Beyond Reality discussion

Welcome to August 2020! I hope you are all staying as well as possible. Books are both a great escape and source of new perspectives and ideas.

Books of the Month - For August, you selected:
—-August 2020 Science Fiction: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
—-August 2020 Fantasy: The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

There are a couple of starter topics up for each book, but please feel free to start more.

We also have our schedule set for the next couple of months:
—-September 2020 Science Fiction: A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
—-September 2020 Fantasy: A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay
---October 2020 Science Fiction: The Power by Naomi Alderman
---October 2020 Fantasy: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Series news - We are continuing our read of the Old Man's War series by John Scalzi. You can find the schedule here: Old Man's War Series. We will start book 5, The Human Division, on August 15.

Lastly - Don't forget to drop by the "What are you reading in August 2020?" topic to share your picks, pans, and progress for the month! All genres welcome in this topic!

Happy reading and stay well!!
Kathi, for the mods

In case you're interested, here's a list of the Hugo winners that were announced yesterday. One of our September picks won for best novel!

2020 Hugo, Lodestar and Astounding Award Winners Announced

This year's 2020 Hugo, Lodestar and Astounding Awards winners are:

Best Novel
A Memory Called Empire, by Arkady Martine (Tor; Tor UK)

Best Novella
This Is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone (Saga Press; Jo Fletcher Books)

Best Novelette
Emergency Skin, by N.K. Jemisin (Forward Collection (Amazon))

Best Short Story
As the Last I May Know, by S.L. Huang (Tor.com, 23 October 2019)

Best Series
The Expanse, by James S. A. Corey (Orbit US; Orbit UK)

Best Related Work
“2019 John W. Campbell Award Acceptance Speech”, by Jeannette Ng

Best Graphic Story or Comic
LaGuardia, written by Nnedi Okorafor, art by Tana Ford, colours by James Devlin (Berger Books; Dark Horse)

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form
Good Omens, written by Neil Gaiman, directed by Douglas Mackinnon (Amazon Studios/BBC Studios/Narrativia/The Blank Corporation)

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form
The Good Place: "The Answer", written by Daniel Schofield, directed by Valeria Migliassi Collins (Fremulon/3 Arts Entertainment/Universal Television)

Best Editor, Short Form
Ellen Datlow

Best Editor, Long Form
Navah Wolfe

Best Professional Artist
John Picacio

Best Semiprozine
Uncanny Magazine, editors-in-chief Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas, nonfiction/managing editor Michi Trota, managing editor Chimedum Ohaegbu, podcast producers Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky

Best Fanzine
The Book Smugglers, editors Ana Grilo and Thea James

Best Fancast
Our Opinions Are Correct, presented by Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders

Best Fan Writer
Bogi Takács

Best Fan Artist
Elise Matthesen

Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book (not a Hugo)
Catfishing on CatNet, by Naomi Kritzer (Tor Teen)

Astounding Award for Best New Writer, sponsored by Dell Magazines (not a Hugo)
R.F. Kuang (2nd year of eligibility)