First, a slightly exaggerated story—I have a friend who semi-recently went ape-shit angry over a rating he saw on Rotten Tomatoes. He FB-posted a scathing rant directed at the obviously corrupt reviewers, who’d mortally sinned by having published an aggregate rating that differed significantly from the audience rating, which btw, matched his opinion. Tens of his followers hopped onto his little rant wagon with their pitchforks and torches in hand, and they proceeded to stalk their way through the underbelly of the FB village hunting for the vile Frankensteins of disagreement.
It bothered me that my friend saw the need to funnel his anger into something as unimportant as a collection of movie reviews. It bothered me more that he seemed to be bubbling with so much anger that it spilled out over such a trivial thing. I did not, however, engage. I mean, who really needs that kind of shit in their lives. On the other hand, I will say here, something inspired by that pointless drama.
I decided to write movie, TV, and book reviews for Discover Scifi because:
I thought it might be fun.
NOT because I’m a troll.
NOT because I want to tear people down.
As a guy who makes his living as a writer, I spend a lot of time thinking about why stories work and why they don’t. Writing a review helps me crystallize my thoughts on the subject. It’s a way to help me become a better writer.
And, if you find that you tend to like the same movies/books/TV shows I like, then hopefully my reviews will help you cull through the flood of entertainment opportunities pouring across your internet connection so you can find something fun to fill your me-time need for happy escapism.
On the other hand, if you find you disagree with me, then look at me as a reverse barometer. If I like it, you probably won't. If I don’t like it, you might. Seriously, we all have people like that in our lives, right?
Everybody’s different. We live in a big world with an endless supply of movies and books. If social media has produced any good in this world (and I’ll happily make the argument that it hasn’t), then it’s shown us that the world is full of people with different opinions, and that we’ll never unanimously like the same things. So please, allow me to have an alternative opinion.
– Bobby Adair
Bobby is a former programmer, with a long-lived passion - and only recently fulfilled desire - for writing. He is the author of theFreedom Fire series, the Slow Burn series and the Ebola K series.
Want Bobby to review a book, movie or TV show? Let us know by adding it to the poll below, and/or voting on your favorites.
I'd like to see a review about...
Game of Thrones final season finale 50%, 1 vote
1 vote50%
1 vote - 50% of all votes
Ad Astra 50%, 1 vote
1 vote50%
1 vote - 50% of all votes
Recursion by Blake Crouch 0%, 0 votes
0 votes
0 votes - 0% of all votes
Total Votes: 2
January 19, 2020
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Where are all the good stand-alone books? This a question that comes up a lot in the Discover Sci-Fi Facebook Group, especially where it comes to contemporary sci-fi. Multi-book series are definitely having a moment (something Discover Sci-Fi author Jay Allan discussed here on the blog back in January, the same month we published our list of the top 10 multi-book series), but yes: What about excellent self-contained sci-fi books? Few and far between as they may seem, they are out there and with your help, we are going to put together a list of the best of the last decade (and beyond).
Which stand-alone books of the 2010s (and up until today) are your favorites? Thinking of stand-alones that aren't part of a larger series, please nominate as many as you'd like here or in our Facebook group, then vote for your favorite(s). As always, we base our lists on the votes and nominations from this blog and our Facebook Reader group, and we want to hear your opinion!
What Is the Best Stand-alone Sci-Fi Book of the Last Decade (and beyond)?
The Martian by Andy Weir 45%, 93 votes
93 votes45%
93 votes - 45% of all votes
Seveneves by Neal Stephenson 15%, 31 vote
31 vote15%
31 vote - 15% of all votes
11/22/63 by Stephen King 15%, 30 votes
30 votes15%
30 votes - 15% of all votes
Under Darkness by Jasper T. Scott 5%, 10 votes
10 votes5%
10 votes - 5% of all votes
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel 4%, 9 votes
9 votes4%
9 votes - 4% of all votes
Dark Matter - Blake Crouch*4%, 8 votes
8 votes4%
8 votes - 4% of all votes
Recursion by Blake Crouch 3%, 7 votes
7 votes3%
7 votes - 3% of all votes
A Long Way To a Small Angry Planet*2%, 4 votes
4 votes2%
4 votes - 2% of all votes
Utopia 58 by Daniel Arenson 1%, 3 votes
3 votes1%
3 votes - 1% of all votes
A Long Time Until Now by Michael Z. Williamson*1%, 2 votes
2 votes1%
2 votes - 1% of all votes
Fata Morgana by Ken Mitcherony and Steven R. Boyett*1%, 2 votes
2 votes1%
2 votes - 1% of all votes
The Apocalypse Troll by David Weber*1%, 2 votes
2 votes1%
2 votes - 1% of all votes
Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Novice Gods by Bobby Adair 0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
After the Apocalypse by Maureen F. McHugh 0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Total Votes: 205
Voters: 323
August 12, 2020
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“Books don't offer real escape, but they can stop a mind scratching itself raw.” —David Mitchell
What a decade this year has been! The first half, anyway.
