NPR Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books

National Public Radio's top 100 SF & Fantasy books based on their reader's survey. Click HERE to see the full list of 100 books.

The top 10:

1. The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien

2. The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, by Douglas Adams

3. Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card

4. The Dune Chronicles, by Frank Herbert

5. A Song Of Ice And Fire Series, by George R. R. Martin

6. 1984, by George Orwell

7. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury

8. The Foundation Trilogy, by Isaac Asimov

9. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley

10. American Gods, by Neil Gaiman

TB

World Fantasy Award Nominees

Love fantasy & science fiction? Check out the World Fantasy Award Nominees for 2009 posted by Locus, the Magazine of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Field. The awards are scheduled to be presented October 28-31 at the World Fantasy Convention. In the meantime, select your favorite from the nominees for best novel.


Blood of Ambrose, James Enge (Pyr)
The late Emperor's brother-in-law and murderer, Lord Urdhven, appoints himself Protector to his nephew, young King Lathmar VII and sets out to kill anyone who stands between himself and mastery of the Empire. (Fantasy)

The Red Tree, Caitlín R. Kiernan (Roc)
Sarah moves to rural Rhode Island to finish writing her book after her friend takes her life. There's something sinister about the house, and she discovers that a prior owner committed suicide while researching a book about the supernatural folklore of New England. Exploring the basement, Sarah discovers his manuscriptand soon finds herself in a living nightmare centered on a mysterious red oak tree in the house's yard. (Fantasy)

The City & The City, China Miéville (Macmillan UK/ Del Rey)
Inspector Tyador Borlú must travel to Ul Qoma to search for answers in the murder of a woman found in the city of Beszel. "An existential thriller"--NY Times (Sci Fic)
Finch, Jeff VanderMeer (Underland)
In a world where mysterious underground dwellers rule the state of Ambergris and control its residents with addictive drugs, internment camps and random acts of terror, John Finch and his partner, Wyte, must solve a double murder for their oppressive masters, all while trying to make contact with the scattered rebel resistance. (Sci Fic)
In Great Waters, Kit Whitfield (Jonathan Cape UK/Del Rey)
Set in the past, with a twist, "In Great Waters" features a race of mer-people--men and women who have evolved to live in the oceans--that protects the coast of each country against attacks from the others. (Sci Fic) SH

Ty's Picks for SF & Fantasy

A short list of summer SF & Fantasy books. I am looking forward to some beach reading.


The Fuller Memorandum
by Charles Stross


In Stross's laundry novels magic is a branch of pure mathematics which can allow Lovecraftian creatures entry into this world. July.



Tongues of Serpents
by Naomi Novik


A blend of military history, high-flying fantasy, and edge-of-your-seat adventure, Naomi Novik's Temeraire novels, set in an alternate Napoleonic era in which intelligent dragons have been harnessed as weapons of war. July.



Under Heaven
by Guy Gavriel Kay


In his latest innovative work, an award-winning author evokes the dazzling Tang Dynasty of 8th-century China in a story of honor and power. July.


The Evolutionary Void
by Peter F. Hamilton


Hamilton's star-spanning sagas are distinguished by deft plotting, engaging characters, provocative explorations of science and society, and soaring imaginative reach. August.





The Last Page
by Anthony Huso


Huso's debut mixes technology and fantasy elements in a story set during a civil war filled with vengance and the plots of those hungry for power. August.



TB

Still Wild About Harry?

Are you missing Harry Potter a little? Then you should take advantage of Harry Potter: The Exhibition taking place at the Boston Museum of Science through Sunday, February 21. I was fortunate to experience this display of over 200 costumes and props actually used in the series of Harry Potter movies while I was in Chicago in June. It is amazing to stand next to the clothing worn by Harry, Hermione, Ron, Hagrid, and even Dumbledore. My, were the children little when they first began filming the series, and the size of Harry's broom for playing Quadditch reinforces the idea of how young they were. The settings and music put you right into the scenes in the Great Hall, Hagrid's hut, and the Gryffindor common room.

The exhibit in Chicago at the Museum of Science and Industry featured Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in their IMAX theatre. How wonderful it was to immerse myself in the World of Harry Potter by seeing the movie and then reminiscing about the first five with the Exhibit. It makes you want to have a Harry Potter movie marathon! Since Boston's Museum of Science isn't showing the movie, watch it at home on DVD OR actually reread some of the books, and then make your journey to Boston.

Word of Advice: Rent the audio for the exhibit so you don't miss any of the interesting facts behind the costumes and props. It will be a wonderful way to bring in 2010! SH