I love reading long novels, but sometimes I only have time for a quick fix: a ten-minute subway ride, a grab-and-go lunch, my son’s half-hour swim lesson. In such moments, short stories are a lifesaver. While some read short story collections cover to cover, I prefer a grazing approach. Because I lack any self-control when it comes to reading (just one more chapter!), short stories allow me to experience the satisfaction of a full story arc in a handful of pages. This comes in handy when I absolutely must go to sleep at a reasonable hour.

Perfect for readers on the run, these 13 short story collections will satisfy your craving for literature in a fraction of the time it takes to read a novel.

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