Whether you're reading this in 2020 or at some point in the future, you know how the first half of the year has been. Suffice it to say that this year, perhaps more than ever, we have needed a reprieve from reality and—perhaps more than ever—have turned to books to find it.
We have heard from many readers who have found extra comfort in the predictability that comes from re-reading old favorites this year (breaking out The Dragonriders of Pern for the 23rd time), but for those of us who love nothing more than a new read, this year has not failed us. There has been a ton of excellent new material to chose from in the sci-fi world and this week, we are asking you to nominate and vote for your favorites.
Which sci-fi books published so far in 2020 have been the very best? Please nominate as many as you'd like here or in our Facebook group, then vote for your favorite(s). As always, we base our lists on the votes and nominations from this blog and our Facebook Reader group, and we want to hear your opinion!
What Is the Best Sci Fi Book of 2020 (so far)?
Descent into Darkness (Blood on the Stars Book 17) by Jay Allan 14%, 35 votes
35 votes14%
35 votes - 14% of all votes
Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries #5) by Martha Wells 11%, 27 votes
27 votes11%
27 votes - 11% of all votes
Tiamat's Wrath by James S. A. Corey*10%, 24 votes
24 votes10%
24 votes - 10% of all votes
The Last Emperox (The Interdependency #3) by John Scalzi 10%, 23 votes
23 votes10%
23 votes - 10% of all votes
Inversion: Riven Worlds Book Two (Amaranthe 15) G. S. Jennsen*7%, 18 votes
18 votes7%
18 votes - 7% of all votes
Sons of War by Nicholas Sansbury Smith 6%, 14 votes
14 votes6%
14 votes - 6% of all votes
Insurgent (First Colony #10) by Ken Lozito 5%, 12 votes
Final Days by by Nathan Hystad and Jasper T Scott 3%, 8 votes
8 votes3%
8 votes - 3% of all votes
Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks 3%, 7 votes
7 votes3%
7 votes - 3% of all votes
Star Stuff by Daniel Arenson 3%, 7 votes
7 votes3%
7 votes - 3% of all votes
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games #0) by Suzanne Collins 3%, 7 votes
7 votes3%
7 votes - 3% of all votes
The Mountain (Ryan Decker #3) by Steven Konkoly 2%, 6 votes
6 votes2%
6 votes - 2% of all votes
The Hidden Girl and Other Stories by Ken Liu 2%, 4 votes
4 votes2%
4 votes - 2% of all votes
Agency (The Peripheral #2) by William Gibson 2%, 4 votes
4 votes2%
4 votes - 2% of all votes
Meet Your Maker by Matthew Mather*1%, 3 votes
3 votes1%
3 votes - 1% of all votes
Kill Orbit by Joel Dane*1%, 2 votes
2 votes1%
2 votes - 1% of all votes
Con Living (EarthCent Universe Book 3)*1%, 2 votes
2 votes1%
2 votes - 1% of all votes
Resurgence (Foreigner Book 20) by C. J. Cherryh*1%, 2 votes
2 votes1%
2 votes - 1% of all votes
Dark Abyss (Eternal Frontier #5) by Anthony J. Melchiorri 1%, 2 votes
2 votes1%
2 votes - 1% of all votes
Ecdysis (The VectorShip Archives Book 1) by Bill Patterson*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
How to Stop Time*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
The Last Revenge (The Last War Series, #7) by Peter Bostrom 0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
A Spacetime Tale by J. Benjamin*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Total Votes: 242
Voters: 192
July 22, 2020
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“If a coin comes down heads, that means that the possibility of its coming down tails has collapsed. Until that moment the two possibilities were equal. But on another world, it does come down tails. And when that happens, the two worlds split apart.” —Philip Pullman, The Golden Compass
We've probably all seen the question floating around, the one asking what you'd be doing right now if there weren't a worldwide pandemic dramatically altering your life; the question, what is going on in your own personal parallel universe? For most of us, it's not terribly hard to imagine because, well, it'd just be our lives, as usual. The question isn't asking us to draw on our imagination, rather it's a hat-tip to acknowledging that this shared experience is hard. That, quite likely, we are all giving up, or missing out on something. That said, we can't be the only sci-fi lovers who hear the question and find our mind wandering toward the parallel universes of science fiction. And Those? Those are another thing altogether.
Our favorite science fiction writers have been imagining parallel universes for about as long as science fiction writers have been writing. While it can be a tricky tool to pull off well, some of the stories that have come from these imaginings are among the very best sci-fi has to offer. This week, we're asking you to think about your favorite books employing parallel universes and submit the ones you think are the very best.
