A Short Story Collection is a book full of dopamine hits

Ronald Malfi, Darcy Coates, Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft

Some of us love new things.

A new book, a new experience, a new toy, new job, new love, new hobby, new mindset.

It’s fresh, a clean slate. Something different and unfamiliar.

Our brain is wired to treat new things as a potential reward. Exploration of that new thing activates the dopamine system. It makes us curious and causes us to pursue and experiment with it.

It’s addictive. Like a slice of warm spice cake with cream cheese icing.

I experience this feeling when I read a new book. Especially since I go in blind having not a clue what the story is about. Every book for me, becomes the mystery. New characters, new setting, new plot.

Lately, I've been enjoying short story collections, horror to be specific.

They're quick mini stand-alones, dense and suspenseful. I get to read a ton of new stories in one day, one sitting. A book full of dopamine hits.

I have been devouring collections by my favorite authors, Ronald Malfi, Darcy Coates and Stephen King. It’s a gift I didn’t know I needed. Their creative imaginings poured into one book.

I ordered a collection of short stories by another one of my favorite horror authors, Brandon Massey called Twisted Tales. Looking forward to getting my new book. 😊