This is prolly the only Asimov book that I would feel comfortable about recommending. Also, the cover is yet another incarnation of the Miizzzard’s Tranzdimensional Hypercastle.
December 28th, 2007
"The End of Eternity" by Isaac Asimov (1971)
"The Anarchistic Colossus" A E Van Vogt (1977)
I’m sure this book sucks cuz it was written in 1977 but the cover is cool enough to deserve posting. Found at the Half Price Books at 183 and Anderson Mill Rd in Austin.
"A Mile Beyond the Moon" by C M Kornbluth (1962)
Kornbluth is amazing, and yet he also died young, so tragic. My favorite book by him is “Wolfbane” with Fred Pohl [sic?], but the cover isn’t cool enough to showcase. It’s prolly a better read though, I’ll post it if I ever find a good lookin copy. Pryamid alien mind invasion.
"No Time Like Tomorrow" by Brian Aldiss (1959)
I think this may be the oldest book cover that I’ve uploaded yet. Brian Aldiss is amazing, I’m sure that I’ve read half of these short stories in other anthologies before. Read “Trillion Year Spree” and you’ll come close to knowing half as much as I do.
"The Quincunx of Time" by James Blish (1973)
So what is a quincunx, you ask? I don’t know but it inspired this totally badass sf book cover. I think there are several texts that reference it. Some sort of interstellar communicaxion device, Web 2099.0, duh.
"Nebula Maker and Four Encounters" by Olaf Stapledon (1983)
It could be that only my closest friends know why I consider this such an amazing find, but let me just say this: I’m glad that no one goes to the Half Price Books at MOPAC and Parmer in Austin.
"Krazy Kat" by Jay Cantor (1988)
Okay this may not strictly be SF but this book is an amazing examination of why Krazy Kat ceased publishing post-1945 (beyond the mere trifle of George Herriman’s death). The atomic bomb changed everything. How much more SF could a work of literature be? Thanks to Meg for the amazing Christmas present.
December 27th, 2007
"Dune Messiah" by Frank Herbert (1975)
Mike Miles reprezent
"The Star Dwellers" by James Blish (1961)
I barely remember what this book is about. It was entertaining but its forgettable sixties sf. The coolest part about it is that when I bought it (in San Antonion or Denton, I can’t remember which) it was in a bag. Or maybe it was in Austin? Jeez. Anywayz, James Blish stole the idea for sentient star beings from Stapledon.
"The Wind Whales of Ishmael" by Philip Jose Farmer (1971)
This book begins directly after “Moby Dick” (my favorite book) ends with some of the characters falling through the sky of an alien world. Unfortunately, I found the writing so dismal that I didn’t get much further than that. But the cover’s still dope. Reminds me of the Outback in the Maxx, y’all remember that? Reprezent Air Whales forevz. Anywayz, I picked up this dope-lookin tome at a used book store on Haight street when I went to San Fran in 2005.