Mike Resnick, "Beachcomber"

Robot learns about beauty

I've read this sort of story before. Robot learns to value beauty far more deeply than the humans that surround it. Well written but nothing much new is presented.

Read it here.

Ted Chiang, "Exhalation"

Another universe, completely realized.

This is a story I can get behind. Chiang has created a universe and made it sing. It's one of the best stories I have read. This is what Science Fiction is for. Read this, people. It's amazing!

Here!

Rudy Rucker and John Shirley, "All Hangy"

Humanity is changing...all hangy-like

A couple of cyberpunk authors combine talents to create a freaky story positing a change in humanity. Just what that change is, you'll have to read. I enjoyed it.

Here.

K. Bird Lincoln, "Sometimes We Arrive Home"

Dimension travellers arrive somewhere.

Atmospheric. Wasn't much heft to it, didn't really care for this one. At least it's short. If it had gone on a bit longer I may have liked it better.

Here.

Ted Kosmatka, "The Prophet of Flores"

Archaeology meets zealotry.

Very good, deeply researched piece of fiction by Kosmatka. A lot of stuff about the origins of humanity and religion. The characterization is fantastic. I really like the Kosmatka stories I've read thus far. Will try to find more by this talented author.

Read here.

Ted Kosmatka, "Deadnauts"

Fun with scientists...in space!

I think the bottom line with this story is the author questioning when the soul leaves the body. I have definite views on that so the process of questioning it didn't move me. However, he captures the solitary nature of scientists in deep space on a research ship. Good stuff.

Read it here.

Kenneth Brady, "I See What You're Saying"

Take the title literally.

This is a duuurty story. I mean, the science if applied would probably have the consequences envisioned here, but....dirty.

Read through splayed fingers here.

Kij Johnson, "26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss"

A circus, a girl, and the monkeys that disappear.

"No one knows how the monkeys vanish or where they go. Sometimes they return holding foreign coins or durian fruit, or wearing pointed Moroccan slippers. Every so often one returns pregnant or accompanied by a new monkey. The number of monkeys is not constant."

This is a Short Story nominee for the 2008 Nebula Award. I thought it was very creative. Kij is a technical writer, and, like Bentley Little and probably others, uses some of that profession in her writing. There are lists, there are bullet points. I like how she teased out the mystery. It was a thoughtful examination of the unknown. Recommended.

Read it here.

Joe R. Lansdale, "Surveillance"

Cameras EVERYWHERE!

"The only place he had found any privacy was under the covers. He could pick his nose there."

I LOVED this story. Come to the rooftops with me and urge people to read this one. What would happen if cameras were EVERYWHERE, even your bathroom, monitored by those who think they have your best intersts at heart? I'm not a paranoid freak, but I have seen throughout my life the trend towards State Monitoring. Have you noticed the cameras at busy intersections? Congresshumans wanting to legislate our fat intake? Cops pulling you over because you aren't wearing a seatbelt, and, here in California, you cannot cell phone and drive!! How is that different from talking to a passenger in your car?!?!?

Lansdale hit a nerve with this one. Why NOT observe the citizenry with the "objective" of "helping" them live better lives? The protagonist is in the future, however it isn't a very FAR future, trust me. It's short. Read it!

HERE.

Charles Stross, "Trunk and Disorderly"

Something happens involving a dwarf mammoth in the far future.

Um. Huh? Stross is usually good but sometimes he's too clever by half. Whatever that means. Always wanted to write that phrase. Probably doesn't apply though. I was lost regarding this story. His far future civilizations are fully realized but this one didn't grab me.

Listen to it here.

Geoff Ryman, "The Film-makers of Mars"

Real-looking movies from 1911 show up."

This was a lot of fun. Very well told and for a film buff like me, hits the cinema spot. Not a big fan of Edgar Rice Burroughs but that didn't matter. Highly recommended.

Read it here.

James Patrick Kelly, "Don't Stop"

Lisa is screwed up. She also sees dead people.

Kind of an inspirational tale, this one. Lisa needs to figure out why she sees dead people. I think she figures it out, but I wasn't all that interested to find out. Read it and tell me what you think.

Here.

Warner Law, "The Alarming Letters from Scottsdale"

from The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, December, 2008.

Letters from a hermit-like author get weird.

This epistolary story was very good. I'm a dog lover so it had me pretty early. You kinda know where it's going but it's short and a lot of fun getting there.

Wayne Wightman, "A Foreign Country"

from The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, December, 2008.

Third Party Presidential candidate wins and does strange things.

Here we have a light piece of SF about another kind of alien takeover. Kinda quiet and unassuming. Pleasant work but nothing to seek out.

Stephen Baxter, "Last Contact"

The world and everything you know ends.

Now THIS should have won Best Short Story Hugo. It is by far the best story of the five as well as being one of the best I've read. What SF should be. Great science, touching relationship and dynamite ending. What would you do if you knew the exact date the universe would end? Take it from there, Stephen!

Read it here.

Dean Whitlock, "Changeling"

from The Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy, January, 2009.

A man gets involved with a strange female waitress.

Pretty good at setting the scene, Whitlock creates a small town feel with a river and foreboding island. Why this kid is so eager to follow this woman around is beyond me. And just when a mystery could be solved, guess what... it ends. Okay to pass the time with, but nothing special.

Mike Resnick, "Distant Replay"

A man meets the spitting image of his dead wife.

I don't get it. Another nominee for best Hugo, short story division, 2008. It was dumb. So what? You see the ending coming a mile away, stilted dialogue. Blah. THIS is one of the five best of the year? Criminy.

Read it here.

Robert Reed, "A Woman's Best Friend"

Love across dimensions!

Robert Reed is another short story master I enjoy. He has a way of writing accessible stories that are usually fresh takes on old ideas. This story concerns a man who gets to meet another dimension's version of his wife. I enjoyed this one quite a bit.

Read it here.

Terry Bisson, "Catch ’Em in the Act"

A man orders an out of this world camera. Wackness ensues.

Terry Bisson writes fun science fiction and fantasy. I have enjoyed his stuff quite a bit. The collection "Bears Discover Fire" is a very good book. This story left me flat, however. Just didn't feel any compassion for the main character. And the motives behind others escaped me. Nice try Terry.

Read it here.

Carol Emshwiller, "The Perfect Infestation"

from The Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy, January 2009.

Aliens among us! Don't be afraid.

Another space aliens invade our world story. Yay! This one is light and wry and some would say frivolous. You may not look at your dog the same way.

Couldn't find this one online. Sorry.