Best Short Stories Anthologies Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: May 11, 2023

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Short story anthologies are perfect for those who love to read but have limited time. These books are a collection of short stories written by various authors, making them a great way to discover new writers and explore different writing styles. Short story anthologies are also great for those who enjoy reading on the go or for those who prefer to read a complete story in one sitting. They are available in a variety of genres, including horror, romance, science fiction, and more. With so many options to choose from, short story anthologies are a great addition to any book lover's collection.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes Cover #TOP 1
365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes
ftb score rating icon 9.8
An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! Volume 5 (An Elephant and Piggie Book) Cover #TOP 2
An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! Volume 5 (An Elephant and Piggie Book)
ftb score rating icon 9.7
The Bob's Burgers Burger Book: Real Recipes for Joke Burgers Cover #TOP 3
The Bob's Burgers Burger Book: Real Recipes for Joke Burgers
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Short Stories Anthologies Books

Cottage Door Press
Cottage Door Press
Cottage Door Press
Sep 16, 2018
365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes Cover
365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes

365 Bedtime Stories and Rhymes is a beautifully illustrated collection of classic nursery rhymes and fairy tales from around the world. With over 50 stories included, parents can adjust the number of stories and reading time to suit their child's bedtime routines. The book provides a perfect opportunity for families to bond through storytime and create cherished memories. The gorgeous illustrations and well-written tales are sure to bring a smile to children's faces. Cottage Door Press, an independent publisher of high-quality children's books, has done an excellent job in creating a family favorite that children will enjoy for years.

An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! Volume 5 (An Elephant and Piggie Book)

Willems, Mo
Oct 18, 2022
An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! Volume 5 (An Elephant and Piggie Book) Cover
An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! Volume 5 (An Elephant and Piggie Book)

An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! Volume 5 is a must-have for children's bookshelves. The book includes five of Elephant and Piggie's best adventures, written and illustrated by award-winning author Mo Willems. The stories are relatable, fun, and teach important lessons about friendship, gratitude, and patience. The colorful illustrations and easy-to-read text make it a perfect choice for early readers. Overall, this book is a delightful addition to any child's library, and the Elephant & Piggie series continues to be a favorite among young readers.

The Bob's Burgers Burger Book: Real Recipes for Joke Burgers

Bouchard, Loren
Hyperion Avenue
Feb 2, 2021
The Bob's Burgers Burger Book: Real Recipes for Joke Burgers Cover
The Bob's Burgers Burger Book: Real Recipes for Joke Burgers

The Bob's Burgers Burger Book is a New York Times Bestseller that offers seventy-five original, practical recipes for fans to eat Bob Belcher's specialty Burgers of the Day. The book showcases the entire Belcher family, including beloved characters such as Teddy, Jimmy Pesto Jr., and Aunt Gayle. The recipes come from the fan-created blog "The Bob’s Burger Experiment," and the book is fully illustrated with all-new art in the series’s signature style. The Wall Street Journal calls it a "humorous but hands-on guide to offbeat burgers that will add variety to routine summer grilling." Overall, this book is a fun and unique addition to any meat cooking book collection.

Heart and Brain: Onward to Good Things!: A Heart and Brain Collection (Volume 4)

Seluk, Nick
May 2, 2023
Heart and Brain: Onward to Good Things!: A Heart and Brain Collection (Volume 4) Cover
Heart and Brain: Onward to Good Things!: A Heart and Brain Collection (Volume 4)

The Heart and Brain characters are back in Nick Seluk’s latest book, Onward to Good Things! This comic collection tackles mental health challenges in a humorous yet sensitive way that will make readers feel understood, seen, and encouraged. Divided into three sections, the book ties together themes and comics in one continuing short story, delivering an inspirational and hilarious read. Seluk’s work has appeared on major websites and blogs, and his millions of fans will not be disappointed with this latest installment. Onward to Good Things! is a unique and uplifting addition to the Heart and Brain series.

Sparring Partners

Grisham, John
Apr 25, 2023

Sparring Partners is a collection of three novellas by John Grisham, the master of legal thrillers. Law is a common thread throughout the stories, but Grisham surprises readers with unexpected twists. The first novella, Homecoming, brings back Jake Brigance from Ford County to help an old friend. The second, Strawberry Moon, follows a young death row inmate's last request before his execution. The third, Sparring Partners, depicts the rivalry between two brothers and their struggle to save their once prosperous law firm. Grisham's storytelling skills shine in this collection, offering suspenseful, hilarious, powerful, and moving tales. This book is a must-read for Grisham fans and anyone who loves well-crafted stories.

