Short Stories That Will Haunt You Forever

by Alana LaBeaf

"Short Stories That Will Haunt You Forever"

Sound familiar? Okay, I admit that this one was inspired by a Facebook post that was making the rounds several months ago. Or maybe it was Twitter. In any case, it wended its way through my book-centered feed and got my mind going:

As a former middle school English teacher, I truly hope I gave this gift to some of my students. If not, here’s my next best chance:

  "The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

 "The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe

 “The Horla” by Guy de Maupassant

 “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce

 “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin

 “A Good Man Is Hard To Find” by Flannery O’Connor

 Literally anything by Joyce Carol Oates

 "The Man in the Black Suit” by Stephen King

 And for my dear friend H, “Love and Hydrogen” by Jim Shephard

I'm sure there are many more recent titles that drift a bit further from the white male canon than Oates, Jackson, O’Connor, and Le Guin are able to do (mighty though they are). What short stories have stuck with you? Any newer authors of horror and psychological thrillers you would recommend? Share your favorite horror fiction recommendations with us by the end of October to be entered into a drawing to win a collection of short stories by Stephen King. Drop your recommendation in our “Patron Picks” basket on the first floor of the library, share with us on social media, or email your recommendation to reference@fdlpl.org

Alana LaBeaf is the Information and Outreach Services Coordinator for the Fond du Lac Public Library.