The SFFBC 2020 Hindsight Awards: A RetroSPECtive (Winners announced!)

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

The SFFBC 2020 Hindsight Awards: A RetroSPECtive of the New Millenium



We are pleased to introduce the selection process for the first ever SciFi and Fantasy Book Club Award!

There are 5 categories:

Best Fantasy Novel
Best Science Fiction Novel
Best Genre Bending Novel
Best Fantasy Author
Best Science Fiction Author

These awards will go to the book or author we think deserves the most praise so far this millennium. The awards will be announced December 31, 2020.

Rules:

1. All books nominated for "best novel" must have been read by the person nominating it.
2. All books for "best novel" must be standalone or the first in a series, and have been first published in its original language between 2000 and 2019.
3. All books nominated for "best novel" must actually be novels, not novellas, collections, graphic novels or novelettes. The book should not be children's or MG grade reading.
4. All authors nominated for best author must have at least one book, novella, graphic novel or collection of short stories first published between 2000 and 2019. The works that form the basis of their nomination must not be children's or MG grade reading.
5. Genres will be determined primarily by the nominator. However, if there is a question, it is likely a "genre bender." Genre bender includes any other books where either the genre isn't readily apparent, or the speculative element is secondary. In the event the genre cannot be agreed upon, moderators will have final say.
6. There will be 3 stages to this: The Call, The Nomination, and The Vote. The initial "Call" will not receive seconds. List every qualified book and author you believe to be worthy of contemplation.
7. The Call will close September 30, 2020
8. Nominations for the short list, (up to three nominations per category per person) will begin November 1, 2020 and end November 20, 2020. The 4 nominees with the most seconds will be selected for the final vote. An author may only be on the short list one time per individual nominee slate. (Ex. You list Iam Author for Best Fantasy. You cannot then use Iam Author in any other category on your slate.)
9. The final vote will begin December 1, 2020 and end December 20, 2020. An author may only appear once on the poll, determined by number of votes in category.
10. The results will be revealed December 31.

[Meredith]

How fun!

[Eva]

Such a cool idea!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I sure hope so! And I already had fun having people try to guess this after the CLUE poll haha!

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

Excellent! I'm as interested in seeing how the members define 'the best' as I am in what and who wins.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I agree, Ryan! Really curious how this will pan out!

[jamako]

This is a cool event! :)
However, why are later books in a series excluded? For example, I'd definitely nominate Cold Days but wouldn't nominate Storm Front as the best genre-bending novel. Wouldn't it make more sense to split categories between Best Series and Best Standalone or just accept all books no matter where in a series they are?

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Jannik wrote: "This is a cool event! :)
However, why are later books in a series excluded? Wouldn't it then make more sense to split categories between Best Series and Best Standalone in a genre?"

We went back and forth about this soooo many times. The end result was that we were afraid that allowing any book in a series would make it hard for people to confirm, as many people space out series, or haven't gotten to book 19 yet or only read standalones or various other things that would spread votes out too much, and that by allowing "best author" for the two big genres, it should help to capture folks who are still important and relevant, but whose stories started earlier than 2000. We also felt that "best series" and "best standalone" felt more arbitrary than focusing on what this group is all about: genre fiction in all its forms.

[jamako]

Hm, okay. Makes sense. Thanks for the quick answer! It's just unfortunate in my case I guess. I love both the Dresden Files and The Expanse but find the first books in both series are nowhere near the best in the series or as good as the first entries in other series or some standalones.

[Kaa]

For the initial list, can I put the same author under both fantasy and sf?

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Jannik wrote: "Hm, okay. Makes sense. Thanks for the quick answer! It's just unfortunate in my case I guess. I love both the Dresden Files and The Expanse but find the first books in both series are nowhere near ..."

Sounds like Butcher and the collective Corey would be great considerations for you as Best Author, then! Authors who've left an indelible mark on the genre, but whose individual works (which are eligible) might not be what you'd consider the single best book in the genre.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Kaa wrote: "For the initial list, can I put the same author under both fantasy and sf?"

