I don't do reviews for a variety of reasons. Mainly, I don't enjoy overthinking why I liked something (or didn't), then trying to explain it to someone else. People like different stuff, so why should they give a shit what I think? I also think BELIEVING someone should give a shit about what I like (or don't) is kind of pretentious. I know plenty of people who write detailed, thoughtful reviews, and that's fine. Whatever floats their boat. But that ain't me.
However, this year is the first year I'm eligible to nominate works for a Nebula award, so I'm tossing this blog post out anyway (so yes, I'm a hypocritical dick). First a caveat: I haven't completed all my Nebula reading yet, so my two recommendations below are by no means the only pieces I intend to nominate. And if you're eligible for the award, feel free to email me your best piece. Getting to nominate stuff (and letting people know you're doing it) is awesome. I've received so MANY amazing pieces of writing. My story, "Floaters," is the story I've been tossing around for consideration (appearing in Digital Sci Fi's Heir Apparent anthology).
Now to the awesome! (direct links to both stories provided below)
I will nominate Ken Liu's, "Paper Menagerie." There's pretty much nothing that Ken writes that I don't like, but this one moved me more than any of his other pieces.
I will also nominate Nathaniel Lee's, "I Kill Monsters." One of the criteria I consider when I decide if a story is "good" is whether or not I'd want to read it again. Nathaniel's story is full of fist pumping awesomeness, so you're damn right I'd read it again. In fact, if you want a roller coaster ride of emotion, read/listen to these stories over and over, back to back.
Yeah, you're welcome.
RLR
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