Cybils F/SF weekly wrapup: 12/10/06 - 12/17/06

As we head into the home stretch of the Cybils nomination period, the fantasy and science fiction nominating committee has been power reading! Most of our nominating committee members have been reading an average of a book a day. Everyone on the committee takes the responsibility very seriously, and is determined to do the best job possible under the circumstances. Although it's been fun, we're starting to approach the burnout stage, as evidenced by frequent headaches, difficulty concentrating, and general stress among some of the committee members.

Funny things start to happen when you read so many books one after the other in such a short time frame. The books start to blur together, and you start to see connections between unrelated books. It's kind of a Darwinian environment for books; the strong ones are the ones that can survive the blurring and stand out.

It'll be interesting to see what comes out of the process. We all have strong opinions, but those opinions don't always agree. There's no clear winners yet, but certain books are starting to emerge as favorites. All I can tell you is that by January 1, we will have a list of five outstanding, top-notch books for the judging committee to consider.

The following books have been reviewed by the F/SF committee members in the last week:

• Abadazad: The Road to Inconceivable by J. M. DeMatteis and Mike Ploog: reviewed by Gail
  
• Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer: reviewed by Cassie
  
• Changeling by Delia Sherman: reviewed by Michele
  
• Corbenic by Catherine Fisher: reviewed by Gail
  
• Devilish by Maureen Johnson: reviewed by Michele
  
• Here, There Be Dragons by James A Owen: reviewed by Michele (spoiler review)
  
• Into the Woods by Lyn Gardner: reviewed by Gail
  
• London Calling by Edward Bloor: reviewed by Michele
  
• Samurai by Jason Hightman: reviewed by Gail
  
• Septimus Heap: Flyte by Angie Sage: reviewed by Michele (spoiler review)
  
• Travels of Thelonious by Susan Schade and Jon Buller: reviewed by Kim
  
• Undine by Penni Russon: reviewed by Kim
  

In case you're wondering what it's like to be a Cybils nominating committee member, check out Gail's Christmas card photo!