Howard Cornett (https://myreadinglife.com)
@specficreader.bsky.social
I am a reader of short fiction. Here is where I share my favorites of what I am reading, mostly in the speculative fiction genre.
I am taking a break from my Daily Dose of #Empathy posts for the month of October. Too many projects around the house. In the meantime, you can see what I am reading on the table at the bottom of this page. myreadinglife.com/shortfiction
My Reading Life
"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." – George R. R. Martin
myreadinglife.com
October 12, 2025 at 2:15 PM
I am taking a break from my Daily Dose of #Empathy posts for the month of October. Too many projects around the house. In the meantime, you can see what I am reading on the table at the bottom of this page. myreadinglife.com/shortfiction
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/NTwziIr)
City of One by Stephen S. Power (buff.ly/IFl7BTA)
The author has used a number of unique tools in this excellent story. First, the story is in the second person, so it is speaking directly to the reader. I often find this distracting, but ...
City of One by Stephen S. Power (buff.ly/IFl7BTA)
The author has used a number of unique tools in this excellent story. First, the story is in the second person, so it is speaking directly to the reader. I often find this distracting, but ...
September 27, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/NTwziIr)
City of One by Stephen S. Power (buff.ly/IFl7BTA)
The author has used a number of unique tools in this excellent story. First, the story is in the second person, so it is speaking directly to the reader. I often find this distracting, but ...
City of One by Stephen S. Power (buff.ly/IFl7BTA)
The author has used a number of unique tools in this excellent story. First, the story is in the second person, so it is speaking directly to the reader. I often find this distracting, but ...
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/HR7edpj)
The Girlfriend Experience by @cztacks.bsky.social (buff.ly/0AITHay)
In a bleak, near future dystopia devastated by climate change, a sex worker is forced by her economic circumstances to entertain a client whose proclivity involves choking her.
The Girlfriend Experience by @cztacks.bsky.social (buff.ly/0AITHay)
In a bleak, near future dystopia devastated by climate change, a sex worker is forced by her economic circumstances to entertain a client whose proclivity involves choking her.
September 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/HR7edpj)
The Girlfriend Experience by @cztacks.bsky.social (buff.ly/0AITHay)
In a bleak, near future dystopia devastated by climate change, a sex worker is forced by her economic circumstances to entertain a client whose proclivity involves choking her.
The Girlfriend Experience by @cztacks.bsky.social (buff.ly/0AITHay)
In a bleak, near future dystopia devastated by climate change, a sex worker is forced by her economic circumstances to entertain a client whose proclivity involves choking her.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/YDS3FyM)
The Place I Came To by @filiphdz.bsky.social (buff.ly/CZnxDUy)
This is a short, simple story of how the narrator moved to a new city that he at first didn't really like but eventually came to appreciate and love.
The Place I Came To by @filiphdz.bsky.social (buff.ly/CZnxDUy)
This is a short, simple story of how the narrator moved to a new city that he at first didn't really like but eventually came to appreciate and love.
September 25, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/YDS3FyM)
The Place I Came To by @filiphdz.bsky.social (buff.ly/CZnxDUy)
This is a short, simple story of how the narrator moved to a new city that he at first didn't really like but eventually came to appreciate and love.
The Place I Came To by @filiphdz.bsky.social (buff.ly/CZnxDUy)
This is a short, simple story of how the narrator moved to a new city that he at first didn't really like but eventually came to appreciate and love.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/09/24/l...)
Last Meal Aboard the Awassa by @kcolemanwrites.bsky.social (www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/last...)
Many science fiction adventure stories involve alien encounters, learning from them or fighting against them.
Last Meal Aboard the Awassa by @kcolemanwrites.bsky.social (www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/last...)
Many science fiction adventure stories involve alien encounters, learning from them or fighting against them.
September 24, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/09/24/l...)
Last Meal Aboard the Awassa by @kcolemanwrites.bsky.social (www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/last...)
Many science fiction adventure stories involve alien encounters, learning from them or fighting against them.
Last Meal Aboard the Awassa by @kcolemanwrites.bsky.social (www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/last...)
Many science fiction adventure stories involve alien encounters, learning from them or fighting against them.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/HPokloM)
A World of Their Own by @robertfalco.bsky.social (buff.ly/QgKT9cy)
The Earth is devoid of humans who have all left the world they destroyed to find a new place to live. Left behind are two unique forms life—sentient drones and biomechanical animals.
