(image sans text property of 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
How about you?
When you look up at the night sky do you wonder? Do you imagine what is out there, get caught up in the unfathomable immensity of creation, do you dream? When you were a child did you gaze up longingly at the night sky dreaming that your adult years would bring with them routine trips to the moon and travel to other worlds? Does the sight of a full blazing moon or bright shining planets inspire a sense of wonder? If so, then you know exactly what it is like to be in my shoes, especially as the nights turn colder and the stars seem to shine that much brighter. (If not, please humor me through the rest of this post, 🙂 )
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”.
Though that dream remains unrealized for so many kids who went before me and have come after, my love for science fiction has not diminished and the places it takes me continue to delight. A few years back I decided I would like 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.
This event was not to be a challenge. It was not a dare nor was it a contest. It was meant to be an experience, a word I did not choose at random. The very best connections with books are more than just a detached reading, they are an experience–an immersive, engaging interaction between the reader and the characters and events between the covers. It is that tangible joy I feel when reading science fiction that I wanted to share with like readers, while at the same time creating an open, embracing forum for those to participate who have either not read science fiction in the past or have had less than successful experiences with the genre.
And so the Sci-Fi Experience, (or Science Fiction Experience, if you are so inclined) was born.
I have never been able to ascertain a logical explanation for why the arrival of old man Winter causes me to go nearly mad with a desire to read science fiction, but as that is the case the logical time for me to host this non-challenge was the months of January and February. If you have been following along with my posts of late it is probably very obvious that I have been in a science fiction mood for some time now. The first hints of winter weather, though a fleeting tease until this past week, set that wheel in motion.
And so I officially welcome you to The 2013 Science Fiction Experience, which runs from January 1st, 2013 through February 28th, 2013.
The “rules” of the experience are simple: there are none. Remember, this isn’t a challenge. If you would like to join us in discussing any science fiction reading or television viewing or movie watching you do over the time period, please do. Although signing up isn’t required, nor is posting your reviews, I do like to be able to keep up with folks who are participating, so there will be a Mr. Linky at the end of this post and there is a Sci-Fi Experience Review Site for you to link any SF-related posts of any kind that you would like the other participants to check out. Again, this doesn’t have to be entirely book related. It really is about experiencing science fiction (and even non-fiction having to do with space or technology) of all kinds.
The Review Site can be found here and also by clicking on the banner linked on the right hand side of my blog under the Challenge header.
And for those who want them, here are a couple of smaller banners than the one heading this post:
A few years back there was some controversy about using the term “sci-fi” in place of “science fiction”. The term “sci-fi” carries with it some derogatory baggage, especially with long-term members of the community and I understand and respect that. At the same time I grew up using “sci-fi” to mean “science fiction” (in my head I think ‘science fiction’ when I see the shortened version) and I agree with what Andrea said last year about reclaiming the term. Instead of starting further controversy you will see that I have used both in naming this event and I have made additional banners for your use below should you prefer one term over the other. It doesn’t matter to me which you prefer, only that you enjoy the experience.
Stephan Martiniere is an illustrator I have long admired. When I look at his work I see a contemporary imagination that shares a kinship with the likes of John Berkey and John Harris. For many years now Stephan Martiniere has been doing his part to keep the book publishing industry alive and well by inspiring me to buy books for the very reason that I had to physically hold his art in my hand. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Martiniere at the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live event in May 2012 and when it came time to pick an artist for this year’s banner the immediate image that sprung to mind was Martiniere’s Probability Moon. I contacted him recently and he graciously allowed the use of this image. I strongly encourage you to click on his name above to visit his site. There are many, many gorgeous images there that will back up my adoration of his work. Thank you Stephan Martiniere for allowing us to use your work for our experience this year!
To reiterate something I mentioned above, let me recycle a statement from an earlier Experience:
“…I want to provide, here at Stainless Steel Droppings, an environment in which science fiction connoisseurs and science fiction layman can come together and discuss books [and now television and film] in a non-judgmental, non-threatening manner.”
