This book was THE ONE that made me realize, far FAR later in life than my peers, (my early 30s) that reading fiction -- that horrible chore you were forced to d

This book was THE ONE that made me realize, far FAR later in life than my peers, (my early 30s) that reading fiction -- that horrible chore you were forced to do in high school -- can be fun. You never forget your first time. A close and long time friend* kept pushing it on me, saying gibberish like "intelligent space lobsters!!" while I rolled my eyes at him. Finally, I gave in and agreed to read a few chapters. I ended up not putting the book down for hours. After that, it was undeniable I had managed to acquire yet another addiction. ;-) Quickly it progressed, intentionally alternating between "books my friends think I will like"** and "things from the canon for a well balanced diet". A Fire upon the Deep, Foundation series, Halting State***, Rendezvous with Rama, Snow Crash, Permutation City, Dune, Diaspora, Schild's Ladder... ... and then a friend handed me Player of Games, then Excession. Wow. Luminous. Dark Integers. I worry that I've only been enjoying written fiction for fun for a few years, but, because I am surrounded by aficionados, am already spoiled by having experienced "the best of the best" :) *Thanks, Gene :D That was a gift that keeps on giving almost 10 years later. **being a nerd, many of my friends are scifi book experts, you know the sort, shelves and shelves of books. ***Thanks, kcr <3 for knowing how much I love $TROPE, I hate spoilers, and not telling me more than "just read it".