Junot Díaz’s second collection of short stories, This Is How You Lose Her, is one of the biggest titles of the season and our September cover story. This week, two BookPage readers will win their own copies!
First, if you haven’t already, check out our interview with Díaz in our September issue. Second, read an excerpt from one of the best stories in the collection, “Otravida, Otravez.” And third, enter this contest to win your own copy!
TO ENTER: Leave a comment about whether you prefer novels or short stories, and why.
CONTEST DETAILS: Two winners will be chosen by random.org from among entries received by 5 pm CST on Friday, September 14. Each winner will receive a copy of This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Díaz. Prizes must be shipped to a North American address, and Rhode Island residents are not eligible. (Full contest rules here.) Good luck!
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ETA: Congratulations to our winners, Mary Ann and Mary! They both prefer novels but enjoy short stories with the flow of a novel.
Thanks to all who entered! Contest is now closed.
I like both novels and short stories equally. Each one fills a different slot in the reading world, almost like comparing apples and oranges.
I would love to win Junot Diaz’s new collection of short stories!
I do prefer novels to short stories…I feel in many cases that there is more substance to a novel, although that is not always the case. There have been some short stories that I’ve loved and gotten a lot out of.
I prefer novels, because they last longer. When I am immersed in a story, I want to stay there for a while:)
I prefers novels since they are lengthy, more substantial and give me more enjoyment and pleasure.
Short stories. They are shorter.
I prefer novels to short stories since there is usually more character development in a novel. Short stories are great for train rides and waiting in the doctor’s office.
Both! If I’m having a problem with concentration a short story is the answer. I do enjoy novels though. I try to immerse myself in them. The perfect escape!
I enjoy reading novels. Short stories are just okay reading for me. I just
don’t seem to enjoy them so much as reading a full length book.
On the whole, I prefer novels to short stories. However, I will only read Stephen King’s story collections. I love all of them. I have never been able to complete one of his novels.
I love novels, a rich engrossing story that transports you to a different place and one that you stay at for a couple of months.
Ohhhh….I am soooo looking forward to reading this! Thanks for a great giveaway!
I haven’t read many short stories (just some Poe and Henry James) but would love to read more.
Katie
Novels, you get a better sense of the characters!
Novels have always been my choice because I become immersed within the pages and love that feeling.
I enjoy short stories because they are tightly written and concise…
I usually prefer novels because they sweep you away from reality longer.
I love short stories. Yes, they are short, but that just means that every sentence, every word, has to have impact and build to the single effect of the story (paraphrasing Edgar Allan Poe). If the author can get you invested in the story and characters in that short amount of time, you know it’s good writing.
I usually prefer novels, but I do love short stories. It’s been a while since I’ve ready any.
I’m an equal opportunity reader. I used to read only novels but over the past several years I’ve come to discover and really enjoy several short story collections.
I love to read anything I can get my hands on! Long or short or in between, it doesn’t matter as long as it is well written!
While I really appreciate a good short story, I prefer novels as I love to feel immersed in a story for a period of time, and I love the way plot and character development occurs in a longer book.
I tend to prefer novels because they give more time for character development and plot.
I prefer novels. I had to read short stories in high school/college and never much cared for them, they were too short!!!! I love a novel that has time to build and you fall in love with the characters or mystery/plot. My hardest time is when it’s a good book NOT wanting it to end! Some novels (When Crickets Cry, Charles Martin) just need to keep going like Stephen King books, page-wise, not content!!!
Novels- once you start getting into short stories, they’re over!
I love short stories. Some of the best pack a whole lot of story in a little bit of words.
I’ve always preferred novels to short stories since you get a more detailed description of the characters and story lines and hopefully, a satisfying ending. Short stories always seemed to end abruptly with me wanting more.
I love both, for different reasons! I love short stories for ease. I find them fascinating when they pack a punch in just a few short pages. I love the diversity in one book!
I prefer novels but I have read some great short stories too. Joyce Carol Oates “Where are you going where have you been? “, The Day I ate whatever I wanted” by Elizabeth Berg, “You know when the men are gone” by Sioban Fallon.
I prefer novels because I love a story to flow. But I do enjoy short stories that have a distinctive flow.
For the most part, I do prefer novels over short stories. Two books of short stories that I highly recommend are The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman and Three by Flannery O’Connor: Wise Blood, The Violent Bear It Away, Everything That Rises Must Converge.
