sprite writes
broodings from the burrow

February 27, 2013


seeking a book recommendation
posted by soe 1:29 am

Hey, all!

I’m in the mood to read some short stories, but I don’t want just any short stories. I do not want stories that leave you depressed and raw and empty at the end of them. I want stories that make you laugh or that make you feel life is worth living or that just end happily. But at the other end of the spectrum, I decidedly do NOT want sappy, saccharine-filled Chicken Soup for the Soul-esque pap.

There have to be literary, upbeat short story collections out there somewhere. Can you help me find them?

Category: books. There is/are 3 Comments.



Hmm. I don’t really read short stories. Have you read the various YA ones out there that people like John Green and Maureen Johnson have contributed to?

Connie Willis has a few great collections, but I’m not entirely sure that’s what you’re going for. Not that they’re depressing – they just have a strange air about them. Still, _Winds of Marble Arch_ is one of the few collections that I’ve reread multiple times.

Comment by Jenn 02.27.13 @ 7:12 am

@Jenn: I haven’t read the Zombies vs. Unicorns collection, but I did read their Christmas collection with Lauren Myracle. I enjoyed some of Connie Willis’ Christmas collection, so I’ll look for Winds of Marble Arch at the library. Thanks!

Comment by soe 02.28.13 @ 3:46 am

LM Montgomery has several collections of short stories. Many have been published as themes. Or what about Maeve Binchy’s short stories? I think of both writers as happy ever after. Although there can be some dreary bits along the way, but the couples usually end up together, or the feud is resolved (in LMs)

Comment by raidergirl3 02.28.13 @ 6:53 pm