Can you recommend some great contemporary realistic fiction short stories?

Sure. 'Educated' by Tara Westover is a remarkable piece of realistic contemporary fiction. It's about her journey from a very isolated and strict upbringing in a Mormon family in Idaho to getting an education and finding her own identity. 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens is also worth reading. It combines a mystery with a coming - of - age story set in the marshes of North Carolina. Additionally, 'Little Fires Everywhere' by Celeste Ng is great. It delves into the lives of different families in a suburban town and the secrets and tensions that exist among them.

Sure. 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry is a classic. It tells the story of a young couple who sacrifice their most precious possessions to buy gifts for each other. Another one is 'A&P' by John Updike. It shows a young cashier's perspective in a grocery store. Also, 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a thought - provoking story about a woman's mental state.

One great realistic contemporary fiction book is 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green. It tells the story of two teenagers with cancer and their journey of love and self - discovery. Another is 'Educated' by Tara Westover, which is a memoir that reads like a fictional tale of her escape from a strict and uneducated upbringing in a survivalist family to pursue education. Also, 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens is a popular choice. It has a beautiful setting in the marshlands and a mystery at its core, exploring themes of isolation, love, and the power of nature.

One great example is 'A&P' by John Updike. It's a story that vividly depicts a moment in the life of a young cashier in a grocery store and his reaction to some girls who come in wearing bathing suits. Another is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It shows a small town's disturbing annual tradition in a very real - yet unexpected - way. And 'Cathedral' by Raymond Carver is also notable. It tells a story about a man's encounter with a blind man and how it changes his perspective.

Sure. 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green is a great one. It tells the story of two teenagers with cancer falling in love. Another is 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' by Jenny Han, which focuses on a girl whose secret love letters get sent out. And 'Eleanor & Park' by Rainbow Rowell is also popular, depicting the relationship between two misfit teens.

Some great contemporary fiction short stories include 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love' by Raymond Carver. His minimalist style is very effective in portraying the mundanity and complexity of love. 'Harrison Bergeron' by Kurt Vonnegut is another one. It's a satirical take on equality and the suppression of individuality in society. Also, 'The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas' by Ursula K. Le Guin makes readers question the cost of a utopian society.

It's a great piece of contemporary realistic fiction. 'Great Gilly Hopkins' likely delves into real - life situations and emotions in a modern context. It probably has well - developed characters facing common yet complex human experiences like family issues, friendship, or identity struggles.

One more to consider is 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens. It has elements of mystery but is also a story about a girl growing up alone in the marshes, facing prejudice and finding her place in the world. And 'Americanah' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, which looks at race, identity, and love in the context of a Nigerian woman in the United States.

One great book is 'The Hate U Give' by Angie Thomas. It deals with important issues like racism and police brutality in a very real and engaging way. The main character, Starr, witnesses the shooting of her unarmed friend by a police officer and has to find her voice to speak out.

Sure. 'The One and Only Ivan' by Katherine Applegate is an excellent choice. It's based on a true story about a gorilla in a shopping mall and his journey towards a better life. 'Wonder' by R.J. Palacio is also popular. It focuses on a boy with facial differences and how he copes with school and society, teaching important lessons about kindness and acceptance.