I’m in a grazing mood this week. I want books I can dip into while I sit on the deck in the sun (this is England so that could become ‘while I sit in an armchair looking at the rain-spattered windows’). I also want writers I can trust and stories that will transport me from daily life to places where things work differently.
So, I’ve picked short story collections from two writers on my ‘Read Whatever They Publish” list. One is an audiobook and one is an ebook so I’ll be able to swap between formats. All the stories are new to me. One is 488 pages long and has a dozen stories, few of which seem to me to be novellas. The other is 288 pages long and has eight stories plus an excerpt from a book I’ve already read. I think that will be enough to keep me reading well into next week,
I’m hoping for a relaxing blend of the comfort of the familiar and the energy of the unexpected.
‘You Like It Darker’ (2024) by Stephen King
I think Stephen King does some of his best writing in the short story format. His storytelling becomes tighter while his writing remains as accessible and his insights into people and the ideas, desires and things that corrupt them remain just as sharp,
I loved his last collection, ‘If It Bleeds‘. I enjoyed every story. I hope the dozen stories in ‘You Like It Darker‘ will be as good.
Actually, I’d have bought this one on the strength of the title alone. It’squite a title to live up to, isn’t it? It feels partly like a confession and partly like an invitation to have the courage to join your tribe. If i’d had any doubts (or any remaining self-control) I’d have been pushed to buy the book by that gorgeous cover. It looks exciting and mysterious. I don’t know what it means but I’m sure I’ll enjoy finding out. You can’t ask more of a cover for a Stephen King book than that.
‘Small Magics’ (2015) by Ilona Andrews
It’s been almost a year since I visited with Kate in ‘Magic Claims‘ and I’m in need of another fix so I went through the back catalogue and found this collection of six short stories that was published back in 2015.
They’re all stories that had been published before, either online or in anthologies and they’re definitely written for fans who already understand the world Kate lives in and want to spend more time there.
I see these stories as a set of flying visits to a place I know and like but which still has a few surprises to offer.
Mike Finn's Fiction 
Hello, Mike,
What a coincidence. Yesterday, I stopped in at my local indie book store (The Galaxy) to see if the two Lee Goldberg books I’d ordered had come in (they hadn’t) and one of the owners pointed out that You Like It Darker had just been placed in the new arrivals display. With Stephen King, I don’t even have to read the blurbs to buy his books. I’ve been reading his work since 1974 (Carrie), which just happened to be the same year I married my alas-now-late, great husband, so young Stevie King came into my life at about the same time Joe did.
But I digress. I couldn’t wait to start reading the antho, and I’d just finished reading another novel yesterday morning, so last night I read the first of the twelve in You Like It Darker, before going to bed. And I just finished reading the second story after getting out of bed this morning, whilst having the first of my two coffees of the day. It was actually very short, but whew…what a ride. Oh, that man can write. He has the rare ability to compel. Irresistible once the roller coaster starts moving.
I immediately wanted to read the next story (it’s great being retired…I can sit down and read whenever I feel like it), but restrained myself, because I want to prolong the pleasure. It’s always such a difficult choice…indulge all at once, or savour over an extended period.
I totally agree with you. Stephen King is a master of the short story, and I started believing that with his very first anthology. This latest one is doing nothing to disabuse me of that belief. Hope you enjoy You Like It Darker.
Rose
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Rose,
It’s good to hear from you. I like the idea that we’re both reading the same book. I’m halfway through the fourth story at the moment and I’ve enjoyed them all so far. I’m trying to stop myself from consuming the book in a couple of days by making notes for a story-by-story review and trying to come up with a cover image for each story.
I didn’t start reading King until 1987, when ‘IT’ came out in paperback. I’ve been a fan ever since.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the stories. I’d be interested in what you think of my review when I post it.
Take care of yourself.
LikeLike