Star Trek The Next Generation Books

November 17, 2014

I have a book secret I almost put into my author bio but my sister encouraged me not to so I wouldn’t alienate any potential non-geek readers. Plus, it’s not particularly related to fairy tales.

But it seems just the thing to confess for Sci-Fi November.

It’s entirely possible I’ve read more ST:TNG novels than I care to admit. … … Fine! I own an entire bookshelf of ST:TNG novels.

Star Trek The Next Generation Bookshelf
Star Trek The Next Generation Bookshelf These are the only books I own that show any wear. Because you see in the middle… Q in Law falling apart… learned my lesson right there. Never loaned a

My brother gave me my first one for my thirteenth birthday because I enjoyed the tv show. Books took that fandom to warp 9. Metamorphosis was engaging and exciting and familiar even as it took the ST:TNG crew deep into the unexpected. But that was only the beginning.

Throughout high school, 95% of what I read were ST:TNG novels. Because it was a world and characters I knew so, to some degree, I knew what to expect. And also I was an isolated book lover in a small, remote town – no one introduced me to a larger galaxy of books. But I knew ST:TNG novels and they came out every other month so there were always new books.

My step-mom suggested at one point I should buy first editions, because a collection like that would be worth something some day. But I’d have bought them the moment they came out anyway because – new books! Also, a mass market first edition isn’t quite the same as a first edition of Lord of the Rings or something.

When I sold off half my collection I think they each went for $2 or $3. Yeah – that picture is half my collection. I used to own every book 1-50 – in both hardback and paperback for the books that came in both formats. When I had to move and downsize I sold all the books I’d only read once.

So, if you’re going to give sci-fi in the ST:TNG world a whirl, I am more than capable of offering some suggestions. Here are my top 10 books from the first 50 ST:TNG novels. (I would have made it the top 15 because I love them all but I thought that might be a little too much).

Imzadi by Peter David. This was my first story of adult love, I think because I was finally old enough to understand love from an adult perspective. Everything else before had been middle grade (which is not true – I’d read lots of ST:TNG novels before this one but none of them were like this). It’s powerful and beautiful and amazing.

It would mean that in real life people really could be drawn together. Not because it was the intelligent or smart thing to do, but simply because not to be together would be completely wrong.

Survivors by Jean Lorrah. I read this every day one summer. literally. Probably not for the entire summer but a good couple of weeks there until someone found something else to keep me busy.

“Survivors are considered fortunate, but the ironic part is that those who think us fortunate either never live to see the cruel fate in store for us or they live to share it.”

Fortune’s Light by Michael Jan Friedman. This book. I love this book. We’re old friends and it hurts and it’s wonderful all at the same time.

“A toast, of course.” he raised his glass. “To the art of the possible.”

Q-in-Law by Peter David. Wesley and Q and Lwaxana Troi in one book! Truly, does anything get better than that?

Gulliver’s Fugitives by Keith Sharee. Beautiful and emotional and unexpected. Especially if you like Troi.

“Deanna, what good would they be if nobody read them? Now did you find what you needed, or will it be necessary to unpack everything?

Masks by John Vornholt. I think the thing I like most is this world is so unique and so fascinating. It draws me in so completely every time.

War Drums by John Vornholt. I stayed up until 2am eating M&Ms and pretzels because I had to finish this book. It’s the only time I’ve ever done that (not eating M&Ms and pretzels – the part about not putting a book down in order to get a good night’s sleep).

The Devil’s Heart by Carmen Carter. Complex and deep and fascinating, interconnecting stories.

Q-Squared by Peter David. This is a complex story, beautifully woven and wildly interesting if you like these characters and know something of their history. And it’s still pretty awesome, even if you don’t.

Vendetta by Peter David. If you like Guinan and painful stories that end well, this is the book for you.

The dream of the previous night had not faded with the morning sun, nor would the recollection diminish in the succeeding years, although naturally some of the immediacy was lost as time went on.

It’s odd because sometimes people view sci-fi as being cold, analytical or emotionless. But pulling out these books for this post was visiting old friends. They’re funny and heartbreaking, warm and comforting and full of emotion that goes beyond nostalgia – I think. Why don’t you check them out and let me know. Maybe I’ve introduce you to a new friend.

Sci Fi November 2014

If ST:TNG isn’t your thing but you still want to give sci-fi a try – check out Dune. That’s a seriously awesome book.

Posted in: meme ~

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7 responses to “My deep, dark book secret

  1. Your post was like a walk down memory lane! I read most of these book too, back when Star Trek was my biggest sf interest. You’re right in defining these stories as “old friends”: I might not be “into” Trek so much anymore, but thinking back to those times I remember how good it was to lose myself in those books and dream of that kind of future.
    Thanks for reminding me! 🙂

    • Annie

      excellent! It was totally the same thing for me – going back and remembering how much I enjoyed these books 🙂 I am happy to take you for a jaunt down memory lane!

  2. I think we wrote comments to each other about this on my blog. I don’t own any of the Star Wars Expanded Universe, but man I was the same way with those when I was in middle school. Now I want to read them all over again!

    • Annie

      right?! That’s the thing I love about books, they’re always there to be revisited and reread and in doing so they can also take you back to those earlier pace in your life.

  3. I’ve also read and enjoyed all of the first 50 TNG books and more besides. I fully agree: it’s fun and relaxing to read about familiar characters in familiar setting.
    Hmmm. Maybe I should do some rereading next year.