The Hugo nominations came out last week.  As is always the case, they are the tabulated nominations from a wide variety of people. And is often the case, they don’t quite fit with the views of an individual voter. 

Given that, and given the various parties involved these days, I thought I might list some of what went on my own ballot, if only because it might be of some interest to people as a reading list.

Best Novel

• Aurora Kim Stanley Robinson Orbit US; Orbit UK
• Europe at Midnight Dave Hutchinson Solaris
• Clade James Bradley Allen & Unwin
• The Water Knife Paolo Bacigalupi Knopf
• Luna: New Moon Ian McDonald Tor; Gollancz

2015 was a strong year for science fiction novels, which made this a hard choice. I also had limited reading time, which means I’m yet to read the latest Anne Leckie and Nora Jemisin books (though they’re at the top of the ‘to read’ pile). I could have listed books by a number of others, including Paul McAuley and Adam Roberts. I also definitely would have listed books by Aliette de Bodard and Naomi Novik, but my personal preference/choice is to only nominate SF for the Hugos. The Novik was a favourite from 2015, though, and I loved Aliette’s book.

Of the books listed, Stan Robinson’s smart, thoughtful, challenging Aurora was my favourite of the year. I wish it had made the Hugo and Nebula ballots -I think it’s the sort of science fiction we need right now – but so be it.