book news, Challenges

The 2015 Sci-Fi Experience

90 Comments

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(Space, created by Stephan Martiniere, used with permission)

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty,
but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”

~Vincent Van Gogh

The sight of the stars makes me dream as well, and has done so for as far back as I can remember. The phrase “littered with stars” was inadequate to describe what my young eyes experienced as I gazed upwards on dark Nebraska nights–the sky untainted by the pollution of city lights. America’s space program was in its glory days and my young imagination was fueled by the reality of space travel as well as the fantastical imagery of shows like Star Trek, Star Wars, and Battlestar Galactica. It is little wonder that science fiction became my first love and that my younger years were spent lost between the pages of books by Harry Harrison, Larry Niven, Brian Daley and Alan Dean Foster, dreaming of the days when I too would be “boldly going”.

I just celebrated my 46th birthday a week ago, and I have long since made peace with the realization that I won’t be piloting a light freighter alongside a Wookie, or shouting “beam me up, Captain”, any time soon. That has not diminished the excitement I feel when traveling within our solar system or beyond through the pages of a good book or the via the imagination of creators of science fiction television and film, or when gazing at the awe-inspiring science fictional art created by artists like Stephan Martiniere.

Eight  years ago this excitement lead me to invite other readers to spend time together to:

a) Continue their love affair with science fiction
b) Return to science fiction after an absence, or
c) Experience for the first time just how exhilarating science fiction can be.

Thus The Sci-Fi Experience was born, and the time has come for all good women and men to boldly go forth once more…

Traditionally this experience has begun on January 1st and continued through the end of February. Every year I find myself with an overwhelming desire to focus my reading and viewing to the science fiction genre as soon as the weather turns cold and because of this I end up partaking of a lot of science fiction before the experience ever officially begins.

Last  year I made a change and will be continuing with that format this year.  We will celebrate the joys of Science Fiction to end 2014 and begin 2015 by officially beginning The 2015 Sci-Fi Experience on December 1st, 2014 and it will go through January 31st, 2015. As we have done the past few years, we will be coupling the Experience with Andrea’s Vintage Science Fiction Month which runs through the month of January 2015. You should take a moment now and pop over there to sign up!

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With every reading event I have grandiose plans and my list of classic books I want to get to in the month of January is growing by leaps and bounds daily.  My current plans are to read Pebbles in the Sky by Isaac Asimov, a book my wife purchased for me for my birthday, and The Secret of the Lost Race by Andre Norton (if I don’t actually finish it before January…which might happen).  I’m also wanting to get to Galactic Derelict by Andre Norton, the sequel to The Time Traders, which I read and enjoyed a few years ago. And there are tons more in the classics pile that are within arms reach.

I hope that you will consider joining us to read and/or view some science fiction over the next few months. There are no numbers of things you are required to read or view. Like Andrea’s Vintage event, This is not a challenge, just an opportunity to experience the wonder of science fiction, whether that be through reading, viewing, gaming and/or art appreciation.

If you are interested, please consider signing up. There will be a review site where you can post any SF book, television, film or game reviews for things you experience during the months of December and January.

Artist Stephan Martiniere, one of my perennial favorite illustrators, has graciously given me permission to use one of his images for the banner and I chose Space. Cool, isn’t it?!?! Make sure to head on over to Stephan Martieniere’s website and check out his Portfolio. The Book Cover section alone will make you want to add to your reading library.

Here are some banners of various sizes, in case you would like to use them. Please feel free to ask me for a custom size if these don’t work for you.

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Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ever to the blinder critics and philosophers of today – but the core of science fiction, its essence, has become crucial to our salvation if we are to be saved at all.
~Isaac Asimov

If you are new, or relatively new, to science fiction and would like some recommendations, please make sure to ask in the comments, and give us some indication of the type of books you currently like to read.

December is nearly upon us. Let us get started on our journey, shall we? If you are creating a post about the Experience on your site, please link to it below so that we can come visit you. This is not necessary to do in order to join us, just so you know.

90 thoughts on “The 2015 Sci-Fi Experience”

  1. I’m so happy you are doing this again Carl! Timing couldn’t be better: I’ve just finished SciFi November, and now I get to dive into SciFi Experience, and then Vintage SciFi month. There’s not much better remedy for a cold winter night than hopping in a spaceship (er, i mean opening a scifi novel!) and flying off to an adventure.

