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| HOME | WESTERN | CRIME and MYSTERY | ROMANCE | CHRISTIAN | SCI-FI Author: A through M | N through Z | FANTASY | HORROR |
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| Adams, Douglas | The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy |
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Publication Date |
1979 |
| Number of Pages | 215 |
| Geographical Setting | The Universe |
| Time Period | Late 1900’s |
| Similar Author/Title | Hitchhiker’s Trilogy including The Restaurant at the End of the Universe; Life, the Universe and Everything; So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish; and Mostly Harmless. |
| Plot Summary | Earthman Arthur Dent is rescued from his planet by his alien friend Ford Prefect, an “impoverished hitchhiker trying to see the marvels of the Universe for less than thirty Altairian dollars a day,” and researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Just seconds before Earth is demolished by Volgons of the Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council, who wish to build a hyperspatial express route through the star system, the two manage to hitch a ride on a passing spaceship and begin a series of intergalactic adventures involving the President of the Galaxy, Zaphod Beeblebrox, a much-depressed robot named Marvin, and a planet designer named Slartibartfast. Arthur discovers who made the Earth, why it was destroyed, and that the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything is: 42. |
| Appeal | Fast-moving science fiction spoof brimming with cliches, brutally sarcastic view of humans and other “less intelligent” beings, hilarious excerpts from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. |
| Reviewer/Date | Juliana Punt 6/22/00 |
| Adams, Douglas | The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul |
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Publication Date |
1988 |
| Number of Pages | 307 |
| Geographical Setting | Great Britain-London |
| Time Period | Late 20th Century |
| Series | Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency |
| Plot Summary | Main character Dirk Gently is a holistic private investigator living in London. Using his psychic powers and motivated by the belief that everything in this world is interconnected, Gently investigates the decapitation of a new client and a flaming ball of fire that destroyed a passenger check-in desk at London's Heathrow Airport. And oh yes, they are related! Through his investigation he discovers that Norse gods still do exist and just might be behind the explosion, which sets him on the track of solving the other mystery and saving the human race. |
| Appeal | A very fun read with many quirky characters. Readers new to science fiction will enjoy the blend of sci-fi and mystery. |
| Notes | Second book in the Dirk Gently series. Told from different characters' points of view. |
| Reviewer/Date | April Cota-Hobbs 6/18/00 |
| Atwood, Margaret | The Handmaid's Tale |
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Publication Date |
1986 |
| Number of Pages | 311 |
| Geographical Setting | United States (now called the Republic of Gilead) |
| Time Period | Near Future |
| Plot Summary | The United States has become a dystopian, militaristic, patriarchal society. In reaction to a dramatic decline in birthrate, fertile women (referred to as "handmaids") are kept as property by the rich and powerful and used for reproductive purposes. The book is told from the point of view of a handmaid called Offred, who records the story of her day to day life as she struggles to survive under the new social order. |
| Appeal | Fast-paced, gripping, and written in an easy to read style with short sentences. Distinctive atmosphere. Vivid imagery and overtones of paranoia. |
| Notes | Unconventional, graphic sex scenes; violence; explicit language; disturbing imagery; feminist themes. |
| Reviewer/Date | Ella Manesse 6/22/00 |
| Atwood, Margaret | The Handmaid's Tale |
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Publication Date |
1986 |
| Number of Pages | 311 |
| Geographical Setting | An Eastern College town |
| Time Period | Unspecified (But not too far in the future) |
| Similar Author/Title | Lois Lowry, The Giver |
