The Evolution of Science Fiction discussion

We are looking for nominations for any sci-fi novel or collection of short stories written between 1980 and 1999 that has not previously been read by the group. Please check the bookshelf (https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...) & the nomination rules (https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...) before nominating a book.

Please also add your nominated book title as a clickable link directly to the goodreads' book page, so it looks like this:

Around the World in Eighty Days

Ideally, add the author, too: Jules Verne.

And mention the *Publication Year,* please!

Everything you can do to help the moderators' bookkeeping will help the group flourish, so thank you!

The Peace War by Vernor Vinge, first published 1984, Hugo & Locus nominee

Great, I like to read more of Vernor Vinge.

I'm going to nominate The Williamson Effect (1997), a collection of short stories written by some of the best in the business. It's a tribute to Jack Williamson & they tell how he influenced their work. LeGuin, Hearn, Howey, Saberhagen, & more. It's edited by Roger Zelazny.

I nominate Other Americas by Norman Spinrad.
First published in 1988, the book contains four novellas, each about a future America.

The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer by Neal Stephenson. It was published in 1995.

Marc-André wrote: "The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer by Neal Stephenson. It was published in 1995."

That is a terrific book. I read it earlier this year and gave it five stars.

Oath of Fealty by Larry Niven 1981

The Peace War 1984
The Williamson Effect 1997
Other Americas 1988
The Diamond Age 1995
Oath of Fealty 1981

January poll #2 is going down to the wire with three books tied in first place.

RJ wrote: "January poll #2 is going down to the wire with three books tied in first place."

when the deadline? I may change my vote to break the tie

If we need a run-off poll, we'll have to stop the voting by the 15th or so & then set up another poll that can run for a week or so.

If anyone wants to break the ties, that would be great.

Thank you for alerting us to that, Randy.

Looks like poll #2 is still stuck with
Deathworld
A Clockwork Orange
Flowers for Algernon
tying for the lead with 6 votes each. It's tough to choose between them. I've read all 3 fairly recently & really liked them all in different ways.

Harrison's Deathworld is the first of a trilogy featuring a sharp guy named Jason who has questionable morals & is fast on the draw. He's met his match on this planet & with these people, though. Fun & full of action.

Everyone is probably familiar with "A Clockwork Orange". I think I liked the movie every bit as much as the book even though Kubrick had the US edition & thus not the last chapter which changes everything around. It's violent, not pretty, & possibly more relevant today than when it was written.

"Flowers for Algernon" was originally written as a short story. It was made into the movie "Charly" (1968) where Cliff Robertson did a fantastic job. It's one of the few movies that made me cry & all versions are heart-wrenching. I don't think expanding it into a novel did much for the story. Might have even harmed it with some stuff that didn't age well. It's certainly more relevant today than when it was written, especially given the news about the twins.

Jim wrote: "I don't think expanding it into a novel did much for the story. Might have even harmed it with some stuff that didn't age well...."

amen brother

It looks as if Deathworld 1 has surged ahead. Alright! We're in for some action.
:)

This thread is closed to nominations as we have a nice selection for February. Now's your chance to make sure none of the choices are ineligible or anything; I'll lock the thread in a few days and post the poll right about the end of the month.

And now I'm off to look at the January poll, maybe close it.

January run-off here:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

Maybe PM everyone so they know about the poll and the new rules

Marc-André wrote: "Maybe PM everyone so they know about the poll and the new rules"

I thought we already gave everyone a heads up with a broadcast message & now 2 announcements. I don't want to spam the membership.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Jim wrote: "Marc-André wrote: "Maybe PM everyone so they know about the poll and the new rules"

I thought we already gave everyone a heads up with a broadcast message & now 2 announcements. I don't want to sp..."

I do not think you will, Jim. This is the beginning of a new thing and not everyone might know about a poll being tied up.

OK, done. I'm forwarding all the hate mail, though.
;)

Jim wrote: "OK, done. I'm forwarding all the hate mail, though.
;)"

Are there that many complaints about mail on Goodreads?

Actually, none from this group, thankfully. I've seen plenty in other groups & I really dislike getting broadcast messages since I see all the info in the group topics. I appreciate it that the rest of the group isn't as curmudgeonly as me.
:)

In some groups, people have left the group if they get too many broadcast messages. Jim's just trying to be courteous & respectful. I'm guessing a Golden Rule thing, too... he probably objects to too many messages, himself.

Anyway, time to lock this thread.

Poll is up!
Vote if you plan to read with us!
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

Note that The Diamond Age won the poll with almost half the votes, a very clear majority. I fully expect at least 13 people to contribute to the discussion, too! :)