1986 - Stories

by Will Stepp

Ten interconnected stories about a boy growing up in a small town in Georgia, set against the backdrop of the 1980s. From a secret pond nestled in the woods to the fog-shrouded rooftop of an interstate truck stop, to the shadowy corridors of a YMCA basement, familiar landscapes transform into realms of childhood wonder and discovery. Together, these dreamlike and often surreal tales weave a nostalgic meditation on family, home, memory, and time.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

127 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2025

About the author

Will Stepp lives and writes in Rome, Georgia.

Reviews

[Ga.selle (Semi-hiatus) Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.45✨

[Ghoul Von Horror · Rating 3 out of 5]

[TW/CW: Language, anxiety, bullying, anxiety, homophobic slurs, dog abuse, animal torture, animal death, mourning, toxic family relationships]

*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:Ten interconnected stories about a boy growing up in a small town in Georgia, set against the backdrop of the 1980s. From a secret pond nestled in the woods to the fog-shrouded rooftop of an interstate truck stop, to the shadowy corridors of a YMCA basement, familiar landscapes transform into realms of childhood wonder and discovery.
Release Date: January 7th, 2025
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 164
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

What I Liked:
1. Writing style was very pleasant
2. Unnamed characters
3. Short stories/chapters

What I Didn't Like:
1. Didn't feel like there was a reason to separate stories this way
2. Stories went little to no where

Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}

Grazing Field
This story had a good message about how we really never go anywhere new. I liked the realization at how small a days journey is in the large vast world we live in. And that we've already done things.
RATING:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

New Knife
This was such a sweet story that if we are patient then we might get the things we wanted. It was nice that his grandfather remembered that he wanted the knife and made it look better. I just didn't understand why he didn't give the new knife to his friend since he clearly wanted it and would have taken it rather than burying it.
RATING:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mail Walk
This one felt like it rambled on a bit but I liked how the character had a moment where he complained about his family and then was faced with what if his family was gone after getting the mail. Enjoyed the message that he had changed after seeing the thing in the apartment but what drew him back to his old life was the thing that had chased him away in the beginning; his sister.
RATING:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Clubhouse
Weird that he's jealous of Luke. Couldn't tell if he was jealous of the attention he was getting or that he had started a fire. Also a car seat for a 4 year old in 1986 - okay... Was that even a thing?
RATING:⭐⭐⭐

Drainage Pipe
As a person with a phobia toward pipes this story did nothing to help calm it. I was creeped out. He did nothing to help his friend but that seems very human. Kind of like freezing up. At least he returned the wallet.
RATING:⭐⭐

Dog and Butterfly
I seriously was worried the dog was going to be hanged and then his mother saying to release it outside. But I'm mad he shot the butterfly. Who can say one life is more important than another? The butterfly was just as innocent as the dog. Can we shoot the boy with bbs?
RATING:⭐⭐⭐

Truck Stop
Ummmm what father and son are just showering next to each other. Isn't this kid a little too old for this. And then the comparison to penis' I didn't need... Story was good though the baby bird being killed was sad. I grew up hanging around truck stops so I have an affinity for them. Loved hearing about log books and everything else that comes with truck stops and driving.
RATING:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Blizzard
Boring. Just a story that listed foods and toys and then went back to bed
RATING:⭐

YMCA
Story about a ghost that had moments that seemed promising (ghost in the YMCA and trying to find her) but lost at the dinosaur talk
RATING:⭐⭐⭐

2006
So so so confusing and didn't understand what the author was writing or meant. Sad to end on such a sad note
RATING:⭐

Final Thoughts:
Stories felt confusing. At first I thought each story was a different boy but then Rachel came back up as the sister, but it didn't make sense. In one story he moved to a trailer park with a pasture. Then the boy moved to an apartment begrudgingly. Then he mentions being mad because he loved living with grandpa and nana.

I didn't get why the author broke the book into different stores about the same character. I would have much rather have read about the boy in one complete book rather than jumping story to story.

I thought each story would end with some connected message but it just felt ver disconnected. You think as you're reading there's a message but it peters out and turns to nothing.

