Reading science-fiction books is not generally thought of as a "social activity" on par with, say paint-balling or watching NASCAR. This could be due at least in part to the cruel, negative social stereotypes surrounding sci-fi, driving its readers into the literary closet. Everyone could be reading science fiction, and you wouldn't know it. In fact, everyone is reading science fiction, you just don't know it. Yet. Well, now you do, so go check out the Sword and Laser (S&L) book club. S&L is Goodreads' science fiction and fantasy-themed book club, video show and podcast, started by Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt, in Los Angeles. There's a Tacoma offshoot that reads the monthly book selected by the hosts of S&L then meet at King's Books in Tacoma to discuss. This month, Tacoma S&L will discuss Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer, a tale of an ill-fated scientific expedition to survey a coastline that has developed strange new physical properties that defy explanation, hinting at terrifying invisible animals in the reeds and showing us oddly human-eyed dolphins that frolic in the canals that reach like fingers from the sea into the marshes. Discuss.

SWORD AND LASER, 1 p.m., King's Books, 218 St Helens Ave., Tacoma, free admission, 253.272.8801