Books

Science Fiction 1203 books / 3911 members / 3059 posts Science fiction includes such a wide range of themes and sub-genres that it is notoriously difficult to define. This is a list of definitions that have been offered by authors, editors, critics and fans over the years since science fiction became clearly separate from other genres. Definitions of related terms such as "science fantasy", "speculative fiction", and "fabulation" are included where they are intended as definitions of aspects of science fiction or because they illuminate related definitions — see e.g. Robert Scholes's definitions of "fabulation" and "structural fabulation" below. Some definitions of sub-types of science fiction are included, too; for example see David Ketterer's definition of "philosophically oriented science fiction". In addition, some definitions are included that define, for example, a science fiction story, rather than science fiction itself, since these also illuminate an underlying definition of science fiction.

The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, edited by John Clute and Peter Nicholls, contains an extensive discussion of the problem of definition, under the heading "Definitions of SF". The authors regard Darko Suvin's definition as having been most useful in catalysing academic debate, though they consider disagreements to be inevitable as science fiction is not homogeneous. Suvin's cited definition, dating from 1972, is: "a literary genre whose necessary and sufficient conditions are the presence and interaction of estrangement and cognition, and whose main formal device is an imaginative framework alternative to the author's empirical environment." The authors of the Encyclopedia article - Brian Stableford, Clute, and Nicholls - explain that, by "cognition", Suvin refers to the seeking of rational understanding, while his concept of estrangement is similar to the idea of alienation developed by Bertolt Brecht, that is, a means of making the subject matter recognizable while also seeming unfamiliar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definitions_of_science_fiction#In_chronological_order
What are you reading? 3463 books / 8773 members / 26661 posts This group is for anyone, of any background or age group, who is interested in talking about...Books. Books you want to read, have read, are reading; books you have heard of and not yet read; books of any genre. You are welcome to ask for recommendations or opinions.

If you are plugging your new book, blog, group, etc., please only do this in the Shameless Self Promotion thread. If these are posted anywhere else, they will be deleted.
Favorite Fantasy 1399 books / 2171 members / 4888 posts Let fellow Shelfarians know what you consider good fantasy novels.
Homestarmy Book Club 9 books / 4 members / 3 posts This is a group for members of the Homestarmy social circle to track their book club.
DUNE!DUNE!DUNE! 17 books / 69 members / 30 posts Fans of the Sci-Fi epic Dune. We recognize that Star Wars, and pretty much most modern Sci-Fi, totally ripped off Dune! Viva La Atreides!
Book VS. Movie 473 books / 1433 members / 1830 posts This group is all about the differences between the books and the movies. Join the group and tell what your favorite is the Book OR the Movie. Add books that have turned into movies if you like. ENJOY!!!!

If you want to join the group just ask me or Hollz middle to become our friend and then add you to the group.

Happy Reading and Watching!
Moms Who Read To Escape Their Weary Lives 982 books / 1366 members / 10554 posts
In order to find out what books the Moms Who Read are discussing, please click on the blue "more" link at the end of the next paragraph.

You may lose a few brain cells when you become a mother, but you still love to read! Whether you're able to fit in one book per year or 100 between changing diapers and/or taxiing kids to sports and activities, this is the place to come to chat about your current books or to get ideas for future reading. So grab a book, settle in, and let off some steam if you need to...we mommies are here to listen!


March Title:
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb

The discussion began on January 1, but feel free to add to it at any time!

Upcoming titles:
April: Testimony by Anita Shreve
May:Souvenir by Therese Fowler
June: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Discussions will begin on the first of each month.

Past titles:
The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center (with author chat)
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
All the Numbers by Judy Merrill Larsen (with author chat)
In the Woods by Tana French
The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross (with author chat)
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner
An Inconvenient Wife by Megan Chance (with author chat)
Love Walked In by Maria de Los Santos
The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain
The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff
The Wise Woman by Philippa Gregory

If you have anything you'd like to add to these discussions at any time, don't hesitate to pull the book titles up from the "Search Discussions" link on the upper right side of the page and add to the threads!