| Plot Summary | A woman by the name of Offred is telling the story of her servitude in the house of the Commander and his wife Serena Joy. Offred is an honored handmaiden whose role in the household is to bear the Commander’s children. She is as she calls herself: “a walking womb.” The only problem is that the Commander is sterile, as are most of the high-ranking men and women of the community. If Offred does not bear the couple a child, she will be killed or sent off to the toxic colonies from which no one ever returns alive. Throughout the story runs Offred’s retelling of how this strange society came to be and what life was like for her before the “Eyes” came to power. |
| Appeal | Intriguing story about a futuristic society. Thought-provoking, nonlinear story line. Flashbacks and unresolved ending. |
| Notes | Acts of physical violence and sexual acts are described. |
| Reviewer/Date | Pamela Chamberlain 6/22/00 |
| Bradbury, Ray | Fahrenheit 451 |
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Publication Date |
1953 |
| Number of Pages | 150 |
| Geographical Setting | Future American City-State |
| Time Period | Middle of 2nd Millennium |
| Plot Summary | In a future dystopia where books are forbidden as dangerous to the common good and contentment, Guy Montag is a fireman whose job is to burn books and the homes where they are found. Previously believing himself to be happy and satisfied with his life and world, Montag comes to experience certain persons and events that lead him to wonder about the written word and question the status quo. The more Montag reads, the more he thinks, soon placing himself in mortal conflict and danger with the ruling majority of the bleak society he inhabits. |
| Appeal | Fast paced, tension filled storyline. Bleak, nihilistic atmosphere. Use of strong symbolism. Thought-provoking characterizations and issues. |
| Notes | Written for Cold War Era, may be considered relevant today and in future. |
| Reviewer/Date | Martin E. Delgado 6/21/00 |
| Bradbury, Ray | Fahrenehti 451 |
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Publication Date |
1953 |
| Number of Pages | 179 |
| Geographical Setting | Any city in the USA |
| Time Period | Future |
| Plot Summary | Guy Montag was just an ordinary Fireman doing his job of burning books in this futuristic time and place consumed by totalitarianism disguised as happiness. For Guy it was just the way of life. After all, everyone knew that books were evil and reading them was not only illegal, but ultimately, led to unhappiness. That is, until he meets seventeen-year-old Clarisse McClellan, who was in no way ordinary in their world. After a few brief conversations with this girl, and a sudden scare from his wife overdosing on sleeping pills, Montag begins to question his life and what he stands for. He begins to wonder what is in these books he so thoughtlessly burns. Could it be that there is more to life than the constant, cheerful entertainment that the "TV wall" provides to keep everyone thinking they're "happy"? |
| Appeal | Quick read. The
plot and the main characters grab you immediately and carry you into their gripping world where you, as the reader, quickly realize that their reality could easily be our reality. |
| Notes | As contemporary
today as when the book was written in the 1950's. |
| Reviewer/Date | Carolyn Tutt 6/21/00 |
| Bradbury, Ray | Fahrenheit 451 |
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Publication Date |
Second Printing: April 1991, Copyright 1953, original short story version "The Fireman" 1950 Coda Copyright 1979 Afterword Copyright 1982 |
| Number of Pages | 180 |
| Geographical Setting | A large city with subways as transportation to suburbia. |
| Time Period | Future--the civilization following our current one with recollections to current styles of existence. |
| Plot Summary | The title, Fahrenheit 451, refers to the temperature at which books burn freely. It has been determined that books create inequality in mankind, lead to evil and therefore, must be destroyed. Working as a firefighter for years, Guy Montag's job is to burn all books and enjoys his work. When a call comes to the firehouse, the crew loads onto their fire truck, the Salamander, and head to the identified house. They break down the doors and scatter the books. Kerosene is pumped onto the books to improve their flammability and then with the flick of an igniter, the books and the house they were in are devoured in flame. The unfortunates who had harbored the books are arrested. On the way home from work one night, Montag meets Clarisse, a young neighbor girl, who looks at life differently. Their friendship only exists for a brief time but she changes how Montag thinks, how he feels about the world. Montag also meets a professor who tells him about times when people read and wrote and "thought". Montag realizes he must no longer follow along the same path. He must become a part of the future and carry part of the past. |