A World of Their Own by @robertfalco.bsky.social (buff.ly/QgKT9cy)
The Earth is devoid of humans who have all left the world they destroyed to find a new place to live. Left behind are two unique forms life—sentient drones and biomechanical animals.
September 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/HPokloM)
A World of Their Own by @robertfalco.bsky.social (buff.ly/QgKT9cy)
The Earth is devoid of humans who have all left the world they destroyed to find a new place to live. Left behind are two unique forms life—sentient drones and biomechanical animals.
A World of Their Own by @robertfalco.bsky.social (buff.ly/QgKT9cy)
The Earth is devoid of humans who have all left the world they destroyed to find a new place to live. Left behind are two unique forms life—sentient drones and biomechanical animals.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/FDRZj4K)
Five Impossible Things by @kojiadae.bsky.social (buff.ly/drZkOf0)
Alice lies dying in a hospice bed while her mind attempts to gain citizenship in Vtora Sviat, a virtual reality realm designed as an alternative to dying.
Five Impossible Things by @kojiadae.bsky.social (buff.ly/drZkOf0)
Alice lies dying in a hospice bed while her mind attempts to gain citizenship in Vtora Sviat, a virtual reality realm designed as an alternative to dying.
September 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/FDRZj4K)
Five Impossible Things by @kojiadae.bsky.social (buff.ly/drZkOf0)
Alice lies dying in a hospice bed while her mind attempts to gain citizenship in Vtora Sviat, a virtual reality realm designed as an alternative to dying.
Five Impossible Things by @kojiadae.bsky.social (buff.ly/drZkOf0)
Alice lies dying in a hospice bed while her mind attempts to gain citizenship in Vtora Sviat, a virtual reality realm designed as an alternative to dying.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/09/21/t...)
The Fury of the Glowmen by David McGillveray (clarkesworldmagazine.com/mcgillveray_...)
This story opens in Malaysia as the current prime minister is urgently shutting down an artificial intelligence that has become sentient.
The Fury of the Glowmen by David McGillveray (clarkesworldmagazine.com/mcgillveray_...)
This story opens in Malaysia as the current prime minister is urgently shutting down an artificial intelligence that has become sentient.
September 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/09/21/t...)
The Fury of the Glowmen by David McGillveray (clarkesworldmagazine.com/mcgillveray_...)
This story opens in Malaysia as the current prime minister is urgently shutting down an artificial intelligence that has become sentient.
The Fury of the Glowmen by David McGillveray (clarkesworldmagazine.com/mcgillveray_...)
This story opens in Malaysia as the current prime minister is urgently shutting down an artificial intelligence that has become sentient.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/MaTqjkP)
Aperture by @ajablokov.bsky.social (buff.ly/ZaGmaRw)
On an asteroid that the narrator is working to help bring back to life as a habitat, this is tale of community, found family, and awkwardness in socializing.
Aperture by @ajablokov.bsky.social (buff.ly/ZaGmaRw)
On an asteroid that the narrator is working to help bring back to life as a habitat, this is tale of community, found family, and awkwardness in socializing.
September 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/MaTqjkP)
Aperture by @ajablokov.bsky.social (buff.ly/ZaGmaRw)
On an asteroid that the narrator is working to help bring back to life as a habitat, this is tale of community, found family, and awkwardness in socializing.
Aperture by @ajablokov.bsky.social (buff.ly/ZaGmaRw)
On an asteroid that the narrator is working to help bring back to life as a habitat, this is tale of community, found family, and awkwardness in socializing.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/09/19/f...)
Four People I Need You to Kill Before the Dance Begins by @louisinglishall.bsky.social (clarkesworldmagazine.com/hall_09_25)
The format here is of a narrator telling you a story. So, you are the one being asked to kill four people.
Four People I Need You to Kill Before the Dance Begins by @louisinglishall.bsky.social (clarkesworldmagazine.com/hall_09_25)
The format here is of a narrator telling you a story. So, you are the one being asked to kill four people.
September 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/09/19/f...)
Four People I Need You to Kill Before the Dance Begins by @louisinglishall.bsky.social (clarkesworldmagazine.com/hall_09_25)
The format here is of a narrator telling you a story. So, you are the one being asked to kill four people.
