Sci-fi book giant Tor Books has joined forces with sci-fi TV giant The Sci-Fi Channel for the Sci-Fi Essential Books program. Each month, one new noteworthy novel will be picked for the stamp of approval, which will be visible on the book’s spine and cover. The spotlighted books also will be promoted online, including at the program’s own website.

The program started last month, and the titles announced thus far are:
• JULY: SOMEONE COMES TO TOWN, SOMEONE LEAVES TOWN by Cory Doctorow
• AUGUST: LADY OF MAZES by Karl Schroeder
• SEPTEMBER: THE ROAD TO DUNE by Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
• OCTOBER: NIGHT TRAIN TO RIGEL by Timothy Zahn
• NOVEMBER: THE CHILDREN OF THE COMPANY by Kage Baker