Short stories reading guide

Short stories reading guide

Short but not necessarily sweet - short fiction can pack a punch.

Short stories can usually be read in a single sitting so are great for people who don't have much time to read. With fewer pages to tell a story in, you'll find the action and character development happens quickly. Short stories can often leave a strong impression with a lot of conflict, emotional involvement or character development squeezed into this shorter format.

Short story collections sometimes pull together the work of a single author, or may be centred around a common theme.

Short stories reading lists

Short Stories - eBooks & eAudiobooks

A curated list of some of the best short stories from different genres available through Libby, Borrowbox, Wheelers, and Overdrive.

Short story sub-genre lists

Fantasy Short Stories

Immerse yourself in the magical worlds of Fantasy Short Stories, where each story transports you to a different fantastical realm.

LGBTQIA+ Short Stories

Discover the plentiful array of short stories about the diverse LGBTQIA+ community, with stories you can read in a single sitting.

Short Stories - Contemporary

Short form fiction that is all about our world as it is now - realistic plot-lines, characters, and experiences.

Short fiction - Novellas

Not quite a novel but longer than a short story - great reads in the shorter form of a novella. From around the world, across genres & eras

Short Stories - Graphic Novels

Graphic novel collections of short and sweet (or hilarious, terrifying, or inspiring) stories: Kiwi writers, manga artists and award winners

Short Stories - Mystery/Thriller/Adventure

Suspense, intrigue, action, adventure, and suspicion - all wrapped up in the short story format, so readable at one sitting.

Short Stories - Aotearoa/New Zealand

Short stories written by a range of Kiwi authors, including classics from literary greats through to modern takes from fresh talent.

NoveList Plus

Find new authors & reading options using your favourite writer, book or genre as a starting point. Your next great read is just clicks away.

Tuesday Terrors May 2025

A roundup of horror reads discussed at the monthly Horror genre book group at Tūranga. This month's theme was short stories.

Fantasy Short Stories

Immerse yourself in the magical worlds of Fantasy Short Stories, where each story transports you to a different fantastical realm.

Graphic novels and comics

Great stories and great art come together in a range of genres and styles, including biographies - for kids, teens or adults.

Find short stories in the catalogue

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