For Readers: Blog

Short reads to ease you into the new year

Whether you breezed through your to-read list in 2020 or could barely get through a book, it's a new year with new promise. The turn of the calendar is a great time to try a new genre or pick up a classic. Short reads let you sample the wonders waiting on the shelves. Try these novellas, short stories, or essay collections to see what captures your imagination. 

All titles are available for curbside pickup as well as for digital download, as en e-book or audiobook. 

The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djèlí Clark transports you to the early twentieth century in an alternate Cairo, where governmental departments have to deal with the paranormal in addition to paperwork. A senior agent must show his new and eager partner the ropes while they take on a haunted tram car. If this fascinating world whets your appetite, keep an eye out for a full length follow-up in early 2021. [print | audiobook]

Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s background as a poet shines through in World of Wonders, a lyrical ode to nature told through personal reflections and charming illustrations (they’re in the e-book versions too!). Each essay examines a different creature and what lessons we can learn from its existence, resulting in an introspective and comforting collection that is both memoir and nature writing. [e-book | print]

Paula McLain, Lisa Wingate, Jamie Ford: enjoy short stories from these fan-favorite historical fiction authors and more in Stories from Suffragette City, edited by M. J. Rose and Fiona Davis. This star-studded collection takes readers to the women’s march for voting rights in 1915 New York City, vividly re-imagining the experiences of women from all walks of life. [e-book | print]

Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez is a dark and haunting collection of short stories for fans of Shirley Jackson, anything gothic, and other unsettling but powerful reads. This debut set of stories from Buenos Aires blends horror and magical realism, tackling the violence and tragedies of the human condition. [print | audiobook]

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin is a short classic to pick up, whether you’re revisiting it from your school days or reading it for the first time. A national bestseller when it appeared in 1963, Baldwin’s observations on the reality of racial injustice in America is still a timely read. Told through frank letters and essays, this is a challenging and important look at how far the country has come in ensuring civil rights and how far it has to go. [e-book | print]

Don’t be deceived by the heft of Don Winslow’s latest release, Broken. It’s actually six interconnected crime novellas, ideal for picking up when you have a few moments. These stories feature Winslow’s classic noir-inspired writing, seamlessly switching between heart-pounding violence and low-key stories injected with quirky humor. Portraying revenge, corruption, and questionable justice, these gritty tales will appeal to Winslow's many fans and new readers alike. [e-book | print | audiobook]

--Laura