What a joy to have another collection of Sittenfeld’s short stories. As someone who read Prep when I was the same age as the narrator, I’ve been a long time fan of Sittenfeld’s work. Appreciative of NetGalley and Random House to read an ARC!

I always forget how much I love well written short stories! I have had a novel by Curtis Sittenfeld sitting on my TBR for years, and now I will definitely read it!

One of my favorites was The Marriage Clock, which was written so well I could see it in my mind on the screen- I actually feel like I watched it and didn’t read it!

Another one I loved was The Richest Babysitter in the World- I loved this story, as someone who was a nanny in my early 20s, though not for a Jeff Bezos clone!

A for Alone was also a fun read for me!

Overall, I really enjoyed this ARC- thank you NetGalley and the publisher!!

I think I am just not a short story reader. Or more accurately, while I like reading the occasional short story, I don't really love when a book is a compilation of them. Curtis Sittenfeld's book has an interesting assortment of people at different stages of their lives. She brings in characters who meet under a variety of circumstances and she offers her protagonists a great deal of self-reflection. But, in most of the stories, I ended up wanting more. More about the main characters, more about what happens next, more about what people are thinking. Sittenfeld is an excellent writer and for people who don't want everything spelled out, for people who want to ponder the possibilities and for people who don't need a fuller exploration or explanation of a story- this is a great book.
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing for providing a free ARC e-book for me to read and review.

Curtis Sittenfeld is so good she is just as good as Elizabeth Strout in her keen observations of human behavior. I loved these short stories.

Show Don’t Tell was my first foray into Sittenfeld’s short stories, and it became clear to me within the first story of the collection that Sittenfeld is a novel and short story powerhouse. Show Don’t Tell starts off strong with its titular story, which sets the stage for the rest of the collection (and might be my favorite story). From a harried high school English teacher receiving an email from a now-famous college friend he’d long since fallen out of contact with (“The Tomorrow Box”), to an orchestral musician reflecting on the unspoken psychological games a boy on her floor in college used to play with her, all while reconciling the passage of time and her own strained marriage (“Giraffe and Flamingo”), to a divorced woman returning to the neighborhood where she and her ex-husband used to live (“The Patron Saints of Middle Age”), and so much more, Sittenfeld is in her element. Her expertise and skill shine through in her stories and the complex characters she’s crafted, who are both strangers and old friends.

Characters’ worldviews are irrevocably changed. Stories explore the rules and norms of society and what might happen, or not happen, when we stretch, break, or disobey them. Sittenfeld reflects on life, aging, and middle age, particularly things which we might view as failures when we’re young but, later on, realize may simply be part of life. The small and sometimes ridiculous ways we make decisions that can then go on to greatly shape our lives in a common motif. Distinct and nuanced perspectives, inner lives, and relationships populate each story. Insightful sentences written with honesty and humor abound. Sittenfeld explores what it means and looks like to be a creative in this modern, capitalist world. Crucially, Show Don’t Tell touches on the power of stories and narratives — those we tell others and those we tell ourselves.

Show Don’t Tell is a short story collection to revisit again and again. Whether from the passing of time, gaining new experiences, or undergoing changes of perspective, you’ll take away something new from Sittenfeld’s quiet wisdom each time you pick up the collection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the e-ARC!

(This review was posted on Goodreads on October 20 and can be accessed via this link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6860132489.)

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.