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 (3)
See all- "Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy 2024" Editor: John Joseph AdamsLink visible for attendees
Book of the Month:
“The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2024”
Editors: John Joseph Adams, Hugh HoweyThis month we are keeping a beloved Sci Fi Book Club tradition alive. For the tenth year in a row will (!) be reading the newest edition of a short story collection called The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy. It has been a Club favorite each year and takes a good look at the current state of science fiction by highlighting some new and established writers in the genre. Each story has to meet certain criteria that you can read up on at the editor’s website and are chosen without the author’s name attached.
Stories are selected by John Joseph Adams and a new guest editor (this year is Hugh Howey, best-selling author of the Silo trilogy, now a successful series on Apple TV+. This is the first time that we'll be reading a novel by the guest editor the month before reading this collection. I'm curious to see what insights we can glean from this approach. We shall see!
It's always interesting to see what themes and premonitions make their way into the writing zeitgeist in a given year. From Adams' website "These are dangerous stories. The kind that warp reality and threaten to change the world” warns guest editor Hugh Howey in his introduction. The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2024 promises a treasure trove of audacious characters, daring worldbuilding, and twisted realities."
Per usual, I recommend coming back around to the Introduction by Howey once you've read the stories, it sometimes contains spoilers. The Preface is worth it, for sure! It describes the selection process.
Let us know in the Comments below which stories you like and feel free to skip one if you’re not digging it. There are always plenty of perspectives and approaches to the format in this collection.
“The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2024” is available in paperback and audiobook via Amazon and other online booksellers, and is also available via the New York Public Library.
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.
- Bloodchild and Other Stories - Octavia ButlerLink visible for attendees
Hi all,
For the month of May, we will be reading another short story collection. As a follow-up to our April selection, "Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2024", we are going to read an older short story anthology for May. This one is a collection of stories by one of the best science fiction authors of the twentieth century.
Book of the Month
Bloodchild and Other Stories - Octavia Butler (1995)This title contains both well-known and never-before-published stories, including Hugo AND Nebula award-winning "Bloodchild" and Hugo award-winning "Speech Sounds." Appearing in print for the first time are the "The Book of Martha" and "Amnesty", a story of a woman who works to negotiate the tense relationship between humans and a species of invaders.
From Goodreads: "Like all of Octavia Butler’s best writing, these works of the imagination are parables of the contemporary world. She proves constant in her vigil, an unblinking pessimist hoping to be proven wrong, and one of contemporary literature’s strongest voices."
Reading a very contemporary anthology followed by a short story collection by a single author should give us some unique insight into the format. I'm really looking forward to discussing short fiction in general and discussing these stellar short stories from a prolific writer.
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.
- Childhood's End - Arthur C. ClarkeLink visible for attendees
Hi all,
This month's selection continues our look into humanity, aliens, and possible futures for the Earth. It's one of my favorite Arthur C. Clarke stories and it is going to make for another great meeting! I don't want to say too much for fear of spoiling it for those who have not read it yet. What I can say is that it is a story about oppression and creativity. It is about overcoming obstacles and imagining what life could be like if humans are not alone in the universe.
Book of the Month
"Childhood's End" - Arthur C. Clarke (1953)I found this 1953 New York Times book review a little dry and spoilery but it's a fun read. William Du Bois serves a backhanded compliment at the beginning that made me chuckle: "It must be said at the outset that Mr. Clarke's publishers have offered his novel as science-fiction, a label that too many readers still associate with Captain Video, rocket-ship sagas and invasions of super-gremlins from universes other than our own. It is quite true that "Childhood's End" contains some of these standard ingredients, but Mr. Clarke has mixed them with a master's hand."
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.