| Appeal | A terrifying feeling that it really could happen. Our lives really could slip into a meaningless existence. Framed around one main character and how the described lifestyle affects him. Thought provoking. Strong characterizations. Fast-paced. A short, quick read. |
| Reviewer/Date | Chris Vander Weit 6/20/00 |
| Bradbury, Ray | The Martian Chronicles |
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Publication Date |
1950 |
| Number of Pages | 181 |
| Geographical Setting | Mars |
| Time Period | 1999 - 2026 |
| Plot Summary | The book consists of a series of stories, many of which were originally published as stand-alone pieces in science fiction magazines. There are however, a handful of characters who do appear in more than one story, including Captain Wilder, leader of the fourth expedition from Earth to Mars, and Sam Parkhill, a member of that expedition who later opens the first hotdog stand on Mars. Chronologically arranged, starting in 1999 and ending in 2026, the stories look at Mars just prior to contact with Earth people, chronicle early contact, and portray Earth's attempts to colonize Mars. Despite brief descriptions of Martian life and culture, the book's emphasis is on how Earthlings react to their Martian experiences. |
| Appeal | A quick read. Extensive description of the Martian landscape. Classic science fiction themes include condemnation of censorship (a theme Bradbury also pursued in Farenheit 451), concern over nuclear destruction, fascination with robotics, speculation about intelligent extraterrestrial life, and portrayal of technology getting out of hand in relation to human development. Bradbury's writing is a cut above most science fiction, exhibiting "literary merit." Characterization takes a backseat to speculation about humanity's future. |
| Notes | Several stereotypical women characters, each passively following her husband's lead. |
| Reviewer/Date | Barbera Bass 6/28/00 |
| Card, Orson Scott | Ender's Game |
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Publication Date |
1977 |
| Number of Pages | 357 |
| Geographical Setting | Earth |
| Time Period | The not too distant future |
| Series | First book in the Ender's Saga Series |
| Plot Summary | Determined to prepare for the next Alien attack, the leaders of Earth are looking for a hero. They pray that they have found that hero in Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, a genius who was born for the sole purpose of interstellar warfare training. Just after his sixth birthday the government takes him from his family and sends him to battle school where he will learn to be a starship captain. For Ender, and the other children in Battle School there is no such thing as childhood only war games and rank. Thanks to a series of dangerous and confusing situations, Ender learns a lot about himself, the people who control his life, and about the Aliens he is supposed to destroy. The only question is, will he be able to survive the training in order to save the earth? |
| Appeal | Contains all the classic elements of the genre including a futuristic setting, and Alien bugs determined to destroy the Earth. The story can be read on several levels making it enjoyable for a wide audience range. |
| Notes | Violence. Young children put into mature situations. Other titles in the series: Speaker For The Dead, Xenocide, Children of the Mind, Ender's Shadow. |
| Reviewer/Date | Sarah Comfort 6/22/00 |
| Clarke, Arthur C. | 2001: A Space Odyssey |
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Publication Date |
1968 |
| Number of Pages | 226 |
| Geographical Setting | Aboard the Discovery, a spaceship traveling to the mysterious reaches of distant Saturn |
| Time Period | The year 2001, a time when humankind is at home among the stars |
| Series | 2010: Odyssey Two; 2061: Odyssey Three |
