We’re a chatty bunch here at EdenFrost. We’ll talk each other’s ears off about our pets, a favourite coffee spot we’ve just discovered, the weather (of course) and lots more. Yet, as writers and creatives, there’s one thing we love to be asked about, perhaps more than most. And that’s ‘what are you reading?’, ‘who’s your favourite writer?’, ‘what shall I read next?’.
Well, recently, we did just that. Specifically, we asked our team to serve up their favourite short stories. And these came in a variety of forms – from flash fiction and poetry to screen adaptations and more. So, if you’re in the market for some recommendations, sit tight, grab a drink and secure the comfiest seat in the house. We’re sending some golden tips your way.
Love and life
Oh, the complexities of love and life. These themes emerged in a few of our favourites. In most cases, they’re explored in the same way; through a delicate balance between reality and fiction. Whether the stories being told were fiction inspired by reality, or vice versa, this concoction creates the perfect potion for spilling emotions. Being able to relate to the characters, their flaws, strengths and life experiences had us laughing, crying and pondering over what we’d read.
EF recommends:
· Bliss by Katherine Mansfield (Louise’s pick)
· My Touchstone and a Heart of Gold by Caroline Leavitt (Zoe’s pick)
· Happy Endings by Margaret Atwood (Teresa’s pick)
Dystopian literature
Day to day, we’re a positive group. We think in solutions and always have a quip to hand to lighten the mood. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t like to indulge in a little healthy pessimism. And dystopian literature is the perfect outlet for this. Apocalyptic tales, zombies, sci-fi innovations gone rogue; we have to admit, we like to revel a little in the ‘what if’. And as writers, we admire this genre even more in short fiction. The limited word count means authors need to build imaginary worlds, form stories and evoke emotions, all within just a few pages. That’s talent, right there!
EF recommends:
· Black Mirror television series and book by Charlie Brooker (Tamar’s pick)
Emotional storytelling
Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. So is honesty. In a number of our chosen stories, authors have reached out to their readership through emotional storytelling. And on many occasions, these stories were inspired by the writer’s own thoughts, feelings and deeply personal experiences. Whether fictional, or inspired by the truth, these short stories show how writing featuring raw emotions and realistic, multi-dimensional characters and settings, creates captivating and page-turning stories. Here are a couple that our team resonated with.
EF recommends:
· The Lagoon and other stories by Janet Frame (Alison’spick)
· The Stories by Jane Gardam (Sarah’s pick)
Journalism
As the saying goes, truth is often stranger than fiction. And with a few of our writers well-versed in journalism, it was unsurprising that we had a few recommendations pop up for this genre. It’s here that stories of true crime, historic events and human perseverance featured. Real voices. Real people. Real experiences. Articles of journalism are both fascinating and educational in equal measure. And much like documentaries or podcasts covering true events, journalism can take on a variety of styles and creative directions to communicate these stories.
EF recommends:
· Death of a Playmate by Teresa Carpenter (Erene’s pick)
· Snow Fall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek by John Branch (Erene’s pick)
Gothic tales
It seems we must be fans of all things spooky and mysterious as gothic literature dominated our list of must-reads. In our selected short stories, gritty themes and haunting imagery pair with spirituality and psychology to create bewitching reading experiences. Beware: these reads often dance between fiction and reality. Afterwards, you might even find yourself questioning that shadow in the corner of your room. There, just out of sight. Did you see that? It moved, right?
EF recommends:
· The Black Cat by Edgar Allen (Teresa’s pick)
· The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (Louise’s pick)
· Olalla Robert Louis Stevenson (Callum’s pick)
Looking for more reading recommendations? Let us know what favourites list you’d like to see next.