Every short story collection I own! | 100+ Books 📚

In which I talk to you about more than 100 books, do a bookshelf tour, have a clear out, and read the beginning of six new books. Grab a cup of tea! x
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If you like my videos and podcasts, please consider supporting me on Patreon: / jenvcampbell
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MY BOOKS:
THE GIRL AQUARIUM: tinyurl.com/yc6tn9xs
THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT tinyurl.com/lnz5bb6
FRANKLIN’S FLYING BOOKSHOP: tinyurl.com/hlsgkjq
FRANKLIN AND LUNA GO TO THE MOON tinyurl.com/yb2xnuv2
FRANKLIN AND LUNA AND THE BOOK OF FAIRY TALES: tinyurl.com/y2g9wqv5
THE BOOKSHOP BOOK: tinyurl.com/qbs3d2p
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Things mentioned:
BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007...
BBC National Short Story Award 2020 anthology: commapress.co.uk/books/the-bb...
winner will be announced on BBC Radio 4 on 6th October 7:15pm.
The Child by Ali Smith www.blithe.com/bhq9.1/9.1.01.html
review of People in Our Neighbourhood: • How Much Can I Read in...
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WHO I AM
Hello, my name's Jen. I'm an award-winning poet and short story writer. My debut short story collection 'The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night' is published by Two Roads, and my children's books 'Franklin's Flying Bookshop,’ ‘Franklin and Luna Go To The Moon’ and ‘Franklin and Luna and the Book of Fairy Tales’ are published by Thames and Hudson. I'm also the author of the Sunday Times bestselling 'Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops' series, 'The Bookshop Book,' 'The Hungry Ghost Festival’ and ‘The Girl Aquarium.’ I run writing workshops, give talks at universities & book festivals on a variety of topics, judge literary prizes, and take on freelance writing and editing. If you would like to speak with me about the possibility of working together, please get in touch via email: [e-mail] x
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Where to find me:
Website: www.jen-campbell.co.uk
Editorial services: www.jen-campbell.co.uk/editorial
Writing Workshops: www.jen-campbell.co.uk/writing...
Twitter: / jenvcampbell
Instagram: / jenvcampbell
Patreon: / jenvcampbell
Events: www.jen-campbell.co.uk/events
Podcast: www.jen-campbell.co.uk/podcast
Facebook: tinyurl.com/3o3s4d2
Goodreads: tinyurl.com/hs8nxjm
Email: [e-mail]
(Since starting KZbin, some of you have been asking what's wrong with my hands. This should answer any questions :) tinyurl.com/z3kzk24.)
This video is very kindly sponsored by the BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University. All opinions, as always, are my own.
Books marked with * were sent to me by publishers for an honest review.

[@jenvcampbell]

BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0079gw3 BBC National Short Story Award 2020 anthology: commapress.co.uk/books/the-bbc-national-short-story-award-2020/ winner will be announced on BBC Radio 4 on 6th October 7:15pm.

[@eyrecester]

I’m seriously asking myself whether Christmas hasn’t come early this year, because this looong autumnal video is such a treat 🤩

[@jenvcampbell]

I'm so glad!

[@RahulSingh-books]

waiting for the poetry shelf now! enjoyable video.

[@jenvcampbell]

Thanks, Rahul!

[@fozzymup268]

Yes please to the poetry book shelves video Jen! 💕📚

[@jenvcampbell]

I'll add that to the to-do list :) x

[@taylorrae3316]

I always start feeling more like myself when autumn comes around. 😊🍂🧡

[@jenvcampbell]

The best season 🍂

[@ShukriAbdullah]

Omg close to an hour video! A treat!

[@anise8975]

I was happy that the Kelly Link collection that won the vote was Magic for Beginners because it really is her strongest work. I liked the story you mentioned about the fairies, and also a story called Catskin and the title story itself Magic for Beginners is also wonderful. I recently started Get in Trouble and sadly I'm a bit disappointed. The stories are still really good but the magic is a bit lost for me. I still recommend it, as well as her other collections Pretty Monsters and Stranger Things, but it's good that you started with Magic for Beginners.

