(Cygnus, image by Les Edwards, used with permission)
- For my part I know nothing with any certainty,
but the sight of the stars makes me dream.
- ~Vincent Van Gogh
- “Science Fiction as a genre and the art of reading have been inextricably linked together as far back as my earliest solo reading memories. It is a bond that the passage of time and my own growth as a reader has not severed. In fact it is quite the opposite. As my length of days stretch out before me I find the ties to my own past growing ever more strong and ever more important.”
- ~Carl V. Anderson, December 2008
There are any number of myths perpetuated both inside of and outside of the literary world in regards to Science Fiction: the genre is no longer relevant, science fiction novels lack strong characterization, science fiction appeals only to adolescent males (and overweight, mom’s-basement-dwelling males who have never grown up), all science fiction is about spaceships and laser guns, science fiction is filled with confusing concepts for non-science geeks, science fiction is not “literature”…need I continue?
The biggest problem with misconceptions such as these is that there is enough truth to all these myths that it becomes common practice to accept them as truths. Additionally some science fiction fans, like myself, will readily admit to liking a variety of science fiction novels that could easily be held up as poster children for those very myths. If one is honest, however, I believe the same can be said about any “genre”, including what the elite would call “literature”.
Several years ago I decided to host a non-“challenge” reading event entitled “The Sci Fi Experience”, with the emphasis squarely on the word “experience”.
The purpose of The Sci Fi Experience is two-fold:
1. To spend the winter months (my favorite time of year to read science fiction) sharing my love of science fiction with others who love the genre as well.
2. To gently encourage those who have either never read science fiction, only rarely read science fiction, or have read science fiction and had a bad experience to give it a chance.
I firmly believe that there are novels in each and every genre that will appeal to any book lover, science fiction included. As we sit here at the beginning of the second decade of the 2000’s, the genre is filled with classics that are engaging for their nostalgia and others that are surprisingly relevant today; contemporary works that address near-future possibilities; works that are all about strong characterization that just happen to be set in a science fictional universe and works that are all about BIG IDEAS, the kind of ideas that excite and inspire. And their are works that combine more than one of these. There are science fictional works that can sit comfortably next to any literary classic and others that are the equivalent of a fun, light beach read.
More importantly, there are science fiction novels that can and will infuse a sense of awe and wonder into any reader–it is all about making the right connection with the right book. Not much different than any other kind of reading, is it?
Additionally, 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 in a non-judgmental, non-threatening manner.
Again, this is about an experience. More than anything I want to encourage people to have fun experiencing just how exhilarating science fiction can be.
Unlike the challenges I host other times during the year, there are no specific number of books to shoot for. This is simply an opportunity to get together as a community and share a love of science fiction…and to hopefully spark a love of science fiction in those who have yet to be bit by the sci fi love bug! I will, however, have the Short Story Weekend option for those who want to read science fiction short stories in addition to or instead of science fiction novels.
The Sci Fi Experience 2011 takes place from January 1st, 2011 through February 28th, 2011. There is a review site for those who want to post links to any science fiction novel/short story/film/television reviews that take place during the Experience. It can be found by clicking here, or on the review site image on my sidebar.
One of my long-time favorite science fiction illustrators is the artist Les Edwards. I emailed Mr. Edwards recently and he graciously allowed me to use his image, Cygnus, for this year’s banner. I like this image for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is a very personal connection I made with it the first time I saw it. As most of you know I am a big fan of Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat novels. In the first novel, The Stainless Steel Rat, Harrison’s anti-hero, “Slippery” Jim DiGriz, builds a ship to lure a criminal into a trap. Although the ship docked in Edwards’ image Cygnus may not be the kind of thing Harrison envisioned when he wrote the book, the very moment I first saw it I had a “this is it!!!” reaction to it that, from that moment on, linked it to this cherished novel. Needless to say, I am thrilled at this opportunity. The icing on the cake is that Mr. Edwards agreed to let me interview him sometime during The Sci Fi Experience. 🙂
For those of you who want them (and it isn’t necessary for participation), here is the banner in a variety of sizes.
