Science Fiction Books

I admit it, I am a lover of the ‘old days’ of science fiction: the days when the fascination and the thrill of the read was the adventure, the characters, the imagination. I wanted to be drawn into the time, place and people… I had no interest in the ‘how and why’ it was all possible. Stories like those from Edgar Rice Burroughs that swept you away to the center of the earth. deep into the jungle or to Mars, yet never took five pages for how the engines worked or why the evolutionary process was different. Those were the stories that entranced me so — just like the vintage paperback covers.

I am, admittedly, of the same opinion today.

I wondered if other fans of sci-fi felt that way… So I called Don Blyly of Uncle Hugo’s. Thirty years ago, while finishing law school, Don opened a science fiction bookstore in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The store is named Uncle Hugo’s, in a fashion, after Hugo Gernsback, who launched the first science fiction magazine in 1926. Don kept the store through law school, passing the bar, his MBA studies, and even a few years pursuing a PhD in marketing. But then it ended… the quest for a PhD, not the bookstore.

Now Uncle Hugo’s is the country’s oldest surviving science fiction bookstore. In a time of vanishing independent booksellers, this is no small feat. Likely it is due to the shop having the largest selection of new and used science fiction books, but I am also betting that the success is largely due to Don’s passion for the genre.

Since Don has been in the book biz, specializing in the genre for 30 years, I figured he’d know if others also liked their science fiction heavier on the fiction side.

When I began talking with Don, I mentioned a recent article I read about Don in Minnesota Monthly Magazine, called ‘Sci-Fi Guy’ and boy, did I get a response! “I never used the term ‘sci-fi’” replied Don, in a friendly, but stern enough matter that I new I’d better pay attention.

Since I often refer to the books I read as sci-fi, I was more than a bit curious as to why Don wanted to be clear on the word choice. I learned that many science fiction fans find the term sci-fi demeaning and insulting as it is a term often used to put down the works, as well as for those ‘bad’ movies and TV shows. (Out of respect for all of you science fiction fans, and Don, I will avoid use of the term here.)

After correcting my faux pas regarding the use of the term ‘sci-fi,’ we got down to my question:

Do other readers of science fiction complain of ‘too much science?’

No, he hears more complaints of ‘not enough science.’

Drat.

OK, so aside from the fact that I am usually on the ‘wrong side’ of these arguments, and therefore may feel the need to justify myself, can it be that Don is wrong?

No, Don likely isn’t wrong. I bet he does hear more complaints from the cerebral amongst us. No, not because the smarter you are, the more you complain, but rather that it is more embarrassing to say you dislike science. It implies a certain, well, stupidity. Or at least you fear it does…

(Begin nervous rationalization of intelligence here.)

It’s not that my capacity to understand or indeed love science is low. It’s just that when I reach for an entertaining novel, that’s what I want, not some cerebral challenge. The converse is also true when I grab a science book. Please, no fabrications, tales from your dream-states, or flights of fancy. Just the facts, findings, details of processes, please; leave the fiction out of it.)

When it comes to fiction, let me imagine. No need to explain the workings of the hydraulic hovercraft which runs on an energy source made possible by the physics of this ‘new’ planet. No need to genetically explain creatures, or the evolutionary ‘nature’ of this foreign place, thank you. I didn’t pick up a fiction title to be courted with so much ‘intellectual expansion.’ I want a story I can fall into, not a thesis dissertation to be convinced of.

So aside from Don not hearing from those like myself who may fear the you-my-friend-are-an-idiot reaction, is there any other way I can defend the stance that I am not alone in my preference for sci-fi (said with love!) that is heavy on the fiction, with the science added like paprika?

You can think I am stupid and juvenile, and I may be a bit too intimidated by booksellers to ask for what I want. But then with classic covers like this I don’t need to.

And yes, I do collect them for the covers, so paperbacks are the best for me.

While I intended to just ask Don the quick question, I quickly became drawn into a much longer conversation. I ought to know that you can never have a short conversation with an impassioned person, especially on a topic they have devoted nearly one-third of a century to! He was so interesting, and the books he mentioned so intriguing, that I ended up making the four-hour trip to his store in Minneapolis.

Completely worth the trip.

Uncle Hugo’s has the largest selection of new and used science fiction books anywhere, including signed copies. So not only did I drool over the Burroughs, but I discovered many old ‘zines, comics and other gems to put on my wish lists.

Don Blyly also owns Uncle Edgar’s. Both shops are attached, so one trip and you can see them both. Uncle Edgar’s is named after Edgar Allen Poe (considered to be the first mystery writer) and so this store is devoted to mystery books.

I highly recommend both shops for both the selection and prices that collectors are seeking, and for the staff. They know their stuff and are fun to talk with.

If you can’t make it to Minneapolis but are interested in the latest science fiction (and mystery) releases and news, you may sign up for their free newsletters here. And if you are looking for something special for your collection, visit their website and contact Don or his staff. I’m sure they’ll help you find what you’re looking for.