A Retrieved Reformation by O. Henry

A classical tale of a difficult decision.

A Retrieved Reformation by O. Henry (1903) — 2,800 words (about 11 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published The Cosmopolitan Magazine, April 1903.

Cheaper to Replace by Marie Vibbert

Continuing this week’s theme of AI, what happens to a robot that reaches the end of its useful life?

Cheaper to Replace by Marie Vibbert (2023) — 3,370 words (about 13 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in Clarkesworld magazine issue 202, July 2023.

Tell Them a Story to Teach Them Kindness by B. Pladek

Is this where AI storytelling is taking us? I certainly hope not.

Tell Them a Story to Teach Them Kindness by B. Pladek (2025) — 4,146 words (about 16 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in Lightspeed magazine issue #176, January 2025.

Metal Like Blood in the Dark by T. Kingfisher

In our current culture saturated with AI claims of all sorts, this one is still relevant.

Metal Like Blood in the Dark by T. Kingfisher (2020) — 7,368 words (about 29 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in Uncanny Magazine Issue 36, September/October 2020.

Still Water by Zhang Ran translated from Chinese by Jay Zhang

A touching story of a mother caring for her teenage son with ALS.

Still Water by Zhang Ran translated from Chinese by Jay Zhang (2025) — 9,090 words (about 22 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in Clarkesworld magazine issue #223, April 2025.

Youth by Isaac Asimov

A classic tale with a clever twist at the end.

Youth by Isaac Asimov (1952) — 9,485 words (about 38 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in Space Science Fiction magazine, May 1952.

Rock, Paper, Scissors, Love, Death by Caroline M. Yoachim

I listened to this wonderful time travel story on the first episode of Wil Wheaton’s new podcast, It’s Story Time with Wil Wheaton.

Rock, Paper, Scissors, Love, Death by Caroline M. Yoachim (2015) — 5,385 words (about 22 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in Lightspeed magazine issue #66, November 2015.

Tantie Merle and the Farmhand 4200 by R.S.A. Garcia

A story at the crossroads of family and technology, winner of the Nebula award for best short story.

Tantie Merle and the Farmhand 4200 by R.S.A. Garcia (2023) — 6,861 words (about 27 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in Uncanny Magazine issue #53, July/August 2023.

The Comebacker by David Eggers

Simply one of the best short stories I have ever read. There is so much feeling in it.

The Comebacker by David Eggers (2023) — 6,400 words (about 26 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in The Atlantic, September 2023.

Junebug by Sarah Hollowell

This amazing story captures the feeling of trying to say the things that you feel when emotionally overwhelmed and there just aren’t the words. A marvelous experience.

Junebug by Sarah Hollowell (2023) — 6,700 words (about 27 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in Apex Magazine issue #140, September 2023.