We've jump-started the conversation with a few suggestions of our own, but in order for these polls to be truly representative of the favorites of our community we need your submissions! As this is the first round of voting, please feel free to add as many nomination(s) as you'd like and then be sure to vote for as many as you'd like as well.
As always, we base our lists on the votes and nominations from this blog and our Facebook Reader group, and we want to hear your opinion!
What Are the Best Sci-Fi Books or Series Employing Parallel Universes?
The Number of the Beast, by Robert A. Heinlein*16%, 11 votes
11 votes16%
11 votes - 16% of all votes
Disc World Terry Pratchett*10%, 7 votes
7 votes10%
7 votes - 10% of all votes
Paratime by H. Beam Piper*10%, 7 votes
7 votes10%
7 votes - 10% of all votes
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch*7%, 5 votes
5 votes7%
5 votes - 7% of all votes
The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter*7%, 5 votes
5 votes7%
5 votes - 7% of all votes
Guns of the South by Harry Turttledove.*4%, 3 votes
3 votes4%
3 votes - 4% of all votes
The Crossroads of Time by Andre Norton 4%, 3 votes
3 votes4%
3 votes - 4% of all votes
The Probability Broach by L. Neil Smith*4%, 3 votes
3 votes4%
3 votes - 4% of all votes
RiftWar books by Raymond E Feist*4%, 3 votes
3 votes4%
3 votes - 4% of all votes
World of Tiers by Phillip Jose Farmer*3%, 2 votes
2 votes3%
2 votes - 3% of all votes
The Future Chronicles by Samuel Peralta et al 3%, 2 votes
2 votes3%
2 votes - 3% of all votes
Hell's Gate*3%, 2 votes
2 votes3%
2 votes - 3% of all votes
Silvers series by Daniel Price*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
Hells Gate by David Weber*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
the Timeline Wars by John Barnes*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
Midnight Library*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
First Colony Series by Ken Lozito*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
Destroyermen by Taylor Anderson*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
Keys to the Dimensions series by Ken Bulmer*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
The Amaranthe series by G.S. Jennsen*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
Mission to Minerva by James P. Hogan*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan 1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
Endgame Enigma by James P. Hogan*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
Timeliner Trilogy by Richard C. Meredith*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
Eternal Champion series by Michael Moorcock*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
Men Like Gods by H.G. Wells 0%, 0 votes
0 votes
0 votes - 0% of all votes
The Atopia Chronicles by Matthew Mather 0%, 0 votes
0 votes
0 votes - 0% of all votes
Total Votes: 68
April 29, 2020
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Though an idiom and not meant to be taken literally, or at least not exclusively literally, “don’t judge a book by its cover” is a good rule to follow as a reader. There is sure to be at least one book you’ve loved but almost ignored because the cover didn’t grab you, and what a shame that would have been.
This week though, we are not here to discuss drab covers with hidden gems inside; this week we are here to discuss the coolest, weirdest, most jaw-droppingly stunning covers found in science fiction. There are plenty!
Which sci-fi book covers do you think are the very best? Take a moment to consider and then nominate as many as you'd like—doing your best to briefly describe which iteration/edition of cover you're referring to— here or in our Facebook group, then vote for your favorite(s). This could be a bit tricky, we know, but let's give it a shot!
As always, we base our lists on the votes and nominations from this blog and our Facebook Reader group, and we want to hear your opinion!
What Sci-Fi Book Has the Best Cover Art of All Time?
The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey, cover at by Michael Whelan*29%, 41 vote
41 vote29%
41 vote - 29% of all votes
Dune by Frank Herbert, 2018 edition*13%, 18 votes
18 votes13%
18 votes - 13% of all votes
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, 50th Anniversary edition illustrated by Ralph Steadman 9%, 12 votes
12 votes9%
12 votes - 9% of all votes
Shockwave by Lindsay Buroker 7%, 10 votes
10 votes7%
10 votes - 7% of all votes
Asimov Foundation trilogy*6%, 9 votes
9 votes6%
9 votes - 6% of all votes
John Carter of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs*6%, 9 votes
9 votes6%
9 votes - 6% of all votes
Rama 2 by Arthur C. Clark*4%, 6 votes
6 votes4%
6 votes - 4% of all votes
Nightfall One by Isaac Asimov, 1974 Panther edition 4%, 6 votes
6 votes4%
6 votes - 4% of all votes
Marines by Jay Allan, 2020 re-release 4%, 5 votes
5 votes4%
5 votes - 4% of all votes
The Secret of the Martian Moons, by Donald A. Wollheim*3%, 4 votes
4 votes3%
4 votes - 3% of all votes
Descent Into Darkness by Jay Allan, 2020 release 3%, 4 votes
4 votes3%
4 votes - 3% of all votes
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, 2017 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt edition 2%, 3 votes
3 votes2%
3 votes - 2% of all votes
The eye of the world by Robert Jordan*2%, 3 votes
3 votes2%
3 votes - 2% of all votes
Xavier Rodrigez Hell Divers series by Nicholas Sansbury Smith*2%, 3 votes
3 votes2%
3 votes - 2% of all votes
The Melancholy of Mechagirl, by Catherynne M. Valente 2%, 3 votes
3 votes2%
3 votes - 2% of all votes
Dune*1%, 2 votes
2 votes1%
2 votes - 1% of all votes
Not Alone: Revelations by Craig A Falconer*1%, 2 votes
2 votes1%
2 votes - 1% of all votes
Total Votes: 140
July 1, 2020
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"To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs." —Aldous Huxley
Like a captain willing to go down with the ship, the furry friends of sci-fi are full of a devotion that will keep them by their companion's sides till the bitter end. This week we are celebrating the ones who are always there, and who—whatever species they might be—can be counted on to bring a little extra dose of humanity to any story.
