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The finalists for the 2015 Hugo Awards were announced on April 4, 2015. Who deserves the prize for Best Novel?
| 3% | 7 votes |
| 5% | 10 votes |
| 2% | 4 votes |
| 15% | 30 votes |
| 9% | 18 votes |
| 64% | 128 votes |
[ Voting Booth | Other Polls | Back Home ]
- Don't complain about lack of options. You've got to pick a few when you do multiple choice. Those are the breaks.
- Feel free to suggest poll ideas if you're feeling creative. I'd strongly suggest reading the past polls first.
- This whole thing is wildly inaccurate. Rounding errors, ballot stuffers, dynamic IPs, firewalls. If you're using these numbers to do anything important, you're insane.
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The finalists for the 2015 Hugo Awards were announced on April 4, 2015. Who deserves the prize for Best Novel?
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You are a fluke of the universe; you have no right to be here.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Friday May 22 2015, @10:49PM
Tell me I missed him somewhere in the past winners list.
(Score: 2, Informative) by Foz on Thursday June 04 2015, @03:32PM
Going Postal was nominated, but Pratchett withdrew as he didn't want it to mar his enjoyment of the Worldcon [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 06 2015, @03:37PM
Who the fuck is Terry Pratchett?
(Score: 3, Informative) by martyb on Friday May 22 2015, @10:51PM
For more information see:
http://www.thehugoawards.org/2015/04/2015-hugo-award-finalists-announced/ [thehugoawards.org].
Wit is intellect, dancing.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by MrNemesis on Thursday May 28 2015, @04:44PM
Thanks for that - I have to say I've not heard of any of the books on the shortlist but I was still rather surprised to see nothing about the books themselves - even the official blurbs would have been an improvement. The vast array of marketing and bloggery for things like movies and TV series doesn't seem to exist for books (at least in my world). People seem to fall over themselves to see game of thrones in the first six femtoseconds of release but I'm not aware of any such time pressures for dead tree formats. Is this just because I'm a curmudgeonly old fart who thanks his parents for teaching him the benefits of delayed gratification? Anyway, straying off topic...
So Soylentils... if not from word of mouth, where do you hear about your book recommendations? And are any of these books in the Hugo list any good? :)
"To paraphrase Nietzsche, I have looked into the abyss and been sick in it."
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Thursday May 28 2015, @11:20PM
Once I got caught up on the Wheel of Time Series, I got that next Hard Cover edition as soon as I could. Now it's done and there's certainly no more books to be released by that author. I did grab the first book of the Stormlight Archives, but haven't rushed out to get the next one. It was fairly good though. I am the purchaser of books at our Library, but it's an Academic Library. The problem with books is any crazy person can write a book and just because it sells well doesn't mean it's a good book. Please see the Eragon series for further education on that subject. I typically don't read/spend a lot of money on new books as that would get expensive. I just got done with a month's binge of re-reading/purchasing each Wheel of Time book on my Nook Simple Touch. In contrast I have 900+ hours on Terraria. I payed something like $5 for 4 copies of that game. Lots more bang for your buck. Not to mention there are a ton of classics on Gutenberg that I haven't read yet. I recently started "Narrative of the life of David Crockett" by Himself http://www.gutenberg.org/files/37925/37925-h/37925-h.htm/ [gutenberg.org] and found it to be a rather interesting read. As far as places to find good new books, I just usually hit up Barnes and Noble and / or Amazon. I like going through the 0.00 books on my e-reader, but most of it is romance/erotica.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 3, Interesting) by bzipitidoo on Tuesday June 02 2015, @01:54PM
I chugged through the Wheel of Time series for a while, enduring the numerous slow parts, but the 7th book did me in.
I used to think it wouldn't be in the bookstore if it wasn't good. But then I picked up the Iron Tower trilogy and was appalled at what a naked rip of Tolkien it was. Using the bestseller list as a guide, I eventually got around to L. Ron Hubbard's stuff, and was disappointed to say the least. Later, I learned that his followers had manipulated the bestseller lists by repeatedly buying his works. They would never have made #1 otherwise. Now I hear that the Hugo Awards have been gamed in similar fashion, and that's why such crap is on the shortlist.
