Waterstone's Liverpool One Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club


Waterstones Liverpool One Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club

"This is space. It's sometimes called the final frontier. (Except that of course you can't have a *final* frontier, because there'd be nothing for it to be a frontier *to*, but as frontiers go, it's pretty penultimate...)"
- Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures

About Us


This is the official blog for the book club held in the book lounge of Waterstones Liverpool One.

The group meet at 6pm on the first Monday of the month to discuss their thoughts and opinions on the books selected. The books range from classic fantasy to brand new science fiction short story collections.

It's a fun and friendly atmosphere and all are welcome: from those who have never read any science fiction or fantasy before, to those who don't read anything else.

The group, and this blog, are administered by Glyn Morgan, the Bookseller responsible for the Science Fiction section of the store and an avid reader of SF who is currently studying for his PhD at the University of Liverpool.

If you would like to comment on any of the books we've read, this month or in the distant past, please feel free to contribute to the comments section of the relevant posts.

Visit this club's little sister: Coffee and Comics

Tuesday 25 January 2011

Events Reminder

Hi all,
I know, I know - I haven't been as good to this blog as it deserves and there are far too many [coming soon] sections dotted around. But I hope you're all well and looking forward to the next discussion session on Feb 7th.

Before then I have two pieces of event news to pass along which I thought would be relevant.

First off - FRIDAY 28th JANUARY (that's this Friday) is Twisted Tales #3. Horror readings by great published authors. What makes this one notable for you guys though is that the headline act is Conrad Williams, winner of the 2010 British Fantasy Award for Best Novel - and that novel is One, the next book on our reading list. If you want to come along, hear him read a short story, ask some questions about One, or anything else, and get your book(s) signed then by all means come along. Tickets are £2 each but that includes entry to a prize draw to win some pretty brilliant prizes, plus anything you buy on the night you get £2 off (thus making your money back instantly - bargain). The event starts at 6pm.

Hope to see you all there.

The second event is a signing by Joe Abercrombie on WEDNESDAY 2nd FEBRUARY. Joe's fiction is gritty fantasy in a similar vein to The Steel Remains which we read way back in November 2009. A friend of mine who is somewhat of an expert in these things (he's doing his PhD in Fantasy Literature) cites Joe Abercrombie as 'the natural successor to Gemmell... just with a little more grit, moral ambiguity and believable military.' So if that sounds like your cup of tea, or something you might be interested in then you should come along. He'll be signing copies of his new book The Heroes which is the first in a new series so a nice place to start with his fiction. However he'll also be happy to sign anything you bring from his back catalogue too so go crazy and buy the lot! The signing starts at 12.30 and will go on for as long as it can.

Monday 10 January 2011

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Synopsis

'I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. My name is Kvothe. You may have heard of me' So begins the tale of Kvothe - currently known as Kote, the unassuming innkeepter - from his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, through his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-riddled city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a difficult and dangerous school of magic. In these pages you will come to know Kvothe the notorious magician, the accomplished thief, the masterful musician, the dragon-slayer, the legend-hunter, the lover, the thief and the infamous assassin.

What Did We Think?

[Notes Coming Soon]


Votes were as follows: 7, (8 in absentia), 8, 8, 10, 10

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny

Synopsis

Imagine a distant world where gods walk as men, but wield vast and hidden powers. Here they have made the stage on which they build a subtle pattern of alliance, love, and deadly enmity. Are they truly immortal? Who are these gods who rule the destiny of a teeming world? Their names include Brahma, Kali, Krishna and also he who was called Buddha, the Lord of Light, but who now prefers to be known simply as Sam. 

What Did We Think?

 (Notes Coming Soon)



Votes were as follows: 8, 9, 9, 9, a 6 given in absentia, plus two abstains