The name of this website was inspired by the Beyond Reality discussion group, which has been around for almost two decades in various forms and which I’ve been managing for more than half of that time. Because this site’s name took its inspiration from the group, I try to post monthly updates about the group here, including our Books of the Month, our series discussions, and any other special events like giveaways or author visits.

Please consider this an invitation to join us, if you’re interested in SF&F book discussion. And if book discussions aren’t your thing, maybe you’ll find some additional book recommendations in this monthly feature!

Beyond Reality‘s Books of the Month for September are:

Redshirts by John Scalzi for science fiction. My thoughts: Well, I like Scalzi’s blog and he seems like a great guy, but I’ve just never been a big fan of his work. After reading a few of his novels, I felt that there’s just too much similarity between his characters. I probably won’t read Redshirts, but I know Scalzi has a large and dedicated fan base so I’m sure there’ll be some great discussion about this title.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman for fantasy. My thoughts: I have a copy of this one on the shelf. I haven’t kept up with Gaiman’s stuff as much as I’d like, but people whose tastes I trust seem to have given The Ocean at the End of the Lane mostly positive reviews, and I’ve never been disappointed by anything he’s written, so I may try to get to this one before the end of the month so I can join the discussion.

Meanwhile, we’re also finishing up our group reread/discussion of The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe with The Citadel of the Autarch. I’ve sadly been unable to join this discussion, even though these books are very high on my list of books I’d like to reread. Or reread again, I should probably say. I actually tried to pick up the first book again, but as brilliant as I think it is, it’s also the kind of book you have to be in the mood for.

And that’s it for this quick look at what we’re doing at the Beyond Reality discussion group this month. If you’re interested in participating in any of these book discussions, please drop by the group!

Final note: please accept my apologies for the lack of new content here lately. I’m in the middle of a family emergency and have been unable to focus on reading or writing because of it. I’m horribly behind on, well, everything, but once life goes back to (what passes for) normal, I’ll catch up.