Four People I Need You to Kill Before the Dance Begins by @louisinglishall.bsky.social (clarkesworldmagazine.com/hall_09_25)
The format here is of a narrator telling you a story. So, you are the one being asked to kill four people.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/09/18/w...)
Wireworks by @sherisingerling.bsky.social (clarkesworldmagazine.com/singerling_0...)
Calista is a young girl who has lost her mother. When she sees a sign for the Cyber Circus, she longs to go as she once did with her mother.
Wireworks by @sherisingerling.bsky.social (clarkesworldmagazine.com/singerling_0...)
Calista is a young girl who has lost her mother. When she sees a sign for the Cyber Circus, she longs to go as she once did with her mother.
September 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/09/18/w...)
Wireworks by @sherisingerling.bsky.social (clarkesworldmagazine.com/singerling_0...)
Calista is a young girl who has lost her mother. When she sees a sign for the Cyber Circus, she longs to go as she once did with her mother.
Wireworks by @sherisingerling.bsky.social (clarkesworldmagazine.com/singerling_0...)
Calista is a young girl who has lost her mother. When she sees a sign for the Cyber Circus, she longs to go as she once did with her mother.
@ouropinions.bsky.social Here are a couple of recent stories from @clarkesworldmagazine.com that have mycelium central to their plot.
clarkesworldmagazine.com/chan_08_25
clarkesworldmagazine.com/teryna_07_25
clarkesworldmagazine.com/chan_08_25
clarkesworldmagazine.com/teryna_07_25
And The Planet Loved Him by L Chan
Clarkesworld Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine and Podcast.
clarkesworldmagazine.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:52 PM
@ouropinions.bsky.social Here are a couple of recent stories from @clarkesworldmagazine.com that have mycelium central to their plot.
clarkesworldmagazine.com/chan_08_25
clarkesworldmagazine.com/teryna_07_25
clarkesworldmagazine.com/chan_08_25
clarkesworldmagazine.com/teryna_07_25
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/qVvklyi)
Abstraction is when I design giant death creatures and Attraction is when I do it for you by Claire Jia-Win (buff.ly/vFcDbN2)
Mix Transformers with UFC and you get an idea of the world in this first story of the September issue of Clarkesworld magazine
Abstraction is when I design giant death creatures and Attraction is when I do it for you by Claire Jia-Win (buff.ly/vFcDbN2)
Mix Transformers with UFC and you get an idea of the world in this first story of the September issue of Clarkesworld magazine
September 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/qVvklyi)
Abstraction is when I design giant death creatures and Attraction is when I do it for you by Claire Jia-Win (buff.ly/vFcDbN2)
Mix Transformers with UFC and you get an idea of the world in this first story of the September issue of Clarkesworld magazine
Abstraction is when I design giant death creatures and Attraction is when I do it for you by Claire Jia-Win (buff.ly/vFcDbN2)
Mix Transformers with UFC and you get an idea of the world in this first story of the September issue of Clarkesworld magazine
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/kVU0gpD)
Anti-Capitalism vs. the Man of Flowers by @naokan.bsky.social (buff.ly/qFep1KJ)
At a convention of superheroes, a small group of them discusses what they could do if they really dedicated themselves to making the world a better place.
Anti-Capitalism vs. the Man of Flowers by @naokan.bsky.social (buff.ly/qFep1KJ)
At a convention of superheroes, a small group of them discusses what they could do if they really dedicated themselves to making the world a better place.
September 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/kVU0gpD)
Anti-Capitalism vs. the Man of Flowers by @naokan.bsky.social (buff.ly/qFep1KJ)
At a convention of superheroes, a small group of them discusses what they could do if they really dedicated themselves to making the world a better place.
Anti-Capitalism vs. the Man of Flowers by @naokan.bsky.social (buff.ly/qFep1KJ)
At a convention of superheroes, a small group of them discusses what they could do if they really dedicated themselves to making the world a better place.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/LQhK2Ts)
Savannah and the Apprentice by Christopher Rowe (buff.ly/tSm1bri)
Savannah is an odd combination of bounty hunter and librarian. Her latest mission is to hunt down the recent killer of a master by his apprentice.
