I met Jess for dinner tonight at Red Red Wine Bar. It’s really good, and I’m glad we went, even if it is kind of hard to say. Try it. You might get it right the first time, but I bet you say “Red Wed Wine Bar” the second time. Sober, even. I had a good zinfandel (well, it was a little too sweet, but I liked the fruit in it, and I have NO idea where it came from), and Jess tried a sparkling wine flight.
I’m a little preoccupied right now, so this will probably be short. I’m going to the office tomorrow (getting up early), and my brain is busy calculating how much (how little) sleep I’m going to get. I’m also trying to decide what to wear.
It’s tough being me.
Also, Jess wants to buy someone their first Heinlein book and asked me to recommend one. I think, for someone who doesn’t read science fiction, The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress is the place to start. I think Erik would agree with me.
Erik
I would! It is a excellent example of what science fiction can be.
My brother-in-law just read Stranger in a Strange land as his first Heinlein. A very good book, but not as good, if you ask me. I forced him to take Harsh Mistress home with him after his visit. (Along with The City and the Stars, Rendezvous with Rama, and Revelation Space as good introductions to great Sci-Fi.)
Erik
By the way, I’m on a Michael Flynn kick right now. Have you read “The Wreck of the River of Stars” or “The January Dancer”? I think Jess would like both of those.
Zannah
Thanks for the assist! I read Eifelheim and didn’t really like it. The other two are on my list, but I haven’t been in a hurry because of Eifelheim. Did you read that one?
Erik
No, I haven’t read Eifelheim. I’ve considered picking it up a few times because I like his other books so much but I just don’t. I will be much less tempted to pick it up next time.
momma betty
Although I’m definitely NOT sci-fi fan, reading Stranger in a Strange Land in a universe far, far away did make me understand the passion some people have for it. That would have been my recommendation–which has absolutely zero value. 🙂
Zannah
I feel like Stranger is an odd one to start with, although I guess it would depend on the sort of things you read normally. I love it, and I’d recommend it to many people, but I’m not sure it’s right (as a starting place) for Jess’s friend.
And Erik, it wasn’t bad, but it didn’t make a strong impression, and I didn’t love it.