I feel very passionately about that and I hope you’ll join us. If you decide to join, please sign up your name and your blog site (and you can link to a post about this if you would like to but it isn’t necessary for participation) below:
If this was all I had to say about the start of the new year it would be enough.
But wait, there’s more!
Last year Andrea at Little Red Reviewer created her own SF-related non-challenge, The Vintage SF Month. I was very excited to hear that she decided to do it again this year and I want to encourage those of you who are going to read classic science fiction (pre-1979 by Andrea’s definition) to join in her event as well and do that reading in the month of January.
You can see the details by following this link.
Here are a few smaller banners for her event if you need them:
Isn’t it a great banner? As I told her, I believe I actually have this book in my collection.
I am looking forward to beginning a new year immersed in vintage and contemporary science fiction reading and viewing and I cannot wait to discuss these with all of you. Oh the places we’ll go…
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
I’ve been taking part in this experience since 2009 and over the last few months I have been “saving up” plenty of books to read in the early part of next year that I am really looking forward to getting started on.
Thanks so much for running this again and I wish you, and yours, a very Merry Christmas and a happy & healthy 2013.
Despite all the science fiction reading I’ve been doing lately I too have been saving up specific books for this. Glad that you have been as well.
Thank you for all the years of faithful participation and a very Merry Christmas to you this day. Hope the rest of 2012 is restful and blessed for you and yours. 🙂
This is great, as I plan to participate in Andrea’s Vintage SciFi challenge too. I look forward to seeing everyone’s scifi experiments.
Wonderful to have you participating in both. I’ve got some great vintage SF lined up, including the group read of Dragonflight and the classic selection for the Classic Science Fiction Book Club for January: The Time Traders by Andre Norton.
I have a teetering stack of books I’ve been saving for this! I can’t wait to jump in on January 1st. Thank you for this beautiful, poetic tribute to the stars–the perfect thing to put me right in the mood for traveling to them. 🙂
“Teetering” is a good word, I have some stacks just like that in the basement. But even my nicely shelved books are still “teetering” in spirit as there are so many unread ones there.
Thanks for traveling along with us Cheryl!
Carl,
Such a beautiful introduction to my favorite time of year! you grew up in big sky country, and I am a little jealous. 😉
I live in a small city and grew up in the ‘burbs of a big one, so my childhood night sky was mostly light pollution. But the first times I saw the milky way? It was as if I was going to fall off the Earth and into the void. Vertigo in a really, really good way.I have been chasing that feeling (and rural areas with no light pollution) ever since.
So much sci-fi geeky fun happening through out January and February, (your Sci-Fi experience, my Vintage Sci-Fi Month, a Sci-Fi convention, a local gaming convention. . .) and all the snow I can handle! Bring. It. On. 😀
It was wonderful growing up in a place where you could look up at night and actually see swaths of stars, not just the occasional bright ones. We lived 7 miles outside of a smallish town (16,000 when I was a young kid) and it was so great. We don’t get unpolluted views here at all except if we get outside of town a few times during the year.
I’m very excited it is finally time for our events. I absolutely love this time of year.
The last time I participate, I struggled to finish one little book. This year I’ve got a whole pile that I’m looking forward to devour! Can’t wait for the new year 🙂
Awesome Priya! Can’t wait to see what you get through this year.
You have made my Christmas Day. I have been promising my son (adult) all year that I would get back to reading some of the books in this genre he has suggested. So in 2013 I will start on that. Actually most of his books are in the fantasy genre (I have to finish The Amber Chronicles for one), but he has found some sci-fi for me. Hope some fit into the Vintage Sci-Fi Month too.
Will start working on a post today. In between watching Christmas movies (A Christmas Story, The Thin Man, and Scrooged). And eating Christmas dinner.
Ah, so cool. I’m as excited for him as I am for you.
