I am new to reading the science fiction genre, but I enjoyed reading The Year’s Top Ten Tales of Science Fiction, edited by Allan Kaster. The stories range from tales of present day with new technologies, to future stories with alien creatures. I enjoyed them. They are a nice addition to the mystery genre that I normally read.

I will summarize three of my favorites.

"26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss", by Kij Johnson, is a story about a woman who acquires a monkey circus act. The monkeys perform various acts on stage and eventually all disappear at the end. It is light and pleasant. The owner finds true peace with herself through the monkeys.

"The Art of Alchemy", by Ted Kosmatka, is a current-day story involving memory metals. As an engineer and pseudo-metallurgist, I think the story is great. Memory metals, or even memory materials, are able to bend and return to their previous shape. The story involves some intrigue, and the resolution is a do-good theme that helps the whole world.

"The Ray-Gun: A Love Story", by James Alan Gardner, is the first story in the collection and caught my attention right away. A young boy finds a ray gun in the woods near his home that has powers to vaporize everything in its path. He realizes the power of the ray gun and keeps it a secret well into his adulthood. The point of the story will spoil the plot for the reader, so I will not divulge it. What impressed me is that the story is circular, everything ties together and the ending is a surprise.

I recommend the collection. Science fiction lovers will enjoy it because it covers a wide variety of plotlines. Ironically, newcomers to science fiction will love it because it allows you to sample the various styles and see which you like the best.