12 september 2001

My Favorite SF/F Books By Women
by Anne McCaffrey
www.annemccaffrey.org

Anne McCaffrey's first story was printed by Sam Moskowitz in Science Fiction + Magazine and her first novel was published by Ballantine Books in l967. By the time her three children were comfortably in school, she had already achieved enough success to devote full time to writing. Her first novel, Restoree, was written as a protest against the absurd and unrealistic portrayals of women in science-fiction novels in the 50s and early 60s. She is most well known for two series, The Ship Who Sang and the 16 novels about the Dragonriders Of Pern. Anne McCaffrey invites anyone who is interested to join the Live Chat Kitchen Table forum on her website.

I can recommend the following to anyone who likes to get wrapped up in other worlds and other ideas.

• Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMasters Bujold
• Komar by Lois McMasters Bujold
• A Civil Contract by Lois McMasters Bujold

These are some of her Barrayar novels, most about Miles von Korsigan, her most unusual vertically challenged hero. I reread them frequently, just for fun, always finding something new or an observation I missed the last time through.

• Partners In Necessity by Sharon Lee and Stephen Miller
• Plan B by Sharon Lee and Stephen Miller
• Pilot's Choice by Sharon Lee and Stephen Miller

I encountered the three novels in their separate state in the 70's and panted for more about the Liaden Universe with its social complexities and melant'i honor system. I reread them more than any other book because I feel so comfortable with the characters and the excellent prose.

• The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
• The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley

These have marvelous adventures on a subcontinent similar in some ways to India, where it backs up against the Himalayas. I just plain enjoy the two books.

• The Samaria Series by Sharon Shinn.

I was sent the first book in the series, Archangel, and enjoyed it tremendously - as much because of the role played in it by music. Finally the second appeared (Jovah's Angel) which I grabbed up and the third, The Allelulia Files. I was delighted to learn recently that Sharon is returning to Samaria with a fourth about that world: something good to anticipate.