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On Thu, 1 Feb 2024, Lynn McGuire wrote:

Lynn’s six star list (or top ten list) in February 2024:

1. “Mutineer’s Moon” by David Weber
2. “Citizen Of The Galaxy” by Robert Heinlein
3. “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress” by Robert Heinlein
4. “The Star Beast” by Robert Heinlein
5. “Shards Of Honor” by Lois McMaster Bujold
6. “Jumper” by Steven Gould
7. “Dies The Fire” by S. M. Stirling
8. “Emergence” by David Palmer
9. “The Tar-Aiym Krang” by Alan Dean Foster
10. “Under A Graveyard Sky” by John Ringo
11. “Live Free Or Die” by John Ringo
12. “Footfall” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
13. “Lucifer’s Hammer” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
14. “The Zero Stone” by Andre Norton
15. “Going Home” by A. American
16. “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card
17. “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline
18. “The Martian” by Andy Weir
19. “The Postman” by David Brin
20. “We Are Legion” by Dennis E. Taylor
21. “Bitten” by Kelley Armstrong
22. “Moon Called” by Patrica Briggs
23. “Red Thunder” by John Varley
24. "Lightning" by Dean Koontz
25. "The Murderbot Diaries" by Martha Wells
26. "Friday" by Robert Heinlein
27. "Agent Of Change" by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
28. "Monster Hunter International" by Larry Carreia

Lynn

Excellent! This will form the foundation of my search for a new book!

Best regards,
Daniel

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On Thu, 1 Feb 2024, Lynn McGuire wrote:

Lynn’s six star list (or top ten list) in February 2024:

1. “Mutineer’s Moon” by David Weber
2. “Citizen Of The Galaxy” by Robert Heinlein
3. “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress” by Robert Heinlein
4. “The Star Beast” by Robert Heinlein
5. “Shards Of Honor” by Lois McMaster Bujold
6. “Jumper” by Steven Gould
7. “Dies The Fire” by S. M. Stirling
8. “Emergence” by David Palmer
9. “The Tar-Aiym Krang” by Alan Dean Foster
10. “Under A Graveyard Sky” by John Ringo
11. “Live Free Or Die” by John Ringo
12. “Footfall” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
13. “Lucifer’s Hammer” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
14. “The Zero Stone” by Andre Norton
15. “Going Home” by A. American
16. “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card
17. “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline
18. “The Martian” by Andy Weir
19. “The Postman” by David Brin
20. “We Are Legion” by Dennis E. Taylor
21. “Bitten” by Kelley Armstrong
22. “Moon Called” by Patrica Briggs
23. “Red Thunder” by John Varley
24. "Lightning" by Dean Koontz
25. "The Murderbot Diaries" by Martha Wells
26. "Friday" by Robert Heinlein
27. "Agent Of Change" by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
28. "Monster Hunter International" by Larry Carreia

Lynn

I have read 9 of 26. That figure is not likely to change.
2,3,4 The Heinleins to which I may have once awarded many stars but the
last time I tried to re-read The Moon..., it read so poorly with
unbelievably clunky style and dialogue that I did not get far.
6 Jumper. A pot boiler for teenagers resting between masturbations.
13 Not finished.
16 Ender's Game. 5 stars.
18 Recommended for insomniacs.
19 The Postman. 3 solid stars.
25 Murderbot. 3 stars.

It was interesting to read such a list. I doubt whether I could be so
precise with ranking but perhaps would prepare a group of close but
unranked favourites.

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On Sat, 3 Feb 2024, Titus G wrote:

On Thu, 1 Feb 2024, Lynn McGuire wrote:

Lynn’s six star list (or top ten list) in February 2024:

1. “Mutineer’s Moon” by David Weber
2. “Citizen Of The Galaxy” by Robert Heinlein
3. “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress” by Robert Heinlein
4. “The Star Beast” by Robert Heinlein
5. “Shards Of Honor” by Lois McMaster Bujold
6. “Jumper” by Steven Gould
7. “Dies The Fire” by S. M. Stirling
8. “Emergence” by David Palmer
9. “The Tar-Aiym Krang” by Alan Dean Foster
10. “Under A Graveyard Sky” by John Ringo
11. “Live Free Or Die” by John Ringo
12. “Footfall” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
13. “Lucifer’s Hammer” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
14. “The Zero Stone” by Andre Norton
15. “Going Home” by A. American
16. “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card
17. “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline
18. “The Martian” by Andy Weir
19. “The Postman” by David Brin
20. “We Are Legion” by Dennis E. Taylor
21. “Bitten” by Kelley Armstrong
22. “Moon Called” by Patrica Briggs
23. “Red Thunder” by John Varley
24. "Lightning" by Dean Koontz
25. "The Murderbot Diaries" by Martha Wells
26. "Friday" by Robert Heinlein
27. "Agent Of Change" by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
28. "Monster Hunter International" by Larry Carreia

Lynn

I have read 9 of 26. That figure is not likely to change.
2,3,4 The Heinleins to which I may have once awarded many stars but the
last time I tried to re-read The Moon..., it read so poorly with
unbelievably clunky style and dialogue that I did not get far.
6 Jumper. A pot boiler for teenagers resting between masturbations.
13 Not finished.
16 Ender's Game. 5 stars.
18 Recommended for insomniacs.
19 The Postman. 3 solid stars.
25 Murderbot. 3 stars.

