This collection of stories was varies in both length and topic. All centered around the theme of collectors or collections, but no solid connections from one story to the next. A few were standouts, but overall this wasn't for me. Perhaps I am not the right audience for a book such as this, but this isn't one I will recommend.

The Collectors hooked me from the start. I love so many of the authors included in this anthology and I was introduced to even more. With short story collections, I always know I'll find a story that sucks me in and I found so many in this collection I wanted to know more about. This was a perfect read for the season and I know I'll be recommending it to many of my students!

This is a short story collection about people who collect things and they are written by those who are minorities and/or LGBTQ this book is full of my favorite thing and that is short stories my favorite was one about a girl whose brother is a grave digger and I’m going to be honest I don’t know the names of the stories because there was no big intro to the next story they pretty much just went into it which I didn’t mind I’m just saying I don’t know the name of the stories or who wrote it. Either way then there’s a girl who collects aprons while her mom who is the most gorgeous woman in the neighborhood collects the married men around the town… And although they say they’re there to help two single women out her mom is married to end in love with her dad and although the story really didn’t make sense to me I still thoroughly enjoyed it especially the whole thing with river/Wyatt… That was funny and sad and equal measure. although they have a story with a girl who collects doubts that I really enjoyed then again I enjoyed most of the stories and can’t think of one that I didn’t like I love reading stories from those who live different lives than I do whether that be a single woman or a Jewish rabbi or whatever. I find other peoples lives so interesting and it’s even better when they have a great talent like those who wrote the stories in this book I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it if you love short stories that are weird and off the beaten path then you definitely need to read The Collectors written by some talented writers and it’s all in this one collection it’s so good in a solid four*read. I want to think the author publisher and NetGalley for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

This was an alright collection (wink, wink) of short stories. There was a wide variety of stories, and the way collections were included. I do think some stories were a bit of stretch in the "collections" theme. I also like how some of these stories got a little weird, and out there. However, I think some just were a bit too confusing. Basically, there were some stories in here I really loved, but there were also some I just didn't connect with at all. That's why my average rating is actually a three star.

An eclectic collection (pun intended) of short stories that rethinks the typical connotation of being a collector. From traditional to speculative, these stories satisfy lovers of all genres. I can see any student enjoying at least one of these stories. I’m particularly interested in Ribay’s short for the classroom!

Collections come in different forms, and this book explores the possibilities and realms of which we can become obsessed and start to collect things. Not just objects, but items you would never think of. I’m a huge short story fan so I was impressed with the different angles this book took. Again another great batch with authors new and old for me to explore. Thank you for this ARC!

As someone who is also a bit of a collector, I had to check out this anthology! And the introduction to this collection by A.S. King really made a lasting impression on me, but this also raised my expectations a little too high for the stories that followed.

Ratings for each story:

• Play House by Anna-Marie McLemore: 4 stars
• The White Savior Does Not Save the Day by Randy Ribay: 3 stars
• Take It From Me by David Levithan: 3 stars
• Ring of Fire by Jenny Torres Sanchez: 3 stars
• Museum of Misery by Cory McCarthy: 2 stars
• La Concha by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo: 2 stars
• Pool Bandits by G. Neri: 2 stars
• We Are Looking For Home by A.S. King: 3.5 stars
• A Recording for Carole Before It All Goes by Jason Reynolds: 4 stars
• Sweet Everlasting by M.T. Anderson: 4.5 stars

Well written stories, some were suspenseful, some were funny. I enjoyed most of them. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

I thought the idea of collections was interesting to center stories around so I decided to take a closer look. I’m gonna be honest and say that I only requested this because I saw David Levithan had a story in it and I knew I had to read it. His story was amazing and I found some others that I thought were pretty cool. Some weren’t really my taste but I’d still recommend everyone looking for new stories and David Levithan fans check it out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the arc.

What do you collect? And what does it say about you as a person? For me, I collect books of course; stories that move me and inspire me. Decorations with bumblebees on. Crystals and rocks. Postcards from places I've never been because I know I might never get to see them myself. Countless pictures of my cat. Ideas for poems. Memories and smiles from people I love.

