Borges’ concept of an infinite library remains inspirational to many and this story applies a rigorous-yet-playful SF-logic to ask “how might it work?” that gets great results. Garrity’s story is entertaining and smart and ultimately very moving, and the good news is, now this angle has been explored, there remains an infinite set of possibilities for anyone else to have a go.

(This is also my way of sneaking Borges onto this list).

First published in Strange Horizons Magazine, 2011, and available to read online here