Yes, definitely spending my leisure time more on games and less on fiction. As you say, another factor is price. Around 1980 to 1982, a paperback was $2. Then publishers started raising prices, bumping it by 50 cents every year until it crossed the $5 point around 1990, and kept right on going until reaching $7 to $8. That was a faster rise than the rate of inflation. I became more conservative, buying only authors I liked. I tried used bookstores, but they're too hit or miss, was too hard to find the books I sought. Finally I quit buying.
I've also become more critical. As a teen, I thought Sword of Shannara was pretty good, despite being a little too similar to Lord of the Rings. Rereading parts of it again years later, I was shocked at how bad the writing was. Why didn't I see that the first time?
I also don't want to devote even more room, more shelf space, to more paper books. Technology could really help with that, and lots of other aspects of writing and library management, if allowed. Oh well, books were fun while it lasted.
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Tuesday June 02 2015, @06:39PM
I agree that the Wheel of Time Series was a bit long winded at times. The last 3 books that were co-authored by Brandon Sanderson were actually much better paced. Less describing of the minutiae and a lot more action / story. I have recently bought a few Humble Bundle Book Bundles. While the quality is hit and miss, it's decently cheap and are DRM Free. Usually you can get access to epub and PDF versions. Sometimes they have mobi versions and the comices usually have cbz as well. I got a good bit of the way through L. E. Modesitt, Jr.'s "Saga of Recluse". It's a fairly good / fun / engrossing read. I don't remember which book I stopped on and never got around to figuring it out. It didn't help that I started reading another series of books at the time. For the life of me I can't remember the name of that series. It had an interesting version of magic / technology. The main character starts out on a homestead where he raises sheep that have extremely tough wool that is used for armor, etc. It was also a fun read, but again I have no idea which book I stopped on. I should have all the books, but that would take a bit more time than I care to spend on it now. The nice thing about buying Tor books on my Nook is that they are DRM Free as well. I can back them up and read them elsewhere, if I so desire.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by VLM on Sunday June 07 2015, @11:39AM
WRT price, I find it fascinating that for decades the price of a mid-range restaurant cheezeburger is roughly the price of a paperback book. Has something to do with the cost of shipping a given mass and volume, and the amount of water and crude oil needed to make it, or something like that.
Not being more expensive than other stuff doesn't help if median standard of living peaked in 1970 for energy reasons. Then its just one more expensive thing. But it does show its not unusually expensive compared to stuff in completely unrelated industries. Its not like higher ed increasing in price 10%/yr "because they know the .gov will pay up no matter what". Book price increases are legitimate.
Oh well, books were fun while it lasted.
My public library has about 32K sci fi volumes or at least it did last time I went. Thats based on over 1000 books per tall double sided book shelf four book case long and about eight rows of sci fi. Most are older shovelware not worth reading, but there is also plenty of good stuff, all free. I'm not sure there's 32K titles worth stocking; there is substantial duplication, they must have a half dozen copies of Dune.
Also my local used book store sells for somewhat less than half price and their purchase price handles the cost of gas and sales tax, so its still cheaper than amazon. Admittedly half price means you get last decade's books for last decades price, today, so its still not free but not awful.
(Score: 3, Informative) by mcgrew on Friday May 29 2015, @05:44PM
You might try mine, electronic versions are free.
mcgrewbooks.com mcgrew.info nooze.org
(Score: 2) by Snotnose on Saturday May 23 2015, @03:59AM
I've heard of Jim Butcher, he's on my "meh" list. Kevin J Anderson rocks, I wasn't aware he had a new one out. Never heard of the other authors.
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.
(Score: 2) by Snotnose on Saturday May 23 2015, @04:06AM
Should mention:
a) I voted for "I can't read" as I haven't read any of them
b) The authors I've never heard of are on my "Stuff to read" list
c) Seriously, I have a StR list. Use Evernote to fill it, and my phone to access it in the bookstore/library
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Bill Evans on Saturday May 23 2015, @10:24AM
Whew! I'm not the only one [mariposabill.com]!
(Score: 2) by sudo rm -rf on Thursday May 28 2015, @03:01PM
That's an ... impressive list, to say the very least. Hats off to you!