Think about which of the animal companions (robotic ones included!) from science fiction you'd want with you as the world falls apart, nominate as many as you'd like here or in our Facebook group, and then be sure to vote for your favorite(s)! We'll pin you down to one choice next week.
As always, we base our lists on the votes and nominations from this blog and our Facebook Reader group, and we want to hear your opinion!
Who Are the Best Furry Friends in Science Fiction?
Nimitz, Treecat in Honor Harrington Series (vol 1: On Basilisk Station) by David Weber*14%, 103 votes
103 votes14%
103 votes - 14% of all votes
Chewbacca*10%, 72 votes
72 votes10%
72 votes - 10% of all votes
Tribbles from Star Trek*7%, 54 votes
54 votes7%
54 votes - 7% of all votes
Little fuzzy from “Little Fuzzy” by H. Beam Piper*7%, 51 vote
51 vote7%
51 vote - 7% of all votes
Pip, the mini-dragon from the Pip & Flinx series by Alan Dean Foster*6%, 41 vote
41 vote6%
41 vote - 6% of all votes
Rocket from Gaurdians of the Galaxy*5%, 40 votes
40 votes5%
40 votes - 5% of all votes
Ewoks from Star Wars*5%, 34 votes
34 votes5%
34 votes - 5% of all votes
Frank the Pug in MIB movies.*4%, 30 votes
30 votes4%
30 votes - 4% of all votes
Pixel the cat from The Cat Who Walks Through Walls*4%, 27 votes
27 votes4%
27 votes - 4% of all votes
Sergeant Stumpy, the heroic dog from Earthrise by Daniel Arenson 4%, 27 votes
27 votes4%
27 votes - 4% of all votes
Mouse, the Tibetan Foo Dog in The Dresden Files, by Jim Butcher*3%, 24 votes
24 votes3%
24 votes - 3% of all votes
Oberon, the adorable, opinionated wolfhound from The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne*3%, 23 votes
23 votes3%
23 votes - 3% of all votes
Nimitz*3%, 22 votes
22 votes3%
22 votes - 3% of all votes
Reepicheep, CS Lewis Narnia*3%, 21 vote
21 vote3%
21 vote - 3% of all votes
Miles, the Siberian husky sidekick in Hell Divers by Nicholas Sansbury Smith 2%, 18 votes
18 votes2%
18 votes - 2% of all votes
Barf the Mawg from Spaceballs The Movie.*2%, 17 votes
17 votes2%
17 votes - 2% of all votes
Blood in “A Boy and his Dog”*2%, 17 votes
17 votes2%
17 votes - 2% of all votes
Gizmo Gremlins*2%, 15 votes
15 votes2%
15 votes - 2% of all votes
Einstein, the dog from Watchers by Dean Koontz*1%, 10 votes
10 votes1%
10 votes - 1% of all votes
Speaker To Animals*1%, 9 votes
9 votes1%
9 votes - 1% of all votes
Carl Sagan a Werffle ( looks like a 6 legged cross between a weasel and otter) from a couple of sci-fi stories and books by C. Gockerl*1%, 8 votes
8 votes1%
8 votes - 1% of all votes
nimetz*1%, 7 votes
7 votes1%
7 votes - 1% of all votes
Fortinbras, the Murry family's dog from A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle 1%, 6 votes
6 votes1%
6 votes - 1% of all votes
Lying Cat, from the Saga Series by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples 1%, 5 votes
5 votes1%
5 votes - 1% of all votes
Hani from the "Pride of Chanur Novels" by CJ Cherryh*1%, 5 votes
5 votes1%
5 votes - 1% of all votes
Chewie/Goose the Flerkin*1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
Meerkats from Andre Norton Beast Master*1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
Rosie, the Rottweiler cross from Occupied Earth by Jasper T. Scott 1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
Mephistopheles and Bushyasta, ship cats in Ancestral Night*1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
BAGHEERA FROM JUNGLE BOOK*1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
Carey, the cocker spaniel from The Event by Nathan Hystad 0%, 3 votes
3 votes
3 votes - 0% of all votes
Kazak, the space hound from The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. 0%, 3 votes
3 votes
3 votes - 0% of all votes
Hokas (Poul Anderson & Gordon Dickson))*0%, 3 votes
3 votes
3 votes - 0% of all votes
Eet from The Zero Stone by Andre Norton*0%, 3 votes
3 votes
3 votes - 0% of all votes
George the talking dog from Taken Trilogy by Alan Dean Foster*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Hisa, from C.J. Cherry Alliance/Union universe.*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Kubu the Megalodog from Black Ocean: Mercy for Hire by J.S. Morin*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
The cat in Heinlein's "The Door Into Summer"*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Boomer from the Far Beyond series by Christian Kallias*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Olaf Stapledon's Sirius*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Dust Bunnies from Jayne Castle's Rainshadow series.*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Miles from the Hell Diver series by Nicholas Sansbury Smith*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Total Votes: 730
Voters: 352
June 9, 2020
