Hi everyone, here is our Did You Know… posting for June 2018!
And after the rather lengthy Did You Know posting I did for May, I thought I’d offer a shorter one this month to highlight our Science Fiction & Fantasy Section and related books and DVDs!
And with out further ado…
Did you know…
The library has a separate section for Science Fiction & Fantasy books?
We do!
So the next question is – where is it!
So here is a brief description of where to find the Science Fiction & Fantasy section, within the Fiction Sectionn and if you already know where our Science Fiction & Fantasy Section is – you can just skip down to the book and DVD recommendations at the end of this posting!
So back to where the Science Fiction & Fantasy Section is in the library!
If you come into the library from our main, Tioga Avenue, entrance – walk forward about 20 feet, turn left and you’ll see the library’s reading room, the area where we keep the magazines and newspapers near the fire place.
Walk about twenty more feet and you’ll see the Circulation Desk to your left and the beginning of the Fiction Section to your right.
The Fiction Section in the library is bordered on one side by the library’s main aisle and on the other side by windows that face the Civic Center Plaza. The section features seven complete stacks, i.e. librarese for double sided shelving units, filled with books that are filed alphabetically by the author’s name within each fiction sub-section.
There are seven fiction sub-section and they are in sequential order: Large Print Fiction, Large Print Mysteries, Large Print Westerns, General Fiction, Mysteries, Westerns and Science Fiction & Fantasy.
The Large Print Section features books that have large text, 14 or 16 font. And the Large Print Section flows from Large Print General Fiction Section to the Large Print Mystery Section to the Large Print Westerns Section. Following the Large Print Westerns you’ll find the largest single fiction section – General Fiction, followed by the Mystery Section, the Western Section, and finally starting with books housed on the sixth stack of books, the Science Fiction & Fantasy Section! Hurray!
And just for fun, here is a short photo guide showing where you can find the Science Fiction & Fantasy Section in the library:
Looking down the Large Print General Fiction aisle with the first fiction stack seen at the left.
There are signs on the slatwall endcaps of each stack indicating which books are housed on each side of that stack.
Seen below are the signs on the first stack of fiction books.
And if you keep walking down the library’s main aisle, which is seen in the photo below, and count the stacks – when you get to the sixth stack you’ll be at the beginning of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Section.
The Science Fiction & Fantasy Section shares space on the shelves with books from the Mystery Section and the Western Section on one side, and on the other with audiobooks on CD.
On the other side of the seventh stack, the one behind the Reference Desk, is the tail end of the library’s DVD Section.
And here is a photo of the the first half of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Section!
Some of the fantasy series that you’ll find in our Science Fiction & Fantasy Section include the following titles, for which I shall include a description of the first book in each series and links to request all the books in each series:
The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb:
Book 1: The Assassin’s Apprentice:
Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal court by his father’s gruff stableman. He is treated as an outcast by all the royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in Fitz’s blood runs the magic Skill—and the darker knowledge of a child raised with the stable hounds and rejected by his family.
As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts, Fitz is growing to manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission. And though some regard him as a threat to the throne, he may just be the key to the survival of the kingdom.
Book 2: Royal Assassin:
Book 3: Assassin’s Quest:
The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin:
Book 1: The Fifth Season:
This is the way the world ends…for the last time.
A season of endings has begun.
It starts with the great red rift across the heart of the world’s sole continent, spewing ash that blots out the sun.
It starts with death, with a murdered son and a missing daughter.
It starts with betrayal, and long dormant wounds rising up to fester.
This is the Stillness, a land long familiar with catastrophe, where the power of the earth is wielded as a weapon. And where there is no mercy.
