1Q 2012 SF Challenge "Full Spectrum" /TRACK - Science Fiction

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Tom H. (TomHl)

Subject: 1Q 2012 SF Challenge "Full Spectrum" /TRACK

Date Posted: 12/17/2011 1:59 PM ET
Member Since: 3/25/2006
Posts: 723
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Welcome to the 2012 SF Challenge for the first quarter of 2012, which runs from January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.

The topical theme of this challenge "Full Spectrum - one each from the major subgenre of speculative fiction - hard sf, social sf, space opera, science fantasy, fantasy, horror, time travel, alternate history, etc.", as well as the ten categories within it, were chosen through a group-consensus process of voting on this forum. If you are interested in that process, see the Let's Choose Topic thread and the Let's Choose Categories thread. The process for selecting the second quarter challenge will begin approximately March 1, 2012, on a new thread.

The challenge is to read one book in each of the ten categories within the quarter. You can also choose a light version (any 3) or medium version (any 6) if ten is too many. To participate, cut and paste the category list below onto a new post on this /TRACK thread. Then you can come back and edit it as you choose books to read, or as you finish them, or anything else like that. But if you have questions about the challenge, or want to discuss the challenge or books to fill the categories, then find the /DISCUSS thread for 1Q 2012. This thread you are on is just for tracking posts.

There are a few Bonus Categories provided as well. Bonus categories don't count in terms of meeting the challenge, but you still get to publish on your tracking post, so everyone knows you did it.

Cut-and-paste from below this line into your tracking post. You may wish to delete the category desciptions from each line.

(I edited this post on 12/20/11 just to clean up the links -TomHl)

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MY GOALS

January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.
Number of categories: (Full: all ten, Medium: any six, Light: any three, Other...)
Re-reads: (None, Any, Limited to...)
Double-counts: (None, One, Limited to...)

CHALLENGE CATEGORIES

#1 Hard Science Fiction - a particular emphasis on scientific detail and/or accuracy
#2 Soft Science Fiction -focus on characters and their relations and feelings, while de-emphasizing the details of technological hardware and physical laws
#3 Social Science Fiction - concerned with sociological speculation about society
#4 Space Opera - emphasizes romantic adventure, exotic settings, and larger-than-life characters
#5 Military Science Fiction - principal characters are members of a military service and an armed conflict is taking place, normally in space, or on a planet other than Earth
#6 Space Western - transposes themes of American Western books and film to a backdrop of futuristic space frontiers.
#7 Science Fantasy - a mixed genre of story which contains some science fiction and some fantasy elements
#8 Slipstream - literature with science fiction elements, but marketed as mainstream
#9 Alternate History - fiction set in a world in which history has diverged from history as it is generally known, can include Steampunk
#10 Time Travel - moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space

BONUS CATEGORIES

#11 Science Fiction Mystery - fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and mystery genres
#12 Science Fiction Romance - fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and romance genres
#13 Horror - literature intended to, or having the capacity to frighten its readers, through natural or supernatural events
#14 Fantasy - uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting; many subgenre in its own right
#15 Pulp - science fiction as popularized in pulp magazines of the 1920s and 1930s, although the style actually lasted longer than that.
#16 Other SF Books

Last Edited on: 12/20/11 11:21 AM ET - Total times edited: 8

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PhoenixFalls - ,

Subject: I love the planning stages. . . :)

Date Posted: 12/17/2011 2:11 PM ET
Member Since: 4/18/2009
Posts: 1,376
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MY GOALS

January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.
Number of categories: (Full: all ten, Medium: any six, Light: any three, Other...)
Re-reads: (None, Any, Limited to...)
Double-counts: (None, One, Limited to...)

