Science Fiction: The Short Stuff discussion

What SF works of 39,999 words or less do you think the group might enjoy the most? Please feel free to nominate one, or perhaps even two, for December. Holiday related SF stories would be especially appreciated, given the season. I know my two nominations will be. Please nominate by November 15. I want to run the polls mid-month. Thanks!

It took me a while to find something of the required length but I did! I haven’t read it but I’m thrilled to!

The tent by Margaret Atwood. (Not available on Kindle).

“The Tent is a book by Canadian author Margaret Atwood, published in 2006. Although classified with Atwood’s short fiction, it has been characterized as an “experimental” collection of “fictional essays"or “mini-fictions.” It also incorporates line drawings by Atwood” (Wikipedia).
I hope you’re interested!
My best,
Monica

I couldn't think of any holiday related science fiction stories, so I'll nominate the following two instead:

The Women Men Don't See by James Tiptree Jr. (originally published in Fantasy and Science Fiction in 1973)
and
He Walked Around the Horses by H. Beam Piper (originally published in Astounding Science Fiction in April, 1948)

Mónica wrote: "It took me a while to find something of the required length but I did! I haven’t read it but I’m thrilled to!

The tent by Margaret Atwood. (Not available on Kindle).

“The Tent is a book by Canad..."

I appreciate this nomination, Monica. I'm also a big fan of Margaret Atwood's, especially when her work veers into science fiction, which it often does even in her straight fiction works. There will often be an SF subplot in any book she writes.

But this nominated work, worthwhile reading as it may be, upon researching it does not seem to be science fiction, not even science, or fiction either, for that matter. I'm therefore disqualifying this nomination as being not-genre-appropriate for our group. If you have any SF short works you'd like to nominate, I'd love to consider them for group read.

David wrote: "I couldn't think of any holiday related science fiction stories, so I'll nominate the following two instead:

The Women Men Don't See by James Tiptree Jr. (original..."

These nominations both came in just in time to be considered for November's group read. So I am using them for that. If you wish to nominate up to two more for December's group read in this plot thread, you are welcome to.

Since we had only five works nominated for next month, then, I don't think we need a poll. Let's just make all five group reads. They're all short enough. Right?

Dan wrote: "These nominations both came in just in time to be considered for November's group read. So I am using them for that. If you wish to nominate up to two more for December's group read in this plot thread, you are welcome to..."

OK, thanks, Dan.

For December, I'll nominate the following two:

Desertion by Clifford D. Simak. Originally published in the November 1944 issue of Astounding Science Fiction and later combined with other Simak short stories into the classic fix-up novel City; and

All You Zombies by Robert A. Heinlein. Originally published in the March, 1959 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.

Both stories should be readily available in print. Audiobook editions of both are available for free on Youtube.

Great choices David. Thanks!

I wish to nominate "The Monster of the Prophecy," a novelette by Clark Ashton Smith. A poet about to commit suicide (shades of It's a Wonderful Life) meets a being from three-mooned Satabbor, a planet that circles Antares, who makes him an offer. Smith is better known as a weird fiction or fantasy writer, and this story did indeed see print initially in the January 1932 issue of Weird Tales. Nevertheless, I assure you, it is 100% science fiction.

My second nomination is "Miracle" by Connie Willis. One reviewer describes the story thus: Miracle is set in a big city company where a young woman is wishing her sexy boss would notice her at the office party. What it actually is is a lively debate about which is The Greatest Christmas Movie Ever Made? with a eco-warrior / 'Save the Planet' guardian angel thrown in. What is your choice between "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street"? I am not so much a Connie Willis fan, but she apparently can write great SF Christmas stories. The story also took third place in the 1992 Hugo novelette category.