What are some of the best books of classic short stories?

Well, 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Edgar Allan Poe is among the best. It's a dark and suspenseful tale of revenge. Then there's 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' by Frank R. Stockton. This story leaves the ending up to the reader's interpretation, which is really interesting. Also, 'To Build a Fire' by Jack London is a great classic short story that shows the power of nature and man's struggle against it.

One of the well - known classic detective short stories is 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' by Edgar Allan Poe. It is considered a pioneer in the detective fiction genre.

One of the best is 'The Monkey's Paw' by W.W. Jacobs. It's about a family who comes into possession of a mummified monkey's paw that has the power to grant three wishes, but with terrifying and unforeseen consequences. Another great one is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. The narrator's descent into madness as he tries to convince the reader of his sanity while he has just murdered an old man because of his 'evil eye' is both chilling and thought - provoking.

One of the best is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's a chilling tale of a man's descent into madness as he is haunted by the sound of his victim's heart. Another great one is 'The Monkey's Paw' by W. W. Jacobs, which shows the consequences of interfering with fate through a cursed monkey's paw. 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is also notable, as it's an early example of vampire fiction.

There are many great classic short stories. For instance, 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor. This story is deep and complex, exploring themes of morality and grace. Another one is 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' by Ambrose Bierce. It's a story with a great twist at the end, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. Also, 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant is a classic that shows the consequences of vanity.

E. M. Forster's 'Maurice' is also considered a classic in gay literature. Although it was written earlier, it was not published until later. The story follows Maurice, a young man, as he comes to terms with his homosexuality, and it's set against the backdrop of English society at the time, showing the social and personal struggles.

Well, they usually have a tight plot structure. Since they are short, every element has to count. In 'The Complete Sherlock Holmes' stories, Conan Doyle presents a mystery and then solves it in a very logical and engaging way within a relatively short space. Also, classic short story books tend to use rich language sparingly. They convey deep meanings with just the right words. For instance, James Joyce in 'Dubliners' uses precise language to create a vivid picture of Dublin life.

They usually have well - developed characters despite their short length. In 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens, even though it's a short story, Scrooge is a very complex and memorable character. Also, classic short stories often use vivid language to create a strong atmosphere. In Poe's stories, the language he uses makes the spooky and eerie settings really come to life.

Another great book is 'Interpreter of Maladies' by Jhumpa Lahiri. Her short stories often deal with themes of identity, immigration, and family. The writing is beautiful and the characters are very well - developed. Each story gives a deep insight into different aspects of the human condition.

Well, 'Interpreter of Maladies' by Jhumpa Lahiri is among the best short story books. Her stories often deal with the immigrant experience. Then there's 'Flannery O'Connor: Collected Works'. O'Connor's stories are known for their dark humor and exploration of religious and moral themes. Also, 'Raymond Carver: Collected Stories' is highly regarded. Carver's minimalist style makes his short stories very impactful.