I find short stories to be something we typically explore only occasionally in lit classes and then never again. I'm a huge fan of short form fiction and am always blown away by stories that can wrap up in under 50 pages and then eat at me for years. Some favorites, for example, have been All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury, Wikihistory by Desmond Warzel, and The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin.
Recently I've started a short story book* club with my coworkers to further explore short form fiction and help spread appreciation for the form. Each week we've decided to choose one story from a mystery bag (which currently holds the Hugo Award winners for the past twenty years or so). We've only just begun, and so far have only read The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Where Oaken Hearts Do Gather by Sarah Pinsker. Both were excellent (in very different ways - the former quite spooky and the latter also spooky but also super funny and relatable for those of us who are very online).
Anyway - with all this on my mind, I wanted to come back here and ask:
- What is your favorite short story of all time?
- Have you continued to read short stories after high school or college?
- Do you prefer stories from collections or magazines (or podcasts!)?
* not books
Last edited by heathen; 07-25-2023 at 06:01 AM.
One of my all time favourites is The Luncheon by Somerset Maugham. It's somehow cosy and delicious but also has a good message. I'll admit I haven't read it since school, nor do I really read short stories anymore. But 20+ years after reading it, it still sticks with me.
heathen (07-25-2023)
You know I've never really read short stories but this has me undeniably curious. I can't wait to see what's added so I can check them out!
I'm a big fan of short films so I assume I'd probably adore short stories as well.
I've never heard of that one before. Just looked it up and gave it a quick read, and I can definitely see why it sticks with you. It made me feel so uncomfortable - and angry on behalf of our poor narrator. There are few things worse than getting stuck in that sort of situation.Originally Posted by Infected
I like how you also describe it as cozy, because I do get that vibe as well. The writing feels pretty modern and is easily...digestible. Excuse the pun lol.
---------- Post added at 08:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:13 AM ----------
Ooh, yes! As a fellow fan of short films, I do think you'd enjoy reading short stories as well. Do you have a favorite "flavor" of short film? I really enjoy the Love, Death, and Robots collection myself. I tend to lean toward animated shorts over live action. Could probably stand to branch out a bit more, really.
Charizard (07-25-2023)
Honestly I love so many! Anywhere from Indie animation, Pixar, Disney and yes that one as well I love the heck out of that one too. I used to love the twilight zone type short films when I was younger as well. Not shorts but Black Mirror is amazing also.
overthink.exe 
I've been into short story/essay collections the past few years because it's easy to read them in fits and bursts. Neil Gaiman has a couple good ones and I also remember enjoying Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory by Raphael Bob-Waksberg (creator of BoJack Horseman and Undone). If you're into nonfiction and personal essays, I really liked John Green's The Anthropocene Reviewed and Melissa Broder's So Sad Today.
heathen (08-22-2023)
Not sure if I'd call it my favorite of all time, but it's up there, mainly because it's quite memorable to me.
The Street That Got Mislaid
You can read it here: (you need an account to see links)
I occasionally read short stories but not often... there isn't a real format I follow, because usually they just fall into my lap one way or another
We're definitely on the same page there! I love the Pixar shorts as well - Kitbull absolutely ripped my heart to shreds the first time I saw it. I'm also a big fan of the Black Mirror/Twilight Zone formula. It came to my attention a few years back that Charlie Brooker planned to release a short story collection under the Black Mirror branding. I immediately pre-ordered it. Some time went by and the release date kept getting pushed back and eventually my pre-order was refunded. Such a shame, really, but I still hope it happens someday. I'd love to read such a collection.
Charizard (08-01-2023)
Yes Kitbull is amazing! :o I love that one too much. Crow the Legend and My Cat Lucy and sooo many others on youtube are amazing as well. WolfSong is amazing and so sad. Just search animated short films and there are so many. There is a few other amazing ones but I'm terrible with names. People are truly amazing and creative thoughWow that's such a huge bummer. I would have loved to see that. Dang!
I love Neil Gaiman (especially the Trigger Warning collection) and John Green's The Anthropocene Reviewed. I've just started listening to Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory yesterday, and...I'm not sure what I expected, but this wasn't it lol. I've never watched Bojack but was always told it would be up my alley. I think I see why now. I like the mundane absurdity of the little quirks in the stories. So major thanks for the recommendation! I'll definitely check back in when I can get around to So Sad Today and let you know what I think about it.
kittyray (08-22-2023)
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