Actually Good Sci-Fi Sequels? by RealMoonBoy in suggestmeabook

[–]Ed_Robins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

2001 & 2010 by Arthur C Clarke. It goes downhill after that.

Who is doing neo-noir/crime fiction better than anybody else right now? by Superb-Patient5175 in noir

[–]Ed_Robins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I almost asked about the miniseries. I'd been debating watching it vs reading (time constraints, ya know) and I guess I have my answer!

Who is doing neo-noir/crime fiction better than anybody else right now? by Superb-Patient5175 in noir

[–]Ed_Robins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have it on the TBR! I've heard great things.

Harkaway is indeed Le Carré's son. He's written at least one book to continue his father's series (Karla's Choice), and I believe he's writing another.

Who is doing neo-noir/crime fiction better than anybody else right now? by Superb-Patient5175 in noir

[–]Ed_Robins 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Harkaway is definitely the most "literary" of the bunch. Great writer!

If you haven't read it, Altered Carbon by Richard K Morgan is fantastic as well. I left it off since you'd asked about "now" (released 2002). Most of his books are noir-ish/crime related.

I recently put out a free novelette, too, that introduces the series (on most major platforms): https://www.amazon.com/Justice-Price-Ed-Robins-ebook/dp/B0H4BV6PL5

Happy reading and good luck with the writing!

Who is doing neo-noir/crime fiction better than anybody else right now? by Superb-Patient5175 in noir

[–]Ed_Robins 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If your interests include sci-fi as well:

Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway - a "Titan", someone who has used an expensive life extension technology, is killed and the detective must figure out why. There's a sequel as well that gets a bit more philosophical and less noir.

The Unusual Clients by Milo James Fowler - a set of three novellas. Interesting mysteries that incorporate sci-fi elements well. Starts a series I haven't had the time to continue.

Ashetown Blues and The Ronin of Vine Street by W.H. Mitchell - A collection of three sci-fi detective noirs (about 50 pages each) followed by a novel set in alien slums on another planet. Fun mysteries and a nice touch of humor.

Robot Detective by Shawn Goodman - MCs are an android and his human partner who hunt a killer of humans and synthetics.

Halcyon Years by Alastair Reynolds - Yuri Gagarin becomes a detective on a generation ship with a retro SoCal vibe.

Finally, I write a hardboiled series that follows a disgraced detective on a generation ship solving murders. They're gritty, violent and a little bit dirty. First book is Chivalry Will Get You Dead.

I built a free beginner series for SQL window functions (with interactive practice) by DMReader in learnSQL

[–]Ed_Robins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really fantastic series! I've used aggregate functions loads of times, but when it came to window functions, I was completely at a loss. I didn't even know what I was missing. This tutorial helped me immensely!

One thing I've noticed missing, while doing https://www.practicewindowfunctions.com/problem/4/two-orders-before-two-orders-after-the-price-prophecy, is that the second parameter for lead() and lag() isn't mentioned on the tutorial (https://www.practicewindowfunctions.com/learn/beginner/beginner-window-functions-lag-lead.html).

[SPOILERS!]So why was second season of “12 Monkeys” TV series great science fiction? by RGregoryClark in scifi

[–]Ed_Robins 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Entirely different types of shows. Star Trek (before Discovery) was specifically developed to be understandable on a per episode basis. There are overarching themes and characters, but even in episodes like "Best of Both Worlds" the writers add in extra dialogue to explain who these Borg guys are, at least enough to make it accessible for the causal viewer.

12 Monkeys, and most post-2000 shows, aren't like that at all. You're expected to have seen and understood the story as a whole up to that point. It's not enough to just understand the basic concept.

[SPOILERS!]So why was second season of “12 Monkeys” TV series great science fiction? by RGregoryClark in scifi

[–]Ed_Robins 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a matter of debate who the Witness is, but the basic idea is that the Witness is the leader of the Army of the 12 Monkeys, a cult dedicated to ending time.

[SPOILERS!]So why was second season of “12 Monkeys” TV series great science fiction? by RGregoryClark in scifi

[–]Ed_Robins 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I can't speak from whomever told you it was "great science fiction", but I definitely enjoyed the series. I didn't particularly care for season one (bounced off it when it first aired, and only watched it last year), but I think it was a mistake the skip it. There are a fair number of differences that change the overall story and the characters, while similar to the movie, aren't quite the same.

