2012 January Reading List

Venus – Erotic Sci Fi Stories by SRSFF – Since one of my stories is included in this anthology of course I was curious to see what the other collaborators wrote about. So I started the year with this book and didn’t regret it. My favorite story is “A from Amsterdam” by Silviu Genescu. 4/5 stars (but of course I’m biased)

Sanctus by Simon Toyne – It’s a fast read and easy to put down and take breaks because the chapters are so short. It’s almost as if it was written for people with ADHD. I wasn’t entirely convinced by the characters and religious thrillers are not really my thing so I won’t be following the series. 3/5 stars

The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajanniemi – I wanted to read this because I had heard many good things about it. 100 pages into it, I realized I didn’t care how it ended. It’s not badly written, I just didn’t care about the characters and what happened to them. 3/5 stars (graded based on partial read)

After Dark by Haruki Murakami – This one was different from my usual reads. I didn’t fall in love with it, but I got caught by the story and enjoyed reading it. I like it when two characters just sit down at a table and talk about life. 4/5 stars

Star grading system reminder:
1 star - you won't find any so it doesn't matter
2 stars - waste of time or unfinished book or both
3 stars - you won't be sorry for reading it but you can just as well live without it
4 stars - it brings something special into your life
5 stars - brilliant, damn near perfect

Galileo Awards 2012 - Nominations

The nominations for Galileo Awards 2012 have been announced on Galileo Online. None of my stories made the cut, but "Miss Vu's Morning Ride" is mentioned among those that have received a "significant number of votes" (whatever that means) so thank you to those who voted for it.

"Steampunk: A doua revoluţie” and "Venus – povestiri erotice science fiction” are still in the run for Best Anthology. Thank you in advance to those who will vote for them.

Observator cultural mention

There's a mention of my story "Unhinged Reality" and my blog in "Observator cultural". That's good for the story, but I'm wondering if I'll have to explain again that this is not a "serious" writer blog. :P No writing tips, no book reviews (at least not in awhile), no other writers/books/publishers promoting (though maybe there should be just to show support to the fandom). No comments on politics, religion, scandals, no juicy stuff. Just me and my world... as twisted as it is. :)

Leonard Cohen – Old Ideas

Leonard Cohen's new album "Old Ideas" is currently streamed on The Guardian's website before its official release on January 31.

After having listened to it twice, I can say it's better than "Dear Heather", though not as good as "Ten New Songs". Still, it's great and it's wonderful to finally have some new Cohen material to listen to. And dance to it if you will. ;)

I love love love "Different Sides", perfect song to end the album.

Galileo Awards 2012 - Eligible Stories

Soooo... Galileo Online has made available the list of eligible novels, stories, and anthologies for the 2012 Galielo Awards.

My stories are the following:

• "Adevărul din privire”, "Venus – povestiri erotice science fiction”,
  editor Antuza Genescu, Eagle House Publishing, December, 2011
  
  
• "Plimbarea de dimineaţă a domnişoarei Vu”, "Steampunk: A doua revoluţie”,
  editor Adrian Crăciun, Millennium Books, March, 2011
  
  
• "Camuflaj”, Nautilus, no. 47, December, 2011
  
  
• "Navigând prin ceaţă”, SRSFF, November, 2011
  
  
• "Culori şi umbre”, Nautilus, no. 45, October, 2011
  
  
• "Inimi de piatră”, Nautilus, no. 42, July, 2011
  
  
• "Alergând după o rază de soare”, Gazeta SF, no. 6, June, 2011
  
  
• "Ne întâlnim la capătul drumului”, Nautilus, no. 40, May, 2011
  
  
• "Uriaşii”, Nautilus, no. 38, March, 2011
  
  
• "Foşnet de îngeri”, Nautilus, no. 36, January, 2011

Also, in the anthology category, I'm interested in "Steampunk: A doua revoluţie” and "Venus – povestiri erotice science fiction” because my stories are included in both of them.

Update: Alexandru Ioan Despina lists "Camuflaj" and "Navigand prin ceata" among his top 9 favorite contenders for the short stories category. He should know, he's been analysing the SF&F stories published on-line for half a year or so.

To these two stories I would like to add "Plimbarea de dimineata a domnisoarei Vu" and "Adevarul din privire", which are not that bad either if I may say so. :)

Story: The Invasion

My contribution to "The 1001 Fabrications of the Sci Fi Old Man" short prose section from Moshul SF's blog is called "The Invasion".

I've got the idea one evening, when out of the corner of my eye I saw a shadow move on the ceiling.

Luckily, it was not an alien!

Steampunk - A Top Ten Millennium Book

"Steampunk: The Second Revolution" was ranked 6th in Fan SF's Top Ten Millennium books.

Miss Vu would be proud. :)

Galileo Awards 2012

Galileo Online announced it's time for the Galileo Awards 2012. According to my calculations, 10 of my stories should be eligible. We'll see when the final list of nominees is announced.

Steampunk and Venus are already listed in the anthology category. I have high hopes for them.

Dancing on Mars and Other Fantasy Stories Review

It's been a while since "Dancing on Mars and Other Fantasy Stories" was published, but it's always nice to see a new review coming out. Read it in Galileo Online.

Venus - Erotic Sci Fi Stories Review

The first Venus - Erotic Sci Fi Stories detailed review I've read so far appeared on SRSFF's site.

I'm only half way through reading the book, but I found myself agreeing with what's being said. And this is all I'm going to say on the subject.

Hmm, maybe I'll write a post about how my little story came to life. :)

Praises for Steampunk and Venus

According to FanSF, Steampunk is the second best book published by Millennium Books in 2011, and Venus is the best book published by Eagle Publishing House in 2011.

Since my stories are included in both anthologies, I couldn't be any more proud. :)