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Category: Your Daily Dose of Empathy

Can You Hear Me Now? by Catherynne M. Valente

What a masterpiece! Evokes all the feelings of television advertising and touches on all the real troubles and desires that consumerism covers up.

Can You Hear Me Now? by Catherynne M. Valente (2023) — 5,908 words (about 24 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in Uncanny magazine issue 54, September/October 2023.

Howard Reading, Your Daily Dose of Empathy Leave a comment May 20, 2025May 19, 2025 1 Minute

Bodyhoppers by Rocío Veg

Here we have a fascinating and excellent use of multiple points of view.

Bodyhoppers by Rocío Veg (2025) — 5,280 words (about 21 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in Clarkesworld magazine issue #221, February 2025.

Howard Reading, Your Daily Dose of Empathy Leave a comment May 19, 2025May 19, 2025 1 Minute

The Last Serving by Lincoln Michel

A vegetarian cook decides to learn to cook meat with surprising results.

The Last Serving by Lincoln Michel (2023) — 1,006 words (about 4 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in Lightspeed magazine issue #152, January 2023.

Howard Reading, Your Daily Dose of Empathy Leave a comment May 16, 2025May 15, 2025 1 Minute

A Gentle Spirit by Fyodor Dostoevsky

A deeply emotionally evocative classic Russian tragedy.

A Gentle Spirit by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1876) — 16,000 words (about 64 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in 1876,

Howard Reading, Your Daily Dose of Empathy Leave a comment May 15, 2025May 15, 2025 1 Minute

Message in a Vessel by V.G. Harrison

A vampire on the moon attempts to save mankind.

Message in a Vessel by V.G. Harrison (2023) — 4,900 words (about 20 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in Apex magazine issue #135, January 2023.

Howard Reading, Your Daily Dose of Empathy Leave a comment May 14, 2025May 13, 2025 1 Minute

Blank Space by Delilah S. Dawson

When an innocent girl falls for a bad boy with tattoos, all is not as it seems.

Blank Space by Delilah S. Dawson (2023) — 4,745 words (about 19 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in Uncanny magazine issue #51, March/April 2023.

Howard Reading, Your Daily Dose of Empathy Leave a comment May 13, 2025May 13, 2025 1 Minute

The Ghasts by Lavie Tidhar

What if there really was something to those fears of what lies under your bed or in your closet?

The Ghasts by Lavie Tidhar (2023) — 4,932 words (about 20 minutes for the average reader)

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

Howard Reading, Your Daily Dose of Empathy Leave a comment May 12, 2025May 12, 2025 1 Minute

The Music of the Siphorophenes by C.L. Polk

A lovely story of overcoming secrets and pain.

The Music of the Siphorophenes by C.L. Polk (2023) — 9,232 words (about 37 minutes for the average reader)

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

Howard Reading, Your Daily Dose of Empathy Leave a comment May 9, 2025May 8, 2025 1 Minute

The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry

It seems that no matter how far back you go, there have always been problem children.

The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry (1907) — 4,150 words (about 17 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in The Saturday Evening Post, 6 July 1907.

Howard Reading, Your Daily Dose of Empathy Leave a comment May 8, 2025May 8, 2025 1 Minute

Over Moonlit Clouds by Coda Augeuy-Pegon

A unique allegory about othering at 30,000 feet.

Over Moonlit Clouds by Coda Augeuy-Pegon (2023) — 6,900 words (about 28 minutes for the average reader)

Originally published in Apex magazine issue #136, March 2023.

Howard Reading, Your Daily Dose of Empathy Leave a comment May 7, 2025May 7, 2025 1 Minute

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