I’ve read a lot of short stories in the last couple of years from different genres. Here is the list of the ones that I loved in 2025. I’ll get to the previous ones eventually.
The Skylight Room by O’ Henry is an interesting and engaging story. Generally, I am a fan of the author, so it’s not surprising that I enjoyed reading this story. This story follows Miss Elsie Leeson, who rents the skylight room at a boarding house. She has a typing job, but she does not earn much, and this small attic room is the only place she can afford. It kept me engaged in the story from the beginning. It is a story of struggle with the author’s signature twist ending. I loved reading it.
The Three Questions by Leo Tolstoy
The Three Questions by Leo Tolstoy is a short story. It is about a king who seeks answers to three questions: What is the right time to do things? Who are the most important people? What is the most important thing to do? This story is my first step delving into the author’s writing, and I feel it was a successful one. The writing is engaging, along with interesting themes, which kept me invested. Furthermore, the story is philosophical in its themes, but not preachy. I really liked reading it.
Cat in the Rain by Ernest Hemingway
Cat in the Rain by Ernest Hemingway is a short story. This story is set in an Italian hotel and focuses on an American couple who are stuck in the hotel room because of the rain, when the wife spots a cat hiding and trying to stay out of the rain. The story explores the loneliness and the need for emotional connection in subtle but poignant ways. Hemingway’s writing always has depth, even in a short time span. It’s more bittersweet, but a very good read.
The Looking Glass by Anton Chekhov
The Looking Glass is a short story written by Anton Chekhov. I have read many of Chekhov’s short stories and enjoyed all of them. This one was no different. In this story, a young woman named Nellie is daydreaming about her life with her fiancé while staring into a looking glass. The story focuses on the reality versus illusion. As a daydreamer, I could relate to the way Nellie’s character imagines her life. It shows our tendency to romanticise our lives. I enjoyed the blending of reality with imagination during the course of the story. I simply loved this story.
The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin is a short story. It follows Louise Mallard, a woman who has a heart condition. Her sister and her husband’s friend come to see her. They want to break the news of the death of her husband in a train accident. For a short story, it explores the themes of gender roles and identity in a powerful way. It makes us ponder the way our society works, and as a reader, you need to think of the answers. I loved reading this story.
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Books and blues 