For all you belated shoppers out there, and for all two of you not already sickened by the blizzard of Best-Of lists, here's my picks for the best short stories of 2008. I read a good chunk of them -- most that I've read are in my sidebar, though I've neglected to add a few. So go buy these books. Give as gifts. Study as art. Read for laughs.
For those of you who like to quibble with the word "best," I will add the caveat that these are much more recommendation than hierarchy. They're only my preferences, and ones deliberately chosen to reflect a variety of forms and fictions. You'll see a number of the usual suspects here, but also a few that might surprise you. Enjoy.
Sana Krasikov, One More Year
Cynthia Ozick, Dictation
Glen Pourciau, Invite
Chris Adrian, A Better Angel
Steven Millhauser, Dangerous Laughter
Benjamin Rosenbaum, The Ant King
Donald Ray Pollock, Knockemstiff
Jhumpa Lahiri, Unaccustomed Earth
Uwem Akpan, Say You're One of Them
Nam Le, The Boat
Stumble It!
Comments