[bread man]

I'm looking for some short stories to read to help me with a short story class I'm taking this semester. I really like J.D. Salinger and Flannery O'Connor, and Chekhov is obvious. I like some of Bukowski's stuff but it gets pretty depressing after a while and I much prefer his poetry. My tutor also recommended checking out Raymond Carver and I really like the two I've read so far. Anyone got any recommendations?

[Skeeter]

I would recommend picking up some anthologies of short stories; that way you can figure out who you like to read without dropping money on one writer that you might not enjoy.

For something a little different, I recommend Flash Fiction Forward, which is a collection of short short stories. There are some real gems in there.

[Pre-Ex-Girlfriend]

I had to read a bit of Tim O'Brien for a class once, and I enjoyed it. Here's a link to one.

[thelitguy]

I have 2 anthologies you must read!

First, would be McSweeney's Mammoth Treasury of Thrilling Tales. It features many of today's best writers doing short stories about manly subjects.

Also, if possible, you should track down the Golden Argosy. I picked it up after reading that is Steven King's favorite book ever, and rightfully so. It only had 2 printings back in the 50s, but I've had success finding it easily in used book stores or thrift places.

Tracking this down is totally worth it, I promise you!

[scarlet.starlet]

Ooh I know! Read T.C. Boyle's stories. It's like 700 pages of hilarity split into three sections: Love, Death, and Other.

[bread man]

Thanks everyone!

[Kenny C.]

Jorge Luis Borges is pretty essential.

[MtlMom]

Ray Bradbury is a given.

[Mattlock]

Gabriel Garcia Marquez has some good stuff, so does Julio Cortazar, though I don't know if the latter has been translated to English (I haven't seen anything.)

Both are magical-realism (I'm sure you're familiar with Marquez), so it might not be your cup o' tea, but defnitely worth checking out.

Miranda July's book "No One Belongs Here More Than You" is good, too, although very, very, very strange.

[BassDave]

Originally Posted by MtlMom

Ray Bradbury is a given.

Issac Asimov is too

[Jonodude]

H. G. Wells has some interesting short stories--basically science-fictiony, of course. I think they are freely available at Project Gutenberg, too.

[ryan a johnson]

I would second the Raymond Carver and Tim O'brien. Although I think O'brien at times tries a little too hard to be heartwrenching, but when he's on, he's on.

You should also check out Breece D'J Pancake. Absolutely beautiful writing.

[thelitguy]

I've been reading lots of Wendell Berry lately. It's reads like a more poetic Flannery O'Connor.