Great movie choices for the day! And of course Christmas dinner is always a treat. Merry Christmas to you!
I signed up because I like that there’s no rules and also because I’m planning on my own personal sci-fi ‘challenge’ this year (which I’ll be posting about in the next week or so). I think this year will be the year of science fiction for me 🙂
Oh perfect Lisa, I’m glad you’ll be joining us then and look forward to reading about your own personal challenge!
As always you can count me in. I also have started early. Once the cold weather hits the sci-fi mood strikes me. I seem to associate the cold with space and I’m off reading among the stars. I already have read Podkayne of Mars by Robert Heinlein, Apollos Outcasts by Allen Steele, and Wool Chapter One. I hope to get to Dragonflight by Anne McCaffery, Some new John Scalzi Old Mans War universe stories, and maybe some more Heinlein, possibly some Star Trek fiction, and David Weber.
After a weak Sci-fi year I’m hoping that 2013 brings us some fun genre movies. I know I’m already looking forward to the new Star Trek film and Pacific Rim.
It would not be the same without you Jeff. We are two peas in a pod when it comes to when we start diving into science fiction every year. All great potential reads you have lined up. I have less than a 100 pages left of the first Honor book and hope to finish that up tomorrow.
I’m excited about many of the SF film offerings coming up to including Star Trek and the new Cruise and Smith movies.
I couldn’t wait to get home tonight to read your post about the SF Experience. I am definitely participating. My post will go appear sometime during the next few days.
I will have another Perry Rhodan review, the second Cap Kennedy review, an early Marion Zimmer Bradley SF novel, Dragonflight (as part of the group read), and Donald Wollheim’s “The 1976 Annual World’s Best SF” anthology. I’m not sure what will follow them.
Thanks Jim. I had hoped you would be joining us again this year. You’ve got some great stuff lined up. Thanks also for participating in the Dragonflight read. I can’t wait to get started on that in a few days.
I’ve veered away from sci-fi for awhile now and you know what? I really freaking miss it!!!! The right sci fi novel can be such a true gem. I’m planning on doing Ana and Iris’ “read books you’ve been meaning to read forever month” in January too :p So I can probably find some books that fit both!! I’m in 🙂
I go away from it off and on throughout the year myself, although this past year is the first I think where I’ve read at least one SF novel every couple of months. That thing Ana and Iris are hosting sounds great, especially since the Dragonflight group read is one of those where I’ll be reading a book I’ve been meaning to read forever, as Pat can attest to! 🙂 Thanks for joining us Chris!
As I read your comment to Chris I find myself wanting to say “da-n right it’s about time”!! But the other part of me worries and wonders if you will like it. I don’t expect anyone to love the Pern books as much as I do but I’d be very happy if book one was good enough to make you want to read book 2!! The Pern books are very character driven (and dragon driven) books not so much the techy parts of sci-fi. So I feel they are more fantasy then sci fi but they are “officially listed” as sci-fi…. I guess that means I really like sci fi! lol I can’t wait for the discussions on Pern!!! *tapping foot anxiously waiting*
Even if I don’t end up loving it, or even liking it, I will have the pleasure of having finally read this classic and that is something I will be happy to do. I’m not worried, it seems there is a large contingent of folks who like this series very, very much. 🙂
And I know how you feel. Every time I RAVE about a book here I know that there will be some, if not many, who eventually get to the book and think “what in the world was he smoking, this is complete crap!”. It happened with Ship Breaker a few years back. Happened recently with Wool…there were a bunch of us talking it up on the Classic SF Book Club site and at least one member thought the writing was horrible, described it as 8th grade level writing. And for all I know she is entirely correct. It is the risk we all take when we allow ourselves to reveal our passions for books or movies or television shows. Rest assured that it won’t make me feel anything different about your tastes if I don’t like it as much as you do.
it’s not so much that you have to like what “i” like… I just love hearing when someone else thinks something you think is fantastic “is” fantastic!(to them lol)I really know many who actually read the Pern books so I don’t really know if others think it’s good . I am “wrong” so much of the time it’s always nice to get a confirmation that I am “right” now and then LOL..