I would love to have you join in! I can promise a host with boundless enthusiasm for the genre and no-pressure fun.
If you would like to sign up to join us in The Sci Fi Experience 2011, please link to your blog below. As always, it is not necessary to have a blog to participate, nor are you required to review the books you read or anything you watch during the Experience.
Unfortunately, I don’t have very many science fiction novels in my planned reading list for the next little bit, but I hope I can squeeze one or two in! I’ve been meaning to read Lois McMaster Bujold’s first Vokorsigan (sp?) book, so this should provide some extra impetus. 🙂
Memory: I’m wanting to read that one too.
Count me in for Sci Fi Experience again this year. I have been gathering up books just for these winter months all year.
I’m starting off with Variable Star by Robert Heinlein and Spider Robinson. I’m a big Heinlein fan and I hope to read more than one of his books during the next 2 months.
I also received for Christmas a Tanya Huff Confederation novel that I want to get too. Plus a purchased a SFBC collection of the first three books in a science fiction series by James White. I’ve heard Richard sing Mr White’s praises more than once so I snagged this book when I saw it at a used book store a few months back especially since it had a great John Harris cover. I want to give Alastar Reynolds a try this year. I have a book of his short stories called Galatic North plus a copy of his novel Chasm City. I would like to read Larry Niven’s Out of Time and Greg Bear’s Hull Three Zero as well if I can get to them. I have many other’s too if only I can find the time.
I want to rewatch some Firefly & Star Trek episodes and watch as many old Sci Fi films as I can.
Thank’s for hosting Carl. I can’t wait to read the Les Edwards interview as I’m a huge fan of his as well.
Jeff S: A bunch of great choices you have there. I am, of course, going to read Variable Star along with you, as you well know. I’m also hoping to get to some more Heinlein during the challenge. My plan is to start listening to the Full Cast Audio version of The Rolling Stones by Heinlein tomorrow on the drive to and from work tomorrow.
I’d like to get to Galactic North as well, want to sample a variety of short stories in some other collections I have, want to get to the third Tanya Huff novel, also want to read that first James White book as too.
Ian McDonald, Paul McAuley, various Jonathan Strahan edited material, the February issue of Asimov’s, and a bunch of others are on my too-big pile of sf I want to get to. I also have Midnight at the Well of Souls by Chalker to read for the Classic Science Fiction Book Club AND I need to track down some short stories that are available online because it is my honor to pick the stories for the club to read in February, one for each week.
Mary and I are watching Battlestar Galactica for the first time. Finished the mini-series and the first episode of Season One over the weekend. Will definitely be re-watching some sf films during these two months, including Moon.
This is one of my favorite “Experiences” of the year. The first novel I plan to review for this is “Rogue Moon” by Algis Budrys. I have many short stories and television shows also in mind for the next couple of months.
Jim Black: I personally cannot wait to see what you read and review and am looking forward to the changes you are proposing for you blog.
As I said in my sign-up post, just off the top of my head I can think of two as yet unread Iain M Bank’s novels plus the latest Gary Gibson (which I’ve been saving just for this) and a Charles Stross. I’m sure there are loads more.
I’m in! Hoping to do a bit better than last year. Have a feeling this is just what I need this winter and was hoping you would host it again. Thanks, Carl!
Can’t believe it’s that time of year already! Where does time go…? Thanks for hosting this experience again and I look forward to seeing what you read as well as exploring some new authors myself.
as you know I would much rather *watch* sci fi than read it.. and proved it by rewatching Avatar yesterday for the umpteenth time. Give me star trek and star wars etc and I am glued to the tv.
