2025 Science Fiction Team Chat

[Sarah]

Edwin wrote: "CJ wrote: "Edwin, in case you didn't see it in the combat thread, mods have said we can read any book, not just books specifically in our chosen genre. So if you're having trouble with some prompts..."

I found these today:





(Lessons in Chemistry it’s hard to see but there is a little beaker on her glasses. Not really genre style scifi but maybe some folks would be interested?)

[Sarah]

The one I’m struggling with is Video Game console on the cover. lol. It looks like most options are nonfiction. which I don’t hate the idea of but would love to also find a fiction option.

[CBRetriever]

Game On has controllers on the cover



Josh Baxter Levels Up= ditto



Don't Hate the Player = ditto

[Economondos]

Edwin wrote: "Like "read a book with anyone in a lab coat or lab beakers on the cover."..."

Well, in the Sector General series both The Aliens Among Us and Code Blue-Emergency have an alien in (arguably) a lab coat on the cover. It is a pretty good series, too.

[Anna]

(For those who read YA romance, check out Dungeons and Drama for DnD. I really liked it!)

[Cheryl L]

CJ wrote: "Edwin, in case you didn't see it in the combat thread, mods have said we can read any book, not just books specifically in our chosen genre. So if you're having trouble with some prompts you can lo..."

Oryx and Crake is also on my bookshelf waiting to be read so I can put it in mirror image.

[CBRetriever]

Cheryl L wrote: "CJ wrote: "Edwin, in case you didn't see it in the combat thread, mods have said we can read any book, not just books specifically in our chosen genre. So if you're having trouble with some prompts..."

it doesn't look like an exact mirror image to me except in one edition and unfortunately, that's not the one I would read (the middle one is the one I own)

[Tina Reads]

Olga wrote: "Also, I'm confounded by January bonus prompts. Any ideas on any of these?

January Antagonist: Monster
1. Huge: Read a book with a character that is extremely large.
2. Ugly: Read a book with a character that is noted for an unpleasant appearance."

2. Read one of the Miles Vorkosigan novels; The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold is a great place to start. The character is considered ugly and short, he's called a mutant most of the books, but he's an amazing character.

[Tina Reads]

Anna wrote: "(For those who read YA romance, check out Dungeons and Drama for DnD. I really liked it!)"

That was such a cute YA Romance! I plan on reading the sequel as my Dice on Cover Prompt!

[Olga]

Aga, Cheryl and I are going to buddy read Translation State for the Area 51: Read a book with an alien character prompt. Because the presger are aliens and we need to know more about them. Anyone who's interested is welcome to join.

Ladies, when would you like to start?

[DivaDiane]

Olga wrote: "My problem is that I don't know enough about the books out there that I haven't read yet, even those on my TB..."

This.

[DivaDiane]

Olga wrote: "Also, I'm confounded by January bonus prompts. Any ideas on any of these?

January Protagonist: Big Dumb Hero
1. Strong: Read a book with a character who possesses great physical strength.
2. unBr..."

You could read Ogres, by Tchaikovsky for the Huge prompt. The reason is that compared to the main characters, the "Ogres" or overlords are huge.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Olga wrote: "Aga, Cheryl and I are going to buddy read Translation State for the Area 51: Read a book with an alien character prompt. Because the presger are aliens and we need to know more abou..."

When you make a decision, also please post in Buddy reads in case other people want to join in.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Olga]

Melanie wrote: "When you make a decision, also please post in Buddy reads in case other people want to join in."

Yes, that's the plan.
I just wanted to narrow down details first, not to create multiple points of discussion for one thing.

[Aga]

I can start at the beginning of January. I’ve got an ebook and I think if it is a standalone, I can read it before Provenance. I’m more intrigued by Translation State anyway.

[Aga]

Ok! I have something I can read for
Biological Engineering:
2. DNA: Read a book with a helix on the cover.

Jak oszukać swój wiek

Polish edition I own has a helix on the cover.

