By Marc Hunter

I’ll admit it. I have been snobbish against short stories. I just didn’t see the point and thought that an author needed a few hundred pages to tell a good story. But now I have seen the light.

Why consider reading short stories?

It’s the good stuff. No fluff or filler here. Authors get straight to the point and the action.

Try something new. If you’ve wanted to try out a new genre or author, short stories can be a great introduction.

They’re short! If you have a lot on your plate and can’t commit to a novel, read a short story.

What made me change my mind? I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced reader copy of Rogues edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Duzois. There are twenty-one stories written by top-notch authors such as Gillian Flynn, Cherie Priest, Neil Gaiman, George R. R. Martin (of course), and many others. It was amazing how these authors were able to build a world and characters that I cared about in such a short space. Rogues comes out in June.

Until then, try these short story collections:

Dangerous Women edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Duzois

Tenth of December by George Saunders

Fire and Forget edited by Roy Scranton and Matt Gallagher

This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz

Just After Sunset by Stephen King

Zombies vs. Unicorns compiled by Justine Larbalestier and Holly Black

Many more are available at the library.

Connect with a new story at the Buda Public Library!