It was interesting to read such a list. I doubt whether I could be so
precise with ranking but perhaps would prepare a group of close but
unranked favourites.

I'll add mine as well.

3. “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress” by Robert Heinlein
4 stars. Have read it 2 or 3 times, and still like it.

16. “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card
3.5 stars. A bit too adolescent for me.

19. “The Postman” by David Brin
3 stars. Can't remember much to be honest.

So Heinlein for the win among the few that I read from the list.

Best regards,
Daniel

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On Feb 1, 2024, Lynn McGuire wrote
(in article <uph2gr$2838k$2@dont-email.me>):

Lynn’s six star list (or top ten list) in February 2024:

1. “Mutineer’s Moon” by David Weber

severe suspension of disbelief issues. 2.25 stars

2. “Citizen Of The Galaxy” by Robert Heinlein

excellent. 4.75

3. “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress” by Robert Heinlein

magnificent. re-read every ever so often. 5,75

4. “The Star Beast” by Robert Heinlein

excellent. 4.5.

5. “Shards Of Honor” by Lois McMaster Bujold

very good. 4.25

6. “Jumper” by Steven Gould

no comment.

7. “Dies The Fire” by S. M. Stirling

he sahould have moved with the Nantucket castaways. 3.5

8. “Emergence” by David Palmer

very good. 4

9. “The Tar-Aiym Krang” by Alan Dean Foster

Excellent. 4.75

10. “Under A Graveyard Sky” by John Ringo

Dire. 0.5

11. “Live Free Or Die” by John Ringo

more dire. 0.25

12. “Footfall” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

Excellent. 5

13. “Lucifer’s Hammer” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

Excellent. 4.75

14. “The Zero Stone” by Andre Norton

didn’t read

15. “Going Home” by A. American

didn’t read

16. “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card

very good. 4.25

17. “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline

So-so. 3.75

18. “The Martian” by Andy Weir

Excellent. 5

19. “The Postman” by David Brin

you gotta be kidding. 2.5

20. “We Are Legion” by Dennis E. Taylor

didn’t read

21. “Bitten” by Kelley Armstrong

didn’t read

22. “Moon Called” by Patrica Briggs

So-so. 3.75

23. “Red Thunder” by John Varley

very good. 4.25

24. "Lightning" by Dean Koontz

didn’t read

25. "The Murderbot Diaries" by Martha Wells

Overrated. 4

26. "Friday" by Robert Heinlein

not his best, but even not his best is pretty good. 4

27. "Agent Of Change" by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

didn’t read

28. "Monster Hunter International" by Larry Carreia

not as dire as Ringo. Still dire. 0.75

Lynn

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On 2024-02-01, Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:

Lynn’s six star list (or top ten list) in February 2024:

1. “Mutineer’s Moon” by David Weber
2. “Citizen Of The Galaxy” by Robert Heinlein
3. “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress” by Robert Heinlein
4. “The Star Beast” by Robert Heinlein
5. “Shards Of Honor” by Lois McMaster Bujold
6. “Jumper” by Steven Gould
7. “Dies The Fire” by S. M. Stirling
8. “Emergence” by David Palmer
9. “The Tar-Aiym Krang” by Alan Dean Foster
10. “Under A Graveyard Sky” by John Ringo
11. “Live Free Or Die” by John Ringo
12. “Footfall” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
13. “Lucifer’s Hammer” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
14. “The Zero Stone” by Andre Norton
15. “Going Home” by A. American
16. “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card
17. “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline
18. “The Martian” by Andy Weir
19. “The Postman” by David Brin
20. “We Are Legion” by Dennis E. Taylor
21. “Bitten” by Kelley Armstrong
22. “Moon Called” by Patrica Briggs
23. “Red Thunder” by John Varley
24. "Lightning" by Dean Koontz
25. "The Murderbot Diaries" by Martha Wells
26. "Friday" by Robert Heinlein
27. "Agent Of Change" by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
28. "Monster Hunter International" by Larry Carreia

Thanks for posting, Lynn. As I've said in the past, I don't like
commenting on other people's lists without being willing to post my own.
Lists are always somewhat idiosyncratic; dependent upon external factors
like when in your life you read them. I want to encourage folks to post
their own lists!

In that spirit, here's a list from me. 3 levels of ranking, unranked
within each group. Third level was actual me wanting to shorten the
list and take some out of the second level, but I decided to give them
anyways. Heinlein is special cased; I read and re-read so often
in my early years that I don't know how I would rank them if I re-read
them all now.