[Cheryl L]

Aga wrote: "I can start at the beginning of January. I’ve got an ebook and I think if it is a standalone, I can read it before Provenance. I’m more intrigued by [book:Translation State|62873999..."

I can also start in January. It may take me until mid-January to begin though.

[CJ]

OK, let me make sure I understand so I can start planning my reading schedule:

There are the main prompts and then there will be monthly bonus prompts?

And our goal is to read any many books that fit either set of a prompts?

I assume the monthly prompts have to be completed within that designated month to count, but the other prompts can be completed at anytime in the year?

[Olga]

CJ wrote: "OK, let me make sure I understand so I can start planning my reading schedule:

There are the main prompts and then there will be monthly bonus prompts?

And our goal is to read any many books that..."

Yep, sounds about right. Any one book can count towards only one prompt, you can read as many or as few as you like.

[Olga]

Cheryl L wrote: "Aga wrote: "I can start at the beginning of January. I’ve got an ebook and I think if it is a standalone, I can read it before Provenance. I’m more intrigued by [book:Translation St..."

How about the 10th? (Not to interfere with the re-reads that start on the 15th)

[CJ]

Olga wrote: "Yep, sounds about right. Any one book can count towards only one prompt, you can read as many or as few as you like

"

Sounds good! Thank you!

[Cheryl L]

Olga wrote: "Cheryl L wrote: "Aga wrote: "I can start at the beginning of January. I’ve got an ebook and I think if it is a standalone, I can read it before Provenance. I’m more intrigued by [bo..."

Works for me!

[Olga]

Found a book with DNA helix -
For those interested in genetics.

[Cheryl L]

Olga wrote: "Found a book with DNA helix -
For those interested in genetics."

Nice, and I haven't read any Dawkins yet.

[Cheryl L]

One of my Discord scifi buddies recommended Darkome by Hannu Rajaniemi. It's got DNA on the cover, and the title is pretty cool. Instead of genome, proteome, etc, geneticists go to the darkome.

From the blurb: "Before the bio-terror attack, Darkome was a place where DIY genetics enthusiasts could communicate in peace. After the attack, they were pushed deep underground by a brutal government response. The perpetrators are on Darkome, and the biohacker community is simply too dangerous to be allowed to exist."

[CJ]

Dang, another book to add to my cyberpunk/biopunk reading project, lol. I've been eager to dig into Rajaniemi's works.

I've picked Life by Gwyneth Jones for the helix prompt. My kindle edition has this cover.

[Cheryl L]

CJ wrote: "Dang, another book to add to my cyberpunk/biopunk reading project, lol. I've been eager to dig into Rajaniemi's works.

I've picked Life by Gwyneth Jones f..."

I need to know more about your cyberpunk/BIOPUNK! reading project. I'm a biotech nerd and am always looking for good scifi about biotech.

[CJ]

I don't want to hijack this thread, so I'll just link my personal challenge thread here

[DivaDiane]

Wow, Cheryl, that Gwyneth Jones books sounds great!

[Ellen]

January Antagonist: Monster
1. Huge: Read a book with a character that is extremely large.
2. Ugly: Read a book with a character that is noted for an unpleasant appearance.

I just finished Barsk: The Elephants' Graveyard . For anyone looking for an Ugly character the Fant in general, and Pizlo specifically fits the bill and it is a good book .

[Edwin]

Ellen wrote: "January Antagonist: Monster
1. Huge: Read a book with a character that is extremely large.
2. Ugly: Read a book with a character that is noted for an unpleasant appearance.

I just finished [book:B..."

Good pick, good book.

[Christy]

I'm thinking The Death I Gave Him by Em X. Liu could count for DNA: Read a book with a helix on the cover. The skull is made up of DNA written as G, T, A, C and pieces of double helix.

[Cheryl L]

Christy wrote: "I'm thinking The Death I Gave Him by Em X. Liu could count for DNA: Read a book with a helix on the cover. The skull is made up of DNA written as G, T, A, C and there is some impli..."

That counts in my book! It's just a finer grain view of DNA.

