Do you ever struggle with what book to read next? Or taking forever to get through that TBR pile? Short story collections can be a great way to get out of a reading funk and try new authors.
Why Read Short Story Collections?
- They’re short, which makes them perfect for lunch breaks or times when you can’t or don’t want to read an entire novel.
- You can try new authors easily without spending much money or time on reading their longer works.
- You can find new favorite authors.
- You can finish more stories in a shorter amount of time, which is so satisfying!
- They can be a nice break between longer series or books (like cleansing the palate).
- Use your money to make a difference. More often than for novels, proceeds from short story collections go to a good cause.
If you’re participating in our 2024 Fantasy/Sci-Fi Reading Challenge (and it’s never too late to join!), July’s theme is to read a fantasy or sci-fi short story collection.
YA Fantasy Short Story Collections
Saltwater Souls by Hannah Carter
If you’re longing to escape to the sea this summer, this book is your ticket! It has all kinds of mermaids–both sweet and salty–as well as a lightkeeper.
Some of the stories are light and hilarious, others are deep and pondering, but they’re all perfect for fans of deep themes, beautiful characters, and salty worlds.
Enchanted Waters by Various Authors
Water is the theme that holds this short story collection together. In these stories, you’ll meet murderous kelpies, encounter more mermaids, find a kidnapped prince, and explore underwater kingdoms.
If the stories in themselves weren’t lovely enough, all the proceeds from this book go to Oceana to support their mission of protecting the world’s oceans and promoting sustainable fishing.
Craving more ocean-themed fantasy books to keep you cool? Check out this list of 12 YA fantasy ocean-adventure books.
Enchanted Skies by Various Authors
Take to the skies on the backs of dragons, pegasus, thunderbirds, and other mythical creatures from around the world in this collection.
This book, with its action, myths, and adventure, is perfect for fans of the Percy Jackson books. Also, all the proceeds go to the Red Cross to support hurricane relief.
Enchanted Forests by Various Authors
Discover the secrets of forests in these pages, from fairies, unicorns, to monsters.
For, we all know, that within the forest is where magic dwells. And, like the other collections in this series, the proceeds go to a good cause. With your purchase, you’ll be supporting the Rainforest Foundation as it seeks to conserve the rainforest.
The Sun Still Rises by Various Authors
I didn’t know the author that this collection was written in memory of, but I think the idea is very sweet.
In this special collection, you don’t have to fear the dark because light always triumphs. Even when a highschooler’s hallucinations reveal a dangerous new world of Faerie, and an outcast battles shadow demons to save her people from the plague, hope shines through every page.
The Door in the Hedge by Robin McKinley
Yes, short story collections can all be written by the same author, which is great if you love that author. And who doesn’t like Robin McKinley, master of fairy tales?
There are actually only four stories in this book: two are completely new and two retell beloved classics. But all feature princess touched with magic.
If you’re craving the sweetness of a fairy tale but the shortness of a quick treat, then you’ll enjoy these stories.
Adult Fantasy Short Story Collections
Briars and Blood Edited by Anne J. Hill
This collection actually contains four novellas, so if you’d like to read something a little longer than a short story, this would probably be your best bet.
Each story is either a reimagining, retelling, or inspired by the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. And the cover is gorgeous! 😍
Sailing Magic Edited by Sarah Rodecker and Helena S. George
Pirates, anyone? Or spaceships? Find all kinds of ships in this short story collection. Venture into deep space where you will find adorable star dragons or step aboard a pirate ship that has arisen straight out of the sea. These stories are full of adventure, heart, and hope.
Wither and Bloom Edited by Anne J. Hill and Lara E. Madden
In this collection of clean (!) adult fantasy romance stories, you’ll find sweet stories not only of falling in love, but loving in the nitty gritty of every day life and through the darkest valleys.
It also has beautiful poems–a special treat–and some fun flash fiction pieces. Whether you’re into romance or not, this book will capture you with its lovely words and worlds.
