2025 Science Fiction Team Chat

[Juliana]

Ellen wrote: "Juliana wrote: "I'll also try to find some short and easy books to fill the cover types prompts that I still have open: helix on the cover, any gaming console or DND dice on the cover, anyone in a ..."

Thanks for the tip Ellen!

[CJ]

7. Can I count a DNFed (unfinished) book for this challenge? Yes, with some qualifiers. You need to have read @ least 100 pages of the book, since that's the minimum word page count. Also you need to have read the part of the book that matches the challenge. If the challenge component happens later in the book, you would need to read the whole book or choose another book.

I haven't elected to use this rule so far, when I've DNF'd a book I went a found another book to complete the prompt. But I do not think I can read all 400+ pages of Dungeon Crawler Carl, and I will not be able to read Of Monsters and Mainframes, but I would like to get at least one power point for September's BotMs.

Does anyone know if this rule applies to BotMs/power points or just to books for prompts?

[Ellen]

CJ wrote: "7. Can I count a DNFed (unfinished) book for this challenge? Yes, with some qualifiers. You need to have read @ least 100 pages of the book, since that's the minimum word page count. Also you need ..."

It is covered in rule 8.
8. Can a DNFed book count for a Power Point? Yes with qualifiers and reservations. Qualifier: You must have read @ least 60% of the book and have made a good faith effort to complete the books. Reservation: The purpose of the Power Points is to encourage players to participate in the club's main purpose: to read and discuss an eclectic mix of awesome SFF books together. The competitive nature of the challenge with a 60% 'rule' could yield participants partially reading books, and not giving them a fair chance, purely to earn points faster. I do not feel that is true to the spirit of the feature. Thus the qualifiers in good faith and 60% of the book. I also acknowledge, some books are just not for you, and appreciate it when you try something new and out of your comfort zone.

I used rule 7 option on one of the summer challenges because I struggled to get 110 pages and was (am) behind in my reading for challenges for another group. Usually I will just push through it.

[Shawnie]

CJ wrote: "7. Can I count a DNFed (unfinished) book for this challenge? Yes, with some qualifiers. You need to have read @ least 100 pages of the book, since that's the minimum word page count. Also you need ..."

I tried to DNF and still use it for a power point and was denied. It may just count for the general challenge and not power points. I wouldn't have asked but I thought it was allowed. I do still DNF but pick a different book and don't worry over challenge points anymore. :) The books of the month aren't usually for me and that's ok. :)

[CJ]

Oh so you're saying if i had just read ALL the rules I could have answered my own question? lol

Well, I will endeavor to read 60% of Dungeon Crawler Carl. It's very evident to me from the first 2 chapters that, although I am a gamer and play RPGs, this is not for me.

[Ellen]

Shawnie wrote: "CJ wrote: "7. Can I count a DNFed (unfinished) book for this challenge? Yes, with some qualifiers. You need to have read @ least 100 pages of the book, since that's the minimum word page count. Als..."

Shawnie , you were about 16 pages short of the 60% mark. You said you stopped at 290 pages? (based on 511 pages) Then it would have counted.

[Sarah]

For the summer prompts: any suggestions for books for cities or large populations powered by a non electric source?

I’m reading The Odyssey right now and trying to decide if that counts. 😂 definitely no electricity… lol… are there cities and large populations… not sure… lots of islands…

Open to suggestions.

[CBRetriever]

Sarah wrote: "For the summer prompts: any suggestions for books for cities or large populations powered by a non electric source?

I’m reading The Odyssey right now and trying to decide if that counts. 😂 defini..."

solar power
wind power
nuclear power
hydro/water power
magic

any of those would fit

[Sarah]

CBRetriever wrote: "Sarah wrote: "For the summer prompts: any suggestions for books for cities or large populations powered by a non electric source?

I’m reading The Odyssey right now and trying to decide if that co..."

