Book Night on Union Station

EarthCent Ambassador #13

by E.M. Foner

Start series with first book, Date Night on Union Station

The Stryx offer EarthCent help in reaching out to the wide-spread human communities, but as usual, it comes with a catch or two. Kelly see an opportunity to increase her book hoard, just as publishing on Union Station begins to take off and Donna's daughters enter a friendly competition. But who will publish the most expensive book of all?

Genres: Science Fiction, Humor, Fiction

261 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2017

About the author

I wrote Date Night on Union Station while taking a break from work on a science fiction epic I've been struggling with for years. The goal was to cheer myself up and to find out if there is still an audience for a science fiction comedy that gets its laughs from dialogue and funny situations rather than from gross-outs and shocks. As many readers have pointed out, the EarthCent series could be rated PG under the old fashioned system, no bloodshed, no graphic sex, no four letter words. And after years of imagining a galaxy for my epic in which multiple human civilizations are at war with each other, it did me a world of good to write about a galaxy where most people are just trying to make a living and find some joy in life. I received so many requests to extend the Date Night universe into a series that I put aside my epic for an extended period to write a sequel, Alien Night on Union Station. The events take place five years after the conclusion of Date Night, and the plot involves a mix of business, diplomacy, gaming and family relations. As a bonus, we finally get to meet Kelly's mother. After the positive response to Alien Night, I wrote a third book for the series, High Priest of Union Station, which is currently in the editing stage and due out in mid-October. I just started a book that extends the EarthCent galaxy with a different mission and cast of characters, though they may intersect at some point.

Reviews

[Charles van Buren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entire series is very readable and enjoyable gentle sci-fi humor with no war or combat of any kind. This particular volume contains a very funny scene of a group of aliens dissecting and trying to understand an Earth romance novel while a couple of Earthlings attempt to explain it.

Then there is the book awards night which contains such gems as, “In the category of novels based in an imaginary universe where all of the inhabitants have belly pouches, the winner is, Warren Master."

There are references to characters and events from previous volumes. Reading the series in order will keep all of that sorted out but is not necessary to understanding the humor.

[Kevin Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and funny

I enjoy the entire series. The earlier books are the best, since there are not as many characters to keep up with. But I feel I have watched them grow from single characters to a family. Keep writing theses stories, they are refreshing and clean. A nice change when you want a fun story to read.

[james · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little lower rating on this episode. To me, it was a little less developed perhaps to introduce new themes and characters to be more fully exploited later on (the hint suggesting Samuel being apt for a role in Earthcent, etc). That's not to say I disliked this installment; it just didn't generate the same joy when reading.

[Nooilforpacifists · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weak entry in this delightful, empty-headed, SF soap opera.

[john Calkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read through this series twice and was Jonesing for volume 13. Its not quite up to the earlier books, but it has reached a turning point. Some of the many characters are getting old enough to retire, some are getting restless and feeling confined by life on the space station, and the sheer number of the cast is getting unweildy for readers to hang on to. With the introduction of a colony ship for humans the stage is set for an Exodus. Foner can either follow his roving characters across space, continue to concentrate on the characters left behind on Union Station, or split off characters into different series. As it is, the excitement of station life and the charm of the original characters seems to have vanished, and the thrill has gone.

Still, I'd hate to give up the old cast. Foner has skipped years or decades between books, and I'd love for him to jump back and fill in some of the gaps

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some significant introductions in this volume, mainly in that of Flower, the sentient Dollnick ship who will be taking a sizable number of humans around on a circuit. Writing this from the vantage point of several years after it was published, I know that that same sentient ship will become the setting / protagonist for Foner's spin-off series, which I look forward to reading one day. That said, this particular book felt like it was a back-door pilot for that series, like it was written to set things up for future volumes, not for much to happen in this one. Which is okay. At 13 books into a series, things like this can be expected as a way to keep both the readers and the writer interested. So, all that said, this is fun, but not quite as good as some of the others in the series.

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really do appreciate Foner's ability to mine the mundanity of life for all its zaniness. Or maybe he just has a very similar sense of humor to mine... Either way, I really enjoyed his most recent foray back into his EarthCent universe. There were a few truly laugh-out-loud moments for me (accompanied by the standard "what's wrong with you" look from my wife). And there's this refreshing side to a story where the stakes aren't the existence of the human race or even the unraveling of the universe itself...just some snarky humans dealing with zany aliens and trying their best to make their way through the wackiness of it all.

Fun book, and great characters (especially if you've read all the other books in the series). Definitely recommend it!