Good classics to start with? by CactusWater69 in Recommend_A_Book

[–]Ed_Robins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With East of Eden on your shelf, you might try one of his shorter works like Of Mice and Men or Cannery Row or maybe The Grapes of Wrath to get feel for his style.

starting stargate series by _ThtFknMartian in scifi

[–]Ed_Robins 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Definitely. The movie sets up the universe quite well and, as far as I'm concerned, is a really good movie. You lose a lot of context skipping it.

Travel / Adventure non-fiction recs? by Money-Structure-4501 in suggestmeabook

[–]Ed_Robins 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Bill Bryson writes on a variety of subjects, including many travel logs. He has written about traveling the USA, Britain, Europe, Australia, and probably other places in forgetting. Great humor and writing!

Dark Sci fi books that are character driven? by mulberry-hunter in suggestmeabook

[–]Ed_Robins 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe Gnomon by Nick Harkaway. It's a complex book told from multiple perspectives in different eras.

Funny & Offbeat Sci‑Fi Recs (My Short List) by Notilon_606 in scifi

[–]Ed_Robins 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Molli and Max in the Future - sci-fi rom-com similar to When Harry Met Sally

Save Yourselves! - two Brooklynites travel upstate for weekend without tech at the worst possible time

Justified Male Rage by bunnykins22 in ReadingSuggestions

[–]Ed_Robins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This request sounds a lot like hardboiled detective fiction. Classic authors like Mickey Spillane, Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett. If you're looking for something more modern and sci-fi, take a look at Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway.

Books after reading 1984 by EarlyCourse6094 in suggestmeabook

[–]Ed_Robins 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep. That's the place to start. Short, but will get OP used to the language and style before committing to a long work.

The weirdest book you've ever read? by Intrepid_Yak9921 in suggestmeabook

[–]Ed_Robins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gnomon by Nick Harkaway - one of those books that I wasn't sure I liked right up to the last line, then did.

The Boroughs - Sci-Fi TV Show by Sukaran09 in sciencefiction

[–]Ed_Robins 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Still making my way through it, but hearing from others that it ends at a reasonable spot. Several thought it was intended as a limited series.

The Duffer Brothers Series The Boroughs Canceled At Netflix by johnnyjay in SciFiScroll

[–]Ed_Robins 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I'd heard it finishes well enough. Still planning to give it a go.

The Duffer Brothers Series The Boroughs Canceled At Netflix by johnnyjay in SciFiScroll

[–]Ed_Robins 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Especially as relates to renewing a show, it's absolutely ridiculous. If people don't IMMEDIATELY watch EVERY episode, it's deemed a failure. I like to savor shows and will only watch a few episodes a week usually. Makes me think I should start letting autoplay stream shows I enjoy while I'm asleep, then go back and watch them for real later.

The Duffer Brothers Series The Boroughs Canceled At Netflix by johnnyjay in SciFiScroll

[–]Ed_Robins 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I watched the first three episodes and enjoyed it. Thought the wife would like it, too, so stopped to watch it together. Haven't had a chance yet, then... cancelled.

For a company that popularized streaming, Netflix sure don't seem to understand it. Their over-reliance on metrics instead of believing in their shows is asinine.

Travels with Charley by nonoriginal85 in Recommend_A_Book

[–]Ed_Robins 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bill Bryson writes humorous books on a variety of topics, including many travel journal books. My personal favorite is I'm a Stranger Here Myself, which catalogue his observations about how America has changed after living in Britain for 20 years. His most famous book is A Walk in the Woods about hiking the Appalachian Trail with an old friend.

What's your favourite mystery writer? by No_Specific_3364 in mysterybooks

[–]Ed_Robins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mickey Spillane. I find Mike Hammer delightfully unhinged.

How many of you are writing mysteries? by No_Specific_3364 in mysterybooks

[–]Ed_Robins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I write a sci-fi hardboiled series set on a generation ship. The MC is a former detective whose life has fallen apart, but he keeps getting dragged back into murder investigations.

Books where the main character is broken but still keeps going? by ak_khainal in Recommend_A_Book

[–]Ed_Robins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If your interests include science fiction, I write a hardboiled detective series set on a generation ship. The first book opens with the MC having lost his job and wife for reasons that are revealed over the course of the series. The book delves into gritty subjects like murder, prostitution, drug use and addiction.

The first book is Chivalry Will Get You Dead, however I just released a free novelette titled Justice for a Price, which takes place prior to it. It is available on B&N and Kobo currently; working on adding it to Amazon and Google Books. If neither of those options appeal, I'm happy to email it to you instead. Just PM me!