Book review 138
Asimov's Science fiction magazine May-June/22
I am not planning to review each and every issue of this magazine, but I may list the issues I've been reading with a reference to this review in my general book list.
The two most popular Sci-Fi magazines in English, which are exist today are "Asimov's" and "Analog". There are many notable mentions, like "Locus", though.
"Asimov's" is issued each 2 months (it was monthly before) in a form of a paperback. Its main content is Sci-Fi short stories and novellas by both amateur and famous authors. Also, there are some popular science articles (linked to Sci-Fi), review on the latest books and upcoming Sci-Fi convents. And there is some Sci-Fi poetry (thanks God, really short)!
I was an active subscriber of a similar Russian magazine, "Esli", since 1997 till its death in 2012. I still have boxes with those magazines in my Moscow apartment (about 300 pages each, 12 per year - you can count for yourself how much space does it take). Back then, I was really enjoying it. It was the best way for me to discover new exciting authors and to understand what is happening on Sci-Fi scene.
However, to follow such a magazine on a regular basis is taking a lot of time. I've added a May-June issue into my playlist as soon as it was published, but completed it only in November. It is very unlikely that I will find some time for earlier issues.
Which is a pity, because I like "Asimov's". It is missing a considerable popular science portion which I used to like as much as Sci-Fi, but it is still a well balanced reading. In fact, I like it more, than "The Year's Best" anthologies (for example, mentioned in Review 132). Maybe its because magazine editors are less restricted in accepting its stories only from the famous authors, which names are selling? Not sure about that, but still, even though some stories are not so masterfully written as the major authors do, sometimes they are more original and sincere.
Almost all the fiction literature I consume is in the form of audiobooks: I mostly have some time for it only when I exercise or commute. It is also the case with this magazine as well. I was able to lay my hands on the more than 10 years of both "Asimov's" and "Analog", and I hope they will be updated with the new issues. Unfortunately, there is no way to buy those audio versions (or, at least, I don't know one). You can buy a paper version, or even a version for e-reader. But audio versions are distributed by the society for the blind. You can listen them in the library, or get on mail on a physical carrier with a copy protection. Which you are obliged to return.
Actually, it is the case with many older books I am reviewing. Those audio versions are exclusively for the blind. Maybe it is a copyright issue, but it is a fact: some audiobooks may not be legally purchased, no matter what a price you want to pay. You can only get them for free, if you are eligible (or smart enough).
Anyway, I certainly recommend "Asimov's" if you like a Sci-Fi. I do encourage you to get a subscription, if you can: now its not the best time for printed magazines, and it would be a pity to lose this one. I've already added a book of one of the new for me authors I've discovered in this magazine into my playlist, and planning to write about it in the Review 146. Also, I am planning to review "Asimov"'s rival, "Analog" in review 145.