Good news everyone! Or should that be good newsletter, everyone, because Space.com is kicking off a virtual book club of sorts with its new newsletter: "Strange New Words."
Here's how it works: we'll send you a hand-picked short story at the beginning of every month, usually 10-30 pages, short enough to read in one sitting but long enough to break your brain. We'll give you a little background on the author and a few fun questions to puzzle out while you read.
At the end of the month, the Space.com crew will drop in a quick fun roundtable video where we chat about the story, swap ideas, and get sidetracked. That's also when you get to vote on what we read next, helping us to create a sort of never-ending sci-fi playlist, built by fans for fans.
Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss each month's story!
Got a favorite short story you want to share? You can comment on this page with your ideas or let us know your thoughts on our social media channels!
So, if you want to stay up to date on all the latest space and sci-fi-themed movies, shows, games, and books then you should head over to our newsletter sign-up page and hit that subscribe button*.
Once you’ve signed up, Strange New Words beams into your inbox on the first and last Wednesdays of every month at around 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm GMT.
See you out there,
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Content Manager, Space
Ian Stokes, Entertainment Editor, Space
*If you’re not receiving our hails, add space@smartbrief.com to your email contact list to ensure our newsletter can make it through
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
December 2025 pick
"The Fermi Paradox is our Business Model" by Charlie Jane Anders
Based on your votes for December, we’re zooming out from November’s perfect memories and into the cold logic of alien capitalism and the stubborn weirdness of humanity with “The Fermi Paradox is Our Business Model.”
To end this year, we’re reading a story by Charlie Jane Anders, award-winning author of All the Birds in the Sky. Anders is known for mixing big, brainy ideas with biting humor and a strong emotional undercurrent, and this story is a perfect example.
“The Fermi Paradox is Our Business Model,” follows two alien agents, Jon and Toku, whose job is simple (and horrifying): seed life across the galaxy, wait for civilizations to mine their planets dry and destroy themselves, then swoop in and collect the profits. It turns out that Tim Curry was wrong after all — not even space can escape the corruption of capitalism. Earth is just another line item, until humanity refuses to follow the script. Underneath the snark and space capitalism, Anders asks: If we’re someone else’s resource, what does it mean to decide our story isn’t over?
This is a story for readers who love darkly funny, idea-dense sci-fi with a sharp edge: think existential dread, corporate memos from the stars, and a quiet, furious hope that maybe — just maybe — we’re harder to harvest than expected. As the year winds down and the nights get long, it’s a great pick for anyone in a “laugh so I don’t scream about the fate of civilization” mood.
Content Warning: 1 skull, 1 tear
Has references to extinction-level events, nuclear war, and the off-page deaths of billions; themes of exploitation, dehumanization, and existential dread. No graphic on-page violence or gore.
Discussion questions to ponder while reading (find the rest in our newsletter):
- If you were hired by the alien bureaucracy depicted in the story, how would you navigate this situation and how quickly would you get fired?
Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to get discussion questions and more sci-fi content!
Share your thoughts on "Truth of Fact, Truth of Feeling” and suggest future stories for our readers' club by joining the conversation on our socials (@spacedotcom) or dropping a comment here. Be nice, or your accurate memories will overwhelm you.
Disclaimer: All stories linked through this club are hosted on their original publishers’ websites. We do not reproduce or host the stories ourselves. Links are provided solely for readers’ convenience and discussion purposes. Copyright and all rights remain with the original authors and publishers.
November 2025 pick
"Truth of Fact, Truth of Feeling" by Ted Chiang
Based on your votes, for November we're shifting from October's shadows to something quieter but no less haunting: the fragile domain of human connection and memory. Thanks to those of you who survived October with us, and for sharing your thoughts on the story, including Anders Edwards on BlueSky: "Love 'Usher II'—Bradbury nailed creepy with a sci-fi twist, total inspiration as an author!" Be sure to keep the conversation going on socials!
