Beyond Reality discussion

Hi everyone,
Believe it or not, it's time to open nominations for our August 2022 Books of the Month. While August seems almost impossibly far away, what would you like to read in those hot summer days?

Each group member may make 1 science fiction and/or 1 fantasy nomination in this thread. If you would like to make a nomination, please reply to this post 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 Wednesday May 18.
• The first (preliminary) round of polls will open Thursday May 19 and will run through Wednesday May 25.
• The final run-off polls go up Thursday May 26 and will be open through Tuesday May 31.

Thanks!
Chris, Moderator

NOMINATIONS SO FAR:
SCIENCE FICTION:
Matter
Light from Uncommon Stars
Space Opera
Off TargetNew Moon
The Seeds of Earth
Change Agent

FANTASY:
The Bridge
The Spirit Ring
All the Seas of the World
She Who Became the Sun
Weaveworld
The Ruin of Kings
I Am Not a Serial Killer

For SF, Matter by Iain M. Banks. I am slowly working my way through the Culture novels. The last one we read barely seemed to be SF and barely seemed part of the Culture universe; I’m hoping this one is different and more in line with his earlier books.

I will think about a fantasy nomination.

I will nominate The Bridge by Iain Banks for Fantasy.

We usually read him under the Science Fiction banner, where he writes with the "pseudonym" Iain M. Banks. But he has written twice as many books in othr genres (Horror, Thriller, Fantasy) as he has in the sci fi "Culture" series. This is a fantasy book that borders on dystopian sci fi. But isn't.

Kathi wrote: "For SF, Matter by Iain M. Banks. I am slowly working my way through the Culture novels. The last one we read barely seemed to be SF and barely seemed part of the Cult..."

Great Kathi!

Matter is my favorite of the Culture series, and is one of my favorite books, period. I hope it does well.

We need more nominations! Even if you've never nominated before, this is your chance to influence what we're going to read in August. Get your nominations in today!

How about Space Opera for SF?

I love the Iain (M.) Banks nominations but I will nominate two books who I plan to read soon (and they are both up for a Hugo):

She Who Became the Sun for Fantasy and
Light from Uncommon Stars for SF

I'll nominate All the Seas of the World by Guy Gavriel Kay for fantasy - this is his new one just released. He is one of my few must-buy authors.

I'll think about a SF nom.

For Fantasy I will nominate an early novel by Lois McMaster Bujold, The Spirit Ring. I have liked everything I’ve read by her, SF and fantasy, but somehow missed this one. And it’s a stand-alone!

Fantasy: I'll nominate Weaveworld by Clive Barker.

Sci-fi: I'll nominate Off Target by Eve Smith.

For SF, I'll try again with New Moon by Ian McDonald. It seemed to get some interest last time I proposed it, even thought it didn't win :)

I'd like to nominate The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons for fantasy, and

The Seeds of Earth by Michael Cobley for SF.

Fantasy- I am not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells. Supernatural meets Dexter

SF- Change Agent by Daniel Suarez. A boopunk version of Face/Off

Nominations are closed and the preliminary polls are open!

Science Fiction Preliminary Poll August 2022

Fantasy Preliminary Poll August 2022

Preliminary polls are open through Thursday, May 25. Please vote!

The final polls are open!

Science Fiction Final Poll August 2022

Fantasy Final Poll August 2022

Final polls are open through Tuesday, May 31. We've got some great candidates -- Please vote!