"1986 - Stories" by Will Stepp is a collection of short stories based on the author's youth.

The title was a bit misleading because as I read, details didn't quite align from one story to the next, but characters carried over, so these seemed to be about the same main character. However, in one story, he lives in a trailer park, while in another he's living in an apartment complex. The ages and maturities of the characters seem to shift as well, leading me to believe that these are not all curated stories from the same year, and there isn't a singular standout story titled "1986" that would give the book its name. There's even one story at the end that takes place in adulthood. Also, the description of the book seems more lighthearted, focusing on the nostalgia of growing up, but the content is dark, focusing on bullying, getting lost, ghosts, anxiety, and scary adults. Overall, the tone and mood is darker than most collections of childhood stories and reads more like Stephen King stories of growing up ("The Body"/"Stand by Me", the non-horror portions of "It", etc.).

The writing is pretty good, and the characterization felt authentic to children of the 1980s. Stepp does a nice job of making kids sound like kids and adults sound like adults, both in narrative voice and in dialogue. The stories are short and written from the adult perspective, so many of the stories have some kind of life lesson that stuck with the narrator, and that helps to connect stories that might otherwise not feel as cohesive.

Readers looking for stories that will take them back to a 1980s childhood of Saturday Morning cartoons, toys, and the warmer parts of youthful memories won't find what they're looking for in this book. However, readers who are looking for darker, moodier stories might find this an interesting and quick read. As I fall within the former group of readers, this one wasn't really for me.

A series of interconnected short stories about a boy growing up in the 1980's, some which leave you with an almost melancholic sense of nostalgia. The stories deal with the good and bad aspects of growing up and had me feeling wistful. They touch on dark issues such as difficult family relationships, love and friendship, bullying and feeling ostracized by others. A number of the stories have a mysterious, ghostly feel to them and their short length and writing style makes this an easy to read collection.

One of my favourite stories in the collection was New Knife, a lovely story about the love between a young boy and his grandpa, and a special gift he gives to his grandson.

A lovely collection about both the wonder and terrors of growing up. Thank you to NetGalley and Brody & Malachi Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

⭐⭐⭐.5

I was hooked from the beginning!!
These interconnected stories were amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

1986 is a collection of 10 interconnected short stories about a young boy growing up in Georgia during the 80's. Think of it as an episodic experience of random vignettes of his life. All of the stories take place in the 80's, instead of the last one that takes place in 2006, and feature nostalgia that is sure to make anyone who grew up in that time period smile and reminisce.

The writing style was very easy to follow and was sort of soothing in a way to read. The way that it read felt like I was revisiting a memory from my own life. I also enjoyed the short story format as it made each section easy to digest and kept them from being long-winded. Though I will say that that might be a flaw for some people, as it sometimes feels that the stories are going nowhere.

However, I felt as though each story fell short when it came to the endings. For lack of a better term, they just ended. It was jarring at times reaching the final sentence when the story felt like it was building up to a different ending. The stories are pretty short as is so it wouldn't hurt to add a little more build up to make each closing more satisfying.

I enjoyed my time with 1986 even though I don't see myself ever returning to it. Will Stepp will definitely be an author that I will keep an eye out for. I'm excited to see what they put out next!

I recently finished 1986 by Will Stepp, and I have to say, I was completely immersed in it. Set against the backdrop of a world on the cusp of dramatic political and cultural shifts, this novel blends nostalgia with contemporary reflections in a way that really resonated with me.

The story revolves around several characters who are grappling with their personal and collective identities during a pivotal year. Stepp captures the anxiety and hope of the time beautifully, particularly as he navigates the tension between past ideals and the rapid changes happening in the world around them. It’s not just a historical novel, but one that takes a hard look at how personal struggles intersect with larger societal issues.

One of the things I enjoyed most was Stepp’s ability to evoke the atmosphere of the 1980s without feeling overly nostalgic or forced. The cultural references were spot on, and it felt like a window into a very particular moment in history. But beyond the surface, the novel digs into deeper themes of memory, change, and the difficulty of reconciling who we were with who we’ve become.

I really enjoyed this book. It made me laugh, cry, and think about the different stages in my own life. The different stories connected perfectly with different stages of life from childhood to adulthood and dealt with family, friends, bullies and reconnection.

I struggled to follow the narrative, as the book is divided into separate stories about the same character. Initially, I thought each story featured a different boy, but the reappearance of Rachel as the sister confused me.

The settings and plotlines seemed disjointed, jumping between a trailer park, an apartment, and living with grandparents. I failed to see the purpose of breaking the book into fragmented stories, as it disrupted the flow and character development.

A more traditional, cohesive narrative would have been preferable, allowing me to become fully invested in the boy's journey. As it stands, the stories felt disconnected, lacking a clear, overarching message. The themes and moral takeaways hinted at throughout the book ultimately fell flat, leaving me unsatisfied.

