1. Science Fiction Planning Thread

[Lu]

Here you can plan and ultimately cross of your tasks completed.


1. Sci fi based on mythology
2. Biopunk
3. Read a book classified as Steampunk
4. Read a Sci-Fi Thriller
5. Read some Space Opera
6. Read something by Isaac Asimov
7. Read a book that has a Alien or Aliens (people from another planet, from space) of some kind in it
8. Cyberpunk
9. Short stories. SF is a big short story genre, with some of the most exciting, inventive tales out there, so read a collection of sf short stories.
10. Read a Sci-Fi dystopia
11. Read hard sci-fi: Hard science fiction is a category of science fiction characterized by an emphasis on scientific or technical detail, or on scientific accuracy, or on both
12. Read military sci-fi
13. Read a sci-fi that a prominent movie was based on
14. Read Romance and Sexuality in sci-fi
15. Read a sci-fi published between 2000-2010
16. Read a sci-fi that has Robots/Companion bots etc. in them
17. Read a Sci-fi that has a authoritarian state/government
18. Read a Sci-Fi set on both Earth and another planet
19. Read a YA Sci-Fi
20. Sci fi about an ecological disaster (on Earth or any other planet)
21. Read sci fi that's won either the Hugo or the Nebula award
22. Read a sci-fi book which involves or includes elements of nature (i.e. plants or animals)
23. Read a sci-fi book which involves or includes time travel
24. Read an alternate history novel
25. Read any Golden Age Sci-fi author (excluding Asimov)(big list in nomination thread)

Have fun :)

[Lauren]

Lauren's planning and progress

1. Sci fi and Mythology - Ilium by Dan Simmons

2. Biopunk - The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

3. Steampunk - Morlock Night by K.W. Jeter

4. Sci fi Thriller - Black Man by Richard Morgan

5. Space Opera - Deathstalker by Simon R. Green

6. Isaac Asimov -

7. Aliens - Fandom of the Operator by Robert Rankin

8. Cyberpunk - Neuromancer by William Gibson

9. Short Stories - Crown of Stars by James Tiptree Jr.

10. Dystopia - The Postmortal by Drew Magary

11. Hard sf - Mappa Mundi by Justina Robson

12. Military sf - Shards of Honour by Lois McMaster Bujold

13. Made into a movie - Flash Forward by Robert J. Sawyer Filmed as a TV series

14. Romance and sexuality - Nekropolis by Maureen F. McHugh

15. Published between 2000 and 2010 - The End of the World Blues

16. Robots - Spares by Michael Marshall Smith

17. Authoritarian state/government
- Deathstalker Rebellion by Simon R. Green

18. Set on Earth and another planet - Armageddon: The Musical by Robert Rankin

19. YA sf - Unwind by Neal Shusterman

20. Ecological disaster - The Drowned World by J.G. Ballard

21. Hugo or Nebula winner - The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

22. Elements of Nature - Embassytown by China Mieville

23. Time travel - Doomsday Book by Connie Willis

24. Alternate history - The Bookman by Lavie Tidhar

25. Golden Age SF - The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury

19/25

[Lu]

Booking my space:


1. Sci fi based on mythology - The Strain
2. Biopunk - School's Out - Forever
3. Steampunk - Changeless
4. Sci-Fi Thriller - The Lost World
5. Space Opera - Across the Universe
6. Isaac Asimov - I, Robot
7. Aliens - I Am Number Four
8. Cyberpunk - Snow Crash
9. Short stories - Steampunk
10. Sci-Fi dystopia - Mockingjay
11. Hard sci-fi - Contact
12. Military sci-fi - Starship Troopers
13. Movie - Jurassic Park
14. Romance and Sexuality in sci-fi - Delirium
15. Sci-fi published between 2000-2010 Catching Fire
16. Robots/Companion bots - Girl Parts
17. Authoritarian state/government - Matched
18. Sci-Fi set on both Earth and another planet - Survival
19. YA Sci-Fi - Deadlands
20. Sci fi about an ecological disaster (on Earth or any other planet) - Dark Inside or The Year of the Flood
21. Read sci fi that's won either the Hugo or the Nebula award - Fahrenheit 451
22. Read a sci-fi book which involves or includes elements of nature (i.e. plants or animals) - Oryx and Crake
23. Read a sci-fi book which involves or includes time travel - Mammoth
24. Read an alternate history novel - The Eyre Affair
25. Read any Golden Age Sci-fi author (excluding Asimov)(big list in nomination thread) -

7/25

[Crusader]