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"One day, we might receive a signal from a planet... But we should be wary of answering back. Meeting an advanced civilization could be like Native Americans encountering Columbus. That didn't turn out so well."—Stephen Hawking
This is what the brilliant Stephen Hawking had to say when discussing Gliese 832c, a possibly habitable extrasolar planet 16 light years away. It seems our favorite authors largely agree with him as oftentimes, the aliens of science fiction are painted as malevolent beings or, at the very least, those whose interests pose a serious threat to humans. But like anything, there are levels, and in the interest of turning our attention to a terror not presently making headlines, this week we are taking a deep dive into the scariest alien invaders of science fiction.
We've jump-started the conversation with a few suggestions of our own, but we want to hear from you! Add your nomination(s) for most terrifying alien invaders below and then vote on your favorite(s). If you need a little inspo, take a peek at this post from Discover Sci-Fi's own Daniel Arenson from back in January. You guys had some strong opinions on what did and didn't make Daniel's list back then and now is your chance to be heard!
As always, we base our lists on the votes and nominations from this blog and our Facebook Reader group, and we want to hear your opinion!
What Are the Most Terrifying Alien Invaders in Science Fiction (Books)
The Scum from Daniel Arenson's Earthrise 10%, 47 votes
47 votes10%
47 votes - 10% of all votes
The Borg from Star Trek Next Generation et al*8%, 36 votes
36 votes8%
36 votes - 8% of all votes
The Slugs from Robert A. Heinlein's "The Puppet Masters"*8%, 35 votes
35 votes8%
35 votes - 8% of all votes
Got to be the Daleks*8%, 35 votes
35 votes8%
35 votes - 8% of all votes
Weeping Angels from Dr Who*7%, 33 votes
33 votes7%
33 votes - 7% of all votes
The Thing*6%, 29 votes
29 votes6%
29 votes - 6% of all votes
Humans*6%, 26 votes
26 votes6%
26 votes - 6% of all votes
Aliens,*4%, 18 votes
18 votes4%
18 votes - 4% of all votes
Moties from 'The Mote in God's Eye'*3%, 15 votes
15 votes3%
15 votes - 3% of all votes
Alien convent were he puts Alien in a space ship full of sleeping humans*3%, 15 votes
15 votes3%
15 votes - 3% of all votes
The Buggers from Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game 3%, 12 votes
12 votes3%
12 votes - 3% of all votes
The Body Snatchers*2%, 10 votes
10 votes2%
10 votes - 2% of all votes
The Posleen*2%, 10 votes
10 votes2%
10 votes - 2% of all votes
The Posleen from John Ringo’s “The Legacy of the Aldenata”*2%, 10 votes
10 votes2%
10 votes - 2% of all votes
The Martians from H G Wells The War of the Worlds*2%, 9 votes
9 votes2%
9 votes - 2% of all votes
Boskone from the lensman series*2%, 9 votes
9 votes2%
9 votes - 2% of all votes
The Overlords from Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End 2%, 9 votes
9 votes2%
9 votes - 2% of all votes
The Shadows from Babylon 5*2%, 8 votes
8 votes2%
8 votes - 2% of all votes
The Gbaba from the Safehold Series*2%, 7 votes
7 votes2%
7 votes - 2% of all votes
beings that force humans to listen to Neil Sedaka 24 hours a day. causing total frontal lobe atrophy*2%, 7 votes
7 votes2%
7 votes - 2% of all votes
The Organics from Nicholas Sansbury Smith's Orbs 2%, 7 votes
7 votes2%
7 votes - 2% of all votes
The replicators from Stargate SG-1*2%, 7 votes
7 votes2%
7 votes - 2% of all votes
HP Lovecraft's Elder Gods*1%, 6 votes
6 votes1%
6 votes - 1% of all votes
The Body Snatchers by Jack Finney.*1%, 6 votes
6 votes1%
6 votes - 1% of all votes
The Chtorr, you're just a snack*1%, 5 votes
5 votes1%
5 votes - 1% of all votes
The Sythians from Jasper T. Scott's Dark Space 1%, 5 votes
5 votes1%
5 votes - 1% of all votes
Triffids from "The Day of the Triffids*1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
The organism from the Thing*1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
Pneumavores from Ansible: Season One by Stant Litore*1%, 3 votes
3 votes1%
3 votes - 1% of all votes
Skitters in Falling Skies*1%, 3 votes
3 votes1%
3 votes - 1% of all votes
Thread from Anne McCaffrey’s Pern series*1%, 3 votes
3 votes1%
3 votes - 1% of all votes
The Achuultani from David Weber's Mutineers' Moon (Empire from the Ashes)*1%, 3 votes
3 votes1%
3 votes - 1% of all votes
The Organians from Original Star Trek: simply unfightable.*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Yuuzhan Vong from Star Wars Legends*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
The Silence, from Dr Who (forgotten as soon as you look away from them)*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Anti-life from Allen Kuzara's Anti-life series*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
The Nights Dawn from Hamilton's Neutronium Alchemist series*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
