Science Fiction and Science Fiction and Integrated AdvisoryIntegrated Advisory

December 1, 2010December 1, 2010Jessica E. MoyerJessica E. Moyer

What is Science Fiction?

Science Fiction is: Science Fiction is: the literature of the future, ranging from stories set so far in the future Earth is lost (Battlestar Galactica) to near future stories set only a few possible years from now (40 Days of Rain). Science fiction is stories about space, stories about technology, and stories of bleak, post apocalyptic futures. In the broadest sense, Science fiction stories are speculations on the future of humanity, based on extrapolations of current science and society. Science fiction stories all ask “what if?”

You’ve probably already read it: The Road, Brave New World, Handmaid’s Tale or 1984

Classic SF Authors to KnowClassic SF Authors to KnowEdgar Rice Burroughs – A Princess of MarsEdgar Rice Burroughs – A Princess of Mars

Philip K Dick – Do Androids Dream of Electric Philip K Dick – Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?Sheep?

Ray Bradbury – Fahrenheit 451, Martian Ray Bradbury – Fahrenheit 451, Martian ChroniclesChronicles

Arthur C. Clarke – Rendezvous with Rama, Arthur C. Clarke – Rendezvous with Rama, 20012001

Isaac Asimov – FoundationsIsaac Asimov – Foundations

Philip Hose Farmer – RiverworldPhilip Hose Farmer – Riverworld

Robert Heinlien – Starship Troopers, Moon is Robert Heinlien – Starship Troopers, Moon is a Harsh Mistressa Harsh Mistress

Larry Niven – RingworldLarry Niven – Ringworld

William Gibson – NeuromancyWilliam Gibson – Neuromancy

Marion Zimmer Bradley - DarkoverMarion Zimmer Bradley - Darkover

SF Living Authors To SF Living Authors To KnowKnow

Lois McMaster Bujold – Miles Vorkosigan series (local)Lois McMaster Bujold – Miles Vorkosigan series (local)

David Weber – Honor Harrington, Off Armageddon David Weber – Honor Harrington, Off Armageddon Reef Reef

John Scalzi – Old Man’s War, Zoe’s TaleJohn Scalzi – Old Man’s War, Zoe’s Tale

Tobias Buckell – Crystal Rain, RagamuffinTobias Buckell – Crystal Rain, Ragamuffin

Charles Stross – GlasshouseCharles Stross – Glasshouse

Ian M. Banks – Culture series, Matter is latestIan M. Banks – Culture series, Matter is latest

Orson Scott Card – Ender seriesOrson Scott Card – Ender series

CJ Cherryh – Downbelow Station & Cyteen - Alliance-CJ Cherryh – Downbelow Station & Cyteen - Alliance-UnionUnion

Margaret Atwood – Handmaid’s TaleMargaret Atwood – Handmaid’s Tale

Cormac McCarthy – The RoadCormac McCarthy – The Road

Kevin J. Anderson - Dune, Star Wars, Saga of Suns, etc.Kevin J. Anderson - Dune, Star Wars, Saga of Suns, etc.

Sandra Macdonald – Outback StarsSandra Macdonald – Outback Stars

SF Living Authors To SF Living Authors To Know IIKnow IIFrank and Brian J. Herbert – DuneFrank and Brian J. Herbert – Dune

Dan Simmons – Hyperion, OlymposDan Simmons – Hyperion, Olympos

Connie Willis – Doomsday book (time travel)Connie Willis – Doomsday book (time travel)

Catherine Asaro – Skolian SagaCatherine Asaro – Skolian Saga

Vernor Vinge – A Fire Upon the DeepVernor Vinge – A Fire Upon the Deep

Ben Bova – Planets series, Asteroid WarsBen Bova – Planets series, Asteroid Wars

Kim Stanley Robinson - Red Mars, 40 Days of Kim Stanley Robinson - Red Mars, 40 Days of RainRain

Ursula K LeGuin - Left Hand of DarknessUrsula K LeGuin - Left Hand of Darkness

Neal Stephenson - Snowcrash, Diamond AgeNeal Stephenson - Snowcrash, Diamond Age

Anne McCaffrey – Pern series, Freedom’s LandingAnne McCaffrey – Pern series, Freedom’s Landing

Elizabeth Moon – Vatta’s WarElizabeth Moon – Vatta’s War

Tony Ballantyne - DivergenceTony Ballantyne - Divergence

Getting Started in SFOld Man’s War by John Scalzi – When John turns 75, he visits his wife’s grave and then joins the army.

Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold – the beginning of her popular and acclaimed Vorkosigan saga and a perfect choice for romance or space opera fans.

On Basilisk Station: Honor Harrington series by David Weber – any one who has read and enjoyed Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin historical fiction series should try this

Darkover series by Marion Zimmer Bradley – An excellent choice for fantasy readers. Darkover was settled by a lost colony ship and developed a complex culture and mythology, including a science based on psychic powers. Eventually it is rediscovered and the clash between the Terrans and Darkover natives provides the basis for many of the stories. Start with The Bloody Sun or Darkover Landfall.

Trading in Danger by Elizabeth Moon – the first in the 5 part Ky Vatta series, try this if you like strong female leads; Ky Vatta vows to avenge her family and restore their name

New SFIron Duke by Meljean Brooks – this is an SF romance, set in one of the better steampunk worlds I’ve read about. She also has a novella in the anthology Burning Up, “Here there be monsters” which is an excellent introduction to the world

Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold – Miles’ latest adventures finds the Imperial Auditor sent off to a strange planet obsessed with cryofreezing. As a standalone title, this can also be enjoyed by new readers.

Kris Longknife series by Mike Shepherd – starting with Mutiny I discovered this space opera series last year and have happily read every entry. Kris is a reluctant princess from a famous family who joined the Marines in a fit of teenage rebellion, only to find it an excellent career fit.

Blackout and All Clear by Connie Willis - historians from 2060 Oxford travel back to WWII to observe key events, but something goes wrong, lots of characters but moves quickly

Integrated Advisory

IA is: a way of providing advisory services to library users that includes all different formats and media while staying focused around a genre

It includes everything that can be found in a modern library: audiobooks, fiction and nonfiction print books (YA and adult), graphic novels, videogames, manga, TV shows, movies, magazines and even podcasts

Genres: Crime, Horror, Fantasy, Historical, Romance, Popular Science, Street Lit, Science Fiction, Teen Stories, and Womens Stories

Integrated Advisory: Breaking Through the Book Boundary to Better Serve Library Users, edited by Jessica E. Moyer, Libraries Unlimited, 2010

SF Media to KnowSF Media to KnowBattlestar Galactica (TV) Battlestar Galactica (TV) and Capricaand Caprica

Terminator movies, Terminator movies, Sarah Connor Chronicles Sarah Connor Chronicles (TV)(TV)

Firefly (TV) and SerenityFirefly (TV) and Serenity

Star WarsStar Wars

Star Trek (TV and films)Star Trek (TV and films)

Alien and AliensAlien and Aliens

Mars AttacksMars Attacks

Planet of the ApesPlanet of the Apes

20012001

Road Warrior/Mad Max Road Warrior/Mad Max 22

Blade RunnerBlade Runner

ET ET

Jurassic ParkJurassic Park

Invasion of the Body Invasion of the Body SnatchersSnatchers

Andromeda (TV)Andromeda (TV)

MatrixMatrix

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Bill and Ted’s Excellent AdventureAdventure