Just like the podcast this anthology celebrates, these stories are light-hearted relaxing reads, just good fun.

- Foreword by Serah Eley (-)
- Citizens of Elsewhen by Kameron Hurley (***)
- Report of Dr. Hollowmas on the Incident at Jackrabbit Five by Ursula Vernon (****)
- A Princess of Nigh-Space by Tim Pratt (**)
- An Advanced Reader’s Picture Book of Comparative Cognition by Ken Liu (****)
- Tiger Lawyer Gets It Right by Sarah Gailey (**)
- Fourth Nail Mur Lafferty (****)
- Alien Animal Encounters by John Scalzi (**)
- A Consideration of Trees by Beth Cato (***)
- City of Refuge by Maurice Broaddus (***)
- Jaiden’s Weaver by Mary Robinette Kowal (***)
- The Machine That Would Rewild Humanity by Tobias Buckell (**)
- Clockwork Fagin by Cory Doctorow (***)
- Spaceship October by Greg Van Eekhout (***)
- Lions and Tigers and Girlfriends by Tina Connolly (***)
- Give Me Cornbread, or Give Me Death by N. K. Jemisin (***) ( )

Not a review. Includes my story "A Consideration of Trees."

This anthology contains stories by accomplished authors. It was put together by Serah Eley, one of the founders of Escape Pod, a Sci-Fi podcast website. It contains stories by Ken Liu, John Scalzi, Ursula Vernon, and 13 other authors who were new to me. The stories address LGBT rights, government control, and race issues, all based in a futuristic environment. Each story takes about 20 to 30 minutes to read making the book perfectly suited for daily commutes or a distraction from daily workout drudgery. The longest part of the book was the coming-out foreword written by Serah Eley.

Some of the stories regarding human rights issues overtly address them whereas others are more subtle. None were rants! All titled entries contain storylines that kept my interest with one ending suddenly; before the story had fully developed. I like short story anthologies for those times when I have no choice but to sit and wait. Waiting is something that I don’t do well. I’ll read articles in waiting room periodicals and newspaper about subjects in which I have no interest. Or I’ll put in my earbuds for podcasts listening, although I sometimes think that this is rude. It gives notice to anyone near me that I don’t want to talk to them. Whilst that may true, it’s not what I want to portray.

If you’re a Sci-Fi lover who’s looking for a quick read, Escape Pod: The Science Fiction Anthology will meet that requirement and the stories give you something to ponder when you’re through. ( )