The speculative is a space in fiction where the unexpected and impossible can creep in. It can encompass whimsical magical realism, satirical dystopia, alternate histories and fantasy grounded in the quotidian.
These recent collections of short stories all deal in the speculative fiction realm but vary in approach and tone. Some are pure dread and paranoia, while others are full of sly humor. Some are dreamy and some horrific. Some draw from folk and fairy lore and some from the brutality of the modern world.
Take a look and find one to suit your mood!
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Myth and apocalypse combine in these stories of the architecture beyond our reality that intrudes on everyday life. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby, as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.
Cotman’s speculative tales of near-immortals of Pittsburgh and nightmare volleyball tournaments play with genre to create fresh perspectives.
Jemc creates atmospheres of dread, suspense and paranoia in the worlds created in the short stories of this collection. You can also check out this title as eAudio on Hoopla.
These are stories that tap into the primal fear of the unknown and ask what is the weirdest and worst thing that could happen. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby, as eBook on Hoopla or as eAudio on Hoopla.
This collection contains darkly humorous, enchanting and horrific stories of women on the verge of strange and momentous changes in their lives.
A collection of short fiction that shows the practicality of human behavior in the face of the fantastic, in stories told with humor and an eye for the outlandish. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.
The women in this short story collection experience strange and uncanny changes in their bodies – from lack of sleep, puberty, fame and more. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby, as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.
The impossible and unsettling are the norm in this award-garnering collection of stories. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eBook on Hoopla.
A volume of previously uncollected short fiction from one of sci-fi and fantasy’s acclaimed writers. You can also check out this title as eBook on Hoolpla.
A debut collection of odd, charming and dreamy speculative fiction focusing on Black lesbian characters.
Baker probes the fine line between everyday America and dystopia in a series of cautionary and satirical stories.