Read it or Weep

There’s nothing like a novel to dive into and linger within, craving time spent with fascinating characters and itching to find out what’s coming next. Sometimes, though, I just need a shot of intensity and for that, I grab a collection of short stories.  I love the way that they pack an emotional punch in just two or three pages, capturing  a turning point in the lives of the characters. I also love how they leave you wondering long after you’ve turned the last page. Some authors I’ve enjoyed are Raymond Carver, Grace Paley, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Alice Munro and Junot Diaz. Recently, I finished Where the God of Love Hangs Out, a new collection of short stories by Amy Bloom, and it was so, so satisfying. Next up is Daniyal Mueenudin’s prize winning In Other Rooms, Other Wonders.

So, where do you stand? Are you strictly a novel reader or do you like to mix it up? If you’re a newcomer to the power of a great short story, the yearly O. Henry prize winners are a great place to start.  Or if you want to jump in on the other side and write a short story, NPR has a contest called Three-Minute Fiction that may inspire you.

~ Dori