Do the folks here like reading short stories? While I'm an enormous fan of novels, I try to read short stories between books. It's a great way to familiarize yourself with a writer before deciding to read one of his novels (not that all novelists dabble in the short form). I'm a big fan of the short works of Hemingway, Anton Chekov, Raymond Carver, Fitzgerald, Joyce, and Proulx (although I'm not so in love with her novels). I'd be interested in hearing about short stories you found captivating and even stories you didn't enjoy.
I love Chekhov's short stories, they always have fascinated me, lots of Kafka, and Hemingway too. Some short stories I got into were a non-fictional account of life in the late 60s, early 70s by Joan Diddion titled "The White Album", interesting writing, her other books are fairly good too.
Welcome to the Monkeyhouse, by Kurt Vonnegut is a cool set of short stories. Ron Carlson is considered one of the best contemporary short story writers and is definitely one of the finest creative writing teachers around, if he's ever at a writing conference near you.(He teaches at Ariz. State U). One of my favorite literary journals is STORY QUARTERLY that comes out of Chicago twice a year. (I know, odd for a quarterly). THE KENYON REVIEW is also solid. Dark Party's list is very cool, too. Scott
I am a huge fan of Jeff Noon's "Pixel Juice", which is a collection of short stories. Also into Kate Chopin.
Yeah, I love Vonnegut's short stories in Welcome to the Monkeyhouse. Vonnegut has some interesting insight and I pick up some of his books every once in a while when I want to get a new insight on the world around me.
Read Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery". It is succinct and absolutely haunting. What a wonderful writer she is! Also if you can check out/ find the story "The Renegade" by her...wow. Obviously anything by Poe is classic "Tell-Tale Heart" "The Cask of A." "The Black Cat" etc. Metamorphosis by Kafka is very nice as well.
I LOVE reading short stories. my favorite is Julio Cortazar. I know he has been translated into English, but never actually read it in English, but he's great, the master of complex simplicity. Borges is great too, but it takes me a little time to digest, he's so pretentious in his writing, I mena he's great, just you know be more humble. Im not talking about his person, is just the way he writes, it's like I know it all, I've seen it all and you could only wish to know half of what I know..
She is something special. If you haven't experienced her books and stories you should give her a try.
If you like Mitch Albom or Chicken Soup-type stories, you’ll love “The Doctor’s Bag – A Sentimental Journey” by John Schlarbaum– author of “Aging Gracefully Together – A Story of Love & Marriage”. Check it out at www.scannerpublishing.com. You won’t be disappointed! Enjoy! Here’s a review from The Midwest Book Review: The Doctor's Bag: A Sentimental Journey is the heartwarming tale of the life of Thomas Sterling and his son Robert. Readers will become enthralled with The Doctor's Bag as the intimate story between father and son unfolds, giving new meaning to the actual doctor's bag itself. As the doctor's bag acts as the metaphor between healing and pain from year to year, The Doctor's Bag leaves the reader with an enlightening message of life, love and hope. The Doctor's Bag is strongly recommended to the general reader and those searching for a gentle, touching, and life changing read.
