[Fedora]

some is that I just enjoy SF in the grand old tradition.

Me, too. My favorite SF authors are all Heinlein or earlier, with a couple exceptions. What else of his would you recommend besides Moon is a Harsh Mistress?

[JenB]

Looking at my shelves... I wholeheartedly recommend "The Rolling Stones" - funny, not too much technical detail, wonderful characters (I always wanted the Stone Twins to be my brothers!)

"Tunnel in the Sky" - let's say, Robinson Cruseo meets Lord of the Flies but with better outcome.

"Have Space Suit, Will Travel" - great story. Name says it all. Rosie, the first chapter is a great vindication of the homeschool philosophy!

"Farmer in the Sky" - pioneers and boy scouts on Ganymede. I like it. A little more technical, but some of it is just lovely.

"Citizen of the Galaxy" - reminds me of "Kim". What I like best is that the hero takes part in three very different cultures, and all of them are realistic.

"Double Star" - an actor has to play the role of an intergalactic politician. I think it's one of Heinlein's more philosophical pieces.

"Podkayne of Mars" - a little cheesy, but the first SF I ever read with a girl hero. Plus her little brother is eeevil.

"Starman Jones" - so-and-so. Actually, not anywhere near his best work, but Sam is a good secondary character.

"Red Planet" - Colonists on Mars. Teenage boys have to save the colony, with the help of a Martian bouncer (little round ball of pet. Cute, I'd like one). Story has its high points. I'm fond of it.

"Space Cadet" - this is just good old fashioned SF, like a 50s TV series. I like it. Some of it is very archaic.

"The Star Beast" - this has some of the funniest yet most subtle humor, and a great supporting cast. (The main three, John Thomas, Betty, and The Lummox, are a little flat, but the minors... oh, I crack up just thinking about Mr. Kiku, Beulah Murgatroyd, and Pidgy-Widgy)

"Starship Troopers" - very different. The point is not the action, but the philosophy. I reread every few years. Some of our military types will join me in praising this novel.

Three collections of stories: "Green Hills of Earth", "The Man who Sold the Moon", and "The Menace from Earth". All have some knocked-'em-out-of-the-park, and some less successful. I love the title stories from each collection.