Sci-Fi/Fantasy by Women Reading Group

Welcome to the 'Strange Worlds Society'!

Meeting on the last Thursday of every month, the 'Strange Worlds Society' will celebrate science fiction and fantasy books by women.

This book group is dedicated to exploring the strange and wonderful worlds created by women in sci-fi and fantasy. We'll be looking at what these amazing authors can do in less than 500 pages! You should come along if you're interested in finding a brilliant new favourite author, or book series, or like-minded sci-fi/fantasy fans to chat with. We'll be discussing the merits of the books, their world-building, and their significance. How does the sci-fi compare to the fantasy? Only time will tell!

This group is hosted by Amy, one of our resident Sci-Fi/Fantasy enthusiasts.

May's book is: A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine.

In a war of lies, she seeks the truth. An epic, queer space opera, A Memory Called Empire is the astonishing debut novel from Arkady Martine.

Ambassador Mahit Dzmare travels to the Teixcalaanli Empire’s interstellar capital, eager to take up her new post. Yet when she arrives, she discovers her predecessor was murdered. But no one will admit his death wasn’t accidental – and she might be next.

Now Mahit must navigate the capital’s enticing yet deadly halls of power, to discover dangerous truths. And, while she hunts for the killer, Mahit must somehow prevent the rapacious Empire from annexing her home: a small, fiercely independent mining station.

As she sinks deeper into an alien culture that is all too seductive, Mahit engages in intrigues of her own. For she is hiding an extraordinary technological secret – one which might destroy her station and its way of life. Or it might save them from annihilation.

Reading Group Structure

Ticketing: Each place is £5, which can be redeemed against a copy of a reading group book.

Frequency: Each reading group will meet once a month, on a set day of the week. You do not need to commit to one group, or every meeting! Just book for those you're interested in each month, and we hope to entice you back for another one.