Savannah and the Apprentice by Christopher Rowe (buff.ly/tSm1bri)
Savannah is an odd combination of bounty hunter and librarian. Her latest mission is to hunt down the recent killer of a master by his apprentice.
September 15, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/LQhK2Ts)
Savannah and the Apprentice by Christopher Rowe (buff.ly/tSm1bri)
Savannah is an odd combination of bounty hunter and librarian. Her latest mission is to hunt down the recent killer of a master by his apprentice.
Savannah and the Apprentice by Christopher Rowe (buff.ly/tSm1bri)
Savannah is an odd combination of bounty hunter and librarian. Her latest mission is to hunt down the recent killer of a master by his apprentice.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/84cxtJt)
Dad Went Out to Get the Milk by Osahon Ize-Iyamu (buff.ly/OBPzj7r)
The dad in this story regularly goes out to get milk. Each time he does, he also takes on some amazing, fantastic task and comes back battered and bruised.
Dad Went Out to Get the Milk by Osahon Ize-Iyamu (buff.ly/OBPzj7r)
The dad in this story regularly goes out to get milk. Each time he does, he also takes on some amazing, fantastic task and comes back battered and bruised.
September 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/84cxtJt)
Dad Went Out to Get the Milk by Osahon Ize-Iyamu (buff.ly/OBPzj7r)
The dad in this story regularly goes out to get milk. Each time he does, he also takes on some amazing, fantastic task and comes back battered and bruised.
Dad Went Out to Get the Milk by Osahon Ize-Iyamu (buff.ly/OBPzj7r)
The dad in this story regularly goes out to get milk. Each time he does, he also takes on some amazing, fantastic task and comes back battered and bruised.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/xJW9RhN)
It Might Be He Returns by Fatima Taqvi (buff.ly/r5UIcO7)
What if you had the ability to make everything better for all the people who suffer like you do? Would you exercise it? At what cost? Those are the questions raised...
It Might Be He Returns by Fatima Taqvi (buff.ly/r5UIcO7)
What if you had the ability to make everything better for all the people who suffer like you do? Would you exercise it? At what cost? Those are the questions raised...
September 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/xJW9RhN)
It Might Be He Returns by Fatima Taqvi (buff.ly/r5UIcO7)
What if you had the ability to make everything better for all the people who suffer like you do? Would you exercise it? At what cost? Those are the questions raised...
It Might Be He Returns by Fatima Taqvi (buff.ly/r5UIcO7)
What if you had the ability to make everything better for all the people who suffer like you do? Would you exercise it? At what cost? Those are the questions raised...
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/xXDAcLb)
To Access Seven Obelisks, Press Enter by V.M. Ayala (buff.ly/Fk6Afvu)
This is essentially a tale of corporate espionage and love. The main character seeks to take down the seven corporations that control their world.
To Access Seven Obelisks, Press Enter by V.M. Ayala (buff.ly/Fk6Afvu)
This is essentially a tale of corporate espionage and love. The main character seeks to take down the seven corporations that control their world.
September 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/xXDAcLb)
To Access Seven Obelisks, Press Enter by V.M. Ayala (buff.ly/Fk6Afvu)
This is essentially a tale of corporate espionage and love. The main character seeks to take down the seven corporations that control their world.
To Access Seven Obelisks, Press Enter by V.M. Ayala (buff.ly/Fk6Afvu)
This is essentially a tale of corporate espionage and love. The main character seeks to take down the seven corporations that control their world.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/9qgUzyB)
The Dream Tourists by Sarah Langan (buff.ly/xnRx9xJ)
Here we have an unusual presentation of the text. Rather than a straight story, it is presented as a transcript of a legal proceeding.
The Dream Tourists by Sarah Langan (buff.ly/xnRx9xJ)
Here we have an unusual presentation of the text. Rather than a straight story, it is presented as a transcript of a legal proceeding.
September 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/9qgUzyB)
The Dream Tourists by Sarah Langan (buff.ly/xnRx9xJ)
Here we have an unusual presentation of the text. Rather than a straight story, it is presented as a transcript of a legal proceeding.
The Dream Tourists by Sarah Langan (buff.ly/xnRx9xJ)
Here we have an unusual presentation of the text. Rather than a straight story, it is presented as a transcript of a legal proceeding.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/Q5lfqBy)
Feast of Famine by Adam-Troy Castro
In a pocket dimension, a privileged galactic prince spends centuries eating his way through an infinite buffet. That about says it all. But there is also so much more to this story.
