science fiction

  • Science Fiction Checklist Challenge: New Wave Science Fiction

    By David H. At the beginning of the 1960’s, science fiction was in a rut. While grand masters, such as Isaac Asimov and Arthur Clarke, were still writing interesting and worthwhile work, the genre itself had become fossilized. The tropes of pulp science fiction (rockets ships, robots, aliens barely distinguishable from humans, and square-jawed, flawless… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Checklist Challenge: Kids

    ~posted by Jenny C. We’re coming to a close on the Science Fiction Checklist Challenge shortly, but I wanted to make sure there were a few more offerings for the child sci-fi reader out there. Oddly, while children’s fiction is crammed to the gills with fantasy and magic, there’s not much SF on the shelf,… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Checklist Challenge: Alternative History

    ~posted by Selby G. History is a series of events. But what if some of those important events had a different outcome? What if the Soviet Union won the cold war or Kennedy didn’t get assassinated? How would that change the world? Science fiction writers are known for pondering the wild realms of speculation and… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Checklist Challenge: Graphic Novels

    ~Posted by Daniel S. Science fiction and graphic novels go together like a cape and a mask. You may not have considered it before, but the superhero genre really is just another version of sci-fi. Think about all the sci-fi concepts that pop up in your favorite comics: Radiation turns an ordinary man into a… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Checklist Challenge: Cyberpunk

    ~posted by Meranda T. There are many people who claim to be the inventors of Cyberpunk but the true inventor is highly debated. Cyberpunk is essentially about technology, specifically the Internet. It’s social decay wrapped in high technology; the ability to directly connect to the internet and interface with it in a virtual fashion; or… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Checklist Challenge: YA!

    ~posted by Hayden Young adult science fiction is like, so hot right now. If you are a fan of violent future worlds in which teens struggle against corrupt regimes (but still manage to fall in love), there are plenty of titles to choose from. Perhaps you’ve heard of a little book called The Hunger Games? Or… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Checklist Challenge: Aliens!

    ~posted by Lindsay S.  When I think about aliens, Giorgio Tsoukalos from Ancient Aliens on the History Channel is actually the first thing that comes to mind. For those of you who haven’t seen the show, it examines unexplained historical events and monuments and theorizes that humanity was helped along at various points by ancient… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Checklist Challenge: Robots and Androids

    ~by Meranda T. Android, metal man, cyborg, automaton… these are all synonyms for Robot.  Created by man to help make life easier, at least, this is what the hope is. This idea of a robot can be seen throughout history. In Greek mythology, Hephaestus, a Greek god, made mechanical servants. There is a text in… Continue reading

  • The Science Fiction Checklist Challenge: Military SF Part II

    By Richard C. It’s Military SF part II, and important questions remain. Like what about the role of women here, both as authors and characters? If you made it to Seattle’s February Potlatch convention – a small, literary speculative fiction event – you might have seen a session called Women Ruin War – The Gendering of Military… Continue reading

  • The Science Fiction Checklist Challenge: Military SF Part I

    By Richard C. This week let’s mobilize your imagination for the military themes in Science Fiction. In fact, I have so much to say about it that we’re starting early with the first of three installments. Diverse opinions on the issue of war notwithstanding, Military SF can launch a reading experience altogether exhilarating, touching, educational,… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Checklist Challenge: Dying Earth

    ~posted by Carrie M. There is something both chilling and oddly beautiful about the concept of a dying earth. This literary genre places the reader on the precipice of humanity’s destruction and forces us to come to terms with the fragility of life and the evils of society that are nearly always the cause of… Continue reading

  • The Science Fiction Checklist Challenge: Humorous SF

    ~posted by David H. Science fiction as a literary genre is often viewed as one of the more serious, so it can be surprising to many people that it has such a rich history of comic stories. Many of the authors from science fiction’s “Golden Age” wrote humorous science fiction tales, including L. Sprague de… Continue reading

  • The Science Fiction Checklist Challenge: Beginning with Endings

    ~posted by Lindsay S. While the words ‘science fiction’ still bring to mind spaceships and alien invaders, the genre has grown over the years. We at SPL have designed a science fiction checklist to help you navigate this expansive genre and all its facets. We hope you’ll explore the many worlds of science-fiction and find a favorite… Continue reading

  • Mystery Challenge: Science Fiction / Fantasy / Paranormal

    ~by David H. The mystery story is one of the most flexible of stories, because a mystery can take place anywhere. The time and place don’t make any difference; all that’s required is a crime and someone to solve it. So what happens when a mystery takes place in the depths of space or on… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Friday: Writers Write

    By Richard C. “Serious writers write, inspired or not. Over time they discover that routine is a better friend than inspiration.” —Ralph Keyes NaNoWriMo may have come to a close, but that’s all the more reason for writers to retain momentum. Did you submit to the library’s self-publishing contest or hear about Write out of this World?… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Friday: Crossovers From Video Games And More

    Richard C. Crossovers between books, comics, video games, movies, board games, and more – it’s an increasingly common theme in our beloved genre. When I used to glimpse HALO books I’d always think “no thanks” rather quickly, but perhaps too quickly! Something IS worth trying when it carries the influence of giants like Larry Niven and the Ring… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Friday: Time Is On Your Side, Yes It Is

    ~Richard C. My favorite part of the recent movie Interstellar (semi spoiler alert) was the character development when time started passing differently in the plot. Nothing terribly new about this in SF, but capturing the stark emotional realities of time in human space travel – this I found utterly moving (well, nearly exhausting after a 169… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Friday – Know Your SF

    By Richard C. Set aside those simple lists online for the best SF and Fantasy. Useful, yes. Context, no. Much in these genres stem from common themes and traditions, which is great. But many defy and transcend those patterns, which is often even better. So what’s to help us zoom out on our usual reading threads and find… Continue reading