    1. Me too! I wasn’t able to “officially” participate in SciFi November, though I did do some sci fi reading and participated on Rinn’s site in a few of the discussions. It was a fun kick off, and I’m happy to be able to focus on some more recent science fiction now and save my classics until January. Going to be great fun!

  3. Definitely signing up again (and have). I’ve got some great SF lined up for December and January.

  4. i had forgotten this started earlier these days and I am absolutely thrilled as I had been “saving up” some epically huge book by Peter F Hamilton for Janurary but I can start now! 🙂

    1. Yes, it just doesn’t make any sense anymore for me to wait until January when I’m always diving into science fiction as soon as it gets cold here, which is usually mid-November.

      I’m in the middle of three books right now, one is Great North Road by Peter Hamilton, which I started earlier in the year. It is a BIG one. My first experience with his work, and I’m enjoying it.

      Thanks for joining in with us, Peta.

  5. I’m looking forward to this! There are tons of SF books I’d like to read in the coming couple of months, so I hope I can at least get to some fraction of them :D.

  6. Every time it’s the same thing: I put in my name on the top line, then my URL on the bottom line, then it says my URL must begin and end with ' HUH? I entered http//:www.brokenbullhorn.wordpress.com so what else can it want? Bah.

    Anyway, it’s okay I guess as I’m pretty swamped with mysteries from the library (two sitting here right now and two more held and I need to pick up at the library) so I’ll only get to SF-F when I can… I just always lose the fight with that Mr. Linkiy thing, is all. Double Bah.

    1. Glad to hear that you conquered that Mr. Linky beast!

      Look forward to reading your reviews of the mysteries, as always, but also any science fiction you may get to over the next couple of months.

      1. FYI, it actually wasn’t working because you left the “o” out of “wordpress”, so I deleted it and re-entered it correctly. So now you’re good.

        1. I also put the : in the wrong place… Anyway, thanks for the help and a review is Not Far Off now.

          1. You are welcome. Want people to be able to get to your site, not be redirected elsewhere.

    1. November went by veeerrrry quickly, Tammy. Weirdly so. I’m happy you’ll be continuing on with your science fiction reading with us.

  10. Hey Carl,

    I’ve posted on Adventures in SciFi Publishing. I look forward to this. I hear good things about your book up there by Dietz. Sounds like it’ll be a good start to the discussion.

    I have review copies of my serialized novel, Scavenger, as well as of the Amish SciFi anthology, Tales from Pennsylvania, that I have a story in, in case anyone wants some free material to get their queue started.

    1. I appreciate the mention, Tim. I also left you a message about and interview and giveaways, so let me know if you want to do that and we can use your review copies.

      The first chapter of the Dietz book felt a little clunky, to me, but from there on in, it has been a page turner. I’m really enjoying it, and it makes me want to replay all the Gears of War games.

  11. I have a number of science fiction books in my stack. Once I correct my students’ FINAL EXAMS and hand in FINAL GRADES, I’ll have a month off to read. Love the illustration you chose for The 2015 Sci-Fi Experience!

    1. A month off to read sounds lovely, George. Get those exams graded!!!

      Stephan Martiniere creates such interesting art. I’d love to see a science fiction film, or series, use his spaceship and landscape designs for inspiration.

  12. Great timing! Just put a bunch of Alfred Bester and Clifford Simak works on my Kindle — things I’ve been meaning to read for years now. Hopefully, this will nudge me into doing it. Thanks so much for hosting.

    1. Alfred Bester is great. I’ve read The Stars My Destination several times, and The Demolished Man is also a favorite.

      Happy you are being nudged. 🙂

    2. Hi Joy, I just discovered Clifford Simak a few years ago. I haven’t read much, but hope to be reading at least three books of his in 2015.

      1. I haven’t read any Simak, but I do have one Simak novel somewhere in my basement paperback library…cannot recall which one it is…hmmm….

  13. Hi Carl! I’ll be reading Ender’s Game, Speaker for the Dead, A Choice of Gods by Simak for sure. Hopefully, I’ll also be reading Dune, American Gods, Willis’ To Say Nothing of the Dog, and if I still have time, some Andre Norton as well. Thanks for hosting these celebrations of genre fiction!