Just got such a confirmation from Cath in England.. she finally read Drood and absolutely loved it and said what I did “it’s a keeper!” So I feel good about that.. guess I don’t care what some say who I don’t know but I always hope if someone reads something because I said it’s so good..that they will feel the same. :o) and you WILL like it! or I will rename you “FAX” (and until you read it you won’t know who Fax is! lol)
argh! in the beginning it should read that I DON’T know many who have read them. *think I”ll crawl back under my rock now….*
🙂 Look forward to starting it soon and finding out!
I’ve been looking forward to the Experience, making a list and plan on combining it with the TBR Double Dog Dare. Thanks for organizing this great event, Carl!
Terrific Gavin! Thanks for joining us again this year. Looking forward to seeing what you get to on, and perhaps off, your list.
Can’t freaking wait for my second time though the experience!
Very pleased to hear it Jeremy! 🙂
We have been seriously enjoying Doctor Who, Battlestar Galactica, and other SF shows/movies lately… this sounds very fun. I will keep an eye on what ya’ll post about!
Isn’t Dr. Who wonderful? I just bought the latest Christmas special on Amazon Prime so Mary and I can watch it later tonight (don’t have BBC America). I can’t wait until this season continues. I’m excited about the new companion. She’s a cutie and she seems like an actress who will have some spunk. Sorry to see Amy and Rory go, of course.
Have a bunch of SF movies that I want to rewatch on blu-ray too.
It was sad to see Amy and Rory go! But I have to say, the new companion and the Christmas special – they were a hoot! So much fun! It was good to laugh again, as well as be a little bit scared (snowmen with teeth!) and it’s interesting. I hope you and Mary enjoy it, Carl. We’ve seen it twice since Christmas night, now 🙂
It was, I really enjoyed them and wasn’t happy when I heard earlier in the year that they were leaving the show, but the new companion is so fun that I don’t feel as much agony about it as I did, say, when Rose left the show. That was painful.
That whole Christmas Special was a hoot, I wouldn’t mind watching it again myself. And probably will.
I totally agree with what you said. I was sad that Amy and Rory had to go. My friend was pretty upset about it, but we were freaking out when we were watching the Christmas special. I liked it alot and I actual like the new compainon alot. They hae been playing marathons of some awesome shows (like doctor who)on the space channel!
To Dr. Who’s credit I’ve felt a strong emotional connection to each of the companions. Most surprising to me was how my heart ached when Donna and her grandfather and that whole storyline came to its conclusion. The writing, though not always perfect, has given several skilled actresses a chance to really shine and connect with the viewers. I would love to do a big marathon with all the seasons of this new (guess it isn’t new anymore) run of Dr. Who.
Should be fun as always! I’ll have to spend some time during the break to see what I have on the shelves. 🙂
You were on my mind last night, Darren. Hope all is well with you. Glad you will be joining in once again, can’t wait to see what your shelves reveal.
Found you via The Little Red Reviewer, and I think this idea is really cool! I’m more of a fantasy reader myself generally, but I’ve been getting into sci-fi more and more (and yes, I say “sci-fi” too, unaware that it had any derogatory connotations), and I may join in … I’m actually reading The Time Traders even now! 😀
Great, welcome kat! I hope you do join us, and very cool that you are reading Time Traders at the moment.
As you are into fantasy I host a more traditional ‘challenge’ every March 21 through June 21 called the Once Upon a Time Challenge. It will be our 7th annual event this coming year and it always a good time. Hope you’ll consider that one as well. 🙂
I can’t believe a new year is almost upon us. I’ve set aside a few “classics” and hope to complete them for this experience. I’m a little sad since the library hasn’t located the group read book yet. Keep your fingers crossed I get it in time. Happy holidays!
