5⭐ Short Stories & Building a TBR of Authors I Need to Read Again

[@HJPeet]

Fun fact: you can sit anywhere and blabber and we’ll be okay with it! :)

[@BooksandLala]

🤗🤗🤗

[@brittneyholley3]

Agreed lol

[@rdpa4019]

Very agreed

[@plansandjacy]

Yep!!

[@nathanielluscombe5277]

It would be a cool reading vlog to read novels by authors that you've read short stories from

[@passmethatbook]

You have such a calming voice, it helps settle my anxiety sometimes, and I try to watch every video you make. Babble as much as you like. ☺️

[@sofiastj]

I'm dying to read more Rin Chupeco! Just so you know, Rin goes by they/them. Thanks for the great video!

[@BookChats]

I didn't know this! Thanks for commenting because I learned something today.

[@nanaespacini]

omg, i just watched your buzzword video & you mentioned wanting to one day write an introduction to an anthology. and right away i thought back to this video! you could totally do an "anthology" out of your 5 stars stories!! your 3 page introduction is your video where you pick 5 stars stories that you think go together, why you'd put these stories together and what's the vibe you're creating!

[@cassadypiecuch]

If anyone wants an anthology rec, The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez is SO GOOD AND SO WEIRD omg

[@MsGabrielaf6]

yes, it's great!!

[@ChloeSPBs]

I’ve just read and loved Last Night at the Telegraph Club - its a full novel version of her story from All Out! I’d love to see you compare thoughts when you get around to it

[@BooksandLala]

Omigosh cool!! See, I always forget these things! I bet people have told me this before and I just never remember 😅

[@KristinKravesBooks]

I loved that book! Now I need to read All Out!

[@joylynn0620]

I’ve recently decided that I have outgrown YA. Not saying that YA is not for mature readers-but that I no longer enjoy YA tropes. Instead, I enjoy reading middle grade for more lighthearted and fun reads. I’m saying this to say: I watched this entire video even though I had zero interest in reading most of the books you talked about. But this is generally the case as I mostly read fantasy and sci-fi with a smattering of romance, mysteries and literary fiction. I read maybe 2 to 3 horrors and thrillers in a year. And yet…your process is so fascinating, your video concepts so unique that it doesn’t matter. I truly enjoy your content.

[@Elix90]

I love this video concept SO MUCH! Oh my god, it's like my catnip, it's short stories, and gushing over favorites, and a bigger picture look at a bunch of author's full body of work. I'm also a stats gal, and I would have LOVED more stats in this video. Either a lofi version where you just write on paper/a tiny whiteboard and show us (like back in the closet unhaul days) or some graphics or something. I would have wanted the full list of all of the authors that you've read 5 star stories from displayed on the screen. Preferrably with how many stories each of them had, and potentially like color coded in some way to indicate which anthology they came from. These are much bigger and more time consuming videos, but, and I have to reiterate this once again, I LOVE THIS CONCEPT! Please make as much content around your anthologies and short stories collections and essey collections you want, I am so very here for all of it. Hit me with those pie charts and checklists!

[@druidbottles]

I read Vampires Never Get Old because of you and Rebecca Roanhorse's was also absolutely my favourite in the collection! That story blew me away, gave me such Lost Boys vibes.

[@myreadsbooks]

I do the same thing, constantly saying I’ll read more from authors I find through anthologies. Far Out is an amazing anthology with stories from authors like Seanan McGuire and Darcy Little Badger, so good! It intro’d me to my current favorite author Nino Cipri

[@zachzackzak]

Being mentioned startled me, lol! I love how the stats worked out for this.

[@BooksandLala]

Thanks so much for the idea bestie!! 🤗

[@shaelynp7630]

Your shirt is giving me Ann Pachett's Commonwealth vibes!! It looks like that cover - I didn't read it, but worked in a library, bookstores, I remember it well 🍑

[@janinehielkema]

Ooh loving this! It would be fun to wrap this up with ‘making’ your own perfect anthology! Your favorite authors to write short stories and genres etc.!

