I’ve always been a fan of novellas and short stories, particularly when I’m busy and the idea of finishing a story fast is really appealing. And this past week has been a doozy that left me looking for some great short fiction to occupy my limited attention span and reading time. My usual go-to for short stories and novellas is all the excellent SFF being put out from Tor and Tor.com but a recent release of original stories from Amazon Original Stories –which include several historical stories–caught my attention.
If you’re having trouble finding time to read–or just want to check out some great short fiction–these five short stories from some truly incredible authors you might recognize are a good place to start. And I’ll be reading them right alongside you! Let’s check them out.
The Tiger Came to the Mountains by Silvia Moreno Garcia
This short story from the Amazon Original Stories collection Trespass tells the story of two siblings on a farm in 1917 Mexico. Revolution has thrown the country into turmoil, but an escaped tiger poses an even more pressing danger.
“The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington” by P. Djèlí Clark
One of my all-time favorite short stories by an author I consider an absolute must-read, “The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington” tells exactly the story you think it will. It’s also hauntingly beautiful and available to read for free on Fireside Fiction.
My Evil Mother: A Short Story by Margaret Atwood
A single mother in 1950s suburbia may–or may–not be a witch. Her daughter isn’t sure. But what else could the strange plants in the garden be for? And why else would her mother be having all these hushed, mystical conversations with neighborhood women?
Everything My Mother Taught Me by Alice Hoffman
After being told to never say a word by her mother, Adeline makes a vow of silence. But when a woman vanishes without a trace, leaving Adeline as the only witness, she must learn to find her voice in the coming of age story set in 1900s Massachusetts.
A Righteous Man by Tochi Onyebuchi
Don’t forget you can get three free audiobooks at Audiobooks.com with a free trial!
That’s it for now, folx! Stay subscribed for more stories of yesteryear.
If you want to talk books (historical or otherwise), you can find me @rachelsbrittain on Instagram, Goodreads, Litsy, and occasionally Twitter.
Right now I’m reading The Museum of Abandoned Secrets by Oksana Zabuzhko. What about you?