    1. I have been wanting to get to Xenocide for some time now and should either go there or try the first Bean book for this event. I haven’t read Card for awhile and really enjoy his work.

      The other choices sound great too. I just finished two shorter works by Willis that I will be reviewing here in a few days.

  14. Another year of one of my favorite events of the year. I’m still thinking about what I will review this time around. The book (“Chanur’s Venture” by C. J. Cherryh) I am currently reading will be one of them. I hope to get to some of the Jim Baen edited issues of “Worlds of IF” and “Galaxy Science Fiction”. They were some of the first magazines I collected and I look forward to re-reading them.

    1. Mine too, Jim, and it has nothing to do with the fact that I host it, it is simply about my passion for science fiction and the love of sharing that with others.

      I picked up a collection of Cherryh recently as she is an author I have yet to read. Look forward to your review. Also look forward to your revisiting stories from both of those magazines.

  15. Awesome!! I was needing a good reason to jump start my book blog again and this has become my favorite challenge. Randomly I am in the middle of reading Ender’s Game for the first time. I know! I was checking out Stephan Martiniere’s website. Wow! Have you read any books with his covers? How were you introduced to his work?

    1. Happy to see you joining in! How are you liking Ender’s Game? I remember how much that book, and the sequel, Speaker for the Dead, rocked me when I read them a few years back.

      I discovered Stephan Martiniere’s work just by perusing bookstore shelves many years ago. Got a chance to meet him during the first Spectrum Fantastic Art Live event, and also his daughter, who is often the model when he has a female figure in his images.

      I have read Fleet of Worlds, Juggler of Worlds, The Draco Tavern, all by Larry Niven and Desolation Road by Ian MacDonald, all of which I’ve reviewed here and all were great. I have several other books with his cover art that I’ve not gotten to.

  16. Eek!

    I am wayy too excited for this year’s Sci Fi Experience! So much so, I put my blogging on hold tonight and composed my post! It came together in such a lovely way too! I had no idea I shared a connection to an author I appreciate during both the 2014 & the 2015 Sci Fi Experiences! Eek. Looking forward to seeing what everyone else is reading & exploring during the Experience! Rock on!

    1. I’m happy to hear it, Jorie! I love excited readers. Rock on, indeed! 🙂

  17. I’ll be hopping aboard again, though my blogging time is scarcer than it has been in years past. Thanks for doing this!

    1. My has been of late as well, Brittain, so I understand. Glad that you are coming along with us, though.

    1. Since it is all about having fun, you are joining for the perfect reason. Great to have you, Hilcia

  19. I’ll join again, of course.

    I’ll finish watching Almost Human soon (watching in TV now). Damn, I want more series like this one. Anyway, can you recommend something new to watch to a fan of SG-1 and SGU (Rush!) and Almost Human? New means not a remake of old series.

    During last year (not only during the “challenge”) I read Polish, Czech, Slovak, Indian (superheroes) science-fiction. This year I’ll hope to expand my range. I’d like to read Arab sf, among other things. I’m pursuing my quest on reading more of the world literature.

    Reading books will be bit more tricky. As for December. I have a challenge on my own (on my Polish blog) to read books related to calendar event, mostly in Poland. Since we celebrate specifically Nicholas’ Name’s Day, the theme is either to read a book with character or written by Nicholas. Can you recommend any science-fiction?

    In January I will read something by Cory Doctorow, for sure. But I’ll look more into public domain/Creative Commons licensed science-fiction books. The theme will be linked to the Public Domain Day.

    On January my A to Z challenge around the world starts. I’m not sure of the countries, I’ll read then, but who knows, maybe some science-fiction too. I really want to read far broader than the usual USA/UK writers. Or films.

    Cheers.

    1. I am very poorly versed in so many of the science fiction series that have come out over the last several years. I really enjoyed Almost Human and was so disappointed when it was cancelled, as I thought it was an excellent show. I love the various Star Trek series, to greater or lesser degrees. Am a big fan of Firefly, another short-lived show, and have enjoyed what I’ve watched of Farscape (two seasons). I plan on trying to watch Babylon 5 soon as I’ve never seen it…just got to find a place to track down the DVD’s since it isn’t streaming on any of my subscription channels.

