At the start of the year I said I was going to read a selection of apocalyptic books this year. It's turned out to be a highly enjoyable task, with a good mix of horrible despair and joyous hope. Here's an update on how I'm doing:
Read
- Alas, Bablyon - Pat Frank
- The Road - Cormac McCarthy
- Earth Abides - George R Stewart
- On The Beach - Neville Shute
- Dr. Bloodmoney - Philip K Dick
- The Postman - David Brin
- The Death Of Grass - John Christopher
- The Drowned World - JG Ballard
Still to read
- Wastelands - Edited by John Joseph Adams
- Canticle for Leibowitz - Walter M., Jr. Miller
- The Last Man - Mary Shelley
- The Stand - Stephen King
- Summer Of The Apocalypse - James Van Pelt
- Oryx And Crake - Margaret Attwood
I've decided to extend the reading past the end of this year, mainly because then I can ask for some of these books for Christmas. Wastelands, which inspired the whole task, unfortunately sold out at Amazon when I requested it for my birthday, so despite being the first on my list it still hasn't been read. Thank goodness for imminent present giving social ceremonies.
Extending the task also means that I can read some of the books sitting on my shelf waiting for me, most notable Black Man.
Read Oryx and Crake immediately... forget Black Man for a while. How that won the Arthur C Clarke this year is beyond me... I reckon it's Morgan's worst book so far... (by worst, I mean the least good one.. as they are all actually good, of course)
Oryx And Crake is down on my Christmas list :-) However, Black Man is sitting in my shelf, so that wins.