SF Signal: SF Tidbits for 3/6/08

SF Tidbits for 3/6/08

Pat's Fantasy Hotlist interviews Alastair Reynolds, author of House of Suns. "Q: How would you describe your work to someone who hadn't tried your books before? A: Intensely bleak, but with an underlying cheerfulness?"

The Dragon Page podcast-interviews David Keck author of In A Time of Treason.

Here's a list of NYT critic Dave Itzkoff's favorite science fiction books.

Run for the hills! Urban Fantasy is taking over!

Geek 24 lists 15 Science Fiction Books You Must Read.

Free audio fiction: StarShipSofa has "Buffalo" by John Kessel.

Speaking of StarShipSofa, they will be posting daily podcasts of BSFA Award-nominated short stories beginning March 10. [via Velcro City Tourist Board, who has the links to the online versions.]

A statement from Carol H. Rasco, president and CEO, of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF): "President Bush's proposed budget calling for the elimination of Reading Is Fundamental's (RIF) Inexpensive Book Distribution program would be devastating to the 4.6 million children and their families who receive free books and reading encouragement from RIF programs at nearly 20,000 locations throughout the U.S." RIF is thus looking for advocates. [via Eos Blog]

Real Science:
- Sentient Developments lists 7 ways to control the Galaxy with self-replicating probes. Mmmmmm...von Neumann probes....
- NPR has a Timeline of Women in Space. Mmmmmm...women in space... (Was that out loud?)

In the latest SciFi Department, Kevin Maher talks about SciFi knock-off flicks.

Simon Kingston is proud to be a fan Science Fiction & Fantasy and wonder why others aren't when box office tickets say otherwise.

io9 lists The Seven and a Half Rules for Making Scary Aliens.

The List Universe lists Top 10 Dystopian Films You Haven't Seen.

I've seen 9 of those 10 dystopian films.

(Breathes on Geek Badge. Polishes it with cuff)

The Geek 24 lists of books is, well, rather canonical, innit? Nothing past the 80s, and mostly books that are at least known in wider pop culture. I dare say any geek worth their salt has already read if not re-read the bulk of that list. Itzkoff's list at least has a few envelope-pushers included.

Posted by Jeff P on Thursday March 06, 2008 at 7:43 AM