Like most short story collections, some stories were more compelling than others. I appreciated Amor Towles' take on the importance of short stories, but I must say I did not understand or appreciate his method of structuring the collection.

As expected, The Best Short Stories 2024 (O. Henry Prize winners) is a phenomenally good collection of stories written by a wide range of authors, some well known some not as familiar. There were some surprises, but every story is worth reading. And don't skip the introduction, Amor Towles, the editor of the collection, did a really great job on that. Strongly recommended for readers of short stories.

I’ve often seen these collections at bookstores over the years but haven’t picked one up before. But, lucky me, I received this years edition, and I have to say I was impressed. I think I may have to go back and read the previous winners, I’ve kind of been in a short story collection mood lately.

    Back to this book though, Amor Towles, 2024’s guest editor, has the loveliest introduction about the short story format itself, but has also done such a fantastic job at showcasing some very well known names and some that are not as familiar to us. From marriages and language barriers to mental illness and more, there is something for everyone in these pages. I love how they can convey so much in such a few short pages, delivery some really great stories spanning so many different walks of life, some that required me to sit with them for a little bit.

    Like the theme of the book itself, I’m keeping this one short. Short story collection tip, pick this one up, and read one or two stories between other books, or if you need a quick finish in the middle of a long, slow read.

This is an excellent collection of stories, with good variety and some authors I'll definitely be looking for more stories and books from.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Vintage for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on September 10, 2024.

The Best Short Stories 2024 is a stunning collection of literary gems, showcasing the finest contemporary short fiction from around the world. All of the authors within the book offer an eclectic range of voices and styles, each story delivering their own powerful emotional impact. From tales of quiet domestic moments to profound explorations of identity and belonging, the collection highlights the artistry of short storytelling at its best. Thank you so much NetGalley for this ARC!

I love anthologies with short stories by different authors, so I was excited about the chance to review this amazing collection.

The Best Short Stories 2024: The O. Henry Prize Winners; This year were edited by Amor Towles. I really liked his introduction, and appreciated his insight in the whole process.

This was a great mixture of works, writing styles, and even genres.
There were many great stories:
- The soccer balls of Mr. Kurz by Michele Mari
- Hiding spot by Caroline Kim
- The honor of your presence by Dave Eggers
- The home visit by Morris Collins
- Mobilization by Allegra Hyde

My absolute favorites were:
- Orphans by Brad Felver
- The paper artist by EK Ota
- The Dark by Jesse Walter
These were the ones I savored and didn’t want to end, and had me thinking about them and the characters for days.

This short story collection kept my attention throughout, with my favorites being in the middle to end. The Hiding Spot and The Paper Artist were my top stories and will stay with me forever. This diverse collection inspires a full range of emotions and will be a great addition to any bookshelf.

"The Best Short Stories 2024" is a diverse and engaging collection of short fiction that showcases the breadth and talent of contemporary writers. Edited by acclaimed author Amor Towles, this anthology brings together a range of voices, styles, and themes to offer a rich and thought-provoking reading experience.

While not every story may resonate with every reader, the anthology's variety ensures that there is something for everyone. From realistic narratives to magical realism and speculative fiction, the stories in this collection explore the human experience from unique and often unexpected angles.
Towles' expert curation of these stories invites readers to step outside their comfort zones and discover the power of short fiction to illuminate the complexities of our world.

"Orphans" by Brad Felver is a standout story. This heartwarming tale explores the themes of second chances and chosen families, offering readers a glimpse into the lives of characters navigating unexpected relationships and discovering the power of love and connection. Felver's writing is both tender and honest, allowing readers to empathize with the characters and their struggles.

Overall, "The Best Short Stories 2024" is a great addition to the annual anthology series. This collection serves as a reminder of the importance of short fiction in our literary landscape and encourages readers to continue exploring and appreciating this often-overlooked genre.

The Best Short Stories 2024 was a great collection. It had a range of styles and some quality authors.

Thank you Penguin Random House and Vintage and Anchor for the advance access in exchange for my review!

I love reading these every year because I genuinely invest a lot of trust and respect in the editors and their vision. I really hope to see my friends and their remarkable talent in one of these someday. This year’s collection was guest-edited by Amor Towles, whose work I admittedly haven’t read yet but comes highly recommended. A lot of these stories were centered around themes such as family, relationships, and identity. The contributors range from established authors with published books to writers who have had many successful publications in magazines.

