You are right. I used to so enjoy those “Best Of” compilations until they morphed into SJW screeds vaguely disguised as a science fiction tale, often lacking the basic elements of good story telling. Lauded and given awards by their fellows in the industry. Hence it is hard to even find a science fiction book on the average rack these days.
Baen still puts out good stuff. And a lot of the better stuff now is Indie, on the Amazon platform. . .
Places to avoid: Tor Books (except for David Weber)
Orbit Books
ANYTHING recommended by I09.com or Cory Doctorow / Boing Boing
Authors you might like:
John Ringo
“Ghenghis” Tom Kratman
Michael Z. Williamson
Sarah Hoyt
Larry “International Lord of Hate” Correia
Brad “Powder-blue Care Bear with a Flamethrower” Torgersen
Mike Kupari
Christopher G. Nuttall