Reading right now (a little belatedly) the wonderful Year´s Best SF 11, edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer. I had already read the 12th, but only now I could find this one, comprehending the best short stories published in magazines in 2005. I´m flabbergasted (do they still use this word in English? It rings a little bit old-fashioned to me but at the same time it feels right): I didn´t finish it yet (I have the nasty habit of going through anthologies via quantum page-leaps - unless, of course, that required otherwise), but I can already recommend gladly at least three top-notch stories: Deus Ex Homine, by Finnish writer Hannu Rajaniemi (a great story about how does one feel being not a god, but an ex-god, mind you), Ted Chiang´s What´s Expected of Us, a kind of new-old classic in the tradition of Frederic Brown´s best stories), and my personal favorite of the decade in SF: Alastair Reynolds, with Beyond the Aquila Rift, a star-spanning story reminscent of the best hard-sf/space opera stories in the field. A must-read.
On a later note, I just received confirmation from Amazon.com that the much-awaited anthology The New Weird, edited by Jeff and Ann VanderMeer, has shipped. I will probably receive it in the next two weeks. Can hardly wait - as I´m eagerly waiting for Year´s Best SF 13 and Year´s Best Fantasy 8.
From now on Anglo-American readers can expect posts in English periodically. Welcome to my new blog! (a special welcome to Jeff and Ann VanderMeer, David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer, with many thanks, and to fellow Romenian writer and fan Horia-Nicola Ursu, the Ugly Big Bad Bear - thanks for the audience and for the understanding, meu amigo!)
i do feel welcome here, my friend! thanks!
Anytime, Horia!!
You should post some book reviews. That'd be nice.;)
Will do that. ;-)
Thanks, Jacques!!
Hey--very cool. Thanks! I'll start hanging out here.
Jeff
My pleasure, Jeff! Feel free to drop here anytime you want! ;-)