Yeah I understand the prompt I was looking for book ideas! I don’t keep a running list of how fictional cities are powered in my head. 😂

[CJ]

If you don't mind reading media tie-in novels, a couple of SF series that fit the prompt:

Star Trek The Next Generation: the Enterprise was home to a large population and was powered by antimatter (warp core)

Stargate: Altantis: the city Atlantis is powered by zero point energy (Zero Point Modules/ZPM) but at certain parts of the series had to be powered by naquadah generators, a fictional power source

[Juliana]

September Archetypes are up!

September Protagonist: Pollyanna
1. Optimistic: Read a book where a character presents as extremely optimistic.
2. Hopebringer: Read a book where a character receives hope after giving up.

September Antagonist: Mad Scientist
1. Dangerous Creation: Read a book where a scientist creates something dangerous.
2. Unintended Consequences: Read a book where a choice or action has unexpected, negative consequences.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

CJ wrote: "If you don't mind reading media tie-in novels, a couple of SF series that fit the prompt:

Star Trek The Next Generation: the Enterprise was home to a large population and was powered by antimatter..."

Steampunk books in general work because steam power.

[Netanella]

Sarah wrote: "For the summer prompts: any suggestions for books for cities or large populations powered by a non electric source?

I’m reading The Odyssey right now and trying to decide if that counts. 😂 defini..."

I'm currently reading Project Hail Mary for another group right now, and it would work for alternate energy source. Currently the space ship is being powered by astrophages, some mysterious new form of life.

[Sarah]

Netanella wrote: "Sarah wrote: "For the summer prompts: any suggestions for books for cities or large populations powered by a non electric source?

I’m reading The Odyssey right now and trying to decide if that co..."
This is a great rec for that but I’ve already read it 😭. (It’s so much fun I hope you’re enjoying it.)

Thanks all for the suggestions! You’ve given me some great foundations to go research.

[Shawnie]

Ellen wrote: "Shawnie wrote: "CJ wrote: "7. Can I count a DNFed (unfinished) book for this challenge? Yes, with some qualifiers. You need to have read @ least 100 pages of the book, since that's the minimum word..."

LOL figures! :)

[Ellen]

We are up to 92 Power Points now! We only need three more to get the next Object of Power.

[CJ]

I am slowly, slowly getting through Dungeon Crawler Carl, lol.

[Sarah]

I’m working on monsters and mainframes.

[Ellen]

That's great.
I wasn't going to but I listened to Dungeon Crawler Carl again.

These are the Objects of Power still available

Chekhov's Gun
1. Foreshadowing: Read a book where an object in the beginning of the book foreshadows something significant that happens at the end of the book.
2. Armory: Read a book with any kind of gun on the cover.

MacGuffin
1. Treasure: Read a book with a MacGuffin (an object or element in a story that drives the plot, but serves no further purpose).
2. Breathing: Read a book where the MacGuffin is a sentient being.

Religious Artifact
1. God(s): Read a book where religion is important to the story.
2. Priest: Read a book with any kind of religious official or priest on the cover



.

[Sarah]

For me Religious artifact is probably going to be easiest.

In my head there’s a million books where religion is important? (Maybe not please correct me.)

And off the top of my head I can think of at least two books I own that have religious figures on the cover (Starving Saints Caitlin Starling and The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterica). I realize horror isn’t everyone’s jam though so not sure how hard this is to find elsewhere.

Checkhov’s gun looks like it would be the next easiest to me. Foreshadowing I think would be kind of hard to seek out but maybe not hard to encounter randomly. I don’t know how many books I have with guns on the cover but surely I have an historical novel or two laying around that fit. lol

[CJ]

Yeah, Religious Artifact would work for me. I have The Starving Saints lined up on my TBR for September and there are so many books I can think of for the other prompt as well.

Chekov's Gun would be easy, I think, so that would be fine with me as well.

[Banshee]

My vote goes for Religious Artifact as well. To be honest, I'm not too crazy about any of the remaining objects of power, but at least religion is a common theme in both fantasy and sci-fi novels.

[Shawnie]

Religious Artifact would be easier for me as well. I've only gotten 4 power points so far but definitely will try for more.

[Ines, Resident Vampire]

I'll see if anybody on TSG has an opinion. I have no strong preference, but I think I like the religious one least.