Book 2: The Obelisk Gate:
Book 3: The Stone Sky:
Chronicles of the Necromancer by Gail Z. Martin
Book 1: The Summoner:
The comfortable world of Martris Drayke, second son of King Bricen of Margolan, is shattered when his older half-brother, Jared, and Jared’s dark mage, Foor Arontala, kill the king and seize the throne. Tris is the only surviving member of the royal family aside from Jared the traitor. Tris flees with three friends: Soterius, captain of the guard; Carroway, the court’s master bard; and Harrtuck, a member of the royal guard. Tris harbors a deep secret. In a land where spirits walk openly and influence the affairs of the living, he suspects he may be the mage heir to the power of his grandmother, Bava K’aa, once the greatest sorceress of her age. Such magic would make Tris a Summoner, the rarest of magic gifts, capable of arbitrating between the living and the dead.
Book 2: The Blood King:
Book 3: Dark Haven:
Book 4: Dark Lady’s Chosen:
Coming soon to our library!
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher:
Book 1: Storm Front:
In the first novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dresden Files series, Harry Dresden’s investigation of a grisly double murder pulls him into the darkest depths of magical Chicago…
As a professional wizard, Harry Dresden knows firsthand that the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things—and most of them don’t play well with humans. And those that do enjoy playing with humans far too much. He also knows he’s the best at what he does. Technically, he’s the only at what he does. But even though Harry is the only game in town, business—to put it mildly, stinks.
So when the Chicago P.D. bring him in to consult on a double homicide committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name…
Book 2: Fool Moon:
Book 3: Grave Peril:
Book 4: Summer Knight:
Book 5: Death Masks:
Book 6: Blood Rites:
Book 7: Dead Beat:
Book 8: Proven Guilty:
Book 9: White Knight:
Book 10: Small Favor:
Book 11: Turn Coat:
Book 12: Changes:
Book 13: Ghost Story:
Book 14: Cold Days:
Book 15: Skin Game:
The Majipoor Cycle by Robert K. Stirling
Book 1: Lord Valentine’s Castle:
He is a man with no past— a wanderer without memory of his origins. He calls himself Valentine. As a member of a motley group of entertainers, he travels across the magical planet of Majipoor, always hoping he will meet someone who can give him back what he has lost.
And then, he begins to dream–and to receive messages in those dreams. Messages that tell him that he is far more than a common vagabond—he is a lord, a king turned out of his castle. Now his travels have a purpose—to return to his home, discover what enemy took his memory, and claim the destiny that awaits him…
Book 2: The Majipoor Chronicles
Coming soon!
Book 3: Valentine Pontifex:
The Island Series by S. M. Stirling:
Book 1: Island In The Sea Of Time:
“Utterly engaging…a page-turner that is certain to win the author legions of new readers and fans.”—George R. R. Martin, author of A Game of Thrones
It’s spring on Nantucket and everything is perfectly normal, until a sudden storm blankets the entire island. When the weather clears, the island’s inhabitants find that they are no longer in the late twentieth century…but have been transported instead to the Bronze Age! Now they must learn to survive with suspicious, warlike peoples they can barely understand and deal with impending disaster, in the shape of a would-be conqueror from their own time.
Book 2: Against The Tide Of Years:
Book 3: On The Oceans Of Eternity:
The Nightingale Series by Stephen Leather:
Book 1: Nightfall:
“You’re going to hell, Jack Nightingale.”
These are the words that ended Jack Nightingale’s career as a police negotiator. Now a struggling private detective, the chilling words return with a vengeance when Jack inherits a mansion with a priceless library—and a terrifying warning from a man who claims to be his father.
Nightingale quickly learns his soul was sold at birth and a devil will come to claim it on his thirty-third birthday, which is just three short weeks away. It’s a hard pill to swallow. He doesn’t believe in Hell and probably doesn’t believe in Heaven either. But when people close to him start to die horribly, he is led to the inescapable conclusion that real evil may be at work. And if he doesn’t find a way out, he’ll be damned for eternity.
Dripping with brooding intensity, unrelenting suspense, and surprising wit, United Kingdom thriller master Stephen Leather’s first book in the Nightingale series is a riveting, heart-stopping mystery with extraordinary range and power.
Book 2: Midnight:
Book 3: Nightmare:
The last four books in the series will be added to the library’s collection shortly! I honestly thought we had all the books in the series — but I’ve ordered the last four and they’ll be here soon!
