What we’re about
The Sci Fi Book Club was founded in 2014 as a way to formally explore the genre of Science Fiction. With books ranging from classics to new releases and from novels to short stories, we aim for diversity in our selections.
Club members have one month to read the book the group has agreed on. We meet via Zoom on the third Sunday of each month to talk about our reading and all things Sci Fi. Our hope is that members will come ready to contribute to the conversation both in their thoughts on the given book and with any insight into related media that might inform our discussion.
Occassionally we will all decide to take some extra time on a book, but members should plan on four weeks to complete the reading. You do not have to have finished the book to come to the meeting. We hope to see you either way, there's always plenty to talk about. Find out more at thescifibookclub.com.
Upcoming events
4
Zombi-lympics & Shaun of the Dead Screening @ United Palace Theater
United Palace Theatre, Broadway, Corner of 175th St, New York, NY, USHey everybody!
We just got invited to a really fun event and are happy to pass it on to you! Just in time for Halloween, United Palace is hosting a screening of Shaun of the Dead and conducting some really fun programming!
Come dressed as the undead and you may be chosen to compete in our first-ever Zombi-lympics, a series of terrifyingly ridiculous challenges to prove you can blend in with the worst Hell has to offer. Nothing builds community faster than a zombie apocalypse…except maybe a pint at the Winchester!
If you're not familiar with the movie, Shaun has become a cult comedy classic. It follows the uneventful, aimless lives of a London electronics salesman and his roommate as they are disrupted by a zombie apocalypse. Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Kate Ashfield. Directed by Edgar Wright. Written by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright. The movie is 1 hour and 39 minutes, Rated R, and will be screened on DCP.
Please note that RSVP'ing to this Meetup event DOES NOT secure your ticket. Visit the United Palace website to purchase your discounted ticket.
Plus Sci Fi Book Club members save 20% on tickets.
Use promo code: BSFFF2025United Palace is a beautiful Egyptian-style theater in Harlem, celebrating its 95th anniversary. This is going to be a lot of fun, I hope you can make it!
2 attendees
•OnlineThe Player of Games - Iain M. Banks
OnlineHi everyone,
For November, we'll be reading the second novel in Ian M. Banks' Culture series. While it is related to the first book, Consider Phlebus, you don't need to have read it in order to understand The Player of Games. The books in the Culture series are standalone stories that happen in the same universe. The Player of Games is often recommended as a better place to start. While they do happen in the same universe, there is no direct plot continuation between the two (plus, we've heard it's just a better book).
Don't care? Still a purist and want to read Consider Phlebus first?? No problem, read it in October! Book Club takes a break every October to focus on the Brooklyn SciFi Film Festival (and Meghan and my birthdays ☺️). SO we're giving you space (hehe) to read it first, if you'd like.
Book of the Month
The Player of Games - Iain M. Banks (1988)The Player of Games follows a genius game player who gets pulled into a game of wills and control. Of course, things aren't as shiny as they seem at first. As The Guardian puts it, Games is “a love poem to the joy of game play, and a warning against the psychology of the game player.” As an avid game player, I am REALLY curious to see what Banks has in store for us.
To join a Book Club meeting, all you will need is YOURSELF. If you haven’t had a chance to finish the book, we still would love for you to join us in the discussion.
Not able to join us in person for events? The Sci Fi Book Club is on Discord. Join us and keep the conversation going.
28 attendees
•OnlineService Model - Adrian Tchaikovsky
OnlineHi everybody!
We're back in December with another contemporary selection. This time from the author of the Children of Time series, Adrian Tchaikovsky. Service Model got a lot of press when it came out last year, as it is a bit of a departure for Tchaikovsky. The book is a more philosophical and modernist approach to writing than his other work. It is still absolutely narrative in nature and, I'm told, keeps the reader moving through this post-apocalyptic landscape with humor and intrigue.
Book of the Month
Service Model - Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024)The Quill to Live has a great review and summary of this novel. In particular, Andrew's opening caught my attention: "The absurdism and commentary in Service Model add up to a fascinating 4th wall break that intentionally does away with the usual narrative barrier between reader and author. Service Model feels like Adrian Tchaikovsky climbed into bed with me during my nightly reading, and turned to me and said, 'Hey, robots are so cool. AI is changing everything! But also, have you ever considered how terrible the rich are or how many issues still plague America?'" It's a conversation about what it is to be human and what constitutes artificial life.
I've been looking forward to getting to this book, it's a break in tone and narrative approach. Should make for good conversation!
To join a Book Club meeting, all you will need is YOURSELF. If you haven’t had a chance to finish the book, we still would love for you to join us in the discussion.
Not able to join us in person for events? The Sci Fi Book Club is on Discord. Join us and keep the conversation going.
2 attendees
•OnlineForeigner - C.J. Cherryh
OnlineHi all!
New year, classic book selection! This one may be chronologically more contemporary, but it reads like some of the more classic literature we love. Part fish out of water, part political intrigue, Foreigner is a story about humanity and not being alone in the universe. The worldbuilding is as strong as the character development and storytelling. It can be a bit challenging at times, but I think you’re really going to enjoy this novel.
Book of the Month
Foreigner - C.J. Cherryh (1994)Every Book A Doorway is even more enthusiastic about this story. Sia dives into the worldbuilding, the plot, and everything that makes it shine. I keep coming back to Foreigner for the writing style and the sense of hidden wheels turning just out of sight. There are things happening "off screen" and sometimes we catch a glimpse, other times we are left to wonder. It is a real page turner, good luck putting it down!
To join a Book Club meeting, all you will need is YOURSELF. If you haven’t had a chance to finish the book, we still would love for you to join us in the discussion.
Not able to join us in person for events? The Sci Fi Book Club is on Discord. Join us and keep the conversation going.
2 attendees
Past events
144
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