The closest I ever came to reading sci fi (and it’s because it’s mostly fantasy) is the Anne McCaffrey series on Pern. Believe it or not it’s considered sci fi. I also did enjoy Pullmans series His Dark Materials..but I’m afraid I sit this one out.. hard to believe I don’t read star trek so I can read more of DeForests, Dr McCoy, but I don’t.. I do love your enthusiam (as always) and do read the reviews anyway..one never knows when something will sound good!
Deslily: I’m glad you’ll be coming along in spirit if not in the reading, although if you decide to read any nonfiction that is science fiction related, like something about D, that would count too. I’ll be doing a lot of sf watching as well during the next two months.
Peta: I know what you mean. I can’t believe my Christmas vacation is over and I have to go back to work today. It will be fun to see what you decide to read this year.
Cath: Great! Look forward to seeing what you decide to read. And since this isn’t a true “challenge” there is no failing in it at all. Hooray for no pressure to start the year!
Bride: Great to have you in the experience again this year. I have an Ian Banks short story collection that I need to try to dip into this year as I haven’t read any of his work.
Yes, it’s me, Richard R. (Richard Robinson), but I’ve shortened my ID to RkR for my own convenience. It seems to much easier to type than “the coolest old guy in Portland, Oregon” every time. Right.
I’m in, because I read SF anyway, and enjoy commenting here, so it’s a natural. No promises on what will get pulled out of a box for this, though.
Oh, and Deslily – the Pern books are SF, not fantasy, because they are science based. The humans got there by spaceship, the “dragons” are the products of biological engineering, the Thread falls for astronomically verifiable reasons and schedule, etc.
I’ll be reading science fiction anyway so count me in. I’m currently reading Jeff VanderMeer’s City of Saints and Madmen.
Lori L: I am enjoying Vandermeer’s short story collection, The Third Bear, so much (and I really enjoyed Finch earlier last year) that I used a coupon to pick up City of Saints and Madmen over the weekend. Glad you are joining in.
RkR: I think you’re both wrong…Pern is real!
And I understand the desire to shorten things down, Richard. Happy to have you again this year. Like I said, it is as much for those of us who already love and read SF as anything else. I look forward to seeing what you read and also reading your comments on what the rest of us read.
I’m joining in with this one this time round Carl, I just picked up A Stainless Steel Rat omnibus so that’ll be first on my list
Fence: How cool is that?!?! 🙂
I have noticed a trend in reading around the book blogosphere’s new year goals–how bloggers are shedding some challenges this year–but your challenges stay on their lists.
My sci-fi experience will more likely be screen oriented… looking forward to seeing what others are up to bookwise and mining my TBR pile.
Mr. Edwards’ ‘Cygnus’ is wondermous! what an inspiring image for a sci-fi experience. i look forward to your interview with him!
~L
L: If that is the case than I am even more honored than I normally am. And I hope you share any of your screen-oriented sf experiences with us these next couple months as well. Please feel free to post any movie review links over on the review site as well if you want.
I’m in! this is a good excuse/impetus to get off my butt and read some of those fabulous sci-fi military novels stacking up on my bookshelves. I’ve also got the first 2 of Tanya Huff’s Confederation series; Hammered & Scardown the first 2 of Elizabeth Bear’s Jenny Casey series; books 1-5 of Jack Cambell’s The Lost Fleet series; John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War and the pile just keeps growing… I’m excited!
Sgist: what a great growing pile! Of course I am mad about the 4 books, 1 novella, 1 short story in John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War universe. They are FANTASTIC!!! And you may know because of my recent review that I enjoyed the first two Tanya Huff books. I’ve heard good things about the others. In regards to military sci fi, I picked up a used copy of the first book in Keith Laumer’s Bolo series yesterday. The more recent Baen reprint of the ‘best of’ of these short stories, edited by Laumer, made me want to see where it all began.
add Bujold’s new Miles Vorkosigan novel ‘Cryoburn’ to that list…I forgot that i had it! @_@
I tell you, i’ve got more books than i’ve got hours in the day to read them…
as to SCI-Fi TV i watched the remake of ‘The Prisoner’ series; BBC’s original ‘The Eleventh Hour’ series with Patrick Stewart over the Christmas Holiday and am watching Masterpiece Contemporary’s ‘The Last Enemy’ right now if those count.
sgist: I’ve got Cryoburn as well, though I’ve not read the other novels.