CHALLENGE CATEGORIES

#1 Hard Science Fiction - Spin State, by Chris Moriarty
#2 Soft Science Fiction - Saints Astray, by Jacqueline Carey. Start date: 3/15/12. Finish date: 3/16/12. Rating: 2 1/2 stars.
#3 Social Science Fiction - The Female Man, by Joanna Russ
#4 Space Opera - Grail, by Elizabeth Bear. Start date: 1/22/12. Finish date: 1/27/12. Rating: 4 1/2 stars.
#5 Military Science Fiction - Expendable, by James Alan Gardner. Start date: 3/10/12. Finish date: 3/10/12. Rating: 4 stars.
#6 Space Western - Black Gods and Scarlet Dreams, by C. L. Moore
#7 Science Fantasy - Black Sun Rising, by C.S. Friedman. Start date: 1/10/12. Finish date: 1/16/12. Rating: 3 1/2 stars.
#8 Slipstream - Air, or Have Not Have, by Geoff Ryman
#9 Alternate History - fiction set in a world in which history has diverged from history as it is generally known, can include Steampunk
#10 Time Travel - Blackout/All Clear, by Connie Willis

BONUS CATEGORIES

#11 Science Fiction Mystery - fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and mystery genres
#12 Science Fiction Romance - fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and romance genres
#13 Horror - literature intended to, or having the capacity to frighten its readers, through natural or supernatural events
#14 Fantasy - uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting; many subgenre in its own right
#15 Pulp - science fiction as popularized in pulp magazines of the 1920s and 1930s, although the style actually lasted longer than that.
#16 Other SF Books

Last Edited on: 3/17/12 2:08 AM ET - Total times edited: 10

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Jasmine F. (prairiewind)

Date Posted: 12/17/2011 4:00 PM ET
Member Since: 12/14/2005
Posts: 95
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MY GOALS

January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.
Number of categories: Medium, any six
Re-reads: None
Double-counts: None

CHALLENGE CATEGORIES

#1 Hard Science Fiction -
#2 Soft Science Fiction - Children of the Sky, Vernor Vinge
#3 Social Science Fiction - Friday, Robert Heinlein
#4 Space Opera - The Quantum Thief, Hannu Rajaniemi
#5 Military Science Fiction - Babel-17, Samuel Delany
#6 Space Western - Girl in Landscape, Jonathan Lethem
#7 Science Fantasy - The Carpet Makers, Andreas Eschbach 1/24/12
#8 Slipstream -
#9 Alternate History -
#10 Time Travel -

BONUS CATEGORIES

#11 Science Fiction Mystery -
#12 Science Fiction Romance -
#13 Horror -
#14 Fantasy -
#15 Pulp -
#16 Other SF Books

Last Edited on: 1/27/12 3:05 PM ET - Total times edited: 2

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Tom H. (TomHl)

Date Posted: 12/17/2011 6:07 PM ET
Member Since: 3/25/2006
Posts: 723
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MY GOALS

January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.
Number of categories: all ten
Re-reads: None
Double-counts: None

CHALLENGE CATEGORIES

#1 Hard Science Fiction - Makers (2009), by Cory Doctorow - finished 1/9/12 **
#2 Soft Science Fiction - Steal Across The Sky (2009), by Nancy Kress - finished 1/2/12 ****
#3 Social Science Fiction - Yarn (2010), by Jon Armstrong - finished 3/12/12 ****
#4 Space Opera - Die Haarteppichknüpfer (1995), von Andreas Eschbach - beendet 2/22/12 *****
#5 Military Science Fiction - The Last Colony (2007), by John Scalzi - finished 3/6/12 ***
#6 Space Western - The Empress of Mars (2009), by Kage Baker - finished 1/12/12 ****
#7 Science Fantasy - The Quantum Thief (2010), by Hannu Rajaniemi - finished 2/12/12 **
#8 Slipstream - Nova Swing (2008), by M. John Harrison - finished 3/20/12 ***
#9 Alternate History - Dreadnought (2010), by Cherie Priest - finished 3/3/12 ****
#10 Time Travel - Eternity (1990), by Greg Bear - finished 2/26/12 ***

