Science Fiction Fridays

  • Science Fiction Fridays: Bujold the rabble rouser

    Rebels and rascals are rife in fiction and this is especially true in science fiction. Science fiction readers like to see evil being fought in all of its forms and want to follow bold, brash heroes who stand up against tyranny and plain idiocy, too. I wrote in an earlier Shelf Talk post on how I… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: Filling up your e-reader for vacation

    If I sound unbearably giddy during this week’s column know that I haven’t won the lottery, I’m just going on vacation! I love vacations not so much for swimming in the ocean or stomach-churning rides at an amusement park or camping near some beautiful vista with all of nature’s majesty. No, I love going on… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: School’s out, your education begins

    Now that summer has finally arrived and school is out,  I feel it is my duty to offer up some great science fiction reads to recent graduates. These are the kinds of books that speak to the confusion and contradictions of being a young adult cast into the “real world” and faced with the options… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: Fifty shades of the fantastic

    The hottest book right now, for better or for worse, is Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James. It’s not really surprising that book is so popular. The combination of intense interpersonal drama and steamy erotica makes it a perfect book for word-of-mouth recommendation.   However, we science fiction and fantasy fans want a little… Continue reading

  • 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

  • Science Fiction Fridays: Sad birds sing the sweetest songs

    I am very pleased to announce that mystery, thriller and science fiction wizard Kate Wilhelm will be joining us at the Library at the end of the month for a reading! If you’ve never read Kate Wilhelm before you are most assuredly missing out. From her short stories to her novels, Wilhelm has a way… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: Don’t wait! Act now!

    Lots of great science fiction authors have books out this month, but with brand new books from well-known science fiction and fantasy authors there is usual wait list for their books at the Library. With that in mind, here is a list of author read alikes that are available right now while you’re waiting for… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: Eating what you’re reading

    I thought about writing some witty intro about Soylent Green being people, or a joke about asking a bartender for his strongest chalice of elven wine. However, in the end I just decided to let these delightfully unique cookbooks speak for themselves. What a great weekend to lock yourself inside and make some sci-fi and… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: That is not dead which can eternal lie

    I get asked rather frequently by patrons for horror recommendations, but it’s always a tricky question. While the explosion of the urban fantasy and paranormal romance readers seem to be the most frequent horror reader’s I encounter, I have also noticed a disturbing trend of people looking for H.P. Lovecraft read alikes. I say disturbing… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: As cool as their covers

    Even though I did a column not too long ago about updated book covers, I was really struck by the fact that three books I read this week all have gorgeous artwork. These titillating and beautifully rendered designs stopped me in my tracks and had more than a little influence in my choosing to read… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: An ode to teenage anarchists

    There’s nothing like a great story starring a strong, resourceful teenager who thumbs their nose at authority and manages to save the day by being true themselves, instead of bowing to whims of establishment. Whether we’re talking about young adult literature or not (and really, does that distinction matter to us science fiction aficionados?), I… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: When the TV is turned off

    So of all my deep, dark secrets (including the Rupaul-shaped one that has taken the place of my heart), the one I am most ashamed of is the fact that for most of my life I have had a snobby aversion to science fiction television. For some reason, I felt that the television medium must be… Continue reading

  • 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

  • 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

  • Science Fiction Fridays: The use of weapons

    Maybe it’s the confluence of current world events and election season, but I’ve been on a kind of a military science fiction binge lately. I’ve just had a hankering for some Ender’s Game-style sci-fi where the emphasis is placed not only on the futuristic battle scenes, but also on the implications of war in general.… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: Rediscovery of a man

    Cordwainer Smith is one of those science fiction writers whose name is uttered with reverence, though he isn’t very well-known to the casual genre reader. Though he only completed one novel during his brief writing career, Smith’s creations all share an internal history and universe called The Instrumentality of Man. It’s a far-future vision, 14,000… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: Cover to Cover

    I’m convinced that the biggest barrier between science fiction and fantasy readers and mainstream readers is the stigma of reading genre fiction. Sadly, some people would be too embarrassed to be seen reading a book with a cover like this on the bus: Even though it’s a wonderful book that would delight readers across the board,… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: The cure to your ‘John Carter’ blues

    So while I haven’t seen it yet, I’ve heard the new movie John Carter, based on the Barsoom series by Edgar Rice Burroughs, fails to live up to the high standards of the early science fiction books. While it certainly isn’t surprising, it never ceases to be disappointing when Hollywood manages to bleed out the most charming, interesting… Continue reading