My planning subject to change

1. Based on mythology - The Strain
2. Biopunk - Blood Music
3. Steampunk - Perdido Street Station
4. Thriller - Dark Matter
5. Space Opera - Revelation Space
6. Asimov - Nemesis
7. Aliens - The Cloud
8. Cyberpunk - Neuromancer
9. Short Stories - Year's Best SF 6
10. Dystopia - Fahrenheit 451
11. Hard sci-fi - Blindsight
12. Military Sci-fi - On Basilisk Station
13. Movie based - Contact
14. Romance - Excession
15. Recently published - Redemption Ark
16. Robots - I, Robot
17. Authoritarian government - 1984
18. Both Earth and other planet - 2061: Odyssey Three
19. YA Sci-fi - Little Brother
20. Eco disaster - Extinction
21. Award winner - Hominids
22. Elements of nature -
23. Time travel - The Time Machine
24. Alternate History - 1632
25. Golden age - Stranger in a Strange Land

Score: 3/25

[Lauren]

Hmm, I wouldn't consider The Lost World biopunk - where's the punk part? Also, I think biopunk is more focussed on genetically engineered humans
From the wikipedia page for the genre: Biopunk stories explore the struggles of individuals or groups, often the product of human experimentation, against a backdrop of totalitarian governments or megacorporations which misuse biotechnologies as means of social control or profiteering. Unlike cyberpunk, it builds not on information technology but on synthetic biology. Like in postcyberpunk fiction, individuals are usually modified and enhanced not with cyberware, but by genetic manipulation.

For romance and sexuality Crusader, I was going to suggest you read Excession. The sex-changing aspect of The Culture plays a bigger role than normal in the book, as does another sexuality-related technology.

[Crusader]

Thanks. I was doubting Lost world as biopunk, but it was included in an Amazon list, guess due to the genetically re-created dinosaurs.

Excession will work out perfectly then. Have already ordered it last week, so it gets a dual usage now.

[Sonette]

I don't know if I'll ever read these, but lets give it a try:

1. Sci fi based on mythology - Hyperion
2. Biopunk - Dawn
3. Read a book classified as Steampunk - Leviathan
4. Read a Sci-Fi Thriller - Breathless
5. Read some Space Opera - Dune
6. Read something by Isaac Asimov -Nemesis
7. Read a book that has a Alien or Aliens - Freedom's Landing
8. Cyberpunk - Neuromancer
9. Short stories - Steampunk
10. Read a Sci-Fi dystopia - The Hunger Games
11. Read hard sci-fi - Schild's Ladder
12. Read military sci-fi - Ender's Game
13. Read a sci-fi that a prominent movie was based on -
14. Read Romance and Sexuality in sci-fi - Delirium
15. Read a sci-fi published between 2000-2010 - Mockingjay
16. Read a sci-fi that has Robots/Companion bots etc. in them - Freedom's Choice
17. Read a Sci-fi that has a authoritarian state/government - Uglies
18. Read a Sci-Fi set on both Earth and another planet - Freedom's Ransom
19. Read a YA Sci-Fi - Catching Fire
20. Sci fi about an ecological disaster - The Stand
21. Read sci fi that's won either the Hugo or the Nebula award -
22. Read a sci-fi book which involves or includes elements of nature -
23. Read a sci-fi book which involves or includes time travel - The Time Paradox or Lightning
24. Read an alternate history novel - Without Warning
25. Read any Golden Age Sci-fi author -

[Crusader]

I don't think Azazel can be clasified as sci-fi. It would rather fall more in the fantasy/humor category based on the reviews I looked at.

[Sonette]

Thanks Crusader. Found it on a website listing Sci-Fi, but had my doubts as well.

[Crusader]

His Foundation series and Nemesis and I, Robot books would definitely count as sci-fi.

[Monique]

1. Sci fi based on mythology
2. Biopunk
3. Read a book classified as Steampunk- (Leviathan- Scott Westerfeld)
4. Read a Sci-Fi Thriller
5. Read some Space Opera- (The Risen Empire-Scott Westerfeld)
6. Read something by (Isaac Asimov - I, Robot)
7. Read a book that has a Alien or Aliens (people from another planet, from space) of some kind in it- (I am Number Four- Pittacus Lore)
8. Cyberpunk
9. Short stories. SF is a big short story genre, with some of the most exciting, inventive tales out there, so read a collection of sf short stories.
10. Read a Sci-Fi dystopia (A Scanner Darkly - Philip K. Dick)
11. Read hard sci-fi: Hard science fiction is a category of science fiction characterized by an emphasis on scientific or technical detail, or on scientific accuracy, or on both
12. Read military sci-fi
13. Read a sci-fi that a prominent movie was based on
14. Read Romance and Sexuality in sci-fi
15. Read a sci-fi published between 2000-2010
16. Read a sci-fi that has Robots/Companion bots etc. in them
17. Read a Sci-fi that has a authoritarian state/government (Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury)
18. Read a Sci-Fi set on both Earth and another planet
19. Read a YA Sci-Fi (Unwind - Neal Schusterman)
20. Sci fi about an ecological disaster (on Earth or any other planet)
21. Read sci fi that's won either the Hugo or the Nebula award
22. Read a sci-fi book which involves or includes elements of nature (i.e. plants or animals)
23. Read a sci-fi book which involves or includes time travel
24. Read an alternate history novel
25. Read any Golden Age Sci-fi author (excluding Asimov)

[[deleted user]]

I can already see I'm going to struggle with this one...

