category.
This haul wasn’t nearly as good as my last but hopefully combined with my massive stack of other unread works will satiate the demands of my reading heavy summer!
Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations 
I have never heard anyone suggest that Blish’s “The Star Dwellers” was an influence on Star Trek. Certainly it was influenced by–was in many ways a response to–“Starship Troopers.”
The book was a success for Blish, and spawned a sequel, “Mission to the Heart Stars,” that was evidently not as successful.
I’m not exactly sure where I read that… hmm…. Perhaps I should delete that comment since I can’t remember the author.
Have you heard the claim that the film Forbidden Planet influenced Star Trek? I do see the parallels in that case.
Thanks for stopping by!
I had the chance to rewatch Forbidden Planet on the big screen a couple months ago and the parallels with the original Star Trek were numerous and unmistakable!
Also, do you really buy books when “sleep walking”? That’s scary but also kind of fun.
bibliorex: hahaha, of course not — I just have to cover my compulsive book buying tracks…
Forbidden Planet is my favorite sci-fi movie of the 50s — a masterpiece!
I will have to use the sleep walking excuse the next time my wife asks where all the books have come from. I have told her that my books breed when I’m not around and there’s nothing I can do about it.
Haha… Book buying while sleepwalking would be a really scary activity — I would love to procure a first edition signed copy of A Canticle for Leibowitz — or a signed edition of ANY Pynchon novel — i.e. I’d be out of money — haha!