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.

Overall I enjoyed the read and it was very well written. I would recommend it to somebody looking for a quick read and are craving that nostalgic feeling.
3.5/5

Compelling short stories that intertwine family and the passage of time, with the nostalgic 80s as the backdrop.

A collection of short stories, 1986 (2025) by Will Stepp is his debut literary fiction novel. The ten stories are interconnected by the young lad growing up in rural Georgia in the 1980s. The narrative has a nostalgic feel with its captured glimpses of childhood memories. The unnamed boy experiences various changes, getting lost, moving houses, friendships and family, in a dreamlike series of tales. There are also hints of the supernatural or otherworldly elements, adding to the ambiguity and hazy recollection of days long gone. An interesting read, which is somewhat surreal, yet captures the essence of childhood in a delightful 164-page novella with a four star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement. With thanks to Brody & Malachi Press and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.

Gosh, this was good. I lost an entire day reading it as the book was so gripping. Highly recommended. Will be watching out for more offerings from this talented author.

4 stars

An engrossing read with several short stories that all connect through the life of the young protagonist. The stories are nostalgic and sometimes bittersweet, but there's usually a weirdly uncanny feeling of eeriness hiding in there. Or sometimes not hiding at all. The eerie veers into the bizarre in certain places, but not in an off-putting way. There were times when I would be reading a passage and it would trigger a memory of my own childhood in the 80's and it was really fun to reminisce about toys and shows and games, and then BAM! We'd veer right into spooky territory and it would no longer be about my experiences but those of this kid again. It's definitely worthwhile to pick up a copy of this book to read if you'd like an atmospheric trip down memory lane - perhaps as an elder millenial - and also for the fact that these vignettes are pretty well-written and engaging. I think my favourite stories were the ones set at the truck stop and the YMCA.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Will Stepp, and Brody & Malachi Press for giving me access to a digital ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.

This was out of the genre-norm for my current reading phase, but I'm glad I gave it a go. I didn't realise until the third story however, that they were connected - a theme I quite liked in the end and was glad to see littered throughout. I didn't always align with the writing style, which did feel changed somewhat throughout, but the stories were vivid and imaginative enoThis was out of the genre-norm for my current reading phase, but I'm glad I gave it a go. I didn't realise until the third story however, that they were connected - a theme I quite liked in the end and was glad to see littered throughout. I didn't always align with the writing style, which did feel changed somewhat throughout, but the stories were vivid and imaginative enough.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this collection.

The story was good, stepping into someone’s memory growing up in the 80s is a bit of nostalgic.

I did enjoy the interconnected stories.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the arc.

This collection had a slow start for me, but I did like the mood and time period, and overall, it was a solid group of stories. Other readers have noted some abrupt endings, and I agree although that doesn't personally bother me much. Very nostalgic read! (If you're of the age to be nostalgic for the '80s.)

Story Concepts 4/5
Quality of Writing 4/5
Pacing 3/5
Plot Development 3/5
Character Development 3/5

Overall Enjoyability 3/5

The stories were well written and very intricately detailed. Though they did not seem to intertwine with each other and almost ended abruptly.

A dreamy, nostalgic exploration of childhood that culminates in a final grown up story from our protagonist. The stories are interconnected with the same characters, but weave through an ambiguous timeline.

My favorites of the collection were “Truck Stop,” about getting lost & separated from your parent, and “YMCA,” about a single day at a YMCA after school camp. Both really showcase the author’s ability to describe the world in the eyes of a child- the world seems bigger, supporting characters seem more mysterious, and mundane tasks turn into frightening adventures. There’s a Christmas story that wanders into lengthy descriptions of each 80s gift, the richness of holiday food, and the snowstorm outside. It really puts words to the yearning a lot of us feel for the holidays of our youth.

The final story, “2006,” brings us to a bittersweet. reunion of the characters as adults. I found this quote relatable and moving as I grapple with aging & changing relationships myself: “My family was no more than an arm’s length away, but it may as well have been a million miles. I felt like a stranger to them. I was overcome with unbearable sadness, of loss of a world I had always known, slipping through my fingers, and being helpless to catch it.”

There a few stories where the morality felt heavy handed, or they’re just a bit weaker than the others. Overall a solid, quick read for a quiet night.

This was a quick read of 10 interconnected stories. It had me reminiscing about growing up in the 80’s which is always a fun trip down memory lane. Most of the stories held my attention, while a few did not.

Thank you to the publisher, authors and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this arc.

I had no idea what I was getting into but this collection of stories was fantastic. I devoured each one. I finished in one sitting. My only complaint was the stories weren’t long enough. I gave this book a 4.5 star rating.

Each story left me feeling dazed and like I didn’t know how to feel. If I could read it for the first time again I would. A book you can’t put down and that will keep you deeply invested. A gripping must read.

Thanks so much NetGalley and Brody and Malachi Press for the eARC.

This book will transport you back to being a child in the 80s! It's very nostalgic and well written. Each chapter is a different story from the main characters' childhood.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if it wasn't 10 disconnected stories. You just bounce around different memories, and there doesn't seem to be a reason for it. It just wasn't for me. I know there are readers out there who will love this for the nostalgia and shared experiences!