Mary and I are watching Battlestar Galactica for the first time. Finished the miniseries and the first episode of season 1 over the weekend.
My favorite part about this post is your own quote at the beginning. Well worth repeating, friend.
As you can see form the above, I have the link, image and post up now. Carpenters coming tomorrow and Thursday to give estimates. Soon…soon.
RkR: That is so exciting Richard. I’m really happy for you. And I’ll be over to check out your post. It is indeed time to read some science fiction. I spent part of my mind-numbing day in computer program implementation (when it didn’t pertain to me) plotting a course of reading to in some way try to get in all the books (not just sf) that I have on a list of books I’d like to read this year.
There’s no way it will happen. 😉 Ha!
Bellezza: I used the same quote from myself last year and made a joke about how narcissistic it is to quote ones self…this year I decided, why reinvent the wheel. That quote perfectly describes how I feel, even if I did say so myself. 🙂
I am in, too, of course! I was looking at my TBR pile the last couple days thinking that would be perfect for the Sci-fi Experience. Then today I was like, wait, it’s January! I almost missed it! I am thinking maybe H.G. Wells and I am going to read Dune if it would hurry up and come in at the library! Other than that, we will see…
Kailana: Great choices! I’m glad you are in on the experience this year. I’m still having a hard time believing it is 2011.
I am rather a Larry Niven fan. I’d recommend “Legacy of Heorot” and the sequel “Beowulf’s Children”. I have recommended this to friends who “never read a SF novel” and they liked it a lot.
I also like the Isaac Asimov series: Caves of Steel, Naked Sun and Robots of Dawn.
Sounds good. I’ve been trying to work my way through Tubb’s Dumarest series in order(I’d spot read a few years ago) as I can pick them up. Count me in.
Randy: I haven’t hear of those, so I’ll be very interested in your thoughts on them.
Ian: Me too. I picked up the giant Best of Larry Niven book that came out from Subterranean last month. Looking forward to dipping into that some during these months. I am also wanting to read both of those Asimov novels at some point.
Thanks for your posts and the dialogue with Todd Mason. I’ve finally added my 2 bits.
One carpenter been and gone, I’ll get his bid later in the day, he says at least 3 weeks to complete, due to other job and the finishing. I’m impatient. Another one comes tomorrow afternoon, once I have both bids I’ll get things going.
I think I know what I want to read, but I have to find it. I can’t unpack the boxes because they have to be moved at least once more to clear the room for the new bookcases… I may have to stretch the definition of SF pretty hard.
No problem, I’ll pop back over there later this evening when I get a chance and chime in some more.
3 weeks does seem like forever when you’ve already been waiting this long.
And Richard, stretch away! 🙂
This is a great idea, thanks for sharing the “Sci-Fi Experience.” A wonderful sci-fi I just completed was Pink Noise: A Posthuman Tale by Leonid Korogodski. It’s a compelling story with a posthuman protagonist. I’ve heard much talk on science fiction conventions about how hard it is to make such characters truly engaging, because they’re so different from us and hard to identify with. Pink Noise does it.
Dumarest is a classic science fiction adventure/mystery series. I have enjoyed the ones I have read. I am considering reading the first book (The Winds of Gath) for this year’s Experience.
Jim Black: Haven’t heard of it but I’ll be looking it up now. As always I will be looking forward to your reviews.
Clark: Thanks! I’ll look that one up as well.
I just published my post about the 2011 Experience.
Thanks Jim, I’ll check it out.
I picked 6 books I have to read in 2011, although I expect to read many more. Here’s the list: http://blog.ejly.net/2011/01/6-books-for-2011.html The sci-fi books are:
Connie Willis, Remake
Speaker for the dead, by Orson Scott Card
and, in the spirit of sharing, I’m also trying to get the husband to read To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis. 🙂
Eva: Great! Love the spirit of sharing. I hope you are successful. I’ll check out your post, thanks for the link.
