short stories
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The Year’s “Best Of:” for Both the Dilettante and the Obsessive
Do you have a stack of magazines waiting to be read? Are bookmarked articles haunting you? Do you wish someone would just tell you the best ones that you should definitely read? Well you’re in luck – this is your reminder to explore the best in essays, articles, and short stories with annual compilations. Put… Continue reading
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Book Bingo 2024: Short Story Collection
I have a confession – in the past I was not a fan of short stories. They always left me wanting MORE. But recently, I have evolved from a hater to a serious fan. There are so many incredible collections out now that are chock full of absolute bangers. Below, I’m highlighting four stunning short… Continue reading
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#BookBingoNW2023: Debut Essays or Short Stories
I’ll be honest, I’m quite distractible. And I’m a book piler. I go back and forth between novels, poetry, comics, and so on. So, what could be better than reading deeply personal or timely topical essays, or short fiction that affords the fulfilling seeds of an unfulfilled story plot or character formation? How about an… Continue reading
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After dispensing with fines, Seattle Public Library dispenses with fine dispensers.
Back on January 2, 2020, joining a movement being embraced by many public libraries across the country, the Seattle Public Library decided to end its longheld practice of charging late fees for items returned after their due dates. The move has been a rousing success, restoring access to many Seattlites for whom excessive late fees… Continue reading
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Lucky Thirteen: Scary Short Stories for Kids
I have a love of short stories that I only discovered as an adult, which is a shame. I think one of the most satisfying things in the world is a well written short story and I think they’re wonderful if you (or your child) are not a big reader. For me it’s attention span… Continue reading
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Short Stories: Tiny Windows into Other Worlds
During this pandemic, I’ve heard from so many people – normally avid readers of long novels – that they are having trouble focusing on full-length books. I, too, have found myself in the same boat. Thank goodness for short stories! Sometimes I forget about these gems, but quite a few book groups (including two that I belong… Continue reading
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Black History Month reading inspiration: short stories
While February is a short month — too short — I decided to celebrate this Black History Month by reading a short story a day by Black authors. I have been rotating through a variety of anthologies and collections, delighted by the discoveries within: Heads of the Colored People: Stories by Nafissa Thompson-SpiresMy favorite story… Continue reading
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Lessons learned from reading a short story a day
When the library closed for the pandemic on March 13th and I contemplated the altered days ahead, I had a revelation. I decided that I would tackle a goal I had long held–to read more short stories. Every year I feel hard pressed to read enough of the newly-published fiction and nonfiction to feel grounded… Continue reading
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Short Stories on a Theme
There are times when it may be hard to focus on a long novel, so a short story might be a better choice. You can pick up a book of short stories and read one or all. Many compilations feature different authors coming together to focus on one theme and giving you a selection of… Continue reading
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More Short Stories Online
Short stories are the form in which many writers hone their craft. And while each year’s Best American Short Stories and Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy anthologies compile some of the best of that year, they don’t highlight all of what gets published and is worthy of note. So much depends on who edits… Continue reading
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Short and Sweet: Stories to Savor while Social Distancing
As is the case for most folks these days, I am spending a lot of time alone. Under normal circumstances this would be the perfect time to tackle my to-be-read pile, but between phone and video catch-ups with friends and family and a seemingly endless amount of news to absorb, I’ve been finding it difficult… Continue reading
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Speculative Short Stories to Read or Listen to Online
Friday the 13th of March was a dynamic scene at the Central Library, with patrons queuing for help to find good books to read during the library’s closure, and the DVD aisles packed with browsers. I miss assisting patrons in person in finding a great story to read or watch – though do visit my… Continue reading
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Le Guin, Allende, Bradbury & More, This Spring at Thrilling Tales!
This Spring Thrilling Tales, the library’s popular story time for grown ups, is branching out with new monthly evening events in addition to our regular lunch hour gatherings. Now in its 15th year, the program celebrates the joy of story with live readings of compelling, intriguing, wondrous and suspenseful stories. Here’s what’s coming up in the… Continue reading
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Never mind Hallowe’en: Christmas is the Original Haunted Holiday.
It’s that time of year again – a time of ghosts and goblins, of sudden chills and flickering candle flames at the stroke of midnight, of frights and haunts and things that go bump in the night. No, this isn’t a leftover post from Hallowe’en. For the Victorians, the spookiest holiday of the year was… Continue reading
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#BookBingoNW2017: Collection of Essays or Short Stories.
Maybe you already love reading essays or short stories. Perfect: this Summer Book Bingo square is a freebie. But let’s assume this square gives you some pause. Maybe the term “essay” reminds you of those horrible things you were supposed to write in school, or “short stories” calls to mind unappetizing literary dissections in Language… Continue reading
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Thrilling Tales, All Summer Long.
For over a decade, every other Monday at noon listeners have flocked to Thrilling Tales, the Library’s story time for grownups, spending their lunch hour rapt in suspenseful narratives. Janice Leadingham, a local bookseller said in a recent article in City Arts: “Especially for impatient people, it’s good because it slows things down a bit. For one hour, you can… Continue reading
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The World Ends Today at 12:05
We’ve had hundreds of murders, scores of heists and scams, repeated instances of paranormal activity, and even a bit of cannibalism. Yet is rare that we’ll destroy an entire planet. But during Thrilling Tales: A Storytime for Grown Ups starting at noon today, we just might manage it. In H.G. Wells’ 1897 story The Star, a mysterious mass from outer space… Continue reading
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Book Bingo: Read Out Loud
Join The Seattle Public Library and Seattle Arts & Lectures for our 2nd annual Summer Book Bingo for adults! Follow us throughout the summer for reading suggestions based on each category. It is no surprise to anyone around the library that I love to read out loud. They even let me do it in public, twice a month! My wife and I used to read… Continue reading