Now this was a treat - a new collection of short stories by Curtis Sittenfeld. There was not a "dud" in the bunch - every single one held my interest and I didn't want the book to end. The stories are contemporary and chatty, like a friend is talking to you, mostly on the theme of connections - new connections, reconnections, connections that land and those that don't. There were some surprises that I'll save for the next reader - the author did her magic of taking a real life well-known person (like she did with former first ladies Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton) and fictionalizing the story - but in this case, changing the name of the person, so it takes awhile to figure it out (fun!). The final story was a sequel to a well-known book by the author (makes me want to go back and read it again now that decades have passed). Loved this book and very grateful that the publisher shared this with me through NetGalley.

𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘛𝘦𝘭𝘭 is a collection of well-written and thought-provoking short stories by writer Curtis Sittenfeld. The twelve pieces—each with their own unique narrator, supporting characters, and setting—do not offer clear lessons or convey neatly packaged observations on life. Rather, in the various protagonists’ social interactions and self reflections, readers can see the complexity and messiness of human experience and the individual’s never-ending examination of identity and worth. I did find some sections weaker than others, but overall 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘛𝘦𝘭𝘭 is an enjoyable and readable short story collection. Thank you to Random House for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a fan of Curtis Sittenfeld since she published Prep. I am also a huge fan of short stories. To me this was a near perfect combination. There were a couple of stories I skipped through, but that’s why I love short stories. Would definitely recommend.

I really enjoyed this one! I found that the stories were interesting and intriguing. I have enjoyed her most recent book and will look into reading the others

Admittedly I’m not a fan of short stories, but am a fan of the author.
Liked this collection better than her first tho the stories were a mixed bag for me.
Some I found entertaining & engaging and wished were longer; others left me flat & could not connect with the characters.

With thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this e-ARC.

I’m a bit conflicted about my feelings towards this short story collection. While I was engaged in the stories and interested to see how they play out, I was often left unsatisfied with the outcome. I did like that the characters were interesting and complicated and messy. I think the portrayals of parenthood and marriage were fairly realistic. However, I did feel that often some of the rumination on the recent political climate and Covid often felt a bit half baked or, at times, forced. I’m not sure this was the read for me, but maybe it is the read for someone else! Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the e-ARC!

SHOW DON'T TELL is a strong short story collection, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I will say that in some ways Sittenfeld's writing seems aimed toward a younger audience. Her protagonists are sometimes students and often cynical and or immature. I didn't find that to be problematic, however, just something worth mentioning.

Sittenfeld does a great job of combining wry humor with poignant emotion. This collection is absorbing and charming without ever feeling sentimental, and the characters kept my interest.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

<b>Comin 'atcha 2/25/25!</b>

Curtis Sittenfeld won my heart initially with her short stories, stumbled upon organically (well, as organically as you can consider popping up all over Kindle and Audible to be) . After moving on to her artful retelling of Pride and Prejudice, Eligible, I knew I was a fan for good.

That being said, my hopes were high. Dualities have also been giving my brain a run for my money lately so having a handful of them reduced to easy to digest short stories was cathartic - though in true Curtis Sittenfeld fashion, never too heavy for a COL (chuckle out loud). I'm very very pleased to say... Show Don't Tell didn't disappoint. Some stories I could have done without and others I had read before (S/O to Kindle again for having 1 positive impact on the world - bringing us lots of Curtis Sittenfeld). One story made me cry though, and another I wrote a rating of "700/5". Despite the math technically being off, this get's 5/5 from me.

<b>Ratings by Story:</b>
Show Don't Tell 3/5 (can people too close to your success really be 100% happy for you, or is it tainted?)
The Marriage Clock 5/5
White Women LOL 5/5
The Richest Babysitter in the World 700/5
Creative Differences 4/5 (ending wasn't my fav, but great look what you give value and which relationships are truly the most intimate)
Follow-Up 4/5 (esp refreshing as my MIL is dealing w breast cancer rn)
The Tomorrow Box 4/5 (read previously as a standalone short story)
A for Alone 4/5
The Patron Saints of Middle Age 4/5
Giraffe & Flamingo 4/5 (read prev & said "I was also destined to be full of fun facts thx to my mom, you fall into the specifics of one story w/o realizing
The Hug 700/5 (the one that made me cry)
Lost But Not Forgotten 3/5 (didn't realize this was a f/u to Prep... maybe had I known & read Prep, I'd have enjoyed it more

{Thank you bunches to NetGalley, Curtis Sittenfeld, and Random House for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!}

This is the first thing I’ve read from Curtis Sittenfeld. I am a fan of short story collections because they make a great palate cleanser between longer-form books. It was refreshing to have a short-story collection that was more heartfelt and thought-provoking. Not all of the stories landed for me, but most of them were entertaining in their own way. I would still recommend this book, it was still well written even if some of the stories weren’t necessarily for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for allowing me to read this book early. The opinions in this review are my own.

