Incoming reading challenge!
This year, Rebecca of Bookish Beck, is hosting Short Story September (it was originally set up by Lisa at ANZ LitLovers).
I don’t read many short story collections – mainly because there’s usually a handful in a collection that are stellar and the rest feel like filler – but that said, some short story collections have crept into my annual favourites list, and last year as part of this challenge I read six collections.
I’ve browsed my TBR stack, and this is what I’ll be selecting from this year:
Flights of Love by Bernhard Schlink
Other People We Married by Emma Straub
Middle-Aged Boys and Girls by Dianne Bracuk
Florida by Lauren Groff
Brawler by Lauren Groff
Eleven Kinds of Loneliness by Richard Yates
Liars in Love by Richard Yates
Homesick For Another World by Ottessa Moshfegh
Help Yourself by Curtis Sittenfeld
Answered Prayers by Truman Capote
Cathedral by Raymond Carver (which I didn’t get to during #20Books)
I’m leaning toward starting with Brawler and something by Yates – thoughts?
Head over to Bookish Beck for all the details (including some prompts).
When I studied CW with the Open University, Carver was the demi-god of the short story in their view, so anything by him. I would add a collection of 20th century Irish short stories and some Welsh ones, maybe even some 21st century ones as we are already over a quarter of the way through – helpmabob!
Yes, the Carver is a priority, especially as it’s now at the top of my #20BooksofSummer stack (which I am out of time for!).
Thanks for joining. Brawler and Florida were both 5* reads for me: Groff’s short stories can’t be beat! The Carver includes the memorable story “A Small, Good Thing.” [That Sittenfeld volume is three stories you may already have encountered in Show Don’t Tell.]
I remember that you loved Brawler. I think Groff is one of those few writers who successfully crosses genres.
I’m not particularly keen on short stories so am not that well placed to give you any suggestions on what to read from your list. I do however happen to be reading a collection right now – all stories about the city of Cardiff, Wales.
I do often enjoy collections that are based around a theme.
Looks like I’ll be able to include the Truman Capote short stories in this reading challenge.
I acquired the collection after reading a fictionalised account of his ‘Swans’ and thought that I ought to read the origin story!
Enjoy your reading! I remember once picking up Florida and trying it only to realize it was “stories.” I’m trying to overcome my dread of “stories” with this event!
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