by Suzanne Stevens 

This month, we turn to StoryCompass, KDL’s latest tool to help readers explore genres, to delve into the world of science fiction.

Artemis 

by Andy Weir

Jazz Bashara is a criminal. Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you’re not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So, smuggling in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not when you’ve got debts to pay, and your job as a porter barely covers the rent. Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime with a reward too lucrative to turn down. Pulling off the impossible is just the start of her problems, as she learns that she’s stepped right into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself, and that now her only chance at survival lies in a gambit even riskier than the first.

The Autobiography of Jean-Luc Picard

 by David A. Goodman   

The Autobiography of Jean-Luc Picard tells the story of one of the most celebrated names in Starfleet history. His extraordinary life and career makes for dramatic reading: court martials, unrequited love, his capture and torture at the hand of the Cardassians, his assimilation with the Borg and countless other encounters as captain of the celebrated Starship Enterprise. There are also other biographies of Star Trek personnel, such as Captain Kirk and Spock, in this delightful series.

Good Morning, Midnight

by Lily Brooks-Dalton

For years Augustine has lived in remote outposts, studying the sky for evidence of how the universe began. At his latest posting, a research center in the Arctic, news of a catastrophic event arrives. At the same time, Mission Specialist Sullivan is aboard the Aether on its return flight from Jupiter. So far the journey has been a success. But when Mission Control falls inexplicably silent, Sully and her crew mates are forced to wonder if they will ever get home. As Augustine and Sully each face an uncertain future against forbidding yet beautiful landscapes, their stories gradually intertwine in a profound and unexpected conclusion.

The Sparrow 

by Mary Doria Russell

A visionary work that combines speculative fiction with a deep philosophical inquiry, The Sparrow tells the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest and linguist, Emilio Sandoz, who leads a scientific mission entrusted with a profound task: to make first contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life. The mission begins with faith, hope and beauty, but a series of small misunderstandings brings it to a catastrophic end.

Suzanne Stevens is happy to help you find a good (book) match when you visit the Cascade Branch of KDL.  On her own time, she can be found reading fiction books from other countries (or planets?), biographies or even the occasional mystery/thriller.