[Adeline]

1. Huge: Read a book with a character that is extremely large.

Would the garinafins from the Dandelion Dynasty series count as a "character"? Because I still haven't read the latest book...

[Olga]

Adeline wrote: "1. Huge: Read a book with a character that is extremely large.

Would the garinafins from the Dandelion Dynasty series count as a "character"? Because I still haven't read the latest book..."

Some of them have very distinct personalities and make choices, so I would vote for yes, but it's for Melanie to decide.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Haven't read that book/series so I'll trust Olga's judgement.

[Ellen]

For the LitRpg

LitRPG :2. Console: Read a book with any gaming console or DND dice on the cover.
Unless a cover with a gaming controller would count, the only books with gaming consoles on the cover I've been able to find are nonfiction books about the gaming industry history. Some examples:

[CBRetriever]

Ellen wrote: "For the LitRpg

LitRPG :2. Console: Read a book with any gaming console or DND dice on the cover.
Unless a cover with a gaming controller would count, the only books with gaming consoles on the ..."

I went with controllers plus the topic of the book is gaming and romance



the other book by the same author at least has the tables that would hold the games/screens on them

[Tiny]

this has a controller and a game disc/box. no console though
I was hoping for something about Ready player one, or maybe Ender's Game (he does play in the book). but no luck

[Tiny]

so many messages, what are we missing completely? from the prompt

[AJ]

Ellen wrote: "For the LitRpg

LitRPG :2. Console: Read a book with any gaming console or DND dice on the cover.
Unless a cover with a gaming controller would count, the only books with gaming consoles on the ..."

For DND dice, may I recommend the graphic novel series of The Adventure Zone . It's a graphic novel of a dnd podcast, but I believe I read graphic novels do count! It would be a quicker read too and it's fantasy and written for adults (and the whole series is really good imo!!)

[Ellen]

AJ wrote: "For DND dice, may I recommend the graphic novel series of The Adventure Zone The Adventure Zone Vol.1 Here There Be Gerblins by Clint McElroy . It's a graphic novel of a dnd podcast, but I believe I read graphic novels do count! "

Thank you! They have this series at my library too. Will keep them in mind.

[Sarah]

I loved the Viridian Gate Online series - if it fits for LitRPG category

Viridian Gate Online: Path of the Blood Phoenix

[Roo]

For the mirrored cover prompt, I believe both Hammajang Luck and The Echo Wife count. I will probably be reading one of those.

[Sarah]

Do short story collections count? This one has a beaker and a helix:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

[CBRetriever]

Sarah wrote: "Do short story collections count? This one has a beaker and a helix:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4..."

I normally use short story collections for some of my prompts like this one Danged Black Thing for

2. Robot: Read a book with a computer or code on the cover.

because it has a laptop on the cover

[Lost Planet Airman]

Just signed up. No plans yet!

[Sarah]

Here's what I've got so far....

(view spoiler)[

Aliens
1. Area 51: Read a book with an alien character.
Semiosis
2. Starry Night: Read a book with at least one star on the cover.Orbital

Alt History
1. Back in the Day: Read a book set 20+ years ago. Hild
2. Historicity: Read a book with a time machine or historical figure on the cover.
The Castle of Otranto

Clones
1. DNA: Read a book with clones or twins in it.
Shards of Earth
2. Palindrome: Read a book with a mirrored cover
To Shape a Dragon's Breath

Dimensional Travel
1. AltDimension: Read a book set in more than 1 dimension.
The Mirrorwood
2. Portal: Read a book with any kind of portal on the cover.
The Forgotten Door

Space Travel
1. The Black: Read a book set in outer space.
Generation Ship
2. Nebula: Read a book with a space scene on the cover.
Robots, Robots Everywhere!