Feast of Famine by Adam-Troy Castro
In a pocket dimension, a privileged galactic prince spends centuries eating his way through an infinite buffet. That about says it all. But there is also so much more to this story.
September 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/Q5lfqBy)
Feast of Famine by Adam-Troy Castro
In a pocket dimension, a privileged galactic prince spends centuries eating his way through an infinite buffet. That about says it all. But there is also so much more to this story.
Feast of Famine by Adam-Troy Castro
In a pocket dimension, a privileged galactic prince spends centuries eating his way through an infinite buffet. That about says it all. But there is also so much more to this story.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/NRnkqCc)
Five Dispatches from Conflict Zone W-924/B Regarding Post-Battle Deployment of A. Thanatensis by David Anaxagoras
Five Dispatches from Conflict Zone W-924/B Regarding Post-Battle Deployment of A. Thanatensis by David Anaxagoras
September 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/NRnkqCc)
Five Dispatches from Conflict Zone W-924/B Regarding Post-Battle Deployment of A. Thanatensis by David Anaxagoras
Five Dispatches from Conflict Zone W-924/B Regarding Post-Battle Deployment of A. Thanatensis by David Anaxagoras
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes (buff.ly/gYS4LRm)
If it weren't for my Theme Team book club at my local library, I would likely never have even known about this book, let alone read it.
If it weren't for my Theme Team book club at my local library, I would likely never have even known about this book, let alone read it.
September 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes (buff.ly/gYS4LRm)
If it weren't for my Theme Team book club at my local library, I would likely never have even known about this book, let alone read it.
If it weren't for my Theme Team book club at my local library, I would likely never have even known about this book, let alone read it.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/09/07/v...)
Vwooom! by @uchenwaka.bsky.social
I don't really have much to say about this story. It really didn't stand out to me in any way.
Vwooom! by @uchenwaka.bsky.social
I don't really have much to say about this story. It really didn't stand out to me in any way.
September 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/09/07/v...)
Vwooom! by @uchenwaka.bsky.social
I don't really have much to say about this story. It really didn't stand out to me in any way.
Vwooom! by @uchenwaka.bsky.social
I don't really have much to say about this story. It really didn't stand out to me in any way.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/8pGqe0m)
"A Dream of Twin Sunsets" by Ryan Cole
On a planet orbiting twin suns, a civilization struggles to survive. Their greatest danger is the poison pollen storms that choke the engines of their gliders and can lead to any number of unpleasant deaths.
"A Dream of Twin Sunsets" by Ryan Cole
On a planet orbiting twin suns, a civilization struggles to survive. Their greatest danger is the poison pollen storms that choke the engines of their gliders and can lead to any number of unpleasant deaths.
September 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (buff.ly/8pGqe0m)
"A Dream of Twin Sunsets" by Ryan Cole
On a planet orbiting twin suns, a civilization struggles to survive. Their greatest danger is the poison pollen storms that choke the engines of their gliders and can lead to any number of unpleasant deaths.
"A Dream of Twin Sunsets" by Ryan Cole
On a planet orbiting twin suns, a civilization struggles to survive. Their greatest danger is the poison pollen storms that choke the engines of their gliders and can lead to any number of unpleasant deaths.
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/09/05/h...)
"Heart of Thunder" by Raahem Alvi
One of the best stories in this issue of @clarkesworldmagazine.com, "Heart of Thunder" deals with some pretty timely issues. Among these are mental health and artificial intelligence.
"Heart of Thunder" by Raahem Alvi
One of the best stories in this issue of @clarkesworldmagazine.com, "Heart of Thunder" deals with some pretty timely issues. Among these are mental health and artificial intelligence.
September 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/09/05/h...)
"Heart of Thunder" by Raahem Alvi
One of the best stories in this issue of @clarkesworldmagazine.com, "Heart of Thunder" deals with some pretty timely issues. Among these are mental health and artificial intelligence.
"Heart of Thunder" by Raahem Alvi
One of the best stories in this issue of @clarkesworldmagazine.com, "Heart of Thunder" deals with some pretty timely issues. Among these are mental health and artificial intelligence.