You don’t have to be a lover of epic novels to be an avid reader. These short-story books exemplify the exquisite literature that can be created over limited pages and offer the perfect solution for those seeking a hint of escapism, or anyone who finds the prospect of a full novel altogether too daunting.
The Souvenir Museum by Elizabeth McCracken
Said to be a virtuoso of the short-story genre, Elizabeth McCracken delivers a vibrant new collection that explores the often-tested bonds of family. Brimming with the writer’s signature wit, each story examines our desires against the passing of time, to be transformative for both character and reader alike.
Sign up to our free EDM subscription today.
100 Boyfriends by Brontez Purnell
Embark on a devastatingly funny journey into queer dysfunction, as the narrator explores, with transgressive irreverence, the lives of gay men as they try to not fall into self-sabotage. The stories are revelatory but inherently vulnerable, as this iconoclastic writer ventures into corners of life that are often left unexposed.
Are You Enjoying? by Mira Sethi
The lauded debut from a young Pakistani writer, this short story collection deals with ideas of identity and family in a way that is personal, wry and immediate. Taking a courageous look at the inner workings of the human heart, Sethi embraces our collective desire to be loved, and explores what can happen when that need remains unfulfilled.
First Person Singular by Haruki Murakami
Comprising eight stories, each told by a first-person narrator, this new work by the globally acclaimed writer is mind-bending and contemplative. From musings on music to memories of youth, each story is told with its own classically Murakami twist, and will leave you wondering how much is memoir and how much is fiction.