Though We Bleed Edited by Anne J. Hill and Lara E. Madden
Freedom comes with a price. See how costly it can be in this collection that comes out August 1. (Though the Kindle version is already out).
In this collection, you’ll encounter a king of the underworld, women who sacrifice everything to save books, Calypso, and a teen boy who discovers a mermaid locked in a book.
Everyday people fight against their own sins and oppressions to learn the art of sacrifice and what true freedom looks like.
A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic Edited by Anna Tan
Short story collections can take you far beyond the borders of your home! Explore Malaysia–both past and present, real and mythical–in this anthology filled with stories that honor this beautiful and varied country.
Fool’s Honor Edited by Anne J. Hill and Lara E. Madden
Another collection edited by Anne J. Hill and Lara E. Madden! I can’t help it; they’re always full of beautiful, fantastical stories and have the best covers.
In these stories, be prepared to be tricked and fooled by the characters and authors. Nothing is as it seems! You’ll find yourself face-to-face with beloved famous tricksters like Robin Hood, Peter Pan and Rumpelstiltskin, as well as meeting plenty of new people with new tricks.
Tails, Scales, and Tiaras Edited by Meghan Kleinschmidt
No matter what your favorite kind of creature is, you are sure to find it in this collection of adventurous fantasy stories.
Not only are their nineteen stories perfect for taking you away on an epic adventure in just a few minutes, it’s filled with beautiful full-page artwork and photographs in full color. This one you’ll want to have a print copy of, and all the author proceeds are going to Hair For All, a charity that helps cancer patients acquire wigs. How cool is that?!
The Book of Dragons Edited by Jonathan Strahan
If you’re a fan of dragons, then this book is for you! Every story contains some kind of dragon: mechanical, water, and the more traditional “gold-hoarding” kind. But even with the more traditional dragons, there were unique twists in each story.
With the lovely artwork and intermittent poetry, this book is a treasure to add to your own book hoard!
Tales From the Forest Edited by Ye Olde Dragon Books
Beware the wolf! Each story in this collection is a twist of the famous Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale. In one, you’ll hop on the back of Grandmother’s motorcycle; in another you can taste magical treats with healing abilities.
Just be sure to wear your cloak and watch out for wolves!
Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman
And who doesn’t like weird and wacky Neil Gaiman? This book has plenty of weird and wacky stories to offer you: a mysterious circus, an altered Victorian England where Sherlock Holmes must solve a murder. If you don’t mind darker, and at times, disturbing fantasy, then you’ll enjoy this collection.
Classic Fantasy Short Story Collections
Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Every fantasy lover should have a copy of these beautiful stories! They are where most of our beloved fairy tales come from, after all.
You won’t be bored with these stories; each one is very different. And if you don’t like one, you can just skip to the next story. That’s the beauty of short stories.
The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
A book that every fan of Tolkien needs to read! I’d advise reading it after reading the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) series. That way, you’ll be more familiar with the world, creatures, and Tolkien’s writing style before diving into this more complex collection of how Middle Earth was formed.
With those familiar with LOTR, this book provides fascinating insight into the origins of the elves, the power behind the rings, and the beginnings of a great evil.
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
These stories fall more into the realm of sci-fi than fantasy, but as fantasy fans can also enjoy exploring new worlds, I decided to keep it on this list.
Each story in this collection takes place on Bradbury’s version of Mars: a place of hope, longings, and conquering. This one won’t just take you to a fascinating place, but will make you think as well!
The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury
Darker sci-fi, fantasy, and horror fill these pages. The framework of the collection is a man covered with tattoos that come alive and tell a story. (I can’t decide if this is brilliant or disturbing. Perhaps it’s both.) These stories will either leave you thrilled, horrified, or longing for more.
The October Country by Ray Bradbury
Lyrical, dark, and evocative, these stories will stay with you long after the last page. They’re perfect to read during the cold, autumn nights with a steaming cup of deliciousness nearby to keep you warm through all the dark twists and turns.
Which of these books sound most interesting to you?
