This is a very short science fiction story that fits into 2 pages. I read it .... maybe 40 years back. Don't you think there must be something special to be remembered after 40 years. Yes, it has that magic in those special sci-fi stories.
This is a short note written by a robot about a man he met and befriended. The time... in the future... Set.... a faraway planetary system colonized by humans but only the robots have survived and they go on their work.
The note is about..maybe the last human being in that system.
Believe me! You too can enjoy it. It doesn't take five minutes to read.
It was a collection of short science fiction stories.
50 Short Science Fiction Tales (1963) [Anthology]
Friday, July 9, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke
This book was awarded both Hugo and nebula awards and is considered as a science fiction classic. At one time I was a science fiction addict. This is due to the fact that any newspaper or a magazine you put your hands on had something about space and space travel during my childhood. When the Sputnik orbited the earth I was 6 years old. So, as children we got an overdose of information about the space, space travel and majority of science fiction was about space and the aliens. Add to that, Arthur C. Clarke was an honored and honorary citizen of my land. This story I enjoyed a lot.
The story is set in the year 2130. Scientist observe an asteroid and when it comes closer they realize that it is not an asteroid but an alien spaceship. The ship is a perfect cylinder 50 km long. A group of scientists enter the ship and explore the artificial world inside the ship. It is an adventure in an totally different world.
A must-read for any sci-fi fan.
The story is set in the year 2130. Scientist observe an asteroid and when it comes closer they realize that it is not an asteroid but an alien spaceship. The ship is a perfect cylinder 50 km long. A group of scientists enter the ship and explore the artificial world inside the ship. It is an adventure in an totally different world.
A must-read for any sci-fi fan.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Memories of another day by Harold Robbins
Harold Robins is one of my favorite authors. I have read many books by him. He wrote more than 30 books.Many have been translated to other languages.. somewere adopted for fine films and the book on Hollywood and its history, Dream merchants were adopted for a TV series too.
Memories of another day is the story of Dan Huggings, a boy from a poor family who goes to work in a coal mine becoming one of the most powerful trade union leaders in USA. Story of Memories of another day is told as a journey of discovery by Dan's son digging into the roots of his father. Anyway this book captivated me with its lucid exposition of human nature and the deceit, and treachery going on behind the scenes of Trade Union movement. It reminds me of the Godfather by Mario Fuso.
Immensely readable. I could not keep it away till I finished.
Happy Reading!!
Some other books by Harrold Robbins that I have read;
Stilletoo, Adventurers, Carpetbaggers, Dream Merchants, The Piranhas, Descent from Xanadu
Memories of another day is the story of Dan Huggings, a boy from a poor family who goes to work in a coal mine becoming one of the most powerful trade union leaders in USA. Story of Memories of another day is told as a journey of discovery by Dan's son digging into the roots of his father. Anyway this book captivated me with its lucid exposition of human nature and the deceit, and treachery going on behind the scenes of Trade Union movement. It reminds me of the Godfather by Mario Fuso.
Immensely readable. I could not keep it away till I finished.
Happy Reading!!
Some other books by Harrold Robbins that I have read;
Stilletoo, Adventurers, Carpetbaggers, Dream Merchants, The Piranhas, Descent from Xanadu
Saturday, June 26, 2010
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I read the Sinhala translation of this book when I was 12 years.
It was a book for kids. Later I read it twice.
Both times with each of my two daughters.
Oh! my God. How can a little child understand what this eccentric has written.
Read and see for yourself.
About Exupery: He was an aviator. Whaaat?? Yes a pilot.
He did not like the more controllable aircraft like P-38 which he was flying when he disappeared.
He was an old school spy before James Bond.
Then he was a novelist.
A very colorful character.
Read about him after reading the Prince.
If this is not available with any book sellers download free from Gutenberg.
You can download more than 32,000 books free from Gutenberg.
It was a book for kids. Later I read it twice.
Both times with each of my two daughters.
Oh! my God. How can a little child understand what this eccentric has written.
Read and see for yourself.
About Exupery: He was an aviator. Whaaat?? Yes a pilot.
He did not like the more controllable aircraft like P-38 which he was flying when he disappeared.
He was an old school spy before James Bond.
Then he was a novelist.
A very colorful character.
Read about him after reading the Prince.
If this is not available with any book sellers download free from Gutenberg.
You can download more than 32,000 books free from Gutenberg.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Chesapeake : James A. Michener
Chesapeake by James A. Michener
This book I read when I was 33. Iwas in bed for a couple of years that gave me the opportunity to read lengthy books including the Bible (both testaments and apocrypha). This book I read twice more later. In my view it is not a novel. It is history disguised as a novel. History of the Chesapeake bay area for the period 1583 to 1978. Main character is the area of Chesapeake bay. One can feel the personality of the Chesapeake Bay area rising above all the different personalities who lived in the area during this period. It allows you to study how the religion, slavery, poverty, and industry changed during the four centuries covered in the book. I could not keep the book without finishing, though it ran to about 1,000 pages.
Happy reading!!
This book I read when I was 33. Iwas in bed for a couple of years that gave me the opportunity to read lengthy books including the Bible (both testaments and apocrypha). This book I read twice more later. In my view it is not a novel. It is history disguised as a novel. History of the Chesapeake bay area for the period 1583 to 1978. Main character is the area of Chesapeake bay. One can feel the personality of the Chesapeake Bay area rising above all the different personalities who lived in the area during this period. It allows you to study how the religion, slavery, poverty, and industry changed during the four centuries covered in the book. I could not keep the book without finishing, though it ran to about 1,000 pages.
Happy reading!!
They called me the bookworm.
Yes, they called me the bookworm. from the days in the primary school I used to read anything I could lay my hands on. I had three elder sisters and I read the books they were reading. Those were mainly the abridged versions of books like Sinbad the sailor, Gulliver's travels, and La Petite Prince translated to my mother tongue. Though I read the books written in Sinhala I did not like them much, maybe because i liked to know things that were strange to me. My reading habits change when I started studying English. Little by little I started to read English books, that made a whole world open to me. From those days I have read many books that I cannot recollect how many. Some books I have read many times over. Though it is the same book I see a wholly different picture and understand everything in a very different perspective. During my time at the University and the graduate school I had access to four very good libraries that made me read books written on almost any subject. The books I read were from the field of Engineering, Science, Politics, International Relations, Economics, Management, Philosophy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Mythology etc. Internet was available only about a quarter century later. My daughters also became bookworms and net-addicts inheriting my habits and the grand children too are showing sames signs. This also have given me a very rare opportunity. Reading kid's books at your thirties and sixties.
Talking about opportunities, I get them in very strange circumstances. At 32 I met with an accident and was bed-ridden for a couple of years, that I used to read a lot of books, thanks to my wife and many friends who kept me supplied with books, books and books. Ok! without boring I have to tell you what is this all about. My daughter suggests that I start a blog. i said I don't know to write the things they write in their blogs. She says that I must write what I know the most. The Books!!! I agreed.
Book Worm
Talking about opportunities, I get them in very strange circumstances. At 32 I met with an accident and was bed-ridden for a couple of years, that I used to read a lot of books, thanks to my wife and many friends who kept me supplied with books, books and books. Ok! without boring I have to tell you what is this all about. My daughter suggests that I start a blog. i said I don't know to write the things they write in their blogs. She says that I must write what I know the most. The Books!!! I agreed.
Book Worm
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