Short & Sweet: Very Short Fiction

[helloladies]

As the pandemic wears on, I’ve been finding that I often don’t have enough focus to read even a short story, and I know many other people who have been struggling as well. One thing that has been working for me is very short stories, so I thought I would make a rec list of quick reads.

"My Favourite Sentience" by Marissa Lingen — This adorable story school features the response of children asked to write about their favorite sentience.

​"Re: re: Microwave in the break room doing weird things to fabric of spacetime" by Charles Yu — This is a fun story of office politics and interdimensional portals as told through emails.

"The Sea Witch Sets the Record Straight"' by Ursula Vernon — A retelling of the little mermaid from the sea witch’s point of view. Full of irreverent details about sea creatures.

"50 Ways to Leave Your Fairy Lover" by Aimee Picchi — A grandmother’s letter of advice to her granddaughter on breaking up with Fairies. I love the way this uses fairytale tropes in a modern context.

"Lava cake for the Apocalypse" by Wendy Nikel — A lovely bittersweet story about recipes, memories, and history.

"Burning Bright" by Stephanie Burgis — A story about motherhood and ambition.

"The Radicalised Dead" Jeannette Ng — What if your ancestors assumed that the books you burnt were an offering?

I hope you find something to enjoy in these trying times!

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★ forestofglory is a fan, crafter, an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy short fiction, and a mom. You can find her on Dreamwidth and on Twitter at forestofglory.

Comments

[bookgazing]

Adding the ones I haven't read to my TBR :D

[forestofglory]

Yay! Hope you enjoy!

[aoftheis]

Man, this list makes me so happy! Story rec lists always fill me with a sense of excitement but also worry, this year -- worry that my exhausted mind won't have the energy to read the things I want to read. Short-short stories are wonderful because it is all of the excitement without the worry. :D Excited to read these.