Howard Cornett
I am a reader of short fiction. Here is where I share my favorites of what I am reading, mostly in the speculative fiction genre.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/05/15/a...) A deeply emotionally evocative classic Russian tragedy. A Gentle Spirit by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1876) — 16,000 words (about 64 minutes for the average reader) Originally published in 1876,
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/05/14/m...) A vampire on the moon attempts to save mankind. Message in a Vessel by V.G. Harrison (2023) — 4,900 words (about 20 minutes for the average reader) Originally published in Apex magazine issue #135, January 2023.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/05/13/b...) When an innocent girl falls for a bad boy with tattoos, all is not as it seems. Blank Space by Delilah S. Dawson (2023) — 4,745 words (about 19 minutes for the average reader) Originally published in Uncanny magazine issue #51.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/05/12/t...) What if there really was something to those fears of what lies under your bed or in your closet? The Ghasts by Lavie Tidhar (2023) — 4,932 words (about 20 minutes for the average reader) Originally published in Uncanny magazine.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/05/09/t...) A lovely story of overcoming secrets and pain. The Music of the Siphorophenes by C.L. Polk (2023) — 9,232 words (about 37 minutes for the average reader) Originally published in Uncanny magazine issue #53, July/August 2023.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/05/08/t...) There have always been problem children. The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry (1907) — 4,150 words (about 17 minutes for the average reader) Originally published in The Saturday Evening Post, 6 July 1907.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/05/07/o...) A unique allegory about othering at 30,000 feet. Over Moonlit Clouds by Coda Augeuy-Pegon (2023) — 6,900 words (about 28 minutes for the average reader) Originally published in Apex magazine issue #136, March 2023.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/05/06/t...) This feels like a cosmic version of Live Aid or We Are the World. The United Systems of Goodwill Concert Series and the Greatest Performance of All Time by James Van Pelt (2023) — 1,258 words Originally published in Lightspeed.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/05/05/t...) This is an inside look at a reality show of the future. The Narrative Implications of Your Untimely Death by Isabel J. Kim (2023) Originally published in Lightspeed magazine issue #152, January 2023.
- Here We Go Again: My Life in Television by Betty White (myreadinglife.com/2025/05/03/h... ) Each April my book club reads a memoir or biography. This year, we selected this book. Betty White has been a beloved TV personality since before I was born. She started back in the 1950s with shows like...
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/05/02/t...) A clerk for the ruling fascists presides over a warehouse of the personal effects and paperwork of the government's victims. The Relationship of Ink to Blood by Alex Langer (2023) — 4,700 words Originally published in Apex magazine.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/05/01/t...) An unusual story told in the second person. Timelock by Davian Aw (2023) — 5,620 words (about 23 minutes for the average reader) Originally published in Clarkesworld magazine issue 202, July 2023.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/30/a...) This one may take you back to that old high school crush. “Ain’t Houses, Ain’t Names” by Nino Cipri (2023) — 3,340 words (about 13 minutes for the average reader) Originally published in The Sunday Morning Transport, 16 July 2023.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/29/l...) An allegory for what technology is doing to so many of us today. Loneliness Universe by Eugenia Triantafyllou (2024) — 8,173 words (about 32 for the average reader) Originally published in Uncanny magazine issue #58, May/June 2024.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/28/t...) An unusual way to tell a story. Loved it! Through Dreams She Moves by Tonya Liburd (2023) — 5,600 words (about 22 minutes for the average reader) Originally published in Apex magazine issue 140, September 2023.
- The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami I read an interview with the author of this book in the Christian Science Monitor. I was immediately fascinated by the concept. It also didn't hurt that it was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/27/t...)
- Here are my super short reviews on the fiction in issue 223 of Clarkesworld Magazine Issue 223, published in April 2025. (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/25/c...)