[@sadiesarrazin]

How to Breathe Underwater by Julie Orringer is a gorgeous collection. Thank you for highlighting Orringer’s writing. Her book is such a treasure. Another beautiful video, Jen. Thank you for all you do. ❤️

[@raneemfathy2581]

So glad you’re feeling better, may you always feel really really good 💕❤️💕

[@allison5234]

Absolutely yes please to clearing out your poetry collection! This was such an unexpected treat for today. I hope you are well. Also, your fall fashion is on point and I adore your outfits! Lots of love x

[@bookishm]

Hey Jen, I’ve only just discovered your channel about a week ago. I’ve watched lots of your videos very quickly because they’re all so good! I just wanted to say how much I’ve been enjoying your videos, your passion really shines and I’ve found so many more book for my, already huge TBR. Thank you✨

[@jenvcampbell]

Thank you! x

[@santersgrotto]

I always seem to add so many books to my wishlist after watching one of your videos. Your channel opened me up to the world of short story collections and I am so grateful for that, thank you

[@sophiaz.1083]

these long videos give me life

[@SL-ld8nz]

Good morning ☀️. Thank you 🙏 this was wonderfully fun. Yes please poetry would be great!!

[@ameerahalgohary]

That was lovely. The last short story collection that I read and loved was yours "The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night" ❤️

[@selenerrrrrs]

The way you describe Sweet Home makes me think you'd really enjoy Black Light!

[@RoisinsReading]

I love your dungarees! Feeling really drawn to fox based clothing this autumn

[@sophiaz.1083]

Yesss to the poetry books!

[@junpi8562]

That short story you linked to is going to stay on my mind for quite a while!

[@Emmie4497]

These videos are always so comforting! Would love a similar vlog for with your poetry bookshelves!

[@jenvcampbell]

Noted! Thanks, Emma ♥️

[@mradcaqbdb]

Great fun! I too loved both Revenge and People From My Neighbourhood. I have a few more that you also have including What Does It Mean When A Man Falls From The Sky, Salt Slow, and Get In Trouble and two of Kirsty Logan’s, all unread at this point. Must work on that! I definitely need Weird Woods! I like that it’s a British Library book! I will also look up the Carys Bray. Thanks! OOH! And yours! Which you very kindly autographed and shipped to me!

[@Larissa_KD]

I'm not even really taking in a lot of this video because I'm just so sad today (Dutch government announced more covid restrictions and I'm scared and anxious about the whole situation), but it was really nice to just zone out and look at a lot of pretty books

[@moonbook12]

Agree but I'm form Israel

[@lisxsa]

I loved 'heads of the colored people' so much! I'm trying to read more short story collections and this was the perfect start for that! Also you just inspired me to finally get my hands on a copy of 'how to breathe underwater', can't wait to dive into it. This video was so much fun and such a good inspiration for people like me who are looking for short story recommendations ☺

[@cloudbusting88]

Broadwater is really really good! ♥️

[@notebookphile]

Poetry bookcase, yes yes! Also, my favourite short story collection (alas, I have not read that many) is Self-Help by Lorrie Moore I think.

[@pandaaaaa4]

I should not be watching this... I should not be watching this... I should not be watching this... I'm too broke and busy for this video Jen, have mercy on meeeeeeeeeeeeee *likes the video and adds to my watch later playlist, and tbr cart*

[@moonbook12]

Maybe you can check of your library has them or ask them to put in the library?

[@pandaaaaa4]

@@moonbook12 I asked my library to order some books, it's been a year and still haven't seen them. I don't think my library has the funds for new releases. Most of the stuff on the shelves are very old stuff. It's kinda why I use my library app to support them but I really wish the town council invested in the library, it lacks a lot of resources.

[@angelicabalia6143]

Woo! Made it to the end XD Just kidding, the more books the better! I recently read a short story anthology called "A change is gonna come". There's about ten YA short stories and two poems by BAME authors (including Ayisha Malik and Nikesh Shuckla), and with the exception of one I loved it all! Every story is a different genre, there's romance, dystopian, historical, the lot! I really recommend it. Also the nature description from The Beadworkers really reminded me of "The house without windows" by Barbara Newhall Follett, which blew my mind earlier this year

[@indubitablyzara]

Favorite short story collections: Things to Do When You're Goth in the Country by Chavisa Woods; I'm Fine, But You Appear to Be Sinking by Leyna Krow; You Think It, I'll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld; both of Roxane Gay's short story collections; and Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado. I also really love a lot of Ted Chiang's short stories, but his collections probably aren't among my favorites as collections (if that makes sense). My favorite short story of his is "Tower of Babylon," from Stories of Your Life and Others.

