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The days might be longer in the summer, but that doesn’t necessarily mean those extra hours of daylight give you more time to read. In fact, you might even find it more difficult to carve out dedicated reading time amidst all the temptations of hiking and picnics and pool parties calling your name. And then (if you’re anything like me, ahem) by the end of the day, the sun has zapped all your energy, making getting through a novel feel like a slog. Fret not, though! The solution to your worries is actually quite simple: Short Stories Collections. Short stories are the perfect road trip companion; Or maybe a quick morning read with coffee and a gentle, wind down before bed. Don’t be fooled by the size of these stories, though –Just because they’re short, doesn’t mean they can’t impact you the same way a novel can. Because of their size, short stories are often thick with nuance; every sentence and word is measured to pack the most punch. Dig into one of these collections!
Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self by Danielle Evans
Danielle Evans is a DC writer and while you might already be familiar with her latest collection The Office of Historical Corrections don’t sleep on her earlier collection which centers on the experiences of young black women and explores youth, sex, race and class.
The Refugees by Viet Than Nguyen
Pulitzer Prize winning author Viet Than Nguyen provides voices and perspectives of immigrants in the United States in this vivid and compelling collection. While each story is unique, the characters all seek to find balance between their homeland and America.
Admit This to No One by Leslie Pietrzyk
DC readers will find this collection especially juicy and riveting. Local writer Leslie Pietrzyk presents a group of women whose individual stories all somehow connect to one central figure: The Speaker of the House. While each story can stand alone, together they weave one, collective history.
A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Similar to Admit This to No One, Jennifer Egan’s, writer of The Candy House quilts a larger story of a band through smaller, individual stories. Readers who enjoy character driven plot will enjoy this collection.
The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Having given us Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a gift to the literary world. Readers will recognize Adichie’s signature exposition filled with wisdom and profound insight throughout the stories presented here. Adichie’s command of character drives these stories and will have you filled with reflection and empathy.
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Author: Morgan K.