I love short stories and I’ll tell you why: good short stories are like little mini-novels. They transport you completely, immerse you in their world, and then they let you go. If you’re a person who doesn’t feel like you have time to read the latest novels, short stories are a great alternative. Short story collections are easy to pick up and put down and sometimes it might even be necessary to take a break in between stories to reset your mind for the next one. Keep a book of short stories on hand and read in between novels or nonfiction as a palate cleanser. Keep one in your car to dip into when waiting to pick up kids or sitting in line at the BMV.
And if you’re looking for a collection to start with, go no further than All the Names They Used for God by Anjali Sachdeva (2018; 256 pages). Each story in this delightful collection completely transported me to a new world. From a camping trip that goes awry when wolves show up to a fisherman who meets and becomes obsessed with a mermaid to teens abducted by zealot soldiers, Sachdeva has created a handful of worlds for readers to immerse themselves in. The imagery and sense of place in this stories will stick with me for a long, long time. Several of her stories use touches of magic or science fiction or historical fiction, making this a real genre-bender of a collection. There’s something for everyone here, tied together by striking imagery and unforgettable characters.
Readalikes:
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri (1999; 198 pages). Audiobook available via Hoopla. This is another great short story collection that has stuck with me throughout the years.
The Power by Naomi Alderman (2017; 386 pages). Ebook available via Overdrive. This novel has similar science fiction elements and strong female protagonists as several of Sachdeva’s stories.
The Merry Spinster: Tales of Everyday Horror by Mallory Ortberg (2018; 240 pages). I haven’t read this one yet and it looks scarier than Sachdeva’s stories, but it might make a good choice for fantasy or horror readers dipping their toes into short stories.
— Abby Johnson, Collection Development Leader
