Whenever I’m going through a condition I call “reader’s block” (a phase where no book is quite right and I can’t seem to dive into a story), short stories always bring me back. Most recently, these three collections, all by young women, have left me heartbroken, hopeful, and wistful, all the while marveling at the incredible writing. They are all stylistically different, but they share the same bittersweet qualities, longing for a different reality while capturing small, ephemeral moments of beauty and sadness.
Some Fun, by Antonya Nelson. Discovering this book was almost insulting because I hadn’t found it earlier. The back cover is full of praise from some of my favorite authors and Nelson did not disappoint. The stories often focus on families and the shortcomings we all face while trying to be our best selves. Also, any book that begins with a Rolling Stones quote can’t be bad. I Promise.
Bobcat, by Rebecca Lee. I’m a sucker for fiction that occurs against the backdrop of academia, which most of these stories do. The title story had me biting my nails as the suspense built around what seemed to be an average dinner party. The final story had me weeping at its incredible, quiet beauty. Yes, I’m a dramatic reader! These stories are subtle and beautiful and full of detail. Check it out.
The Isle of Youth, by Laura Van Den Berg. This is the darkest of all the collections, full of stories about making life-altering mistakes, sometimes willingly, sometimes not. Van Den Berg’s characters are constantly trying to connect with one another and never getting quite close enough. Many of the stories revolve around sisters and the unique closeness which can be both comforting and damaging. There are many holds on this collection, but it is very much worth waiting for.
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