[@quirkydee45]

I'm glad the collection I most want to hear your further thoughts on ( You Will Never Be Forgotten) went straight onto your TBR pile. :) I bought it after hearing you mention it on here, and though I took a break from it after the first story (I'm very much a mood reader, and while sometimes lately I *do* want to read some weirder, darker stories, other times I just want a happy escape), I'm planning on getting back to it this month as my version of a kinda spooky read.

[@jesskathan]

Favorite collections- Grace Paley (any of them), Everything that Rises Must Converge- Flannery O'Connor, The Refugees- Viet Thanh Nguyen, Like Life- Lorrie Moore, Interpreter of Maladies- Jhumpa Lahiri. :)

[@Chocolatetart88]

Thanks for a wonderful video Jen. My fav short stories collections are: Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls and Einstein’s Dreams. There’s a story in the former about an ant colony living in a model’s body which will stay with me forever. X

[@aishwaryavr8055]

It's amazing the amount of books you remember and keep relating to them 😱😱 I can't even remember the book I read yesterday 😂😂

[@heloisafreitas2054]

I love to watch your videos! I always open goodreads on another tab :)

[@ghanshyamsingh3653]

Thanks for the Hats Off Jen! It was as amusing as reading a collection of awesome and Brilliant short stories...😇💙👍👍👍

[@leslierobertson385]

I hadn't read short stories since school, then came across Ken Liu's collection The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories. It's wonderful (in the literal sense of the word) and strange and made me realize I had been missing out by ignoring this medium! Now onto NK Jemisin's collection. Thanks for all the suggestions Jen!

[@jenvcampbell]

Oh, I have that, too 🙈 it’s so big it’s on a different bookcase because it wouldn’t fit there. Thank you for reminding me 😂 x

[@MatthewSciarappa]

I'm so delighted you're reading Knots! 🥰

[@jenvcampbell]

Thanks for the recommendation 😘

[@alisonmassey9998]

This was such a great video to have on in the background, and as illuminating as ever. Would love to see you do it with your poetry shelf as well!

[@teanlit2949]

I'm loving your little fox overalls!!!!

[@jenvcampbell]

Thanks! They’re from this company. I love their fun clothes ☺️ www.runandfly.co.uk x

[@teanlit2949]

@@jenvcampbell thank you so much for sharing!!!!

[@AshishKumar-sr5qs]

Your video is the only joy in my life. Like literally. I'm in the hospital because two days ago I found out that I have a tiny tumor growing in my damn brain.

[@cloudbusting88]

Best wishes to you, Ashish!

[@jenvcampbell]

Sending lots of love to you, Ashish! ♥️

[@missburn]

Wow, I'm sorry 😕

[@Erikachoi_]

Take care~~~~

[@SM-vr8dz]

I’m a huge fan of short stories. In fact, it’s my favourite form. I read a short story collection every month. Interested to hear your thoughts on all those short story collections. One of my favourite collections is Nalo Hopikson’s Skin Folk. I also think you wld like it. I’m also a fan of Etgar Keret’s Suddenly, A Knock Atthe Door. I read this one when it first came out, but the title story still sticks with me to this day.

[@priscillacosta1307]

Lovely and cosy video as always! So many books, so little time INDEED 😭

[@kimswhims8435]

Foreign Soil by Maxine Beneba Clarke is one of my favourite short story collections. Also love a couple I didn't see in your collection "Carnage" by Tara June Winch and Carys Davies "Some New Ambush".

[@grahamandmain]

so many interesting books! thank, thank you.

[@jenvcampbell]

Thank you x

[@tirarosaurioreads]

Aaaaah I had just been looking for this video! I knew there had to be a video about short stories in your youtube channel and now that I found it, it sounds like paradise

[@judybrown1624]

I've read The Accusation, 4* I'd keep Salt Slow just for that cover!. I too have many short story collections. I need to start reading one a day. I have done that at times and really enjoyed starting my day with a story.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Well this was bloody brilliant! I want them all 🤣

[@paulwinchell6904]

That was worth every minute. Thank you.