It is crazy, isn’t it? I’m feeling the same way, a bit overwhelmed by the rush of things ending and new beginnings. Very sorry to hear that Dragonflight is not in your hands at the moment and do hope that it comes in time.
I’m in! And since I think I’m going to dive in with some Edgar Rice Burroughs, I’m definitely joining in for the Vintage run as well. Thanks!
Burroughs will be perfect, he is truly vintage and his stuff is a lot of fun. Glad you are joining in both events. 🙂
This sounds great and I can’t wait to get started!
Thanks Donna, I’m happy you are joining in with us and hope you have a great time with whatever you choose to read.
Thanks Carl, I’m definitely joining this year again. I already have a whole stack of books ready! Let’s see if I can get to them. 🙂
I’m so glad, Hilicia! I know I’ll not get anywhere near making my stack dwindle, but it is fun to hope that it might happen.
Hey, Carl! I’m back for another round. Got a few Sci-Fi (SF/Science Fiction/whatever–I’m not picky 🙂 ) books all set for the 2013 TBR pile and I’m sure I’ve got a few more just needing to be read. This non-Challenge always inspires me to get back into Sci-Fi mode. I went through a huge Sci-Fi binge back in the 80s and early 90s, but don’t read near as much of it now as I used to. I love the chance to slip back in.
Great Bev! 🙂 I’m so glad to hear that it inspires you to go back to sf as that is what happens to me every year around this time and I do this with that aim in mind.
Looking foward to this. I have set some new books aside for just such an occasion.
Great Erik, thanks for joining in!
Great idea. I’m looking forward to participating. I’m currently reading 2 sci-fi books and will be reviewing them soon. It’ll be great to see everyone’s reviews.
Thanks for joining in with us Jay Dee. Look forward to seeing what you are reading as well.
I hope to do this. Just started my sci-fi/horror blog recently after writing a music blog for seven and half years. Been a sci-fi fan since I was kid, but never get around to reading all the books I want to.
I hope you can too Mark, and I’ll be over to check out your blog. Congrats on joining the book blogging community. It is a great bunch.
I’m right there with you, I never can seem to get ahead of the ever-growing list of books I want to read.
I’m in! I had been buying sf all year because of the Big SF challenge on Worlds Without End this year (which I failed at miserably), so I have all this new and old sf to catch up on now, on my shelves 🙂 Plus, I want to read Dragonflight, so that Pat will know if I like this series as much as the first series of Pern that I read – I know Dragonflight is supposed to be the start of the main series, but I read the other series first – Dragonsong, Dragonsinger, and Dragondrums – and loved them.
I will do my post this weekend, when I have some of my titles selected, too. Thanks for doing this again, Carl!
I love the term sci-fi, that’s how it is to me all the time anyway.
I think I got 7 of 12 books read for the Worlds Without End Challenge. Which does disappoint me as I would have liked to have gotten to more. They are doing another challenge, The 2013 Women of Genre Fiction Reading Challenge which I hope to do a better job with this year.
You are ahead of me as I’ve not read any of the Pern books. 🙂
Look forward to your post, Susan and thanks for being a part of this.
Hmm, maybe I’ll do better at the Women of Genre challenge. I’ll go take a look at it.
I think I did 3 out of the 12 authors for last year’s challenge, so not good at all, you did much better! I think I like the idea of reading the Nebula and Hugo award winners and nominees too, and I got caught up in trying to find books for that too. It’s awesome how many books there are to read, and what I have already read, too!
I’m very excited about it. I’m going to be posting an interview with the guy from the site here in a few days to encourage others to join in.
PS I’m doing the Vintage challenge too, for the first time, since some of what I picked up is old sci-fi.
Great!!!! I’m excited to see what you’ll be reading for that. I’m certainly counting Dragonflight and The Time Traders for that as those are both vintage books I’m reading for group reads in Jan.
