Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy discussion

Please use this topic to nominate a Classic Science Fiction or Fantasy novel you wish to discuss as a group in June (beginning June 1, or as soon thereafter as my head clears and the bowl games wrap up.)

(A Classic novel would typically have been published prior to 2000 and be considered a popular, trailblazing or important work of science fiction or fantasy. Presumably, any actual "classic" is still in print!)

You need not have read the title you are nominating; after all, you'll be reading along. Feel free to say why you are making the nomination, if you care to. If your nomination is selected by the group, you'll be expected to take the lead in the discussion.

We read two different SF/F novels and one short SF/F work each month: One is a "Classic" SF/F novel which was written before 2000; that discussion starts on the 1st of each month. One is a "Contemporary" SF/F novel, which was written after 2000; that discussion starts on the 21st of each month. We also read one or more short stories (or anthologies of short stories) every second month; that discussion starts the 11th of alternate month. You can always check on our upcoming SF/F Novel discussion topics by scrolling down on the Group Homepage to the "Upcoming Reads” section.

You can review past group selections in the "read" section of our Group's BookShelf. If you wish to continue a discussion of one of those past selections, all those discussion topics are still open in our Book Discussions area.

Note that this is our discussion selection for June. Herland has already been selected as our May Classic Novel discussion topic.

Nominations will be open through Monday, March 16, when I'll collect the nominees and post a poll so members can choose among them.

I nominate:


The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson

Winner of the Hugo and Locus awards for best SF novel, also nominated for the Nebula award.

Hmm, wanted to nominate A Book Dragon by Donn Kushner since it was recommended to me but that one is out of print and not in ebook either. I'll still read it on my own since I have it but too bad it can't be a group read.

Instead I'll go with Dragonworld by Byron Preiss which is available (at least on Amazon.com) in both paper and ebook formats. Our last three group reads were SF so here's a fantasy to mix things up. Good in the bingo challenge for having a dragon and for being standalone.

  Reminder: Today, Monday, is the final day to nominate a Classic Fantasy or Science Fiction novel for our June group read and discussion.

Thank you for the nominations. A poll to select our Classic Science Fiction / Fantasy Novel discussion topic for June is now open. If you're interested in participating in the discussion of one of our nominees, you can vote here for your choice.

Please vote only if you plan on participating in the discussion of that book.

Note that this is our discussion selection for June. Herland has already been selected as our May Classic Novel discussion topic.

This poll will be open through Monday, April 23.

Well, that's unusual, only two nominations. I predict we won't need a runoff poll!

  Reminder: For those who are interested in discussing one of the above nominees with the group, today, Monday, is the final day to vote for our Classic Fantasy or Science Fiction novel for our April group read and discussion.

Our selected Classic Science Fiction novel for discussion in June is...

The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson

The discussion will begin June 1.

Man, I really miss the runoff poll. I feel like I should be voting for something...