This unique collection of short stories from brilliant novelists gives a snapshot into the life of a collector -From the silly, the strange and the speculative, with meanings ranging from a physical collection to conceptual ideas about society and our place in it. With stories that range from fantasy to short essays and mixed media with poetry and visuals, this is definitely an eclectic mix of storytelling that will have something for everyone and some only come in at under 15 pages so you can definitely dip in and out.

From Play House which seems like a story about an apron collection but is a layered reflection on sexism and racism, to Ring of Fire where a young girl collects fire after losing her mother, and A Recording for Carole where a man writes a letter to his aging grandmother who collects things that start with the letter C - every single story has a fantastic new world to explore and bring a whole new range of emotions.

A provocative and surprisingly tender anthology that will make a fantastic addition to your own collections.

The Collectors: Stories is a collection of stories written by numerous authors. These short stories often fall into a science fiction or fantasy world. The editor A.S. King asked all the contributors to write a very weird story for their very weird collection, and some of these authors didn’t hold back!

I enjoyed quite a few of the stories but with all collections, similar to this, there are some that are great and others that are not. Some of the stories I’m still wrapping my head around while others made no sense to me and were fairly forgettable. Overall, I enjoyed The Collectors and would give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars!

My sincere thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The only reason I wanted this book is the fact that it contains a new David Levithan short story. That story is great btw.

The rest of the book is mostly great as well. This anthology is based around the theme of collections (as in what people collect). As with any short story anthology, it contains good stories and not so good stories. Thankfully, the good ones outweigh the bad.

#net galley #short stories #YA
I am a great fan of short stories when they are well done. It takes precision, thrift of words, and timing to create a great short story and these YA authors were exceptional. Each story highlighted a "collector" of sorts-- not necessarily the typical sea shell collection, but true to the authors' various genres, unexpected collections such as a collector of "souls." Some were funny, some were deeply moving or suspenseful. So this short story collection is amazing and I highly reccomend it.

Interesting collection of stories that has something for everyone. Fantasy, realistic, heartwarming, the diverse topics, characters, and themes will appeal to many. Each author gives their take on what a collection is. They also explore what a collection means to the character and how that definition affects those around them.
Most stories are for an older audience, but a few could be read aloud for discussion or mento r text purposes to a younger audience.

This collection was so oddly wonderful. I now want to go read works from each of the authors I hadnt read before!

Silly, spooky, and at times just weird, this anthology of stories was just amazing.

This anthology had a really intriguing concept. It was interesting to see what directions the contributing authors went in terms of characters’ collections, and the variety of forms used and lines blurred while doing so, even if I didn’t always quite understand what the author was trying to get at. Anthologies can be a little hit-or-miss for me, hence the three stars, but there were some stories in here that I would rate higher on their own. This is definitely something to pick up if you are looking for something a bit more off the beaten path.

Though I didn't get through all the stories. This collection is awesome. Short stories are a very interesting genre. It helps to make people readers.

This is a fun collection in itself ;) Some fun, some sobering and saddening, and well paced to keep you from depression. I was quite sobered by Museum of Misery, cannot give anything away there. Pool Bandits was funny and in my lifespan ;). Ring of Fire also brought back memories, so there's things for everyone here, from the light reader to the more serious fantasy reader

Like any story collection there will be stories you like better than others, but on the whole this is a fantastically weird anthology filled with so many incredible moments. My favorite was David Levithan’s story but I also just love everything he writes. AS King's introduction is a neat snapshot into the creative process, and I love to see how different authors respond to the same prompt.

I was drawn to this anthology as a collector myself. If you are in the mood for something a little silly, a little serious, a little weird, and more than a little nostalgic, I think you would find something in this collection for you.

Short story collections/anthologies can be very difficult to rate. There is a lot to consider, and personally I don’t think it’s fair to just average out the rating of every short story. That said, I settled on a 4 star overall with there being a very even split between 3 and 5 star stories.

There were several stories that made me consider picking up some of the authors’ other works, and there were others that solidified that there are some things a little too weird for me. I also felt there were a couple of the stories that didn’t really meet the overarching theme, but were still enjoyable to read.