THE BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES 2025

These annual collections of best short stories are a mixed bag, especially for audiobook listeners. Even before a cast is assembled, the preferences of that year's guest editor have determined how broad or narrow the range of voices, tones, and attitudes will need to be. The good news is that this year's cast is one of the better ensembles-- diverse but compatible, each distinctive, none mismatched. This year, too, the match of voice to story is especially important. Nearly every story is sprawling and expository; not one is supported by a strong storyline. All benefit mightily from a skilled narrator. Of the eight, Eric Yang and Almarie Guerra are particular standouts. The stories themselves, alas, are just so-so. D.A.W. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2025]