Enjoyed then variety of short stories throughout this book.

I enjoyed this collection. A must-read for anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction.

𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐝𝐲𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐲𝐬 is an opportunity to hold in your hand a collection of 35 short stories from incredible writers, the well-known and the rising stars alike. You can start where you want and read one story at a time or all of them!I loved the diversity in this collection and how each author explained the inspiration or idea behind their story. These stories have something for everyone with a wide array of settings, characters, and subjects.Thank you to @algonquinbooks and @hannahtinti for a spot on...

This was a really unique and wide-ranging collection of short stories that would be a perfect pick for anyone who wants to discover new authors or read some gems from some of their already-favorite writers.My five favorite stories were:• Infidelity by Jac Jemc• Where the Candles are Kept by Dave Eggers• Such Small Islands by Lauren Groff• Period Piece by Maile Melody• Unicorn Me by Elizabeth Crane* thanks to Algonquin Books for the NetGalley review copy. Small Odysseys published 3/15/22.

I don’t mind short stories. They can always be mixed bagged that’s for sure. But starting the book off with a so-so story isn’t the best. Especially when it has an anti-Trump message. So why alienate your audience with the first story that they read?https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...

I have a story called "Dandelions" in this anthology, so I might be a little bit biased? But I also love a lot of the stories in here. My favorites are:"The King of Bread" by Luis Alberto Urrea"Unicorn Me" by Elizabeth Crane"The Hole" by Patrick Cottrell"Un-Selfie" by Aimee Bender"Bedtime Story" by Victor LaValle"Where the Candles Are Kept" by Dave Eggersand especially "Books You Read" by Joe Meno (which was really just marvelous, I have to go read all of Joe Meno now)Also, "A Survey of Recent A...

3.5 stars Small Odysseys is an anthology of 35 short stories from renowned and new-to-me authors.Are you familiar with the radio program or podcast called “Selected Shorts”? Since 1985, this program has featured stage and screen actors reading short stories—both new and classic—in front of a live audience. I had never heard of the program but I do enjoy short stories, so when Algonquin Books offered me the opportunity to read this anthology, published in conjunction with the show, I jumped at...

4.5 starsI had never heard of the radio program and live show, “Selected Shorts,” before it was requested that I review this book. But now I’m incredibly intrigued by its concept. Conceived 35 years ago, the series is all about bringing short stories to life either on the radio or on the stage. This collection of 35 different authors brings some of the magic of the program to the page for the first time. Short stories are one of my favorite genres so I was excited to read this collection, and th...

A stunning collection of short stories, each that shines with its own colors and deserving merits. In honor of its thirty-fifth anniversary, the partnership with literary radio program and live shows published thirty-five short stories from distinguished authors capturing magical moments of laughter, tears and wonderment. What impressed me greatly was how I enjoyed each and every story in this collection. Each story swept me away, remnants of its own signature. As one story ended, the anticipati...

Small Odysseys is a collection of 35 short stories written by some amazing authors including Carmen Maria Michael, Elizabeth Strout, Jai Chakrabarti and more! I’m a huge fan of compilations of short stories and this one might be one of my new favs. Bedtime Story by Victor Lavalle was probably my favorite, and it would’ve been a balm to my anxiety if I had read it in the beginning of the pandemic. The authors notes at the end of every story offers additional perspective into the stories and add s...

I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I always find it fascinating that good short story writers can serve up characters and scenes that are so immediately understood by the reader. The stories in Small Odysseys are no exception. Whether the characters and settings are ones that seem familiar or whether they are unlike anything in the reader's own experience, the writers of these stories sweep up the reader into their created environment with ease. It was interesting to see how...

I received an advanced copy of this book from Goodreads :). I am not a huge short story fan... I usually feel like I need more at the end of a short story... but some of these I did really enjoy. Especially the Eggers. He's one of my favorite authors anyway and his short was one of my favorites from this book. I love the concept too, of these authors reading them outlaid for an audience. THAT I think I would enjoy even more than reading them.

If you are a lover of short stories covering a very wide and diverse range of subjects, this is definitely for you. I loved the romp through more tales than I can describe here. If you find one that just isn't to your taste, simply go on to the next. Each other has a different style and of course a different story to tell covering many genres of fiction. Great for a beach read, a bedtime short story, or something to take your mind off of current events.

4.5 starsShort stories are little windows into infinite worlds, don't you think? At times heartfelt, at times reminiscent, at times difficult, this selection of contemporary shorts seemed to almost have it all. The world in small doses, each tale a different tone.Enjoyment: ★★★★Diversity in topics: ★★★★★Resonance: ★★★★★So let's start off with a bit of truth from me to you—I am not a contemporary reader. I am a speculative, horrific, fantastical type of reader. I actively try to escape the bounds...

Short stories are not my favorite genre but this anthology from Selected Shorts on PBS was a great compilation by some fantastic authors. I'm making a list of some of my favorite stories from this book so that I can search out other books by these authors. Like any book of short stories, some of them are a hit and some are not as appealing but this book had more hits than misses for me.I really enjoyed that each author shared their inspiration for their story at the end. It was interesting to s

** I received an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review **Rounded up from 3.5 stars.Though I don't frequently gravitate towards short stories, and even less so to anthologies from different authors, I generally enjoyed this collection.As with any collection there are a few weaker stories that almost seemed like throwaways. Perhaps they come off better read aloud. But most of them were at least 'good' if not 'very good', the standouts IMO being those by Carmen Maria Machado, Jess Walter, J....

I loved the idea of this Short Story anthology by Selected Shorts.I had no idea that Selected Shorts has been around since the 80's and that so many incredible people have taken part in reading a short story on the podcast. So fun!Short stories for me are really hit or miss. Because of the lack of time to understand the characters or the subject, the author has to really quickly grab my attention with something relatable or I just never get into it. I enjoyed many of these stories but don't thin...

Perhaps I'm biased when it comes to this as I got to hear all of these stories read by such a slew of amazing readers for Wall to Wall: Selected Shorts. But when the stories hit, the stories hit.Personal favorites:-The King of Bread by Luis Alberto Urrea-The Prom Terrorists by Rabih Alameddine-Escape Pod W41 by J. Robert Lennon-Cane and Roses: A Manifesto by Edwidge DanticatEnamored with the fact that so many people outside of the Selected Shorts sphere are enjoying this- from all of us at Symph...

I always forget how much I love short stories until I find a little gem like this. There is a great diversity of stories here, everyone is sure to walk away with a favorite.

Good writing, but I've found that short stories aren't really my thing.