[Lauren]

You already made a good start though - you read ALL of Atwood's sci fi novels :)

[[deleted user]]

1. Sci fi based on mythology
2. Biopunk - Schools out forever
3. Read a book classified as Steampunk - The Clockwork Angel
4. Read a Sci-Fi Thriller - The Clockwork Orange
5. Read some Space Opera
6. Read something by Isaac Asimov - I, Robot
7. Read a book that has a Alien or Aliens (people from another planet, from space) of some kind in it - I am Number Four
8. Cyberpunk
9. Short stories. SF is a big short story genre, with some of the most exciting, inventive tales out there, so read a collection of sf short stories.
10. Read a Sci-Fi dystopia - The Hunger Games
11. Read hard sci-fi: Hard science fiction is a category of science fiction characterized by an emphasis on scientific or technical detail, or on scientific accuracy, or on both
12. Read military sci-fi
13. Read a sci-fi that a prominent movie was based on
14. Read Romance and Sexuality in sci-fi - The City of Bones
15. Read a sci-fi published between 2000-2010 - Uglies
16. Read a sci-fi that has Robots/Companion bots etc. in them
17. Read a Sci-fi that has a authoritarian state/government
18. Read a Sci-Fi set on both Earth and another planet
19. Read a YA Sci-Fi Pretties
20. Sci fi about an ecological disaster (on Earth or any other planet)
21. Read sci fi that's won either the Hugo or the Nebula award American Gods
22. Read a sci-fi book which involves or includes elements of nature (i.e. plants or animals)
23. Read a sci-fi book which involves or includes time travel - the Time Travelers Wife
24. Read an alternate history novel
25. Read any Golden Age Sci-fi author (excluding Asimov) - The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy

[[deleted user]]

Ok, so where would Atwood fit in?

[Lauren]

Oryx and Crake - 2, 10, 15 20, 22
The Year of the Flood - not sure, but definitely 10, 15 and 22; probably 2 and 20 as well.
The Handmaid's Tale - 10, 13, 14, 17, 20

But unfortunately those are her only sci fi novels, and I imagine you aren't keen on reading them again so soon :(

Check out the sci fi by Octavia Butler and Sheri S. Tepper though, I think you'd like them.

[[deleted user]]

Thanks Lauren

Ah if only I hadnt read all her sci fi work hehe

[Charl]

Here is my list, please share any thoughts on it :)

1. Sci fi based on mythology - Snow Crash - Neal Stephenson
2. Biopunk - Lilith's Brood - Octavia Butler
3. Steampunk - The Difference Engine - William Gibson & Bruce Sterling
4. Sci-Fi Thriller - The Mothman Prophecies - John Keel
5. Space Opera - Revelation Space - Alastair Reynolds
6. Isaac Asimov - Pebble in the Sky
7. Aliens - Alien - Alan Dean Foster
8. Cyberpunk - Schismatrix - Bruce Sterling
9. Short stories - Needle in a Timestack - Robert Silverberg
10. Sci-Fi dystopia - A Canticle for Leibowitz - Walter M. Miller Jr.
11. Hard sci-fi - Between the Strokes of Night - Charles Sheffield
12. Military sci-fi - Celestial Matters - Richard Garfinkle
13. Movie sci-fi - Sphere - Michael Crichton
14. Hot & heavy sci-fi - M. John Harrison - Light
15. Sci-fi published between 2000-2010 - The Dervish House - Ian McDonald
16. Robot sci-fi - The Restoration Game - Ken MacLeod
17. Read a Sci-fi that has a authoritarian state/government - The Wind's Twelve Quarters - Ursula K. Le Guin
18. Read a Sci-Fi set on both Earth and another planet - Man Plus - Frederik Pohl
19. YA Sci-Fi - The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
20. Sci fi about an ecological disaster - The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
21. Read sci fi that's won either the Hugo or the Nebula award - Seeker - Jack McDevitt
22. Read a sci-fi book which involves or includes elements of nature - Colin Wilson - The Tower
23. Read a sci-fi book which involves or includes time travel - Doomsday Book - Connie Willis
24. Read an alternate history novel - The Man in the High Castle - Philip K. Dick
25. Read any Golden Age Sci-fi author (excluding Asimov) - I Will Fear No Evil - Robert A. Heinlein

EDITED 16/11/2010

[Lauren]

Some great choices Charl, especially Octavia Butler and James Tiptree - two of my favourite sf writers :) I'd be interested to know if you have any personal sf recommendations?