I prefer novels but short stories that weave into a book work,too!
I like both, and they each have their own place — short stories are great for reading at work, I can usually read one story during my breaktime. Problem is, some short stories are like Lay’s potato chips, you can’t eat/enjoy just one!
I prefer novels to short stories but I love short story collections that are connected. Recognizing a character from a previous story is like meeting an old friend.
I like both formats. Novels are for evenings with my feet up and a cup of coffee. Short stories are great for lunch or commute.
It depends on what I’m in the mood for, but I like both novels and short stories. I do find it harder to choose a good, solid short story collection than a novel. Many readers seem to favor novels, so I don’t hear of many good short story collections. However, I love Miranda July’s No One Belongs Here More Than You. One of my favorites!
(Fingers crossed to win the contest!)
I usually prefer novels to short stories for the plot development but I am currently reading a book of short stories and enjoying it very much!
Novels. I feel like I get to know the characters more intimately.
I’ll admit I generally prefer novels. I need a little bit more time to attach myself to the characters and the story (though not much more time). There are notable exceptions, like Jeffrey Archer and Kurt Vonnegut, and I am always on the lookout for an author who writes short stories that I can love.
I actually prefer novels, but I sprinkle them with short stories, on about a 5 to 1 ratio. I just love fiction in any form.
I usually prefer novels. I like to get lost in what I’m reading…the time period, the characters, the setting. The length of a novel is more conducive to that for me.
Well, I like a mixture of both. I like to delve DEEP into the lives of others and kinda live along with them. Then to break it up, I like the quick, short, to-the-point, stripped-down-to-the-basic essential events that presents you with a dilemma that takes you right to the heart & challenges a decision be made.
Novels because once I know the characters in a good novel, I don’t want it to end.
I love to immerse myself in a novel; short stories are over before they’ve even begun.
I prefer novels because the characters, plot, and themes have plenty of time to marinate and simmer, thus producing a more satisfying experience.
Short stories are like a tasting menu with many exquisite selections. Take a bite, savor it and move on to the next delight. Novels are a complete meal in one sitting. Both are filling and equally satisfying.
I prefer a balanced diet of both. Short stories are a great introduction to an author’s longer novels. Some of my favorite authors (Stephen King, Alice Munro, Sherman Alexie) write both great short stories and novels. Novels are great for long(er)-term relationships, short stories are great flings that can deliver as much character and world as a a novel easily read on the go. I’ve put way too much thought into this, and I still can’t decide.
Sounds like a delightful book of stories that I would LOVE to read
I do like them both a lot, but novels win by a hair. I think it takes a master to pull off a good short story, but I like getting a better feel for the characters and getting lost in the world more.
I prefer novels to short stories because a novel has much more room to explore big ideas and extended character development. However, as many other commenters have noted, novels that consist of a series of short stories really are the best.
I’m usually more satisfied by well-written short stories than one epic, story.
Depends. I read novels more, but I wouldn’t say I prefer them. Short stories have their place.
Novels are my choice,but sometimes my moods control what I read,and time…
I like the short stories,but like a great novel too.
I have to have a little of both, along with some poetry.
I prefer novels, but remember some short stories become novels later.
I tend to be more drawn to novels, but every once and a while I really feel a pull for short stories. That said, I’ve got a soft spot for novels that read like interlinked short stories, or short stories that weave together to feel like a novel (however you want to phrase it).
I prefer novels. I especially enjoy audio novels!
I love them both. Short stories for snippets that do so much with so little (and for when I’m short on time). Novels for more in-depth reading and enjoyment.
I prefer novels, but I have discovered some fantastic short stories along the way.
For me there is no competition- I’ll choose a novel over a short story collection any day. (Unless we’re talking about Junot Diaz’s new book!!) I love getting lost in a novel–the breadth of the story, walking away feeling as if I know the characters. That being said, there are writers whose work makes me sigh and I’ll read anything they write.
Novels! More time to get attached to the story and characters. Short stories, however, are great at giving you unanswered questions (aka Raymond Carver is my jam).
I prefer novels because there’s more page time for character and plot growth.. which means more time for me to feel invested in their story.
I love books, paper of course, I love to live another life in another world, be it for a short while or a long one, so there is no answer to which I prefer, short, or long. If it was entertaining then I keep the book, if it wasn’t then I give it away to somone I don’t like or leave it on a bus or a train. I hope this answers your question, as I’m not the only one with the same answer.