      Maybe someone else here can recommend some good sci-fi tv?

      It is fun that you are pursuing science fiction from all over the world. There is amazing stuff out there, we just don’t get as exposed to it as we should in this internet age.

      I *think* I’ve read a short story or two by Doctorow, but have yet to read any of his novels.

      Thanks for taking part, Kama, and for bringing a world-wide flavor to your participation.

      1. My exact thoughts about Almost Human. 😀 Hopefully somebody will be able to suggest a TV series. Or they will review it. 😀

        I’m pursuing reading globally in general. Science-fiction is just one of the genres I like the most 😉 I’m making a challenge to inspire myself (and others). You are right, we aren’t so exposed. Global village isn’t so global and isn’t so village. 😀 I don’t mind trying to crack it a bit, but I’d love to be able to talk with somebody about golems, vampire car, psychiatry&machines mix of science fiction etc.

        Btw, Carl, you still haven’t read anything by Stanislav Lem? If I could choose between Solaris and The Futurological Congress, I’d chose the latter one, as it’s still valid after decades and apparently some of it became true.

        I haven’t (finished) read anything by Doctorow yet, but I have his “Context” e-book.

        I hope I’ll be able to bring the world-wide flavour. Now I feel pressure. 😉

        1. No pressure!

          I have put out a call to the folks in the SF Book Club to give some series recommendations, hopefully that will help.

          I have not read Lem. The closest I’ve come to experiencing his work is watching the most recent film adaptation of Solaris. If it is true to form, it is no doubt nothing at all like the book.

          1. The 1st season of the sci-fi/horror series Helix was well done. The 2nd season starts next month. Billy Campbell stars as a senior CDC doctor who opposes a shadowy group that is pursuing immortality.
            The 1st 3 seasons of Continuum were also good. Rachel Nichols plays a cop from future Vancouver who chased terrorists from her time into our time. Everyone & every event take on different meanings over time. A 4th season is hung up at the Showcase network in Canada.
            The post-apocalyptic dramas Defiance, Falling Skies, The Walking Dead & it’s imitators don’t do anything for me. I’ve not made the time to watch Person of Interest, set in the present day. I am watching Agents of Shield, which I consider to be fantasy rather than sci-fi.

            1. Thanks so much for this feedback, Will. I really appreciate you taking them time.

          2. Ok! 😀

            Thanks. 🙂

            From what I heard the “Solaris” film isn’t too good, especially compared to the book. I only know the book, tho.

            Have fun reading. 🙂

            1. Solaris got 66% positive reviews from 200 critics & a 59% positive response from 47,000 fans on Rotten Tomatoes. I would have been in the 59% if I voted.
              From Wiki –
              Lem himself observed that none of the film versions depict much of the extraordinary physical and psychological “alienness” of the Solaris ocean:
              “…to my best knowledge, the book was not dedicated to erotic problems of people in outer space… As Solaris’ author I shall allow myself to repeat that I only wanted to create a vision of a human encounter with something that certainly exists, in a mighty manner perhaps, but cannot be reduced to human concepts, ideas or images. This is why the book was entitled “Solaris” and not “Love in Outer Space”.

                1. I need to give Continuum another try. I watched a bit of the first episode and was kind of “meh” about it, but we all know from experience that television shows, and especially genre shows, can take a bit to get off the ground.

            2. I’ve only seen the film of Solaris once, when it came out, have never read the book so I can’t compare it, but I thought it was a very solid film. I bought it on dvd, but haven’t been in the mood to rewatch but I’d recommend giving it a go at least (hope my memories aren’t too faulty)

                1. The only one I’ve seen is the one with George Clooney.

              2. I need to watch it again sometime to see if my opinion of it has changed at all. It has been long enough that I remember very little about it.

    1. I’m a little confused…are you joining in or not? 😉

      Great to have you in once again!

  21. Hi Carl, I’m joining in!! I might read 2 novels, I’m not sure yet. I love that you have already reviewed Connie Willis! Thanks so much for hosting this once again 🙂

    1. You are welcome, thank you for joining in again. Look forward to seeing what you decide to read. I’m glad I took a break in the novel I was reading to read those two Willis shorts. It not only got me in the mood to read more of her work, but D.A. has me aching to read more Heinlein and Norton.

