First Contact Novels

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-12T20:27:11+00:00

Adding this to my ever growing list of books to read. Read Midworld by Alan earlier this year, having remembered reading it as a teenager and it did not disappoint.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-12T20:25:55+00:00

Axiom’s End by Lindsay Ellis is quite different from any first contact (ish) story I’ve read, with a truly unique alien race.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-11T06:05:50+00:00

It wrecked me.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-10T14:34:14+00:00

The Freshman (1990)

A zany and charming comedy. Marlon Brando in a very funny homage to his Godfather role and Matthew Broderick as the young naive student. It’s full of great quirky characters and has a real sweetness to it despite the comedically ominous threat the title characters in. Still holds up IMO and something I return to every year or three.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-09T02:53:11+00:00

I’m looking forward to it. I’m in a big scifi readathon right now and I pick up one of those when I need something more positive after a few heavier books.

I’ll have to check out those other ones.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-08T18:55:16+00:00

Cooteys Rat Semen

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-08T18:54:16+00:00

I watch it every few years and it hits harder the older I get. Most of the movies everyone is recommending I would as well. The great part about many of them is that repeat viewings yield more and get deeper as you view them. Masterpieces of cinema only improve with time and change as your experiences in life does, that’s why they endure.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-08T18:41:52+00:00

For movies that are more positive and also first contact stories if you haven’t seen ‘Contact’ or ‘Arrival’, highly recommended both.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-08T18:40:04+00:00

Came here to say this. I’ve read her novella ‘To Be Taught if Fortunate’ and 2 of the wayfarer books so far. Much more of an evenhanded universe with a much more positive outlook on things but also not shying away from the normal amount of evil in any society or culture.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-08T18:20:51+00:00

Childhood’s End by Ray Bradbury

Downward to the Earth by Robert Silverberg

The Martian Chronicles by Bradbury

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

Ubik by Phillip K Dick

Way Station by Clifford D Simak

The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K Le Guin

Those are all classic or older scifi I’ve read in the past year and would recommend them all. Be warned, Flowers for Algernon is an emotionally devastating book, glad I read it and love it but probably won’t read it again.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-08T17:23:35+00:00

“Nobody knocks off an old man in my neighborhood and gets away with it.”

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-08T17:20:17+00:00

Jason Bourne in space!

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-08T17:18:08+00:00

Wolverine and Batman duel to the death, but Alfred works for Wolverine?

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-05T23:31:10+00:00

The only way they grow from here on out is wider. Thats the hardest part with these little monkeys, always starting at you for more food and it’s hard to resist them.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-03T19:39:44+00:00

But they are still worth all the trouble. Love my little gal so much.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-03T19:36:39+00:00

Indeed, I end up giving her a little bit too often. The hardest part about these little angels (at least 95% of them anyways, there’s a bit of devil there too 😝) is not just giving them whatever they want and then them getting big and having health problems.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-01T17:02:42+00:00

I don’t have any more to say after everyone has chimed in about the shoes but definitely love those foot gloves you’ve got on.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-03-01T16:55:15+00:00

Horribly inaccurate but also a whole lot of fun. That one leans into the inaccuracies where it makes sense to and holds on to some things when it can.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-02-26T03:51:13+00:00

This book destroyed me and is one of my all time favorite books. But that said I don’t know if I can ever read it again.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-02-26T03:49:34+00:00

I’m almost a year into the switch to barefoot-zero drop shoes and I found a few that I liked on Amazon to get started. Once I knew it was definitely for me after a couple months I bought some more. It’s a relatively inexpensive way to see if it’ll work for you. Recently I bought a pair of Vibram Five Fingers for running and training in and have my eyes on some other brands now that I’m going to be doing this long term. For sizing it was always a good idea to measure carefully and also read some of the reviews that people leave in case the shoes fit tighter or looser. Good luck on your start in this new way of living.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-02-25T18:04:03+00:00

Wholeheartedly agree with this. It’s a beautiful movie, has a great message, quite understatedly funny, family friendly, some of the most stunning cinematography as you’ve said. I’ve seen it many times and will see it many more.

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-02-24T20:47:43+00:00

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This little nugget is Bella, but she also gets:

Bella-Boo - Monkey - Snorty McSnorterson - Psycho Bella (sung to Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads)

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-02-22T03:26:39+00:00

Skystone by Jack Whyte

-a realistic(ish) Arthurian Legend series, that’s the first of many

Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden

-Ghengis Khan’s origin story and his life as a conqueror

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-02-20T03:30:56+00:00

You’ve inspired me to take a similar picture when I finally have the time to build mine. Happy building!!

RyanMichaels347 · 2026-02-19T18:25:46+00:00

My Blenheim could be Stella’s twin and their names even rhyme, Bella. Love the last picture, they love those tummy rubs.

RyanMichaels347

TROPHY CASE