First pass through the Hugo nominations
Okay, I finally filled out some of the blanks on the nomination form. Here’s how it stands so far:
Novels:
In the Country of Ice Cream Star by Sandra Newman.
Silver on the Road by Laura Anne Gilman
Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace
Graphic Novels:
Sandman: Overture by Neil Gaiman. I don’t know if part or all of it might have been published before, but the deluxe edition I got was published last year and it’s amazing.
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson. After careful consideration, I think it’s ridiculous that this got nominated as a novel for the Andre Norton Award. The number of pages might make it look like a novel, but the number of words in a graphic novel is obviously way, way under what one would expect of an actual novel. On the other hand, it’s really good and I would be happy to see it on the Hugo ballot in the appropriate category.
Novellas:
Penric’s Demon by LMB. This isn’t just an automatic vote for Bujold, either. I really loved this novella.
Novelettes:
A Learning Experience by (ahem) me. Enough of you are nominating this one that I feel I can, too. If you nominate this story, thanks! If you emailed to tell me so, extra thanks!
Damage by David Levine. This is an AI ship story.
Short Stories:
Things You Can Buy for a Penny by Will Koffman. This is a really good story. Thanks to Linda S for bringing it to my attention. If you haven’t read it, you should click through when you have time!
Wooden Feathers by Ursula Vernon. A wonderful story. Thanks again to Linda S for pointing it out. I may actually cry if it doesn’t make the final cut.
Cat Pictures Please by Naomi Kritzer, which I linked to the other day.
Things I’m still considering:
Ancillary Mercy by Leckie. I only hesitate because it’s the third book of the series and after all she already won with the first book.
Uprooted by Novik. I really loved it, but I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t get nominated, so honestly I feel I might as well nominate other works that might not be as well known.
Carry On by Rowell. A rather meta fan-fic of a fictional Harry-Potter-esque series, but extremely clever and fun and definitely as worthy of an award as Redshirts, which was obviously also a take-off of a really popular series.
Bone Gap by Ruby. There are some elements I just can’t quite figure out, but I did love this book and it’s pretty likely I will nominate it in the end.
“So Much Cooking” by Kritzer. I agree it isn’t really SF, but it’s the ending which makes me hesitate more.
Things I haven’t read yet:
All the things! *weeps as we run out of time before nominations close*
If you have a really strong recommendation for something, please drop it in the comments.