One of my favorite parts is at the end, because it includes a unique, personal interview question for each writer about either what inspired them, their writing process, or a personal opinion. I almost wish the mini-interviews came before each story because they add so much great context that makes me want to revisit them. Often, I find out that much of the literary fiction I read turns out to be semi-autobiographical, which totally shifts my perspective and deepens my appreciation for the work regardless of my actual opinion on it.

Anyway, definitely add this one to your list if you’re interested in short, snacky reads from the best writers of 2024! My recommendations are: Roy by Emma Binder, Didi by Amber Caron, The Import by Jai Chakrabarti, Serranos by Francisco González, and Orphans by Brad Felver.

Thanks very much to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of The Best Short Stories 2024 (O. Henry Prize winners). I love digging into a short story anthology, because I always end up discovering wonderful new-to-me writers. Some of my favorite stories in this collection include the opener, Emma Binder's "Roy" (and what a richly drawn character Roy is!), Caroline Kim's "Hiding Spot" (nothing but surprises in this quiet family drama), and the bittersweet "Orphans" by Brad Felver. However, my very favorite thing about this book is the fantastic introduction/craft essay by editor Amor Towles, parsing the differences between short stories and novels and exploring why surprise is *so* important to a good short story. It's worth purchasing this book for the introduction alone (though obviously the brilliant stories are the main attraction); I've already pre-ordered my hard copy.

Very enjoyable short stories I think the way they were organized made it flow nicely. My favorite short story is The Last Grownup it was a really nice story and Max was such a cute addition to the story.

Nice anthology! Always a mixed bag, but nice to see a few new names and some translations making the cut.

I loved this short story collection, masterfully curated by 2024 guest editor Amor Towles. The collection is comprised of 20 short stories, all of which encompass the stages of life, all of which made me tear up a little with their power, prose, and depth.

The book begins with a lovely introductory essay by Amor Towles on the art of the short story, focusing on surprise, and ends with authors’ notes on their inspirations for each story. This very diverse collection of stories includes subject matter ranging from identity, immigration, culture and caste, teenage rebellion, addiction, family trauma, broken relationships, burgeoning relationships, death of a parent, death of a pet, lifelong friendships, childhood memories, divorce and coparenting, online dating, and more.

Standouts for me were “Roy” by Emma Binder, a coming of age story about identity and family secrets, Orphans by Brad Felver, a sweet and sad story on grief and found family, “My Good Friend” by Juliana Leite and translated from Portuguese by Zoe Perry, a heartwarming tale of love in the later stages of life, “Marital Problems” by Robin Romm, a hilarious story about suburban scandal and a disastrous kitchen remodel, and “The Honor of Your Presence,” Dave Eggers’ whimsical tale of love and post pandemic party hopping.

I enjoyed reading this book so much and would recommend it highly to anyone looking to break a reading slump, or just as something quick and excellent for an evening’s read. Each story was so good and almost all of them will join my list of favorites.

It’s pretty par for the course that short story collections tend to be very hit or miss. This book is no exception. There are some beautiful stories in here. However, some of the stories had me absolutely scratching my head, especially at the conclusions. The story “Orphans” was a gorgeous tale about heartache and loneliness. I also loved Kate DiCamillo’s brutal story on childhood memories. I’m not going to give any more details, so you can discover what you like without any bias.

Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I always look forward to the Best Short Story collection and this edition did not disappoint. I was impressed with Towles introduction, highlighting the element of mystery/surprise in the short story vs the novel which I had never really considered before. I adored the short story, "Roy" by Emma Binder as the opening piece and loved the humor in "The Home Visit" by Morris Collins. The selection of stories had a great range in tone and style - some felt modern and fresh while others felt warm and weathered, like they were written in another time.
There is something for everyone in this collection and I applaud the original writers and the editors for compiling these stories.

#TheBestShortStories2024 #NetGalley

The 2024 edition is edited by Amor Towles, quite a short story writer in his own right. This was a nice mixture of works. My favorite was the sentimental, but gorgeously written “Orphans” by Brad Felver. The author had me with all three main characters and in the place described as well. Stunning.

I also enjoyed “The Honor of Your Presence” by Dave Eggers. Overall a good batch of stories. Well chosen and I liked the progression.

A really wonderful short story anthology! There was such a wide variety of genres and stories represented in this collection which made it a joy to read. I also appreciated the blurbs at the end from each author that provided some additional insight into their writing process. Worth a read!

A thoughtfully and meticulously curated collection of voices, styles, and approaches, a worthy addition to the series.