Can you recommend some good short story fiction books?

Sure. 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson is a great short fiction. It's a very thought - provoking story that shows how blindly following traditions can be dangerous. Another one is 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor. It has complex characters and a lot of religious undertones. And 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway is also excellent. It's a simple yet deep conversation - based story that leaves a lot to the reader's interpretation.

Sure. 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson is a great short fiction book. It's a chilling story that explores the dark side of human nature within a small community. Another one is 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor. Her unique writing style and exploration of morality make it a classic short story collection.

Sure. 'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorne is a great short romance fiction. It's about two co - workers who seem to hate each other but there are underlying feelings. Another one is 'Eleanor & Park' by Rainbow Rowell. It tells a sweet and poignant love story between two misfit teenagers.

One great short realistic fiction book is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's a short but powerful story that shows how blindly following traditions can have cruel consequences. Another is 'A&P' by John Updike. It tells a simple story about a young man's decision in a grocery store that reveals a lot about society and growing up. Also, 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a short yet impactful piece about a woman's mental state and the restrictions placed on her.

Sure. 'The Speckled Band' by Arthur Conan Doyle is a great short crime fiction. It's a Sherlock Holmes story full of mystery and suspense. The way Holmes deduces the solution is fascinating.

Sure. 'The Martian' by Andy Weir is a great one. It's about an astronaut stranded on Mars and his struggle to survive. Another is 'Flowers for Algernon' by Daniel Keyes. It tells a poignant story of a man whose intelligence is artificially enhanced. Also, 'A Sound of Thunder' by Ray Bradbury is excellent. It explores the concept of time travel and the consequences of small changes in the past.

Sure. 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens is a great short historical fiction. It gives us a look at Victorian England and the social issues of that time, along with the themes of redemption and the Christmas spirit. 'The Call of Cthulhu' by H.P. Lovecraft also has historical elements, set in a Lovecraftian version of the early 20th - century world. And don't forget 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, which reflects the social class differences in France during a certain historical period.

Sure. 'The Sandman' by Neil Gaiman is a great one. It weaves together various mythologies and has a very dream - like quality. Another is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, which is a short but impactful horror - tinged fantasy story. And 'The Emperor's Soul' by Brandon Sanderson, it has a unique magic system set in an interesting world.

Sure. 'The Gift of the Magi' is a great short story that can be related to 'by and by' in a sense. It shows how a couple sacrifices for each other and in the end, they realize the true value of their love over time. It's a heartwarming story about love and selflessness.

One excellent short story book is 'The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe'. His short stories are often dark and mysterious, like 'The Fall of the House of Usher', which is full of gothic elements and psychological depth.