Yes!

[Banshee]

This is such a cool idea and I'm looking forward to see how it plays out (and to participating, of course) :)

[Cheryl]

Ok, I finally caught it. "SPEC" for speculative fiction. Good 'un.

[V.M.]

Great idea.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Cheryl wrote: "Ok, I finally caught it. "SPEC" for speculative fiction. Good 'un."

Heehee!

I'm glad you all are on board! Hoping we find some gems ^^

[Gabi]

and now we have a long list of books which fit the "hindsight" prompt of the TBR Cleanup challenge. Neat!

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

Just read a list of the best sci-fi books of the noughties by Annalee Newitz and... yikes. She includes some fantasy and horror, which doesn't help.

https://io9.gizmodo.com/20-best-scien...

Was worried that I was suffering from recentivism as most of the great sci-fi books of this millennium that come to my mind were published in the latter decade.

Anyway, my quest to do this task justice by nominating works and authors that can hold up to scrutiny has begun.

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

Just seen a more appropriate thread to have posted that in *grumble*

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Ryan wrote: "Just seen a more appropriate thread to have posted that in *grumble*"

Haha no worries! I figured most folks would post overall questions/comments here and save The Call for things they actually want to have folks consider for the nomination, so all good!

[Melani]

Can I get a judgement. I'm going through my top rated books, the ones that fit into the time frame, and Frances Hardinge pops up over and over. Her books are complicated and intricate but tend to be categorized on the border of YA and Middlegrade. I would totally nominate her and a few of her books, but I don't know if she would be disqualified because Middlegrade.

Weigh in please.

A Face Like Glass
Cuckoo Song

[DivaDiane]

Arrgh! Ryan! Why are there so many books on that list that I have not even heard of let alone read?!? Very interesting list!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Melani wrote: "Can I get a judgement. I'm going through my top rated books, the ones that fit into the time frame, and Frances Hardinge pops up over and over. Her books are complicated and intrica..."

I would say no to Face Like Glass as Pan Macmillan published it with their Children's imprint, but Cuckoo Song is okay? But also if she has books that are definitely not MG/Children's as well, she would qualify as best author, if you thought that her oeuvre overall is worth investigating :)

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Melani wrote: "Can I get a judgement. I'm going through my top rated books, the ones that fit into the time frame, and Frances Hardinge pops up over and over. Her books are complicated and intrica..."


Ok, so just based on cover and publishing houses and whatnot...

I would say "Face Like Glass" looks more MG, but "Cuckoo Song" definitely YA.

[Melani]

Allison wrote: "Melani wrote: "Can I get a judgement. I'm going through my top rated books, the ones that fit into the time frame, and Frances Hardinge pops up over and over. Her books are complica..."

Excellent thank you. And yes she is. Her books are fantastic, every one has been amazing, but those two have been my favorites.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

A reminder! Starting November 1, we'll have nominations for our own awards for: Best Fantasy Book, Best Science Fiction Book, Best Genrebender Book, Best Fantasy Author and Best Science Fiction Author of the 21st Century.

You can nominate up to 3 times for each category, but remember that you can only use an author one time in your slate, and that you must have read the work you're nominating. For example, if Iam Author is your favorite SF author and wrote your favorite SF book, you'd need to pick if you think their oeuvre or that book will be on your slate.

To be eligible the novel must have been first published in the 21st century, or the author must have published at least one genre work in the 21st century

You can change your nominations, just please call out which you're changing and to what so I can try to keep up.

Start thinking about your options, but please don't start sharing them here yet, that will begin Nov 1!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

*NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR BEST GENRE BOOKS AND AUTHORS OF THE 21ST CENTURY!*

Please read the prior post first, or the rules in the initial post, to make sure you're taking full advantage!

