2020 was a rough year for all of us. With all the stress and extra downtime, some people immersed themselves in books as a means of escape. If you're like me, you might have had trouble focusing long enough to finish a full-length novel. Thankfully, there are plenty of fantastic short story collections and novellas to pull you out of your reading rut! Check out these quick reads to start your personal 2021 reading challenge with a bang, available at your local MLC libraries.
1. What it Means When a Man Falls From the Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah
This beautiful debut short story collection gives readers a window into contemporary Nigerian life. Arimah masterfully combines magical elements with dramatic realism to give a fresh take on the exploration of familial connections. The distinctive writing style brings to life the desperation of each character and captures the essence of the human condition. Available at these MLC libraries: Brentwood, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Rock Hill, University City, Webster Groves
2. A House is a Body by Shruti Swamy
Two-time O. Henry prize-winner Swamy weaves a tapestry of myth and reality in her newest collection of short stories. Each of the 12 stories allows readers to immerse themselves in rich, unique tales of soul searching, family, and humanity. Swamy's writing has a captivating, dream-like quality that makes the blending of modernity and mythology all the more poignant. Available at these MLC libraries: Ferguson, Kirkwood, University City, Webster Groves
3. If it Bleeds by Stephen King
Whether you're a casual horror reader or a die-hard fan, King's collection of four novellas is a must-read. Published in 2020, the master of horror gives readers a fresh spin on classic themes, including a story told in reverse and a standalone sequel to King's 2018 crime thriller The Outsider!
Available at these MLC libraries: Brentwood, Ferguson, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City, Webster Groves
4. Cardiff, by the Sea by Joyce Carol Oates
If suspense and psychological thrillers are more your speed, this collection of novellas from Joyce Carol Oates is a perfect read to cozy up with on a rainy day. Dubbed the “grand mistress of ghoulishness” by Publishers Weekly, Oates will leave readers mesmerized by her haunting prose. Available at these MLC libraries: Brentwood, Ferguson, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City, Webster Groves
5. Record of a Night too Brief by Hiromi Kawakami
Hypnotic and bizarre, Kawakami's three stories feature women experiencing unsettling loss and romance. The author seeks to confound her readers as her characters are adrift between reality and a dream-like state. This book is a part of the Japanese Novella series published by Pushkin Press, along with other greats such as Spring Garden by Tomoka Shibasaki--give them all a try!
Available at these MLC libraries: University City and Webster Groves
6. Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
Lahiri's collection of nine short stories--which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2000--is a touching exploration of Indian-American immigrants caught between two worlds. An oldie but a goodie, each story immerses readers in the struggle of keeping traditions and culture alive while conforming to the norms and expectations of a foreign land.Available at these MLC libraries: Brentwood, Ferguson, Kirkwood, University City, Webster Groves
7. Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia Butler
If you're looking for a mystifying read, these short stories are a perfect introduction to Butler's peculiar literary aesthetic. Gory and at times deeply unsettling, the stories explore existential questions while covering everything from body horror to alien worlds with disease and destruction thrown in for good measure! Widely regarded as one of Butler's greatest works, this collection won the Hugo, Locus, Nebula, and Science Fiction Chronicle awards. Available at these MLC libraries: University City
8. Everything Inside by Edwidge Danticat
Danticat takes readers on a journey with these eight short stories. Traversing the globe while intimately exploring her characters' feelings of displacement, the scope of each story is at once both wide and narrow. The author lends a tender touch to each story, connecting each narrative through a thread of hope. Available at these MLC libraries: Brentwood, Kirkwood, Maplewood, University City, Webster Groves
9. The Shell Collector by Anthony Doerr
Written more than a decade before his Pulitzer-winning All the Light We Cannot See, Doerr's debut short story collection delves into how humans relate to the natural world and all its splendors. Readers will be captivated by Doerr's poetic writing style that honors the beauty and power of nature. Available at these MLC libraries: Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, University City, Webster Groves
10. The End We Start From by Megan Hunter
In this dystopian novella, the author mirrors the disorienting first year of parenting with a catastrophic environmental disaster. The juxtaposition between a new life and the end times provides a unique backdrop to Hunter's sparse--though evocative--prose. This new twist on the journey of motherhood is a quick, fascinating read! Available at these MLC libraries: Ferguson, Kirkwood, Maplewood, University City, Webster Groves
Your next great read awaits you in the new year! Visit rockhillpubliclibrary.org to place
a hold on these books and more. Happy reading, and have a Happy New Year!
Need assistance placing a hold, or have any other questions?
Call 314-962-4723 or email patron@rhplmo.org to speak with a librarian.
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