# Favorite Star Trek Books? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 7, 2010, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798 "2010-11-07T15:46:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/61 "2010-11-12T22:34:51Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > There’s an OK Wikipedia article about “Price”, but it was better before some officious busybody snipped out about half of the very talented and insightful author’s hard work. But I only read a borrowed copy of “Fate”, and returned it thirty years ago. I shan’t comment on the Wikipedia article; it’s better for my own sanity to avoid that place. But while it’s far from great literature, Culbreath and her colloborator whose name I’m too lazy to look up crafted a good story there – though the gay S&M subtext is, ah, disturbing to some. Hell, I noticed it at 12. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/62 "2010-11-13T22:52:55Z")
Wait, there are people who LIKE the Marshak/Culbreath monstrosities? You people are weirdos. 😃 Most of my favorites have been mentioned. _Ishmael_, _The Wounded Sky_, _The Final Reflection_. I have a soft spot for _Killing Time_ because I love alternate universe crap. _Fallen Heroes_ is the only post-TOS book I ever really liked. This is coincidental because I had just decided to get rid of all of my Trek books, so if anyone has a particular TOS title they want, holler. I think I’ve already gotten rid of most of my non-TOS books, but I’ll look if someone wants something specific. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/63 "2010-11-14T00:25:55Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Wait, there are people who LIKE the Marshak/Culbreath monstrosities? You people are weirdos. 😃 Yes…and? 😃 > [@](#): > > This is coincidental because I had just decided to get rid of all of my Trek books, so if anyone has a particular TOS title they want, holler. I think I’ve already gotten rid of most of my non-TOS books, but I’ll look if someone wants something specific. Do you happen to have the Starfleet Medical Manual? Let me know if you do and we’ll talk. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2010, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/64 "2010-11-14T00:32:30Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > Yes…and? 😃 > > Do you happen to have the Starfleet Medical Manual? Let me know if you do and we’ll talk. 🙂 Weird! But damn, nope. That’s one I don’t have. _shakes fist_ And here I was thinking I’d have pretty much any book that anyone wanted from early in the run. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2010, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/65 "2010-11-14T01:37:38Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > KRAD = Keith R.A. DeCandido Ah, thanks. Duh. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/66 "2010-11-30T14:51:46Z")
y’all have inspired me to reread my star trek shelf. i had sent many of my star trek books to the military but kept a shelf and a half that i might reread. finished “star trek” based on the new reboot movie, and “enterprise, the first adventure” by vonda mcintyre. just starting “yesterday’s son” by a c crispin. should keep me busy for a week or so. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/67 "2010-11-30T18:17:31Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Wait, there are people who LIKE the Marshak/Culbreath monstrosities? You people are weirdos. 😃 Wait – THAT is what make you think me a weirdo? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/68 "2010-11-30T19:03:17Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Wait – THAT is what make you think me a weirdo? Well, it definitely helps! ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/69 "2013-02-07T06:44:25Z")
I’m bumping this in case there are any new suggestions to be garnered. I’m putting together a reading list. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/70 "2013-02-07T16:31:17Z")
No books to add since my earlier posts. Haven’t read my much ST fiction lately. > [@Infovore](#): > > …Do you happen to have the Starfleet Medical Manual? Let me know if you do and we’ll talk. 🙂 > [@jsgoddess](#): > > Weird! > > But damn, nope. That’s one I don’t have. _shakes fist_ And here I was thinking I’d have pretty much any book that anyone wanted from early in the run. Still available new or used on Amazon, and not too pricey, either: [Star Trek: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual: Eileen Palestine: 9780345274731: Amazon.com: Books](http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Medical-Reference-Manual/dp/B0006WND8S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360254163&sr=1-1&keywords=starfleet+medical+reference+manual) ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/71 "2013-02-07T17:06:44Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Still available new or used on Amazon, and not too pricey, either: [Star Trek: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual: Eileen Palestine: 9780345274731: Amazon.com: Books](http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Medical-Reference-Manual/dp/B0006WND8S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360254163&sr=1-1&keywords=starfleet+medical+reference+manual) Hmm, I shall have to check that out. Thanks! The last time I paged through it was when it was new in 1977, but it was pricey for a kid so I couldn’t buy it, and by the time I had enough money to buy it, it had disappeared. I mostly want to see if the two things my 12-year-old self giggled over while reading it are true or if I’m misremembering. I see in the reader comments that the “Vulcans poop owl pellets” thing really is in there, but unfortunately there aren’t any comments confirming whether Vulcan male genitalia are…umm…forked. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/72 "2013-02-07T17:16:24Z")
