Book List

Best Short Fiction of 2018

  • FICTION

    FRIDAY BLACK

    OCT. 23, 2018

  • FICTION

    THE RIGHT INTENTION

    MARCH 6, 2018

FICTION

THE RIGHT INTENTION

by Andrés Barba ; translated by Lisa Dillman

A gorgeous, fully realized collection in which each novella can be appreciated on its own as well as in concert with the... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    EVENING IN PARADISE

    NOV. 6, 2018

FICTION

EVENING IN PARADISE

by Lucia Berlin

No dead author is more alive on the page than Berlin: funny, dark, and so in love with the world. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    YOUR DUCK IS MY DUCK

    SEPT. 25, 2018

FICTION

YOUR DUCK IS MY DUCK

by Deborah Eisenberg

These brilliant stories invoke the desire for something other than what you've been given, which applies to us as much as to... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    FLORIDA

    JUNE 5, 2018

FICTION

FLORIDA

by Lauren Groff

A literary tour de force of precariousness set in a blistering place, a state shaped like a gun. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    HOW ARE YOU GOING TO SAVE YOURSELF

    AUG. 21, 2018

FICTION

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO SAVE YOURSELF

by JM Holmes

The publisher says Holmes is working on his first novel. This collection makes you thirst for whatever’s coming next. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    THE LARGESSE OF THE SEA MAIDEN

    JAN. 16, 2018

FICTION

THE LARGESSE OF THE SEA MAIDEN

by Denis Johnson

American literature suffered a serious loss with Johnson's death. These final stories underscore what we'll miss. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    TODDLER HUNTING

    OCT. 26, 2018

FICTION

TODDLER HUNTING

by Taeko Kono ; translated by Lucy North

Kono should be an electrifying discovery for English-speaking lovers of short fiction. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    WILD MILK

    OCT. 1, 2018

FICTION

WILD MILK

by Sabrina Orah Mark

Stories in which laughter is sometimes the only response to sorrow, beauty is strange, and love is fierce and unending. A... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    HEADS OF THE COLORED PEOPLE

    APRIL 10, 2018

FICTION

HEADS OF THE COLORED PEOPLE

by Nafissa Thompson-Spires

In an era when writers of color are broadening the space in which class and culture as well as race are examined,... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    LAST STORIES

    MAY 15, 2018

FICTION

LAST STORIES

by William Trevor

As always, Trevor navigates the rough seas of human relations with a new angle, fresh language, deep sympathy, and uncanny... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

More Book Lists

The Magazine: Kirkus Reviews

Featuring 325 reviews of fiction, nonfiction, children’s, and YA books; also in this issue: interviews with Colm Tóibín, Amy Tan, George Takei, and Bianca Xunise; and more

subscribe
  • kirkus star
  • The Kirkus Star

    One of the most coveted designations in the book industry, the Kirkus Star marks books of exceptional merit.

  • kirkus prize
  • The Kirkus Prize

    The Kirkus Prize is among the richest literary awards in America, awarding $50,000 in three categories annually.

Great Books & News Curated For You

Be the first to read books news and see reviews, news and features in Kirkus Reviews. Get awesome content delivered to your inbox every week.

Thank you!

Close Quickview