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Thursday, November 28, 2013

Planning for the 2014 Sci-Fi Experience

For several years, Carl V. at Stainless Steel Droppings has hosted a science fiction non-challenge in January and February. Last year I joined in for the first time, and added some science fiction to my reading.

This year Carl is making a change. He is beginning the The 2014 Sci-Fi Experience on December 1st, 2013 and it will go through January 31st, 2014. For this event, readers are encouraged to:
a) Continue their love affair with science fiction
b) Return to science fiction after an absence, or
c) Experience for the first time just how exhilarating science fiction can be.


There are no rules really... There are no numbers of things you are required to read or view. This is not a challenge, just an opportunity to experience the wonder of science fiction.

If you are interested, please consider signing up. Check here for more information. There will be a review site where you can post any SF book, television, film or game reviews for things you experience during the months of December and January.

I don't know if I will start my sci-fi reading before the end of 2013, because I have a few challenges I want to finish in December. And I want to read some Christmas books. But I will read at least one sci-fi book in January. I have several I want to read in 2014 so if I don't fit them into this event, I will spread them out through the rest of 2014.

Last year I read Old Man's War by John Scalzi (my review here). In January, I plan to read the second book in that series, The Ghost Brigades.

I also have two science fiction / crime fiction books that I want to read: The Naked Sun (1956) by Isaac Asimov and The Demolished Man (1951) by Alfred Bester.   


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15 comments:

  1. CathNovember 28, 2013 at 4:10 PM

    Just read your review of Old Man's War. Not one I'd thought of reading but I might give it a go as it sounds more interesting than I thought. Look forward to seeing what you read for the experience.

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    1. TracyKNovember 28, 2013 at 4:37 PM

      Cath, I enjoyed that book a lot. Hope I like the next book in the series as well. Wish I could clone myself so I could read twice as much.

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  2. col2910November 28, 2013 at 8:18 PM

    Enjoy this challenge Tracy, but I can pass on this one thanks.

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    1. TracyKNovember 29, 2013 at 1:04 PM

      Thanks, Col, I have several sci-fi books I want to read, but won't have time to get them all in.

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  3. Sergio (Tipping My Fedora)November 29, 2013 at 12:15 AM

    That sounds really tempting TracyK - thanks very much for the post - will definitely mull it over as I have been reading a LOT of crime fiction of late!

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    1. TracyKNovember 29, 2013 at 1:06 PM

      Sergio, I like this one because it has a shorter time span, but this time I wish it were longer. I owe my discovery of the Alfred Bester to you, so thanks for that.

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  4. AnonymousNovember 29, 2013 at 7:54 AM

    Tracy - This does sound like an interesting (non)challenge. I'm not much of a sci-fi reader, but I know there's a lot of good sci-fi out there...

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    1. TracyKNovember 29, 2013 at 1:07 PM

      Margot, you are right about a lot of good sci-fi books. And nowadays I am finding more mysteries crossed with sci-fi or fantasy that I enjoy.

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  5. Bill SelnesNovember 29, 2013 at 11:00 PM

    Tracy: Looking at my desk with the TBR piles I cannot see myself venturing into sci-fi. I admire you heading into another genre for awhile.

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    1. TracyKNovember 30, 2013 at 2:56 PM

      Bill, I have been looking forward to setting aside some time for Sci-Fi reading for this challenge, and I always am tempted by reading other's reviews. But I do know what you mean about the TBR piles.

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  6. Prashant C. TrikannadNovember 30, 2013 at 2:52 AM

    Tracy, all the three riders for entering this challenge apply to me; however, I'll pass up this tempting offer for now until at least I organise my reading of books in general. It's in a disarray. I haven't read any sf in recent months.

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    1. TracyKNovember 30, 2013 at 2:57 PM

      Prashant, I understand. You read in so many genres, I am sure you will be back to sci-fi sometime.

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  7. Carl V. AndersonNovember 30, 2013 at 7:54 AM

    Great to have you joining in with us! Glad you enjoyed Old Man's War. I really enjoyed The Ghost Brigades and look forward to your thoughts. Demolished Man is one of my favs. Haven't read that Asimov but I imagine I will at some point. I have a few of his books here on my to-read shelf waiting for Andrea's Vintage SF Month in January, if I can wait that long. :)

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    1. TracyKNovember 30, 2013 at 2:59 PM

      Carl, I am looking forward to reading all three of these. Some of them may spill over into February or later in the year, but I owe my renewed interest in Sci-Fi to you (and my son's encouragement... although he goes more for the fantasy books).

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    2. Carl V. AndersonDecember 1, 2013 at 6:19 AM

      Thanks! You'll have to let me know when you are reading Demolished Man. If I can work in a re-read (no promises), I would like to re-read it. Or, at the very least, I can brush up on my review and actually have an intelligent conversation about it.

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