2026 is National Year of Reading and we are going all in here at Norwich School! We know reading expands worlds, sharpens minds, and fuels creativity, so let's get inspired! Every month we are focusing on a different genre and hearing from a member of staff about what they like to read, why, when and where! May is Sci-Fi month and we’ve turned to Joel Newman, who’s a big Sci-Fi fan. Let's find out more about why Mr Newman loves the fantasy genre... Tell us a little bit about the genre; what common themes or elements do you particularly enjoy? I love Sci-Fi stories with a focus on worldbuilding and setting – science fiction allows authors to be so creative with things we often take for granted in real life. If a story features aliens or space, I will always judge it based on how interesting or complex the author makes things like the alien’s language and biology – the weirder the better – or how beautiful a picture of space they can paint with just words. What was the book that introduced you to Sci-Fi? Was there a particular book or author that made you fall in love with this genre? I love The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy series by Douglas Adams, it has the perfect blend of absurd funny moments and interesting concepts that really fed my imagination as a child. Some of my absolute favourites are Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary and The Martian: Weir’s enthusiasm for physics and real-life science makes his fiction very immersive. Has your taste in this genre changed over time? My taste in Sci-Fi has changed as I’ve studied science more and more – I won’t settle for a poorly explained spaceship anymore – but I still love the same weirdness that first made the genre so appealing to me. Would you recommend this genre to someone who doesn’t usually read it? Why? Absolutely. Reading Sci-Fi makes you more curious about the world around you, and curious is one of the best things to be. If you’ve never read sci-fi but you like reading, I think it’s the perfect genre to get those creative juices flowing because it gives the idea that anything is possible! What do you enjoy most about reading, whether Sci-Fi or anything else? Reading is the best way to relax. If there’s ever anything worrying me or stressing me out, getting lost in a book for half an hour is always enough to put me in the right headspace to take on the day. When and where is your favourite time and place to read?/ Do you have a favourite reading spot or routine for diving into books? I like to read in bed: it’s warm, comfortable, and no one’s going to interrupt me. I can’t think of a more perfect time to read than before you sleep. Click here for the monthly Reading List!