You'll have to change some though:
1 - Mists of Avalon is fantasy, not sci fi, but you can use it for our mythology challenge if you'd like to join us there too :)
2. - Lilith's Brood is a 3 book series. Of course you can read them all if you like, but you need only read the first one, Dawn. However, the second two can be fitted in elsewhere in this challenge (aliens, romance and sexuality, elements of nature) if you end up wanting to finish the series.
14. "Houston, Houston, Do you Read?" is a short story, not a novel. However, Tipree is generally considered a feminist sci fi writer (despite Robert Silverberg being convinced she was a man) and one of her short story collections would qualify for this category.
19. Cat's Cradle features kids, but I don't think you could call it YA.

Glad you listed the Connie Willis novel for time travel - she's one of those authors I've been meaning to read, but I hadn't noted her time travel novel.

[Monique]

I'll just steal Charl's list. :P

I'll sort you out with a YA sci-fi... HUNGER GAMES!

[Charl]

Thanks for the comments Lauren,

I doubt I'll be able to manage two of these challenges in one year. So I'll stick to the sf one. :)

I am planning on reading the Lilith's Brood trilogy, been reading a lot of good reviews on it lately. I am going to keep to only using a author once per category. So will just read the books for one category and because I want to read the whole trilogy.

Will then also get hold of Tiptree's short story collections for 14.

YA is then also sorted thanks to Novelyear :)

[Lu]

Oh yea Charl do you know that our challenges overlap?
So you can read a book for sci-fi and still use it in another challenge :)

As long as a book doesn't count for 2 tasks in the same challenge

[Charl]

That is pretty cool, but I am going to focus on just one this year :)
Going to be a push to just finish off these 25 I think. I don't have a lot time I can devote to reading. Next time I'll go bigger.

[Lu]

Sounds like a plan :D

When you finish a task just post it in the points thread so I can update your score :)

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...

[Charl]

Will do, one will be done tonight :)

[Lu]

Lol wait don't finish it! It start tomorrow :P

As long as you are in the first half of the book still i'm happy :)

I can't wait to start all these challenges, its been a mission trying to wait lol

[Charl]

Good point... it is Pebble in the Sky, so I can hold off till tomorrow :)

[Lu]

Sweet :)

I'm going to concentrate on the Harry Potter challenge and the word of the month. And so I slowly fill in all the challenges :)

Nominations for book of the month and so on also start today! Will send out a group message for that later, maybe there is something you want to nominate :)

[[deleted user]]

Would Color of Magic (Discworld 1) and The Host fit in here somewhere?

[Lauren]

The Host could fit in under aliens (7), but Terry Pratchett doesn't write sci fi I'm afraid.

[[deleted user]]

Ah ok, thanks for the advice Lauren :)

Where would The Hitchhikers guide fit in?

[Lauren]

Quite a few: space opera, aliens, made into a movie, robots, set on Earth and another planet.

that's just book 1. Books 2, 3 and 5 also have time travel. Book 4 might have it too, but I can't recall. Book 4 has a romance.

[[deleted user]]

Thanks Lauren :)

[Naz]

1. Sci fi based on mythology
2. Biopunk
3. Steampunk
4. Sci-Fi Thriller
5. Space Opera
6. Isaac Asimov - I, Robot
7. Aliens - I Am Number Four
8. Cyberpunk
9. Short stories
10. Sci-Fi dystopia - Mockingjay
11. Hard sci-fi
12. Military sci-fi
13. Movie
14. Romance and Sexuality in sci-fi
15. Sci-fi published between 2000-2010
16. Robots/Companion bots
17. Authoritarian state/government
18. Sci-Fi set on both Earth and another planet
19. YA Sci-Fi
20. Sci fi about an ecological disaster (on Earth or any other planet)
21. Read sci fi that's won either the Hugo or the Nebula award
22. Read a sci-fi book which involves or includes elements of nature (i.e. plants or animals)
23. Read a sci-fi book which involves or includes time travel
24. Read an alternate history novel
25. Read any Golden Age Sci-fi author (excluding Asimov)

1/25

[Lu]

What would this fall under?

The Andromeda Strain

[[deleted user]]

Hehe I'm the one online but I cannot help you with ANYTHING sci fi related

[Crusader]

Lu wrote: "What would this fall under?

The Andromeda Strain"

I haven't read it yet, but the best fit would be #4: Sci-Fi thriller. An extremely large stretch would be #20, but that would depend on the definition of an ecological disaster.

[Bigal-sa]

Not sure if this task is still alive, but anyone looking for one book that covers the following categories: 4, 5, 7, [12], 15, 17, [18] try In Her Name by Michael Hicks (be sure to get the Omnibus edition).

I'll try building my own list from books I've read so far this year.

[Crusader]

Yes, the challenge is still alive and well. It only ends in November.