Book 4: Nightshade:
Book 5: Last Night:
Book 6: San Francisco Night:
Book 7: New York Night:
And getting back to our theme of Did You Know…
Did You Know…
We have a Newly Arrived Science Fiction & Fantasy Section too?
We do!
The Section is actually housed on a cart at the Circulation Desk as seen in the photo below.
So if you’re waiting for the next new book in a series to come in – or your just popping into the library for a minute pick up a new book or two to fill the Sci-Fi and Fantasy niche in your life!
Did You Know we have the following Science Fiction and Fantasy DVDs?
We do!
And they’re perfect for your summer viewing pleasure (Or fall, winter or spring viewing too really…)
Alice At The Palace (1982):
Meryl Streep displays the talent that would soon make her a movie star in Alice at the Palace, a musical theater adaptation by Elizabeth Swados of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Dressed in pink overalls, Streep sings and dances through such famous scenes as the Mad Tea Party and playing croquet with the Queen of Hearts. This production, from the early 1980s, lies somewhere between Hair and Into the Woods. The music ranges across a variety of styles (from calypso to barbershop quartet) and video manipulations enhance the inventive physical staging, but it’s Streep that will carry you through–her sound effects as Alice changes size (after drinking from a bottle labeled “Drink Me”) are delightful, capturing both a childlike imagination and the fluid reality of theater. Alice at the Palace features several other recognizable faces, including Mark Linn-Baker (My Favorite Year) and dancer-choreographer Debbie Allen. –Bret Fetzer, Amazon Review
The Dresden Files (2007):
If you’ve never seen it – this is a great 12 episode video set based upon the books by Jim Butcher – it is one of those brilliant series that just didn’t get high enough ratings to get renewed – but I’ve seen every episode and enjoyed them all immensely.
Series Description: The Dresden Files is about a wizard named Harry. “Good marketing,” a cynical observer notes in one episode from the Sci-Fi Channel’s one-season wonder based on the books by Jim Butcher. “Couldn’t you come up with something a little more original?” Actually, this series manages to be plenty original despite echoes of The X-Files and the 1970s cult classic The Night Stalker. Paul Blackthorne stars as Harry Dresden, a scruffy Chicago private eye whose gift comes in handy for children menaced by skinwalkers, or for offering Lt. Murphy (Valerie Cruz) of the Chicago police “an unconventional point of view” concerning grisly, bizarre cases involving werewolves, vampires, and other decidedly unfriendly spirits. The Dresden Files is a paranormal noir (para-noir?) that deftly balances genuine scares, hard-boiled moxie, and tongue-in-cheek humor, delivered with panache by “Bob” (Terrance Mann), an ancient English spirit who resides in a skull and gives.Harry supernatural assistance. Harry’s backstory–magician father, wizard mother, treacherous uncle–is revealed over the course of these 12 episodes. The eighth broadcast episode, “Things That Go Bump,” was reportedly intended as the series pilot, and may be the best place to start. But Harry’s world-weary voice-over in the classic tradition (“If you’re a wizard and you fail, people can end up dead”) keeps viewers oriented. Low ratings made The Dresden Files disappear, making this DVD set welcome for the series’ hardcore fans who mounted the ultimately unsuccessful letter-writing campaign to save Dresden from the “Brilliant, but Cancelled” files. But even those who are unfamiliar with Butcher’s books or are not on the Sci-Fi Channel’s wavelength will be charmed. –Donald Liebenson, Amazon Review.
Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (2016):
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an all-new adventure returning us to the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling. Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) stars in the central role of wizarding world magizoologist Newt Scamander, under the direction of David Yates, who helmed the last four Harry Potter blockbusters. The film marks the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, whose beloved Harry Potter books were adapted into the top-grossing film franchise of all time. Her script was inspired by the Hogwarts textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, written by her character Newt Scamander.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them opens in 1926 as Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.
The Guild Seasons 1 & 2:
Cyd Serman (a.k.a. Codex) has hit bottom. Dumped by her boyfriend, her employer, and her therapist, she drowns her sorrows the way any modern girl would–in the world of online gaming. But after a fellow player mistakes their in game rapport for real-world romance and shows up on her doorstep, Codex brings all of the members of her online guild face-to-face…with very awkward results.