I meant to do my post today, but ended up doing my catch up post for last year’s books. So tomorrow I will be listing for your challenge and the Vintage Reads. I’m really excited about both!
Happy 2013, Carl!
Happy to hear it, I’m excited that they are both here as well.
so geeked! will link back soon. Sean is speculating on possible titles we can both read so that will be good.
love the artwork, going to check out this artist more. one of the things I look forward to with your non-challenges are the introductions to great art/ists.
So excited to see you joining in. I noticed on Goodreads the other day that you were reading The Friday Society. I picked it up the other day and am getting ready to dive into it. Love the cover.
Martiniere is great!
Almost done w/ Friday Society–love the cover, too. It has been odd experience thus far as it doesn’t feel as sci-fi, steam punk, historical as I’d anticipated. Like contemporary teen fic/chick-lit meets aforementioned genres. Like to think how the novel (series?) might open up some interest in genres new to readers of the latter mentioned types of reads.
I’m hoping I’ll enjoy it. I’ve read some reviews of Kress’ other books and I thought this one sounded more like where I wanted to start with her work.
Came here from Redhead’s page. Since there will be reviews and deep insights going on at our place anyway, I’d love to be part of a big group. The time has come to leave the proverbial attic and meet more people! (Already read and reviewed Dragonflight though. Sadface.)
Very cool! Reviews and deep insights are always good. I hope you’ll kick in some comments on the Dragonflight posts since you’ve read it already, and please post your review links for this and Andrea’s event on the review page so that we can come on over and check them out.
Thanks Carl! I’m looking forward to this whole “being social” thing. I’m glad people like you and Andrea facilitate this kind of exchange.
I feel like I’m trying to return the favor to those who got me into book blogging many years ago and being social ends up being such a treat for me too! 🙂
So basically I just keep reading what I’m reading and writing what I’m writing, but I get to talk about it with interesting people as well?
Sounds like a good deal to me. I’m in.
Yes, isn’t that fantastic?!?! 🙂
Glad you are joining in and look forward to seeing what you will read during the event. Thanks Kamo!
This sound super fun! My friends and I are really into si-fi. Can’t wait to be able to share my thoughts with others who love the same things as me!
Very cool, Samantha! Welcome and thanks for participating. Let your friends know too, we’d love to have them join us.
I will be participating in both this challenge and the Vintage challenge. I cannot wait to get started already..:))
Very cool Clint! Look forward to having you involved in both of them. I’ve been doing a little early reading for both of them myself today. So glad it is time to revel in some science fiction.
I guess I’m reading mostly from the 1980s this year. It should be really interesting with my first William Gibson and my first Connie Willis short stories.
That should be really fun. I haven’t read Gibson but have read, and loved, a few novellas by Connie Willis. I’m hoping to get to her Doomsday Book during January but things aren’t shaping up that way thus far. Still, early days.
Last year I read the first couple of Miles Vorkosigan books! Time to get back to the series I think.
I read the first one a few months ago and loved it. I’d like to get to Barrayar this year and then the first Miles-centric book.
My first time! Not sure how many I’ll read, but it sure will be a lot more than I’ve been reading in the genre. Thanks for hosting!
Wonderful! Thanks for deciding to come along with us. I look forward to seeing what you decide to read.
I have been wanting to read Ender’s Game (and my husband has been begging me to, as it’s one of his favorite books) for quite a while now. What a perfect opportunity! Thanks for creating this experience.
You are welcome Brittany, it is great to have you along. I love Ender’s Game and hope you’ll like your review to the review site as I’ll be interested to read your thoughts, yea or nay.
I’m singing up a bit late…but hopefully will get some sf reviews in before the month ends.
No problem Michael, this goes through the end of February so you should be good. Thanks for signing up.
What a coincidence!! I am currently reading The War of The world…so I am joining in 🙂
Awesome Novroz! I have yet to read that book and look forward to your review. Thanks for diving in with us.