Several past years in May, I have participated in #WyrdandWonder hosted by several book dragons. Well, I just learned that a few of those book dragons also host #SciFiMonth in November.

Of course, I said sign beam me up!*

So this November, I will be joining the crew of #SciFiMonth26 to boldly go . . . into the depths of all things SciFi.

Computer, Identify #SciFiMonth

SciFiMonth is an annual celebration of all things science fictional, exploring unknown futures and parallel timelines as the crew read, watch, listen, and play their way through the genre of Science Fiction.

Basically, it is a month-long SciFi fest.

This fun month is hosted captained by Lisa from Dear Geek Place, Imyril from There Is Always Room for One More, Mayri from Bookforager, and Annemieke from A Dance with Books.

While the focus is on SciFi books (the crew read-along will be Radiant Star by Ann Leckie), all things SciFi will be celebrated—movies, tv shows, games, and more. The Captains will also provide daily and weekly prompts that I will use for posts, lists, photos, recommendations, and more.

To Boldly Go

So, exactly what counts as SciFi, you may ask. You may know it when you see it (space, aliens, laser blasters) but maybe aren’t sure what counts as SciFi.

Science Fiction is a subgenre of speculative fiction, which is an umbrella term for all works of fiction that defy the common laws of our reality.

Speculative fiction is what makes a reader question what’s real, what’s possible, or what could be. It’s a broad literary category that reimagines existence, and includes the subgenres of fantasy, superhero stories, paranormal, horror, alternative history, magical realism, and, of course, science fiction or SciFi.

SciFi use scientific fact and theory as the basis for its plots, world-building, elements, and characters, and it encompasses a broad range of themes that often explore time travel, space exploration, and are set in the future and grapple with the consequences of technological and scientific developments.

SciFi often tries to stay true to scientific principles, whether loosely imagined or more true. Compared to fantasy where anything impossible in our reality is possible, laws of science be damned!

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, one of my favorites, was written in 1818 and is considered the first modern science fiction novel by blending gothic horror with questions around science, creation, and responsibility. Until Frankenstein, the storybook monsters (vampires, zombies, werewolves) had been created by magic. But Frankenstein’s monster was created by science.

Authors like Jules Verne and H.G. Wells then expanded the genre, using adventure and imagination to explore scientific ideas. 

Since then, SciFi has taken off and boldly gone, well, everywhere.

Set Course for Starbase 1101-26

This event couldn’t have happened at a better time. The Naples airport will be closed the month of November to do critical runway repairs. So I had no real plans to travel in November except maybe some local trips.

And, AND, more importantly, I have several SciFi books sitting on my shelf. They’ve been quietly judging me for not picking them up. (I’m not going to share my SciFi TBR just yet—you’ll have to come back 1 November to see what I plan to read.)

Regardless, this is a win-win scenario.

Engage Warp Speed

Okay, so not quite warp speed since we sadly don’t have a space ship and we have a month and a half to get to 1 November.

But, BUT, on 1 November, it will be full-on engage warp speed!

(Can you tell I’m a Trekkie? I’m thinking a rewatch of Star Trek original series may be on the flight plan.)

So, stay tuned for more SciFi fun coming your way in November.

SciFiMonth graphic by iimyril, which features detail from an image of the Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. Use of this image does not imply affiliation with or endorsement by NASA.
Image credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Klaus Pontoppidan (STScI) 
Image Processing: Alyssa Pagan (STScI)
Text: William Shakespeare

*Audio clips from 101soundboards.com, a free site with over 77 million sounds and the tools to create your own.

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