Do you remember the first time?

My first experience of Science Fiction that I can recall was Z for Zachariah by Robert C O’Brien.  This was a book that I read at school as part our English lessons; we would each take it in turns to read aloud to the class a few pages at a time. The exact date and time I am unclear of, but it was probably my first year at senior school – so that would be roughly 25 years ago.  We also read Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by the same author at around the same time – but no more on that book.

 

I haven’t thought about Z for Zachariah in a long time – and the memory was stirred by this blog - but I got to thinking why I always come back to this genre, what is it that appeals to me, what has influenced my reading habits. I have spent long periods of time away from Sci-Fi (years at a time) but always seem drawn back to it.

Z for Zachariah is classed as post-apocalyptic fiction (a sub-genre in Sci-Fi), and I have read a number of these stories over the years  -The Stand, The Road, The Postman, I am Legend, Swan Song to name a few – and there are many more on my TBR pile.

This book in particular fascinated me, and it’s possibly the lone survivor element that stirs a perverse desire to experience that feeling of being on your own after some catastrophic event. I don’t remember if it was any good, but I do remember that the valley in which they found themselves had a weather system all of its own which meant they were unaffected by the fallout of Global Nuclear Apocalypse– which sounds pretty daft – but the text is aimed at early teens I would suspect.

What I didn’t realise was Robert C O’Brien died before completing the book. It was finished by his wife and daughter from notes he left. I will have to try eBay for a second hand copy and re-read again for old times’ sake and see if I can spot the differences in style.

The Sun Shining on the Bookshops of East Sussex

Having spent a sun drenched week in and around Hastings at the beginning of June I would reflect on (and review) the quality of the bookshops that I visited during the stay. This was not a book buying trip - and thanks to my wife and kids however I was allowed the luxury of browsing around numerous bookshops - in between eating ice creams and building sand castles.

I had done some research before we went and had in mind one particular shop I wanted to visit in Eastbourne the rest were all an added bonus.

Hastings

I visited Albion Books twice and bought 7 books in total. The Science Fiction section was good and there must have been 400-500 and most priced around £1.50. All the books appeared to be in good condition and was happy with the quality, however the shop is very cluttered, with untidy stacks of books all over the floors and in front of shelving making it almost impossible to see the full selection.
If the shop had been busier it would have been a nightmare to navigate.

Bexhill-on-Sea

We hadn't planned on visiting Bexhill so was lucky to stumble across Bestsellers. The shop was very well laid out and again had a healthy selection of Science Fiction.

Purchased 4 books in very good condition for £5 - can't complain.

Eastbourne 

I had read about Camilla's on line before visiting, but was still amazed at the sheer amount of books on sale. I spent more than an hour here, but could have spent several more. The volume of books does mean that they are stacked everywhere. Upstairs, ground floor and downstairs - Science Fiction were on the stairs!

A very large selection of Science Fiction again, and were in neat stacks. I rummaged through them all and selected 8 at a cost of £12. I could and perhaps should have bought more - but I had to budget for ice creams too!

There was a difficult moment when several stacks lost balance and tumbled onto the stairs - no-one came running so I can only assume it happens a lot. The plus side of this was i found a book that i had missed when the towers collapsed.

I only wished i lived closer to visit more often.

Tome bookshop - only a pebbles throw from the seafront - is a very well stocked and laid out bookshop. The Sci-Fi section was not that extensive - but big enough - they did however have a large collection of old Penguin classics - which I picked out 2 John Wyndham novels. I think from memory they advertise all second hand paperbacks at £2 each.

In all 21 classic (or old - probably not all classic) Sci Fi books, spent around £30 and many pleasant hours. When can I go again?