BONUS CATEGORIES

#11 Science Fiction Mystery - This Is Not A Game (2009), by Walter Jon Williams - bookhunt
#12 Science Fiction Romance
#13 Horror - The Day of theTriffids (1951), by John Wyndham - bookhunt
#14 Fantasy - The Hallowed Hunt (2005), by Lois McMaster Bujold - to be read
#15 Pulp - One Against The Legion (1950), by Jack Williamson - to be read
#16 Other SF Books - The Sands of Mars (1952), by Arthur C. Clarke - to be read

Last Edited on: 3/20/12 11:41 PM ET - Total times edited: 43

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Alison S. (Zylyn) - ,

Subject: Three months

Date Posted: 12/18/2011 12:32 PM ET
Member Since: 7/26/2006
Posts: 385
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#1 Hard Science Fiction - Fossil, Hal Clement, 2/29/12
#2 Soft Science Fiction - Triggers, Robert Sawyer, 3/26/12
#3 Social Science Fiction - Osama, Lavie Tidhar, 2/8/12
#4 Space Opera -
#5 Military Science Fiction - The Middle of Nowhere, David Gerrold, 3/14/12
#6 Space Western - The Princess of Mars, Edgar Rice Burroughs, 3/23/12
#7 Science Fantasy -
#8 Slipstream - Nova Swing, M John Harrison, 2/24/12
#9 Alternate History - The Martian Ambassador, Alan Baker, 1/31/12
#10 Time Travel - 11/22/63, Stephen King

BONUS CATEGORIES

#11 Science Fiction Mystery -
#12 Science Fiction Romance -
#13 Horror -
#14 Fantasy - The Magicians, Lev Grossman, 2/12/12
#15 Pulp -
#16 Other SF Books - Terraforming Earth, Jack Williamson

Last Edited on: 3/27/12 12:24 AM ET - Total times edited: 12

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Sara P. (sarap) -

Date Posted: 12/27/2011 7:12 PM ET
Member Since: 1/17/2009
Posts: 12,214
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MY GOALS

January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.
Number of categories: Full
Re-reads: Limited to anything I have not read in the past 20 years
Double-counts: None

CHALLENGE CATEGORIES

#1 Hard Science Fiction
#2 Soft Science Fiction
#3 Social Science Fiction
#4 Space Opera
#5 Military Science Fiction
#6 Space Western
#7 Science Fantasy
#8 Slipstream
#9 Alternate History
#10 Time Travel

BONUS CATEGORIES

#11 Science Fiction Mystery
#12 Science Fiction Romance
#13 Horror
#14 Fantasy
#15 Pulp
#16 Other SF Books

Last Edited on: 12/27/11 7:12 PM ET - Total times edited: 1

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Sianeka - ,

Date Posted: 12/28/2011 2:49 PM ET
Member Since: 2/8/2007
Posts: 6,630
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MY GOALS

January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.
Number of categories: (Full: all ten, ~~Medium: any six,~~ ~~Light: any three,~~ Other...) 1st time so will start with Light and work upwards on challenge.
Re-reads: (None, Any, Limited to...)
Double-counts: (None, One, Limited to...)

CHALLENGE CATEGORIES

#1 Hard Science Fiction - a particular emphasis on scientific detail and/or accuracy - Convergent Series by Larry Niven, Rocket Ship Galileo by Robert A. Heinlein
#2 Soft Science Fiction -focus on characters and their relations and feelings, while de-emphasizing the details of technological hardware and physical laws - Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold, Manta's Gift by Timothy Zahn
#3 Social Science Fiction - concerned with sociological speculation about society - Chapterhouse Dune by Frank Herbert, Hunters of Dune and Sandworms of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
#4 Space Opera - emphasizes romantic adventure, exotic settings, and larger-than-life characters - Cross The Stars by David Drake
#5 Military Science Fiction - principal characters are members of a military service and an armed conflict is taking place, normally in space, or on a planet other than Earth - Manta's Gift by Timothy Zahn
#6 Space Western - transposes themes of American Western books and film to a backdrop of futuristic space frontiers. Time Enough for Love by Robert Heinlein
#7 Science Fantasy - a mixed genre of story which contains some science fiction and some fantasy elements - Tomorrow Sucks ed. by Greg Cox, Worthing Saga by Orson Scott Card
#8 Slipstream - literature with science fiction elements, but marketed as mainstream The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
#9 Alternate History - fiction set in a world in which history has diverged from history as it is generally known, can include Steampunk Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa
#10 Time Travel - moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

