Steve Moss and John M. Daniel (editors): World's Shortest Stories of Love and Death

Running Press

$23

An American version of the local series of short short stories. These ones amaze in the same way: in just 55 words, these authors impart the most stunning little stories, most of which have a twist, a moral or a joke, and many are minute masterstrokes of pathos, bathos or dark irony.

Here is one, picked at random.

Easy Come, Easy Go: "She'd zealously guarded her virginity, so he'd stood her up on Prom Night.

"Years later, he's come downtown to see her new film.

"Now, he watches her image on the screen, realising his mistake. She has undeniable talent. He should've stood by her.

"Suddenly, the screen goes dark. He searches his pockets for more quarters."