I have been a science fiction reader since my grade school days. The first book in the genre I remember reading was something from my school’s “Boys’ Shelf” about robots. I could never figure out why this stuff was singled out for boys to read, and so I started selecting them for my own interests. It turns out that really good science fiction is a painless way to learn about astronomy, physics, human nature, politics, other sciences, and a zillion other topics—all rolled into one!

Of course, as a kid, I didn’t know that. I just knew that the science fiction stacks at the library had some really cool stuff! About the same time I was getting hooked on those robot stories, my little brother joined the Boy Scouts and started getting Boys’ Life magazine, which ALSO had science fiction in it. By the time I hit college, I had started reading Isaac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein books and short stories. I still get Analog and Asimov’s science fiction magazines each month and can’t wait to dig in and explore the universe from various unique points of view. And now my bookshelves are groaning with books by everyone from Arthur C. Clarke to Roger Zelazny!

Some of today’s best SF writers got their start on the pages of Analog and Asimov’s magazines. I’ve also learned that many of my colleagues in astronomy and the planetarium field are avid science fiction readers, and many of them get their copies each month. This is, I must admit, very cool! (Of course there are those who view SF with disdain, something I have never understood, since once you start reading the stuff, you’re hooked. Yet, one of my former colleagues at Sky & Telescope once told me that he couldn’t believe I read SF. Turns out he’d never read any and didn’t have any idea how rich the genre is!)

So, are you a science fiction reader? If not, do you want to become one? Over the next few weeks I’m thinking of putting up some reviews of my favorite books. In the meantime, here are some reviews of the two magazines I’ve put on my web pages.