[@Cafe_Scribbles]

I loved Bone Witch and really enjoyed the start of the Truthwitch series.

[@anikamercier2651]

I loved this! So helpful actually. Can’t wait for your next video.

[@lenaheitmann4500]

No pressure but your videos currently are the only media I consume 🤠 I think I need to start another rewatch of the closet unhaul to fill the gaps between videos

[@dmonkey5000]

this is such a fun idea! I do the opposite - try short stories by authors I've read a novel from because short stories are not my go-to reading length

[@seeowlread]

Same. ^_^

[@Legokerry]

I don’t pick up short stories often but I could be tempted

[@THEcreeptacular]

I LOVED this video, I've been having thoughts about doing something similar with my anthologies and book collection so I really enjoyed watching you put in the work.

[@eryncreads1992]

The Hunger by Alma Katsu is one of my favorite books ever, I hope you read it and love it!

[@khaleesikate]

I LOVED The Madman's Daughter, though it's been a long time since I read it. The trilogy is quite cool. The first novel is a retelling of The Island of Dr. Moreau, the second is of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and the third is of Frankenstein. I remember them still flowing together really well, even though they're inspired by different sci-fi/gothic/horror classics.

[@AbiofPellinor]

I would *love* to see you reading some of these in a vlog!

[@littlemusic4x]

I really don’t read anthologies but now I really want too. Never thought about reading fantasy short stories but it’s a actually a brilliant concept

[@firewhiskeyreader8257]

I'm excited to see how the vlog goes as a spinoff of this! I think it will be so fun. I did enjoy Truthwitch, but I don't think it's as witchy as the name suggests. I mean, it is, but not exactly? I don't know how to explain that. Lol

[@BookEscapism]

loved that Scott Lynch short story! He has another short story titled In The Stacks, liked that one as well 😊

[@myammy01]

Unus, Dos, Tres from Three Sides of Heart is a vampire story! Justina Ireland's story from that anthology is the reason I picked up Dread Nation which was such a win. I would also suggest the 'Best Horror of the Year' series by Ellen Datlow.

[@jellyghostt]

I’m obsessed with the idea of you reading the lies of lock lamora

[@pucksandpaperbacks]

I love this idea! Anthologies are my favorite for this reason. Kayla Whaley is one of my favorites from the anthologies I've read and she finally has a chapter book series coming out in 2023.

[@ellaandersen7898]

Also I think maybe you would like the guilded Wolves… like with the friend group and some of the character dynamics.

[@ayemeh3638]

I actually think you'd like The Lies of Locke Lamora. It's vibes are very "Six of Crows but for adults", and it's one of my top 3 favourite books. It's also a series that I feel you can happily just read the first book without feeling like you have to continue on to get a complete story.

[@meljstephan]

Last Night At the Telegraph Club is so good - it's a full length version of the short story from All Out

[@holabooks]

I totally get what you mean about having a filming spot in the house that feels a lot more casual and chill 💜

[@witchymary5246]

I think you're confusing Cool for the Summer with Shes too pretty to burn by Wendy Heard, thats the dorian grey retelling. Very understandable, they look very similar and came out around the same time

[@BooksandLala]

Oh yeah, darnit! The covers are so similarly coloured with girls in sunglasses-thanks my friend, I will in fact have to go pick up Cool for the Summer from the library 😅

[@mandkips]

I do remember you saying you were in sort of a vampire mood and rin chupeco has an adult vampire story coming out in September… that might be something that interests you? Also Shaun David hutchinson’s story also became a full novel! I believe it’s called before we disappear

[@Punkersfictionreads]

Kayla A SLIVER OF DARKNESS BY CJ TUDOR was so good!!! I still can’t stop think about the first story! I can’t wait for you to read it!

[@sarybeth7063]

The Madman’s Daughter is a good read. Also, I love Rin Chupeco!

[@katiel1160]

For Susan Dennard I'd recommend Something Strange and Deadly over Truthwitch. Its a kind of steampunk Victorian novel with zombies and alchemy, its a bit strange but I think you'd enjoy it !