[Megan]

I've stalled out on group reads so badly. I did buy a used copy of One Hundred Years of Solitude last week, so I'm hoping to start that soon.

I think Religious Artifact & Chekhov's Gun are about equal for me in terms of how easy they are to do, so I don't have a strong preference for either.

[Ines, Resident Vampire]

I have a vote for Chekhov's Gun from TSG :)

[Juliana]

I'm almost done with The Teller of Small Fortunes for Power Points.

None of the options appeals to me but I think Religious Artifact may be a bit easier. So my vote goes to it.

[Edwin]

Religous artifact gets my vote as well.

[AML]

Religious Artifact too

[Ines, Resident Vampire]

I have a vote for McGuffin from TSG, "But Chekhovs Gun would also be ok."

[Juliana]

Juliana wrote: "I'm almost done with The Teller of Small Fortunes for Power Points.
"

Finished it!!

[Ellen]

Ines wrote: "I have a vote for McGuffin from TSG, "But Chekhovs Gun would also be ok.""

Thanks Ines.

[Ellen]

Juliana wrote: "Juliana wrote: "I'm almost done with The Teller of Small Fortunes for Power Points.
"

Finished it!!"

Yay! That makes it 94 .

[Sarah]

How many do we need? I will finish monsters and mainframes today also.

[Sarah]

Okay finished. I think if one of the power points in the weekly wrap up was missed (not doubting anyone I just didn’t verify myself) I think we unlocked the power point.

It seems like the majority is okay with the Religious Artifact?

[CJ]

I don't know if I got counted for Dungeon Crawler Carl (read 60% of it).

[Ellen]

I just think they miss counted. Easy to do. The rule says 60% counts. It's been used.
CJ hopefully you didn't suffer through Carl for nothing.

[Ellen]

Should we post on the main page for team members to post their preferences here? In case there are members that don't check here?

[CJ]

That would probably be a good idea.

[Ellen]

We have 95 power points . The tally from above is:

Sarah : Religious Artifact

CJ : : Religious Artifact

Banshee: : Religious Artifact

Megan : Religious Artifact or Chekov's Gun

TSG : Chekov's Gun

Edwin: : Religious Artifact

AML : : Religious Artifact

2nd vote from TSG : McGuffin 1st choice 2nd choice Chekov's Gun

Ines : Chekov's Gun or McGuffin

Ellen : Religious Artifact

Juliana: Religious Artifact

[Ellen]

How long do we want to wait to claim our object of power? We just have to post what we want on the main battle thread.
I posted there for team members to come vote but there has been no response .

[CJ]

Maybe Ines can check with TSG members one more time before we claim it?

[Ellen]

CJ wrote: "Maybe Ines can check with TSG members one more time before we claim it?"

Sounds good to me.

[Peter]

Hey gang, if you guys are still counting votes, I vote for Religious Artifact. Fun fun.

[Ellen]

Anyone object to waiting until 9/4 then claiming the Object of Power?
I'm going to post the Battle page again .

[Juliana]

Ellen wrote: "We have 95 power points . The tally from above is:

Sarah : Religious Artifact

CJ : : Religious Artifact

..."

I voted on Religious Artifact in post 527. :)

[Sarah]

Ellen wrote: "Anyone object to waiting until 9/4 then claiming the Object of Power?
I'm going to post the Battle page again ."

No objection. Looks like we have plenty of time.

[Ellen]

Juliana wrote: "Ellen wrote: "We have 95 power points . The tally from above is:

Sarah : Religious Artifact

CJ : : Religious Artifact

..."

I voted on Religious Artifact in post 527. :)"

Sorry ,I'll add you.

[Ellen]

Right now there are :

Religious Artifact 9

Chekov's Gun : 2

McMuffin : 1

A couple of listed either or choices, I counted their first choice.

[Ellen]

Sarah wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Anyone object to waiting until 9/4 then claiming the Object of Power?
I'm going to post the Battle page again ."

No objection. Looks like we have plenty of time."

True but if another Seasonal Challenge is added after the Summer one is done it would be nice to have a head start on reading the Object of Power.