I’ll be releasing my full list of short fiction recommendations later, but here’s a quick catch-up on a couple\u00a0things I liked recently.<\/p>\n
Novel<\/strong><\/p>\n Here’s a link to my recommendations for 2015 novels<\/a>. My favorite was Fifth Season<\/a> by N. K. Jemisin.<\/p>\n I didn’t put Ann Leckie’s Ancillary Mercy<\/a> on that list because it slipped my mind–repeatedly. I put it in my notes, even, but then not in my entry. That’s because I read the book early and keep forgetting it was published in 2015. I recommend it.<\/p>\n Novella<\/strong><\/p>\n E. J. Fischer’s “The New Mother<\/a>” is the best riff on “disappearing male” stories I’ve ever seen, a smart story that accomplishes both literary and speculative goals in a sharp, well-characterized, traditionally “what if?” SF way. My point of comparison in Nancy Kress.<\/p>\n Will McIntosh’s “A Thousand Nights Till Morning<\/a>” is about a psychiatrist with an anxiety disorder who is on a Mars expedition when they receive the news that Earth has been conquered by aliens, possibly with no survivors. An adventure story with traditional SF elements and Will’s smart voice.<\/p>\n Caren Gusoff’s “Three Songs for Roxy” (Aqueduct<\/a>) is\u00a0a three-part, beautiful tale, about strange aliens coming to earth. The lives she writes about are delicately, beautifully rendered, and startlingly unusual. In terms of odd character detail, it’s like a tender Pahlaniuk–a really\u00a0lovely and unique read.<\/p>\n Novelette<\/strong><\/p>\n Sarah Pinsker’s “Our Lady of the Open Road<\/a>” will resonate better with people who have a strong interest in the music scene, but is a meaty\u00a0science fiction story with very strong characters which has been recognized highly by the Asimovs readership and the Neb recommended reading list.<\/p>\n Short Story<\/strong><\/p>\n Charlie Jane Anders’ “Ghost Champagne<\/a>” is another remarkable piece from this author, combining her\u00a0humor and warmth of perspective with reflection on important life questions. It tells the story of a struggling young comedian who lives under the shadow of\u00a0the disapproving, silent ghost of her own dead self.<\/p>\n Mary Robinette Kowal’s “Midnight Hour<\/a>” takes standard fantasy set pieces, including a mad king and cursed queen, to render an intimate portrait of two characters struggling together, with significant emotional breadth that it will take me some time to unpack (and which I suspect will vary from reader to reader).<\/p>\n Norton Award<\/strong><\/p>\n Here’s a link to my recommendation post for 2015 Norton candidates<\/a>. There are a number of books on this list that I absolutely loved, and it’s simplistic to call out only one or a couple, but I’m going to take the opportunity to link one more time to Nova Ren Suma’s The Walls Around Us<\/a>.<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n I hope people enjoy their reading, from 2015, 2016, or whenever.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I’ll be releasing my full list of short fiction recommendations later, but here’s a quick catch-up on a couple things I liked recently. Novel Here’s a link to my recommendations for 2015 novels. My favorite was Fifth Season by N. K. … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a> Continue reading