The Huntsman: Winter’s War (2016):
If it’s the Snow White tale you’re looking for, discover the story that came before… Chris Hemsworth and Oscar winner Charlize Theron return to their roles in the epic action-adventure The Huntsman: Winter’s War, joined by Emily Blunt and Jessica Chastain. Theron stars as evil Queen Ravenna, who betrays her good sister Freya (Blunt) with an unforgiveable act, freezing Freya’s heart to love and unleashing in her an icy power she never knew she possessed. As war escalates between the two queens, Eric the Huntsman (Hemsworth), and his fellow warrior, Sara (Chastain), must help Freya vanquish her sister… or Ravenna’s wickedness will rule for eternity.
The Magicians, Season 1:
Based on Lev Grossman’s New York Times best seller, The Magicians centers on Quentin, a brilliant grad student chosen to attend Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy, a secret upstate New York university specializing in magic. He and his 20-something friends soon discover that the magical fantasy world they read about as children is all too real – and poses grave danger to humanity.
Mazes And Monsters (1982):
Bound together by a desire to play “Mazes and Monsters”, Robbie and his four college classmates decide to move the board game into the local legendary cavern. When Robbie starts having real life visions, the line between reality and fantasy fuse into a harrowing adventure.
The Orphanage:
The Orphanage centers on Laura (Belén Rueda) who purchases her beloved childhood orphanage with dreams of restoring and reopening the long abandoned facility as a place for disabled children. Once there, Laura discovers that the new environment awakens her son’s imagination, but the ongoing fantasy games he plays with an invisible friend quickly turn into something more disturbing. Upon seeing her family increasingly threatened by the strange occurrences in the house, Laura looks to a group of parapsychologists for help in unraveling the mystery that has taken over the place.
The Seventh Son (2017):
In a time of enchantments when legends and magic collide, the sole remaining warrior of a mystical order (Oscarwinner Jeff Bridges) travels to find a prophesized hero born with incredible powers, the last Seventh Son (Ben Barnes of The Chronicles of Narnia). Torn from his quiet life as a farmhand, the unlikely young hero embarks on a daring adventure with his battle-hardened mentor to vanquish a dark queen (Oscar winner Julianne Moore) and the army of supernatural assassins she has dispatched against their kingdom.
Classic Ray Harryhausen Films:
7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958):
It’s an incredible cinematic adventure as the legendary Sinbad sets off on a dangerous journey to the mysterious Island of Colossus. His quest is to break the spell cast over his beloved princess by a diabolical magician. But before he can save her, Sinbad must battle an awesome collection of mythical monsters, the man-eating Cyclops, a saber-wielding skeleton, a ferocious two-headed bird called the Roc and a fire-breathing dragon. Starring Kerwin Mathews, Kathryn Grant, Torin Thatcher and highlighted by the stunning visual effects mastery of Ray Harryhausen. Now in a pristine, hi-definition transfer that captures the magic of Harryhausen’s “eye-popping” special effects in dazzling Technicolor.
Clash of the Titans (1981):
Decades prior to the sensational 2010 version of the tale, Harry Hamlin took up sword and shield to play valorous Perseus, mortal son of Zeus (Laurence Olivier) who sets out to fulfill his destiny by rescuing beloved Andromeda from the wrath of goddess Thetis (Maggie Smith). Perils await Perseus time and again. And eye-filling thrills await viewers as stop-motion effects legend Ray Harryhausen (Jason and the Argonauts) unleashes snake-haired Medusa, fearsome Kraken, winged Pegasus, two-headed dog Dioskilos, giant scorpions and more. Rejoice, fantasy fans: the movie gods gift us with adventure that’s innovative, heroic, titanic.
