Below is a list of my favorite science fiction short fiction in the last month (you can find my review for last month here). I like to read them and give myself a little time to think about them. If you still remember and like a story weeks later, it was a good story.

• “A World of Speculation” by Rachael Acks in Lakeside Circus (Feb 7, 2014): A little boy hits his head and his perceptions change.
• “21 Steps of Enlightenment (Minus One)” by LaShawn M. Wanak in Strange Horizons (Feb 3, 2014): What if epiphanies just appeared, and you could choose whether or not to have one? This story grew on me after I read it; I still remember the crisp narrative and I still think about it. When most things blend together, this stands out.
• ” A Novel General Anesthetic” by E. B. Fischadler in Mad Scientist Journal (Feb 17, 2014): a silly piece by a sub par WWI-ish era doctor. Scifi needs more laughs, and this piece amuses me.
• “Love in Another Language” by Eugene Mirabelli in Lightspeed (Feb 2014): I loved the beginning of this piece. I wasn’t sure about the end of it, I think I found it too tidy, or found the characters a bit stereotypical. Still, the writing and atmosphere were really enjoyable, and I found it thought-provoking.
• “The Faerie and the Knight on Valentine’s Day” by Izabella Grace in Flash Fiction Online (Feb 2014): A sweet fantasy romance. Scifi could also use more romance, I think, and this was endearing without being cloying.

Happy reading on this snowy Monday!