Author Archive: Alan
Don’t Panic
May 25th is Towel Day.
R. F. Kuang’s Babel – A Virtual Discussion
Join the Beam Me Up Book Club on June 7th at 7pm Eastern Time for a virtual discussion of the acclaimed novel Babel by R.F. Kuang. This critically praised work blends fantasy, philosophy, and complex moral quandaries into an engrossing tale. Babel takes place in an alternate version of the early 19th century where the …
SF&F Books with Lawyers as Main Characters!
According to Claude AI, there are a few speculative fiction novels–very few (ed.)–that put lawyer characters at the forefront. It’s a relatively niche subgenre compared to other professions portrayed in science fiction and fantasy. Here’s Claude AI’s list: Science Fiction: Fantasy:
John Barth’s Chimera – Virtual Discussion
In memory of John Barth who died in April, the Beamers devote themselves to his Chimera. All are welcome to join us in our virtual discussion on May 3 at 7 PM Eastern. John Barth was one of the most influential American novelists of the 20th century and a key figure in the postmodern literary …
The Future is Female! – Virtual Discussion
In honor of Women’s History Month (perhaps), the Beamers turn to The Future is Female!, an anthology of 25 stories edited by Lisa Yaszek. SF-expert Lisa Yaszek presents the biggest and best survey of the female tradition in American science fiction ever published, a thrilling collection of classic tales. Here are over two dozen brilliant …
Fictional Librarians
Emily Temple, managing editor of the Literary Hub, has ranked the best 50 fictional librarians. Number 50 on the list is the alternative Mary Hatch (not Bailey) from Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life. (A terrible role model. And a terrible reflection of the real Mary.) Number one is Rupert Gile from Buffy the Vampire …
Robert Charles Wilson’s Spin, a Virtual Discussion
The Beamers leave the possible apocalypse of Louise Erdrich‘s Future Home of the Living God for the very different but still very possible apocalypse of Robert Charles Wilson‘s Spin. Watch the video for the day and time of the Beamers’ discussion. One night in October, the stars go out. They all flared into brilliance at …
AI Fiction Curated by ChatGPT
I asked ChatGPT to recommend some fiction about artificial intelligence. Here’s what it had to say. Novels with major themes related to AI cover a wide range of topics, from the ethical and social implications of AI to futuristic visions of advanced technology. Here are some notable books in this genre:
Louise Erdrich’s Future Home of the Living God, a Virtual Discussion
Returning from our extraterrestrial adventures with James H. Schmitz’s The Witches of Karres, the Beamers journey to 21st century Minneapolis and Louise Erdrich‘s Future Home of the Living God. Watch the video for the day and time of the Beamers’ discussion. Louise Erdrich, the New York Times bestselling, National Book Award-winning author of LaRose and …
James H. Schmitz’s The Witches of Karres
After spending a spell with Alix E. Harrow’s witches of New Salem, the Beamers will venture forth and conduct a virtual discussion of James H. Schmitz‘s The Witches of Karres. Watch the video for the day and time of the Beamers’ discussion. If you’d like to participate in the discussion, please contact us through the …
Beamer Books 