BONUS CATEGORIES

#11 Science Fiction Mystery - fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and mystery genres
#12 Science Fiction Romance - fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and romance genres
#13 Horror - literature intended to, or having the capacity to frighten its readers, through natural or supernatural events - Tomorrow Sucks by Greg Cox
#14 Fantasy - uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting; many subgenre in its own right - Worthing Saga by Orson Scott Card
#15 Pulp - science fiction as popularized in pulp magazines of the 1920s and 1930s, although the style actually lasted longer than that.
#16 Other SF Books

Last Edited on: 3/30/12 7:47 PM ET - Total times edited: 17

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Brad -

Date Posted: 12/30/2011 8:40 AM ET
Member Since: 1/27/2009
Posts: 200
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MY GOALS

January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.
Number of categories: (Full: all ten, Medium: any six, Light: any three, Other...) Number is TBD, trying to fit this together with "Bob's Challenge"
Re-reads: (Limited to... books haven't read "recently" - not entirely sure what "recently" means to me)
Double-counts: (None, One, Limited to...) We'll see

CHALLENGE CATEGORIES

#1 Hard Science Fiction - a particular emphasis on scientific detail and/or accuracy
#2 Soft Science Fiction -focus on characters and their relations and feelings, while de-emphasizing the details of technological hardware and physical laws
- Life as we Knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer
#3 Social Science Fiction - concerned with sociological speculation about society
- The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch
#4 Space Opera - emphasizes romantic adventure, exotic settings, and larger-than-life characters
#5 Military Science Fiction - principal characters are members of a military service and an armed conflict is taking place, normally in space, or on a planet other than Earth
#6 Space Western - transposes themes of American Western books and film to a backdrop of futuristic space frontiers.
#7 Science Fantasy - a mixed genre of story which contains some science fiction and some fantasy elements
#8 Slipstream - literature with science fiction elements, but marketed as mainstream
#9 Alternate History - fiction set in a world in which history has diverged from history as it is generally known, can include Steampunk
- Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
#10 Time Travel - moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space

BONUS CATEGORIES

#11 Science Fiction Mystery - fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and mystery genres
#12 Science Fiction Romance - fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and romance genres
#13 Horror - literature intended to, or having the capacity to frighten its readers, through natural or supernatural events
#14 Fantasy - uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting; many subgenre in its own right
- Stardust by Neil Gaiman
#15 Pulp - science fiction as popularized in pulp magazines of the 1920s and 1930s, although the style actually lasted longer than that.
#16 Other SF Books

Last Edited on: 1/19/12 9:55 AM ET - Total times edited: 6

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Allyson A. (allysona)

Date Posted: 1/1/2012 4:49 PM ET
Member Since: 4/5/2010
Posts: 120
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MY GOALS

January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.
Number of categories: (Full: all ten, Medium: any six, Light: any three, Other...)
Re-reads: (None, Any, Limited to...)
Double-counts: (None, One, Limited to...)

CHALLENGE CATEGORIES

#1 Hard Science Fiction - - a particular emphasis on scientific detail and/or accuracy
#2 Soft Science Fiction -Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey - focus on characters and their relations and feelings, while de-emphasizing the details of technological hardware and physical laws
#3 Social Science Fiction - The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin - concerned with sociological speculation about society
#4 Space Opera - Deathstalker by Simon R. Green - emphasizes romantic adventure, exotic settings, and larger-than-life characters
#5 Military Science Fiction - Dauntless by Jack Campbell- principal characters are members of a military service and an armed conflict is taking place, normally in space, or on a planet other than Earth
#6 Space Western - Coyote by Allen Steele - transposes themes of American Western books and film to a backdrop of futuristic space frontiers.
#7 Science Fantasy - a mixed genre of story which contains some science fiction and some fantasy elements
#8 Slipstream - literature with science fiction elements, but marketed as mainstream
#9 Alternate History - Boneshaker by Cherie Priest - fiction set in a world in which history has diverged from history as it is generally known, can include Steampunk
#10 Time Travel - The Time Machine by H.G. Wells -moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space

