Features | Short Story Collections

I love short story collections at this time of year, when it's so hot I can barely concentrate on one thing for more than a few minutes before I'm desperate to run for the ocean, or just another iced coffee. A good short story can be perfect for reading on the beach, during holiday travel, or in a cool bath while you're calming your accidental sunburn (not that I speak from personal experience during this heatwave...) and I am here with suggestions to help you find the perfect short story collection to fit in between all your summer activities. Or to just read in one go while lounging in the garden.

Diving Belles by Lucy Wood

Diving Belles is a magical collection of short stories based all around the Cornish coast, featuring tales of giants, drowning houses, and lonely divers, every story is unexpected and enchanting. For dazzling seaside tales, Diving Belles is the one.

Summer Days, Summer Nights edited by Stephanie Perkins

Featuring stories from twelve well loved authors, including editor Stephanie Perkins, Summer Days, Summer Nights is a perfect mixture of YA summer romances to fall in love with, ideal for reading by the pool or on the way to your summer holiday destination.

The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories by Susanna Clarke

A spin-off of sorts from Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Ladies of Grace Adieu is a collection of dark, magical tales, diving into the fairy tale world of Clarke's debut novel, but focusing this time on the many magical women of that world. Don't be turned away if you haven't read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, there are no spoilers here and this is perfect for reading under dappled sunlight streaming through the tree tops.

Cornish Short Stories edited by Emma Timpany and Felicity Notley

I might be a little biased, as I happen to be one of the writers included in Cornish Short Stories but this collection of stories set all around Cornwall is perfect for an afternoon spent traipsing on the moors, or settling down in a beach cave, away from the sea breeze.

Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link

And last but certainly not least, one of my favourite short story collections, Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link. A creepy collection of spooky and supernatural stories, ideal for reading in the cooling sunset hours, as the sky gets dark and the ghosts begin to take over...