  22. I am over here from the Classic Science Fiction book club, and do not have a blog, but I will read along. I enjoy reading things I might not choose on my own, and have enjoyed all your recommendations. Thanks for doing this. Carla

    1. It is wonderful to see you over here, Carla. Thanks for taking part with us.

    1. Delighted to have you back, Cath. Thanks for coming along again.

  24. I definitely want to join in! I need to figure out what I’ll be reading and then I’ll get a post together and Linky-ed (I just made that word up and it makes me laugh). Sci-fi might be the only think to keep my attention at this time of year anyway. I’ve been rather distracted in my reading!

    1. Good word!

      Hope you find some fun SF to get you through the season, and thanks for joining in.

  25. I’m definitely signing up again this year. I hope to write more reviews this year than I did last year, so that I have more things to add to the review site.

    This year’s picture is awesome! I looked at Stephan Martieniere’s page and I think I love all his pictures.

    1. His work is great, isn’t it, Hellen? Glad you enjoy it.

      Nice to have you back again this year, and I look forward to seeing those reviews.

  26. This is right up my alley! I’ve just started a new book blog Bookish Interludes, and I think a lot of the reviews will be science-fiction related. I’ve just discovered the works of writer Lavie Tidhar, and am currently in the midst of a re-watch of Babylon 5, so I think I’m in the right frame of mind for this!

    1. I’m trying to track down a copy of Bablyon 5 on disc from friends as I’ve never seen the series and am very much in the mood for it. Thanks for joining in, I’ll be sure to check out your site.

  30. Carl, I wanted to let you know that without a pressure world sf just pops into my hands. 😛 I have posted on Japanese, Arabic-language sf, I have scheduled Canadian, Kenyan sf, scheduled to watch German, Spanish… and read/watch Polish. I even found Uruguay short sf film, tho I saw it doesn’t have too good grades.
    I’m seriously discovering shorts now. 😀 Thanks for the push. So many things on my list, good that it just takes 2 month because if longer I wouldn’t be able to write about anything else. 😀 I decided to make a page/list with world science-fiction (and also probably fantasy/horror).

    1. That is a good idea for that page creation. You have definitely been branching out far and wide in your reading, which is very cool.

      There are some really interesting short films out there, I enjoy it when SF Signal posts links to them as I’ve found some really interesting stuff. There are a lot of talented and creative people out there.

        1. Really? Well I’m glad I mentioned the site. It is a great place to visit daily, especially the links post…though it can also be a time suck. I occasionally write for SF Signal. My review of Andromeda’s War by William C. Dietz will be up there soon.

          Thanks for the link!

          1. Really. I don’t have that good knowledge of foreign magazines. I hardly read magazines at all.
            I just checked out Polish sf magazine, and despite Mockingjay (aaaargh) on cover, I’m gonna buy it to read about Cuban sff. And I’ll have to get some old issues, as I see it wasn’t the first time they wrote about world sff.
            It’s all your “fault” 😉

            Great for you, I can’t wait to see your review there. 🙂

            1. If only I had a nickel for every time I was blamed for something! 😉 I hadn’t read much in the way of SFF magazines, at least not consistently, until last year. I reviewed short fiction for SF Signal all year last year and I read Lightspeed, Clarkesworld and Asimov’s fairly consistently. This year I’ve read very little short fiction because I sort of overdosed on it last year.

              I did just buy the latest issue of Asimov’s though, because (surprise) I liked the cover. So I’ll probably be reading that soon and reviewing it over at the Signal.

  32. Hello – having enjoyed your R.I.P. challenge last year, I’ve been looking forward to January when I could start your Sci-Fi Experience (I know it began in December, but that was Christmas… *g*) I’ve started a brand new blog for reading and writing, and am hoping it all works out (and that I can work it out!) Thanks for the prompt to go back and remember how much I loved sci-fi growing up – just as I’ve got alot of my old books out of storage at last, too!

    1. I hope it all works out too, and am glad you are joining in. Can’t wait to see what old books you pull out to read.

    1. I’ve read Starman Jones from that list, and I love it. I have most of the others to get to at some point. The Heinlein juveniles are great. Have you read any of Andre Norton’s juveniles?

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