Welcome to the New Scientist Book Club, the place to discover and discuss the best science and science fiction works with fellow book lovers. Sign up here.
Every six weeks we’ll select a new title to read and discuss, and once we’ve got a firm grasp on our latest selection, we’ll interview the author to delve deeper into why and how they wrote it.
You’ll also receive excerpts from books we’ve selected, as well as insights into the author’s favourite reads and inspirations.
Do you love reading? Come join our friendly group of book lovers. Every six weeks, we delve into new and exciting titles and members get free access to our book excerpts, author articles and video interviews.
New Scientist Book Club
We are currently reading Tade Thompson’s award-winning novel Rose wateris set in a futuristic Nigeria. Its focus is on a community (the Rosewater of the title) that has formed around a mysterious alien biodome with mysterious healing powers. Not much is known about the aliens, but they’ve also created a “Xenosphere” that can be accessed by certain “sensitive” human psychics. Our protagonist, Carlo, a former criminal turned government agent, is one of these sensitives, and he’s searching for answers.
You can read an excerpt below Rose waterThompson also wrote an essay about what inspired him to write the book.
If you’d like to catch up on past book club reads, you’ll find our recommendations listed below in chronological order, along with excerpts, articles, and author videos. Happy reading!
All Systems Red Martha Wells
Read Excerpt All Systems Red
Martha Wells on what machine intelligence wants
Nuclear War: Scenario Annie Jacobsen
Read Excerpt Nuclear War: Scenario
Annie Jacobson shares ‘shocking truth’ about nuclear attacks
Ascension Martin McInnes
Read Excerpt Ascension
Martin MacInnes: “Life is almost impossible, and yet it’s here”
future Naomi Alderman
Read Excerpt future
Why Naomi Alderman investigated the corrupting power of tech billionaires future
Read Review future
Julia Sandra Newman
Read Excerpt Julia
On Sandra Newman’s retelling 1984 From a woman’s perspective
Seventh Son Sebastian Faulks
Read Excerpt Seventh Son
Sebastian Faulks: “Homo sapiens is a very strange creature”
bridge Lauren Beukes
Read Excerpt bridge
Why Lauren Beukes tackled the multiverse bridge
Read Review bridge
Pods Larraine Paul
Read Excerpt Pods
Why did Larraine Paul write this? Pods From a dolphin’s perspective
Watch a video interview with Larin Paul
ferryman Justin Cronin
Read Excerpt ferryman
Justin Cronin talks about the books and films that inspired him ferryman
Read Review ferryman