(Score: 1) by Belmakor on Thursday May 28 2015, @08:10PM
I use the Reading List plugin for Calibre. Nice, assuming you already have or can get the ebook.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by TheRaven on Thursday June 11 2015, @03:29PM
Kevin J Anderson rocks
Really? The man can't write an ending to save his life and his characters are dull stereotypes.
sudo mod me up
(Score: 4, Funny) by rts008 on Saturday May 23 2015, @08:49AM
After all of the controversy over factions gaming the system, and other shady political doings, I find myself with the attitude of: So what? Who cares WHAT you think? I'll skip them this year and find my own new stuff. There is a lot out there. It always gets ugly, inept, clumsy, and irrelevant, when politics tries to subjugate art, literature, and science.
Persecute microbiologists, physicists, chemists, and engineers, and industrialists, and when push comes to shove, and enough is enough, you better run away...far away.
Never underestimate a lifelong bullied science nerd/geek when the perceived 'tables have turned'. We will make you want to go back in time and face and crotch-shoot your parents with an RPG-7, multiple times, right before your conception, and then launch yourself into the blazing heart of an active volcano with 100 litres of petrol.
The People's Liberating Anarchist Front of Opposition to Oppression and 420 Advocates, and Upholders of Our Drawers, will prevail!!
Wait, what? *Gooood Peyote, man!* No, I was on Twitter, man. Honest!
Wow! I've always wanted to experience the whole 'went off the deep end, wacked out, rat-fucking insane', and no consequences! That was interesting...cool, I can see the appeal...
(Score: 5, Funny) by zocalo on Sunday May 24 2015, @09:23AM
Or spell, it seems.
UNIX? They're not even circumcised! Savages!
(Score: 1, Flamebait) by jmorris on Monday May 25 2015, @04:21AM
As one of the Unnumbered Vile Faceless Minions of the Supreme Dark Lord of the Evil Legion of Evil, I of course voted in lockstep with His wishes. But honestly that was the only one of the nominated works I had even picked up and read the first of and well, I suppose it eventually got around to being Science Fiction but how much of that dreary history of Chinese Communism does one have to wade through before it gets good? Ok, I know communism is evil. But unless it somehow winds up tying into the plot in a big enough way for the payoff to justify it, seemed a big waste or just padding pagecount. Anyway I didn't check it out and finish it, guess I probably should since the Puppies are gonna give it a Hugo and all.
(Score: 1) by Gertlex on Tuesday May 26 2015, @03:24AM
Ann Leckie's Ancillary novels are quite good reads. (looking forward to the third one later this year)
Though I recognize a few of the other book titles, that's the only one of the listed I've read. This is because, unfortunately, it seems most novels on these lists end up getting their price increased at the usual sellers, and that tends to discourage my impulse buys. (and new novels were always challenging to find at libraries, though it has been a few years since I went to one)
(Score: 2) by jasassin on Thursday May 28 2015, @08:06AM
If its not a Chilton repair manual, a schematic for a home appliance, or a technical manual I probably won't read it.
If they unearth some trove of unreleased Asimov I'd be all over that!
All work and no robotics makes jasassin a dull boy.
jasassin@gmail.com GPG Key ID: 0xE6462C68A9A3DB5A
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Thursday May 28 2015, @11:53PM
I thought that as a Man you weren't supposed to be reading those useless manuals. At least that's what I keep getting told.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by mcgrew on Friday May 29 2015, @05:50PM
Manuals are for nerds. Fuck that "real man" bullshit.
mcgrewbooks.com mcgrew.info nooze.org
(Score: 2) by mcgrew on Friday May 29 2015, @05:48PM
Well, I have no unreleased Asimov but he's mentioned in both of my novels. However, since he wrote over 500 books there's certainly a lot of Asimov out there that I've not read.
My next book is a collection of public domain SF, Asimov's only story to no longer be under copyright will be in it.
mcgrewbooks.com mcgrew.info nooze.org
(Score: 2) by wisnoskij on Friday May 29 2015, @03:16PM
Seriously, I cannot imagine trying to keep up with modern literature. I read somewhere that like thousands of books get published a day. There are billions and billions of old great books, you could likely spend a lifetime just reading the boos published in one year. It just makes more sense to focus your effort on books which have proven to have staying power instead of the newest flash in the pan.