While we appreciate that many of our members are authors, please do not post book promotions to our group. I will remove them as I do not want anyone to feel pressured to buy anything or be bothered by numerous spams in the discussion list. Thank you for understanding.
Romance Writers 282 books / 534 members / 415 posts If you're a romance writer, published or unpublished, this is the place for you.

Tell us the release date of your next book. List your favorite books. Join in on discussions. Ask questions and enjoy your time here.

Please feel free to start a discussion.

PLEASE PUT YOUR BOOKS ON THE SHELF !

24 Book Challenge + Chat 820 books / 81 members / 2815 posts The 24 Book Challenge group is currently at full capacity; thank you for your interest.



"In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.", Mortimer Adler

*This is a group for book lovers who prefer to take an under-promise and over-deliver approach to their reading. It's also for those of us who quake at the thought of "committing" to read 50 books in a twelve month period.

The challenge: Set a goal for yourself to read and enjoy 2 books each month.(If 1 would be a s-t-r-e-t-c-h goal for you, that's great too! If you crave more than 2, go for it. It's your challenge :-)

If you have been keeping track of all that you've read since January 2008, feel free to include those books towards your goal. If you haven't been keeping track, simply begin now.

How it works: Put your name in the subject line of a new post, and start to add your book list. From that point on you can add to your list by replying to the first post in your thread. If you prefer to keep your thread free of others' questions or comments then you may want to include this request in your original post title (e.g. "No comments please"). If you would like questions or comments within your thread, why not include "Comments welcome" in the title? If you feel inspired to write mini-reviews or comments on any book in your list, please do. Whatever feels right for you!

The group shelf:You are also invited to add your 24 + books to the group shelf. If you did write a comment or review please also add this to your book on the shelf. In an effort to keep things simple, we're only using the "Books We've Read" shelf.


Please drop us a note if you have any questions or suggestions for improving the group. We'd love to hear from you!
Space Operas 33 books / 47 members / 11 posts Mind-blowing, epic tales of space, science-fiction and the growth of the human race over thousands of years.
Fantase 29 books / 27 members / 190 posts Sebuah kumpulan pembaca yang membincangkan, meluahkan, melibur, berseteru tentang fiksyen sains, fantasi dan seram bahasa Melayu.
Let the aliens beckon 161 books / 45 members / 21 posts Fear

It looms over my days,
It haunts my nights,
The further I try to go,
It is again before my eyes.

The sweat trickling down,
My heart beating fast,
It always makes me feel,
This breath is my last.

Like an eight-legged octopus,
It entraps and engulfs me,
The more I shrink back,
Clearly the shadow I see.

My senses seem to give away,
When it comes very near,
And then I realize that
The ghostly figure is fear.
.

