The Fantasy and Science Fiction/Theory Reading Group is a casual, convivial group that meets via Zoom 7:00-9:00 p.m. Eastern time on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss books (plus two movies a year) that we have chosen collectively and to put those works in some sort of theoretical perspective. Our current active members include faculty, graduate students, staff, and retirees from the University of Michigan and others with strong interest in the field. The group is open on a drop-in basis but most participants try to attend regularly.
We are not open to undergraduates.
To be added to the group's email list for updates and the Zoom link, please write to: Fantasy.and.Science.Fiction.Theory-requests@umich.edu
November 10, 2026
● Departure 37 by Scott Carson, 400 pages, nominated by Janet Eaton
December 8, 2026
Movie Night
● Run Lola Run (1 hr 20 mins), nominated by Dave Carter
● Colossus: The Forbin Project (1 hr, 40 mins.), nominated by Janet Erickson
January 12, 2027
● The Measure by Nikki Erlick, 353 pages, nominated by Dave Carter
February 9
● Earth 7 by Deb Olin Unferth, 248 pages, nominated by David Lampe
March 9
● Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke, Classic, 300 pages, nominated by Anastasia Klimchynskaya
April 13
● Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, 296 pages, nominated by Mikhail Zolikoff
May 11
● Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith (Young Adult, Graphic Novel), 208 pages, nominated by Jen Molinari
● Grendel by John Gardner, 192 pages, suggested addition by Eric Rabkin
June 8
● The Man Who Fell to Earth by Walter Tevis, 240 pages, nominated by Steve Sarrica
July 13
● We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler, 336 pages, nominated by Janet Eaton
August 10
● Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon, Classic, 338 pages, nominated by Janet Erickson
Sept. 14
● Slan by A.E. van Vogt, Young Adult, Classic, 272 pages, nominated by Eric Rabkin
October 12
Book Selection Meeting
We will choose 10 books (one of which is a graphic novel) for next year and 2 movies for this December. Watch for an email in September with voting details.
November 9
● The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson, Classic, 420 pages (582 with intro & endnotes), nominated by David Lampe