[Norman]

Best Fantasy Novel
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

Best Science Fiction Novel
The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin
The Algebraist by Iain M. Banks

Best Genre Bending Novel
The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

Best Fantasy Author
Neil Gaiman
Charles Stross
George R.R. Martin

Best Science Fiction Author
Connie Willis
China Miéville
Kim Stanley Robinson

[Jain]

Best Fantasy Novel
The Raven and the Reindeer by T. Kingfisher
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley

Best Science Fiction Novel
The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley
Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
Warchild by Karin Lowachee

Best Genre Bending Novel
Amberlough by Lara Elena Donnelly
The Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine
Farthing by Jo Walton

Best Fantasy Author
Frances Hardinge
N.K. Jemisin
Megan Whalen Turner

Best Science Fiction Author
Ted Chiang
Aliette de Bodard
Yoon Ha Lee

[CBRetriever]

Best Fantasy Book

The Name of the Wind
The Warded Man
Red Sister

Best Science Fiction Book
Walkaway
Annihilation
The Martian

Best Genrebender Book

The Last Policeman
Of Blood and Honey
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

Best Fantasy Author

Joe Abercrombie
George R.R. Martin
Tad Williams

Best Science Fiction Author

Adrian Tchaikovsky
Neal Stephenson
Martha Wells

[Christopher]

Best Fantasy Novel
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik


Best Science Fiction Novel
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee
Semiosis by Sue Burke

Best Genre Bending Novel
The City & the City by China Miéville
Among Others by Jo Walton
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Best Fantasy Author
George R.R. Martin
Jo Walton
Lois McMaster Bujold

Best Science Fiction Author
Ted Chiang
Martha Wells
Kim Stanley Robinson

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Best Fantasy Novel:
The Way of Kings
The Mere Wife
Deathless

Best Scifi Novel:
Ninefox Gambit
The Martian
The Marrow Thieves


Best Genrebender:
Too Like the Lightning
Arcadia
Rosewater

Best Fantasy Author:
N.K. Jemisin
Jo Walton
Juliet Marillier

Best Scifi Author:

Ted Chiang
John Scalzi
Becky Chambers

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

Best Fantasy Novel
The Sword of Kaigen
The Night Circus
The Golem and the Jinni

Best Scifi Novel
The Martian
The Quantum Magician
Children of Time

Best Genrebender
Shadow Over Avalon
Too Like the Lightning
Ninefox Gambit

Best Fantasy Author
Jo Walton
N. K. Jemisin
Nominee tba

Best Scifi Author
Emma Newman
Peter F. Hamilton
Claire North

[Nicol]

Best Fantasy Novel:
The Way of Kings
Written in Red
Soulless

Best Scifi Novel:
The Knife of Never Letting Go
The Power
The Long Earth

Best Genrebender:
The Queen of the Tearling
The Eyre Affair
Jane, Unlimited

Best Fantasy Author:
N.K. Jemisin
Catherynne M. Valente
V.E. Schwab


Best Scifi Author:
Becky Chambers
Nnedi Okorafor
Rivers Solomon

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Nicol, Vanished Birds was published in 2020, feel free to replace!

[Banshee]

Best Fantasy Novel:
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Middlegame
Spinning Silver

Best Science Fiction Novel:
Oryx and Crake
The Calculating Stars
The Three-Body Problem

Best Genrebender Novel:
Gideon the Ninth
Annihilation
The City & the City

Best Fantasy Author:
N.K. Jemisin
Neil Gaiman
V.E. Schwab

Best Science Fiction Author:
Martha Wells
Becky Chambers
John Scalzi

[Silvana]

Saving my spot

Best fantasy novel
The Fifth Season
Ka: Dar Oakley in the Ruin of Ymr
Sins of Empire

Best SF novel
Semiosis
Luna: New Moon
Vagabonds

Best genrebender novel:
The Prey of Gods
The Devourers
All the Birds in the Sky

Best fantasy author:
Robin Hobb
China Miéville
Joe Abercrombie

Best SF author:
James S.A. Corey
Yoon Ha Lee
Annalee Newitz

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

@Silvana, it's gotta be standalone or first in a series, and the author can only show up 1 time in your slate ;-)

[Silvana]

Allison wrote: "@Silvana, it's gotta be standalone or first in a series, and the author can only show up 1 time in your slate ;-)"

oh! well, I suck at reading rules, I guess ;p Fixing in progress....