... Few words to describe my take on how we as human beings feel against the vast cosmic and extraterrestial forces that are so beyond our reach and comprehension... The books in this section are an attempt to unviel the truth that lies beyond ... and curb are fear of the unknown..with a spirit of scientific enquiry..
The "Big Read" (Big Read 2003) 47 books / 30 members / 13 posts 1. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien
2. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
3. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK Rowling
6. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
7. Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne
8. Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell
9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis
10. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë
11. Catch-22, Joseph Heller
12. Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë
13. Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks
14. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier
15. The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger
16. The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame
17. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
18. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
19. Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres
20. War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy
21. Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
22. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, JK Rowling
23. Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, JK Rowling
24. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, JK Rowling
25. The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien
26. Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy
27. Middlemarch, George Eliot
28. A Prayer For Owen Meany, John Irving
29. The Grapes Of Wrath, John Steinbeck
30. Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
31. The Story Of Tracy Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson
32. One Hundred Years Of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez
33. The Pillars Of The Earth, Ken Follett
34. David Copperfield, Charles Dickens
35. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl
36. Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson
37. A Town Like Alice, Nevil Shute
38. Persuasion, Jane Austen
39. Dune, Frank Herbert
40. Emma, Jane Austen
41. Anne Of Green Gables, LM Montgomery
42. Watership Down, Richard Adams
43. The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald
44. The Count Of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
45. Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh
46. Animal Farm, George Orwell
47. A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
48. Far From The Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy
49. Goodnight Mister Tom, Michelle Magorian
50. The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher
51. The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett
52. Of Mice And Men, John Steinbeck
53. The Stand, Stephen King
54. Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
55. A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth
56. The BFG, Roald Dahl
57. Swallows And Amazons, Arthur Ransome
58. Black Beauty, Anna Sewell
59. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer
60. Crime And Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky
61. Noughts And Crosses, Malorie Blackman
62. Memoirs Of A Geisha, Arthur Golden
63. A Tale Of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
64. The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCollough
65. Mort, Terry Pratchett
66. The Magic Faraway Tree, Enid Blyton
67. The Magus, John Fowles
68. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
69. Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett
70. Lord Of The Flies, William Golding
71. Perfume, Patrick Süskind
72. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell
73. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
74. Matilda, Roald Dahl
75. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding
76. The Secret History, Donna Tartt
77. The Woman In White, Wilkie Collins
78. Ulysses, James Joyce
79. Bleak House, Charles Dickens
80. Double Act, Jacqueline Wilson
81. The Twits, Roald Dahl
82. I Capture The Castle, Dodie Smith
83. Holes, Louis Sachar
84. Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake
85. The God Of Small Things, Arundhati Roy
86. Vicky Angel, Jacqueline Wilson
87. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
88. Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons
89. Magician, Raymond E Feist
90. On The Road, Jack Kerouac
91. The Godfather, Mario Puzo
92. The Clan Of The Cave Bear, Jean M Auel
93. The Colour Of Magic, Terry Pratchett
94. The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
95. Katherine, Anya Seton
96. Kane And Abel, Jeffrey Archer
97. Love In The Time Of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez
98. Girls In Love, Jacqueline Wilson
99. The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot
100. Midnight's Children, Salman Rushdie
Fantasy and Sci-fi Fanatics 1696 books / 2047 members / 2557 posts I am personally addicted to fantasy and sci-fi and I created this group for people to discuss Fantasy and Sci-fi books that they have read.

I have found myself, more often than not, searching for a really good fantasy or sci-fi book, but to no avail. Starting a group not only enables me, and you, to find great books, but it also is a great way to discuss likes and dislikes about these books.


Just a warning, I will also put realistic-fiction books on the group shelf if I feel that they are as good as a fantasy or sci-fi book. MEOW!!!!!


***NOTICE***
If you are a member, or just a random person, please put any sci-fi or fantasy book that you *LOVE* on the group shelf, please!

