As with most short story collections, some of these landed better with me than others. Many of them contained relatable nuggets and I continue to devour anything Curtis Sittenfeld publishes.

First, Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC of these stories. Second, I should admit that I generally don’t like short stories. I always want to know what happens after the author ends the story. But I figured that if there is an author who can make me love a short story, it’s Curtis Sittenfeld. I love the way she writes. I fall into her words, tumble head first into the worlds that she creates. She writes her characters with such relatable intimacy- I can’t think of another author who can do that this well. It’s particularly remarkable in a short story since it’s just this small snippet of time with a character. There were still stories that left me wanting more, but most were either thought provoking or simply delightful. Particularly the story that revisited Lee, the heroine from the author’s first novel Prep.
So buy this collection, even if you don’t normally like short stories

I love Curtis Sittenfeld’s voice. This book of short stories was so pleasurable to me. The beauty and difficulty of a short story is to pack so much meaningful content into so few pages. It still needs to leave the reader with a lasting impression, using less pages to do so. She accomplishes this with every story. She writes in a way that is so easy to digest and fun to read, all the while staying true to her literary style.

Each individual short story was well written but for whatever reason, whenever I stopped reading I didn’t find myself compelled to pick this book back up to read the next story. These are slice of life tales featuring the women across the Midwest.

3.5 stars but rounding up.

Thank you for the advanced reader copy Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Random House.

A delightful collection of stories from a diverse cast of characters, settings and themes that touched on many lives.

Short stories usually leave me wanting more but these were concise and fulfilling in their own right, complete with nuanced characters that were often relatable.

Short Stories are not usually my go to for a next read, but what sets this collection of short stories apart from others is the muted drama. Curtis Sittenfeld focuses on relatable stories about daily life, relationships and perspective.. I also loved the reappearance of Lee Fiora from Prep!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC*

Curtis Sittenfeld will forever be a must-read author for me and I enjoyed these short stories. I am always amazed at how well she writes characters that feel like they could be you sibling, cousin, or best friend you know them so well and this was true even in a shorter lengthen text. I will say I like getting wrapped up in a longer text by Sittenfeld but I still really enjoyed this one.

Curtis Sittenfeld's collection of short stories is so enjoyable. There's even an update on the main character from Prep, her most popular novel. Readers will love these stories.

As expected, this collection is full of gems. I’m not usually a fan of short stories, but I will read anything by Curtis Sittenfeld, and these did not disappoint. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really interesting variety of personal interest stories. Mostly about normal people, some made me feel hopeful, others despondent. But I genuinely cared about all the subjects. Nuanced and thought-provoking, a small snapshot of time at a critical juncture. A choice made or not. Beautiful storytelling. The subjects are primarily middle-aged midwesterners, a sort of Everyman type, with problems and considerations that most have faced or will face, in their own life. One of the stories even asks “what is this story about?” Many, if not all, of the stories have a vague and unsatisfying ending, leaving the character’s future up to the reader’s interpretation and imagination. My favorite was Giraffe and Flamingo, which recalls a woman’s freshman year dorm mates, juxtaposed with her relationships with her mother and with her children. It really hit home for me, as a mom to young kids, in whom you want to impart wisdom and life lessons. Only to realize your own parents did the same for you, but ultimately you need to figure it out for yourself. I loved the whole collection, but that story especially.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Smart, funny, and heartbreakingly real, this collection will stick with you long after the last page.

Curtis Sittenfeld’’s short story collection is a knockout, as you would expect from someone as talented as her. These shorts hit all of the messy, wonderful parts of being human. The characters are so vivid, they feel like people you’ve met (or wish you hadn’t.)

All the way, yes!

Thank you for the early read!

Loved! Each story in this collection inspired reflection and consideration on themes of friendship, connection, parenting, relationships, loss, etc. The author beautifully captures the nuance of the mundane in surprisingly profound ways. I will think about these stories for a long time.

*Show Don't Tell* by Curtis Sittenfeld is a thought-provoking and introspective collection of essays that delves into the intricacies of writing, creativity, and the writing process itself. Sittenfeld offers valuable insights into the craft of storytelling, drawing from her own experiences as a successful novelist. Each essay feels like a personal exploration, filled with practical advice as well as reflections on the struggles and rewards of being a writer.

What stands out most is Sittenfeld’s honesty and relatability—she’s not afraid to address the challenges and vulnerabilities that come with writing, and her reflections are both engaging and encouraging. While some of the essays are more focused on personal anecdotes rather than craft itself, they still offer a rich, behind-the-scenes look at the life of a writer.

For aspiring writers or fans of Sittenfeld's work, *Show Don't Tell* is a fascinating and enriching read. It’s not just about the art of writing but also about the drive and determination needed to succeed in a creative career.

Curtis Sittenfeld’s latest collection of short stories is a total gem. In this book, she dives deep into marriage, friendship, ambition, and everything messy and wonderful about being human. These characters who feel so real, you might swear you’ve met them. And these stories? No exception.

From a divorced woman reconnecting with old friends in “The Patron Saints of Middle Age” to a married artist hilariously tackling the infamous “Mike Pence Rule” in “A for Alone,” every story pulls you in. And if you’re a *Prep* fan, you’ll love catching up with Lee Fiora in “Lost but Not Forgotten.” It’s like bumping into an old friend and instantly clicking.

The stories are funny, smart, and so tender with the characters’ flaws and vulnerabilities. Honestly, I enjoyed every story, and I’m still thinking about them days later. If you love sharp, thoughtful writing, you’ll want to pick this one up.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

This collection of short stories was fantastic. Some characters I could relate to more than others but each story left me wanting to get to know the characters more. Sittenfield does a masterful job of dropping the reader right into the middle of a fully fleshed out characters and then plucking us right out again. I truly enjoyed getting to read about all of these fantastic characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

I loved this collection of short stories! The characters are mostly unlikeable, and yet Sittenfeld immerses us in their messy lives in a way that’s both fascinating and enjoyable. Her ability to create such compelling connections with these characters in such a short amount of time is truly remarkable.

Curtis Sittenfeld’s Show Don’t Tell is a masterful short story collection that reaffirms why she’s an auto-read author for me. Each story brims with her signature wit, sharp observations, and deeply relatable characters, making it impossible to put down. Her latest work did not disappoint—I highly recommend it to anyone who loves immersive, thought-provoking fiction.

This wonderful collection of stories focuses on the small moments that make up marriages, relationships, families and careers. Curtis Sittenfeld has so many loyal readers who will love this collection, and she is sure to attract new fans with this as well.

I have read every book Curtis Sittenfeld has published, and I love each one more than the last. Her short stories are fantastic. More “slice of life” than a fully developed plot, but I enjoy that style. This collection appealed to me because it addresses themes for middle aged people like myself. I grow tired of contemporary literature and romcoms about 20-somethings so this was a refreshing change.