January's meeting has come and gone and with it, Inner Worlds begins its twelfth year. 2010 was a year which saw an infusion of new blood and growth for the group and was an excellent start to IW's second decade. With new faces at this month's meeting, 2011 looks to continue the positive trends.

With that growth comes the possibility of change. This month's attendance was seventeen and save for illness and circumstance, would have been twenty-one. We're pushing the space available at Barnes & Noble. Add to that, there is no Community Relations Manager in the store, leaving book groups, Story Time, etc. under the supervision of booksellers alone with (one hopes) only benign indifference from management. While a critical mass hasn't yet been reached, the idea of a possible relocation should be in the group's collective mind. At the moment, the best alternative is a move to the Hoover Library, though other options might exist and none have been investigated. Suggestions and discussion on the point are encouraged.

Speaking of libraries and book groups, Holley, one of our four librarians, reports a nascent fantasy book group forming at the Emmet O'Neal Library in Mountain Brook. The first meeting is this Thursday, January 27 at 6:30 pm to discuss George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones , first of his "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. Let's hope they have a good turn-out and an enjoyable discussion.

Two quick IW related book notes. December's selection, The Strange Affair of Spring-Heeled Jack by Mark Hodder and edited by Lou Anders has been nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award . The award is to be presented at NorWesCon 34 , April 22, 2011. Secondly, Crossed , third in J.F. Lewis ' Void City series slipped in the Hoover B&N a few days early. J.F., a local author who's joined our band of misfits this year, graciously autographed the stock on hand so, if you hurry, you might be able to snag a copy of all three titles.

Lastly, February's selection is Robert Silverberg 's The World Inside and March's The Abhorsen Chronicles by Garth Nix.