Six of the Best Short Stories I've Read This Month: Amy Hempel, Raymond Carver, Anton Chekhov + more

[@williammarshall6438]

Love how raw and unbuttoned you present the videos; feel like you'd make for great conversation.

[@oversharer]

1:56 "in the cemetery where al jolson is buried" by amy hempel 4:10 "why don't you dance?" from _what we talk about when we talk about love_ by raymond carver 6:32 "genesis" by ashleigh bryant phillips 11:00 "enemies" by anton chekhov 14:47 "the long and painful death" from _walk the blue fields_ by claire keegan 17:47 "show don't tell" by curtis sittenfeld

[@7jarrow]

I loved ‘why don’t you dance’ Intriguing, leaves you with the feeling of missed opportunities and something sinister. People can be very complex and messed up.

[@agwriting]

Completely agree, great way of putting it.

[@adaladammyn]

thank you for this video! i’m not a native english speaker, but i have a pretty decent level of english. i really want to get in reading books in english, so i’m starting with short stories. your recommendations are really helpful! ps. i love how calm and cozy this video feels :,)

[@virginiaanderson8875]

Thx - have a safe journey!! Love Clare Keegan - thx for sharing

[@BrightLights67]

I'm surprised to say I've read the first two short stories you mentioned in a writing class. My favorite short story the teacher shared was one called Hole by Andrew Porter. Thanks for the videos Alex

[@agwriting]

Just read Hole, and wow it was good. I need to take whatever class you're in, that ending is just incredible. So glad you've enjoyed the videos.

[@bmaei5]

Love Hempel. Currently reading the short stories of Bennet Sims.

[@shakaylah]

Love short stories, i gotta read these. Last short story i read was chess story by stefan zweig, loved that one.

[@agwriting]

I've heard great things, need to check it out for sure

[@sshheell]

I’ll have to check out a few of these short stories. I love Claire Keegan! Have you read and the earth drank deep Ntsika Kota? Short story from Eswatini.

[@agwriting]

Sorry for taking so long, I just read it! Really well constructed story, I enjoyed it a lot. Love that he was only referred to as "the hunter," that has an interesting effect.

[@sshheell]

@@agwriting No problem about taking long! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I also found that interesting, how the character was referred to as "the hunter", it almost keeps us (the reader) at a precise distance.

[@mickey4355]

My favorite short story is “Death of a Traveling Salesman” by Eudora Welty. Simple story but contains some really deep emotions. I’ll have to check out George Saunders. I just finished “A Little Life” and now I’m reading “Lessons” by Ian McEwan. Have you read/heard of those?

[@agwriting]

Just read Death of a Traveling Salesman this morning! I liked it -- good mix of simple plot with great dialogue, especially the woman repeating herself, that was a perfect detail. Also loved this line: "This time tomorrow he would be somewhere on a good graveled road, driving his car past things that happened to people, quicker than their happening." I haven't read A Little Life, though I do have it. Just a big undertaking, though I'll get around to it. I've heard of Lessons too, I need to read some of his stuff.