Notable Hugo Reading

As you know, I'm nominating for the Hugos this year. I keep telling you that, so you know. And because of that, I've gotten a lot of good fiction to read. I wanted to note some standout stories in the batch of good stories I've read. These stories have really made me think, or more to the point, have involved me enough to make me feel. For whatever subjective values, these are my favorites that I've run across so far. Here we go.

Nadirah Sends her Love by Ada Milenkovic Brown. It's not the clever Christian/Islam reversal alone. It's also the integrity of the main character in the face of social adversity.

Lures, Hooks, and Tails by Adam Colston. This mermaid on a train story might seem a tad lightweight, especially at the finish, but it really hits my folklore tooth, and the characters do some interesting things. Oddly, I'm reminded of Salinger.

Movement by Nancy Fulda. Everyone's talking about this one. The core of the story is a first-person narrative of a temporally autistic girl and her choice to have an operation to make her normal, or to stay the same, gifted and out of touch. The characterization is true.

The Old Equations by Jake Kerr. Imagine a universe that figures Einstein was wrong sending a man to travel FTL to another planet. Now, imagine that in this universe they discover Einstein was right. The interpersonal fallout between a traveler, his government and his family washes over you in this superlative exchange of communications.

Run, Bakhri Says by Ferrett Steinmetz. Ferrett digs into my skull again with another strong character in a morally sticky place. Read it.

Forever Sixteen by Amy Sundberg. The story starts a little slow, but it finishes sharp and spot on. Imagine you were perpetually sixteen and what life would be like. A holy avatar plays with the idea and discovers what happens after her time for worship is done.

I'd like to encourage you to send any notable stories you've run across my way. We can nominate all the way through March.

Catherine

Mirrored from Writer Tamago.