[@confessionofabookdragon]

I highly enjoyed The Madman's Daughter and want to reread it to continue with the series. And Bone Witch is something I want to pick up but you might like.

[@BrebearMckae]

Ok I LOVE this video concept!! 💕💕

[@WandasBestLife]

Your love for anthologies makes me want to pick one up. I used to love short stories as a kid but haven't read one in a while. I have a rec from an author you mentioned. I haven't finished the book yet but it's The Fisherman by John Langan. It's considered horror but it's focus seems to be about grief and I know that's one of your buzzwords. So far, the writing is beautiful and melancholic.

[@thewitchyreader6131]

Great TBR!

[@buttercupetc]

love this video! i need to dive into anthologies, I had to read many short stories when I was in a writing workshop and they often were some of the most creative writing I ever read. running to GoodReads to add some of these ones to my tbr 👀

[@niamhl6964]

I feel like there's a good chance you'd like The Gilded Wolves!! I loved it, the writing is so gorgeous

[@cricketreads4654]

Rin Chupeco wrote a YA series called The Girl From the Well. I generally don't read much YA anymore but it was really good and the second book The Suffering was even better!

[@LiteratureScienceAlliance]

Just saw Friday Black in that pile and I just got a copy of that recently and I am excited to pick it up!

[@KristinKravesBooks]

This video makes me want to read more anthologies. I always put them on my tbr but never actually get to them! I would love a vlog of you rereading your five star short stories!

[@krisprepolec5616]

My husband still says that the collection Wounds by Nathan Ballingrud was the best one he read that year it came out. He is an anthology editor and reads a lot of horror anthologies. Definitely worth a try.

[@annettes5623]

Nathan Ballingrud’s short stories are amazing, North American Lake Monsters was really good too!

[@kaortega1120]

Hi Kayla! I know I am very late to the party on this one but I am very interested in any YA Anthologies you would like to speak about. I have a few that you mentioned here and I am going to place a few more on my tbr - Thanks again for doing short stories, as well as all of your other content that I just love!

[@lightscamerasashley.]

aw I love this 💖 thanks for letting us be a part of your creative thinking process.. this was such a fun video ☺

[@TheeKookyWildflower]

I need to read more anthologies, but I need the patience to read them. I don't know. I read one or two stories within one, and I skip the rest. But, I read Blackout and I liked it. Go figure. Good post! Thanks. Oh, and blabber away! I don't mind.

[@Caster279]

My favourite fantasy books are The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch and The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss. Locke Lamora is a commitment, but if you liked The Lightning Tree with no context, you might like Silent Things. Piranesi gave me similar vibes.

[@rackncheese]

Oo, I love short story anthologies. For some indie authors to explore, I highly recommend The Book of Queer saints. Those stories were almost all awesome for me. Lost Signals was also really fun - that one's more of a mixed bag, but there are some really neat ones in there and they're weird in a way that makes me think you'll really vibe with that book.

[@tiffani_reads]

Rin Chupeco has a vampire book coming out in September called Silver Under Nightfall.

[@daryanreads]

i read all out recently and also LOVED dahlia adler and malinda lo's stories!

[@talentedreads]

Alma Katsu is one of my favorite authors - I know she's like Horror Historical Fiction and I thought I remember you saying you didn't like Historical Fiction so it would be interesting to see if you vibe with her books. My favorite from Alma Katsu is The Fervor and def read her acknowledgements in the back.

[@Jen-fantasyandfiction]

the gilded wolves is a fantasy heist story so you'd probably like it.

[@MrRorosuri]

I loved to see vlogs where you read books by the authors you love

[@marybell2897]

Emery Lord's books have gorgeous covers.

[@meaganleereads]

I'd love to watch a spinoff video! I've never read an anthology but you're making me think I should give one a go

[@ladynoluck]

I think one of Neil Gaiman’s more “fun” books/series/collabs would interest you! He’s also the one who wrote the creepier kids’ books like Coraline and The Graveyard Book, one of which could be a fun buddy read with your son in October!