Just came across this blog and the challenge.. thought I’d join in. As an artist, Les Edwards painting is one of those images that epitomizes sf art to me.. it’s a classic!
Harry Harrison is also a link to my reason for sf love, in that Jim Burns illustrated Planet Story and many other HH book covers.
Perhaps I can also shed light on sf artwork while I’m here!
Just finished (again) Chris Claremont’s (X-Men comics writer)First Flight, which was also his first novel. Fun, fast and to the point. It’s what I’d call a great traveling book.
Looking to finish off:
– Marianne de Pierres Sentients of Orion series
– Ken Scholes Psalms of Isaak series, reads as Fantasy with a back story that is clearly sf.
Anyway, awesome idea, looks like a lot of fun!
I’m glad you found us, Wayne. I popped over to your site and looked at your work. It is quite beautiful. Would certainly welcome your thoughts on sf art, especially anything featured here during the experience.
Speaking of book cover illustration, Ken Scholes has had some wonderful luck with covers, I’m thinking here of the ones illustrated by Gregory Manchess. Wow!
I’m a sci-fi reader from wayyy back – but I haven’t read much of it in years and years now. I’ve got all five books of The Hitchhikers Trilogy on their way to me now, though (the neat make-your-own-cover ones for last year’s 30th Anniversary) and they’ll qualify quite nicely!!
Raging Bilblioholism: Yes they will. I haven’t seen those, I’ll have to look them up. Didn’t even realize that last year was the 30th anniversary.
Hi Carl – I just posted about your Sci-fi experience on my blog. How can I resist such a fabulous cover and idea? you know I can’t as it’s my third year joining in!! lol I have no idea what I’m going to read yet, nor what exactly I’m going to watch. This is a good excuse to get Connie Willis’s new one – All Clear – and read it now! 😀
Great Susan! I assume you’ve read Blackout then, the book that precedes All Clear? I’m really interested in reading both of those at some point. I read Fire Watch recently, the award-winning short story that is set in this universe and it was great.
Carl, I’m joining. If I can get my hands on one of these I hope to read the newest Gibson, Banks or Bear.
Great Gavin! The newest Bear is fantastic!
I’ve been meaning to read more SF this year, a challenge like this should give me the right push. The current plan is to read Arthur C. Clarke’s Odyssey series, provided I don’t get side tracked by something else.
That sounds great Ryan. I hope you get to them…of course partially for selfish reasons as I’m curious as to what they are like. 🙂
Hi Carl! Your reviews of sci-fi books so often intrigue me that I’ve decided to participate this year. Looking forward to it;)
That is wonderful, Jessica. I hope you find some books that are exciting and fun.
I have been enabled and have decided never to look a gift book in the mouth. May I join your Experience? I’m excited to see what science fiction others are reading, see if I can find a new world to cavort in.
Absolutely, FuzzyCricket, please join us!
I’m in. Is there a list or do we read whatever?
Angie, you can read whatever you want. They only thing I (selfishly) ask is that if you do any reviews for what you read (which is not required) that you post a link to it on the book review web site, which can be found by clicking the second Sci Fi Experience image down on my sidebar.
If you don’t review, please come back and leave a comment here telling us about what you are reading.
That is a nice initiative..
But is it on for such a short time? Why not have it throughout the year?
Thanks Avada. I host a couple of other challenges during the year, so this experience is kept short just so I don’t have tasks overlapping one another.
I can’t be a convert because I already enjoy science fiction, but it will be fun to see what people read.
Beth: Nothing wrong with that, this is as much for fans to read and share their love of sf as it is a way to encourage non-sf readers to give it a try.
I’m late, but I’m in. I think I can get in one or two before the 28th.
Great, Cbjames, welcome!!! 🙂