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Books
7 brilliant short story collections to add to your summer reading list
By Ellen Scott
2 years ago
3 min read
Whether you’re on your commute, reading before bed or sitting pretty beachside, there are times you want a quicker, shorter read rather than a lengthy novel. These short story collections give you exactly that.
We’re big fans of short stories here at Stylist. Far more than just shorter versions of novels, this is a format that demands absolute precision. A well-constructed short story hooks you right away, draws you into a new world for a brief moment, and then stays with you long after you’ve finished it.
All too often, short stories are forgotten in favour of blockbuster reads. That’s a crying shame, because sometimes short stories are exactly what you need. They’re perfect for bitesize reading, whether that’s on your commute, before bed or when you only have a short chunk of time to spare. They’re ideal for a total distraction; the form needs to immerse you into a different view or place in a matter of a few words.
But where to start? The good news is that 2023 is looking great for short story collections. Here’s our roundup of the best out now to add to your summer reading list.
Bliss Montage by Ling Ma
Heads up: Ling Ma is the author of the book Severance, but has nothing to do with the excellent Apple TV series. So if you’re hoping for more of that while we wait for the second series, we’re afraid to say this won’t deliver. What you can expect, however, is a similar fantasy meets reality vibe, with eight stories of both sci-fi and modern reality themes.
A woman lives in a house with all her exes. There’s a story of a toxic friendship and drugs that make you invisible. In short: weird and wonderful plots that cut to the core of real-world issues.
Games And Rituals by Katherine Heiny
Love being nosy about other people’s relationships? This collection by Standard Deviation author Katherine Heiny tickles that itch.
Shop Games And Rituals by Katherine Heiny at Bookshop, £16.99
No Edges: Swahili Stories by multiple authors
Ever read a Swahili short story before? Probably not, as this is the first collection to be published in English translation. Expect beautiful writing from eight East African authors, covering everything from space travel to on-earth magic.
Eyes Guts Throat Bones by Moïra Fowley-Doyle
Get ready to get dark with this psychedelic collection, featuring explorations of the end of the world and the grossness of human bodies. Perhaps not the most obvious beach read, but if you’re after total distraction, this collection’s ticking all the boxes.
Shop Eyes Guts Throat Bones by Moïra Fowley-Doyle at Blackwell’s £16.99.
Earth Angel by Madeline Cash
Forever Mag founder Madeline Cash has penned a bunch of thoroughly modern stories about everything from an Isis recruit to loneliness at work. If you liked I’m A Fan by Sheena Patel and No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood, add this to your basket sharpish.
Hit Parade of Tears by Izumi Suzuki
The much-loved author of Terminal Boredom is back with a collection of stories that sway between science fiction, fantasy and the intrigue of modern relationships. Expect a wild ride through affairs, space pirates and discoveries of new dimensions.
Shop Hit Parade Of Tears by Izumi Suzuki at Bookshop, £11.99
Chrysalis by Anuja Varghese
Pulling from folklore and magical realism, Varghese’s debut collection spans genres and topics, centring women of colour throughout. Death, darkness, power, godly interventions and queer love. You’ll find it all here.
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