February already! I’ve finished a couple of novels, but right now I’m back to short stories.
Knowing the third book shown below was on it’s way, I picked up the collection and anthology also shown to continue in them. First is a collection of science fiction by E. C. Tubb, who some think is one of the better SF writers in short form. The second is an anthology that I’ve been dipping into, briefly, for a while. The third is Peter Lovesey’s brand new collection of stories.
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- Best SF of E.C. Tubb
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- Mammoth Book of Steampunk
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- Reader, I Buried Them
So, stories read:
“Fallen Angel” by E. C. Tubb from The Best of E. C. Tubb – a robot story.
“Death-wish” by E. C. Tubb from The Best of E. C. Tubb – massive interstellar fleets fight a seemingly unwinable war in space.
“The Ming Vase” by E. C. Tubb from The Best of E. C. Tubb – why would an international spy walk into a dilapidated antiques shop and steal a small vase from the Ming Dynasty?
“The Beatific Smile” by E. C. Tubb from The Best of E. C. Tubb – in a two-man space lifeboat, one man can take a knock-out drug to sleep the wait for rescue, the other must be awake and alert to respond to a rescue signal.
“The Steam Dancer” by Catlin R. Kiernan from The Mammoth Book of Steampunk – backbreaking work as a steamdancer is nothing compared to raising a son on the Moon.
“Icebreaker” by E. Catherine Tobler from The Mammoth Book of Steampunk – an expedition to the Arctic is interrupted by ice lizards attacking the ship, and a lost mechanical heart.
“Tom Edison and His Amazing Telegraphic Harpoon” by Jay Lake from The Mammoth Book of Steampunk – Tom has to hastily rig a special weapon when his exploring team is attacked.
“The Zeppelin Conductors’ Society Annual Gentleman’s Ball” by Genevieve Valentine from The Mammoth Book of Steampunk – Hydrogen has strange effects on the human body under prolonged exposure.
“Clockwork Fairies” by Cat Rambo from The Mammoth Book of Steampunk – impossible to make, impossible to steal…
“And the Band Played On” from Reader, I Buried Them and Other Stories by Peter Lovesey – Grandpa was a murderer, with a song stuck in his head.
“Sweet and Low” from Reader, I Buried Them and Other Stories by Peter Lovesey – stolen beehives lead to murder.
“Lady Luck” from Reader, I Buried Them and Other Stories by Peter Lovesey – a petty thief has a streak of luck, of a sort.
“Reader, I Buried Them” from Reader, I Buried Them and Other Stories by Peter Lovesey – the monastery is larger than needed as older monks die off, but moving to another location is out of the question.
“Angela’s Alterations” from Reader, I Buried Them and Other Stories by Peter Lovesey – a problem teen needs straightening out, but how, and by whom?
“The Bitter Truth” from Reader, I Buried Them and Other Stories by Peter Lovesey – a blockbuster story backfires on a newspaper writer.
notes: These are all very good, if quite different, short story collections / anthologies. I’ve been reading from the Tubb and Steampunk for a while, a story or two between novels, but I may be reading the Lovesey collection straight through.
Tip the Wink 
Read a few E.C. Tubb novels back in the 60’s, probably halves of Ace doubles. Don’t remember much about them. Have enjoyed some of Peter Lovesey’s novel but never read any of his short fiction. Not a big fan of steampunk outside of James Blaylock. Glad to see you seem to be reading more. .
Thanks Steve, I’ve been reading some, but have sent several things back to the library unfinished and dumped others from my shelves.
I don’t think I have read any steampunk fiction but I do have a book of short stories by George Mann. I should try some from that book soon. I am sure that the Peter Lovesey stories are good and plan to get that collection also.
I’m finding the Lovesey a bit bland, Tracy, but that’s probably just me. I’d send you my copy, but I got an oily spot on the cover so it’s unsuitable.
I read a lot of Peter Lovesey’s novel/s way back when then, for some reason, I stopped. I really should get back to his books. He’s a very talented writer. I always found E. C. Tubb’s tales much better than I thought I would, probably because he was a bit too prolific early in his career (using at least 42 pseudonyms!).. I really haven’t delved into steampunk that much.
All three sound like great books, Rick. I’m glad you’re enjoying them.
Tubb picked these as his best, so it’s a good collection.
Good choices. I just downloaded the Lovesey from the library this morning. I’ve read all of his previous collections (I know Crippen & Landru has done two or three) and look forward to these. Haven;t read Tubb but this does sound interesting to me. I have read some steampunk novels by Scott Westerfeld and others.
Reading is still slow here. Reading one or two Ed Hoch stories a day but hope to add the Loveseys in there.
The ones that are not about spaceships, lizards, and interstellar warfare appeal to me.
None of Lovesey stories have those things.
Sounds like three very entertaining collections! I’m a big Tubb fan (especially his Dumarest saga). I’ve read several Lovesey novels and enjoyed them.
I like his Peter Diamond novels, the two or three I’ve read.