The New Hobbit Hole

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

It's kinda odd that on a Tolkien thread we seem to have so few hardcore fantasy/sf people

Actually I started reading hard core Science Fiction (Surface Tension, The Demolished Man, The Stars My Destination), nearly 50 years ago. Didn't read The Hobbit, then The Lord of the Rings, until the early 1960's.

I have not read as much science fiction lately, much of it seems less imaginative, and often heavily derivative, compared to the earlier work.

[Penny1]

I used to be heavily into sci-fi, just not so much anymore, only because there's nothing out there right now that's really grabbed my interest and I'm too lazy to look very hard. ;)

I think a lot of people were pretty busy today, so we haven't had time to celebrate the Hugo nominations yet.

[Overtaxed]

I have not read as much science fiction lately, much of it seems less imaginative, and often heavily derivative, compared to the earlier work.

You can say that again! The earlier work had more of a sense of wonder about the universe.

I started on SF reading my Dad's old paperbacks and I still prefer them to newer works (on the whole.)

[Corin Stormhands]

I have not read as much science fiction lately, much of it seems less imaginative, and often heavily derivative, compared to the earlier work.

Well, you'll just have to wait until my books are published...(be patient, be very patient)

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

The earlier work had more of a sense of wonder about the universe.

Oh for that sensawonda!

In some cases you could think you were getting a glimpse of a real, different world, a bit of the feeling you get when you become involved in the 'reality' of Middle Earth!

[Overtaxed]

Oh for that sensawonda!

Sensawonda...that's the word! Those books (to me) seemed rather "joyous" about exploring the universe and meeting new species. I haven't really been looking at the new SF that's coming out now. I got rather discouraged by all the "gloom and doom" or people's "issues" that I found the last time I looked. Either that or there's nothing original and the work is just...ho hum rehashes.

Now I'll have to go raid the old library again. Just can't beat that "sensawonda!"

[JenB]

I know exactly what you mean - sensawonda. That's what I get from those early Heinlein novels that have pride of place on my shelf; from the silly short stories with green Martians and amphibious Venusians; from the books with pictures of improbable skyscapes and gorgeous rocket ships... there are a few recent books that manage to have that sense, but not many. That's why I spend a few dollars a month in the used bookstore, looking for books with little rockets on the spine.

And LotR has that same sense, doesn't it? Just because it's about Elves and hobbits doesn't mean there's no wonder - but I can't think of many other fantasies that are the same way. I think it's because LotR is closer to the original myths and fairy tales than the books that are basically derivatives of LotR. And science fiction is, in a way, a new sort of myth, so it would have that same sort of wonder about it.

[Overtaxed]

That's why I spend a few dollars a month in the used bookstore, looking for books with little rockets on the spine.

There's two bookcases of those sensawonda books at "the house." Hmmm...maybe I should start moving them to "my house."

[JenB]

I had two bookcases worth in my room before I went to college. Now I have three shelves worth, plus seven boxes in the attic... Nothing better than a sci-fi novel from the 50s, unless it's one from the late 40s...

[Overtaxed]

I don't know if there's anything there from the late 1940's. Most of it is 50's and 60's and a few 70's. That's just what I need at my house....more books! It's a wonder the floors don't collapse already. :)

[JenB]

Books are just such good friends. You can pick one up and be instantly somewhere else. They don't mind being left on the counter for hours, they're portable, and they look so nice sitting on a shelf. My mom used to try to get me to organize my collection alphabetically by author, but after I explained carefully that I had already organized by favorite author and then alphabetized the titles by a particular author (and justified why I was doing that) she left me alone. Actually it was a defense against sisters; they could never find what they wanted, so they couldn't steal my books.

[Overtaxed]

Every time I try to organize something like that (books, spice rack, whatever) I never can find anything! I prefer "chaotic organization" schemes.

[JenB]

The only things I organize are my books and code. Even papers, I write in a chaotic fashion. This annoys my mother to no end, but hey, my dad's the same way so I can usually get away with it.

[Overtaxed]

Hehehe

My place is kind of like the movie Bag End. Papers and books all over the place.

[Overtaxed]

Can't wait all day for sleepy-head hobbitses to get up! I'm off to "play in the yard" but I'll check in from time to time.

[JenB]

Sounds really nice! I have to clean up the house at some point, my parents will be back this evening and it's kind of a pit. That's what little brothers do for ya...

Where's everyone else? I don't know if we should ping them or not, there's a 00 coming, and I'd like to get it - but I'd like to get it fairly.

[JenB]

Well, if the sleepy hobbits are not here....

[JenB]

Carton would be proud of me!

[JenB]

Going for it...

[JenB]

Do I get it? (Now I will go clean the kitchen)