Locus magazine has published its 2003 Recommended Reading List of science fiction, fantasy, and related titles.
Or, if you didn't get rich from an IPO... Here's their list from last year. Myself, I'd rather buy 4 good paperbacks than 1 hardcover.
It's sad, but as voracious a reader as I am, I still don't know most of the authors on either list. Oh, well, time to update my Amazon wish list... LOL
