My fiction quota for the summer (10/4/2013)

My fiction quota for the summer 10/04/2013 1 Comment   This summer, prior to preparing for an upcoming life-changing semester of graduate school (which will concern itself in another post), I decided to open up to a few chosen fiction novels. I honestly never read fiction since I am never without nonfiction to learn about. I made the decision by suggestion from a few transhumanist websites. I do not aim to write a book review of each here since I have seen more than enough of them online. I do suggest reading them to get perspective on a few things relating to the future and technology-- I do not want to spoil anything here. I began by reading Zoltan Istvan's The Transhumanist Wager and it was a rally cry for what the transhumanist movement could become. I felt like the protagonist and I cannot deny that I enjoyed the outcome of the book (and I want more to come). There are certain things in the book that some may find fault with (for good reason), but I had to think about them in the context of motivation and passion. Time is of the essence-- we need a Jethro Knights now! The second book I read was suggested by NPR's Science Friday podcast: Michael Crichton's (and Richard Prestons') Micro. This novel took a turn for the sci-fi partway through, but I stuck it out since I had never read Crichton before. Imagine the micro world of insects and then add murder and mystery to the mix. I found out later that Michael Crichton died in 2008 and I was upset since this was his last effort (half finished). The third book was Clyde Dsouza's Memories with Maya that very well could happen in this day and time. Having read this book after Zoltan's futuristic novel, I expected more futuristic science to happen. I believe that the author wanted to get the main point across about human memory and virtual reality-- I wanted to read about life extension and longevity. This book was the most believable though, and I wouldn't doubt that these themes inside are not currently happening. Ever post to a deceased friend's Facebook page? What if a virtual version of them posted back? I urge everyone, if they have the time, to look into reading these novels when your brain needs a break from textbooks.