Books

Ship's Log started as a Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club in early 2016, and takes place at Ark + Anchor Espresso Bar in Hamilton Ontario. Book Club meets on the last Monday of every month. Take a look at our CALENDAR for more details.

Here you can find a list of past and present Book Club Books. Books are chosen by members at our meetings two months in advance and each month has a theme. Hover over the cover of each book for more. We also have our entire backlog of LISTS available with our themed books from each month.

New members are always welcome. Feel free to CONTACT us for more, or just show up! All members must adhere to the CAPTAIN'S CODE.

Our pals at EPIC BOOKS on Locke Street in Hamilton offer a 15% discount on current picks to book club members. You can also find copies to browse or purchase at ARK + ANCHOR.

The Female Man

Month: March + April, 2020

Theme: Early Female Authors

The Female Man by Joanna Russ

We are given four versions of what might be the same woman — Joanna, Jeannine, Janet, and Jael — each in a world that contains different roles and opportunities for women. As they crash through each others' alternate reality worlds, they find that the various J women range from warrior to wallflower. But which way is right? And if none are right, how can they invent a better way?

A Thousand Beginnings & Endings

Month: February 2020

Theme: Short Stories

Title: A Thousand Beginnings & Endings Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman (editors)

Edited by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman, this anthology focuses on retellings of South and East Asian myths and folktales, with contributors mostly of South and East Asian heritage. An author’s note appears at the end of each story, with a summary of the original tale and the reasons the author had for choosing to retell it.

Dhalgren - Samuel Delany

Month: January 2020

Theme: Long Reads

Title: Dhalgren - Samuel Delany

Signal to Noise-Sylvia Moreno-Garcia

Month: November 2019

Theme: Black, Indigenous, Authors of Colour

Title: Signal to Noise - Sylvia Moreno-Garcia

A literary fantasy about love, music and sorcery, set against the background of Mexico City.

The Hunger - Alma Katsu

Month: October 2019

Theme: Horror

Title: The Hunger by Alma Katsu

Tamsen Donner must be a witch. That is the only way to explain the series of misfortunes that have plagued the wagon train known as the Donner Party. Depleted rations, bitter quarrels, and the mysterious death of a little boy have driven the pioneers to the brink of madness. They cannot escape the feeling that someone--or something--is stalking them. Whether it was a curse from the beautiful Tamsen, the choice to follow a

Vita Nostra-Marina & Sergey Dyachenk

Month: September 2019

Theme: Back to the Books VOL IV

Title: Vita Nostra by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko

“Vita Nostra” — a cross between Lev Grossman’s “The Magicians” and Elizabeth Kostova’s “The Historian” [...] is the anti-Harry Potter you didn’t know you wanted.” - The Washington Post

Blackfish City, Sam J. Miller

Month: August 2019

Theme: Climate Fiction VOL III

Title: Blackfish City – Sam J. Miller

In our near future, humans are living in the Sunken World, where climate change has drowned our cities. Taking place on a floating city in the Arctic Circle, our characters battle with the realities of political and socio-economic abuse. Enter the Orcamancer, a mysterious woman riding on the back of an orca whale, bringing with her a polar bear.... and change.

The Amateurs, Liz Harmer

Month: July 2019

Theme: Canadian Authors VOL III

Title: The Amateurs – Liz Harmer

SET IN OUR HOMETOWN HAMILTON!
In a time and place only slightly removed from now, PINA, the world’s largest tech company, has introduced society to a new product called “Port.” This irresistible space-time travel device is mysteriously powered by nostalgia and longing. Earth’s population plummets when many who pass through its portal do not come back—either unwilling or unable to return."

An Excess Male, Maggie Shen King

Month: June 2019

Theme: LGBTQ+

Title: An Excess Male – Maggie Shen King

The Etched City, K.J. Bishop

Month: May 2019

Theme: New Weird

Title: The Etched City – K.J. Bishop

Decision at Doona, Anne McCaffrey

Month: April 2019

Theme: First Contact VOL II

Title: Decision at Doona – Anne McCaffrey

The Difference Engine

Month: March 2019

Theme: Alternate History

Title: The Difference Engine – William Gibson and Bruce Sterling

The Bloody Chamber, Angela Carter

Month: February 2019

Theme: Short Stories, vol. III

Title: The Bloody Chamber – Angela Carter

The Thessaly Trilogy, Jo Walton

Month: December 2018–January 2019

Theme: The Long Read Vol III

Title: The Thessaly Trilogy – Jo Walton

The Dead Mountaineer's Inn

Month: November 2018

Theme: Translated Novel

Title: The Dead Mountaineer's Inn – Boris and Arkady Strugatsky

The Cabin at the End of the World

Month: October 2018

Theme: So Spooky Vol III

Title: The Cabin at the End of the World - Paul Tremblay

September 2018

Theme: Back To The Books VOL III

A Canticle for Leibowitz - Walter M Miller Jr

August 2018

Theme - Climate Fiction

The Fifth Season - N K Jemisin

July 2018

Theme - Canadian Authors

Eastern Standard Tribe - Cory Doctorow

June 2018

Theme: Epic Fantasy

The Blue Sword - Robin McKinley

May 2018

Theme: Golden Age Sci-Fi

Ringworld - Larry Niven

April 2018

Theme: More Than Human

The Left Hand of Darkness - Urusula K Le Guin

March 2018

Theme: Modern Fantasy

The Kraken - China Mieville

February 2018

Theme: Short Stories Vol. II

Stories of Your Life and Others - Ted Chiang

January 2018

Theme: The Long Read Vol. II

1Q84 - Haruki Murakami

November 2017

Theme: Sequels

Parable of the Talents - Octavia E Butler

October 2017

Theme: Soo Spooky! vol. II

Lovecraft Country - Matt Ruff

September 2017

Theme: Back To School

The Big U - Neal Stephenson

August 2017

Theme: Award Winners

Uprooted - Namoi Novik

July 2017

Theme: Reading Canada

Pattern Recognition - William Gibson

CONTINUE

Ship's Log Club | Sci Fi Fantasy Hamilton

Ship's Log

...a sci-fi and fantasy club in Hamilton Ontario