Science fiction–or “sci fi”, as it’s commonly known–is a genre of fiction whose content is imaginative but based in science.  It relies heavily on scientific facts, theories, and principles.  While some of the concepts might make you describe a sci fi novel as “fantasy”, the difference here is that the ideas and concepts in a sci fi novel are usually possible–or plausible–according to science.  Sci fi is related to fantasy, horror, and superhero fiction and is filled with futuristic concepts like space exploration, time travel, parallel universes, and extraterrestrial life.  And right now, we’re leaning into first contact, alien invasion, rise of the machines, and robots with emotions subgenres in our “Aliens and Robots! display.  Check out some of the titles we have on offer:

One of my favorite novels of 2023 was “The Road to Roswell” by Connie Willis.  “When level-headed Francie arrives in Roswell, New Mexico, for her college roommate’s UFO-themed wedding–complete with a true-believer bridegroom–she can’t help but roll her eyes at all the wide-eyed talk of aliens, which obviously don’t exist. Imagine her surprise, then, when she is abducted by one.”  As a non-sci fi reader, I found this road trip book accessible and fun and a great introduction to Willis‘s writing.   She has won eleven Hugo Awards and seven Nebula Awards for her writing, making her the winner of more major science fiction awards than any other writer.

One of the definitive titles in the “first contact” subgenre is Ray Bradbury’s “The Martian Chronicles“.   Originally published in 1958, this modern classic features the “captivating chronicles of man and Mars.  Leaving behind a world on the brink of destruction, man came to the Red planet and found the Martians waiting, dreamlike. Seeking the promise of a new beginning, man brought with him his oldest fears and his deepest desires.  Man conquered Mars — and in that instant, Mars conquered him.  The strange new world with its ancient, dying race and vast, red-gold deserts cast a spell on him, settled into his dreams, and changed him forever.”

One of our newer titles is the display is “The Stardust Grail” by Yume Kitasei.  “Maya Hoshimoto was once the best art thief in the galaxy. For ten years, she returned stolen artifacts to alien civilizations–until a disastrous job forced her into hiding. Born off-world and infected by an alien virus from a young age, she receives the occasional vision of the future. Now she just wants to enjoy a quiet life on Earth as a graduate student of anthropology. Until an old friend comes to her with a job she can’t refuse: find a powerful object that could save an alien species from extinction. Two problems: no one has seen it in living memory, and they aren’t the only ones hunting for it. Maya sets out on a breakneck quest through a universe teeming with strange life and ancient ruins. But the farther she goes, the more her visions cast a dark shadow over her team of friends new and old. Someone will betray her along the way. Worse yet, in choosing to save one species, she may doom humanity and Earth itself.”

And since I wouldn’t be true to myself without adding a romance, may I present “Ice Planet Barbarians” by Ruby Dixon.  Fall in love with the out-of-this-world romance between Georgie Carruthers, a human woman, and Vektal, a (blue) alien from another planet.  “You’d think being abducted by aliens would be the worst thing that could happen to me. And you’d be wrong. Because now the aliens are having ship trouble, and they’ve left their cargo of human women — including me — on an ice planet. We’re not equipped for life in this desolate winter wasteland. Since I’m the unofficial leader, I head out into the snow to look for help. I find help all right. A big blue horned alien introduces himself in a rather… startling way. Vektal says that I’m his mate, his chosen female — and that the reason his chest is purring is because of my presence. He’ll help me and my people survive, but this poses a new problem. If Vektal helps us survive, I’m not sure he’s going to want to let me go.”

You’ll find these titles and lots more in our “Aliens and Robots!” display.  For additional title suggestions, see the lists below: