Are Classics Re-readable?

As part of my “Top 25 Series To Read In 2013” reading challenge, I’ve read a fair amount of books this year that can be considered to be classics of science fiction and fantasy, in all their different forms. There is a certain charm to all these novels that has persisted long after they were first published. Whether we talk about Frank Herbert’s space operatic political intrigue epic Dune or Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman’s true-to-style epic fantasy Dragons of Autumn Twilight, I’ve had a lot of fun with these novels.

And that is my question: are they re-readable? I’ve read Dune and Dragons of Autumn Twilight several times since when I first read them in 2001. I think they are rereadable, but I’m not completely sure. Is the question answerable in part with regard to whether the book is good or not? We shall see.

The A-to-Z Author Survey

Earlier this month I posted two surveys on my blog. Sort-of surveys at any rate. You can find the one about books here and the one about comics here. I really had a lot of fun doing those, and I thought it would be fun to doing them again, but with a cool twist that I hope sounds as inspired to you as it does me. Or maybe not.

I spent the last 3 hours thinking of some kind of a blogpost to write. There are some ideas I had but nothing I could put up today, which was the whole point really. So yeah, this is going to follow the same meta layout as the other surveys. I’m not limiting this survey to just novelists, I’m including comics writers as well.

Hope you enjoy! And do share your thoughts in the comments!

Special Announcement: Iain M. Banks

About a couple hours or so, Orbit Books revealed a rather shocking piece of news (if that link doesn’t work, then try this): author Iain M. Banks has cancer and his next book, The Quarry, will be last book. The cancer is, unfortunately, in its late stages according to Iain, and therefore he has cancelled all public engagements for the rest of the year and will be spending time with family and friends.

I have to say that I applaud him for writing as heartfelt and moving letter as he did. It could not have been easy at all. I wish him a glorious time, what he has left of it, and hope that he discovers (and even rediscovers) as much happiness as he can.

But that’s not all.