Best Short Stories of 2016

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In addition to the 52 stories in the Deal Me In challenge, I read 70+ other short stories throughout the year. Picking a top 10 was tough! In some cases, I rated a story high after reading it, but in retrospect I couldn’t remember much about it. Others, while lower rated, left a definite impression.

Here are my top 10, in no particular order:

From Deal Me In

“Pate de Foie Gras” by Isaac Asimov – I didn’t care for many of the stories in Asimov’s Mysteries, but this take on the goose that lays golden eggs is really fun. – Review

“Smee” by A. M. Burrage – “Smee” was on my list because Jay said it was good. Jay did not lie. It’s hook is haunting. – Review, Read

“The Daemon Lover” by Shirley Jackson – Shirley Jackson writes about the fears of being a single woman too well. – Review

From 24 in 48

For the 24 in 48 Readathon in July, I cleared my backlog of bookmarked stories and found some gems.

“Monkey King, Faerie Queen” by Zen Cho – Just sheer adventurous fun. Review, Read

“Multo” by Samuel Marzioli – Up there with “Smee” for this year’s creep-factor award. Review, Read

“The Tomato Thief” by Ursula Vernon – I’ve loved Ursula Vernon’s art for a long time, but I really hadn’t read any of her fiction. I really enjoy her deadpan humor and talking animals. Review, Read

The Rest

“The Green-Eyed Boy” by Peter S. Beagle – This is a Schmendrick story, so of course it’s going to make my top ten. I never did much of a review of it, but I enjoyed it, maybe especially because it adds to The Last Unicorn mythology in a sideways manner, which is probably for the best.

“The Book Seller” by Lavie Tidhar – Likewise, I feel like I’m cheating a little to include “The Book Seller” on this list because it is part of Tidhar’s Central Station which I read in full later in the year. But it’s a science fiction story with books. How can I not? Review, Read

“Cruel Sistah” by Nisi Shawl – Music and horror go *so* well together. Review, Read

“This is a Letter to My Son” by K. J. Kabza – Lovely and heart-breaking. About as good as near-future fiction can get. Review, Read