The Kanamits from The Twilight Zone's "To Serve Man"*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Aliens in the Seafort series by Feintuch.*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
The Zantis from The Zanti Misfits*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
The Shrike from Hyperion Cantos*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
The organism from Mars in the movie Life*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
The qu from All Tomorrow's should have been included, they are extremely terrifying.*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
The Void Kraken from the Black Ocean: Astral Prime 9-12 by J.S. Morin*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
2001 SPACE ODESAY*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
the vang, christopher rowley*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Puppetmasters*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Total Votes: 458
April 7, 2020
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"I came into science fiction at a very good time, when the doors were getting thrown open to all kinds of more experimental writing, more literary writing, riskier writing. It wasn't all imitation Heinlein or Asimov. And of course, women were creeping in, infiltrating." —Ursula K. Le Guin
Even while many regard Mary Shelley'sFrankensteinas the first work of science fiction, the world of sci-fi is overwhelmingly dominated by men, writers and readers alike. If you take a peek at NPRs (now very outdated) Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books, you'll find you have to scroll down to number 20 before you hit a title written by a woman. Much has been written on the topic of representation, and while it's important, that is not what we are aiming to discuss today. Today is about celebrating the women of science fiction.
While the numbers of women publishing in science fiction may be small, among them there are some truly outstanding writers; women who have conceived of some of the smartest, most well-written works science fiction has to offer. The best of these skillfully weave social commentary into narratives that are both gripping and artfully written. In advance of International Women's Day, this week's poll asks you to consider titles in science fiction written by women. Which ones might be considered the very best? Add your nomination(s) below and then vote on your favorite(s).
We base our lists on the votes and nominations from this blog and our Facebook Reader group, and we want to hear your opinion!
What is the Best Sci-Fi Title by a Woman Writer?
Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey*14%, 80 votes
80 votes14%
80 votes - 14% of all votes
Time Traders by Andre Norton*6%, 34 votes
34 votes6%
34 votes - 6% of all votes
Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold*5%, 28 votes
28 votes5%
28 votes - 5% of all votes
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle*4%, 25 votes
25 votes4%
25 votes - 4% of all votes
The Ship Who Sang bt Anna MaCaffrey*4%, 23 votes
23 votes4%
23 votes - 4% of all votes
star nomad by lindsay buroker*4%, 21 vote
21 vote4%
21 vote - 4% of all votes
Cyteen by C.J. Cherryh*4%, 21 vote
21 vote4%
21 vote - 4% of all votes
Downbelow Station by C.J. Cherryh*3%, 18 votes
18 votes3%
18 votes - 3% of all votes
The left hand of darkness Ursula Le Guin*3%, 18 votes
18 votes3%
18 votes - 3% of all votes
Darkover series by Marion Zimmer Bradley*3%, 17 votes
17 votes3%
17 votes - 3% of all votes
Cadicle Series by A.K. DuBoff*3%, 17 votes
17 votes3%
17 votes - 3% of all votes
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 3%, 16 votes
16 votes3%
16 votes - 3% of all votes
Deryni Series by Katherine Kurtz*3%, 16 votes
16 votes3%
16 votes - 3% of all votes
The Dispossessed by Ursula K Le Guin 3%, 15 votes
15 votes3%
15 votes - 3% of all votes
The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker 2%, 14 votes
14 votes2%
14 votes - 2% of all votes
anything by Andre Norton; Vorkosigan Sage by Lois McMaster Bujold*2%, 13 votes
13 votes2%
13 votes - 2% of all votes
Star Man's Son by Norton*2%, 12 votes
12 votes2%
12 votes - 2% of all votes
Paksonarrion by Elizabeth Moon*2%, 12 votes
12 votes2%
12 votes - 2% of all votes
Divergent by Veronica Roth*2%, 12 votes
12 votes2%
12 votes - 2% of all votes
Kindred by Octavia Butler 2%, 11 votes
11 votes2%
11 votes - 2% of all votes
The Many-Colored Land (The Saga of Pliocene Exile) by Julian May*2%, 10 votes
10 votes2%
10 votes - 2% of all votes
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood 2%, 9 votes
9 votes2%
9 votes - 2% of all votes
The Warrior’s Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold*1%, 8 votes
8 votes1%
8 votes - 1% of all votes
Amaranthe Series by G.S. Jennsen*1%, 7 votes
7 votes1%
7 votes - 1% of all votes
