Jabberwocky Audio Theater is joining other writers and artists for a Summer Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Bundle Giveaway now through July 12th.

I’m also taking the opportunity to talk about science fiction and fantasy books that have influenced me through the years, including a few that aren’t in the bundle. Several of the ones I pitched are in… and several that I’d love to read myself are in.

Yesterday, I mentioned the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov, which is in the bundle. Asimov is phenomenal when it comes to worldbuilding, but sometimes his characters are not as fully realized. So when I heard multiple talk about the worldbuilding and the characters in The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, I knew I had to check it out.

Now, in fairness, the worldbuilding on display is that of past history as opposed to alien worlds — the early 14th century to be precise. However, it’s just as involving as one of first contact, as the novel explores human nature: fear, greed, cowardice, and heroism.

Again, while The Doomsday Book is not part of this bundle, there’s a whole bunch of cool stuff in there, but you’ll need to enter by this Friday, July 12th.

— Bjorn Munson, Jabberwocky Audio Theater