[@alwaysreadingseason]

David A. Robertson's middle grade series the Misewa Saga is so good. I've read the first one twice and the third one just came out

[@KappaBooks]

Rin Chupeco is also releasing their first adult novel this year! its called Silver Under Nightfall and all i know is its about vampires, so its potentially perfect for your vampire era!

[@evanscarborough1761]

If you read Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch I would die of happiness... it is SO good

[@thefriesofLockeLamora]

It's one of my favourite high fantasy books.

[@Elix90]

Fair warning though, that series is unfinished, and due to what I've heard are health problems (don't quote me on that) it might never be. I'm always wary of starting a story that doesn't have an ending.

[@ellaandersen7898]

Would love to see you reread the marissa Meyer 5 ⭐️.

[@brand0n234]

I loooooved Universe of Wishes!!! I read it completely in one sitting and I gave it 4 stars

[@janina6206]

I would love for you to read THE HUNGER and I CAN TASTE THE BLOOD. They look so interesting!!

[@jaimeerindy4573]

I got 200ish pages into Lies of Locke Lamora and I was loving everything about it -- the writing, the characters, the plot -- except for the fact that it is so LONG! And it's done in a very specific way that makes the pacing... interesting. Personally I'm just not a huge fan of long books, so while I was enjoying myself I found it quite exhausting to read. I do plan on going back to it someday though!

[@RebeccaGatzlaff]

The Bone Witch is really good!

[@flipfloppoet4377]

I actually believe that you would like The Lies of Locke Lamora, but it is quite the commitment because every book in the series is on the chunkier side.

[@MinaReads]

😁 my day just got so much better

[@LuhvleeLexx]

I really enjoyed The Madman's Daughter, which is a YA retelling of The Island of Dr Moreau. It would be a great fall/spooky pick, and I think it didn't get enough love when they were coming out. You and I also don't agree on a lot of books lol but I'd love someone to feature this book and give it a shot.

[@israelbonet4313]

In toil and trouble zoraida cordova's story is the one she turned into the novel the inheritance of orquidea divina. If I'm not mistaken

[@leaisstillhere]

We totally have different tastes in books but I adore listening to all your reviews and opinions, haha

[@talkingtomyshelf]

I really need to pick up more short story collections wow

[@shellyseward6321]

David A. Robertson I have read many graphic novels. You might be interested in The Barren Grounds, book one of The Misewa Saga. It's a middle grade you could read with Liam. I have preordered The Theory of Crows (out next month) and I believe that one is adult fiction. Rebecca Roanhorse has a novella (Tread Of Angels) coming out in November. I was lucky enough to get an eARC and loved it.

[@angeldawn]

This is such a good idea since I always read anthologies and go 'wow, that was so good!' then immediately forget to follow up later...

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

This is actually such an interesting idea! There’s some gems in anthologies so why not read more from those authors!

[@christinacarolins.6303]

I agree with a what most said about Truthwitch. It's not as witchy. So if you want to give Susan Dennard a go 'The Luminaries' comes out in november and that sounds like it has a more mystery & witchy vibe.

[@ember9210]

I'm making my way through the Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy anthologies edited by John Joseph Adams with guest editors and think you'd enjoy them if you haven't already for adult anthologies! lots of names you mentioned and that I've seen you read before. there's been a yearly edition since 2015 and they all slap, but the 2020 has an audiobook on Hoopla and was especially excellent to me.

[@luca.desu.2590]

Now that you're in your collections by 1 author era, I want you to read Maria, Maria by Marytza k. Rubio I think you'd like or love it! It's Latin American magical realism and weird in a very good way! One of my all time favorites!

[@zehnmalp]

Rin Chupeco is publishing a vampire novel this fall!

[@Laura-gg7in]

i just pre-ordered the gathering dark, which is an anthology of folk horror!

[@BooksandLala]

Yesss I have that one ordered as well! It's full of authors I've given 3⭐ to, but I just can't resist a horror anthology! 🤭

[@sofiastj]

You just convinced me to read this.

