I lost a close friend today...

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

http://io9.com/iain-m-banks-author-of-t ... -512173168
Been reading his books since I was 15, and I feel as close to him as I would any of my friends.
So here's to you Sun-Earther Iain El-Bonko Banks of North Queensferry, you changed my life with your words.

Also, do yourselves a favor and, if you enjoy sci-fi, READ THESE BOOKS. They are AWESOME.
http://nuwen.net/culture.html

[szh]

Although I am an avid Science Fiction reader, I have to admit that I have not read anything by Iain M. Banks ... which surprised me, since I thought I knew almost all of them (meaning Sci-Fi writers), or had their books, etc.

So, anyway, I just bought his first book in the Culture series for my Kindle - will start on this in a few days.

Thanks!

Z

[MinisterofDOOM]

Always sad to see a beloved author die. Was he at least done with his books? Nothing's worse than seeing a genius' opus "finished" by some troglodyte with a pen and pulp sci-fi background.

[BusyBadger]

Always sad to see a beloved author die. Was he at least done with his books? Nothing's worse than seeing a genius' opus "finished" by some troglodyte with a pen and pulp sci-fi background.

His last book should hit the shelves in a couple of weeks.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

Well...each of the Culture books are stand-alone novels with loose ties such as taking place in a particular war or "era" of the galaxy. Each book represents one particular area of the Culture and taken as a whole paint one of the best Universes in Sci-Fi. So, there is no real "Opus", but there are still some sections of the Universe I would have liked developed more.
He also is well known for his VERY dark Fiction.
He even has a Whiskey travel guide for Ireland!

I started with Consider Phlebas and my favorite currently is Excession.

[szh]

I started with Consider Phlebas ...

That is the one I bought yesterday ... haven't started it yet. Will do soon.

Z