Another thing, plez post discussions or reply to one, i'd love to hear your opinions.
Delhi Book Lovers 73 books / 249 members / 650 posts Lets share what the great city is reading!
Novel 35 books / 2 members / 0 posts Novel...
Metal Maniacs 24 books / 68 members / 148 posts This group is for those of you who are readers, and metal-heads. If you like metal, you're in.
Houston Book Lovers 38 books / 39 members / 60 posts Just a group for fellow Houston book lovers to talk about books and etc. All are welcome!
The Black White Gallery 81 books / 4 members / 0 posts
Research Triangle SF Society 54 books / 9 members / 0 posts Group for members of the Research Triangle Science Fiction Society, where members can make and receive recommendations about speculative fiction in all its many forms: science fiction, fantasy, horror, graphic novels, etc.
The Grand Works of Science Fiction 108 books / 150 members / 42 posts This group is reserved for the writers who started the science fiction genre, as well as individual works which define it. There are other science fiction groups on Shelfari, however, this group is intended to collect all of the Grand Works of the Science Fiction (or speculative fiction for Mr. Heinlein). The main authors are Issac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, and Arthur C. Clark. Other notables are Orson Scott Card, Robert Silverberg, Philip K. Dick, and Frank Herbert, and Mary Shelley. This group includes all of the Nebula and Hugo award winners.
Hugo and Nebula Award Winners 26 books / 32 members / 14 posts Discuss the winning novels of the Hugo, Nebula and other SciFi and Fantasy award groups.
Gaming Addicts 136 books / 26 members / 21 posts I am a gaming addict and am always up for talking to other gamers about books. What sort of books do you enjoy or would recommend?
Dune Freaks 1 books / 5 members / 1 posts People who love Dune should join.
Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their Say 33 books / 11 members / 15 posts The first Nuestra Palabra showcase was held in April of 1998 in the party hall of Chapultepec Restaurant. Last year, we attracted over 30,000 people to our 2004 Third Annual Houston Latino Book and Family Festival, which takes place in the Fall. This is now the largest book fair in all of Texas. In only six years, we have gone from the party hall of Chapultepec Restaurant, to exhibit Hall A of The George R. Brown Convention Center. And we are still growing. Nuestra Palabra takes the upper echelon of Latino literature into the deepest part of the community. Our endeavors stem from our main showcases, which take place monthly from February to July. The showcases highlight Latino writers in an entertaining and informative forum. We generally draw from 100 – 300 people per event. These showcases are more than simply readings. Each forum evolves from or leads to other ways to educate and inspire the community, and at the same time promotes Latino literature and Latino authors. In 2000 we added the NP TV show which now broadcasts on Houston Community College Television on Channel 19 of the Warner system. The TV Show is currently in hiatus as we update the format. In 2001 we added the Nuestra Palabra radio show, “Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their Say: On The Air” every Tuesday night at 7:30 P.M. on 90.1 FM KPFT, nation-wide on www.kpft.org. In 2002, Nuestra Palabra brought the Edward James Olmos Latino Book and Family Festival to Houston, which has become an annual event. Houston has been the most successful city on the book fair’s circuit of 6 cities. And we are still growing!
Movie Lovers 374 books / 1725 members / 9430 posts Welcome to Movie Lovers.

This is the place to come to discuss all genres of movies, old or new, viewed on the big screen or the little one, and not necessarily book-related...

Many book-lovers also share a passion for movies, as they also tell a "story" of one kind or another, and many movies are based on our favorite books.

All movie-lovers welcome to join discussions, or create your own.
Feel free to resurrect old (or ancient) discussions if you have something to add!

HAVE A HAPPY DAY :)

Books You Can Not Live Without 78 books / 28 members / 30 posts What are the books that you can not live without? What are the books that you read and then read again, to the point that you have to buy another copy? What are the much loved titles that would be with you on a deserted island? Well, as a book addict, I've given this much thought. I've even created a traveling library of books that go with me where I go. So, I've created this group for all my fellow bibliophiles. The shelf is for these much loved titles, regardless of genre. Although, since I love romance, it will probably have a romantic slant. Please feel free to add your favorites and to discuss why you love them!
Books that will induce mindf*ck 223 books / 51 members / 25 posts Group for discussion about books that will induce mindf*ck (see http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1016184). Feel free to propose in discussions any other book to include it in the list.
Jay Burns' Bookshelf 65 books / 3 members / 1 posts
Better than Starbucks… if you like good coffee, great books, sharp wit, and people who read 1622 books / 1957 members / 28539 posts Better than Starbucks… if you like good coffee, great books, sharp wit, and people who read
Shakespeare, Dickens, Twain, Marquez, Morrison, Joyce, Faulkner, Cather, Kingsolver and a few hundred other really delicious writers, not to impress strangers, but because they love a good read, then please join us.

We are not a private group, but the administrators will not resist the urge to delete boring and stupid comments. By the same token, personal attacks on young, slow or otherwise disadvantaged players will not be tolerated.

Generally, be nice to other members, but spare not public figures, pop lit superstars, big box stores, politicians and religious leaders. Focus more energy on what is good and even what is great, but feel free to throw a stone when the occasion calls for it.