Zero Stone (Uncharted Stars) by Andre Norton*1%, 7 votes
7 votes1%
7 votes - 1% of all votes
Zero Series by Sara King*1%, 7 votes
7 votes1%
7 votes - 1% of all votes
Anthem by Ayn Rand*1%, 6 votes
6 votes1%
6 votes - 1% of all votes
The Dispossed by Ursala K. LeGuin*1%, 6 votes
6 votes1%
6 votes - 1% of all votes
Vatta's War series by Elizabeth Moon*1%, 6 votes
6 votes1%
6 votes - 1% of all votes
Vorosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold*1%, 5 votes
5 votes1%
5 votes - 1% of all votes
Grass by Sheri Tepper*1%, 5 votes
5 votes1%
5 votes - 1% of all votes
Farseer Series by Robin Hobb*1%, 5 votes
5 votes1%
5 votes - 1% of all votes
Sirantha Jax series by Ann Aguirre*1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
Galactic Millieu by Julian May*1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
Her Instruments Series by M.C.A. Hogarth*1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
Downbelow Station by C. J. Cherryh*1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
Dreamsnake by Vonda N McIntyre*1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
Always Coming Home by Ursula K Le Guin*1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal*1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
Raksura series by Martha Wells*1%, 3 votes
3 votes1%
3 votes - 1% of all votes
Always, Anne McCaffery, and I was pleasantly suprised with Sara Kings, Zero series!*1%, 3 votes
3 votes1%
3 votes - 1% of all votes
The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon*1%, 3 votes
3 votes1%
3 votes - 1% of all votes
The Star Series by Susan Grant*1%, 3 votes
3 votes1%
3 votes - 1% of all votes
Floating worlds by Cecilia Holland*1%, 3 votes
3 votes1%
3 votes - 1% of all votes
The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
The Princes’ Game series by M.C.A. Hogarth*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Imperial Radch series by Ann Leckie*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
The Akata series by Nnedi Okorafor*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Foreigner Series by C.J. Cherryh*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
All of the novels by Octavia Butler but especially the Patternmaster series.*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Gate to Women's Country by Sheri S Tepper*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Rocannon's World by Ursula K LeGuin*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
The Female Man by Joanna Russ*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Survival: Species Imperative #1 by Julie E. Czerneda*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Beggars in Spain*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Ghost Planet by Sharon Lynn Fisher*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Brightness Falls From The Air by James Tiptree Jr.*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
Planetfall Series by Emma Newman*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
The Martian*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
The Diadem novels by Jo Clayton*0%, 2 votes
2 votes
2 votes - 0% of all votes
The diving universe series by Kristine Katherine Rusch*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Beggars in Spain Trilogy by Nancy Kress*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Bloodchild by Octavia Butler*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
The Key by Pauline Baird Jones*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
KORD BY Cara Bristol*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Total Votes: 587
Voters: 320
February 26, 2020
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“Nobody owns anything but everyone is rich - for what greater wealth can there be than cheerfulness, peace of mind, and freedom from anxiety?” ― Thomas More, Utopia
Too good to be true?
We love a good, purely dystopian sci-fi story: The Stand, 1984, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Road, The Hunger Games… It’s easy to rattle off a list of both classics and more contemporary favorites that revolve around a dystopian society. This week we’re interested in utopian science fiction, and the bevy of sci-fi books that explore whether such a thing is even possible, or if all our imagined utopias conceal a dark underbelly.
So. This week, whether they are ultimately optimistic or not, we want your picks for science fiction books and series that explore utopian themes.
We've kicked things off with a few of suggestions, but we are counting on you to add your own favorites to the poll, so submit your nomination(s) below and then to vote for the ones you think are the best!
We base our lists on the votes and nominations from this blog and our Facebook Reader group, and we want to hear your opinion!
What Are the Best Utopian Sci-Fi Books or Series?