| Plot Summary | The unearthing of a mysterious, shrieking artifact buried in a crater on the moon indicates the existence of alien intelligent life dating back at least 3 million years. With hopes of finding the source of this alien race, humankind launches the spaceship Discovery upon an expedition to the target of the solar powered shriek--Saturn's moon Japetus. Discovery is manned by David Bowman, an expert in General Astronautics, Frank Poole, a "General Practitioner in space biology," and three other scientists suspended in frozen hibernation. The spaceship is controlled by HAL, a supercomputer with a technologically developed master brain. HAL's striking similarity to human emotions and misconceptions leads to the loss of life and the endangerment of Discovery's mission. The crew must overcome this diabolical computer in order to complete the search for intelligent life-the only question is…what will be the result? |
| Appeal | Precise, scientific description of future space technologies. Fascinating hypotheses and predictions of the origins and the future of humankind. Thought-provoking, with limited dialogue and exact attention to detail. Focus on humanity's role in relation to the universe with subplot of humanity's role in relation to technology. |
| Notes | The motion picture by Stanley Kubrick was created in tandem with this novel. |
| Reviewer/Date | Mary Pezzetti 6/18/00 |
| Haldeman, Joe | The Forever War |
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Publication Date |
1974 |
| Number of Pages | 230 |
| Geographical Setting | Earth and various other planets |
| Time Period | Late 20th to Mid-32nd Century AD (1997-3143) |
| Similar Author/Title | Heinlein, Robert A., Starship Troopers (1959) |
| Plot Summary | Private William Mandella, a bright young physicist, is drafted in 1997 to fight the alien Taurans. After a period of dangerous training on the icy planet Charon, Mandella and his fellow conscripts are sent into deep space aboard massive starships. The soldiers, each clad in powerful robotic armor, engage the enemy in a series of horrific battles. Because of the effects of relativity, decades and even centuries pass on Earth while Mandella experiences only a few years of subjective time travelling to distant worlds at near-light and faster-than-light speeds. Mandella must survive the war and deal with the catastrophic changes in human society which have occurred during his absences. |
| Appeal | Exciting depictions of military adventure on an interplanetary scale. An imaginative storyline which incorporates “hard science” and a bizarre vision of the future of humanity. |
| Notes | Graphic violence and implied sex, including promiscuity and homosexuality. |
| Reviewer/Date | Kyle Samudio 6/22/00 |
| Harris, Robert | M |
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Publication Date |
1993 |
| Number of Pages | 380 |
| Time Period | 1964 |
| Similar Authors/Titles | The “Worldwar” series by Harry Turtledove is another popular WW II-era alternate history. |
| Plot Summary | It is a different 1964, and the German Reich extends from France to the Urals of central Russia. As the country prepares for the Fuhrertag, Hitler’s 75th birthday, the body of Josef Buhler, a high-ranking Nazi party boss from WW II is found on the shore of a lake in an exclusive suburb of Berlin. Police inspector Xavier March begins investigating the matter, believing it to be a murder and not suicide, as his counterparts in various police agencies have declared. Suddenly, the Gestapo takes over the case and orders March off of it, but he persists in his investigation. The murder of another Nazi official, Wilhelm Stuckart, arouses his suspicions further, and brings to him an American journalist, Charlotte Maguire. March refuses to accept the official Gestapo finding that Buhler, Stuckart, and another missing Nazi, Martin Luther, were involved in an art smuggling scheme. March and Maguire link the three and perhaps ten other top Nazis to a secret 1941 conclave called by Reynhard Heydrich to discuss the “final solution to the Jewish question.” Now only Luther may be alive; nearly all others having died violently or suspiciously, and most in the previous few years. March and Maguire were about to delve into the Reich’s darkest secret: the mystery of the Jewish “resettlement.” A conspiracy that, with the impending visit of American President Joseph Kennedy, breaking an 18-year period of American isolation, the Gestapo would do anything to keep hidden... |
| Appeal | Fatherland postulates a chillingly believable vision of a Germany that won WW II in 1946, still a rigid police state, despite its veneer of civility and prosperity, where the Fuhrer is viewed as the provider of all that is good and conquered races such as the Poles and Slavs are treated with casual brutality. |
| Notes | Language, violence, and graphic descriptions of killings and a corpse or two. |
| Reviewer/Date | John McPike 6/21/2000 |
