In compiling my personal anthology, I picked twelve of my favourite short stories. I didn’t think too much about similar themes, just what grabs me. What shakes me up. Lots of my choices are Irish and I think that’s a wee bit to do with recently moving here – to Belfast – and a lot to do with the absolute brilliance of Irish writing across the island. Thereseems to be a couple of themes, around body and horror, as well as a distinct love of vernacular.
I was an avid short story reader in my teens and twenties. Drifted a bit in my thirties – life, work, kids, dysfunctional relationships etc. Lockdown 2020 got my short story radar working once more and I also started writing again, after a thirty-year hiatus. I hope you enjoy my choices!
A Personal Anthology 