My Favourite Short Story Collections - Sharing 30 Books!

Hello! In today's video, I'm sharing some of my favourite short story collections, from WW2 tales, to ghost stories, contemporary short story writers and Victorian classics. These are the stories that have sent chills down my spine, had me laughing out loud, or left me reflecting on the lives of others. Do you enjoy short stories?
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BOOK LINKS:
(affiliate links used for Blackwells)
The Golden Age of British Short Stories, edited by Philip Hensher (already out of print!)
Tales from a Village School by Miss Read (out of print):
Wave Me Goodbye, edited by Anne Boston (out of stock):

[lindamooney]

I forgot to mention how much I like hearing about older books and authors. They sound wonderful. I'm an elderly lady who lives alone. Your program brings me joy.

[lucybalt]

Thank you Miranda. I love Agatha Christie short stories, I was gifted Midwinter Murder last Christmas and I believe there is a Midsummer edition (that will have to go on my wish list for next year!). Also enjoy the Rumpole stories. After watching your recommendations, I managed to track down a copy of Tales from a Village School on Abe Books. Looking forward to reading that.

[nancyfritz]

Once again, thank you for bringing so many new titles to my attention. I am a fan of Alexander McCall Smith and very fond of his short story collections, "Trains and Lovers" being my favorite. Good luck with your bumble bee! :-)

[pamelapoet]

There are so many titles here vying for my attention. I'm not sure where to start, but the Persephone collection and Elizabeth Taylor are working their way toward the top of the list. My most recent short-story read was Mollie Panter-Downes's Good Evening, Mrs. Craven. I enjoyed One Fine Day so much that I couldn't wait to dip into her shorter pieces. They didn't disappoint! Her characters are just so memorable. I'm a big fan of short stories. I enjoy how they share with poetry the power of what is left unsaid, every word and every sentence mattering that much more. When I read short stories by writers I admire, I fall in love with their writing on a sentence level in a way I can overlook when lost in the larger scope of a novel. If I'm uncertain about an unfamiliar writer, I will often sample their short stories before committing to longer works. The novelist and short story writer Alistair MacLeod is responsible for putting Nova Scotia on my "to visit" wish list. He's a sentence wizard. Other favorites from Canada are Alice Munro and Carol Shields. If I start ticking off the writers I enjoy by country, I'll be writing a short story of my own here. I enjoyed this very much--thank you!

[Tinahgirl]

Thank you for talking about the golf and Mr. Mulliner short stories. I absolutely love all of them, and keep them in my audio rotation. They’re so underrated! I need to reread some of the Rumpole stories, as it’s been years and I really enjoyed them. I do like the idea of keeping a collection by the bedside. I have several of the British Library Crime Classics ones, and that would be a great way to read them. I’ve also enjoyed the Bodies From the Library collections. I think the 4th one is due out soon. I ordered the Elizabeth Taylor ones years ago and for some reason never read them. You’re inspiring me to pick up those, as well as my Persephone Book of Short Stories. Thank

[elizabethbrink]

I'm reading the Miss Marple short stories right now! They are sooo delightful. I'm going to have to read PGW's golf short stories! I would never have thought to pick them up because I'm not a golfer at all either, but you have convinced me.

[teresaparkins]

Hi Miranda, thank you for a great selection of short stories and especially for the P G Wodehouse suggestion - I think I know exactly who might be getting that as a present at Christmas. Happy reading, Teresa ⛳️📚

[bunkinbunkin]

Hi Miranda😊. Love the video but my wallet doesn’t 😆😆. Great short story collection👍🏽

[Nicholas-yogq]

Thank you so much for sharing, Miranda. I have been on the hunt for more short story collections recently, so this video has come at the perfect time. I have been so enjoying your videos and always look forward to seeing your channel pop up in my notifications. Sending warmth and best wishes to both you and the lovely Donna x

[juliavasquez]

Hi Miranda. Thank you for the great short stories compilations recommendations. I haven't read anything for a long time and I think short stories is a good way to start reading again. Have a nice week!

[BusyBeaVintage]

I recently read a short story collection by Tove Jansson called The Summer Book, I really enjoyed it and recommend. She also has another collection I have just received called A Winter Book which is hopefully just as good! Tove Jansson has mainly written children’s books, but has several short story collections as well.

[lisa]

Miranda, Brilliant video - thank you! I too am a huge fan of the Persephone compilations of short stories, and you highlighted several that I would love to add to my collection. The Golden Age...edited by Philip Hensher is gorgeous and has been on my wish list since it came out. One of my favorite short story writers is the Canadian Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro, who, like Rumer Godden in China Court, handles the passage of time in unique and creative ways. As always following your lovely videos, my TBR list has again expanded! Lisa xx

[muhlenstedt]

You show a great variety of books, there is certain at least one for each taste. Thank you !

[angelahunnel]

I have not read short stories. I'm not sure why. They seem like a perfect read for busy days when the thought of starting a novel seems daunting! Also, I love the suggestion of placing a few books in a guest bedroom! Perfect and cozy!

[rosemarysykes]

So pleased to find a fellow fan of Sy!via Townsend Warner's short stories.

[Europa]

I hope I can find some of these short enjoyed the short stories of Eudora Welty and Dorothy Parker.

[fernandamurari]

Hello! Thank you very much for the very interesting recommendations! Intrigued to read the Baroness Orczy one. She is the author of The scarlet pimpernel a favourite of mine when a teenager.

[fionahart]

Another interesting vlog full of intriguing ideas. I particularly appreciate discovering beautiful editions which make such special gifts. I agree that Second World War stories give so many fascinating glimpses of daily life on the home front, and enjoyed the Mollie Panter-Downes. I have fallen behind with a stack of short story collections, I must set aside time to read one during my lunch break each day. The best collection I've read in recent years in Tenth December by George Saunders, and I also have his most recent book drawn, A Swim in the Pond in the Rain, from his academic life, teaching the classic Russian short stories.

[angelam]

I was never really much of a short story reader until I saw you recommend Georgette Heyer's 'Snowdrift' on one of your previous videos- I loved it! They are great to be able to pick up and put down when life is a bit busy. Also, you have reminded me that I must finally get around to reading some of Agatha Christie's short stories. Thank you for another bunch of wonderful recommendations, Miranda.

[kristinebenoitdebykhovetz]

Thank you so much, Miranda! I really enjoyed this video and will get quite a few from this list! I am a huge fan of short stories and have been enjoying some of Daphne Du Maurier's that I have not read before (what a treat!), as well as Robert Aickman's eerie short stories that I re-read every autumn 👻 I also find that reading a short story sometimes is a good introduction to an author that I have not read before in order to know if I would enjoy reading a longer novel by this writer.