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flower

I usually all the books in this lighthearted, sci-fi series. But, this one started out pretty slow. And was a tad boring. There were only a few scenes that were enjoyable. When the ambassadors of the different species get together it's always a good, funny, time. However this book focused more on the kids. Which is fine, but it's getting to the point that I'm forgetting whose kids are whose, who they married and who their kids are. A little refresher in these areas wouldn't hurt. Or maybe even a glossary of characters. All and all, I read the whole book. It's a quick easy read and maybe not a total waste of time..I have a feeling the next book will be picking up here somewhere. So worth the day it took me to read.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

EarthCent has an opportunity to acquire the use of “Flower,” a huge Dollnick colony ship. Kelly McAllister, the EarthCent ambassador to Union Station, sees this as a perfect opportunity to bring the far-flung human settlements into closer contact. Naturally, her first idea is to install a library of real books on the ship. EarthCent also sponsors a competition among the students of the Open University to come up with ideas. The problem is that Flower has her own ideas about how things should be run. A lot of clever ideas bundled together in a not very coherent narrative. The character of Dorothy is beginning to get rather off-putting with her attempts to control her mother.

[Jeanne Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

Kelly gets involved in bringing books from earth for herself, but when she learns there are used book stores sitting empty with books rotting away, she decides to ship them to the station and have a big book fair. That idea brings another idea, an awards show for writers. As usual, all the aliens have different ideas for the categories to be awarded. All Kelly's family and friends get involved, and it's another Foner classic.

[Gail Daley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Nice Lite Sci-Fi

This is the latest in a long serial, and it helps to have read the others so you can identify the players. There is a large cast of odd and peculiar characters all of whom are amusing. This series nicely spoofs more serious space station sci fi like Deep Space 9, and Babalyon 5. As always, it’s fun and entertaining.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

and the rest of the story is???

I usually give this author a higher rating,but the story stops very suddenly and unexpectedly,which he mentioned just after it did! this continuation of the series is great reading !!!by itself but you really need to start at the beginning to keep everything straight as the story covers over forty years!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best laugh in science fiction

I have read every Union Station book and laughed through them all. Science fiction can be fun too! I eagerly await each new book in the series. As soon as one comes out I stop reading whatever book I am into. I must read these first. If you like humor try it out, you will not be sorry.

[shannon Stubbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute series

I liked them book but it wasn't my favorite. The author introduces Flower, the ship in a new series, in this book. In between that the book and advertising wars take place. Some of that was pretty funny. I think I say this every review of this book but I think this would make a great tv show. Better ask the Grenouthians to get on it.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sleepless nights

This crazy book series has been keeping me up for several weeks! The humor, the eccentricities of each species, how conflict is really solved amicably (although sometimes it does involves giant battleship and an android drilling the bulkhead), the competition and quirkiness among species, oh its a really crazy galaxy!

[Peggy Coyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting plot line

I felt this was one of the better " Union Station" books. The plot was innovative. I still had trouble keeping
My all the characters clear but the author does s good jib of keeping you apprised of which species was which.
Isn't it time that the sci-fi channel got in on this?

[bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just fun to read

This series is a delightful break from the dreary blood and guts alien invasions. Just regular Joe's of all species getting by day by day while poking some fun at each other.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light-hearted fun

Like the author, I am addicted to these characters and keep coming back for more. I can’t wait for the next one to see what hijinks the humans get into with Flower.

[E Sano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series, well worth the reading. A wonderful store of alien (and non-alien, not to mention AI) characters, everyone learning life's lessons with humor and (some) grace.

Highly recommended!!!

[Emma Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

More please!

Best sci-fi I’ve read where people/aliens dont die on a regular basis! I love the realistic yet humorous characters and the awkward situations that make you cringe and laugh in equal measure

[Dave Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. I'm getting a little sad as it appears I am nearing the end of it. Once again Foner has developed great characters that one can genuinely care about. I'll be sorry to see this series end. Great stuff.

[Groucho42 · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Kelly's addiction to books matches mine, the kid's show has gone on too long and the sentient colony ship is more annoying than interesting. Also, I think the dogs, who were fun in earlier books, have jumped the shark.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books and Flower

Flower, the colony ship, comes to Union Station for a refit and connects with EarthCent. She now has a book series of her own that is similar to this series. Adding a printed library is part of the refit and the books have to come from somewhere. A fun read.

[Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The aliens are being subvertrd

Our human foibles and proclivities are being exhibited by various alien cultures...so much so even our overlords are not immune to the virus that are humans. A fun time had by many.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book in the Union Station series. To get full enjoyment you need to read these books in order because the characters grow so much as the books go along and so many of the aliens become “old friends”.

[Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun series. I love reading a sci-fi story about books in space. It didn't even matter that I haven't read books 2 thru 12 yet. But there's a lot of time that has passed, and I'd like to go back and read all that happened.

[Marcia Coonrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love

Hilarious and fun to read. I just found this series a week ago and have already read all13 books in the series!

[David Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fun light read

Im loving this series, no murders or destruction just people and aliens taking the piss. Start with book one and laugh your way through

[Debbie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, as usual! I can't wait to read the next one.

[Sarah Urbano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

My favorite series didn’t disappoint- can’t wait til the next one and reunite with all my union station friends : )