[@Laura-gg7in]

@@BooksandLala i pretty much just fell in love with the cover!

[@Ilove77bvb]

Ahhhhh!! Where did you get your shirt??? I love it so much!!!!!

[@amyreadsall]

Just added The Bone Witch to my TBR because of the cover alone. 😄 So would love for you to read as well.

[@tillytomjones]

Gilded Wolves could be a hit or miss for you I'm not really sure but... I kinda loved it and it kinda gives Six of Crows vibes but I kinda liked it more because it leans a little more into the heist aspect... but I really couldn't begin to guess if you'd actually enjoy it but it would be super interesting to hear your thoughts on it.

[@andeeheartsbooks7447]

Would love for you to read The Lies of Locke Lamora! It is unique, Locke is so clever and funny. Other than the Broken Earth series (which I also loved) what is your favorite other fantasy or fantasy series? I am picky about my fantasy and was hoping for another hit! Thanks!

[@booksandwoof6420]

If you ever wanna try holly black for any reason I would actually reccomend the darkest part of the forest. I read it ages ago and loved it. I don’t rly read YA anymore so i was shocked by how much I enjoyed it when I reread it.

[@GisellesBookGarden]

I think you would really like the Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black. That's the only thing I loved by her.

[@Lulu-qv3wf]

I would love to see you read The Cruel Prince, just out of curiosity and because Holly Black is the only person who does fae in an interesting way (I usually *hate* faeries), but yeah, I'm sadly not sure it would work for you! Esp. the first book takes a while to build up to a plot twist (although it's a very good plot twist). I will say it's the best enemies-to-lovers I've ever seen.

[@megwithbooks]

💕💕💕

[@witchymary5246]

I would love to see you read more from Alma Katsu!

[@moonmagister]

Roshani Chokshi has an adult book coming out next year called ‘The Last Tale of the Flower Bride’ and the comp titles are Mexican Gothic and Addie LaRue, so that might be a good place to jump on if you’re not sure about her YA.

[@moonbook12]

At 25:05 omg fun fact this book (last night at the telegraph club) is based on the short story in that anthology you just talked about (I think you should read it only because of that, even do I didn't like the romance)

[@sylviaatipova6341]

So glad I've met another reader who couldn't get into Neil Gaiman. I felt quite alone until now...

[@sarahlefkowitz7985]

While I've read and loved the Truthwitch series, I don't think it's going to be what you're looking for as a "witchy" book. A lot of the magic is much more elemental and somewhat like the Avatar the Last Air Bender show. Susan Dennard has something that sounds a little more witchy/paranormal coming out this year but it's not until November. I did read and love The Gilded Wolves (and it's sequel, the 3rd book is still sitting on my TBR shelf...) I think when it was released it got a lot of unfair criticism of stealing from Six of Crows simply because it was a YA heist novel but there was a lot of good diverse representation and the setting of late 19th century Paris was fun. Rin Chupeco has an adult vampire novel, Silver Under Nightfall, releasing in the first half of September that you may enjoy more than The Bone Witch. I am very excited to see the video that comes from this though, this was such an interesting idea! Every time you talk about anthologies I stare at all the ones sitting on my shelf and think about prioritizing them, one of which is A Universe of Wishes!

[@amylouise7289]

I loved this video!! It was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. So excited for the vlog too 😁 I remember the drama of dangerous women from the closet unhaul haha! You’re tempting me to pick up rogues though! Edit: I would love for you to read the bone witch because I’ve been indecisive for years about whether to pick it up and I would love to hear your thoughts!

[@bookswmadi]

Well now I need to see you read Scott Lynch. I need to know you opinion as someone who owns Lies of Loch Lamora but has failed to read it so far

[@breezeereads]

Thank you soooo much I've been looking for more short stories! side note- where did you get your shirt? Its ADORABLE.

[@milo1241]

this is not an anthology nor is it really a recommendation but i’ve heard very complicated things about jawbone by monica ojeda and it struck me as something you might be interested in? love the videos - they are highlights of my week