
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 The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, by Becky Chambers
Rosemary Harper doesn’t expect much when she joins the crew of the aging Wayfarer. While the patched-up ship has seen better days, it offers her a bed, a chance to explore the far-off corners of the galaxy, and most importantly, some distance from her past. In this character-driven sci-fi story, the introspective young woman who learned early to keep to herself has never met anyone remotely like the ship’s diverse crew, including Sissix, the exotic reptilian pilot, chatty engineers Kizzy and Jenks who keep the ship running, and Ashby, their noble captain.
Life aboard the Wayfarer is chaotic and crazy—exactly what Rosemary wants. It’s also about to get extremely dangerous when the crew is offered the job of a lifetime. Tunneling wormholes through space to a distant planet is definitely lucrative and will keep them comfortable for years. But risking her life wasn’t part of the plan. In the far reaches of deep space, this tiny Wayfarer crew will confront a host of unexpected mishaps and thrilling sci-fi adventures that force them to depend on each other. To survive, Rosemary’s got to learn how to rely on this assortment of oddballs—an experience that teaches her about love and trust, and that having a family isn’t necessarily the worst thing in the universe. –harpercollins.com
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:
- April 2026 – The Price of Everything, by Jon McGoran
- March 2026 – Womb City, by Tlotlo Tsamaase
- February 2026 – Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir
- January 2026 – Casual, by Koji A. Dae
- 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
