Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
What a great topic idea, Jennifer @ FunkNFiction.com and Angela @ Reading Frenzy.
I love short stories, novellas, and other short reads! They always seem to float to the top of my TBR list and comprise most of what I review on this blog because I don’t think they always get as much attention as they should have.
My first few answers will be of some of my recent reviews and the rest will be of older short works that I thought were well done.
Whenever possible, I have included a link to the full text stories I’m discussing here so that you can all enjoy them, too.
1. Is Neurocide the Same As Genocide? And Other Dangerous Ideas (Spiral Worlds) by Alexandra Almeida
What I Liked About It: The ethical dilemma it introduced was interesting and did not have any easy answers. If only the brain mapping technology described in this tale actually existed.
2. The Girls in Red by BB Wrenne (My review for this one is scheduled for February 15)
What I Liked About It: It retold a classic fairy tale that I have seen very few recent retellings of. It’s always nice when that happens.
3. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
What I Liked About It: The main character was sympathetic and the message is something modern audiences still need to take heed of.
4. The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin
What I Liked About It: The surprise at the end. Some of you may already be aware of why Omelas is such a peaceful city, but anyone who does not will be in for quite the read. I still daydream about this tale sometimes and wonder what happened to the main character after the final scene.
5. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
What I Liked About It: Goodness, how do I describe this one without giving away spoilers? Let’s just say that it’s not quite the idyllic setting it might first appear to be and it can be excellent fodder for a spirited discussion after you finish it if you like that sort of thing.
6. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
What I Liked About It: There was a strong sense of justice woven into the main character, and I admired his willingness to help others even when it put his own reputation and livelihood on the line.
7. A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
What I Liked About It: Someday I will stop gushing about the Monk & Robot series, but today is not that day. I adore how peaceful it is and how well most of the people in this universe get along not with each other but with nature and animals as well. Wouldn’t it be incredible to create such a harmonious society in real life?
8. Foster by Claire Keegan
What I Liked About It: The realism and honesty of it all. This read like it could be been based on real events that were written down by the main character many decades after her experience living with childless relatives for a few months while her mother recovered from giving birth. I didn’t want this one to end.
9. A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
What I Liked About It: This picture book (which reads more like a short story) was so encouraging and kind. I’d love to read a novel about these characters a few decades later when the little girl is grown up.
10. Ramona’s World by Beverly Cleary
What I Liked About It: I read some of the books in this series as a kid but outgrew them before the last ones came out. It was wonderful to finally go back and finish it a couple of years ago. Ramona was as creative and impulsive as ever!
I can’t wait to see everyone else’s answers.
The only one I’ve read from this list is Foster – but it’s on my list this week too, and I agree with your thoughts on it. It was small, but had. Abig impact. It has stuck with me in a way I did not expect. I have The Yellow Wallpaper and A Psalm for the Wild Built on my TBR as well, as I have heard very good things about both. Great list!
Thank you. Hope you like them.
I remember reading The Lottery in school many years ago. Not easy to forget!
For sure. 🙂
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas is such a thought provoking one. It really sticks with you.
Absolutely.
I loved Psalm for the Wild-Built. I can’t wait to continue the rest of the series! A couple of others on here sound interesting too so I’ll be sure to check them out more! Great list 🙂
Thank you. Happy reading.
This is a good list, I need to check out Becky Chambers sometime soon. Thanks for dropping by my post!
You’re welcome! Chambers is a good storyteller.
How fun to go back and read a Ramona book! I haven’t read these since my childhood, but I have such fond memories. I’ve read #3-7 on your list and thought they were all fantastic. The Omelas story gave me shivers.
Glad to hear it. Yeah, the Ramona books were so fun.
Small Things Like These has been a popular choice this week! My daughter has just read The Yellow Wallpaper.
It sure has been! I wasn’t expecting that.
Hope your daughter liked The Yellow Wallpaper.
I’ve never heard pf any of these before but they certainly sound interesting. I can see why you enjoyed them. I may have to add some of these to my TBR.
Cool. Enjoy. 🙂
Shirley Jackson is such a fabulous author. Great list this week!
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
Thank you!
I loved that you also shared what you liked about them. That makes your list even more fun.
