Short stories of delight
930647
The short stories here are varied and well presented the etiquette of being a ghost is a highlight. Apocalypse 101 has a wonderful twist. I am sure you will enjoy these stories.
3257760
This is a short story collection that ranges from the prosaic to the poetic. The title story ("Shifu, You'll Do Anything for a Laugh") is a delightful tale of an unemployed factory worker who gets incredibly creative and makes out like a bandit until he meets some clients that are out of this world. The Chinese director Zhang Yimou made turned this story into a film called HAPPY DAYS.
Other than the opener, my favorite stories are "Abandoned Child," which makes a strong statement about the continuing practice of female infanticide; "Love Story," about an unlikely love affair set in the countryside; the strange fantasty "Iron Child" about a possible outcome of over-industrialization; and the incredibly poetic "Man and Beast," which the author claims is a sequel to his novel RED SORGHUM (although I missed some of the references, I was enthralled).
In his preface, Mo Yan (which, by the way, is Chinese for "Don't Speak") says his muses were hunger and loneliness. In fact, the author has a unique rapport with the lives of peasants and workers, as opposed to many more intellectual writers in exile such as Gao Xingjiang. I have already read THE GARLIC BALLADS and plan to read more of this fascinating writer.
1097095
stories that refresh your soul!  The short stories are just the right length for a devotional or quiet time.
3735045
Like poetry, these are short, beautiful pieces that reward slow reading. Alternately touching, sad, and delightful, the author's love and compassion for humanity shine through these stories of people striving to serve (or just to find) the divine.
3175097
Jessica Treat has written a collection of stories about confused and confusing women -- in a style that is all her own.  My favorite story -- a novella, actually -- was "Honda" in which a wacky ( and I do mean wacky) woman ends up stealing a Honda and inventing a child named, yes, Honda.  While I typically don't like stories about crazy folk, this one was laugh out loud funny and, like the best comedy, true as well.  Other stories were, by turns, strange, poignant and sharp.  Highly recommended for short fiction fans.
3023118
What a lovely compilation of unique short stories by Penelope Lively!
I found these stories to be witty and often, after I finished reading each, I then had that "a ha" moment and everything made complete sense. The stories range from a woman who finally meets her husband's mistress to an old "fix up" type of house with a suspicious hold on the people who choose to call it home.

Some of my favorites: The Weekend, Lorna and Tom, DIY, The Bridge, and the title story, The Purple Swamp Hen.

This book was my introduction to Ms. Lively. I can definitely see myself reading more of her work in the future.
1450827
A collection of thirteen stories of life, as seen by talented author KateMarie Collins. These are stories she wrote as she learned about the craft, but they are also so much more. They're delightful slices of life. Some are whimsical bits of fancy. Others are well-crafted tales that speak to the reader. Immortality especially delighted me, as it will all authors.
1961789
This is a compliation of short stories is wonderful! These are encouraging and also shows a fun side of living out one's faith. An easy read.
3734098
...then these quick-read, short stories are also for you!!
4148697
These short stories are fun to read, simultaneously offering laughs and insights. Good read alouds for quiet winter evenings or around the campfire this summer (especially the second one: you might keep the fire a little brighter after you read it. )
66313
I reviewed this book as a paperback, so here's a repeat of what I said:

This collection contains seven short story gems to enjoy in one long sitting before a fire or in delicious nibbles one at a time.  Each is very different from the others in setting and story, but all are about people searching for themselves and finding their way to a new understanding of their place in the world. One of my favorites is "Time to Leave," which has a line that encapsulates the collection: "a thermal beacon in the frigid air pointing the way to warmth and comfort."

I'm sure you'll enjoy this book. I'm looking forward to reading more work from Raima Larter.
302307
I enjoyed these stories. The author has a way of describing details in the most amusing ways. I like how each story comes to you in pieces, and by the end you are able to put them all together.

Bottom of the Bag is a great. Made me think of the movie American Beauty.
2928865
I read this collection of fantastical short stories while walking on my treadmill, and it was the most enjoyable hour of exercise I've had in a long time. Townsend is a gifted story teller and these variations on some of the classic fairy tales, myths, and otherworldly characters were a pleasure to read. The first story, Dragon Hoard, gave me a good chuckle, and my favorite stories were Troll, and Gargoyle, both touching and beautifully told. I recommend the book to readers who enjoy a bit of light fantasy.
3885518
A really fun book of short stories. This author has a sense of humor and lends it to her writings.
2140169
These stories are short but very, very sweet. Each of the story manages to surprise you, some literally with the last sentence, and I caught myself smiling more than once.
4625664
Sweaters and Small Stuff is a compilation of wonderfully written short stories.  The author expertly brings her characters to life in just a few short pages and you'll experience a wide range of emotions as you read about their experiences.  It's a great book to sit by your chair and pick up when you have a few minutes.  You'll be left wanting for more from Kathryn Crowley.
1158389
I just really enjoyed 12 Random Words (or 12 Palabras al Azar) by Fabiana Martinez.  It's a beautiful book and the author has put together an eclectic set of whimsical short stories that takes the reader on a funny, poignant and ever-twisting journey.  This collection serves as a touching commentary on the human condition and I found it hard not to be drawn into the author's writing style.  I particularly appreciated that it was bilingual because as a former student of Spanish, it was nice to first read the chapter in English and then switch over to the back of the book and read the same words in Spanish.  This allowed me to pretend that I could actually understand each word of these delightful stories.  I am proud to have 12 Random Words be a part of my library and I know you will, too.