The Lunar Chronicles Boxed Set: Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Fairest, Stars Above, Winter

Meyer, Marissa
Siu, Erin
Square Fish
Oct 13, 2020
The Lunar Chronicles Boxed Set: Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Fairest, Stars Above, Winter Cover
The Lunar Chronicles Boxed Set: Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Fairest, Stars Above, Winter

The Lunar Chronicles Boxed Set is a collection of Marissa Meyer's #1 New York Times-bestselling series, featuring retellings of classic fairy tales set in a futuristic world of cyborgs and evil queens. The set includes Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Fairest: Levana’s Story, Stars Above, and Winter. Readers follow the story of a teenage cyborg, Cinder, who rebels against the evil Queen Levana with the help of Scarlet, Cress, and Winter. This collection is a fantastic mashup of science fiction and fairy tales that will keep readers entertained from start to finish.

Strayed, Cheryl
Knopf
Oct 27, 2015

Brave Enough by Cheryl Strayed is a collection of over 100 quotes and thoughts that capture the author's wisdom, courage, and humor. The book encourages readers to embrace their capacity for love, compassion, forgiveness, and endurance. The quotes are presented in a gift-sized package that's perfect for sharing with friends. The book is a must-read for women seeking motivation and inspiration. The quotes are so powerful that they will encourage readers to keep walking, break their own hearts, and move forward in life. Overall, Brave Enough is a beautiful gem that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime.

#TOP 8

Tatsuki Fujimoto Before Chainsaw Man: 22-26

Fujimoto, Tatsuki
Apr 18, 2023
Tatsuki Fujimoto Before Chainsaw Man: 22-26 Cover
Tatsuki Fujimoto Before Chainsaw Man: 22–26

Tatsuki Fujimoto Before Chainsaw Man: 22–26 is a collection of short story manga that features the earliest works of the twisted mastermind behind Chainsaw Man. The book includes killer mermaids, gender swapping, and a devilish little sister with the power to end the world. Despite being rough and raw, this book is a must-read for fans of Tatsuki Fujimoto's work. It showcases his unique style and provides insight into his creative process. Overall, it's a fantastic addition to any fantasy manga book collection.

#TOP 9

Querido yo: Vamos a estar bien (Spanish Edition)

Sequera, Alejandro
Perez, Andreina
Aristeiguieta, A.P
Mar 4, 2022
Querido yo: Vamos a estar bien (Spanish Edition) Cover
Querido yo: Vamos a estar bien (Spanish Edition)

Querido yo: Vamos a estar bien is a Spanish edition book that contains a powerful message of self-love and self-discovery. The book is an invitation to embrace oneself through words and to remember that we are important and special in this life. This book is not perfect, but it is written with real feelings and emotions, making it a relatable read. The author takes the reader on a journey of forgiveness, love, and letting go. This book is a must-read for anyone who needs a reminder that they are worthy of love and happiness.

James Herriot's Treasury for Children: Warm and Joyful Tales by the Author of All Creatures Great and Small

Herriot, James
Brown, Ruth
Barrett, Peter
St. Martin's Griffin
Oct 28, 2014
James Herriot's Treasury for Children: Warm and Joyful Tales by the Author of All Creatures Great and Small Cover
James Herriot's Treasury for Children: Warm and Joyful Tales by the Author of All Creatures Great and Small

James Herriot's Treasury for Children is a heartwarming collection of stories about animals and people living in the Yorkshire Hills. The book features a host of adorable animals and colorful townsfolk, narrated by the country vet himself. The stories are beautifully illustrated by Peter Barrett and Ruth Brown. This complete edition is a wonderful gift for readers of all ages. The stories capture the essence of a fading way of life and evoke a range of emotions from joy to tears. Overall, this book is a family treasure that will be cherished for generations.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are short stories anthologies?

Short stories are often only a few pages long, but are complete with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Anthologies are collections of stories written by different authors, so instead of browsing the shelves, you can browse within the book and see what piques your interest.

2. What are book anthologies?

An anthology is a collection of literary pieces by various different authors. It can sometimes refer to the collected output of a single author (for instance, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare), but it generally refers to a compilation presenting many different writers.

3. How many short stories does anthology have?

If you do not want to find a publisher to do it for you, here are some tips for publishing an anthology yourself: Send out invitations to more writers than you need: An average anthology has around 20 short pieces.

Editor's Notes

During our short stories anthologies book research, we found 1,000+ short stories anthologies book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 95,990 customer reviews through our big data system to write the short stories anthologies books list. We found that most customers choose short stories anthologies books with an average price of $12.72.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.