The thirty-two stories in this collection imaginatively take us far across the universe, into the very core of our beings, to the realm of the gods, and the moment just after now. Included here are the works of masters of the form and of bright new talents, including:John Barnes, Elizabeth Bear, Damien Broderick, Karl Bunker, Paul Cornell, Albert E. Cowdrey, Ian Creasey, Steven Gould, Dominic Green, Nicola Griffith, Alexander Irvine, John Kessel, Ted Kosmatka, Nancy Kress, Jay Lake, Rand B. Lee, Paul McAuley, Ian McDonald, Maureen F. McHugh, Sarah Monette, Michael Poore, Robert Reed, Adam Roberts, Chris Roberson, Mary Rosenblum, Geoff Ryman, Vandana Singh, Bruce Sterling, Lavie Tidhar, James Van Pelt, Jo Walton, Peter Watts, Robert Charles Wilson, and John C. Wright. Supplementing the stories are the editor's insightful summation of the year's events and a lengthy list of honorable mentions, making this book both a valuable resource and the single best place in the universe to find stories that stir the imagination, and the heart.

Summation: 2009Utriusque Cosmi / Robert Charles WilsonA Story, With Beans / Steven GouldUnder the Shouting Sky / Karl BunkerEvents Preceding the Helvetican Renaissance / John KesselUseless Things / Maureen F. McHughBlack Swan / Bruce SterlingCrimes and Glory / Paul McAuleySeventh Fall / Alex IrvineButterfly Bomb / Dominic GreenInfinities / Vandana SinghThings Undone / John BarnesOn The Human Plan / Jay LakeThe Island / Peter WattsThe Integrity Of the Chain / Lavie TidharLion Walk / Mary RosenblumEscape to Other Worlds With Science Fiction / Jo WaltonThree Leaves Of Aloe / Rand B. LeeMongoose / Elizabeth BearParadiso Lost / Albert E. CowdreyIt Takes Two / Nicola GriffithBlocked / Geoff RymanSolace / James Van PeltAct One / Nancy KressTwilight Of The Gods / John C. WrightBlood Dauber / Michael PooreThis Wind Blowing and This Tide / Damien BroderickHair / Adam RobertsBefore My Last Breath / Robert ReedOne Of Our Bastards Is Missing / Paul CornellEdison's Frankenstein / Chris RobersonErosion / Ian CreaseyVishnu at the Cat Circus / Ian McDonaldHonorable Mentions: 2009