This month, we're reading a story by Ted Chiang, celebrated for "The Story of Your Life" (which inspired the movie "Arrival"), and his dive into philosophical science fiction.
Our story for this month, "Truth of Fact, Truth of Feeling," explores the consequences of perfect digital recall and the power of sharing stories aloud. A journalist tests a new tool that can surface any past moment with absolute accuracy, while a young man learns written language for the first time. As both paths unfold, Chiang asks a profound question: Is truth something we remember…or something we feel?
This is a story for readers who love brain-breaking sci-fi that hits the feels as much as the mind. As the seasons change and fall turns to winter, this is the perfect choice for looking inward.
Content Warning: 0 skulls, 1 tear
Contains emotional themes involving family conflict, personal regret, and shifting relationships. No graphic violence or horror elements.
Discussion questions to ponder while reading (find the rest in our newsletter):
- If you could replay any moment of your life with perfect accuracy, would you want to?
Watch our staff roundtable discussion below!
Space staff members Ian Stokes, Anthony Wood and Kenna Hughes-Castleberry dive into "Truth of Fact, Truth of Feeling" including why perfect memory devices would be bad for humanity and why they feel a bit too close to home.
Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to get discussion questions and more sci-fi content!
Share your thoughts on "Truth of Fact, Truth of Feeling” and suggest future stories for our readers' club by joining the conversation on our socials (@spacedotcom) or dropping a comment here. Be nice, or your accurate memories will overwhelm you.
Disclaimer: All stories linked through this club are hosted on their original publishers’ websites. We do not reproduce or host the stories ourselves. Links are provided solely for readers’ convenience and discussion purposes. Copyright and all rights remain with the original authors and publishers.
October 2025 Pick
"Usher II" by Ray Bradbury
We kick off our first short story in the month of October, so naturally we're going for a spooky/Halloween vibe. We'll step into the chilling imagination of Ray Bradbury, one of the most influential sci-fi writers in the 20th-century. Best known for 'Fahrenheit 451' and 'The Martian Chronicles,' Bradbury dives deep into what happens when humanity's hopes and fears interact with technology and cultural change.
Our October pick, 'Usher II' (from 'The Martian Chronicles,' also sometimes called "April 2005: Usher II") is Bradbury's gothic homage to the work of Edgar Allan Poe.
The story has all the things for a good science fiction horror piece: a haunted house, Mars, and lots of plot twists. Oh, and if you're an Edgar Allan Poe fan, you'll enjoy all the easter eggs Bradbury sprinkles in throughout the story.
Content warning: 1.5 skulls: Ray Bradbury's "Usher II" contains gothic horror elements, depictions of exaggerated violence. Younger readers should be aware of its dark atmosphere and references to death.
Discussion questions to ponder while reading:
- If you were one of the guests lured into Usher II, what horror-themed trap do you think would "get" you?
Watch our staff roundtable discussion below!
Space staff members Brett Tingley, Ian Stokes, Anthony Wood and Kenna Hughes-Castleberry dive into "Usher II," including their thoughts on colonizing Mars and what games they would not want to be banned if there was a censorship committee.
Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to get discussion questions and more sci-fi content!
Share your thoughts on "Usher II" and suggest future stories for our reader's club by joining the conversation on our socials or dropping a comment here. Be nice or else Stendahl's robots will get you.
Disclaimer:
All stories linked through this club are hosted on their original publishers’ websites. We do not reproduce or host the stories ourselves. Links are provided solely for readers’ convenience and discussion purposes. Copyright and all rights remain with the original authors and publishers.
First Contact explores the ancient idea—and epic quest to prove—that we are not alone in the universe. Presented in a heavily illustrated cabinet of curiosities format, the book explores our fascination with aliens from early history to present day, including chapters on alien conspiracy theories, aliens in science fiction, the actual science behind our search for aliens, and what happens if and when they come…or, if we are in fact descended from them.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