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/25/t...) An AI learns about emotions and independence. To Sail Beyond the Botnet by Suzanne Palmer (2023) — 21,920 words (about 87 minutes for the average reader) Originally published in Clarkesworld magazine issue 200, May 2023.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/24/a...) A classical tale of a difficult decision. A Retrieved Reformation by O. Henry (1903) — 2,800 words (about 11 minutes for the average reader) Originally published The Cosmopolitan Magazine, April 1903.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/23/c...) Continuing this week's theme of AI, what happens to a robot that reaches the end of its useful life? Cheaper to Replace by Marie Vibbert (2023) — 3,370 words Originally published in Clarkesworld magazine issue 202, July 2023.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/22/t...) Is this where AI storytelling is taking us? I certainly hope not. Tell Them a Story to Teach Them Kindness by B. Pladek (2025) — 4,146 words (about 16 minutes) Originally published in Lightspeed magazine issue #176, January 2025.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/21/m...) In our current culture saturated with AI claims of all sorts, this one is still relevant. Metal Like Blood in the Dark by T. Kingfisher (2020) — 7,368 words Originally published in Uncanny Magazine Issue 36, September/October 2020.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/18/s...) A touching story of a mother caring for her teenage son with ALS. Still Water by Zhang Ran translated from Chinese by Jay Zhang (2025) — 9,090 words Originally published in Clarkesworld magazine issue #223, April 2025.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/17/y...) A classic tale with a clever twist at the end. Youth by Isaac Asimov (1952) — 9,485 words (about 38 minutes for the average reader) Originally published in Space Science Fiction magazine, May 1952.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/16/r...) I listened to this wonderful time travel story on the 1st episode of Wil Wheaton's new podcast. Rock, Paper, Scissors, Love, Death by Caroline M. Yoachim (2015) — 5,385 words Originally published in Lightspeed magazine #66, Nov 2015.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/15/t...) A story at the crossroads of family and technology, winner of the Nebula award. Tantie Merle and the Farmhand 4200 by R.S.A. Garcia (2023) — 6,861 words Originally published in Uncanny Magazine issue #53, July/August 2023.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/14/t...) Simply one of the best short stories I have ever read. There is so much feeling in it. The Comebacker by David Eggers (2023) — 6,400 words (about 26 minutes for the average reader) Originally published in The Atlantic, September 2023
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/11/j...) This amazing story captures the feeling of trying to say the things that you feel when emotionally overwhelmed. Junebug by Sarah Hollowell (2023) — 6,700 words Originally published in Apex Magazine issue #140, September 2023.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/10/o...) This is one of the stories I read as a kid in a volume of Hugo winners that kindled my love for short science fiction. Or All the Seas with Oysters by Avram Davidson (1958) — 3,539 words From Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine, May 1958
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/09/t...) A poignant story about a mother doing her best for her daughter and the challenge this creates. The Letters They Left Behind by Scott Edelman (2023) — 7,461 words Originally published in Lightspeed Magazine issue #159, August 2023.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/08/a... ) A rich story with so many layers for its brevity. Subtle. Much is explored without coming right out and saying it. The story really sank into me. "A Guide to Matchmaking on Station 9" by Nika Murphy (2023) — 4,052 words
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/07/a...) This is an intriguing allegory exploring difference and change. After the Invasion of the Bug-Eyed Aliens by Rachel Swirsky (2025) — 9,750 words Originally published in Reactor magazine, 19 March 2025.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/04/s...) To celebrate the season, I bring you this delightful story of young lovers in New York City. Springtime à la Carte by O. Henry — 2,137 words Originally published in the book The Four Million in 1906.