Incredibly fun and often chilling. The horror is creeping and subtle most of the time, except when accompanied by heart-pounding dread.

The stories are about the kind of things that many of us have experienced: an inexplicable event that makes us question reality. But they keep happening to the same kid. Lives up to its Stranger Things lookin' cover. The collection is easy to read and well crafted.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advance ebook.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the free arc.

A collection of stories meant to be interconnected...some of the stories are well written and nostalgic. Some I just have a hard time getting into and seems disconnected from the rest of the stories. 2.45✨

Firstly thank you NetGalley and Brody & Malachi Press for the eARC.
1986 is a quick read. It’s a collection of 10 short stories of a boy growing up in Georgia.
The writing is contemplative and quiet.
Expected Pub Date Jan 2025

[TW/CW: Language, anxiety, bullying, anxiety, homophobic slurs, dog abuse, animal torture, animal death, mourning, toxic family relationships]</b>
<b><big>*****SPOILERS*****</b></big>
<b>About the book:</b>Ten interconnected stories about a boy growing up in a small town in Georgia, set against the backdrop of the 1980s. From a secret pond nestled in the woods to the fog-shrouded rooftop of an interstate truck stop, to the shadowy corridors of a YMCA basement, familiar landscapes transform into realms of childhood wonder and discovery.
<b>Release Date:</b> January 7th, 2025
<b>Genre:</b> Fiction
<b>Pages:</b> 164
<b>Rating:</b> ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

<b>What I Liked:</b>
1. Writing style was very pleasant
2. Unnamed characters
3. Short stories/chapters

<b>What I Didn't Like:</b>
1. Didn't feel like there was a reason to separate stories this way
2. Stories went little to no where

<b>Overall Thoughts:</b>
<b><u>{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}</u></b>

<b>Final Thoughts:</b>
Stories felt confusing. At first I thought each story was a different boy but then Rachel came back up as the sister, but it didn't make sense. In one story he moved to a trailer park with a pasture. Then the boy moved to an apartment begrudgingly. Then he mentions being mad because he loved living with grandpa and nana.

I didn't get why the author broke the book into different stores about the same character. I would have much rather have read about the boy in one complete book rather than jumping story to story.

I thought each story would end with some connected message but it just felt ver disconnected. You think as you're reading there's a message but it peters out and turns to nothing.

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<b>Thanks to Netgalley and Brody & Malachi Press for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

<b><u>Grazing Field</u></b>
This story had a good message about how we really never go anywhere new. I liked the realization at how small a days journey is in the large vast world we live in. And that we've already done things.
<small>RATING:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</small>

<b><u>New Knife</u></b>
This was such a sweet story that if we are patient then we might get the things we wanted. It was nice that his grandfather remembered that he wanted the knife and made it look better. I just didn't understand why he didn't give the new knife to his friend since he clearly wanted it and would have taken it rather than burying it.
<small>RATING:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</small>

<b><u>Mail Walk</u></b>
This one felt like it rambled on a bit but I liked how the character had a moment where he complained about his family and then was faced with what if his family was gone after getting the mail. Enjoyed the message that he had changed after seeing the thing in the apartment but what drew him back to his old life was the thing that had chased him away in the beginning; his sister.
<small>RATING:⭐⭐⭐⭐</small>

<b><u>Clubhouse</u></b>
Weird that he's jealous of Luke. Couldn't tell if he was jealous of the attention he was getting or that he had started a fire. Also a car seat for a 4 year old in 1986 - okay... Was that even a thing?
<small>RATING:⭐⭐⭐</small>

<b><u>Drainage Pipe</u></b>
As a person with a phobia toward pipes this story did nothing to help calm it. I was creeped out. He did nothing to help his friend but that seems very human. Kind of like freezing up. At least he returned the wallet.
<small>RATING:⭐⭐</small>

<b><u>Dog and Butterfly</u></b>
I seriously was worried the dog was going to be hanged and then his mother saying to release it outside. But I'm mad he shot the butterfly. Who can say one life is more important than another? The butterfly was just as innocent as the dog. Can we shoot the boy with bbs?
<small>RATING:⭐⭐⭐</small>

<b><u>Truck Stop</u></b>
Ummmm what father and son are just showering next to each other. Isn't this kid a little too old for this. And then the comparison to penis' I didn't need... Story was good though the baby bird being killed was sad. I grew up hanging around truck stops so I have an affinity for them. Loved hearing about log books and everything else that comes with truck stops and driving.
<small>RATING:⭐⭐⭐⭐</small>

<b><u>Blizzard</u></b>
Boring. Just a story that listed foods and toys and then went back to bed
<small>RATING:⭐</small>

<b><u>YMCA</u></b>
Story about a ghost that had moments that seemed promising (ghost in the YMCA and trying to find her) but lost at the dinosaur talk
<small>RATING:⭐⭐⭐</small>


<b><u>2006</u></b>
So so so confusing and didn't understand what the author was writing or meant. Sad to end on such a sad note
<small>RATING:⭐</small>

Surreal short stories, taking place in rural Georgia in the 80s, this book felt like nostalgia and I wasn't even alive in the 80s. It felt like a memoir or essays, but they are all short stories connected by the same main character. I really enjoyed the idea of getting snippets of the boy's life without every detail in between.

