The Broken Spine

I love a good short story. I often read them when I’ve hit a reading slump or to just take a break from reading larger works.

So, this weeks Top Ten Tuesday is a blast from the past. I’m sharing some of my favorite short stories and short story collection on my TBR.

1. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
2. The Yellow Wallpaper by Sarah Perkins Gilman
3. In the Penal Colony by Franz Kafka
4. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
5. The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe

As I was typing this list I noticed that they’re all so, so very dark. But the best part about it is I remember where I was and my reaction to all of them when I read them.

For example: I read The Lottery in Mrs. Scaringi’s high school English class. We started it in class and I finished it in study hall. You know study hall where nobody studies. Not even the nerds.  And it scared the Sugar Honey Ice Tea out of me.

I recently reread In the Penal Colony and thought that since I’m some 20+ years older that it wouldn’t evoke the same visceral reaction. Well, bazinga! Jokes on you, Erica. I was still horrified and grossed out and had an insatiable urge to vomit.

Short story collections I want to read or kind of sort have read

1. The Thing Around You Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Started)
2. Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
3. This is How You Lose Her by Junot Díaz
4. Kiss Kiss by Roald Dahl
5. The Refugees by Viet Thanh Nguyen (Read)
6. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heave by Sherman Alexie (Started)

What are some of your favorite short stories or novellas?