I've been way lazy on mentioning the stories which have caught my attention this year. Here is a preliminary list of stories I consider among the best of 2010. Obviously I'll be adding to this list as the year goes on.
- "A History of Terraforming" by Robert Reed, Asimov's July 2010. An epic storytelling feat. Will definitely make my Nebula Award short-list as one of the best novellas of the year.
- "Stone Wall Truth" by Caroline Yoachim, Asimov's Feb. 2010. In this far-future tale, a technology people no longer understand allows prisoners to be literally cut open and exposed to the truth of who they are. A beautifully spun tale of politics and life, and a perfect example of SciFi Strange.
- "In the Harsh Glow of its Incandescent Beauty" by Mercurio D. Rivera, Interzone 226. A continuation of Rivera's "Longing for Langalana" story about an alien species deeply in love with humanity. A fascinating idea backed up by great storytelling.
- "A Passion For Art" by David D. Levine, Interzone 228. A disturbing tale about where an obsessive passion for art leads if your passion shines through selfish eyes.
- "The Crocodiles" by Steven Popkes, F&SF May/June 2010. An even more disturbing tale combining the Nazis, the Holocaust, and zombies. The story is repulsive yet refuses to let you go. Do not expect happiness here, but do expect an amazing read.
- Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi. After winning the Nebula Award for The Windup Girl, Bacigalupi returns with a young adult novel that's among the year's best. As with Bacigalupi's adult fiction, this novel of an not-so-happy future is compelling and full of sympathetic characters the reader quickly falls in love with.