_The Book of the New Sun_ Wolfe
_The Murderbot Diaries_ Wells (the first one, but possibly the series)
_A Deepness in the Sky_ Vinge
_A Fire Upon the Deep_ Vinge
_Lord of the Rings_ Tolkein
_Watchmen_ Moore
_The RiddleMaster of Hed (trilogy)_ McKillip
_The EarthSea Trilogy_ LeGuin
_Tigana_ Kay
_Dune_ Herbert
_Cyteen_ Cherryh
_Ender's Game_ Card
_The Stars My Destination_ Bester

_Startide Rising_ Brin
_Speaker for the Dead_ Card
_The Dragon Never Sleeps_ Cook
_Little, Big_ Crowley
_In Conquest Born_ Friedman
Heinlein (multiple but how many and which depends on the day)
_Courtship Rite_ Kingsbury
_The Armageddon Rag_ Martin
_Middlegame_ McGuire
_Sunshine_ Mckinley
_The Mote in God's Eye_ Niven,Pournelle
_The Witches of Karres_ Schmitz
_Snow Crash_ Stross
_The Persistence of Vision_ Varley
_Aristoi_ Williams
_Lord of Light_ Zelazny

_The King's Avatar_ Butterfly Blue (Hu Dielan)(webnovel)
_The Library at Mount Char_ Hawkins
_Ninefox Gambit_ Lee
_Way of Choices_ Ni (webnovel)
_Small Gods_ Pratchett
_Pavane_ Roberts
_Super Supportive_ Sleyca (webnovel, ongoing)
_A College of Magics_ Stevermer

--
Chris

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On 4/02/24 12:38, Chris Buckley wrote:

On 2024-02-01, Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:

snip

Thanks for posting, Lynn. As I've said in the past, I don't like
commenting on other people's lists without being willing to post my own. Lists are always somewhat idiosyncratic; dependent upon external factors
like when in your life you read them. I want to encourage folks to post their own lists!

I will do an unranked list later.

In that spirit, here's a list from me. 3 levels of ranking, unranked
within each group. Third level was actual me wanting to shorten the
list and take some out of the second level, but I decided to give them anyways. Heinlein is special cased; I read and re-read so often
in my early years that I don't know how I would rank them if I re-read
them all now.

Don't re-read. Preserve the early memories. I really enjoyed re-reading _Citizen of the Galaxy_ and _By His Bootstraps_ last year but others
have been miserable, eg _The Roads Must Roll_ and even clever _Job_ was
patchy.

_The Book of the New Sun_ Wolfe

3 stars. Have only read first two.

_The Murderbot Diaries_ Wells (the first one, but possibly the series)

The first one was great but the novelty wore off. 3 stars for the series.

_A Deepness in the Sky_ Vinge
_A Fire Upon the Deep_ Vinge
_Lord of the Rings_ Tolkein

All five stars for me.

_Watchmen_ Moore

Not read.

_The RiddleMaster of Hed (trilogy)_ McKillip

Did not like the weirdly archaic writing style.

_The EarthSea Trilogy_ LeGuin

3 stars.

_Tigana_ Kay

Not yet started though Fionavar was 5 stars

_Dune_ Herbert
_Cyteen_ Cherryh
_Ender's Game_ Card
_The Stars My Destination_ Bester

All 5 stars except 2 star Cyteen which I read in 2014 finding it too
slow and too complicated.

snippage

_Snow Crash_ Stross

Stephenson? 4 stars

_Pavane_ Roberts

Another 2014 read that I re-read a few years ago enjoying it as much as
the first time. 4 stars.

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On 2024-02-04, Titus G <noone@nowhere.com> wrote:

On 4/02/24 12:38, Chris Buckley wrote:

...

_Tigana_ Kay

Not yet started though Fionavar was 5 stars

_Fionavar_ could definitely be included in my third ranking, as could
another dozen or two books at least. People's opinions of early Kay like _Fionavar_ and _Tigana_ is strongly influenced by how much they enjoy
emotional impact (aka "can tolerate emotional manipulation"). Technical
writing skills and writing research gradually improve through Kay's
career but emotional impact gradually lessened, IMO. I like emotional
impact so prefer early Kay.

snippage

_Snow Crash_ Stross

Stephenson? 4 stars

Aarrgh! (Beat head against keyboard and then erase random characters.)
Mental lapse. I like and read anything by both of them, but all the best Stephenson are a cut above the best Stross (and the worst Stephenson
are a cut below the worst Stross, even worse than some of the late
Laundry).

Chris

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In article <68c9b8e2-fb02-a708-9771-521084795684@example.net>,

19. =E2=80=9CThe Postman=E2=80=9D by David Brin
3 stars. Can't remember much to be honest.

Isn't that the one with Pablo Neruda? What a great poet!
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

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