| Harrison, Harry | Make Room! Make Room! |
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Publication Date |
1966 |
| Number of Pages | 213 |
| Geographical Setting | New York, NY |
| Time Period | 1999 |
| Plot Summary | Much of the world's natural resources have been depleted due to overpopulation in the United States. The issue of birth control has recently been introduced as a bill in Congress. Meanwhile, a shortage of water, fuel, protein, fertilizer, and grain, has created a bleak existence; food and water are rationed and criminals run rampant. "Weedcrackers" are the common food and "soylent" steaks, made of soy and lentil, a luxury. The plot follows the intertwined lives of Detective Andy Rusch, girlfriend Shirl, their roommate Soloman Kahn, and fugitive Billy Chung, to show the disastrous effects of overpopulation. |
| Appeal | A gripping pace engages the reader. Time and geographical setting. |
| Notes | Use of the word "Chink," the movie "Soylent Green" was based on this book. Readers will be drawn to the author's invention of our present day New York. His predictions of 50-inch TVs and a gigantic screen in Times Square are accurate, however, the mention of milk bottles is now anachronistic. The story ends at the beginning of the year 2000 with the population at 344 million in the U.S.; today's estimate is close to 275 million. |
| Reviewer/Date | Yvonne Ng 6/22/2000 |
| Heinlein, Robert A. | Have Space Suit-Will Travel |
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Publication Date |
1958 |
| Number of Pages | 255 |
| Geographical Setting | Centerville USA, the Moon, Space |
| Time Period | Late 20th Century |
| Plot Summary | Teenager Kip Russell wants to go to the Moon. His only problem is getting there. A contest from Skyway Soap - the grand prize is an all-expense paid trip to the Moon - may be the answer. Instead, Kip is the proud winner of a used spacesuit. He soon finds himself and two companions, a child genius named PeeWee Reisfeld, and an alien known as Mother Thing, in the clutches of an alien species with nefarious intentions. |
| Appeal | Technical details of spacesuits and space travel. Characters are quickly introduced, and follow some stereotypes. Fast-paced storyline. |
| Notes | Black and white line drawing of man in spacesuit opposite the title page. |
| Reviewer/Date | Stefanie Frame 6/22/00 |
| Herbert, Frank | Dune Messiah ; Book Two of the Dune Chronicles |
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Publication Date |
1969 |
| Number of Pages | 329 |
| Geographical Setting | A planet in the galaxy called Arrakis, also know as Dune. |
| Time Period | The distant future |
| Series | Dune, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune, Chapterhouse: Dune. |
| Plot Summary | Picking up where Dune leaves off, Paul Atreides, leader of the freemen, has conquered the planet Dune and is now Emperor. This planet produces a commodity, spice melange, that extends the senses and enables one to read the future. Water is precious and mechanical computers are forbidden. Instead, there are human computers. He struggles with the issue of political power and how best to serve. |
| Appeal | Science fiction epic on a grand scale. Heroic characters who philosophize on the nature of man and the consequences of their actions. |
| Notes | Religion and government are not shown favorably. Initially a challenge to follow because of the many characters and incidents. (Alia, Paul Attreide's sister ; Stilgar, leader of the Freemen and guard to Paul ; Chani, a freeman girl and Paul's concubine; Scytale conspirator and face changer). Violence. Books on tape has and excellent rendition of the novel. |
| Reviewer/Date | Susan Cook 6/21/00 |
| Lowry, Lois | The Giver |
|
Publication Date |
1993 |
| Number of Pages | 180 |
| Geographical Setting | Undisclosed utopian community somewhere on earth |
| Time Period | Sometime in the future |
