Short Story Book Challenge to start on 1st Jan 2026, coming up

I’m putting this short story challenge together to post here soon.

Thanks to @DebiCates❤️ for suggestion to start it here when she saw



on AnishaInkspill’s Shorts.

In the meantime, share which short stories you want to read for these 26+6 bonuses short story prompts.

And what is it about short stories that keeps you reading them?

>2 AnishaInkspill: I'll get back with you on which short stories I think will work for some of these prompts. I need to think about them. Or--maybe--I'll read short stories I had planned to read and see how they might match a prompt; then nearer to the end find targeted stories that likely will match.

Any chance you'll be giving each prompt a topic of its own in the group?

I love short stories because they don't dilly-dally with "darling" indulgences. Typically they are extra precise in language and imagery. That's not to say that they don't have big ideas to share, not at all. They can be as powerful as a novel but are their unique own art form, not merely "little novels." I enjoy that flavor of immersive--brisk, deep, and refreshing. No slogs in short stories, no slow parts in short stories. Nothing is there that isn't driving us to their intended experience and destination. And you can have all that art and story and amazement in about an hour.

Or at least that's why I love them. I look forward to hearing why others love them too.

Oh, and thank you thank you for setting this up. I'm ready for exactly this.

>3 DebiCates: thinking this through, it does sound much more fun to read the stories to see which prompts they fit.

Any chance you'll be giving each prompt a topic of its own in the group?

yeah, I can do this, 26 prompts + 6 --- that sounds like a lot of topics to start. Maybe this doesn't matter.

Whilst I'm putting this together, I'll give it some thought of how I can do this.

>4 DebiCates: and you're welcom and that's great.

>5 AnishaInkspill: May I suggest creating a new group where 32 prompts wouldn't be swimming among so many other topics in this group? And pin one topic so its always at the top: a directory of links to all 32 topics.

Or even, do it here, but also include that handy directory of links to all the 32 topics within each of the individual topics (so no matter how one discovers it, there is a cross referenced of links). Perhaps also for each topic start the topic title with the same unique identifier (like "26 for 2026") so that a topic could be searched and result in this subset of the Short Story group.

Sorry if I'm being overbearing. I really don't mean to be. I'm just thinking as a newbie and ways that my newbie self could keep up with something I really want to participate in.

I am intrigued by this idea, not sure if I can commit to participating formally but I also enjoy short stories and don't prioritise them enough!

>7 elenchus: Short stories have become a pleasure I've recently remembered to indulge. Also thin novels. And poetry.

I'm seeing a personal theme here.

I like thin books, I cannot lie.

I'm interested!

>7 elenchus: ok and feel free to join in with the discussions, or share the stories you have read, or complete as many prompts as you want

>9 GraceCollection: oh brilliant - reposting, not sure what happened the first time

>6 DebiCates: having a group of its own makes sense, and this is v helpful.

I am totally into this!
Every year l intend to read more short stories but lose my momentum.
Maybe this is the year l will keep up and finish some of the SS anthologies that have sat on my shelves for years.

>13 nrmay: me too, but this year I thought no, I really want to do this and put together this challenge to do this.

>7 elenchus:, >9 GraceCollection: and >12 AnishaInkspill:

hi, just letting you know the group is set up -- I have a few more pages to set-up but feel free to join the group now, you can find it here https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/25000/26-Short-Stories-for-2026

and >8 DebiCates: has v kindly started a discussion page here https://www.librarything.com/topic/376199 whilst I catch-up

and >7 elenchus: I hope you join and feel no pressure to read and enjoy short stories at your pace.

Yes! I see this as a healthy reminder and supportive structure, not pressure. Will join and see if it helps nudge me in productive ways, but no worries if it doesn't and I imagine I'll get something out of other member discussions even if I don't end up reading more.

>16 elenchus: that's great, and you c an also start your own personal short story journal to keep a trek of your journey, this link explains more https://www.librarything.com/topic/376264