Hugo & Nebula Awards: Best Novels discussion

The year is slowly but inevitably moves to its end and soon we will select nominees for the next year Hugo. In order to simplify the process and add the resources, here are two internet projects that collect eligible works (for many categories):

Hugo Award Nominees 2020 Wiki https://hugo-noms-2020.fandom.com/wik...

Hugo Awards GoogleDoc spreadsheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Bookmarked and thanks!

I'm not ready! I still haven't read a single thing that could be eligible for next year's awards, and still feel a little burnt out from trying to read through the 2019 nominees...

I have Ted Chiang's Exhalation on my shelf, and just picked up Monstress vol. 4. I have an ARC for Charlie Jane Anders' The City in the Middle of the Night. Haven't read any.

The buzz I've heard from podcasts/goodreads/my bookstore make me think these ones are likely to be nominees:

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (winner of this year's short story Hugo)
The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz
Middlegame by Seanan McGuire
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone (novella category)

Kalin wrote: "I'm not ready! I still haven't read a single thing that could be eligible for next year's awards, and still feel a little burnt out from trying to read through the 2019 nominees."

I tried to read most nominated/shortlisted works for 2019, with different results: I managed to read several novels, which were nominated (before they were named), only one novella (it was easy - everyone expected Murderbot novella to be at least a nominee). With short stories/novelettes I used Rocket Stack Rank as a guide but none of the read works got nominated.

This year I try to read at least one 2019 novel per month to be more prepared.

I'm reading Middlegame right now, but it is maddening because there are previews/foreshadows/jumps forward--which I HATE.

Kateblue wrote: "I'm reading Middlegame right now,"

I plan to read it this year, for it has high chances of getting a nomination and I just like her other books

I have just started reading Middlegame in the weekend and so far I love it. But I generally seem to like McGuire's writing style.

I think The Priory of the Orange Tree might also end up on the shortlist. So far I've heard some really positive buzz around it. I haven't gotten around to reading it yet though. It's sitting on my shelf, decorating it with its georgeous cover, and waiting for its turn.

I am interested to read more novellas/novelettes next year.

Kalin wrote: "Ted Chiang's Exhalation on my shelf....... I have an ARC for Charlie Jane Anders' The City in the Middle of the Night. Haven't read any."

I am open for buddy reading any of these two.

Kalin wrote: "I have Ted Chiang's Exhalation ... Charlie Jane Anders' The City in the Middle of the Night. ."

I've read both. I liked Chang's collection of stories, there were several 4&5 star for me. Anders' novel left me cold, an interesting premise, life on a tidally locked planet, local sentient life, bits here and there but it didn't work for me

Silvana wrote: "I am open for buddy reading any of these two."

I'm really eager to read Exhalation, and it'll be the first on my list when things that I've already set as goals are taken care of, and when I have some time. I don't think this will happen until December, so if you want I'd be happy to set up an Exhalation buddy read for that month.

We also have the benefit for this group that Exhalation, the short story that gives the collection its name, won the Hugo back in 2009. I know not everyone here is, but I'm also making my way through shorter Nebula/Hugo winners so it ticks off that box for me. There are actually only two short stories in the collection that could be nominated for best short story this coming year.

I’ve read This is How You Win the Time War, Middle Game and Recursion. I think those are the only eligible novels I’ve read but I have a bunch more on my TBR list! I too want to be more prepared as I’d like to participate in nomination process this time around.

Kalin wrote: "Silvana wrote: "I am open for buddy reading any of these two."

I'm really eager to read Exhalation, and it'll be the first on my list when things that I've already set as goals are taken care of, ..."

December would be good for me, thank you for setting it up!

Question: I believe Tade Thompson will have 2 of his Rosewater books published in 2019. Does that mean both are eligible for Hugo nomination?

Carolyn wrote: "Question: I believe Tade Thompson will have 2 of his Rosewater books published in 2019. Does that mean both are eligible for Hugo nomination?"

Yes. While you can nominate both, usually the author withdraws their works from nominating leaving only one - not to crowd out others and to dilute votes. The most recent example are Murderbot novellas - three were nominated this year, but the author withdraw two

Thank you for the clarification Oleksandr!!

These are the books published in 2019 (so far) that will be eligible for the 2020 Hugo and Nebula award.

Hugo:
The Kingdom of Copper
Perihelion Summer
The Raven Tower
The Gutter Prayer

Nebula:
I haven't found a solid list yet, but they usually mirror the Hugo's.

I started posting some lists in our filial group here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I actually renewed my membership in time this year to participate in Hugo nominations but now I’m realizing that I’m way behind in terms of reading 2019 published sci-fi that is eligible for nomination. Having never participated in nominations process before can someone tell me how it works and how long the nominations period is open?

Carolyn wrote: " Having never participated in nominations process before can someone tell me how it works and how long the nominations period is open?."

At the start of 2020 you'll get a link from WorldCon where there'll be rules and nomination ballot. You can have up to 5 different noms per category. Deadline is March 13, 2020 for e-forms