| Plot Summary | In a perfect utopian world where there is no crime, no hunger, no pain, and no choice as well, 12-year-old Jonas apprehensively awaits his “assignment” along with the other “12s”. However, at the “Ceremony of Twelve,” Jonas (#19) is passed over when the normal assignments are made. He has been chosen for a rare and special position…that of the community’s “Receiver of Memories.” He has been selected to replace an elder who alone holds the memories of the past…who alone feels emotions, sees colors and hears music. The elder then becomes “the Giver” as he begins to transfer memories to Jonas. The process is blissfully joyful as Jonas is introduced to the colors of the rainbow, the warmth of the sun and the love of family, but it is also disturbingly painful as he too must learn of war, suffering, loss and death. Together, Jonas and the elder realize that emotions (both good and bad) are necessary for a fulfilling life…that they must return the memories to the community and awaken the others from their trance-like existence. A plan is hatched…will it work? Lowry’s chilling futuristic society invites readers young and old to pause and consider the implications of giving up one’s freedom in exchange for a “perfect” life in a secure and controlled world. |
| Appeal | This spellbinding story is skillfully written and resounds with Christian allegory. Utopian theme. |
| Notes | Written for children this winner of the 1994 Newbery Medal has found an additional audience with adults science fiction fans. |
| Reviewer/Date | Jacquie Foster 6/21/2000 |
| Lowry, Lois | The Giver |
|
Publication Date |
1993 |
| Number of Pages | 180 |
| Geographical Setting | Likely the United States, in an alternate reality community. |
| Time Period | Unknown; customs & artifacts suggest late 20th century. |
| Plot Summary | Jonas, an eleven-year-old boy awaits a significant moment in the life of his society--the Ceremony of Twelve. He is feeling fearful about his life assignment, to be chosen by the Elders. Jonas meets the Giver who will train him for his new job. Life in Jonas's society is usually predictable, but Jonas finds his assignment a surprise, a pleasure, and a painful burden. It leads him to some revelations about his home, parents, friends, and life. This knowledge spurs him to an eventful decision about the future for himself, for a baby named Gabriel, and for his whole society. |
| Appeal | A small book that packs a powerful message; enjoyable for all ages; short paragraphs; good dialogue; vivid description; nostalgic moments; issue-oriented; thought provoking; emotionally involving. |
| Notes | Description of murder, dishonesty by adults. |
| Reviewer/Date | Patricia S. Harrison 6/21/2000 |
| Lowry, Lois | The Giver |
|
Publication Date |
1993 |
| Number of Pages | 180 |
| Geographical Setting | A small, unnamed community |
| Time Period | The distant future |
| Similar Author/Title | Madeleine L’Engle/ A Wrinkle in Time, Pleasantville (film) |
| Plot Summary | A young boy, named Jonas, lives in a seemingly idyllic world where all of the people appear to be happy and content. There is no hunger, poverty or crime and everyone is well cared for. When children turn twelve, the town’s Elders assign them their lifetime occupations. Jonas becomes the Receiver of Memory, an assignment that pairs him with The Giver, an elderly man who holds the memories of the past. Through The Giver, Jonas learns of long forgotten joys as well as many disturbing secrets concerning their world. The novel is told in the third person, through Jonas’ point of view. |
| Appeal | A coming of age story where a child’s innocence is replaced by wisdom. Thought-provoking themes concerning issues of conformity verses freedom of choice. Has been popular with both children and adults. Is written in a fast-paced style that quickly involves the reader. |
| Notes | Mention of the main character’s budding sexuality. Some descriptions of violence and bloodshed. |
| Reviewer/Date | Donna Marie Atmur 6/22/00 |
| Lowry, Lois | The Giver |
|
Publication Date |
1993 |
| Number of Pages | 180 |
| Geographical Setting | Nameless Utopian community |
| Time Period | Futuristic, unidentified time |
| Plot Summary | The story unfolds around a young 12 year-old boy Jonas in a seemingly perfect world. He has been selected to be the Receiver of Memories from The Giver, an Elder. Jonas then becomes a protégé of the Giver. He begins the process of receiving the truth of the not so Utopian society he lives in. The Giver transfers memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Jonas finds the course disturbing because it's the first time he learns about the ordinary things in life that have been kept from him, such as music, color, joy, and pain. It is time for Jonas to receive the truth about the world that he has been living in. |
| Appeal | Dystopia/utopia world, futuristic setting, Newbery Medal Winner, coming of age story |
| Notes | Contrasts with Christian symbols |
| Reviewer/Date | Mónica López 6/22/00 |
| HOME | WESTERN | CRIME and MYSTERY | ROMANCE | CHRISTIAN | SCI-FI Author: A through M | N through Z | FANTASY | HORROR |
