
Embark on a journey through the cosmos of imagination with our monthly science fiction book group! Join us every 3rd Thursday of the month for an exploration of distant worlds, futuristic technologies, and mind-bending concepts. Whether you’re a seasoned sci-fi enthusiast or a curious newcomer, all are welcome to dive into the vast universe of speculative fiction.
Meetings
Date: 3rd Thursday of each month
Time: 6pm-7pm
Location: Aldrich Room, Howe Library
This book discussion program is HYBRID. We will meet in the Aldrich Room, but you may also attend via Zoom. Email Tessa at tessa.johnson@thehowe.org for an invitation or more information.

This Month’s Book is Casual, by Koji A. Dae
Valya’s neural implant is amazing.
CASUAL managed her depression and anxiety, stabilized her mood, and helped her get pregnant; but new laws forbid her from using the device when she’s sole caregiver for her infant, so Valya needs to detox before giving birth. The full-blown panic attacks have her considering a controversial clinical trial that would place a tandem implant in her unborn baby and allow Valya to keep hers active. Her only options are to attempt solo parenting without CASUAL, or install a minimally tested device in her vulnerable child.
CASUAL is a stark and cutting glance at a near future that looks uncannily like our present, exploring themes of bodily autonomy and the struggle for mental health in a world increasingly divided. – kojiadae.ink
What to Expect:
- Engaging Discussions: Share your thoughts, theories, and questions with fellow spacefarers as we dissect the chosen book.
- Diverse Perspectives: Our group welcomes readers of all backgrounds and experiences, ensuring a rich tapestry of viewpoints.
- Community Building: Connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for the extraordinary realms of science fiction.
Who Can Attend:
This Science Fiction Book Group is open to everyone! Whether you’re a library regular, a casual reader, or someone who just discovered the wonders of sci-fi, you’re invited to join our cosmic rendezvous.
Books can be checked out by any Upper Valley resident, regardless of library membership.
Mark your calendars, set your coordinates, and prepare for an odyssey of literary discovery! The future awaits, and we can’t wait to explore it together in the pages of captivating science fiction. See you at the next meeting!
Books we’ve read so far:
- December 2025 – Mickey7, by Edward Ashton
- November 2025 – You Sexy Thing, by Cat Rambo
- October 2025 – 1984, by George Orwell
- September 2025 – Service Model, by Adrian Tchaikovsky
- May 2025 – Some Desperate Glory, by Emily Tesh
- April 2025 – Ascension, by Nicholas Binge
- March 2025 – Tomorrow’s Children, by Daniel Polansky
- February 2025 – Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K. Dick
- January 2025 – Sleeping Giants, by Sylvain Neuvel
- December 2024 – How to Mars, by David Ebenbach
- November 2024 – Noor, by Nnedi Okorafor
- October 2024 – Semiosis, by Sue Burke
- September 2024 – How High We Go in the Dark, by Sequoia Nagamatsu
- June 2024 – Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch
- May 2024 – Fractal Noise, by Christopher Paolini
- April 2024 – The Ferryman, by Justin Cronin
- March 2024 – The Deep Sky, by Yume Kitasei