Foundation series by Isaac Asimov*24%, 64 votes
64 votes24%
64 votes - 24% of all votes
The Star Trek universe*23%, 61 vote
61 vote23%
61 vote - 23% of all votes
The Culture Series by Iain M. Banks 10%, 28 votes
28 votes10%
28 votes - 10% of all votes
The Tower and Hive Series by Anne McCaffrey*8%, 22 votes
22 votes8%
22 votes - 8% of all votes
The Dispossessed by Ursula K Le Guin 5%, 14 votes
14 votes5%
14 votes - 5% of all votes
Lazarus Long series by Robert Heinlein*4%, 11 votes
11 votes4%
11 votes - 4% of all votes
Brave new World by Aldous Huxley*4%, 10 votes
10 votes4%
10 votes - 4% of all votes
Childhood’s End by Arthur C Clarke*4%, 10 votes
10 votes4%
10 votes - 4% of all votes
Old man's war*4%, 10 votes
10 votes4%
10 votes - 4% of all votes
To the Starts trilogy by Harry Harrison*4%, 10 votes
10 votes4%
10 votes - 4% of all votes
Logan's Run*3%, 8 votes
8 votes3%
8 votes - 3% of all votes
EarthCent Ambassador Series by E.M. Foner*2%, 6 votes
6 votes2%
6 votes - 2% of all votes
Amtrak wars by Patrick Tilley*1%, 4 votes
4 votes1%
4 votes - 1% of all votes
The Earthseed Series by Octavia E. Butler 1%, 3 votes
3 votes1%
3 votes - 1% of all votes
The Robot books by Asimov*1%, 3 votes
3 votes1%
3 votes - 1% of all votes
Utopia 58 by Daniel Arenson*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
The Time Machine by H. G. Wells*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Trouble on Triton by Samuel R. Delany*0%, 1 vote
1 vote
1 vote - 0% of all votes
Total Votes: 267
May 20, 2020
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“There are good ships there are wood ships, there are ships that sail the sea. But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be." —Irish Proverb
Friendships really are the best ships, aren't they? While there is something to be said for a flaming hot romance; a seasoned, mature and devoted love; or, a passion unrequited, truly, some of the deepest and most loyal bonds are between friends. These friendships can also be a source of some pretty witty banter and some wild shenanigans too, which is always a treat to read!
Does it feel like the world is falling apart right now? Maybe a little. We like to think The Beatles were on to something when they promised "we'll get by with a little help from our friends" and so this week's poll is in celebration of friendship. This week we're asking you to think about the most iconic and inspiring friendships found within the pages of science fiction, to add your nomination(s) below and then to vote on your favorite(s).
We base our lists on the votes and nominations from this blog and our Facebook Reader group, and we want to hear your opinion!
What is the Best Friendship from a Science Fiction Book (standalone or series)?
Kirk and Spock*19%, 19 votes
19 votes19%
19 votes - 19% of all votes
Elijah Bailey and R. DANEEL Oliwaw in the Foundation series.*14%, 14 votes
14 votes14%
14 votes - 14% of all votes
Flinx and his minidrag Pip from Alan Dean Fosters novels.*11%, 11 votes
11 votes11%
11 votes - 11% of all votes
Honor Harrington and Nimitz, her Sphynxian treecat, from the Honorverse stories by David Weber*9%, 9 votes
9 votes9%
9 votes - 9% of all votes
Alex, Amos, Jim and Naomi from “TheExpanse”*8%, 8 votes
8 votes8%
8 votes - 8% of all votes
Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 7%, 7 votes
7 votes7%
7 votes - 7% of all votes
Manny and Mike from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress*5%, 5 votes
5 votes5%
5 votes - 5% of all votes
Willis Davidge and Jeriba Shigan from Enemy Mine by Barry B. Longyear*5%, 5 votes
5 votes5%
5 votes - 5% of all votes
The crew of the Phoenix from omega force*5%, 5 votes
5 votes5%
5 votes - 5% of all votes
Erik Cain and Darius Jax from Crimson Worlds 4%, 4 votes
4 votes4%
4 votes - 4% of all votes
Joe Bishop and Skippy from Craig Alanson’s Expeditionary Force series*4%, 4 votes
4 votes4%
4 votes - 4% of all votes
Kimball Kinnison and Worsel from E. E. Smith's Lensman Series*4%, 4 votes
4 votes4%
4 votes - 4% of all votes
Danilo & Regis from the Darkover Novels*2%, 2 votes
2 votes2%
2 votes - 2% of all votes
Murdoc Jern and Eet from Andre Norton's "The Zero Stone"*2%, 2 votes
2 votes2%
2 votes - 2% of all votes
Kim and Casmir From the Star Kingdom Series 1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
Montag and Clarisse from Fahrenheit 451 1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
Rocket and Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy.*1%, 1 vote
1 vote1%
1 vote - 1% of all votes
Bay and Brooklyn from Children of Earthrise 0%, 0 votes
0 votes
0 votes - 0% of all votes
Total Votes: 102
March 18, 2020
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