Short Story Challenge, January 2018

As I said in an earlier post, I have tasked myself with reading more short stories this year, and I’m off with a bang. Here are the rest of the stories I’ve read in January. I highly recommend subscribing to One Story and Down & Out Magazine in particular. I am also greatly enjoying The Unfinished World, a story collection by Amber Sparks. A * (think Vonnegut) means I liked the story especially much. What are your favorite short stories you’ve read recently?

On the Top, by Mark Budman. Sasson Magazine*

One at a Time, by Lissa Marie Redmond. Down & Out Magazine*

The Lizzie Borden Jazz Babies, by Amber Sparks. The Unfinished World

The Cemetery for Lost Faces, by Amber Sparks. The Unfinished World*

Jordan Teller, by Sheila Heti. McSweeney’s 50*

The Logic of the Loadad Heart, by Amber Sparks. The Unfinished World

Thirteen Ways of Destroying a Painting, by Amber Sparks. The Unfinished World

Closure, by Nick Kolakowski. Down & Out Magazine*

Hero, by Jeff Parker. McSweeney’s 50*

Puppet Master Made the Puppets, by Vauhini Vara. McSweeney’s 50*

Tell the Bees, by Bill Crider. Down & Out Magazine*

Extinction Therapy, by Bracken MacLeod.*

The Wife’s Story, by Ursula K. LeGuin*

Lancelot in the Lost Places of the World, by Amber Sparks. The Unfinished World*

Guerrilla Marketing, by Sanjay Agnihotri. One Story*

Last Night at Skipper’s Lounge, by Timothy J. Lockhart. Down & Out Magazine

A State of Decline, by J.J. Hensley. Down & Out Magazine

Scattered and Smothered, by Hector Acosta. Shotgun Honey*

And the World was Crowded with Things That Meant Love, by Amber Sparks. The Unfinished World

Birds with Teeth, by Amber Sparks. The Unfinished World*

For These Humans Who Cannot Fly, by Amber Sparks. The Unfinished World*

Take Your Daughter to the Slaughter, by Amber Sparks. The Unfinished World