fantasy
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Science Fiction Fridays: Swashbuckling fantasies for all kinds of voyages
Quintessence by David Walton A disgraced doctor and a cold-blooded con man in alternate history 16th-centruy England seek out Horizon, a fabled land across the ocean that holds great riches and even greater dangers. A delightfully unconventional little book that takes its time laying out its players and adding layers to a nuanced fantasy world.… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: How to build a good fantasy
Part of the fun of reading fantasy is just sitting back and marveling at the world-building. Reading how an author unfurls the details of a strange and unknown world is a hallmark of fantasy that other genres approach, but few embrace with such gusto. Lately in my reading I’ve noticed some authors taking the idea… Continue reading
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Your Next 5 Books: Science fiction, satire and fantasy
In this column we regularly highlight a Your Next 5 Books submission that we find interesting, funny, unique, or useful to other readers. Submit Your Next 5 Books entry now, or stop by and see us in person, and maybe you could see your (anonymous) reading habits on Shelf Talk! Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: Top twelve of 2012 Part 3 of 3
Part III in the countdown of the best genre fiction of the year. Part I can be found here and part II can be found here, and don’t forget to leave your favorites in the comments! Broken by Susan Jane Bigelow A gorgeous, melancholy book about a shattered superhuman and a young man with a secret… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: Top twelve of 2012 Part 2 of 3
Part II in the countdown of the best genre fiction of the year. Part I can be found here, and don’t forget to leave your favorites in the comments! The Croning by Laird Barron A tiny candelight held up to the moments in life where reality turns to nightmarish horror. Barron explores one man’s flickers… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: A chill is in the air
You have asked for it, dear reader, and you shall have it! Below are three picks for the Halloween reads that will give you the most bang for your buck. Let these ghoulish delights work their black magic on you and enjoy! Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: Fantasy with emotional bite
I’m gearing up for my Halloween reading frenzy by reading some fantasy novels that really tug at the heartstrings. Before I get to the blood and guts horror of my usual October reads, I thought it might be nice to share these three books you are sure to find moving, though not always in pleasant… Continue reading
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Staff favorites: Three Novels our Librarians Love
Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks Based on the true story of Caleb Cheeshahteaumauck, who in 1665 was the first Native American to graduate from Harvard College, this luminous novel explores the intersecting lives of white settlers and Native Americans in the early years of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Bethia, the outspoken daughter of a Puritan… Continue reading
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Here there be dragons
We here at the Library are very excited to welcome host Rachel Hartman, who will be introducing her new fantasy novel Seraphina, Northeast Branch on September 22 at 6pm. Co-sponsored by University Bookstore, books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. Get yourself pumped for this event by watching Seattle’s own Nancy Pearl… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: What to read when you’re not watching Game of Thrones
Since he joined the Night’s Watch, Jon Snow hasn’t had much time to read, what with all the other things keeping him busy at the Wall, like fighting ice zombies and protecting Sam and wondering what his pet direwolf is up to. And now that Jon has been captured by Wildlings, there’s even less time… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: Queering reality
If it turns out that the mopey weather keep you from going out to the Pride celebrations going on this weekend in Seattle, don’t feel like you still can’t celebrate! You can still have a great time by curling up with one of these superb science fiction and fantasy books that feature some equally ace… Continue reading
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Your Next 5 Books: Fantasy with females
In this column we regularly highlight a Your Next 5 Books submission that we find interesting, funny, unique, or useful to other readers. Submit Your Next 5 Books entry now, or stop by and see us in person, and maybe you could see your (anonymous) reading habits on Shelf Talk! Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: If you’re feeling sinister
For no apparent reason, I’ve read quite a few vampire books over the past two weeks. Maybe with the appearance of the sun and the first signs of spring I’ve tried to keep up my goth cred by playing some Bauhaus records and reading some dark vampire lit. I guess we’ll never know. With that… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Friday: Little grenades of ideas
I’ve read a number of articles, essays and blogs over the past six months describing the apparent slow death of short fiction. Once the cornerstone of science fiction, and a major component of modern literature in general, it does seem like fewer people are reading short stories these days. Whenever I give reading suggestions to patrons, it’s only one… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: The World’s Saddest Assassin
I love fantasy with detailed world-building, complex characters and political intrigue, so I was pleased to come across Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice the first book in the Farseer trilogy. Assassin’s Apprentice starts when a six year old child, only known even to himself as “boy,” is dropped at the royal court by his grandfather. The boy, later… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: Epic Fantasy to Sink Your Teeth Into
If you are a new fantasy reader, it can be hard to know where to start. I read so much fantasy as a child that I am mystified in retrospect why I ever stopped. But in trying to regain my fantasy footing, I have been disappointed and delighted at times by the range of… Continue reading
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John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice: A Dad’s Appreciation
As an avid science fiction and fantasy reader, and as a children’s librarian, I’ve read my share of wonderful and intriguing stories. But nothing I’ve read before has been as deeply satisfying as John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series. For the young, or not so young, reader craving action Flanagan’s books are hard to beat. And… Continue reading
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World Fantasy Awards Nominees 2011
The World Fantasy Awards were just announced a frew weeks, and it is a doozy of a list! I defy anyone to read the list of nominees for novel of the year and not conclude that these fantasy novels were some of the best literature written this year. The library currently has copies of all the… Continue reading