Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy.

I tried so many times to "get through" this book. It just wasn't for me. I need to learn that Curtis Sittenfield isn't my favorite and then move on.

Show Don't Tell is Curtis Sittenfeld's new collection of short stories. Many of the stories center on women in their 40's and 50's and the messiness of their lives. Certain stories left me wanting to read more about that character, which is always a good sign in a short story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Show Don't Tell is available now!

I have been a big fan of Curtis Sittenfeld’s writing since Prep but I’m not sure what to think of this one. The narrator of one of the stories keeps asking the question “what is this story about?” and I kept asking myself the same thing throughout this entire book. I get that as a whole, Sittenfeld is using this collection to explore marriage and relationships between men and women later in life. But what each individual story has to say about this phenomenon, I’m not really sure. The stories read like a collection of anecdotes that just kind of peter out and end. They’re not un-entertaining per se, they just seem to lack a point, or at least some sort of twist or surprise that could give the stories a feeling intention. Most mystifying was the story of the racist suburban mom who is very pointedly identified as Jewish for no discernible narrative reason. The last story, revisiting the life of Lee Fiori 30 years after Prep, was most fun to read but even that story seems to have a pat message: look, Lee grew up and got over herself. She’s not that awkward anymore. I’m glad Lee’s all good now but it would have been nice to learn that in a more meaningful way.

Each story is a masterclass in nuance, whether it’s exploring post-divorce friendships, testing boundaries between men and women, or revisiting beloved characters like Lee Fiora from Prep. Sittenfeld moves effortlessly between humor and heartbreak, often in the same breath, always with empathy and insight.

This collection is a gift for longtime fans and newcomers alike—a smart, tender, and irresistibly readable portrait of modern life.

I don't usually read short story collections, but I was pleasantly surprised by this! I've only ever read Romantic Comedy by Sittenfeld before, though I have a copy of Eligible that has been staring me down from the red section of my bookshelf for years at this point. The way Sittenfeld manages to capture pretty average (but widespread) human experiences and emotions in day-to-day lives of characters is incredible. It's all about perspective which I appreciated and enjoyed.

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Show Don't Tell was published on February 25, 2025. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Adored this collection of short stories by Curtis! Romantic Comedy was one of my favorite books of 2024. I resonated with so much of it and felt incredibly drawn to the writing and story in eventual! I found myself very intrigued with this book as well. Although it was different, it was quite a great read!

I usually don't read short stories but I loved Curtis Sittenfield's books in the past so I gave Show Don't Tell a go. I loved how all of these short stories focused on women in their forties and fixities going to show life doesn't end after thirty. Some stories I liked more than others and wished their were more chapters so I could see what happened next the rest of their lives. I breezed right through this book! Thanks netgalley for the ARC!

This is a good variety of interesting short stories. Most are about middle age topics and are quite compelling reads. I enjoyed this book more than Sittenfeld’s novels. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

This was just okay for me. I enjoyed some of the stores and others I did not enjoy at all. Hard to really summarize this one. Just meh.

Curtis Sittenfeld proves once again why she’s one of the best contemporary storytellers with Show Don't Tell, a collection that showcases her sharp eye for character and her skill in drawing out complex emotions in just a few pages. The stories vary in tone, but each one is filled with Sittenfeld’s signature mix of keen observation, biting wit, and deep empathy for her characters.

As with most short story collections, some stories resonate more than others, but even the less impactful ones are still a testament to Sittenfeld’s impressive writing craft. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to her work, Show Don't Tell is a captivating collection that will leave you reflecting on the many nuances of human relationships.

I'm a fan of Curtis and pretty much enjoy all her work. She's so witty and observant. This was no different, but some of these stories work better for me than others. My favorite part was reuniting with the main character from her book Prep! I would recommend this to any friend who likes short stories.

I unfortunately DNF'd this one :( I don't think I was in a good headspace to read short stories at the time but will most likely pick it back up later this year. I never felt the pull to keep reading so it was easy to put down and not pick up for a bit. I do enjoy Curtis' writing so it could be that I just didn't connect with this particular book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Show Don’t Tell!

Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me. I’m not a huge short story fan, but I loved Prep and American Wife so I was excited to read another Curtis Sittenfeld. This book made me a feel a little bit, I don’t want to say dumb, but kinda dumb? I also really didn’t like the second story, about the marriage clock and was super bothered by the FMC and how she was so willing to cheat on her husband 20 seconds into meeting this other man.

I love Curtis' writing and the normal, relatable short stories. I do like that the writing involved women and men of all ages and lifestyles.

I just don't think a collection of short stories is for me. I enjoyed most of my time with them, but I couldn't get through some of the stories and had to skim.

Even though, this wasn't my favorite book, I would pick up another book by Curtis again.

Curtis Sittenfeld is an auto-buy for me. I was a little nervous about reading short stories, but let me tell you she hit a home run here. Every story was compelling. I actually enjoyed the complex characters, the briefer story arcs, and the idea that I didn’t know where there was story was going because I wasn’t reading a traditional Three act story. I think the most important thing I took away from reading is just how talented she is at drawing the reader in and keeping me with her and I’ll read anything she writes, but Show Don’t Tell was a delight.

I like short story collections - and was excited to read this collection after Sittenfeld's first. Most of the stories kept me engaged, there were a few that just kinda ended and left me confused about the point. Not everything needs to be wrapped up in a bow, but they seemed a little incomplete without some type of arc.

Others I loved the character development in such a small space and kept me thinking.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley for an ARC.

YES, Curtis Sittenfeld, YES! I am not a big short story reader because I find that they often go the Raymond Carver/ John Cheever route and are such bummers about life. These stories also deal with middle age malaise, but while they're real they're also delightful. I related so much. I laughed out loud. Yes, yes, yes!

I have enjoyed Sittenfeld's other works, and while I usually enjoy short story collections, this one I felt was a few stories too long. I enjoyed the various characters at different pivotal moments in their lives, but found myself really trying hard to finish it by the end.

Interesting collection of essays. Loved the revisit to the Prep world. Sittenfeld always has such a unique voice that takes you right into the POV of her characters.

I love Curtis Sittenfeld so much! She is so creative and unique in her approach to every book she writes. I haven’t read many books of short stories, but I loved getting lost in each on of these in depth, vibrant stories. It was wild to be from St. Louis and immerse myself in stories that are so deeply set in a city I know as well as I know myself. It almost had an effect of placing these characters into my own memories so that I was left remembering each story as if it was my own. What a phenomenal book!