A collection of mostly beautifully rendered stories, with a keen eye for detail, told with a strong descriptive voice. There's a real tenderness in how mr Stepp portrays his main character's world, his stories regularly ending on a moving, poignant note.

A real little gem.

This is the author's first book, and it is a winner from my point of view! I love the way it was written. It is several short stories that some intermingle. They are all about memories of childhood, friendships, home, etc., in the backdrop of the 80s. The stories themselves are each well written, with well developed characters that you could even picture in your mind as you were reading the story. For me, this was one of those "can't put down" books. Each chapter was a fast and easy read for me, so I was able to read the book rather quickly to satisfy that impatience! But it was well worth it. The book was great. I am hoping for more from this author. I hope to see something else from him soon. He is a good writer and should keep it up! I highly recommend this book. Especially if you loved the 80s and lived through it!

10 well written stories of one boy's youth. It's like you were paging through his diary and stopped to read a story on odd days. The stories are great, they bring back the days when we were young and looking for adventure and sometimes it would find us. For his debut title, the stories are winners.

1986 is a short, fast-paced collection of stories, perfect for a quick read. The narratives flow smoothly from start to finish, but they reveal an unexpected depth and darkness compared to what the initial description might suggest. Childhood in the 1980s is a fascinating theme, capable of evoking strong nostalgia and offering an intriguing snapshot of an era filled with cultural transformations.

However, while the concept behind the collection is promising, the author struggles to maintain a consistent thread between the stories. Individually, the tales have their charm, and some stand out for their originality or emotional intensity, but as a whole, they lack the cohesive narrative structure needed to tie them together convincingly. This can give the impression of a project that, despite having excellent potential, falls short of achieving the narrative solidity required to express it fully.

That said, the collection's strength undoubtedly lies in its writing style. The descriptions are masterfully crafted, transporting the reader to a vivid and tangible world filled with details that almost leap off the page. This makes for an enjoyable reading experience, even when the plot or the connection between the stories feels less impactful.

Overall, 1986 is a work that, despite its imperfections, deserves to be read for the atmosphere it creates and the author’s ability to evoke images and sensations with just a few well-chosen words. A collection that, while not fully mature in its structural execution, still leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

DNF @ 65%

This book is a collection of short stories following a boy growing up in the 80s and most of the stories have a supernatural or gruesome twist. I did not grow up in the 80s nor do I have any connection to the 80s, and quite honestly this short story made me hate the 80s. I struggled so hard and could not finish this novella length short story collection, as the writing was harsh and unfocused. Not the novella for me, but grateful for the opportunity to try it. I think that unless you have a connection to the 80s, you won't enjoy this collection.

Thank you to Netgalley for access in exchange for my free and honest review.

Set in a small Georgia town during the 1980s, ten interconnected tales explore the landscapes of youth—both literal and emotional—through the eyes of a boy discovering his place in the world.

Each story feels like a window into a forgotten realm, where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary. The lush, atmospheric settings —imbued with a sense of time and place—feel as alive as the characters themselves.

What makes this collection so memorable is its ability to balance the dreamlike and surreal with the raw and honest. The boy’s relationships with his family, friends, and community are rendered tenderly, grounding the stories in universal themes of belonging, loss, and growth. The 1980s backdrop adds a layer of texture, painting a vivid picture of a bygone era that will resonate deeply with readers who share those memories.

Together, the stories form a mosaic of personal and universal experiences.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is full of short stories from a young boy growing up in the 80s. Although some of the stories were scattered and a bit peculiar, they definitely painted a picture of nostalgia for me because I too grew up as a child in the 80s. A few of the stories were brutal to listen to and I about cried on a few of them. I know the point of writing is to invoke emotion and tell a story and this book did just that.

1989 is a collection of short stories by Will Stepp that shares select stories from the main character's life as he grows up in the 80s. The stories are all connected to each other, sharing characters and places and even containing a sense of continuity throughout.
Many of the stories are impactful and thought provoking and they do well to convey the era in which they are set. They also have this looming sense of danger that permeates the whole collection which gives the sense of a kid who was trying his best to contend with an often terrifying world.
Where I felt the collection faltered was with the simple prose and the slightly confused themes. I think Stepp might have been going for a stream of consciousness kind of narrative to put the reader into the mind of the main character and in some ways this works. The story “Mail Walk” in particular has a section that really leans into this that I found to be particularly enjoyable. I would have liked to have seen more grounded descriptions that really put me into the narrative, but other than that the stories were really impactful.
1989 is a good collection of stories that does its own thing well.