The Year's Best Science Fiction: Thirty-Fifth Annual Collection

The Year's Best Science Fiction: Thirty-Fifth Annual Collection compiles notable science fiction short stories published in 2017. Editor Gardner Dozois selected 36 works from authors including Nancy Kress, Michael Swanwick, Rich Larson, and Linda Nagata. The anthology spans multiple science fiction subgenres including hard SF, space opera, near-future speculation, and post-apocalyptic tales. Stories range from colonies on distant planets to artificial intelligence scenarios to climate change outcomes. The works explore relationships between humans and technology, questions of identity in an increasingly digital world, and humanity's place in a changing universe. Traditional science fiction concepts merge with contemporary social issues to create narratives that speak to both longtime genre fans and new readers. The stories included offer perspectives on how scientific advancement and societal evolution intersect, while examining what it means to be human in a rapidly transforming world. This collection reflects broader trends and innovations in contemporary science fiction writing.

Readers appreciate the curation of stories, noting Dozois's skill at selecting works that represent current trends in science fiction. Many mention the detailed introductions for each story and the state-of-the-field summary as valuable resources. Readers liked: - Strong representation of both established and emerging authors - Diverse range of writing styles and themes - Comprehensive year-end summaries of SF publishing Common criticisms: - Length of some stories makes the collection difficult to finish - Uneven quality across selections - Some stories feel more like literary fiction than science fiction Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (157 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) One reader noted: "The anthology provides a good snapshot of where SF is heading, though not all stories will appeal to traditional SF fans." Several reviews mentioned the standout story "The Martian Obelisk" by Linda Nagata as particularly memorable.

The Big Book of Science Fiction by Ann, Jeff VanderMeer This 1,200-page anthology spans the evolution of science fiction from the 1920s through the 2010s with stories from different countries and subgenres.

The Best Science Fiction of the Year: Volume 6 by Neil Clarke The collection features space exploration, artificial intelligence, and parallel universe stories published in 2020 from established and emerging writers.

The Very Best of Fantasy & Science Fiction: Volume 2 by Gordon Van Gelder This compilation draws from seven decades of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, presenting works by authors who shaped the genre's development.

Masterpieces: The Best Science Fiction of the Century by Orson Scott Card The anthology contains 27 science fiction stories published between 1900 and 2000 that demonstrate the genre's capacity for addressing technological and social change.

The Time Traveler's Almanac by Ann VanderMeer, Jeff VanderMeer This compilation focuses on time travel stories from the past century, including works from H.G. Wells through contemporary authors.

🌟 Gardner Dozois edited an incredible 35 volumes of this anthology series before his death in 2018, making it one of the longest-running science fiction anthology series in history. 🚀 The anthology series has won multiple Locus Awards for Best Anthology and helped launch the careers of numerous prominent science fiction authors. 📚 Each volume begins with a comprehensive summation of the year in science fiction, covering publishing trends, notable books, and significant events in the sci-fi community. 💫 Dozois was not just an editor - he won 15 Hugo Awards for Best Professional Editor and was himself an accomplished science fiction author who won two Nebula Awards for his own short fiction. 📖 The 2018 edition (Thirty-Fifth Annual Collection) contains over 300,000 words of fiction, featuring works from acclaimed authors like Ken Liu, Nancy Kress, and Alastair Reynolds.