Have you ever finished all your work and get bored? If you have, you should definitely read some short stories. I started reading short stories in seventh grade, and it had really elevated my writing and broadened my creativity. These short stories take less than 30 minutes to read, and usually have really fun plot twists or life morals. In case you don’t know what to read, here is a list of short stories, their brief summary (but no spoilers), what I rate them as, and a link. I put them in the order I’ve read them, so the best ones are not at the top!
- Tell Tale Heart – Edgar Allan Poe
The Tell Tale Heart is a story about a man who tries super hard to prove that he is not insane (when he in fact is). He describes about a “vulture eye” that the old man he is living with him has, which is driving him crazy. To get rid of it, he carefully planned a murder, and after killing off the old man, he has to face the police. Would he get away with it, or will his inner madness and guilt betray his actions?
I would rate this story 5/5 stars because it has so much descriptions of feelings and explores about the psychology of an insane person. Note: don’t read it at night, you might get nightmares!
- The Necklace – Guy de Maupassant
The Necklace talks about a story of Mathilde Loisel, who is a very pretty woman, but is very unhappy with her middle-class life and dreams of luxury. When her husband gets her an invitation to a fancy party, she borrows a beautiful necklace from a wealthy friend of hers. However, after the party, she realizes the necklace is gone. What is she going to do?
I would rate this story 4.5/5 stars because it has a brilliant plot twist at the end (where I’m not going to spoil), and it talks about the human nature of craving for wealth. It also told me that a bad situation might also help develop a better of you.
- Shooting an Elephant – George Orwell (creative nonfiction)
Shooting an Elephant is a real experience George Orwell had when working as a British officer in Burma. An elephant has caused damage in a village, and the locals expect Orwell to kill it. All the eyes of the crowd were on him, but his inner conscience tells him not to shoo the elephant. What do you think he did?
For this story, I would rate it 3/5 stars. I don’t have anything against it, and I do think it has a great moral of peer pressuring. However, I personally prefer fictions over nonfictions, and like stories with a lot of emotions and plot twists. But if you would like to learn more about a true story about history and imperialism, I would strongly recommend this.
- The Story of an Hour – Kate Chopin
The Story of an Hour introduces Louise Mallard. When she is told that her husband has died in an accident, she immediately broke down in sadness. After the pain pass, she realizes that she is finally free from marriage and expectations. She starts imagining a life that belongs only to her. Read more to find out what happened.
I would rate this story 4/5 stars. I really liked reading about the emotions after someone’s death and the big plot twist at the end. It also talked about roles that women were trapped in at that time. However, though the story isn’t long, it uses fancy words and a metaphor of a window, which I had to read several times to understand.
(The links I found couldn’t post on this blog, but if you search up “The Story of an Hour” on Google or Safari, there will be free pdf where you can read it.)
- The Scarlett Ibis – James Hurst
The Scarlett Ibis is about a narrator who grows up with a younger brother, Doodle. Doodle is born physically disabled, and his parents give him the job to take care of Doodle. At first, he’s ashamed of Doodle, but he also becomes determined to “fix” him. He teaches Doodle to walk and swim, not out of kindness but pride of a young boy. The family also saw a dying Scarlett Ibis, who was blown away from their habitat in a storm. Read more to find out what happened.
This story is definitely 6/5 stars. It is actually so sad, that I cried at the end. It’s so emotional and reflective, showing how love and cruelty can exist at the same time. The ending of the Scarlett Ibis also became a foreshadow of the end to Doodle, which is a writing technique that I learned from the story, and I love it. Out of all the books, definitely read this one.
- Flowers for Algernon – Daniel Keyes
The Flowers for Algernon is about Charlie Gordon, a man with an intellectual disability. He doesn’t have any friends because everyone thinks that he is stupid, and always laughs at him. In order to become smarter, he undergoes an experimental surgery that makes him extremely intelligent. At first, everything seems amazing, but soon, he becomes isolated by others because of how smart he has became. One of his experiments was to race with a mouse, Algernon, who also undertook the same surgery. Find out what happens with their developed friendship.
This story is definitely a 6/5 also, and it made me cry again. (Yes, I have a lot of tears to shed when reading sorrowful books). The plot twist was crazy brilliant, and the interactions of a man with a mouse was very well written. It also broke my heart seeing how the journals of Charlie Gordon had developed from grammar mistakes and incomplete sentences to highly detailed writing, and then back to incomplete sentences. The way of writing made the story look so real. Overall, this is such a good story, and I totally recommend it!
- Sorry Wrong Number – Lucille Fletcher (radio play)
Sorry Wrong Number is a radio play of a woman who is disabled to her bed. While trying to call her husband, she accidentally was linked to a wrong phone call where she hears about a planned murder. She desperately calls the police for help as she realizes that the victim is herself. What will happen?
I would rate this story 4.5/5 stars. This is the first radio play I’ve heard, and I’ve attached the written script down here. I honestly really liked the story. It really explores the hopelessness of a woman who can do absolutely nothing to stop her murder. The suspense is built through a phone call, and though there is no violence, I can clearly feel the fear from the protagonist. It was also made into a film, so you can watch that as well, but I’ve never watched it, so I don’t know if the plot is the same.
- The Bet – Anton Chekhov
The Bet is a story of a rich banker and a young lawyer arguing about whether life imprisonment is worse than capital punishment (which is death). They make a bet that if the young lawyer can survive fifteen years in isolation in the banker’s back yard with access to anything except things alive, the banker will pay two million dollars. Over time, the lawyer reads obsessively, and longs to be free. The day of when the lawyer gets to take the money and leave quickly arrives, what do you think he did?
I rate this story 5/5 stars. It challenges the ideas of wealth vs society and what actually matters in life. It has a very clear emotional roller coaster of the lawyer, who learned much things through the fifteen years of confinement.
