"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." – George R. R. Martin
This is one of the stories I read as a kid in a volume of Hugo winners that kindled my love for short science fiction.
Or All the Seas with Oysters by Avram Davidson (1958) — 3,539 words (about 14 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine, May 1958.
A poignant story about a mother doing her best for her daughter and the challenge this creates.
The Letters They Left Behind by Scott Edelman (2023) — 7,461 words (about 30 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in Lightspeed Magazine issue #159, August 2023.
A rich story with so many layers for its brevity. Subtle. Much is explored without coming right out and saying it. The story really sank into me.
A Guide to Matchmaking on Station 9 by Nika Murphy (2023) — 4,052 words (about 16 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in Clarkesworld Magazine issue #204, September 2023.
This is the most recent five-star story I read. I read it this morning. It is an intriguing allegory exploring difference and change.
After the Invasion of the Bug-Eyed Aliens by Rachel Swirsky (2025) — 9,750 words (about 39 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in Reactor magazine, 19 March 2025.
To celebrate the season, I bring you this delightful story of young lovers in New York City.
Springtime à la Carte by O. Henry (1906) — 2,137 words (about 9 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in the book The Four Million in 1906. You can download all of O. Henry’s short fiction for free in one ebook at standardebooks.com.
Sometimes it is hard to let go, even in death.
My Cloak of Keys by Fran Wilde (2022) — 3,098 words (about 12 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in The Deadlands magazine issue #10, February 2022
On the dangers of making your small child an internet video star.
Starpoop by Sandra McDonald (2023) — 3,244 words (about 13 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in Lightspeed magazine, issue #158, July 2023.
This Hugo award winner in 1960 is a bit long but well worth the time invested.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes — 12,349 words (about 49 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Volume 16, No. 4 (April 1959)
Let’s start the week off with this Hugo award winning short story, a cautionary tale of algorithms and AI.
Better Living Through Algorithms by Naomi Kritzer — 5,610 words (about 22 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in Clarkesworld magazine, Issue #200, May 2023
A quick one to take you into the weekend on a more uplifting note.
Every Shade of Healing by Taryn Frazier — 1,000 words (about 4 minutes for the average reader)
From Issue 136 of Apex Magazine originally published 7 March 2023