Terraforming
1. Oxygen: Read a book that features terraforming.
The Dazzle of Day
2. Foliage: Read a book with any kind of flora on the cover.
Silver in the Wood

Biological Engineering
1. Lab: Read a book with a character that is a biologist and/or engineer.
A Closed and Common Orbit
2. DNA: Read a book with a helix on the cover.
Double Helix

LitRPG
1. Game: Read any book classified as LitRPG or a novelized version of a video game.
Firebrand
2. Console: Read a book with any gaming console or DND dice on the cover.
Penric and the Bandit

Big Data BOOK
1. Arithmetic: Read a book with an accountant or mathematician as a main character.
The Calculating Stars
2. Data: Read a book with numbers on the cover.
Princess Floralinda and the Forty-Flight Tower

Mad Science BOOK
1. Scientist: Read a book with a scientist as a main character. The Outskirter's Secret
2. Gear: Read a book with anyone in a lab coat or lab beakers on the cover.
The Mad Scientist's Guide to World Domination: Original Short Fiction for the Modern Evil Genius

Artificial Intelligence
1. Intelligence: Read a book where AI is an important character or important to the plot.
The Wild Robot
2. Robot: Read a book with a computer or code on the cover.
Blood Music

Time Travel
1. Time Machine: Read a book where time travel is part of the plot.
The Variable Man
2. Clock: Read a book with any kind of time keeping device on the cover
The Andromeda Strain
(hide spoiler)]

[Tina Reads]

I'm putting my choices under a spoiler tag but I will be reading the following this month:

To The Stars by George Takei
Atomic Anna
Emergent Properties
Embers of War
A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons
The Sparrow
Ogres for the Big prompt

If anyone is interested in buddy reading any of them, LMK so we can set up a BR.


(view spoiler)[Aliens
1. Area 51: Read a book with an alien character. Walking Practice
2. Starry Night: Read a book with at least one star on the cover. The Moonday Letters

Alt History
1. Back in the Day: Read a book set 20+ years ago. The Martian Contingency
2. Historicity: Read a book with a time machine or historical figure on the cover. To the Stars because George Takei is a historical figure and is on the cover.

Clones
1. DNA: Read a book with clones or twins in it. A Door Into Ocean
2. Palindrome: Read a book with a mirrored cover (cover features a graphic that reads the same on both sides). Vengeful

Dimensional Travel
1. AltDimension: Read a book set in more than 1 dimension. Dark Matter
2. Portal: Read a book with any kind of portal on the cover. Last to Leave the Room

Space Travel
1. The Black: Read a book set in outer space. Embers of War READ
2. Nebula: Read a book with a space scene on the cover. When the Moon Hits Your Eye

Terraforming
1. Oxygen: Read a book that features terraforming. Children of Time
2. Foliage: Read a book with any kind of flora on the cover. A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons

Biological Engineering
1. Lab: Read a book with a character that is a biologist and/or engineer. Death's End
2. DNA: Read a book with a helix on the cover.Beggars in Spain

LitRPG
1. Game: Read any book classified as LitRPG or a novelized version of a video game. Ready Player One
2. Console: Read a book with any gaming console or DND dice on the cover. Dating and Dragons

Big Data
1. Arithmetic: Read a book with an accountant or mathematician as a main character. Contact
2. Data: Read a book with numbers on the cover. 2010: Odyssey Two

Mad Science
1. Scientist: Read a book with a scientist as a main character. The Album of Dr. Moreau Team scifi/The Album of Dr. Moreau/scifi/Mad Science/Dr. Moreau is pivotal to the story. READ
2. Gear: Read a book with anyone in a lab coat or lab beakers on the cover. Lessons in Chemistry

Artificial Intelligence
1. Intelligence: Read a book where AI is an important character or important to the plot. Emergent Properties
2. Robot: Read a book with a computer or code on the cover. Doctor Who: The Twelve Doctors of Christmas READ

Time Travel
1. Time Machine: Read a book where time travel is part of the plot. Atomic Anna
2. Clock: Read a book with any kind of time keeping device on the cover The Sparrow (hide spoiler)]

[CJ]

Two quick questions:

Do we report our finished books in the original thread for scoring?

Can we submit more than one book for the same prompt?