RIP - Frederik Pohl

   Passing away at the ripe old age of 93  (b. 11/26/19) - (d. 09/02/13), Frederik Pohl's Science-Fiction works were published from 1937 thru 2011. This isn't just a great sci-fi writer, folks; this is one of the genre's Founding Fathers.

    Go in peace, Frederik.  I can't help but think you've already been reborn on a planet three-quarters of the way across the galaxy.

RIP - Iain Banks

    Iain Banks (aka Iain M. Banks) passed away on 09 June, after a short battle against gall-bladder cancer, and at the all-too-early age of 59.  He was a top-tier contemporary Science Fiction writer.

    I've read two of his books - The Player of Games and Against A Dark Background, and two more of his books are on my TBR shelf.  His world-building was fantastic and there was a flair to his writing.  He will be missed.

Quote For The Day

"What are your fees?" inquired Guyal cautiously.

 "I respond to three questions," stated the augur. "For twenty terces I phrase the answer in clear and actionable language; for ten I use the language of cant, which occasionally admits of ambiguity; for five, I speak a parable which you must interpret as you will; and for one terce, I babble in an unknown tongue."

 (from 'The Dying Earth', by Jack Vance)

RIP - Jack Vance

    One of the deans of Science Fiction, Jack Vance (b. 08/28/16 - d. 05/26/13) enjoyed a career that lasted more than a half-century.  His most celebrated work was one of his earliest - a four-volume fantasy series called The Dying Earth.

    He passed away last Sunday.  Somehow I missed it until now.  Too much partying, I guess.  Methinks it's time to hit the bookstores and buy/read a couple of his novels.

Why I read Sci-Fi

    Because I can handle it.