Folks the Turkey Birds Would Invite Over for Dinner

Focus for this list:
In a lunchtime debate over the merits of Lord of the Rings, my husband and I ended up talking about how there are some books you read just because you like spending time with the characters. And thus was born this post.  Mind you, we don't always agree, so this is a three part list. It reminded me a bit of our discussions about the wedding lists. Enjoy, and feel free to tell us in the comments whom YOU would like to have over for dinner!  :)

Our Mutual Guest List:  
1.  Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. 
Yes, we would have lots of sweets.

2.  Lady Cecelia from the Serrano / Suiza series by Elizabeth Moon
She's charming, witty, wildly opinionated, and she'd likely solve some of our problems -- whether we wanted her to or not!

3.  Lars & Killashandra from the Crystal Singer series by Anne McCaffrey
C'mon, the stories they could tell!!! 


Mr. Turkey's List:
4 & 5.  Jubal Harshaw from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
If you haven't met Jubal, you've not lived.  Still, he's on Mr. Turkey's list and not mine because I think he would be a bit intimidating. I'd love to listen to him, though.  And hey, if we could also invite Edmund Talbot from John Ringo's There Will Be Dragons, I'd sit in the corner, all ears!

6.  Bilbo from The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
This matter was seriously debated, but Mr. Turkey finally settled on Bilbo, saying that he could bring Beorn cakes with him!

7.  Jack Aubrey from The Aubrey Maturin Series by Patrick O'Brian
He's got a gregarious personality and lots of stories about life aboard a frigate.


Mrs. Turkey's List:
8.  Minerva Dobbs & Friends from Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
If all of my best buddies lived within walking distance, we'd be like the folks in this book -- I just know it.  *sigh*  So, in the meantime, I hang out with this crew when I get to feeling lonely. 

9.  Carialle & Keff from The Ship Who Won, and The Ship Errant by Anne McCaffrey & Jody Lynn Nye
Faire + The Holodeck + brain and brawn partnerships = fabulous conversations and companionship.

10. Friday from Robert A. Heinlein's book of the same name.
She's just fabulous!  I'd love to invite her whole family over for afternoon tea. 

End Note:
Hmmmm, looking at the lists, I think we've even created groups of characters who would get along well together.  So, three different dinner parties it is!  When are YOU coming over? 

Military Science Fiction

1.  Robert Heinlein: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
2.  David Drake: Redliners
3.  Frank Herbert: Dune
4.  David Weber & John Ringo: March Upcountry
5.  Mark Van Name: One Jump Ahead
6.  Lois McMaster Bujold, The Warrior's Apprentice
7.  Orson Scott Card: Ender's Game
8.  Joe Haldeman: Forever Peace
9.  Robert Asprin: Phule's Company
10. John Ringo: There Will Be Dragons

Focus for this list:
Over the years I've developed quite a fondness for military science fiction.  I'll never forget meeting David Drake at a party and telling him that my favorite book of his was Redliners.  His stunned response was, "What's a nice little schoolteacher like you doing reading that book?"  To my mind, its theme of the redemption of battle-weary (and quite unappreciated) soldiers was one that resonated because I'm a teacher, not in spite of that fact.  As for the rest of the list: you'll find genuine classics (The Moon is a Harsh Misteress), works of philosophy (Dune), comic pieces (Phule's Company), several heros you'll grow to love (One Jump Ahead), and many more that will keep you up late while entertaining you quite thoroughly.  Now, why is Heinlein's Starship Troopers not on this list, even though many feel it pioneered this sub-genre?  Well, 'cause I like The Moon is a Harsh Mistress better.  So there!  Go read 'em both and tell me what YOU think!  :)

Stay Up All Night Reading

1.  Linda Howard: Now You See Her
2.  Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer: Agnes and the Hitman
3.  Lois McMaster Bujold: Cordelia's Honor
4.  Elizabeth Moon: Trading in Danger
5.  Anne McCaffrey: Freedom's Choice
6.  John Ringo: There Will Be Dragons
7.  Jodi Picoult: Plain Truth
8.  Kay Hooper: Hunting Fear
9.  Dan Brown: The Da Vinci Code
10.  Anne McCaffrey & Jody Lynn Nye: The Death of Sleep


Focus for this list:
Some are funny, and some will scare you stiff, but all of them will keep you awake and reading when the house has long gone silent around you.  Enjoy!

Speculative Fiction Starter List:

1. Robert A. Heinlein: The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
2. C. S. Friedman: This Alien Shore
3. John Ringo: There Will Be Dragons (The Council War)
4. Elizabeth Kerner: Song In The Silence: The Tale of Lanen Kaelar
5. David Drake: Redliners
6. Elizabeth Moon: Remnant Population
7. Spider & Jeanne Robinson: The Star Dancers
8. Lois McMaster Bujold: The Vorkosigan Series
9. Orson Scott Card: Songmaster
10. Anne McCaffrey & S. M. Stirling: The City Who Fought (Brainship)

Focus for this list:
Each of these books is a stand-out in its particular sub-genre, and they're all wildly good reads. Think of this as a variety box of truffles; not all will be to your taste, but they're all high-quality and stand a good chance of getting you hooked!