Beyond Reality discussion

Hi everyone,
Yes, it is still summer, but it's time to open nominations for our November 2019 Books of the Month. Each group member can make 1 science fiction and/or 1 fantasy nomination. If you would like to make a nomination, please post in this thread (the Nominations for November 2019 thread at the Beyond Reality group page) with the title and author of the book(s) you would like to put forward for the group’s consideration. A couple of suggestions to keep in mind:

1. Telling us a little about the book and why you think it would be a good group read can help get other members interested in reading (and voting for) your nomination. If possible, please use a link to the book and author in your nomination post. Click on “add book/author" for an easy way to do that.

2. To see if your nomination has already been read by the group, you can check:

a. the group's bookshelf for Previous Books of the Month

and/or

b. these threads:
Master list of Previous Books of the Month 2018 - Present
Master list of Previous Books of the Month (Apr-Dec 2017)
Master list of Previous Books of the Month 2012 - 2017
Master list of Previous Books of the Month 2006 - 2011

Books the group has read in the past 2 years are not eligible for current consideration. Being chosen as a past BotM prior to that time is not an automatic disqualification, but be aware that it may hinder your nomination’s chances at the polls.

General guidelines:
• Feel free to re-nominate a book that didn’t win in the polls in previous months!
• For questions regarding specifics such as book formats, books in series, self-nomination and various rules for nominations, please see the group FAQ.
• Seconding isn't necessary in this group.
• Friendly discussion & debate is strongly encouraged, but let's please keep things civil.

Poll schedule:
• Nominations will remain open through Sunday, August 18.
• The first (preliminary) round of polls will open Monday, August 19 and will run through Sunday, August 25.
• The final run-off polls go up Monday, August 26, and will be open through Saturday, August 31.

Thanks!
Kathi, for the Mods

NOMINATIONS SO FAR:
FANTASY:
Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling
Winter Rose by Patricia A. McKillip
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Middlegame by Seanan McGuire
How Long 'til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin
The Darkest Bloom by P.M. Freestone

SF:
The January Dancer by Michael Flynn
Tau Zero by Poul Anderson
Artemis by Andy Weir
Will Save the Galaxy for Food by Yahtzee Croshaw
Excession by Iain M. Banks
A People's Future of the United States: Speculative Fiction from 25 Extraordinary Writers edited by Victor LaValle & John Joseph Adams
Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Chasm City by Alastair Reynolds

For fantasy, I nominate Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling. I’ve heard great things about this series from a bookworm friend and would love to read the first entry with a group.

Winter Rose by Patricia A. McKillip fantasy

The January Dancer by Michael Flynn SF

For SF I nominate Tau Zero by Poul Anderson. I just read another book by him and thought it was excellent. This is a Hugo-nominated book, and is a highly touted time travel story.

For SF, I would like to nominate Artemis by Andy Weir. I was a big fan of The Martian when I first read it and I've had his sophomore book on my shelf for a while now. I would very much enjoy reading it with a group.

For fantasy, I nominate American Gods by Neil Gaiman. I recently watched Good Omens on Amazon and I have been dying to watch the Starz series for a while (can't afford the subscription right now), as well as read some works by Neil Gaiman for myself. I think this would be a great book to discuss with friends.

Fantasy, I'll nominate Middlegame by Seanan McGuire. It's her new one and it looks like a standalone. I'll ponder a SF nom.

Lets go for Will Save the Galaxy for Food by Yahtzee Croshaw for SF. I've been meaning to read it for a while now and I've heard good things. And some humor tossed in can't hurt. :)

SF: I’m going to once again nominate Excession by Iain M. Banks. It seems to do well in the polling, but never quite makes it to the top. It is one of his Culture books, which often generate some good discussions.

(Are story collections eligible, or only novels?)

I've read these both recently, & they're amazing & thought-provoking, with lots of variety within each book:

SF: A People's Future of the United States: Speculative Fiction from 25 Extraordinary Writers edited by Victor LaValle & John Joseph Adams

Fantasy: How Long 'til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin

I nominate Children of Ruin for SciFi, by Adrian Tchaikovsky. This is the newly released sequel to Children of Time.

I nominate Shadowscent : The Darkest Bloom by PM Freestone for Fantasy. Just heard about it on a convention panel and it sounds interesting.

Joelle wrote: "(Are story collections eligible, or only novels?)

I looked through our guidelines and there is no exclusion for short story collections. I guess the voting will tell if people like that idea or not. I will add that people have discussed specific short stories in the past (see folder titled Short Story Discussions).

Kathi wrote: "Joelle wrote: "(Are story collections eligible, or only novels?)

I looked through our guidelines and there is no exclusion for short story collections. I guess the voting will tell if people like ..."

Thanks, Kathi!
Poll-watching will be fun: lots of good options. :-)

Joelle, I just finished reading that N.K.Jemisin collection and it's fabulous!

Last day for nominations! We have some great choices but can always use more!

For Science Fiction Chasm City by Alastair Reynolds

Nominations are closed and the first round of polls is open. Please vote!

Fantasy: Preliminary Fantasy Poll for November 2019

SF: Preliminary SF Poll for November 2019

Last day to vote in the preliminary round!

Voting is now open in the final polls for the November Books of the Month. There was a tie for 2nd place in the Preliminary Fantasy Poll, so 3 books moved on to the final round.

Voting is open through the end of August. Please vote!

Science Fiction final poll: SF Final Poll

Fantasy final poll: Fantasy Final Poll

Remember, last day to vote for the November 2019 Books of the Month is Saturday, August 31!

Fantasy vote is pretty close, and, of course, people can change their votes before the polls close, so anything can happen!