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Short Story Collection Reading List

A showcase of some short story writers.

Jun 10, 2020

As I have grown in my creative writing experience, I have started to read more short stories and collections of short stories. This reading list showcases the writers, and some of their short story collections, that I really like and that have inspired me.

1. Claiming a Body by Amanda Marbais

This 2019 short story collection from Amanda Marbais is a fantastic book. The stories focus on the lives of everyday Americans and their impact on each other and the world around them. The book also takes on a mindset of being environmentally friendly through themes of climate change, global warming, and fracking.

2. A Clean, Well-Lighted Stream by Michael Cheechio

This book actually is a bit different from the others on this list. It is actually a collection of essays that Michael Cheechio had published from 1992-1995, but the essays are written as short stories despite being nonfiction. It's a prime example of the creative nonfiction genre that fills the reader with a deep sense of peace.

3. Magnificent Mistakes by Eric Bosse

This 2011 short story collection from Eric Bosse holds a deep place in my heart for the inspiration I've garnered from it as well as my interactions with the author himself. The stories in this book focus on the dark sides of everyday life. The book also explores the idea that there is something wrong about the way we live in an ingenious way.

4. Homesick for Another World by Ottessa Moshfegh

This collection of short stories from 2017 is actually Ottessa Moshfegh's debut book. The stories in this book feature characters that try to attempt some form of betterment but have to get over their own personal obstacles. This book explores what it means to be human in a existential and often comedic way.

5. Buckskin Cocaine by Erika T. Wurth

This 2016 book from Erika Wurth is a short but absolutely fantastic piece of literature. The book is a collection of stories that intersect and connect with each other. The book explores themes of humanity through a group of people involved in the Native American film industry and their individual stories.

6. Grand Union by Zadie Smith

This 2019 collection of short stories from the powerhouse writer Zadie Smith is not only the most recently published piece on this list, but also my favorite. This collection explores the meaning of life in the modern world. The often dystopian tones of the stories in this book do well to highlight the themes of time and of identity.

This list of short story collections merely scratches the surface of the genre. It does, however give good insight to the genre and the range within it. Through this list I hope to interest readers in the genre and help them find the same sense of inspiration I found through these books.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Short Story Collection Reading List

A showcase of some short story writers.

1. Claiming a Body by Amanda Marbais

2. A Clean, Well-Lighted Stream by Michael Cheechio

3. Magnificent Mistakes by Eric Bosse

4. Homesick for Another World by Ottessa Moshfegh

5. Buckskin Cocaine by Erika T. Wurth

6. Grand Union by Zadie Smith

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

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15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

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I have never been so thankful to know you.

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Remember that everything works out at the end

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