This month’s report contains something special. In honor of the upcoming Hugo Awards, the Reading Group has compiled a list of novels that we recommend as good choices for the Best Novel Hugo nomination. Each book on the list received at least two recommendations. Here’s the list:

• Lunatics by Bradley Denton
• Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold
• Branch Point by Mona Clee
• Wildside by Steven Gould
• Ancient Shores by Jack McDevitt
• Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon
• Blameless in Abaddon by James Morrow
• Holy Fire by Bruce Sterling

All attending and supporting members of LoneStarCon 2, the upcoming WorldCon in San Antonio, are eligible and encouraged to nominate for the Hugo Awards. The nominating ballots must be mailed by April 1, so you should start thinking about what you want to nominate.

–A. T. Campbell, III

Door Number Three by Patrick O’Leary

Our February 18 book, Patrick O’Leary’s Door Number Three, was chosen in an unusual manner. Last summer at the WorldCon in LA, I kept bumping into this strange fellow at nearly every program item I attended (panel, reading, signing, kaffeeklatsch, you name it). We finally introduced ourselves, and it turned out that the guy’s name was Patrick O’Leary, his first novel had just been published, and he was attending his first WorldCon. Patrick seemed to be a nice guy, and he and I obviously shared many of the same tastes, so I lobbied for the Reading Group to read his book.

Six folks showed up for the discussion of Door Number Three. The plot is very intricate and is best enjoyed if you don’t know much in advance, but I will mention a few elements: Catholicism, time travel, psychology, Esther Williams,

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The Shape-Changer’s Wife by Sharon Shinn

Four of us met to discuss another first novel, The Shape-Changer’s Wife by Sharon Shinn, at the FACT Office on February 4. It’s a story about a young magician apprenticed to a master sorcerer with a mysterious wife and a bizarre household staff. We felt that it was a skillfully written fantasy novel that would appeal to young adults. One person was reminded of The Sword in the Stone, both in tone and in certain plot elements. We found that although the story was well plotted and cleanly told, the characterization lacked depth. Overall we liked the book and enjoyed the novelty of reading a short standalone fantasy novel, and we’re curious what Ms. Shinn will write in the future.

–A. T. Campbell, III