Reading the Hugos

Novelettes, Short Stories, & Poems

A book club in which we read current and potential Hugo Award nominees.

The Hugos are one of the most prestigious awards for Science Fiction and Fantasy media, and one of only a few major awards that are actually voted on by readers! Let's get together to discuss current and potential future Hugo Award nominees and decide whether we would vote for them or not.

The book selection for May is not a book at all! We will be reading the novelette, short story, and poem finalists for 2026. See below for a complete list, as well as links to where you can read the stories (where available).

Best Novelette

• “Kaiju Agonistes” by Scott Lynch (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 62)
• “Never Eaten Vegetables” by H.H. Pak (Clarkesworld, Issue 220)
• “Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy” by Martha Wells (Reactor, July 10, 2025)
• “The Girl That My Mother Is Leaving Me For” by Cameron Reed (Reactor, April 2, 2025)
• “The Millay Illusion” by Sarah Pinsker (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 67)
• “When He Calls Your Name” by Catherynne M. Valente (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 65)

Best Short Story

• “10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care for the End of Days” by Samantha Mills (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 63)
• “In My Country” by Thomas Ha (Clarkesworld, Issue 223)
• “Laser Eyes Ain’t Everything” by Effie Seiberg (Diabolical Plots, May 16, 2025)
• “Missing Helen” by Tia Tashiro (Clarkesworld, Issue 226)
• “Six People to Revise You” by J.R. Dawson (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 62)
• “Wire Mother” by Isabel J. Kim (Clarkesworld, Issue 229)

Best Poem

• “Care for Lightning” by Mari Ness (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 62)
• “Hex Supply Customer Support Log” by Elis Montgomery (Strange Horizons, Issue 25 August 2025)
• “How to Become a Sea Witch” by Theodora Goss (The Orange & Bee, Issue 5)
• “Landing: Seattle” by Brandon O’Brien (Seattle Worldcon 2025 Opening Ceremony)
• “The Mourning Robot” by Angela Liu (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 66)
• “The World to Come” by Jennifer Hudak (Strange Horizons, Issue 22 December 2025)

For teen and up readers. Books can be checked out at any NLRPLS library location or online on the Libby app. We meet at Larry's Pizza in North Little Rock. Look for the table which has the book club sign. Feel free to plan to eat dinner there or just come for the discussion! For more information, contact Megan at mhines@nlrlibrary.org. No registration required.