Some people claim that reading often will help the mind stay young, but what should you read if you haven’t got much time? I’ve compiled this list of 5 collections of short stories that I think are perfect for those who wish they read more but simply don’t have the time.

Anthropology by Dan Rhodes

Is a collection of a hundred and one stories, each a hundred and one words dealing with the idea of love. They’re brilliant little gems for anyone who is short on time; I finished the whole book in less than an hour. Rhodes takes a humorous look at love at the loss of love in what is genuinely a quirky and easy read.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

A definite must read for anyone interested in nineteenth century literature. These short stories following one of the most famous detectives are a classic and often heart-warming read. Doyle truly is a great writer and stories such as “A Scandal in Bohemia” and “The Five Orange Pips” show this best.

The Complete Tales of Washington Irving by Washington Irving

Irving is one of America’s best story tellers, and his short stories show this best. From “Rip Van Winkle” to “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” Irving shows he is more than capable of handling realistic and fantastical stories.  His use of irony and suspense has helped earned him the title of the father of the American Short Story.

Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams – Sylvia Plath

This may not be to everyone’s taste, and this collection of stories is often overshadowed by Plath’s novel The Bell Jar. Whilst critics agree that Plath’s strength lay in her poetry, this collection of stories should defiantly not be ignored. Most of them deal with the idea of depression and mental stability, meaning that like the Bell Jar critics have drawn comparisons with Plath’s own life. They’re brilliant written, sometimes powerful and sometimes uncomfortable but definitely worth the time to read them.

Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck

Steinbeck fuses ideals from different cultures, from Hispanic characters to Arthurian moral ideals to create a genuinely fascinating read. The stories all follow the central character of Danny as he lives in Tortilla Flat. Most of the stories see him and his friends drink wine and discuss the goings on around them. Steinbeck style creates a vivid setting and interesting characters. This collection of short stories could be read as a novel, but is definitely a must read.