science fiction
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Science Fiction Fridays: Exposed to the elements
As the wind blows, the rain falls and snow looks to be on our horizon, here are three books that feature the elements, in their many forms and iterations. People of the Raven by Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear The Raven people and the Northwind people become locked in an epic battle for… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: Thrillers that are out of this world
Three science fiction thrillers that are the perfect antidote to the post-holiday doldrums. Echoes of an Alien Sky by James P. Hogan Colonists from Venus have just begun settling on the mysterious planet Earth as Kyal Reen, a Venusian scientist, leads a team of experts to discover the truth behind the disappearance of the races… 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: Alternate holidays
I am a proud Grinch. I don’t enjoy anything about the holidays; not the lights, not the food, not the music and definitely not the cold weather. However, one thing I do love is a heartwarming science fiction tale, and it seems like even the most dour author can turn out a warm and fuzzy… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: Graphic novels for giving
Graphic novels make the best gifts. I mean, who doesn’t love to feel like they are giving a truly great gift, and a gift that might actually have a deeper resonance with the receiver. Graphic novels are special because you can give the right graphic novel to almost anyone. People who self-identify as the “I don’t read”… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: Bulletproof Fiction Part II
Here is part two of my suggestions for the growing number of authors who are writing stories with superheroes in more realist settings, or as I like to call it, bulletproof fiction! Check out Part I for more suggestions. The Ghosts of Manhattan by George Mann The Ghost is the haunted vigilante of an alternate history… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: You like Dresden? I like Dresden!
Or at least, I really dig sarcasm with my paranormal adventures. If you’re looking for snarky, smart-ass dialogue combined with uncompromising ethics, well… there are fewer great picks out there than one might hope. However! Here are a few to tide us over as we wait for the next Dresden Files book to show up… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: To never sleep again
What if you never needed to sleep? What if you were hyper-intelligent and used your every waking hour better and more efficiently than those who did need sleep? If you were Sleepless, would the Sleepers appreciate or fear you? Nancy Kress’ powerful novel Beggars in Spain asks these questions and more while creating memorable characters… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: Five more favorites from our librarians
Surface Detail by Iain Banks Lededje finds herself in the middle of the dangerous machinations of the all-powerful Culture who turned its attention to solving the problem of death itself by creating a virtual afterlife. The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett After an eccentric scientist discovers an infinite number of alternate Earths only a “step”… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Friday: Bulletproof fiction Part I
I’ve written before about the joys of graphic novels and the great crossover appeal with science fiction and fantasy tropes. But what about that crossover working the other way? A growing number of authors are writing stories with superheroes in more realist settings, or as I like to call it, bulletproof fiction. This subgenre is… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: It’s the end of the world as we know it…
And I feel pretty freaked out! Here are three mid-apocalypse books that will make you as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chair. 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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Science Fiction Fridays: Just for the thrill of it
Even though it is October, I don’t feel it’s quite time to unleash my lists of great horror science fiction and fantasy. But I’ve got a three great science fiction and fantasy thrillers that are sure to hit that reading sweet spot that always occurs (well, for me at least!) post-Labor Day but pre-Halloween. Make sure… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Friday: Five books our librarians love
Rimrunners by C.J. Cherryh Intergalactic assassin Bet Yeager finds herself behind enemy lines and on the losing side of a war. Somehow she must stay alive and hide her true identity while making it to friendlier areas of space. (Alliance/Union series, Company Wars #4) The Life Cycle of Software Objects by Ted Chiang A start-up… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: Finding love in the most unusual places
Who says that love is only in the air in springtime? I personally believe that there is nothing more romantic than fall; the leaves turning red, yellow and brown, while pumpkins begint to line doorways heralding in the greatest holiday of them all. These crisp mornings definitely put me in the mood for some romance… Continue reading
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The Beauty of Browsing
Victor Gischler. Not a name I was familiar with before I happened upon Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse while shelving at my branch. The neon-orange lettering of the title along with the stark contrast of bomb-blast vs. babe gracing the cover really drew my eye and I just had to check it out. I’m not… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Fridays: They are women, hear them roar
There must be something in the air, because I somehow ended up reading three books last week that all featured women kicking some serious butt. It was such a nice change of pace to have a several books with female protagonists who aren’t just emotionally or psychologically resilient, but physically strong as well. The balance… Continue reading