"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." – George R. R. Martin
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.
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.
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.
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
This feels like a cosmic version of Live Aid or We Are the World
The United Systems of Goodwill Concert Series and the Greatest Performance of All Time by James Van Pelt (2023) — 1,258 words (about 5 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in Lightspeed magazine issue #158, July 2023.
This is an inside look at a reality show of the future. I don’t think I’d be participating in this one.
The Narrative Implications of Your Untimely Death by Isabel J. Kim (2023)
Originally published in Lightspeed magazine issue #152, January 2023.