Slow Burner is a short story of deception, and it is outstanding. The character development is surprisingly deep given the short format. The ending leaves you replaying the story over and over. It's exactly what I like a short story to do - leaves you thinking about it when it's over which gives more depth to the story well after you've put it down.

Coming off an election year, Buried is a great read. It reinforces the need for real journalism, and it makes you question how far one will go to protect their source of status. The plot is good, the twists are fun, even if some are expected. The only thing that kept me from rating at or above Slow Burner is its length. I found it a touch long for a short story.

I might have rated this third, but it's just as good as Buried. As with any good short story, there are plenty of unexpected plot twists that keep you engaged. You'll be turning pages all the way up to the end, and then left wishing for more.

Treasure examines the implications of social media, both as a means of escape and the danger it poses. It's well written and encompasses all the elements I like in a short story. I especially liked how it transformed me to a different place, one that I am not exposed to on a daily, or even an occasional basis.

Let Her Be was an interesting exploration into a person's struggle coping with loss, and the effects it has on one's relationships. It's a bit long for a short story, and it was a bit dark for my taste. However, I really liked the classic short story ending, meaning it left you with more questions than answers allowing you to fill in the blanks.

Even though it's at the bottom of the list, I still enjoyed Snowflakes. The story is good and moves quickly. It reinforces how the stories we play in our mind, what we think about, and how we perceive our surroundings becomes our reality, regardless of whether it's true.