[@jenvcampbell]

Thank you, Paul.

[@CharlesHeathcote]

This is quite brilliant. You've inspired me to go and take stock of the books on my shelves. I adored Heads of the Colored People and hope that should you read it, you do so as well. I'm also reminded of the fact that I haven't read a short story collection in the longest time which is a shame. I must rectify this sharpish.

[@Nastya-uj9bg]

yes!!! same about murakami!!

[@Nickelini]

Read Daydreams of Angels! Heather O’Neill is amazing

[@judybrown1624]

I think my favorite collection of all time is Fortune Smiles by Adam Johnson. If you haven't read it, I think it's one you'd like, if not love.

[@josie2956]

I would love to know your thoughts on Ramona Ausubel's Awayland - I also love A Guide to Being Born and wasn't sure whether to get Awayland as I've read a few disappointed reviews x

[@jacquiz.6837]

Just fyi, Sequoia Nagamasu is a guy. He's an alumnus of my MFA program and I got to meet him twice. He's lovely!

[@jenvcampbell]

Thanks, Jacqui! This is clearly what happens when whizzing through so many books, ha. x

[@tirarosaurioreads]

I watched the whole thing! I would love you to do this with poetry too! One of my favorite short story writers is Julio Cortázar :)

[@jenvcampbell]

I have done it with poetry. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnq3lGZmhcd6fZo x

[@Applepopess]

This was excellent! 📚

[@jenvcampbell]

Glad you liked it ♥️

[@ChaoticBibliophile]

Oh no! I missed the poll. In any case Get in Trouble by Kelly Link is one of my favorites this year, and I hadn’t realized she had more collections. I must get them 😍 Also, your Ali Smith short story collection is amazing!

[@chiming_]

I adored My Name is Leon. But book reviews of her other books don’t seem that high - in my opinion, and hence I didn’t read her other works. Would love to hear your thought on Supporting Casts - and is it ok that I haven’t read for other books to appreciate the stories of these supporting casts? Would be great if you can share your thought on this one. Thanks!

[@Readinordertolive]

I really liked Dinosaurs on Other Planets and Foreign Soil. I have several stort story collections which I have not read and need to.

[@jwatson11]

Share those autumn feelings! 🍁☕🔥🍃🍜🍂🌰🎇🎃

[@jenvcampbell]

Indeed! x

[@thereadersarmchair9093]

So many of these sound amazing.

[@jenvcampbell]

Which ones are top of your list? x

[@thereadersarmchair9093]

Jen Campbell I have whittled it down to: Your book 😀 Flowers of Mould A Collapse of Horses A Witness of Waxings 🥳

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

I just added way too many books to my TBR - if way too many books were a thing.

[@sophiaz.1083]

i was wondering: have you already read "Wilder Girls" by Rory Power? I feel like that could be right up your alley....

[@jenvcampbell]

No, I don't tend to read YA xx

[@hannahmaggs5835]

I’ve got your dungas! Awesome choice!!! Xxx

[@jenvcampbell]

Haha, Run&Fly are fun, aren’t they? I have one of their dinosaur pinafores, too 🦕 x

[@hannahmaggs5835]

Jen Campbell yeah I have dinosaur, bees, space and foxes dungarees lol x

[@jenvcampbell]

Haha, I admire your dedication. x

[@Gagging4Lit]

For some reason I keep thinking you look very French in the second outfit haha xoxo

[@ReadwithStefani]

Off topic but where is your phone case from 📱 appreciate the effort in this video, I have not read many anthologies this year 😁

[@jenvcampbell]

It’s from this company ☺️ www.cyrill.com/collections/apple-iphone-collection?tag=iPhone%2011&sort=created-descending x

[@tirarosaurioreads]

I cant find that Outsiders book where your short story is :_ Do you have more info on it? I couldnt hear well the publisher I am afraid

[@jenvcampbell]

www.3ofcups.co.uk/shop/outsiders

[@tirarosaurioreads]

Thank you so much, you are very kind@@jenvcampbell

[@jkvwmlyajvcozaxrarlw3276]

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