The Greatest "Anthologies, Contemporary, Fiction" Books Since 1980

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Genres

Anthologies

Anthologies are collections of literary works, such as short stories, poems, or essays, compiled into a single volume. These books often showcase the works of multiple authors, providing readers with a diverse range of perspectives and styles. Anthologies can be organized around a theme, genre, or time period, and are often used in classrooms or book clubs as a way to explore different literary voices and themes. They offer readers the opportunity to discover new writers and to appreciate the breadth and depth of the written word.

Contemporary

Contemporary books are a genre that focuses on stories set in the present day, often exploring current social, cultural, and political issues. These books are typically written in a modern style and often feature relatable characters dealing with real-life situations. Contemporary books can cover a wide range of topics, from romance and family drama to coming-of-age stories and thrillers. The genre is constantly evolving to reflect the changing world we live in, making it a popular choice for readers who want to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and issues.

Fiction

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  1. 1. Selected Stories of Alice Munro by Alice Munro

    This collection of short stories offers a comprehensive view of the author's narrative talent, showcasing her ability to create complex characters and situations that reflect the human condition. Set in various locations, from small Canadian towns to exotic foreign locales, each story delves into the intricate relationships, personal struggles, and quiet triumphs of its characters. The author's writing is marked by her keen observation, psychological insight, and the ability to convey the extraordinary within the ordinary, making each story a unique exploration of life's complexities.

  2. 2. Bad Behavior: Stories by Mary Gaitskill

    "Bad Behavior: Stories" is a collection of short stories that delve into the darker, often unexplored aspects of human relationships and behavior. The narrative navigates through the complex world of love, lust, power, and obsession, focusing on characters who are often marginalized or misunderstood. The stories provide a raw, unfiltered view of human nature, exploring themes of sexual deviance, emotional vulnerability, and societal norms.

  3. 3. Open Secrets: Stories by Alice Munro

    "Open Secrets: Stories" is a collection of eight short stories that delve into the complex lives of women, exploring themes of love, loss, and the secrets that bind and divide people. Set in various locations, from small-town Ontario to Australia, the stories feature characters grappling with their pasts, negotiating relationships, and confronting the mysteries of life. The narrative oscillates between past and present, revealing the profound and often unsettling truths hidden beneath the surface of ordinary lives.

  4. 4. Obabakoak by Bernardo Atxaga

    Obabakoak is a collection of interconnected stories that revolve around the inhabitants of a fictional Basque village named Obaba. The stories, which are a blend of the magical and the everyday, explore the complexities of human nature, as well as the rich history and culture of the Basque region. Themes of love, fear, tradition, and change are woven throughout, offering a nuanced and evocative portrait of a community and its people.

  5. 5. The Love of a Good Woman by Alice Munro

    "The Love of a Good Woman" is a collection of eight short stories, each delving into the complex nature of relationships, particularly focusing on women. The narratives explore various themes such as love, betrayal, death, and the often overlooked intricacies of everyday life. Set in small-town Canada, the stories are filled with characters grappling with their desires, secrets, and the unexpected turns of life, offering a profound and nuanced exploration of human behavior and emotions.

  6. 6. Lantern Slides by Edna O'Brien

    "Lantern Slides" is a collection of short stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships and the intricacies of life in Ireland. The narratives, rich with the author's lyrical prose, explore themes of love, loss, and the struggles of the human condition. Through a tapestry of vivid characters, from young girls to old men, the stories capture the nuances of Irish society, its traditions, and the transformative power of storytelling itself. The book serves as a poignant reflection on the bittersweet nature of existence, where moments of joy and sorrow are intertwined, much like the ephemeral images of a lantern slide show.

  7. 7. Dangerous Laughter by Steven Millhauser

    "Dangerous Laughter" is a collection of thirteen short stories that delve into the surreal and fantastical. Each narrative explores unique themes such as a town that becomes obsessed with silent laughter, a man who constructs an enormous tower in his backyard, or a group of teenagers who play a dangerous game of fainting. The stories are filled with rich imagery and intricate details, creating a world that is both familiar and strange, blurring the line between reality and illusion.

  8. 8. Oblivion: Stories by David Foster Wallace

    "Oblivion: Stories" is a collection of eight thought-provoking short stories that delve into the complexities of the human mind and the struggle to understand reality. The stories explore a range of themes, from corporate culture and advertising to insomnia and existential dread, often blurring the line between reality and illusion. The characters are often trapped in their own minds, wrestling with their perceptions and struggling to make sense of their world. The narratives are filled with intricate details, complex narratives, and challenging themes, reflecting the author's unique style and keen insight into the human condition.

  9. 9. Night Circus And Other Stories by Ursula Kovalyk

    "Night Circus and Other Stories" is a collection of interconnected tales that explore the lives of various characters in a small town. From a young girl's fascination with a mysterious circus to a woman's encounter with a peculiar stranger, each story delves into themes of love, loss, and the extraordinary moments that shape our lives. With lyrical prose and a touch of magical realism, the book invites readers to step into a world where the ordinary and the extraordinary collide, leaving a lasting impression on both the characters and the readers themselves.

  10. 10. The Largesse of the Sea Maiden: Stories by Denis Johnson

    "The Largesse of the Sea Maiden: Stories" is a collection of five short stories that explore the human condition in all its raw beauty and despair. The stories weave together themes of death, loss, and redemption, with characters ranging from an advertising executive facing a terminal illness to an incarcerated man reflecting on his past. The narratives are imbued with the author's signature blend of grit, grace, and dark humor, offering a poignant exploration of life's complexities and contradictions.

  11. 11. Love And Longing In Bombay by Vikram Chandra

    "Love And Longing In Bombay" is a collection of five interconnected stories set in the bustling city of Bombay. Each story explores themes of love, loss, and longing, as characters navigate their way through the complexities of relationships and the challenges of modern life. From a detective investigating a mysterious disappearance to a struggling actor caught in a web of deceit, these stories offer a glimpse into the diverse lives and emotions of Bombay's inhabitants. With richly drawn characters and evocative descriptions of the city, the book captures the essence of Bombay and delves into the universal experiences of love and longing.

  12. 12. Bug Week & Other Stories by Airini Beautrais

    "Bug Week & Other Stories" is a collection of short stories that explores the complexities of human relationships and the impact of everyday occurrences on individuals. From a woman's obsession with bugs to a couple's struggle with infertility, the book delves into various themes such as love, loss, and the search for identity. With its vivid storytelling and diverse characters, the collection offers a captivating glimpse into the intricacies of human nature.

  13. 13. Fortune Smiles: Stories by Adam Johnson

    "Fortune Smiles: Stories" is a collection of six short stories that delve into love, loss, politics, and technology. The stories take readers across the world, from East Berlin to Louisiana, offering a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. Themes explored include the struggle of a former Stasi prison warden in a reunified Germany, a woman dealing with a disease that causes her to compulsively shop, a man trying to help a North Korean defector adjust to new life, and a Louisiana man who cares for his dying non-communicative wife.

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download