Thank you. 🙂
I never did read the Ramona books (don’t know why!), but the movie, which I rewatched just for fun recently sure is a cute flick. All that creativity in Ramona or any character is always fun to see. Thanks so much for visiting my website today!
I haven’t seen that film yet, but glad to hear! You’re welcome.
I’ve only read the Becky Chambers book, and I loved it! But the others all sound really good too!
Cool. 🙂
Nice!
I have seen Chamber on many lists. I really need to try this book soon
She’s a wonderful storyteller. I hope you enjoy her work.
I love that you put why you liked these books. I never think to do that.
Thank you. 🙂
The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas is one of my favorite short stories. I often use it to discuss with my students. It’s controversial and thought provoking and great to promote discussion in a group.
Absolutely!
I’m going to check out A Chair for My Mother! Glad to see Chambers too 🙂
Happy reading. That’s great.
I am loving these posts! Adding some many things to my TBR. I do love the Ramona books.
Thanks. Yeah, the Ramona books were great.
Great list! I really want to re-read The Lottery and The Yellow Wallpaper. I remember really enjoying the experience when I read them initially in high school.
Today is not the say I stop gushing about the Monk & Robot series, either. I’m still hoping we get another book (or three) in the series.
Happy reading! My TTT: https://bookwyrmknits.com/2024/02/06/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-novellas/
Fingers crossed! 🙂
I hope you enjoy those rereads.
I love those two Keegan stories! And I also wanted more from Foster!
Nice. 🙂
Might have to check out The Girls in Red
I hope you like it!
I haven’t read any of these authors, but it’s a great way to discover new writers since the time commitment is minimal.
Absolutely. 🙂
Oh! I LOVE A Chair for My Mother!! Good list–I’ve enjoyed a few of them.
Wasn’t it the best? I’m so glad someone else remembers it. 🙂
I always see good reviews of Shirley Jackson but I haven’t read it yet, I hope to do so this year, maybe in autumn
May you enjoy her work. It’s great for spooky season.
I want to read The Yellow Wallpaper and The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, they both seem like very deep reads.
They sure were and very good as well.
I’ve always wanted to read The Yellow Wallpaper, and I love The Lottery. Fun list!
Thank you. The Yellow Wallpaper was excellent.
I completely forgot about The Yellow Wallpaper. I remember reading that story decades ago in high school and being furious… after a quick re-read, I’m still mad.
I’ll have to check out some of the others on your list as well. They sound great!
I hope you like them!
Yeah, that one made me mad, too.
Excellent picks, esp. The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas!
Thank you. 🙂
I’ve read, of course A Chair for My Mother and the Ramona book, and I, too, am a fan of the Monk and Robot series (I do hope Chambers is writing more of these). I’d like to look for The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas. I’ve read very little of Ursula LeGuin, sadly.
LeGuin has written some great stuff! I hope you enjoy it if you read it.
Fingers crossed we will get more Monk and Robot books.
I know that I’ve read The Lottery in high school, but I have absolutely no recollection of the story, haha.
It’s quite the story!
It’s been years since I read The Lottery, but that twist remains very vivid in my head. Great list!
Thanks. 🙂
Great list! I’ve been meaning to read The Lottery for some time, and to refresh myself on The Yellow Wallpaper. And I’ve heard nothing but great things about A Psalm for the Wild-Built, so I guess it’s time to finally add it to my TBR.
I hope you like it. And thanks.
I loved the Ramona books when I was little!
Thanks for stopping by my Top Ten Tuesday
You’re welcome. They were the best. 🙂
Gosh, The Lottery made such an impact on me when I first read it in school. It opened my eyes to all the possibilities in writing.
Same here!
THE YELLOW WALLPAPER has been on my TBR for sometime! I also just picked up THE LOTTERY – looking forward to finally reading that one.
May you enjoy them. 🙂
love Ramona! And also The Yellow Wallpaper and The Lottery!! Want to look for Claire Keegan now (already saw her twice today)
She’s so good. I hope you like Keegan’s work.
I’m glad you liked Ramona, The Yellow Wallpaper, and The Lottery.
I haven’t read a lot of these, but they sound really interesting! The Monk & Robot series is already on my TBR, and I hope I can get to it this year!
May you enjoy it!