(Score: 2) by wisnoskij on Friday May 29 2015, @03:19PM
*reads
(Score: 2) by n1 on Sunday June 07 2015, @04:44PM
If no one reads the new books, or takes the time to digest them like the classics, then in 50 years from now the books with 'staying power' will be the same one as they are now.
I generally take the opposite approach, if lots of people have engaged with a certain bit of media, be it books, movies or music, i'm more likely to go find something else. The ones with 'staying power' are not going anywhere, there are already millions of people who will endorse it and keep the art alive for the next generation(s).
Surely it's better to discover something new and spread the word about something that until now had little of recognition it deserves. I totally get your logic, and it can be frustrating to find something new and good, but it's worth the effort and immensely rewarding when you do get there.
There is however a very valid point you make about a signal:noise problem with all media now, there are books coming out every day and it is impossible to keep up. However, ignoring it and sticking to the classics does not benefit the art, it only places more value on the marketing machines to keep certain books or intellectual properties in the public consciousness.
On a related tangent: I'm not a fan of The Beatles music, however I can appreciate the value of their music from listening to people who are fans of their work and were inspired by them. That is not to say I don't enjoy their music either, I do, but i'd rather continue with the evolution and hear people who were inspired by them, than look back on it as a golden age of music in which nothing that came after can compare.
The classics in literature and other media laid a foundation and other people have built on, the last thing we should be doing it dismissing it. It's no longer served up for us in a way that tells us we will like it before we've even read it, thats a good thing. Art is subjective and shouldn't be shackled by tradition and group-think.
(Score: 5, Funny) by mcgrew on Friday May 29 2015, @05:51PM
But since nobody but you guys have heard of me...
mcgrewbooks.com mcgrew.info nooze.org
(Score: 2) by TLA on Sunday May 31 2015, @09:38PM
Yeah, I'm lazy when it comes to digesting fiction, but there again I can't read when I'm asleep - I discovered a trick while I was at school learning French, I'd tune my longwave to a French radio station and leave it playing all night, I Aced every single test I did. Ended up pretty fluent, actually. I carry that on now with fiction, right now I've got the Dune series queued (almost finished Machine Crusade), after House Atreides (I don't go by any particular order), I'll start on the Discworlds - all 40 of those, in order this time, read by Nigel Planer. I'd not heard of the Anderson title in the above list, but me being a huge Anderson fan I'll be on the lookout for the audio in short order.
Excuse me, I think I need to reboot my horse. - NCommander
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Tuesday June 02 2015, @06:43PM
Audio books are great, but they are typically much more expensive. I do like https://librivox.org/ [librivox.org] though.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by TLA on Tuesday June 02 2015, @07:09PM
there are some fantastic narrators out there. Catherine Asaro narrates her own, she's got a lovely voice - I could listen to her narrate the phone book all day. On a loop. There's also Jim Dale (Harry Potter series), Stephen Fry (I'd listen to him narrating pretty much anything), John DeLancie (the more darkly comic the book the better), John Hurt can read me any political thriller he sets his voice to, and I would die happy if Nichelle Nichols would narrate Saturna's Quest. I'm biased in saying that, as I've met her (and got her to sign my copy).
Excuse me, I think I need to reboot my horse. - NCommander
(Score: 2) by arslan on Thursday June 04 2015, @03:12AM
for what seems like the most popular book here on SN "I can't read, you insensitive clod!"?
Anyone got a micro review?
(Score: 1) by Absolutely.Geek on Thursday June 04 2015, @03:49AM
Well it started off with a bunch of words I couldn't read and didn't get better from there. So overall I give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
Don't trust the police or the government - Shihad: My mind's sedate.
(Score: 1) by Moggy on Thursday June 04 2015, @03:54AM
I'd add it but I'm not sure how slash code handles emoji's
As a description the title looks something like:
an eye next to a book with a cross through it, an arrow pointing to a persons head about to be pounded with a hammer
ACK; NAK; RST;
(Score: 2) by Snotnose on Sunday June 14 2015, @12:35AM
Ancillary Sword, Ann Leckie - great idea, boring reading
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison - about 100 pages into it, about to drop it
Skin Game, Jim Butcher - Typical Butcher, deux ex machina in every third chapter, don't really care about the story nor the characters
Haven't yet got to the Anderson nor Liu books, but I'm guessing 4 out of the 5 books are gonna be "why did I waste my time reading this?"
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.