- Your Daily Dose of #Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/03/m... ) Sometimes it is hard to let go, even in death. My Cloak of Keys by Fran Wilde (2022) — 3,098 words (abt. 12 min. for the ave. reader) Originally published in The Deadlands magazine issue #10, February 2022 #shortfiction #shortstory
- #YourDailyDoseOfEmpathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/02/s...) On the dangers of making your small child an internet video star. Starpoop by Sandra McDonald (2023) — 3,244 words (about 13 minutes) Originally published in Lightspeed magazine, issue #158, July 2023. #shortfiction #shortstory
- Your Daily Dose of Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/04/01/f...) This Hugo award winner in 1960 is a bit long but well worth the time invested. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes drive.google.com/file/d/1RtYW... Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, April 1959
- Your Daily Dose of Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/03/31/b...) Let's start the week off with this Hugo award winning short story, a cautionary tale of algorithms and AI. Better Living Through Algorithms by Naomi Kritzer clarkesworldmagazine.com/kritzer_05_23/
- Your Daily Dose of Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/03/28/e... ) A quick one to take you into the weekend on a more uplifting note. Every Shade of Healing by Taryn Frazier — 1,000 words www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-... From Issue 136 of Apex Magazine #shortfiction #shortstory
- Your Daily Dose of Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/03/27/t...) Today a classic feminist tale of isolation and depression. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman — 5,815 words www.literaryladiesguide.com/full-texts-o... From New England Magazine in 1892 #shortfiction #shortstory
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- It is available to read online. I don't have a physical copy.
- Your Daily Dose of Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/03/26/t...) Be careful what you wish for. Everything has a price. The Boy Who Will Become Court Magician by Sarah Pinsker (2018) — 3,160 words www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/the-... Issue 92 of Lightspeed Magazine #shortfiction #shortstory
- Love this from Cory Doctorow: "The problem is that an AI prompt has very little communicative intent and nearly all (but not every) good piece of art has more communicative intent than fits into an AI prompt." pluralistic.net/2025/03/25/c...
- Your Daily Dose of Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/03/25/s...) Here is a very short fantasy with something to say about wealth and greed. Simmered in Their Wealth Like the Richest of Sauces by Jo Miles (2023) — 1,568 words www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/simm... #shortfiction #shortstory
- Your Daily Dose of Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/03/24/t...) This one feels particularly timely given the national concern over illegal immigration The Long Mural by James Van Pelt (2023) — 7,080 words clarkesworldmagazine.com/vanpelt_11_23 From Clarkesworld Magazine #shortfiction #shortstory
- Your Daily Dose of Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/03/21/t...) How can a murder be temporary? Read and find out! The Temporary Murder of Thomas Monroe by Tia Tashiro (2025) — 11,900 words (about 47 minutes for the average reader) clarkesworldmagazine.com/tashiro_01_25/ #shortfiction #shortstory
- Your Daily Dose of Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/03/20/a...) A classic short story from a modern master of the art. A Small, Good Thing by Raymond Carver (1983) — 5,000 words (about 20 minutes for the average reader) www.classicshorts.com/stories/sgth... #shortfiction #shortstory
- Your Daily Dose of Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/03/19/t... ) A Chinese woman arrives in Hollywood to make it big, but things don't quite go to her liking, or her agent's. The Toll of the Snake by Grace P. Fong (2023) — 4,900 words apex-magazine.com/short-fictio... #shortfiction #shortstory
- Your Daily Dose of Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/03/18/s... ) Clarkesworld magazine always has amazing stories. This one takes place in an old ICBM silo. Silo, Sweet Silo by James Castles (2023) — 4,397 words clarkesworldmagazine.com/castles_02_23/ #shortfiction #shortstory
- Your Daily Dose of Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/03/17/s...) I'm a big fan of this author. Both of her novels are fantastic. Signs of Life [https://www.uncannymagazine.com/article/signs-of-life/] by Sarah Pinsker (2024) #shortfiction #shortstory
- Your Daily Dose of Empathy (myreadinglife.com/2025/03/14/y...) Feel safe getting in an Uber? This amazing story may change your mind. Your Rover Is Here by LP Kindred (2023) – 3,500 words (about 14 minutes) www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-... #shortfiction #shortstory
