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 October (beginning October 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 October. The Player of Games has already been selected as our September Classic Novel discussion topic.

Nominations will be open through Tuesday, August 14, when I'll collect the nominees and post a poll so members can choose among them.

Normally I would do a Halloween themed book for October, but I doubt I'll find one that is also dragon themed (maybe some little kids picture book with a dragon trick-or-treating?) so this will just be a regular dragon book, a standalone if anyone still needs that for their bingo challenge.

Dragonworld by Byron Preiss

Ah! How about To Say Nothing of the Dog!! 😁

I'll nominate A Night in the Lonesome October. It's perfect since each chapter is 1 day in the month. It's filled with references to old movies, myths, & books. It seems like a simple story, but I have over 20 pages of notes on all the allusions gleaned from previous discussions which I can post the day after. There are still a few things we're unsure of including some of the characters on the cover which was painted by Andy Warhol's nephew, James Warhola. For years I'd hoped he could find his notes, but last year he told me they were gone.

Jim wrote: "I'll nominate A Night in the Lonesome October. It's perfect since each chapter is 1 day in the month. It's filled with references to old movies, myths, & books. ..."

OK, but a reminder that we have group discussion of Zelazny's 5 Amber novels starting in 4 days (11th), (Andrea correct me if I'm wrong...) one Zelazny a month for the remainder of the year.

Andrea wrote: "Normally I would do a Halloween themed book for October, but I doubt I'll find one that is also dragon themed (maybe some little kids picture book with a dragon trick-or-treating?)..."

Googling "dragon halloween book" did indeed turn up some kids books. (Also an 7' inflatable dragon for decorating the front yard. :)

I'd forgotten that. Just saw the group hadn't read 'Lonesome October'.

Jim wrote: "I'd forgotten that. Just saw the group hadn't read 'Lonesome October'."

I would have normally nominated that this month (I tried last year) but it might be much to have two Zelazny's in one month when there are already complaints if we have one anthology and one novel several months apart for the same author within the same year. I will definitely nominate it next year if someone else doesn't!

Rachel wrote: "Ah! How about To Say Nothing of the Dog!! 😁"

second that

(Disregard reminder that nominations closed Saturday, they are still open to Tuesday.)

Andrea wrote: "I would have normally nominated that this month (I tried last year) but it might be much to have two Zelazny's in one month when there are already complaints if we have one anthology and one novel several months apart for the same author within the same year...."

If they don't like the idea, the vote should reflect that. The novels are nothing alike. Zelazny was quite versatile with his styles & these were written over 20 years apart.

  Reminder: OK, now, really, today, Tuesday, is the final day to nominate a Classic Fantasy or Science Fiction novel for our October group read and discussion.

Jim wrote: "I'll nominate A Night in the Lonesome October. It's perfect since each chapter is 1 day in the month. It's filled with references to old movies, myths, & books. It seems like a simple ..."

I just found a very good condition copy of this book at my favorite $1 bookstore. When I went to post my new acquisition in Goodreads I was surprised to find that there is also a title by the same name written by Richard Laymon. Turns out the title is from a line in the poem Ulalume by Edgar Allan Poe. Also I was not aware this was Zelazny's last book before he died.

That's a great deal, Randy. 'Ulalume' is typical of what makes A Night in the Lonesome October so cool. Even the name of the book has hidden depths. It's a pretty good poem to set the tone, too.

Thank you for the nominations. A poll to select our Classic Science Fiction / Fantasy Novel discussion topic for October 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 October. The Player of Games has already been selected as our September Classic Novel discussion topic.

This poll will be open through Tuesday, August 21.

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

I'm pretty sure voting is over and we'll be reading A Night in the Lonesome October in October.

Randy wrote: "I'm pretty sure voting is over and we'll be reading A Night in the Lonesome October in October."

Super. I'll break out the daily notes & it's fun guessing at the characters on the original cover, too.

I...can't figure out where I put the book! Good thing I have a month and a bit to hunt it down.