[Jemppu]

So, if I nominate a book by the author, I can't nominate the author themselves? Hmm, makes this tricky...

I'll leave my preliminary here:

Best Fantasy Novel:
Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Best Scifi Novel:
The Martian by Andy Weir
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
Too Like the Lightning by Ada Palmer

Best Genrebender:
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
My Real Children by Jo Walton
The Martian Child: A Novel About a Single Father Adopting a Son by David Gerrold

Best Fantasy Author:
Ursula K. Le Guin
Guy Gavriel Kay
Robin Hobb

Best Scifi Author:
Adrian Tchaikovsky
Kim Stanley Robinson
Ted Chiang




Dang, I have no room for Matt Haig. ETA: thanks for the clarification, Allison! Still, the problem remains ^^' Haig would definitely fit a 'Best Fantasy novel' slot even, if only The Midnight Library had come out a year earlier *ha*

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

As long as they've published adult lit in the past 20 years, they can count! Just not for best novel, but for best author it's fine :)

[Fabitha]

Ok, my fantasy are all YA *facepalm

Best Fantasy Novel
The Belles
Children of Blood and Bone
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Best Sci-fi Novel
Fledgling
The Power
The Three-Body Problem

Best Genre Bending Novel
Gideon the Ninth
The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells
The Time Traveler's Wife

Best Fantasy Author
Neil Gaiman
Andrzej Sapkowski
Stephen King

Best Sci-fi Author
Nnedi Okorafor
Ursula K. Le Guin
Amy Kathleen Ryan

[Gabi]

Best Fantasy Novel

The Way of Kings
The Mere Wife
The Way of Thorn and Thunder

Best Sci-fi Novel

Pandora's Star
The Three-Body Problem
Elysium

Best Genre Bending Novel

1Q84
The Fifth Season
The Devourers

Best Fantasy Author

Terry Pratchett
Cornelia Funke (don't know if she counts)
Jo Walton


Best Sci-fi Author

Adrian Tchaikovsky
Connie Willis
Emma Newman

[Anna]

A couple I can spot that don't belong:


CBR, Binti is a novella, so not eligible for the novel category

Gabi, Atlas Alone is the only one in the series that can't be read standalone, so not eligible

I haven't read all lists thoroughly, but those are the ones that immediately stood out to me.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Thanks, Anna! I wasn't sure about Atlas Alone.

[Gabi]

Anna wrote: "
Gabi, Atlas Alone is the only one in the series that can't be read standalone, so not eligi..."

Oh sh***ugar. Okay, I'll delete it.

[CBRetriever]

Anna wrote: "A couple I can spot that don't belong:


CBR, Binti is a novella, so not eligible for the novel category

Gabi, Atlas Alone is the only one in the series that can't be read standalone, so not eligi..."

will change it

[Anna]

CBR, RemPop is also too old! :( It would be on my list, but alas :'(

[Anna]

Allison, are we allowed to discuss and strategize to make sure a book/author gets a chance? For example right now Ninefox Gambit is both in genrebender (that's where I'll be putting it) and scifi, as well as author. Jo Walton is also all over the categories (I'll be putting her in genrebender, too). It's super hard, because of course I kinda want to see what everyone else is doing (this is why I wanted secret noms), but I also can't fit all the things on the list if I do that. This is even harder than I imagined! :[

[Jemppu]

Anna wrote: "CBR, RemPop is also too old! :( It would be on my list, but alas :'("

I'm bummed Tigana misses this by year, as well.

(ETA: whelp... had to edit in Guy Gavriel Kay anyway).