4 Stars. Another winner by Curtis Sittenfeld! I was so happy to get an advanced reader copy since I had recently loved and reviewed her hilarious Romantic Comedy.

In Show Don’t Tell, a collection of 11 short stories she explores the themes of marriage, female relationships--including a story about Lee Fioravante, the main character in Sittenfeld’s PREP--infidelity, and white privilege. Sittenfeld’s mostly white midwestern middle-aged female characters deal with weighty conflicts that force them to choose between what’s societally expected versus what’s best for them.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC.

I always enjoy reading Sittenfeld's writing, and this collection of short stories was no exception. Each story in this collection aptly captured the ins and outs of daily life. Would definitely recommend this!

Show Don't Tell is a collection of 11 essays that delve into marriage, friendship, fame, artistic ambition, and the ever-shifting dynamics of modern life
It also shares its title with one of the essays included—a 2017 piece originally published in The New Yorker. Each essay unfolds through the perspectives of women, most of whom are on the cusp of middle age, grappling with pivotal moments of introspection and change.

There is no question that Curtis Sittenfeld possesses a remarkable talent for crafting deeply insightful stories about human nature and relationships. Her prose often creates the sensation of a private exchange, as though she’s confiding in the reader one-on-one. This intimate voice, combined with her nuanced understanding of her characters’ hopes and fears, makes Show Don’t Tell a quietly powerful read.

Curtis Sittenfeld writes short stories with depth, humor and reflection. At least I was reflecting on my own life, friendships and marriage while reading them. I use to think short stories weren’t my thing but Sittenfeld has changed my mind with her writing.

This is a lovely collection of unrelated short stories. The collection spans decades and explores multiple topics from post-grad coming of age, racial biases, marriage, children, careers, cancer, adultery, and second chances. I typically prefer to read a story developed over the course of the book, but this was an enjoyable read with each chapter being its own story.

Thank you to Curtis Sittenfeld, Random House Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

As with most short story collections, some of these landed better with me than others. Many of them contained relatable nuggets and I continue to devour anything Curtis Sittenfeld publishes.

First, Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC of these stories. Second, I should admit that I generally don’t like short stories. I always want to know what happens after the author ends the story. But I figured that if there is an author who can make me love a short story, it’s Curtis Sittenfeld. I love the way she writes. I fall into her words, tumble head first into the worlds that she creates. She writes her characters with such relatable intimacy- I can’t think of another author who can do that this well. It’s particularly remarkable in a short story since it’s just this small snippet of time with a character. There were still stories that left me wanting more, but most were either thought provoking or simply delightful. Particularly the story that revisited Lee, the heroine from the author’s first novel Prep.
So buy this collection, even if you don’t normally like short stories

I love Curtis Sittenfeld’s voice. This book of short stories was so pleasurable to me. The beauty and difficulty of a short story is to pack so much meaningful content into so few pages. It still needs to leave the reader with a lasting impression, using less pages to do so. She accomplishes this with every story. She writes in a way that is so easy to digest and fun to read, all the while staying true to her literary style.

Each individual short story was well written but for whatever reason, whenever I stopped reading I didn’t find myself compelled to pick this book back up to read the next story. These are slice of life tales featuring the women across the Midwest.

3.5 stars but rounding up.

Thank you for the advanced reader copy Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Random House.

A delightful collection of stories from a diverse cast of characters, settings and themes that touched on many lives.

Short stories usually leave me wanting more but these were concise and fulfilling in their own right, complete with nuanced characters that were often relatable.

Short Stories are not usually my go to for a next read, but what sets this collection of short stories apart from others is the muted drama. Curtis Sittenfeld focuses on relatable stories about daily life, relationships and perspective.. I also loved the reappearance of Lee Fiora from Prep!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC*

Curtis Sittenfeld will forever be a must-read author for me and I enjoyed these short stories. I am always amazed at how well she writes characters that feel like they could be you sibling, cousin, or best friend you know them so well and this was true even in a shorter lengthen text. I will say I like getting wrapped up in a longer text by Sittenfeld but I still really enjoyed this one.

Curtis Sittenfeld's collection of short stories is so enjoyable. There's even an update on the main character from Prep, her most popular novel. Readers will love these stories.

As expected, this collection is full of gems. I’m not usually a fan of short stories, but I will read anything by Curtis Sittenfeld, and these did not disappoint. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really interesting variety of personal interest stories. Mostly about normal people, some made me feel hopeful, others despondent. But I genuinely cared about all the subjects. Nuanced and thought-provoking, a small snapshot of time at a critical juncture. A choice made or not. Beautiful storytelling. The subjects are primarily middle-aged midwesterners, a sort of Everyman type, with problems and considerations that most have faced or will face, in their own life. One of the stories even asks “what is this story about?” Many, if not all, of the stories have a vague and unsatisfying ending, leaving the character’s future up to the reader’s interpretation and imagination. My favorite was Giraffe and Flamingo, which recalls a woman’s freshman year dorm mates, juxtaposed with her relationships with her mother and with her children. It really hit home for me, as a mom to young kids, in whom you want to impart wisdom and life lessons. Only to realize your own parents did the same for you, but ultimately you need to figure it out for yourself. I loved the whole collection, but that story especially.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Smart, funny, and heartbreakingly real, this collection will stick with you long after the last page.

Curtis Sittenfeld’’s short story collection is a knockout, as you would expect from someone as talented as her. These shorts hit all of the messy, wonderful parts of being human. The characters are so vivid, they feel like people you’ve met (or wish you hadn’t.)

All the way, yes!

Thank you for the early read!

Loved! Each story in this collection inspired reflection and consideration on themes of friendship, connection, parenting, relationships, loss, etc. The author beautifully captures the nuance of the mundane in surprisingly profound ways. I will think about these stories for a long time.

*Show Don't Tell* by Curtis Sittenfeld is a thought-provoking and introspective collection of essays that delves into the intricacies of writing, creativity, and the writing process itself. Sittenfeld offers valuable insights into the craft of storytelling, drawing from her own experiences as a successful novelist. Each essay feels like a personal exploration, filled with practical advice as well as reflections on the struggles and rewards of being a writer.

What stands out most is Sittenfeld’s honesty and relatability—she’s not afraid to address the challenges and vulnerabilities that come with writing, and her reflections are both engaging and encouraging. While some of the essays are more focused on personal anecdotes rather than craft itself, they still offer a rich, behind-the-scenes look at the life of a writer.

For aspiring writers or fans of Sittenfeld's work, *Show Don't Tell* is a fascinating and enriching read. It’s not just about the art of writing but also about the drive and determination needed to succeed in a creative career.

Curtis Sittenfeld’s latest collection of short stories is a total gem. In this book, she dives deep into marriage, friendship, ambition, and everything messy and wonderful about being human. These characters who feel so real, you might swear you’ve met them. And these stories? No exception.

From a divorced woman reconnecting with old friends in “The Patron Saints of Middle Age” to a married artist hilariously tackling the infamous “Mike Pence Rule” in “A for Alone,” every story pulls you in. And if you’re a *Prep* fan, you’ll love catching up with Lee Fiora in “Lost but Not Forgotten.” It’s like bumping into an old friend and instantly clicking.

The stories are funny, smart, and so tender with the characters’ flaws and vulnerabilities. Honestly, I enjoyed every story, and I’m still thinking about them days later. If you love sharp, thoughtful writing, you’ll want to pick this one up.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!