To steal a phrase: we want to have serious intellectual discussions, but at the same time we want the heat to generate light, not fire....

Welcome!
Scott's family and friends 18 books / 6 members / 2 posts Just a group for family and friends to share about what they are reading. As a librarian, I am always interested in what others are reading and hearing about a good book to read in the future.
LETS TRY AND SEE IF EVERY ONE ON SHELFARI CAN JOIN 1 GROUP! 1659 books / 4433 members / 48412 posts COMPLETE RANDOMNESS!!!!!!!!!!!AND FUN GAMES FOR ALL!

REMEMBER TO INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS, AND TELL THEM TO INVITE ALL OF THEIR FRIENDS AND SO ON!

POST, POST, POST, AND BE ACTIVE!!

Any swearing (the "seven main" curse words) or explicit material will not be tolerated.
Science Fiction Film 33 books / 47 members / 234 posts For those who love to talk about sci fi film in a an area where you can geek out to your heart's content.
Obscured Truth 8 books / 3 members / 1 posts Finding the hidden truths amongst various pieces of literary work not categorized as spiritual.
Literature of LOST 65 books / 25 members / 14 posts The hit television show LOST - a serialized drama characterized by suspense, sci-fi, and mystery - contains many literary references. This group is for those who want to read and discuss the books referenced in the world of LOST.
The Nebula Awards 58 books / 27 members / 21 posts The Nebulas are an annual award presented by SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America ) to written achievements of excellence within the field of SF&F.

This profile is meant to be a virtual display of these winners and nominees, as well as the winners and nominees for the Andre Norton Best Young Adult Novel in Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Please do not add books that haven't received Nebula&Norton nominations.
Discussion is welcome, about any topic relating to science fiction and fantasy writing, we ask only that you keep it civil and respect one another's opinions.

See our website for more detailed information about the award:
http://nebulaawards.com
nerds 12 books / 2 members / 1 posts sci fi

fantasy

history

philosophy

classics
PNNL Sci-Fi 3 books / 12 members / 4 posts Sci-Fi for people who work at PNNL
Random House - Top 100 Books of the 20th Century (Board's List) 51 books / 1 members / 0 posts 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century, as determined by the board. From Random House:

"The goal of the "100 Best" project was to get people talking about great books. We succeeded beyond our wildest imaginings -- more than 400,000 avid readers rushed online to cast votes for their favorite books and the students of the Radcliffe Publishing Course quickly responded with rival list of 100 Best Novels.

The reader's poll for the best nonfiction published in the English language since 1900 opened on April 29, 1999 and closed on September 30, 1999 with a total of 194,829 votes cast.

