We hope you enjoy reading these hand-picked stories (there are actually 30+). They represent the first collection published at American Literature. You may also enjoy Favorite Short Story Collections or search The Short Story Library.
You may also be interested in The Short Story of the Day and 25 Great American Novels.
This tender story -- one of the most famous titles in the short story genre -- is a must-read. The story is about a young couple and how they meet the challenge of buying each other Christmas gifts when they don't have enough money to do so. This sentimental tale has a moral lesson and is widely enjoyed during Christmastime and the holiday season.
This is a special seasonal selection for The Holiday Season but can and should be read at any time of the year. It's a story to read for perspective, and is also featured in our Christmas Stories collection.
A classic Man versus Nature story set in the Yukon Territory in Northwestern Canada.
A brilliant story to read in the depth of winter when a freezing spell is in the forecast or gripping your region.
A short story masterpiece: This a suspenseful story about a Civil War soldier, Petyon Farquhar, who has been captured by enemy troops. The story opens in a dangerous predicament, with the soldier about to be hanged.
Will Farquhar succeed in his effort to make a daring escape?
This is a powerful and well written tale of sorrow. The story -- depending on the reader -- can operate on at least two levels; as a simple story about a dog, a child and crushing cruelty. It may also be interpreted as an allegorical social criticism after the American Civil War. Either way, it's a powerful, sad story.
Three wishes and a monkey's paw. What could go wrong? A horror story in the short story form. And I quote:
A classic revenge story in the horror genre. The story is set in an unspecified Italian city, the protagonist, Motressor believes he has suffered a thousand slights and injuries at the hand of his friend. Montressor invites -- rather tricks --his friend, Fortunato, into tasting some wine stored back at his pallazo in the wine cellar.
take on the battle of the sexes is funny and witty and brilliant as he writes once from Eve's perspective and then follows-up from Adam's. A sample observation from Eve:
I recommend starting with Eve first, then move over to the companion piece, Extracts from Adam's Diary.
The hard-luck life of hard-hearted miners changes with the birth of Thomas Luck who draws on the heart strings of the rough and tumble miners of Roaring Camp. Featured in our Civil War Stories collection.
A beautiful story hinting at the depths of a woman's emotional complexity. A great short story, one that could easily be misunderstood by modern feminists.
In O. Henry's The Skylight Room, a spirited young typist named Miss Leeson rents a tiny, starlit room in a bustling boarding house, where her dreams and struggles unfold against the backdrop of vibrant characters. The story weaves a captivating tale of hope and resilience, pulling readers in with its promise of an unexpected, heartwarming twist
This one was selected for its simple poignancy. You might also enjoy Transients in Arcadia.
Another interesting story from Ambrose Bierce. This one is also set during the American Civil War. I classify this one under man versus himself.
One of the early American classics, and don't forget its famous companion Rip Van Winkle.
A young man arrives in a colonial American town, seeking his wealth kinsman, Major Molineux, hoping for assitstance in establishing himself. As he searches, he encounters various townspeople who react strangely to his inquiries and he gradually senses an undercurrent of unrest. Eventually, Robin witnesses a chaotic procession where where a dark event reveals the townspeople's rebellion against authority. Shocked but enlightened, Robin decides to rely on his own resources rather than his disgraced kinsman, marking his transition to independence.
Hawthorne made landmark contributions to the genre of Dark Romanticism, and one should also read Young Goodman Brown (1835) and The Minister's Black Veil (1832).
In "The Cactus," a man recalls a moment of pride that led to a devastating misunderstanding with his beloved, centered around a seemingly trivial gift — a cactus. The story unravels a poignant twist, revealing how a single misstep can shatter a romance, leaving readers eager to discover the heartbreaking yet clever surprise that defines O. Henry's storytelling.
This is classic O. Henry. Short and direct. Communication is important!
"Me crazy? Not at all. Let me prove my sanity by describing how carefully and ingeniously I murdered my victim!"
When a city slicker arrives in a dusty mining camp, he's regaled with the unbelievable story of Jim Smiley, a man who would bet on anything—even the jumping prowess of his prized frog, Dan'l Webster. But when a cunning stranger appears, will Smiley's champion amphibian meet his match?
"[Belle Morgan] does and says what she likes, is very blunt and honest, has ideas and principles of her own, goes to parties in high dresses, won't dance round dances, and wears red stockings, though Mrs. Plantagenet says it's fast." Independent, assertive, and clad in scarlet stockings. Lennox is helpless to resist.
A sentimental story about love and kindness:
A widely read story, one of Melville's finest examples of Dark Romanticism, whose interpretation has been widely debated. If you figure out what it means, please let us know!
Poe again, this time with an early entry into the genre of detective stories. Also consider The Murders in the Rue Morgue and The Mystery of Marie Roget.
This short story is based on a murder story that Glaspell covered as a young reporter. It's adapted from her play Trifles which is a selection on the High School list. Read the story and please share it if you like it, Glaspell deserves to be more widely known.
A love story complicated by circumstance and protocol. In Willa Cather's On the Gull's Road, a young painter aboard a ship from Genoa to New York falls deeply in love with the enchanting yet frail Alexandra Ebbling, whose beauty and spirit captivate him despite her unhappy marriage and hidden illness. Their fleeting romance, set against the vivid seascapes of the Mediterranean, promises a heart-wrenching twist that will leave readers longing to uncover the tender, bittersweet secret Cather unveils.
A comprehensive summary of The Lottery, Jackson's dramatic and suspenseful short story. This story was probably intended as an allegorical lesson but it sparked controversy and even outrage across the United States, particularly in rural communities like the one where the story takes place.
A compassionate story about what happens when a young boy tries to rob the wrong woman! Forgiving, yet firm: we should all be like Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones.
In this widely read story, set in the rural hills of Kentucky in the 1930s, young Dave Sexton finds himself trapped between the modern world that demands an education and his father's past where hard work may have held more value than "book learning." A conflict arises when he is punished by his teacher, and Dave's father Luster has to make a determination about the value of education.
In Mary E. Wilkins Freeman's The Cat, a solitary old man lives in quiet companionship with his loyal cat in a rural New England home, where their bond becomes the heart of a seemingly simple life. The story unfolds with subtle tension and a haunting undercurrent, pulling readers toward a surprising revelation that promises to transform their view of devotion and survival.
Freeman's cunning in crafting this tale is well matched to the cat's marvelous patience, hunting for its prey and anticipating the return of its master.
The princess has a difficult choice to make. This iconic story has become a catchphrase to describe a problem that has no solution.
Upon hearing news of her husband's death, Mrs. Mallard experiences a shocking and unexpected torrent of emotions, leading her to a profound realization about her life and future. Within the span of a single hour, she confronts societal expectations and discovers a sense of liberation she never thought possible. This classic story offers a powerful glimpse into a woman's complex inner world, culminating in a memorable, ironic twist.
A writer, dying of gangrene on an African safari, reflects on his life's unfulfilled ambitions and squandered talent. As his past regrets and vivid memories intertwine with his present suffering, he confronts the haunting question of what his life truly amounted to. This poignant story explores themes of mortality, regret, and the search for meaning in the face of death.
After crash-landing on a desolate planetoid, a lone survivor discovers a terrifying truth: to sleep is to surrender his mind to an ancient, unending war fought by ghostly alien entities. He must fight to stay awake against crushing exhaustion, as slumber means becoming a vessel for cosmic conflict. Dive into this chilling tale of psychological horror where the price of rest could be sanity itself, or worse.