What we’re about
This meetup is for the Science Fiction/Fantasy Book Club, which is sponsored by and takes place at Quail Ridge Books, at North Hills in Raleigh, NC.
The Science Fiction/Fantasy Book Club reads both science fiction and fantasy novels, new and old, with a focus on diverse characters and authors. Moderated by Quail Ridge staffer and eternal super-geek Amber Brown.
Readers of all ages are welcome, but please note we will likely discuss mature themes.
You don't have to buy your book at Quail Ridge Books, but if you do, all book club books are 21% off! Just tell your cashier it's for a book club.
Group Guidelines
Respect each group member and their opinion.
Each group member will have their own opinion since reading and text interpretations are subjective. We respect and elevate all opinions.
Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions and attempt collaboration before conflict.
We may discuss topics that can become heated, particularly as they relate to different identity groups. It’s important to understand everyone is at a different point in their own knowledge journey. Don’t assume that a person has bad intentions, and instead, offer ways to collaborate and help them advance their own thinking. However, being mindful of your own energy is important. Don’t feel an obligation to educate others.
Minimize interruptions.
While you aren’t expected to raise your hand, be mindful of interrupting other group members, even if you disagree with the point being made. Ensure that everyone has a full uninterrupted opportunity to voice their opinion.
Work to limit side conversations.
Keep in mind that side conversations can be distracting to other group members. Additionally, it’s likely that you have something that the whole group would love to hear. Make sure you let the group know what you’re thinking.
Focus on the book at hand, though related books are acceptable.
Our meeting is focused on one book each month. Members may relate themes, concepts, or writing styles to other books they have read or other books read by the group. In fact, this may help other members pick their next read! However, there’s time before and after the meeting to discuss unrelated books and genres.
Pause of frequent speaker.
We love to hear your opinion, but keep in mind there are other group members. If the moderator notes that you’re frequently contributing, you may be asked to pause for a short time (a few minutes) to allow other group members the opportunity to speak. Please note, this is not a punishment. We just want to provide conversation space for everyone.
Assist others to ensure they are heard.
If you’re sitting next to someone and they’re having trouble voicing their point, advocate for them and let the group know they have something to say. Sometimes points are coming rapid fire and it might be difficult to interject. Offer others agency.
Provide space for fringe opinions that disagree with the majority of the group.
For a book that has a majority opinion, we will pause during the conversation and offer ample space for those with dissenting opinions to discuss their thoughts.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Triangle Tolkienists: The Silmarillion (virtual)Link visible for attendees
This spring and summer, the Triangle Tolkienists are revisiting The Silmarillion as a group. Whether this is your first time tackling the Sil or your 20th reread, I hope you’ll join us!
For this meeting, we will be discussing the chapters Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin and Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath.
You can read any edition of the book. As usual, you can purchase a copy with a 21% discount from Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh; just tell the bookseller (or write in your online order notes) that it’s for our club. This is a good opportunity to pick up a pretty new edition with a discount, if that’s something you’re interested in!
For our virtual book club meetings, you don’t need a camera or a microphone to participate – most of us prefer to type. If you want to hop into voice chat during the meeting, you are welcome to do so, but the voice channel will not be moderated.
For more information about the group, visit https://triangletolkienists.org/
- Triangle Tolkienists: The Silmarillion (virtual)Link visible for attendees
This spring and summer, the Triangle Tolkienists are revisiting The Silmarillion as a group. Whether this is your first time tackling the Sil or your 20th reread, I hope you’ll join us!
For this meeting, we will be discussing the final chapters, Akallabêth and Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age.
You can read any edition of the book. As usual, you can purchase a copy with a 21% discount from Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh; just tell the bookseller (or write in your online order notes) that it’s for our club. This is a good opportunity to pick up a pretty new edition with a discount, if that’s something you’re interested in!
For our virtual book club meetings, you don’t need a camera or a microphone to participate – most of us prefer to type. If you want to hop into voice chat during the meeting, you are welcome to do so, but the voice channel will not be moderated.
For more information about the group, visit https://triangletolkienists.org/
- Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club: FOUNDRYSIDE by Robert Jackson BennettQuail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC
Buy your copy from Quail Ridge Books and get a 21% discount! https://www.quailridgebooks.com/science-fiction-fantasy-book-club
Sancia Grado is a thief, and a damn good one. And her latest target, a heavily guarded warehouse on Tevanne’s docks, is nothing her unique abilities can’t handle.
But unbeknownst to her, Sancia’s been sent to steal an artifact of unimaginable power, an object that could revolutionize the magical technology known as scriving. The Merchant Houses who control this magic--the art of using coded commands to imbue everyday objects with sentience--have already used it to transform Tevanne into a vast, remorseless capitalist machine. But if they can unlock the artifact’s secrets, they will rewrite the world itself to suit their aims.
Now someone in those Houses wants Sancia dead, and the artifact for themselves. And in the city of Tevanne, there’s nobody with the power to stop them.
To have a chance at surviving—and at stopping the deadly transformation that’s under way—Sancia will have to marshal unlikely allies, learn to harness the artifact’s power for herself, and undergo her own transformation, one that will turn her into something she could never have imagined.
- EVENT: Mur Lafferty, author of INFINITE ARCHIVEQuail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC
ABOUT THE EVENT
Tickets include a copy of Infinite Archive, guaranteed entry to the event, and a seat in the reserved section. Mur will be in conversation with Natania Barron and will sign books after the program.
All live author events are subject to change. More information about our events can be found at quailridgebooks.com/eventsfaq.ABOUT THE BOOK
Amateur sleuth Mallory Viridian has just about got her bearings aboard the space station she calls home, but now the physical embodiment of the Internet is on its way, and it's bringing murder with it.
Mallory Viridian has had a quiet few months. Even with the increased influx of humans visiting Station Eternity, she hasn’t seen so much as a bar brawl. Used to people dying left and right around her, the lack of murders to solve has left her unexpectedly . . . bored.
But humanity's favorite way to waste time is on its way to her sector of the galaxy. A giant, one-of-a-kind data ship called Metis is bringing the entire Internet from Earth—as well as a mystery fan convention. On top of that, Mallory's literary agent is aboard, and he tells Mallory that she's the keynote speaker.
It's almost a relief when a killer decides to strike at the convention. When Mallory finds her agent dead, she knows she has to work fast to find the murderer. With a strange new alien with unknown motives, a ship with impossible abilities, a lonely living, comprehensive Internet, and a deadly crime to solve, Mallory has her work cut out for her . . . .
