Books

Something that I enjoy doing is reading, and over the years, I have read many wonderful books and many horrible books. Writing is an important medium of communication, because by its very nature, it can easily stimulate the reader's imagination. Before we have motion pictures, ideas were conveyed through the spoken and written word. Entire cultures have been built upon and fallen due to some of these ideas. Whatever the result, the sign of an excellent book is that it moves you, that it compels you to think, and, of course, that it entertains. Here is a list of my favourite books and why I loved them. I won't give anything away, so you'll just have to read them yourself.

The Chrysalids, by John Wyndham - Without a doubt in my mind, this is my favourite book of all time, and in the eight years since I first read it in highschool, not one book has come close to displacing it from that position. Imagine a world where the chances of having a normal, unmutated, child is less than 50%. Imagine an isolated God-fearing society that demands maintenance of the status-quo and the destruction of all that is deviant. Imagine the life of a boy who grows up as part of this community despite his own abnormalities, abnormalities which are not apparent to the eye. Published in the mid-fifties, this book is an exploration into the roots of prejudice, and even moreso into the grand theory of evolution. Who or what defines that which is considered normal? Are humans truly the epitomy of evolution? As the answers to these questions are revealed, it becomes exceedingly clear that Wyndham's intent was to impart a lesson that still has signifcant ramifications today.

Other books by John Wyndham - Many books written under the name John Wyndham (it was a pseudonym), dealt with the concept of the supersession of the human race by a species that is more superior. The Midwich Cuckoos explores the idea of group consciousness and telepathic control and how our society is not equipped to deal with beings that possess a corporate mind. Some of you might know that this book was the basis for the movie Village of the Damned. The Day of the Triffids tells the story of a world suddenly struck blind and then overtaken by a race of mobile, intelligent plants. Web is the tale of a group of people stranded on an island populated by intelligent spiders. In each case, we are brought to question whether we are the most "advanced" species on the planet.

The Seeds of Time is a collection of short stories and Chocky is the story of a boy who has a link with a distant otherworldly being. Both are enjoyable reads. I have yet to read Trouble With Lichen, and I am still searching for Consider Her Ways (published in the UK only; out of print) and The Kraken Wakes (published in the UK only).

Stranger in a Strange Land, The Original Uncut Version, by Robert A. Heinlein - Heinlein was a prolific writer. By the time he passed away in the early 90's he had published a large volume of material. I'm not sure about the exact number, but it's large. You might recognize his name as his book Starship Troopers was made into that crappy movie of the same name. (The book was amazing, contrary to what the movie might have you believe.) One of his most renowned works is Stranger in a Strange Land, which tells the tale of a human, Mike, born and raised on Mars by Martians, and then returned to Earth and forced to assimilate into human society. With the help of memorable characters like Jubal Harshaw, Ben Caxton, Jill Boardman, and Patty Paiwonski, Mike explores the facets of humans and their lives: their philosophies, their science, and their religion, as he tries to discover what it means to be human.

knowing that she never could be. Again, the question is put forth: What does it mean to be human? You may find an answer in this book.

Other books by R. A. Heinlein - If you're looking for a light read, The Door into Summer is perfect for you. It can easily be finished in one or two sittings and is a lovely story of a man and his cat trying to rebuild a life that was taken from them. Starship Troopers is an insightful journey into the world of the military, and as I mentioned above, don't be intimidated by the looming shadow of the horrifying movie of the same title. The book really is wonderful.

Animal Farm, by George Orwell - Orwell's most famous book is 1984, written about a totalitarian society where Big Brother is constantly looking over your shoulder. Another book that has achieved notable success is Animal Farm, an amusing tale about farm animals that revolt on their domineering master. But don't be fooled: it also offers significant insights into human nature and perhaps would make a worthy prelude to the larger story. The beauty of Animal Farm is that the story is short, and can easily be read in a day, even while you're supposed to be working (hee hee).

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee - Let me dispel the notion that all I read is sci-fi. It's not. MOST of what I read is sci-fi. To Kill a Mockingbird is an example of an excellent story that is certainly not science fiction. Most of us know the story of Scout Finch and Boo Radley. Set in the little town of Maycomb in the American South during a period of racial disharmony, Scout learns about the prejudices that people have and the harm they are willing to inflict upon one another. The story revolves around what happens to Scout when her father, Atticus Finch, a lawyer, defends a black man in court. Meanwhile, in the background, is the story of Boo Radley, a man vilified by the townsfolk. Who is Boo Radley? Is he the Boogey-man? I highly suggest you read this book. It is a beautiful, timeless story and certainly deserves to be called a classic.

The Watch That Ends the Night, by Hugh MacLennan - Set against the backdrop of Montreal in the thirties, MacLennan takes us on a vivid journey into the lives of George and Catherine Stewart, happily married, but with the looming spectre of death hanging over Catherine's head as she struggles with illness. Suddenly, Jerome Martell, once George's best friend and hero, once Catherine's lover and husband, and once thought to have been killed by the Nazis in a prison camp, returns to Montreal to seek out his love. What follows is a riveting tale of love and heartbreak as the three characters struggle to make sense of the past in order to deal with the present and future... Not only is this a beautiful beautiful story, it is undeniable proof that I read more than just science fiction!

The original story was heavily edited because many of the topics it covers were strictly taboo during the time it was written, but Virginia Heinlein worked to have the original manuscript published in full after Heinlein passed away. This book is loved and hated, and many readers claim it to be Heinlein's best or his worst. I personally feel that it is among his best. The Original Uncut Version tells the full story of Mike the Martian, and his experiences on Earth. Read it, and even if you end up in the hating half of the population, at the very least, you might just learn how to "grok".

Friday, by Robert A. Heinlein - I have to mention this book as well because it explores the same issues as Stranger from a vastly different point of view. Friday Jones is a "courier". She travels around the world and delivers "packages". She is also not entirely human. Biogenetically engineered, Friday is far more than human, but identical to the molecular level and indistinguishable from her un-engineered counterpart. But in a world where her kind is not accepted, Friday is constantly trying to find a way to be part of human society while