Hugo Recs: Short Fiction

In 2019 I really struggled to read a lot of short fiction, but I still have a few favorites that I want to share.

BEST NOVELLA

Thornbound by Stephanie Burgis -- I love Burgis’ Harwood Spellbook of which this novella is a part. This one focuses on Cassandra Hardwood founding a school to teach magic. Its such a great set up for a story, and I love how this volume gives even more depth to beloved characters. (This is technically a very short novel but it's within the awards fudge room and I feel that it works better here.)

BEST SHORT STORY

“Boiled Bones and Black Eggs” by Nghi Vo The food descriptions in this are just so good! But it's also a story about women using there domestic skills and their smarts to solve their problems.

”Two Sisters in Exile” by Aliette de Bodard I loved the Xuya-verse story about culture clash and dealing with grief.

”The March on Heartful” by Lynn O'Connacht This lovely gentle science fiction story about Hedriar, a bird like alien, talking part in three day walking race, and the friends she makes along the way.

“Cassandra Draws the Four of Cups” by Ruthanna Emrys a fun story about Cassandra spending time with another orclue and the nature of prophecy.

“Give the Family My Love” by A. T. Greenblatt -- This story has got siblings and a strange alien library both of which are excellently written.