- Goodbye to All That – Joan Didion (creative nonfiction essay)
Goodbye to All That talks about Didion reflecting on her years living in New York City. She describes how she once believed the city represented possibility and youth. But as she grew older, she realizes that she no longer fits in.
I would rate this story 2/5 stars. This is a good piece of reflecting journey of an author and talks about how after the youth fades, she no longer finds joy in the city. However, the story has many fancy language that made it a little hard for me to read, and as a 14 year old myself, it is hard for me to relate to the author since I am in the “youth” age she talks about. However, I think this story would be great if you are an adult!
(Again, the links I found couldn’t post on this blog, but if you search up “Goodbye to All That by Joan Didion” on Google or Safari, there will be free pdf where you can read it.)
- Thank You Ma’am – Langston Hughes
Thank You Ma’am is about a boy who tries to steal a woman’s purse but fails. Instead of calling the police, she takes him home, feeds him, and gives him money with a lesson about responsibility.
I think I would rate this story 4.5/5 stars because it shows me that kindness would do better than any punishment ever could. I think this lesson became a very crucial part of the boy’s life and definitely impacted his decisions in the future.
(I’m not sure why, but the links I found couldn’t post on this blog. If you search up “Thank You Ma’am” on Google or Safari, there will be free pdf where you can read it.)
- A Family Supper – Kazuo Ishiguro
A son returns home after his mother’s death from the poison of pufferfish and eats dinner with his father. Their conversation is polite but distant, almost like strangers, and the son notices many odd/dark implications about death. The suspense comes when the son found out that they were eating pufferfish. What will happen?
I rate this story 5/5 stars because it is full of suspense, and talks about a tradition as well as facing death. The story is very unsettling and a little frightful, which is a wonderful thriller short story to read.
- All Summer in a Day – Ray Bradbury
All Summer in a Day talks about a nine-year-old girl named Margot. Margot lives on Venus with other kids, and it rains constantly. The sun only comes out once every seven years. Margot was two-years-old when she last saw the sun, and since the other kids have never seen the sun before, they were jealous and locked her up during the brief moment of sunlight. Would someone come get her or would she miss the sunlight?
I rate this story 4.5/5 stars. I think it has a very well developed plot and talks about bullying at school, which is a common thing and should be raised awareness of.
- Me talk Pretty One Day – David Sedaris (excerpt)
Me talk Pretty One Day is about Sedaris describing how he moved to France and struggled to learn the language in humiliating ways. His teacher’s harsh comments only make things worse!
I rate this story 2/5 stars. I really like his way of approaching writing and challenges in a humorous way, and think that being optimistic is such a skill to have. However, since it was a personal journal, I didn’t really enjoy reading it that much, and some of his humor didn’t really make me laugh. But it’s still a very good short story.
The links I found couldn’t post on this blog sadly. But if you search up “Me Talk Pretty One Day” on Google or Safari, there will be free pdf where you can read it.)
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – James Thurber
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty talks about Walter Mitty, who is an ordinary man going through a normal day, running errands and dealing with small responsibilities. As he moves through the day, his mind keeps drifting into daydreaming fantasies where he imagines himself as brave, important, and admired. These daydreams are triggered by everyday moments and sharply contrast with how others treat him in real life.
I would rate this story 5/5 stars. I think Walter Mitty is someone to be discussed about because though some people might think he is pathetic for dreaming, others might find it relatable. It is also a very fun story to read and I even made up a scenario for him after reading!
“Next…” The cashier far away down the checkout line tapped at the calculator, its plastic keys responding lazily with hollow click-clicks. The amount on the small screen keeps rising, matching the men in the line waiting to go home with the groceries that their wives wanted. To Walter Mitty, the sound was no longer quiet and mechanical. It became thunderous. The grocery store dimmed, and suddenly murmurs erupted in the distance.
A blinding light hit Walter Mitty’s face. He was no longer an anonymous person, but the most renowned actor the world had ever seen. As he walked out, the crowd went wild, cheering louder for him than any other famous actors, such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Emma Watson. *Click* “Look here! Mr. Mitty!” The camera men shouted. *Click* “Speak into my mic!” The reporters screamed.” *Click* “I want a signature!” The fans yelled. Walter Mitty turned his head slowly, so every part of his perfect handsome face could be seen. “I love you all!” He said as he smiled confidently at the crowd and blew a nonchalant kiss towards the sea of people. Hundreds of dollar bills, roses, and gifts are thrown towards the stage as he makes his exit.
“Sir, your total is $29.34.” The cashier’s voice sounded. “Sir. Hello?” She impatiently clicks on the checkout screen. Walter Mitty took out the crumpled bills he had from his pocket. Exactly $29.34, with a twenty dollar bill, eight dollar bills, four quarters, two dimes, and fourteen pennies. The cashier took the bills, and Walter Mitty swore he saw a look of disgust on the young woman’s face before she handed him his bag of groceries.
But anyways, here is the link: https://www.sphstigers.org/ourpages/users/jasher/SSBootCampWebsite/SecretLifeWalterMitty.pdf
- St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves – Karen Russell
St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves is about a family of girl werewolves sent to St. Lucy’s, a school meant to teach them how to behave like “normal” humans. Told through the narrator’s perspective, the story tracks the girls as they move through different stages of adjustment. Some adapt quickly, while others struggle to let go of who they were before. Do you think it’s better to adjust and forget their heritage or refuse to adjust and get thrown back into the woods?
I rate this book 5/5 stars, because it talks about adaptation and uses the werewolves as a type of metaphor, comparing it to humans who moved to a new place and are adjusting. This story explores identity, belonging, and the pressure to join in.
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