There are many great novels to enjoy worldwide, but sometimes some of the best stories can be found in collections of short stories or in magazines and newspapers. When you’re short on time, these tales are a perfect way to entertain and stimulate your mind while also getting in your daily reading. Here are some short stories to read in your free time.

“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson was published on June 26, 1948 in The New Yorker magazine. This is a dark reimagining of what a lottery can be used for. In the story, a small town prepares for their annual lottery in which one person in the town is selected to be the subject of their odd ceremony. As the reader reads on, there is an unnerving vibe as the town acts in a somber way while they collect rocks for their annual ritual. One by one each family places their names into the dreaded community box which will decide who will be the town’s sacrifice by the end of the day.

“The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allen Poe is a creepy and bizarre story that was published in 1842 by Graham’s Magazine. The story follows the tale of a medieval style kingdom ravaged by a mysterious and deadly disease, the Red Death. The Red Death is a leery entity that causes those affected to bleed from pores and die within days. In the story, Poe’s signature dramatic and bold imagery creates an overarching feeling of drama as a small group of nobles try to avoid the Red Death within the Prince Prospero’s castle as the peasants die by the millions just outside the castle doors.

“An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” also called “A Dead Man’s Dream” by Ambrose Bierce was published in 1890 by Tales of Soldiers and Civilians. The short tale revolves around the final moments of a man, Peyton Farquhar, who is about to be hung for supporting the confederacy. Just before Peyton Farquhar is about to be is executed, he remembers his life, and all the events which added up to his ultimate demise which the reader learns about through flashbacks. The finale of the story is both saddening and suspenseful, as the Farquhar imagines returning home only to die within his dream.

“All Summer in a Day” is a short story written by Ray Bradbury, the author of Fahrenheit 51. The story was published in 1954 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. The story follows the life a young girl, Margot, who lives on the planet of Venus. On Venus, (according to the story) there is only one day with only one hour of sun, and all the other days are dark and rainy. Due to this rare occurrence, Margot and her fellow classmates adore the sparse hour of sun they are given. However due to Margot being the outcast of the class, one year the class decides to trap her in a closet, depriving Margot of her hour.

“The Monkey’s Paw” was written in 1902 by W.W Jacobs about a couple who is given a magical monkey’s paw by a friend. The paw grants any three wishes for those it is given to, but each one has a supernatural price. The story begins with the couple wishing for a large sum of money which causes their son to die. Then, they wish for their son to rise from the dead. The son returns to the family’s house but is no longer a normal human being causing him to scare his parents.  As his parents fear for their life they finally make their last unknown wish.

“The Gift of the Magi” is a touching tale about a wife and a husband who are preparing to give each other their Christmas gifts. In the story, the wife wishes to buy a watch for her husband, but in order to do so she must sell her hair. Meanwhile, the husband decides a hairclip is the perfect gift for his wife, but must sell his chain to acquire the hairclip. When the two finally do exchange their gifts, they are naturally shocked to find that the other sold what was most valuable to them to buy their gifts. In the end however, the couple is happy even if they could not use the gifts, because they realize each other’s sacrifice. The story was published in 1905 in the New York Sunday World. 

“The Most Dangerous Game” also known as “The Hounds of Zaroff” is a short story written by Richard Connell that was published in the Collier’s in 1924. In the story, a hunter named Whitney goes hunting in Rio de Janeiro with one of his friends, Rainsford, and then the two go sailing home. During their travel home, Rainsford becomes startled after hearing a gunshot in the far off distance, and decides to investigate it only to fall overboard. Once overboard, he decides to swim to the island after being stranded when the ship leaves where he meets the hunting fanatic, General Zaroff. Zaroff is obsessed with hunting to the point where he hunts other humans for sport, with his newest victim being Rainsford.  t

Short stories are a form of entertainment that can are a great way to fill up extra time while also stimulating your mind. Start reading, Bobcats!