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Original poster

Is there such a thing as books with a collection of short stories for adults?

70 replies

PlumpAndGrump · 30/12/2023 23:07

I want to get back into reading again but every time I start a book I never get round to finishing it because life is hectic with 3 young children and I am exhausted.

I've recently got my 6 year old the 5 Minute Stories by Enid Blyton which is just a collection of shorter reads as he is moving on from younger books, and I wonder if there is something like this for adults.

I've tried audio books too but find it difficult to get into them if I don't gel with the narrators voice, it puts me off. I prefer actual books with pages anyway.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations. If no such thing exists then could I possible take recommendations for easy enjoyable reads to get back into it again? I feel like my life is missing an unputdownable book.

OP posts:
StellaAndCrow · 01/01/2024 22:58

I had a look at MiddleFadiddle's suggestion of A Little Aloud - it looks great, very varied. You can see the contents pages on Amazon if you view a sample.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Aloud-anthology-reading-someone-ebook/dp/B0040711UW

Proseccoagain · 03/03/2024 23:24

Margaret Atwood has written collections of short stories, and I also love Somerset Maugham.

medianewbie · 03/03/2024 23:26

Pieceofpurplesky · 30/12/2023 23:32

I got this for Christmas - I've read a couple and they are brilliant

I've just finished this. All the stories link up. Rather cleverly.

SoOutingWhoCares · 03/03/2024 23:31

I used to love the Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

UtterlyOtterly · 03/03/2024 23:35

I love a short story.

Penelope Lively has a couple of good collections.

Sgtmajormummy · 03/03/2024 23:49

PP beat me to recommending Margaret Ashwood.
Maeve Binchy is a bit dated I’d say.
Alexander McCall Smith’s Facebook page has LOADS of short “food for thought” articles and extracts.

Bbq1 · 04/03/2024 08:08

SoOutingWhoCares · 03/03/2024 23:31

I used to love the Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Aw, yeah. Some used to read one of these at night with ds when he was younger.

aquarimum · 04/03/2024 08:19

Frederick Forsyth has a great short story collection. Margaret Atwood has at least one, too.

Britinme · 05/03/2024 02:03

The Author's Guild in the US has just published a book called Fourteen Days, set during the pandemic, which is a collection of short stories written by well known authors and gathered with a linking narrative by Douglas Preston. The stories are good, and the way they are joined is ingenious. It's a fundraiser for the Author's Guild, so in a good cause too.

Chersfrozenface · 05/03/2024 02:46

There are several collections of short stories by Ruth Rendell.

Very good, readable author.

Buttalapasta · 05/03/2024 10:38

Chekhov wrote some amazing and really readable short stories.

Saisong · 05/03/2024 10:42

Stephen Kings 'Skeleton Crew' is one of my favourites, if you enjoy something with a bit of thrill/horror.

MrsWhattery · 05/03/2024 10:44

Alice Munro's short story collections are great. I also love Help the Witch by Tom Cox, and some of them are very short. (More on the spooky side)

pumpkinpiee · 05/03/2024 10:45

F Scott Fitzgerald has a collection of short stories, they have been published under many names including Flappers and Philosophers

TempleOfBloom · 05/03/2024 10:46

Jane Gardam and Patrick Gale

AmaryllisChorus · 05/03/2024 10:46

Yes, there are loads and loads, from subtle, literary to page turning crime or horror.

What sort of fiction do you like usually OP?

AmaryllisChorus · 05/03/2024 10:48

Start with an anthology - the Best American Short Story (BASS) editions come out once a year. I think UK does something similar too. Once you find a few authors in there that you like, you can order whole collections by them.

Clawdy · 05/03/2024 12:28

Jane Gardam has some wonderful story collections. And if you want something light and nice, Maeve Binchy has a couple of collections too.

mrstambourinewoman · 05/03/2024 12:59

Claire Keegan 'Antarctica' . Brilliant book of short stories

Mythnames · 05/03/2024 13:00

Daphne du Maurier has published a couple of excellent short story collections…including The Birds. If you are into horror, MR James ghost story collection is brilliant also.

Mythnames · 05/03/2024 13:03

Also Bazaar of bad dreams by Stephen King

PragmaticWench · 05/03/2024 13:05

Jeffrey Archer's Collected Short Stories.

Lurkingandlearning · 05/03/2024 13:51

Your local library probably has a short story section. Then you can have a flick through to see which ones you like

MsAmerica · 06/03/2024 02:08

For easy and enjoyable, what comes to mind are Roald Dahl and Saki. Quite short, and usually either amusing or somewhat creepy. Also, for quick, maybe sentimental old-time stories, O. Henry.

YewandOak · 06/03/2024 02:31

Barbara Erskine has written a couple of books of short stories