SF bookgroup choices

[boxofdelights]

It's time for our SF book group to choose the next year of books. Fearless Leader chooses the first six, on a theme:

Worlds Without End
This year, the focus is on survival in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Whether it be an apocalyptic scenario, Lovecraftian horror, a past hostile to all people who look like you, or an almost unimaginably distant future, these books explore the ways that humans push themselves beyond limits in order to survive and even to triumph. Enjoy!

The Fifth Season, by N.K. Jemisin
The Underground Railroad, by Colson Whitehead
The Ballad of Black Tom, by Victor Lavalle
The Gate to Women's Country, by Sheri Tepper
Six Wakes, by Mur Lafferty
Borderline, by Mishell Baker

Then we vote for one from each of six groups:

Variations on Lovecraft
This year has seen a lot of authors taking the Lovecraft mythos and putting their own spin on it. Many explore the theme of the horror that comes from fear of the other. Here are some new perspectives on Lovecraft’s work:

Winter Tide by Ruthanna Emrys
Carter and Lovecraft by Jonathan Howard
*Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

Steampunk and Segregation
Steampunk has maintained its popularity, but it often glosses over the problematic nature of the racism and colonialism that were part of the Victorian era. These books take place during the time period most often used by steampunk authors while addressing these issues.

The Girl with Ghost Eyes by M.H Boroson
*Everfair by Nisi Shawl
Iron Cast by Destiny Soria

After the Apocalypse
Here are more choices for stories of surviving something that changes the world.

Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton
*The Girl in the Road by Monica Byrne
The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison
Memory of Water by Emmi Itaranta

Caribbean Science Fiction
As you know, I like to try authors from diverse parts of the world every year. This year I focused on picks from authors from different parts of the Caribbean.

Wicked Weeds by Pedro Cabiya
*Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson
The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord
Super Extra Grande by Yoss

Far and Fantastic Futures
Science fiction tries to imagine the future, and its forecasted future has changed tremendously as our present is altered by previously unimaginable technology. Here are some recent creative takes on possibilities.

*Too Like the Lightning by Ada Palmer
Crashing Heaven by Al Robertson
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Recommendations!
Here are some of our group’s favorite reads from last year.

Hounded by Kevin Hearne
Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
*This Census Taker by China Mieville
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab


I have starred my inclinations. I would love to hear your opinions of any of these.

Comments

[isis]

I though Memory of Water was very good.

[bibliofile]

Lovecraftian: Lovecraft Country is a brilliant book. Haven't read the others, though I've put a hold on the Emrys. Tangentially related: Afterparty, by Daryl Gregory, about survivors of various horror stories (including Lovecraft).

Apocalypses: I read The Memory of Water and thought it was okay. Some potential problems in having a Finn writing about Asian cultural imperialism/culture.

Caribbean: I've read the Lord, and it was pretty good. It's also short, which some prefer in book groups. I have also heard fabulous things about Super Extra Grande, which I haven't yet read (full of lots of Spanish, though).

Far future: I know people who like Tchaikovsky, but I haven't read anything of his yet.

[ljgeoff]

The only book on this list that I've read is The Fifth Season, by N.K. Jemisin -- and I loved it. I'm reading The Obelisk now, and will probably finish off the series before I move on to something else. But I think I'll try This Census Taker next. Thanks for the recs!

[sohotrightnow]

I don't think I've read Midnight Robber but I've really enjoyed other Hopkinson! But OMG LOVECRAFT COUNTRY IS AMAAAAAAAZING. By far the best book I read in 2016 and one of the best I've read in years. All of the thumbs up for it.