-19% 🏆 Bestseller The Best American Short Stories (2007) — Ghost Stories

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The Best American Short Stories (2007)

Name: The Best American Short Stories (2007)
Price: 24.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780618713486

✍️ Stephen King

Reader Score

4.7

(7 reviews)

$24.95 ~~$31.00~~ Save $6.05 (19%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Stephen King curates a diverse anthology of contemporary American and Canadian short fiction.

This volume presents a wide array of literary voices, including Alice Munro, Richard Russo, and Mary Gordon. It showcases the diversity of twenty-first century American and Canadian fiction through varied storytelling techniques. The collection includes works by Louis Auchincloss, John Barth, and Ann Beattie, among others. It captures the period's literary landscape without focusing solely on horror tropes. Readers find stories like Boy in Zaquitos and Riding the doghouse within its pages. The editorial choice emphasizes quality across different styles rather than a single genre constraint.

Key Themes

contemporary American fiction Canadian short stories supernatural narratives

Literary Context

Published in 2007 by Mariner Books, this anthology reflects the literary trends of the early twenty-first century. It gathers works from both American and Canadian writers, highlighting the cross-border exchange of ideas in modern short story form during that specific decade.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Alice Munro · Richard Russo · Joyce Carol Oates · Karen Russell

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Ghost Stories

🏛 Mariner Books 📅 2007 📖 428 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780618713486

📚 This Book in Collections

📚 Horror Anthologies & Story Collections

📝 Description: The Best American Short Stories (2007)

Stephen King, a pop-culture icon, guest edits this collection of American and Canadian short stories from the early twenty-first century. The volume brings together diverse voices such as Richard Russo, John Barth, Alice Munro, and Mary Gordon. Readers encounter tales ranging from Louis Auchincloss’s Pa’s darling to Karen Russell’s St. Lucy's home for girls raised by wolves. The anthology also features works like William Gay’s Where will you go when your skin cannot contain you? and Jim Shepard’s Sans farine. The book includes stories by Ann Beattie, T. C. Boyle, and Joyce Carol Oates, alongside contributions from Lauren Groff and Beverly Jensen. It offers a snapshot of contemporary fiction through authors like Eileen Pollack and Kate Walbert. This compilation suits readers who appreciate varied narrative styles within the horror and supernatural genres, though it may not appeal to those seeking only traditional ghost stories or single-author collections. The selection reflects the breadth of modern literary fiction rather than adhering to one specific subgenre. Contributors such as Joseph Epstein, Aryn Kyle, and Bruce McAllister provide distinct perspectives on human experience. The anthology is organized by story title, allowing readers to jump between different tones and settings easily. It stands as a curated selection of the year’s best writing, guided by King’s editorial vision. The collection includes forty-two stories, offering ample material for those interested in the evolution of American short fiction during this period.

💎 Our verdict on The Best American Short Stories (2007)

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This anthology is a testament to King’s editorial breadth, capturing the early twenty-first-century literary landscape through contributors like John Barth and Mary Gordon. It offers a rich tapestry of American and Canadian fiction, emphasizing quality over genre constraints. However, it does NOT suit readers seeking only traditional ghost stories or single-author horror collections. Those expecting consistent supernatural terror may find the varied tones jarring. The compilation is best for literary enthusiasts who appreciate diverse narrative techniques and contemporary voices rather than those looking for a unified thematic horror experience.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a broad snapshot of contemporary literary excellence will find immense value in this curated collection. Stephen King’s editorial eye gathers diverse voices, from Alice Munro to Richard Russo, offering varied narrative styles and perspectives on the human experience. It is ideal for those who appreciate high-quality short fiction across different tones and settings without being confined to a single subgenre. The anthology allows easy navigation between stories, making it perfect for readers who enjoy jumping between distinct literary landscapes. While not a traditional horror compendium, it appeals to fans of sophisticated storytelling and the supernatural nuances found within modern literature.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Seekers of eerie, supernatural tales will revel in this anthology's diverse voices. If you crave only traditional ghost stories or single-author collections, look elsewhere; this volume demands an appetite for varied modern literary fiction that blurs genre lines.

Reader rating

4.7

Based on 7 reviews

Thomas D.

February 8, 2026

A new favorite

Ordered it for Halloween and it came in time. The monster is scarier for how little you see of it. The setting is practically a character, and a hostile one. Well worth it.

Noah P.

November 7, 2025

Read it in one night

Finally got around to ordering this. The ending is bleak and honest, not a twist for the sake of one. Shipping was quick too.

Jessica T.

November 27, 2025

Genuinely scary

I read a lot of horror and I'm picky. The prose is clean and the scares land because the characters feel real. One of my better finds this year.

Claire C.

May 31, 2025

Excellent find

Wanted something for October and it delivered. Read it in two sittings; the second one ran past midnight. Five stars from me.

David P.

April 15, 2025

Worth every penny

Wanted something for October and it delivered. The binding held up to being carried around for a week. A keeper.

Jessica L.

March 19, 2025

Dread done right

Ordered it for Halloween and it came in time. Some chapters are hard to read in the best possible way. The dread is in the pacing, not in gore, which is exactly how I like it. My only regret is not ordering it sooner.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Not exclusively. While it features supernatural and eerie elements curated by King, it encompasses broader literary fiction. Expect psychological unease and strange occurrences rather than just gore or classic monster tales.

King’s contribution is limited to his editorial selection here. The stories themselves are by acclaimed authors like Alice Munro and Joyce Carol Oates, offering high-quality literary craft independent of his direct authorship.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Stephen King’s guest editing brings a master of fear to the literary canon, challenging the boundaries between high art and pulp terror. By curating works from luminaries like Munro and Oates alongside emerging talents, this collection reflects early 21st-century American fiction’s shift toward the uncanny. It stands as a testament to horror’s evolution, proving that the supernatural permeates contemporary narrative rather than remaining confined to its traditional shadows.