BONUS CATEGORIES

#11 Science Fiction Mystery - Do Andriods Dream of Electric Sleep? by Philip K. Dick -fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and mystery genres
#12 Science Fiction Romance - fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and romance genres
#13 Horror - literature intended to, or having the capacity to frighten its readers, through natural or supernatural events
#14 Fantasy - uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting; many subgenre in its own right
#15 Pulp - science fiction as popularized in pulp magazines of the 1920s and 1930s, although the style actually lasted longer than that.
#16 Other SF Books

Last Edited on: 3/14/12 7:27 AM ET - Total times edited: 9

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Lisa G. (garrity) -

Date Posted: 1/1/2012 11:47 PM ET
Member Since: 3/9/2009
Posts: 8,982
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MY GOALS

January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.
Number of categories: (Full: all ten, Medium: any six, Light: any three, Other...)
Re-reads: None
Double-counts: None

CHALLENGE CATEGORIES

#1 Hard Science Fiction - OceanSpace by Allen Steele
#2 Soft Science Fiction - Nova Swing by M. John Harrison
#3 Social Science Fiction - Store of Infinity by Robert Sheckley
#4 Space Opera - emphasizes romantic adventure, exotic settings, and larger-than-life characters
#5 Military Science Fiction - The Truth of Valor by Tanya Huff
#6 Space Western - Santiago by Mike Resnick
#7 Science Fantasy - A Taint in the Blood by S. M Stirling
#8 Slipstream - literature with science fiction elements, but marketed as mainstream
#9 Alternate History - Timeless by Gail Carriger
#10 Time Travel - Garden of Iden by Kage Baker

BONUS CATEGORIES

#11 Science Fiction Mystery - fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and mystery genres
#12 Science Fiction Romance - fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and romance genres
#13 Horror - Plague of the Dead by Z A Recht
#14 Fantasy - uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting; many subgenre in its own right
#15 Pulp - D-99 by H. B. Fyfe
#16 Other SF Books

Last Edited on: 4/1/12 12:10 AM ET - Total times edited: 9

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Melanti

Subject: Better late than never?

Date Posted: 2/2/2012 3:51 PM ET
Member Since: 5/10/2009
Posts: 826
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MY GOALS

January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.
Number of categories: (Full) (Finished 3/28)
Re-reads: (None)
Double-counts: (Only between Sci-Fi and Fantasy challenges)

CHALLENGE CATEGORIES

#1 Hard Science Fiction -- World at the End of Time by Fredrik Pohl - Finished 3/24
#2 Soft Science Fiction – Solaris by Stanislaw Lem - Finished in January
#3 Social Science Fiction – METAtropolis, Scalzi ed. - Finished 2/6
#4 Space Opera – Scout's Progress by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller - Finished 3/20
#5 Military Science Fiction – On Basilisk Station by David Webber - Finished in January
#6 Space Western -- A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs - Finished 3/12
#7 Science Fantasy – Jovah’s Angel by Sharon Shinn - Finished in January
#8 Slipstream – Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keys - Finished 2/6
#9 Alternate History – Farthing by Jo Walton - Finished 3/38
#10 Time Travel – Doomsday Book by Connie Willis - Finished 3/14

Last Edited on: 3/29/12 10:32 AM ET - Total times edited: 7

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Discussion Forums - Science Fiction

Topic: 1Q 2012 SF Challenge "Full Spectrum" /TRACK

Discussion Forums - Science Fiction

Topic: 1Q 2012 SF Challenge "Full Spectrum" /TRACK

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