The readers' poll for the best novels published in the English language since 1900 opened on July 20, 1998 and closed on October 20, 1998, with 217,520 votes cast."
Tool Band Recommended Reading 27 books / 1 members / 0 posts Books to read as recommended by the band Tool, or by fans of Tool.
SoLa Salon 47 books / 11 members / 15 posts SoLa Salon is a private women's book club with twelve members. We've been meeting for four years, and have a supportive and energizing culture based on good food, good wine, and great friends. We take turns picking the books, which results in a dynamic tension that fuels conversation as we agree and disagree about the merits of each selection. SoLa Salon fills a gap for each of us and is an important and enriching part of our lives. We are reportedly one of the few book clubs in which the book is actually a topic of discussion and in which the members enjoy each other.
Invitation To Audio Books 25 books / 16 members / 10 posts Reading is wonderful as we all know. We can get caught up in the action. Then there are the audio books. If you get a real good narrator the book becomes something out of this world. This group is on any audio books, from all walks of like; ones to recommend, ones not to go near. Do you have a favorite narrator? Who is that? Personally I do like Jim Dale who did the Harry Potter Series, Adventures of Alice and Wonderland. He humorous, but he is dramatic. Sean Bean does a wonderful narration of King Arthur. His voice is very deep and expressive. And Patrick Stewart does an extraordinary reading on the Final Battle of the Chronicles of Narnia. So what is your audio book favorite/
Lectores de Argentina 160 books / 10 members / 0 posts Para todos los shelfarienses de Argentina. A ver si somos muchos.
The Bibliophile Club 1157 books / 215 members / 593 posts For anyone who likes to read Literature, History, Biographies,Classics, Politics, Mysteries, thrillers, spirituality and religion. Books that are interesting,popular and bring pleasure to one's life. No pornographic novels please.
Book Talk, Creativity & Family Matters 29 books / 414 members / 17 posts For anyone interested in listening to and participating in discussions with artists, entrepreneurs, and writers sharing their thoughts on the creative process, and the impact books have on our lives and families.
Mr Jordan's 9Wz Wide Reading Group 36 books / 26 members / 29 posts This is a group reserved for members of 9Wz English. Students should use this group to review the texts they have read and to get insight and advice on new reading.
The Traveling Gourmet 311 books / 104 members / 348 posts This group is for food lovers,who like to have a nice glass of wine with their meals,have itchy feet and likes to travel, appreciates art and cultural diversity. If this describes you, then please come on board. We like to discuss food, exchange wonderful, yummy recipes, talk about our travels, and have lots of fun exchanging recipes. Hope to hear from you soon,
Elliquiy 190 books / 22 members / 120 posts A gathering point for members of Elliquiy who are also participating in the Shelfari 50 Book Challenge.

:)
UHS Contemporary Literature 2009 - 2010 56 books / 3 members / 0 posts Discussions about books for our high school's Contemporary Literature class.
JPC Excelsior Readers Club 3 books / 8 members / 6 posts A Readers Club run as part of the Excelsior Program at JPC.
Neil Gaiman's Bookshelves 644 books / 232 members / 37 posts People discussing the books on Neil Gaiman's shelves
Metalheads in support of reading and learning! 2 books / 2 members / 3 posts This is a group for people, who like myself love listening to metal and hard rock, whilst at the same time, reading a bloody good book. What can be better than listening to Iron Maiden - To Tame a Land, whilst reading Dune? or The Call of Ktulu by Metallica whilst reading H.P Lovecrafts Weird Tales.
Science Fiction Reading Challenge 37 books / 20 members / 75 posts The challenge is to read one book (that you haven't read before) in each of the following 40 categories in one year:

Subgenre Challenges:
1. Hard SF
2. Soft or Social SF
3. Cyberpunk
4. Time Travel
5. Alternate History
6. Military SF
7. Superhuman
8. Apocalyptic/Post-Apocalyptic
9. Space Opera
10. Steampunk
11. Feminist SF
12. First Contact
13. Science Fiction masquerading as Fantasy
14. Young Adult

Authorial Challenges
15. Work written by a Grand Master
16. Work written pre-1950
17. Work originally written in a language other than English
18. Work written the year you were born
19. Work written by a non-Caucasian author
20. Work written by a female author
21. Anthology
22. Work by an author you haven't read before

Character Challenges
23. Work with a male first-person narrator
24. Work with a female first-person narrator
25. Work with a non-human viewpoint character for at least 50% of the text
26. Work with a third person omniscient narrator
27. Work with a third-person limited, multi-perspective viewpoint

Setting Challenges
28. Work set on Earth with no space travel
29. Work set in a human interstellar empire
30. Work set on a single human planet that is not Earth (may or may not have contact with Earth)
31. Work set in a galaxy with multiple non-human intelligences in contact with humans
32. Work set on a space ship (non-generation ship)
33. Work set on a generation ship (may take place at any point in voyage, including beginning and ending)
34. Work set on a permanent man-made habitat in space (i.e. a space station)

Award Challenges
35. Work that has won the Hugo Award
36. Work that has wont he Nebula Award
37. Work that has won the Locus Award
38. Work that has won the James Tiptree, Jr. Award
39. Work that has won the John W. Campbell Award
40. Work that has won the Philip K. Dick Award
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