yes, but not as much as I read novels. every once in a while I'll come across a book of short stories that piques my interest, and I'll give it a go. if I like it, I'll read more by that author. most recently that was Jason Ockert, I loved all 3 collections of his. last year I read a bunch of Lauren Groff.

I feel like it's harder for an author to pull me into short stories than it is to pull me into a novel, but I think the payoff for me is the same either way. they require some different skills, but good writing is good writing.

world of goo. still my favorite experience in almost 40 years of pc gaming.

I live in Maine, and didn't know about pine and roses. thanks for the heads up.

canoeing, woodworking, ask historians, and maine.

npr book concierge, the booker prize longlist, my wife, and browsing the library/bookstores.

The Archive of Alternate Endings by Lindsey Drager is my absolute favorite.

honorable mentions:

• Slumberland by Paul Beatty
• A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
• Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
• Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
• The Thought Gang by Tibor Fischer
• The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
• The Cider House Rules by John Irving