Novel Realties Book Discussion: How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu

 

How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu

Many books about time travel focus on fixing the past or averting disaster. In Charles Yu's How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe, changing the past is a moot point—you can’t change it even if you try. But that doesn’t stop people from attempting it. And when amateur time travelers invariably get stranded in a time loop of their own making, time travel repairmen are called in to set them free. 

Fixing time machines for users trying to alter their past gives time machine technician Charles Yu (a character named after the book's author) a unique perspective on human nature and time manipulation. 

Fans of science fiction stories that raise provocative questions about human nature and highlight the humor in fanciful possibilities will appreciate this witty novel. If you enjoy the classic science fiction stories of Douglas Adams, Philip K. Dick, and Kurt Vonnegut, you'll love How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu. 

FCPL's Novel Realities Book Club will discuss this unique How to Guide, the implications of time travel, life with a visionary entrepreneur, and why so many time travelers try to kill their own fathers or relive the worst moment of their lives. 

Please join FCPL's Novel Realities book discussion on Thursday, May 9th at 7 p.m. at Sharon Forks Library. There's no knowledge of quantum physics required, and time travelers are welcome to attend. 

As part of FCPL's Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage series, this month's Novel Realities discussion will showcase speculative fiction by Asian and Asian American authors like Haruki Murakami, Matthew Salesses, Kōbō Abe, Toshikazu Kawaguchi, and Sayaka Murata.   

Meet Ashley Mason, FCPL's Latest Library Limelight!

Meet the magnificently memorable Ashley Mason, Information Specialist extraordinaire of the Post Road Library!

Ashley hails from sunny Sacramento, California; we have been fortunate to have her with us for four years. Before becoming an Information Specialist, Ashley's passion for prose led her to serve as a Collection Support Aide. So what drew this literary lady to a life amidst the library stacks?

Battle of the Most Bizarre at Sharon Forks and Hampton Park Libraries

When you think of endangered animals, what is the first animal that pops into your mind? It's most likely a panda, a polar bear, or another cute and cuddly animal. But what about the not-so-cute animals like the Wolffish or the Uaraki? 

Throughout April, visitors at the Sharon Forks Library and the Hampton Park Library had the opportunity to vote on their favorite “Most Bizarre” animal. The competition included 8 animals from 4 categories with the Giant Asian Softshell Turtle coming out on top as champion for Sharon Forks and the Red Handfish as Hampton Park’s champion. All of the 8 animals are listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and have a status of Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered.