For what it is, it's probably good. To someone who had never explored microfiction before, who read this for a break in his first Stephen King novel (who is notoriously verbose), it felt like a kid's book. It's actually just a published writing exercise, which is ultimately more interesting for the writer than the reader.

Every book has an origin story. This one was born of Mourtada's resolution to write one 55 word story a day (stopping on 5/05) and turned out to be an absolute delight to read. Some stories are silly, some sad, but mostly, the stories (as the title would suggest) are sinister in some way. This book would make a great exemplar for introducing students to microfiction (that's how I plan to use it!) but would make a great addition to any coffee table, night stand, car, or anywhere where you could use a quick story!

TW: suicide (in the story X Marks the Spot)

Thanks to the publishers for sharing this one. I really enjoyed these short, dark little stories. My full review appears on Weekend Notes.

"Slightly" sinister might be a misnomer.. some of them are VERY sinister. I'll admit it took me a while to read the whole thing... better to read a fw, put it down for a while, read a few more. But you reach the end and suddenly you're realize there's something missing from your life. 55 more slightly sinister stories!

Not every one is a winner, but the majority will definitely capture your attention.

Do you know how hard it is to get your point across in only 55 words? I’d never be able to accomplish that because when it comes to ideas and books, I’m a rambler. I don’t even get my thoughts organised that quickly so I take my hat off to the author for managing it.

That paragraph there? 55 words.

While I really like the idea of bite sized stories I don’t think they’re for me. I love world building and character development too much.

A lot of these stories resolve around love, finding it and losing it. While there were some that had no impact on me at all, I did have a couple of favourites: ‘A Literary Death’ and ‘Fashion Victim’.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 3.5 stars.

55 Slightly Sinister Stories. That's the title and just how I would describe this book. 55 stories that are exactly 55 words in length. Perfect to pick up and devour a few bite size pieces, or if you desire, all at once.

I can hardly express how entertaining these stories were! They had me laughing all the way though.
All had a sinister twist, sure, but I would say that made them just way more laughter-inducing.
Also the illustrations before each story are very well thought-out and fit perfectly.
In two words - a great book.

*Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.*

Reading 55 Slightly Sinister Stories is a bit like a joke at a funeral: you know you shouldn't laugh, but you can't help but let out a giggle despite yourself.
Filled with 55 short stories made up of 55 words, this collection is just long enough to trigger a flash of emotion (be it humor, melancholy, bittersweet connection, or just sinister stirring) and to open up the imagination.
Although the overall collection is a bit of hit and miss at times, the stories that I liked the best were just inappropriately funny with a perfect bite to them.
Perhaps, there is nothing that will leave a lasting impact in your mind, but it is a great way spend a fun hour reading about quirky characters and strange events.

Size matters and the beauty of symmetry, too.
This peculiarly original book of 55 sinister tales comprised of 55 words completed on the 5th of the 5th month of the year is quite appealing to palates looking to try out something new in one sitting. The stories do justice to the title of the book, they are weird, sinister; some poetic and most of the times the punchlines hit home. I kept an open mind to this experimental and unique book but I wish there was more, something felt amiss or incomprehensible most of time. I loved some of these bite-size tales more than others; some I did not get at all but overall it was an interesting reading experience and recommended for readers looking for a change of taste.

This fun little collection of stories is a great addition to most fiction collections. Expect patrons to read more than few stories just standing in the stacks!

This was such a fun and interesting little read! I've never really heard of "flash stories" before, but I actually really enjoyed it. These micro-stories and such an interesting concept that I'd love to find more of some time. Each of the 55 stories on has 55 words yet is able to give you a complete story. Just as in short story collections some of these were hits and some were misses. Some of the stories I didn't quite understand or had to read a couple of times to understand it. But some of them were really good! I liked the more dark/sinister stories the best. I think I'd really love a book like this but with stories that are horror or thriller themed...that would be amazing. This book made me want to see what else is out there in this genre. This was an extremely fast read, definitely something for when you want something quick. Or maybe to read one story a day would be a fun way to do it.
Overall I thought this whole collection was really clever and enjoyable to read!

Observant, allegorical, foolish, ignorant, self-serving, grandiose, obtrusive, forlorn and somewhat uncomfortable. A few words to describe 55 Slightly Sinister Stories.

I found this book enjoyable and indeed slightly sinister. A brief spotlight into each person's life; a split second to delve into their circumstance. That pivotal moment when their world begins, ends, or they choose to self-destruct.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Racha Mourtada for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured this. One sitting. During class. Cover to cover.

My favorites were “Frankenstein Revisited” and “Bun in the Oven” because they made me laugh.

The concept of this book is absolutely incredible. 55 stories. 55 words each. Also whoever decided to include beautiful simplistic illustrations deserves a giant hug and even gianter pay raise.

This collection would make the perfect gift to reader or nonreader friends. Some stories are creepy which others are sad. I loved it.

The author sticks to 55 words to weave magical microfiction. Some of them make you laugh, others make you cringe. I liked them all. Accompanying the stories is an illustration -- simple but suitably matched. The titles are quirky, such as Frankenstein Revisited, Bun in the Oven, Backseat Driver -- don't worry, you have to be there to find out what makes them quirky.

A short read that was made infinitely easier because of how the book is put together. If you're offering an ASCM file, it should be formatted for easy reading #justsayin

Disappointed. This book has a great concept but no execution. I expected more humour and wit. Unfortunately, this was not that.

really cool modern illustrations, slightly creepy poems, not sinister enough for me but I definitely think this would be a great way to get teens into reading poetry.

What a bizarre and funny book! It's like reading Shel Silverstein for adults. Many stories were surprising and strange and quite entertaining. I didn't love the illustrations and some of the stories fell a bit flat, but overall a very fun read!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC.

Weird but very cute short stories. Definitely kept true to its word by every individual story only being 55 words. Was a very surprising treat. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

When these got sinister. And I’m talking sinister with murder and wrongdoings, then this book was great.

However, the “sinister” aspect of it was not as much as one would have expected. Granted that it says “slightly sinister” and not 'fully' and the synopsis points out the inclusion of the non-evil hearted, I still felt there were more light-hearted and missed chances than what the namesake implies. There’s also some that, in my opinion, made no sense at all. Quite often I’d stumble across these and have to reread the passage thinking I maybe missed something but, no – it was just that anticlimactic.

So although I love the idea here, I just wished there were more of the darker ones to align with the sinisterness of the name. Otherwise, it’s really just 55 short stories told in 55 words with illustrations on the side (that were quite lovely actually). The rest of the stories were just okay. Hence the three stars.

Thank you for the early review copy!

Racha Mourtada's flash-fiction book is a dark, fun quick read. 55 Slightly Sinister Stories is a book of 55 stories that are all 55 words long. It contains a quirky illustration for each story too. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy.