I read this collection at a pace of about one story per week. When I had the time, I would sit down and immerse myself in each story entirely in one sitting. After reading each story, I developed a routine of jotting down a couple of sentences with my thoughts. I have compiled all of these thoughts here as a mini-review of each story.

Overall, I would rate this collection as just okay. It was published in the early 1980s and consists of stories written within a few years of its publication. Some of the stories were written by established authors at the time, while others were by relatively unknown authors. A few of these authors would later become very well-known in the genre, while others remained more obscure. As a result, the quality of the stories in this collection is somewhat inconsistent. Some of the stories are excellent and have held up well over time, while others have not aged as well. In my opinion, some of the best stories in the collection are "On the Slab" by Harlan Ellison, "The Man Who Met Picasso" by Michael Swanwick, and "Waiting for the Earthquake" by Robert Silverberg. I would also like to give an honorable mention to "The Genius House" by Dmitri Bilenkin, which I thought was quite unique and memorable, although perhaps not as important as the aforementioned stories.

"On the Slab" by Harlan Ellison is an interesting, if somewhat simplistic, Lovecraft-inspired tale. Ellison is an author I had never read before, and this story was a good introduction to his work. "Lobotomy Shoals" by Juleen Brantingham did not particularly impress me. I had not heard of this author before, and perhaps that is why I was not overly excited about this story. "Fivesight" by Spider Robinson is the first work I have read by this author. I have always had the impression that he is a bit of a pulpy science fiction writer, and this story did not really change my opinion. It is an okay story about precognition, but nothing特别出彩. "Icons" by Barry Malzberg is a four-page story about suicidal robots. The idea is okay, but it felt a bit underdeveloped and left me wanting more. "The Genius House" by Dmitri Bilenkin is about embryotechnology, specifically growing technology from an egg or embryo into a full-size item in just minutes. The focus of this story is a house, and it is an entertaining read, although it seems more like magic than science fiction. "The Man Who Met Picasso" by Michael Swanwick is exactly what the title implies. It is a very interesting little story about art, although it barely qualifies as science fiction in the traditional sense. "The Vacuum-Packed Picnic" by Rick Gauger is a moderately entertaining story about two people having a picnic on the moon. Something happens to add some drama and suspense, but overall it is nothing特别 memorable. "Blind Spot" by Jayge Carr is a story about a doctor trying to help an artist from another planet who is losing her vision. There are a lot of interesting ideas in this story, such as far-future medical advances, space travel, and alien races, but I think it could have benefited from being a longer story. "A Sepulcher of Songs" by Orson Scott Card is an okay story about a psychiatrist evaluating an insane patient. The question of whether the patient is actually insane adds some mystery to the story. "Colonel Stonesteel's Genuine Home-made Truly Egyptian Mummy" by Ray Bradbury is a fun little pulpy story that feels like it could be a product of the 1950s or 60s. It is a good choice for fans of "Something Wicked This Way Comes" by Ray Bradbury. "Triggering" by John Shirley is a strange story that I did not really care for. It seemed a bit rushed and I had a hard time following what was going on. "Out of Luck" by Walter Tevis is a mostly forgettable story about a man whose drinking is causing him to hallucinate. Or is he really hallucinating? This story feels a bit like a Philip K. Dick-lite story, but it is not as interesting or as bizarre as PKD's work. "Eyes I Dare Not Meet in Dreams" by Dan Simmons is a story centered around telepathy. It predates all of his other published works, so he may have been an unknown author at the time of this compilation. I thought it was an okay story, but I prefer his later/longer works. "Vox Olympica" by Michael Bishop is a story about music and Mars. I did not really understand this story and did not care for it at all. "Forever" by Damon Knight is a story about the discovery of an elixir that stops aging permanently. It briefly explores the social ramifications before going in some strange directions. It felt way too rushed and I think the ideas in this story could have been developed more fully. "Johnny Mnemonic" by William Gibson is a fast-paced cyberpunk thriller. Gibson is one of the pioneers of the subgenre and uses a lot of unfamiliar tech and terminology. This story is no exception, and as a result, I did not enjoy reading it as much as I wanted to. "Waiting for the Earthquake" by Robert Silverberg is my first experience with this author. It is a story about an old man alone on a world that is about to experience a cataclysmic earthquake. This story deals with themes of loneliness, isolation, and mortality, and I found myself completely absorbed by it. Silverberg is a talented writer, and I look forward to reading more of his work.

A good collection of SF from the pages of OMNI magazine, a magazine that combined science and science fiction/fantasy. It was published from 1978 to 1995. In 1996, it went online but ceased print publication.

This collection was edited by Ellen Datlow and published in 1984. It features an interesting mix of some of the "old" stars who emerged in the 30s to the 50s, like Bradbury, Damon Knight, Ellison, and Bob Silverberg. It also includes the rising "new" stars of the 80s, such as Dan Simmons and William Gibson.

Here are my ratings:
"On the Slab" by Harlan Ellison (1934-2018) *****
"Lobotomy Shoals" by Juleen Brantingham (1942-- ) ***
"Fivesight" by Spider Robinson (1948--) ****
"Icons" by Barry Malzberg (1939--) **
"The Genius House" by Dmitri Bilenkin (1933-1987) *** (translated from the Russian)
"The Man Who Met Picasso" by Michael Swanwick (1950--) ***
"The Vacuum-Packed Picnic" by Rick Gauger (1942--) ****
"Blind Spot" by Jayge Carr (1940-2006) ***
"A Sepulcher of Songs" by Orson Scott Card (1951--) ****
"Colonel Stonesteel's Genuine Homemade Truly Egyptian Mummy" by Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) *****
"Triggering" by John Shirley (1953--) ***
"Out of Luck" by Walter Tevis (1928-1984) ***
"Eyes I Dare Not Meet in Dreams" by Dan Simmons (1948--) *****
"Vox Olympica" by Michael Bishop (1945--) ****
"Forever" by Damon Knight (1922-2002) ****
"Johnny Mnemonic" by William Gibson (1948--) ***
"Waiting for the Earthquake" by Robert Silverberg (1935--) ****

Perhaps it's no surprise that my three favorites here are by my three favorite authors in the collection - Ellison, Bradbury, and Simmons. Malzberg's story, I thought, was a weak one, but I haven't been a big fan of his. Overall, I rate the collection ****.

With "Johnny Mnemonic," this collection of Sci-Fi shorts got off to an outstanding start.

There were numerous excellent tales within it. However, among them, I have the most cherished memories of "The Man Who Met Picasso."

This particular story had a certain charm and allure that set it apart. It took the reader on a captivating journey, filled with unexpected twists and turns.

The characters were well-developed, and the setting was vividly described, making it easy for the reader to immerse themselves in the narrative.

The concept of meeting Picasso in a Sci-Fi context was both unique and fascinating, adding an extra layer of depth to the story.

Overall, "The Man Who Met Picasso" left a lasting impression on me and remains one of my favorite shorts in this collection.

Great book! I vividly remember finding this remarkable piece of literature 20 years ago in a small, cozy library. The moment I laid my eyes on it, something within me was instantly captivated. The cover had a certain charm that drew me in, and as I opened the pages, I was transported into a world of wonder and imagination. Since then, it has remained etched in my memory, a constant source of inspiration and joy. I often think back to that fateful day in the library, grateful for having discovered such a treasure. It's amazing how a single book can have such a profound impact on one's life, and this one truly holds a special place in my heart.

Favorites are "The Vacuum-Packed Picnic" by Rick Gauger and "Johnny Mnemonic" by William Gibson. These two works offer unique and captivating experiences. "The Vacuum-Packed Picnic" presents an interesting and perhaps somewhat unusual concept. It might take the reader on a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. Rick Gauger's writing style likely brings the story to life in a vivid and engaging way.

On the other hand, "Johnny Mnemonic" by William Gibson is set in a different kind of world. It explores themes related to technology and its impact on society. Gibson is known for his ability to create complex and futuristic settings. The character of Johnny Mnemonic is likely to be a fascinating one, with his unique abilities and challenges. The story may keep the reader on the edge of their seat as they follow Johnny's adventures.

Together, these two favorites offer a diverse range of literary pleasures. Whether it's the strange and wonderful world of "The Vacuum-Packed Picnic" or the technological dystopia of "Johnny Mnemonic," there is something for every reader to enjoy.

I truly relished this compilation of short stories.

Each and every one of the selections represents a distinct variety of science fiction.

Some of them take us on thrilling adventures through distant galaxies, while others explore the profound impact of advanced technology on our lives.

The authors have展现出remarkable creativity and imagination in crafting these tales.

Their ability to envision unique worlds and concepts is truly astonishing.

Whether it's a story about time travel, artificial intelligence, or alien encounters, each one manages to captivate the reader's attention from start to finish.

This collection is a must-read for any science fiction enthusiast.

It offers a diverse range of stories that will satisfy even the most discerning tastes.

So, if you're looking for a great read that will transport you to otherworldly realms, look no further than this collection of short stories.

This is probably the best of this series.

Most of the stories were interesting and engaging. They had the power to draw the readers in and keep them hooked from the very beginning.

The characters were well-developed, with their own unique personalities and motives. The plots were also quite diverse, ranging from thrilling adventures to heartwarming tales of love and friendship.

What made this series stand out was the author's ability to create a vivid and immersive world. The descriptions were so detailed that it was easy to imagine oneself in the midst of the action.

Overall, this is a must-read series for anyone who loves a good story. It has something for everyone, and is sure to leave you entertained and satisfied.

I don't know who gave me this book. Some kind soul dropped it in the 'Free To A Good Home' box at my son's daycare. It was nestled between a Harlequin romance and a Readers Digest Condensed collection. I truly owe them a drink.

Any short story collection that includes William Gibson's classic Johnny Mnemonic and Spider Robinson's Fivesight is already a winner. These stories have the power to transport you to different worlds and keep you on the edge of your seat.

Add the hilarious Vacuum Packed Picnic by Rick Gauger, and the equally funny and yet revealing Colonel Stonesteel's Genuine Home-Made Truly Egyptian Mummy from Ray Bradbury, and it becomes a must-read. The humor in these stories is infectious and will have you laughing out loud.

There are also great, touching stories by Orson Scott Card and Dan Simmonds. In fact, almost all of the stories in this collection are great. The couple that didn't speak to me might very well work for you. Everyone has different tastes in literature, and this collection has something for everyone.

I highly recommend that you find a copy and read it. I'm off to see if I can find volume one. I can't wait to discover more great stories.