However, for some reason I can’t explain, I really didn’t enjoy Dune at all, so never read any further than the first book. That was a long time ago, so perhaps I should give it another try. I don’t really remember what specifically I disliked, but I recall wondering what the fuss was about.

I’ve moved Iain M. Banks and Brian Aldiss up the “to read” list. :) I know of both of them, but have not yet read anything by them.

Have you read the Dune series? I enjoyed all of the original books, although the later ones are a bit weird; I think it’s best to pretend that the ghost-written prequels/sequels don’t exist.

There’s also Asimov’s Foundation series (the sequels aren’t great; there are also ghost-written prequels which I’ve avoided).

Have you read any Iain M. Banks? If you haven’t, I recommend starting with “Consider Phlebas”, “Use of Weapons” or “Excession”.

You might also like Clarke’s Rama series. It has a bit of an iffy ending, and the writing style and tone changes in the sequels which he wrote with Gentry Lee, but I enjoyed all of the books anyway.

And no, I don’t know Vernor Vinge at all! I take it that it’s good :) It’s now added to my “to read” list. I love finding new authors. Maybe that’s also why I enjoyed the Hamilton so much: It was new to me.

Have you read anything by Vernor Vinge?

Cheers,