So I often forget how good of a writer Curtis Sittenfeld is; I know she is on my "auto-read" list and that I have rated several books 5 stars including the other short story collection. But this is a really wonderful collection- it is so incredible to read this form; it doesn't have to fall into any sort of beginning-middle-end pattern, there is enough time in each story to really appreciate the story arc and the characterization, and every single story is a variation on a theme of relationships and how we relate to each other. I don't know of any other writer, other than Raymond Carver, who writes short story so well. It is really difficult to publish a collection of short stories as they don't sell well, but it is so brilliant to pick up a book and have 20 minutes or so, and read an entire story arc.

Reading a story without anticipating reveals at specific segments or a definitive "Act 1, 2, 3" type format was so refreshing. Every story was just long enough to understand the main character, whether I liked them or not, and what the goal of the story is. I wish there were more short story writers like Curtis Sittenfeld.

The voice is a little more cynical than I typically like, but because each main character is not something you invest in for more than 20 minutes at a time, it worked. A lot of insecurity and mild anxiety in the MCs. Brilliant insights and inner dialogue.

12 short stories, and honestly they are all good.

Book to be published February 25, 2025. Thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the ARC.

I love Curtis Sittenfeld so much, and prep was my favorite book! I was so excited to see the main character back in this book. There are so many relatable topics and situations, and I loved it!

The only work I’ve ever read by Curtis Sittenfeld is Romantic Comedy, which I thoroughly enjoyed. So, I was looking forward to reading this collection of stories. They didn’t disappoint.

The collection offers piercing insights into marriage, friendship, choices, relationships, and who we are at our core. With gentleness and humor, Sittenfeld urges a reader to slow down and reflect, to give thoughtful pause to the stuff of everyday life. There’s a poignancy to her characters, who struggle—as we all do—with conflicts about who they want to be versus who they are. Messy, imperfect, vulnerable people navigating through messy, imperfect lives—what’s not to love?

The fact that the main character in Sittenfeld’s novel Prep appears in the story “Lost but Not Forgotten” is a fun bonus for the author’s fans. (Go ahead, guess which book I’m reading next.)

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for an advance reader copy.

Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld is one of my favourite books of all time, so when I saw this featured a story about the main character I could not WAIT. I loved that story, although it wasn't what I expected.

Overall, I tend to find short stories forgettable and don't normally pick them up, so I would only do it for my girl Curtis!! I did really feel some strong emotions while reading these ones, from anxiety to sadness.

A good read if you like Prep or short stories :)

Oh. My. Word. No.

As someone that had been a Curtis Sittenfeld fan since Prep, this was a major letdown. I can’t recall a single redeeming character in ANY of these short stories. There may have been one or two stories I semi enjoyed, but they were so incredibly overshadowed by the rest that I can’t even recall them.

I was truly hoping for something better - but my last two Curtis Sittenfeld books have been disappointing. Would’ve DNF’d but was determined to give it the benefit of the doubt - nope. I think this may be the last CS book I read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

Curtis Sittenfield returns in a book of short stories.

While I typically lose interest in anthology works, Sittenfield's writing and prose made each and every store more intriguing than the next.

She’s back once again with a collection of masterful, engaging, charming short stories, the kind you get lost in reading. Each one, absorbing and satisfying. I will admit that I didn’t want to let go of a few of them. Through a variety of stories from a woman who digs herself into a hole so deep at a party she becomes the town pariah and wonders if she is a racist, a soon-to-be college graduate starts a babysitting job for a young couple so unlike the home she grew up in, to a Hollywood executive who flies to small town to meet with an author in an attempt to persuade him to make a change in his work. There is something beneath the surface or something that these characters can see yet don’t want to acknowledge, while as readers, we become observant bystanders.

Sittenfeld creates and examines strangers in their daily lives and with great detail orchestrates scenarios that draw us into regular lives that might otherwise seem mundane yet become relatable and thought-provoking. I enjoyed reading this collection so much.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Random House for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lovely short story collection! Very of its time. Each grabs you in the middle and leaves you wishing it were its own novel.

Short stories are usually not my cup of tea, but I decided to make an exception for Curtis Sittenfeld, as she is one of my favorite authors. There were some I loved (like, "Show Don't Tell"), and some that weren't for me-- but again, that has more to do with my preferred medium than the mechanics/plot development of Sittenfeld's craft.

In a way that expertly shows off her craft, Sittenfeld knows how to write a short story that will make you think. The allegories and callbacks consistently made throughout will have you admiring her work once again, and recommending it to anyone who will listen with her newest short story anthology, “Show Don’t Tell”

Curtis Sittenfeld knows how to tell a story. She also has a gift for describing the inner lives of middle-aged women and the things that worry and thrill us. In "Show Don't Tell," Sittenfeld serves up a buffet of midlife challenges: disintegrating marriages, flirtations conducted via email, the flicker of jealousy that might steal over you as you hear about someone else's kitchen renovation. These stories, zoomed in on the small details that together make a life, seem designed to make you look at your own marriage/home/friendships with renewed attention.