Jason and the Argonauts (1963):
Fantastic special effects by Ray Harryhausen and exciting mythological adventure make this a film that is fun for everyone. It’s the story of Jason (Todd Armstrong), a fearless sailor and explorer, who returns to the kingdom of Thessaly after a 20-year voyage to make his rightful claim to the throne. But to do so, Jason must first find the magical Golden Fleece. He selects a crew and with the help of Hera, Queen of the Gods, sets sail in search of the Fleece. Jason and his crew must overcome incredible obstacles including a 100-foot bronze giant, the venomous Hydraa huge creature with the heads of seven snakes, and a spectacular battle with an army of skeletons.
Mysterious Island (1961):
Based on Verne’s sequel to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, this rousing Civil War-era fantasy begins when a band of Union war prisoners (and one Confederate straggler) escape in a hot-air balloon, which crash-lands on the titular island of mystery. Verne’s novel doesn’t include any gigantic creatures, but Harryhausen’s version–under the capable direction of genre specialist Cy Endfield–features giant oysters, bees, a prehistoric Phororhacos (a giant chickenlike bird!), an undersea cephalopod, a giant crab, and enough danger to keep its resourceful ensemble on constant alert. Captain Nemo (Herbert Lom, ably filling James Mason’s shoes) is a third-act hero, pursuing an ill-fated dream to save humanity from hunger and war. The action may be too intense for younger viewers, but Endfield’s pacing and Harryhausen’s stop-motion mastery make Mysterious Island a wondrous precursor to Harryhausen’s follow-up classic, Jason and the Argonauts. –Jeff Shannon, Amazon Review.
One Million Years B.C. (1966):
Tumak (John Richardson, Black Sunday) is banished from his home, but soon finds himself living among the kind, gentle Shell People. There, he falls in love with the beautiful Loana (Raquel Welch, 100 Rifles, Fuzz, Fathom), in the role that made her an international sex symbol and a major star. The two decide to strike out on their own, living by their wits in a deadly land of treacherous beasts and unknown dangers, leading to a thrilling climax by the edge of an angry volcano. The stunning primeval creatures were created by the legendary special effects wizard Ray Harryhausen (The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms). One Million Years B.C., is a true science-fiction classic.
Valley of the Gwangi (1969):
Cowpokes head into a mysterious Mexican valley to head ’em up and move ’em out. But they’re not looking for little doggies. They’re looking for great big dinosaurs. James Franciscus stars in this thunderous adventure featuring amazing special effects by Ray Harryhausen. Franciscus plays a Wild West showman who leads his riding and roping crew into the title region, where prehistoric giants still roam. Thanks to Harryhausen wizardry, fantastic creatures lunge, fight and rampage in scene after dazzling scene (including an awesome sequence where the cowboys rope Gwangi, a razor-toothed allosaurus). Saddle up and join the excitement.
Sometimes They Come Back (1991):
This adaptation of Stephen King’s thriller is about a man (Tim Matheson) who returns to his hometown after 27 years. Soon he is tormented by ghosts of the dead teens who killed his brother, then died in freak accident, a train wreck, years before. As students in his class die, they are replaced by the killers.
Two Film Favorites: Stanley Kubrick:
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): The sci-fi masterpiece from acclaimed director Stanley Kubrick about a space voyage to Jupiter that turns chaotic when a computer enhanced with artificial intelligence takes over.
A Clockwork Orange (1971): The head of a gang of toughs is conditioned to become physically ill at sex and violence during a prison sentence. When he is released, he’s beaten by all of his old adversaries.
And if there are any books or DVDs you’d like to see read or watch but that you don’t see in our collection – please let me know!
I am the Acquisitions Librarian & you can email me at: reimerl@stls.org
Have a great day!
Linda, SSCL
StarCat (The catalog of physical materials, i.e. books, DVDs, music CDs etc.):
OverDrive (The catalog of digital materials including eBooks, downloadable audio books and a handful of streaming videos):
Freegal Music Service (The streaming catalog of music available for free to library card holders):
RB Digital (Free magazines – on demand!):
And apps for OverDrive, Freegal & RB Digital can be found in your app store – so you can access digital library content on a laptop/desktop computer or on a mobile device.
Tech & Book Talk at SSCL 