Heh. I also seem to remember that it said Vulcan urine was thick and sludgy, as the Vulcans had evolved to retain most water in their desert climate. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/73 "2013-02-07T19:53:24Z")
I smiled through this entire thread. Several years ago, I considered selling my Trek books because we were so hurting financially. Now I’m glad I still have them, even though we’re tripping over the damned things and Hubster starts muttering stuff like “hoarder” whenever he encounters my extensive library of all matter printed. Many of my favorites have been mentioned upthread. _How Much for Just the Planet_ is probably the top book, and honorable mentions go to _The Pandora Principle_ and _The IDIC Epidemic_. (I like cheezy stories) _Ishmael_ is only truly appreciated if you are old enough to remember the OLD TV series, “Here Come the Brides.” And you absolutely cannot discuss Trek books without giving proper recognition to Keith Birdsong, who produced many of the cover illustrations. From my understanding, most were done in colored pencil, and IMHO are breathtaking in almost photographic quality. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/74 "2013-02-07T22:51:08Z")
Other than James Blish’s novelizations of the TV episodes, i think the only ST fiction I’ve ever read was Diane Duane’s _The Romulan Way_. As with most books I’ve read by her, I thought it was excellent. I’d like to read Friedman’s _Planet X_ - a TNG/X-Men crossover - just for the novelty of it. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/75 "2013-02-08T17:01:16Z")
I will reiterate all the ones I posted three years ago in this thread. I will add some titles I either left out because they were continuity heavy (and have since decided that they are still worth reading even if you just jumped in) or have come out since then: The Destiny Trilogy by David Mack Q & A by KRAD Mirror Universe Sorrows of Empire and Rise Like Lions (what happens after “Evil Spock” considers it.) Department Of Temporal Investigations: Watching the Clock and Forgotten History by Christopher Bennett. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/76 "2013-02-08T22:54:13Z")
It wasn’t the best, but I liked the\* Vulcan Academy Murders\*. An entertaining read. ---
**Author:** ![kirk1168](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@kirk1168](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kirk1168)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/77 "2013-02-09T15:09:30Z")
_Federation_ by Judy and Gar Reeves-Stevens, what _Generations_ should have been. _Prime Directive_ by Judy and Gar Reeves-Stevens. _The Eugenics Wars_ Vol. 1 and 2 by Greg Cox. The Eugenics Wars happened in the 1990’s, and we didn’t notice. My favorite Star Trek “fanwank” of all time. And another recommendation for _Best Destiny_. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/78 "2013-02-09T16:48:04Z")
If _Best Destiny_ is worth reading, how about Diane Carey’s preceding _Final Frontier_? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/79 "2013-02-09T17:57:32Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Well, now you’ve raised the issue of Star Trek audiobooks. I know there are a lot of them out there—some of them read by Star Trek actors, some of them with sound effects and music and stuff like that, but some of them severely abridged. I’d be interested in hearing if people have anything good or bad to say about any of them in particular. Well, Q-squared actually has parts added, so that it makes sense that Q is telling the story, but, yeah, some parts are missing. I can’t remember if anything important is missing. I really haven’t read that many Star Trek books. It’s something I’ve been meaning to get started on since the reboot, as I frankly prefer the original universe and want to stay in it. I’m just not a big fan of stories that contradict canon, except as historical curiosities. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798/80 "2013-02-09T20:39:47Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I really haven’t read that many Star Trek books. It’s something I’ve been meaning to get started on since the reboot, as I frankly prefer the original universe and want to stay in it. I’m just not a big fan of stories that contradict canon, except as historical curiosities. FWIW to date there are no prose novels set in the Rebooted universe save a couple of recent young adult books with a Star Fleet Academy subtitle. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-star-trek-books/559798.md?page=5)