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
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 - Sci Fi, Horror, and Fantasy
A selection of short fiction anthologies by influential authors of science fiction, fantasy and horror.
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.
Short Reads
Books under 250 pages long, for when you want something short and sweet - novellas, short stories and non-fiction.
WORD Christchurch 2023: Amy Head, Signs of Life
Fee reports back from Amy Head's book launch for, Signs of Life, at Scorpio Books. A 'discontinuous novel' of earthquake stories.
Queer Book Club: July 2023
These are the books that were read by the club this month.
WORD Christchurch Festival 2023
Find out about WORD Christchurch, the writers and books featured in the festival, and explore our coverage of WORD events and sessions.
Find great reads:
Short story authors:
Award-winning short stories
More short story resources
Find fiction in the genre you love
Whatever kind of fiction you're into, find lists, new authors to try, and staff picks.
