Short stories are more than just a quick fix of fiction for the time-strapped. When crafted well, short stories are like grenades which quickly explode in front of us. They let us dip our toe into strange minds and foreign worlds, or conceal something which lurks behind the pages before sliding into view.



Here we round up 20 classic and modern short story collections that should be on everyone's radar, whether you're looking to get more into the form or discover some hidden gems.