Best Short Stories Books of 2025

A classic work of American literature that has not stopped changing minds and lives since it burst onto the literary scene, The Things They Carried is a ground-breaking meditation on war, memory, imagination, and the redemptive power of storytelling.   The Things They Carried depicts the men of Alpha Company: Jimmy Cross, Henry Dobbins, Rat Kiley, Mitchell Sanders, Norman Bowker, Kiowa, and the character Tim O’Brien, who has survived his tour in Vietnam to become a father and writer at the age of forty-three.  Taught everywhere—from high school classrooms to graduate seminars in creative writing—it has become required reading for any American and continues to challenge readers in their perceptions of fact and fiction, war and peace, courage and fear and longing.

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is a coming-of-age classic that tells the story of Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago. Through a series of vignettes, Cisneros explores themes of self-discovery, childhood, and the struggles of growing up in an oppressive environment. The book has been acclaimed by critics, translated around the world, and taught in schools and universities. Cisneros' precise and spare prose creates unforgettable characters that readers will want to lift off the page. Overall, The House on Mango Street is a must-read for anyone looking for a powerful and moving story that captures the complexities of growing up.

No library's complete without the classics! This new, enhanced leather-bound edition collects the legendary fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm.. They are the stories we've known since we were children. Rapunzel. Hansel and Gretel. Cinderella. Sleeping Beauty. But the works originally collected by the Brothers Grimm in the early 1800s are not necessarily the versions we heard before bedtime. They're darker and often don't end very happily--but they're often far more interesting.   This elegant edition of Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales includes all our cherished favorites--Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, Little Red Cap, and many more--in their original versions. With specially designed end papers, a genuine leather cover, and other enhancements, it's the perfect gift for anyone looking to build a complete home library.   Many of these tales begin with the familiar refrain of “once upon a time”--but they end with something unexpected and fascinating!

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 Charles Portis: Collected Works (LOA #369) is a comprehensive collection of the author's complete fiction and collected nonfiction, including the iconic True Grit. Portis's master storytelling and wit are comparable to Mark Twain, and his ability to capture the spoken idioms of the South is unparalleled. The book includes Norwood, The Dog of the South, Masters of Atlantis, Gringos, and Stories & Other Writings. The Library of America's edition is a must-have for Western literature enthusiasts and those who appreciate well-crafted storytelling.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCE WINNER • With music pulsing on every page, this startling, exhilarating novel of self-destruction and redemption "features characters about whom you come to care deeply as you watch them doing things they shouldn't, acting gloriously, infuriatingly human" (The Chicago Tribune).. Bennie is an aging former punk rocker and record executive. Sasha is the passionate, troubled young woman he employs. Here Jennifer Egan brilliantly reveals their pasts, along with the inner lives of a host of other characters whose paths intersect with theirs. . “Pitch perfect.... Darkly, rippingly funny.... Egan possesses a satirist’s eye and a romance novelist’s heart.” —The New York Times Book Review

Stories of Your Life and Others is a collection of award-winning short stories by Ted Chiang. The book explores the very strange and the heartbreakingly familiar, as characters confront sudden change and uncertainty. Chiang's writing is both intelligent and humorous, examining what it means to be alive in a world marked by beauty and wonder. The book includes "Story of Your Life," which was adapted into the major motion picture Arrival. Overall, this collection is a contemporary classic that blends absorbing storytelling with meditations on the universe, being, time, and space.

Short Stories in Spanish for Beginners is an excellent tool for anyone who wants to learn Spanish in a fun and engaging way. The book contains eight captivating stories in various genres, including science fiction, crime, and history, written specifically for beginner to intermediate level students. The book also includes a glossary for bolded words, a bilingual word list, full plot summaries, and comprehension questions after each chapter. The stories are mapped to A2-B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference, making it easy for learners to track their progress. Overall, this book is an easy and enjoyable way to learn Spanish.

The Velveteen Rabbit: An Easter Book for Kids and Toddlers is a timeless classic that tells the heartwarming story of a stuffed toy rabbit who comes to life through the transformative power of love. With its original story and illustrations from 1922, this book has been treasured for generations and remains a beloved classic in children's literature. This special edition, with over 1.5 million copies in print, is a must-have for any child's Easter basket. The Velveteen Rabbit is a sentimental and touching book that will be cherished for years to come.