OP,

Have you read Alice Munro?

I sort of agree, but with a lot of exceptions I love the short stories of sveral of the authors mentioned plus others like Jhumpa Lahiri and Melissa Banks. I also very much enjoy the short stories in the New Yorker, plus the compilations they publish once in awhile. But who cares - read what you enjoy!

What? I love short stories!! There is more going on than plot in them. Sometimes you can read them 2-3 times and find different meanings. try O. Henry, Ring Lardner, Langston Hughes, Ernest Hemingway. My favorite genre!!

For literally 20 years, the ONLY short story I ever liked was The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson. Then a few months ago, I read a book that was a collection of short stories by Tom Perotta. LOVED IT!

I agree! But I also loved Olive Kitteridge.

So agree OP!

I agree.

I very much agree!

One exception was the book "Olive Kittredge" which switched between one character and short stories in the same town. I remember enjoying the book.

agree.

If you don't want to read short stories, I don't blame you for that. However, if you are open to finding stories that might wow you, try T.C. Boyle. His short stories are awesome (and much better than his novels.) And Alice Munro is a genius. You pretty much get a novel in 10,000 of her words. Brokeback Mountain was a long (short) story before it was a movie. You can read it here: http://www.taosmemory.com/oscar/BrokebackMountainNovle.pdf

I agree with OP with exception of Lorrie Moore. I like her short stories better than he novels.

OP, I'm with you.

Short stories are a different art form than the novel. Every sentence counts and packs a punch in good stories. Give Raymond Carver or Ann Beattie or Alice Munro a try if you have not already.

I feel the same way.

I love fiction and read widely among new books but can't get into short stories. That period of committing to a new book is so tentative, like starting a new relationship. I can't stand getting into the characters and plot and settling down and then having to start over in 40 pages or so. The only exception is portmanteau collections where the characters intertwine.