It is incredible that seven out of eight are so close. It's a strong group though. This is my least favourite category and I voted for over half and am interested in almost all of them.

While neither is my first choice, if the two books in the lead right now are what we have to select from (Dhalgren v. The Martian), then I'd push for Dhalgren, please. I've read The Martian, and it's certainly a fun read, but really without a whole lot of depth and with rather poor characterization. OTOH, depending on how many haven't voted yet, there's still time for a couple of the other options (though in spite of myself I'm in agreement with Jon on the Clarke book).

Having read all the strikingly positive comments on MR regarding The Martian, I read it last year and was actually quite disappointed. I found it really overrated; a good short story idea gone a little wild. I've also read Rama, although many years ago and found it pretty dry, but I'd be game to reread if it won.

I wonder who is going to cast the deciding vote if we don't end in a tie?

You'd have to be pretty gamey to read Rama a second time. :p

Before the voting is done, just a note, Dhalgren is a little over 300,000 words. Do you have time to read such a large book? The Martian is a lot smaller and an easy read.

I will give a go to Dhalgren if it wins, but I don't think I'd finish it by August 20th.

I thought the Martian was excellent. I didn't vote for it just because I've already read it, but it's a great selection.

I thought so too; it is the only book I have read twice since getting my Kindle. First as the indie version then as the traditionally published version. I didn't vote for it mainly because I knew a lot of people here have already read it recently.

I was hoping there would be a last minute tie-breaker but at least it isn't a 3 or 4 way tie. We didn't need any run-off votes last year but this is the third this year already.

I'm just glad that Rendezvous with Boring (er Rama) did not win and cannot win. It's the worst of the bunch and how it got there, I will not know. My guess is that during the nomination process, three people were swayed by the name of the author. After it was pointed out how bad it is, there's no excuse for voting for it.

Well, I see it's a tie: The Martian vs. Dhalgren. I'm at my daughter's house at the moment, but I'll be leaving for home soon and I'll get the poll up and running tonight. I don't know about Dhalgren, but the Martin is excellent. As someone else said, the only reason I didn't vote for it is because I've already read it, but I wouldn't object to a re-read.

Here is the poll. It is not multiple-choice, since there are only two options. It will be open for three days.