Science Fiction Book Club Best Science Fiction Books 2006

The Science Fiction Book Club has announced their picks for the best Science Fiction Books of 2006.

The winner was Rainbows End, by Vernor Vinge. Set in 2025, it follows the story of a recently-cured Alzheimer's patient, as he tries to adjust to the changes in the world that he missed while sick. His adjustment is complicated by an international weapons conspiracy in which he plays an unwitting role.

The SFBC also named 2 runners up in the Science Fiction category:

Glasshouse, by Charles Stross. The protagonist is a deprogrammed 28th Century soldier who has voluntarily had much of his memory erased. This, however, makes it difficult for him to figure out why he is being pursued by assassins!

Farthing, by Jo Walton. A cross-genre alternate history/mystery novel. Set in 1949, in Britain where Churchill was overthrown and peace was negotiated with Hitler. The main character must solve the mystery of the murder at an English estate.

Also see the Library's Fantasy Blog for the Science Fiction Book Club's Best Fantasy Book awards.

New Arrival: The Sky People, by S.M. Stirling

Just in is a new book by popular author S.M. Stirling. The Sky People is another in the genre of alternate history for which Stirling has become known, but is not connected to any of his other books. It is set in a world in 1988, where the Eastern and Western Blocs are competing to to colonize and influence human communities discovered on Mars and Venus. This book focuses on Venus, while the sequel will focus on Mars.

New Arrival: Blindsight, by Peter Watts

Just in is Blindsight, the new novel by Peter Watts. In 2082, a series of bright probes surrounds the Earth, then disappear, with indications that they are connected to something in the far reaches of the solar system. A spacecraft crewed by a linguist with multiple-personality syndrome, a cyborg biologist, and a genetically-created vampire is sent to investigate.

If you enjoy this one, also check out his other books such as Maelstrom and Behemoth.

New Arrival: Odyssey, by Jack McDevitt

Just in is Odyssey, Jack McDevitt's fifth novel featuring former starship pilot Priscilla “Hutch” Hutchinson and newspaper editor Gregory MacAllister. At a time when it looks like the government is going to cut back on the funding for interstellar exploration, strange spacecraft being to be seen in several solar systems. When they appear to turn hostile, Hutch must solve the mystery of who they are and what their attentions are. While they book does stand alone, it will likely be better appreciated if the other books starring "Hutch" are read first, in order: The Engines of God, Deepsix, Chindi, and Omega.