IG | Blog

Thanks to Netgalley and Brody & Malachi Press for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lena Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley, Brody & Malachi Press and will stepp for allowing me to read this interconnected collection of stories. Each one takes you on a short journey through his past. He is a good story teller i just wish they were longer. Some I enjoyed more than others, but it is something that should read to connect you with the past. Keep writing and I will keep reading

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of mostly beautifully rendered stories, with a keen eye for detail, told with a strong descriptive voice. There's a real tenderness in how mr Stepp portrays his main character's world, his stories regularly ending on a moving, poignant note.

A real little gem.

(Thanks to Brody & Malachi Press for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley)

[spalanai ⛤ · Rating 3 out of 5]

***I thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in return for an honest review***

a collection of ten short stories revolving around an unnamed protagonist, intertwined with memory and home. i particularly liked the writing style—descriptive, fast-paced, and poetic. it very much reminded me of It (2017) for some reason. my personal favourite was “clubhouse” (i love a little dark detail). i will be honest though, i was expecting horror when i dived into this book but wasn’t disappointed to find surrealist nostalgia.

perhaps the lack of depth felt a bit underwhelming as it could have been developed into something more. overall, i did enjoy reading it while my power was cut :D

“When I think of my mother, I am filled with sorrow. Not for my sake, but for hers. She will be the one to miss me the most. And like any good son, I never want to cause her pain. But then, I real-ize, even if my death causes her pain, even that is temporary and not something to be avoided. You lived a good life. You tried to do good. To be a good person. And to leave your insignificant corner of the universe better than you found it. And even if you didn't always succeed, it was enough to try. Nothing is lost, and nothing is left undone. Then, all the world goes dark for me. Time passes in silent contemplation.”

x

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and there are some gems here. For the most part, I know they are all connected but they also felt disjointed. Maybe a full-length novel about a child growing up in the 80’s would have made this hit more. There was magic and darkness over some of these stories, which feels right when you’re in the POV of a kid. Overall, it was a good read, and it was short but nothing more to it.

[Kgk · Rating 3 out of 5]

To start out, this book is really well written. The descriptions are vivid and sophisticated, which made the book easy to read. However, it has received 3 stars because I feel as if the description is misleading. The description of this book is "From a secret pond nestled in the woods to the fog-shrouded rooftop of an interstate truck stop, to the shadowy corridors of a YMCA basement, familiar landscapes transform into realms of childhood wonder and discovery. Together, these dreamlike and often surreal tales weave a nostalgic meditation on family, home, memory, and time." When I read this, I was under the impression that this book would contain lighthearted and fun memories of childhood in the 80s. However, the stories were significantly darker than I thought. There were bullies, the kid got lost a few times, there was a stolen pocketknife, and the most disturbing part was the story where he wandered into the wrong apartment building.

Which brings me to another issue. The book as a whole feels disjointed. I understand that they are supposed to be separate short stories, but there were some stories where he lived in an apartments, some where he seemingly lived in a house, and some where he lived in a trailer park. Throughout the book, I wasn't sure how much time had passed, how old he was, etc., so a little bit of context would've been helpful, even if it was just the year and location printed under the chapter heading.

Overall, this is a well-written book, but the content was just not my cup of tea, and I felt disappointed by the impression that the synopsis gave me.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read of 10 interconnected stories. It had me reminiscing about growing up in the 80’s which is always a fun trip down memory lane. Most of the stories held my attention, while a few did not.

Thank you to the publisher, authors and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this arc.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read, made up of ten individual stories/chapters.
Often confusing that they are actually linked, and I didn’t realise till the end that the narrator is the same boy. All set in the 1980s, except for the last chapter in 2006. Entertaining for an afternoon.

Trigger warnings- Dog Abuse, Bullying.

[Sam Metcalfe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for a copy of 1986. This book would have been so much better as a full length story of growing up in the 80s instead of a collection of stories with some overlapping, the stories just felt like they went no where. Some of the stories would have been better left out. This is well written and descriptive but sorry not for me.
Trigger warnings: animal abuse, toxic family traits, homophobia slurs and bullying.

[Kaileigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories were well written and very intricately detailed. Though they did not seem to intertwine with each other and almost ended abruptly.

[Keia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I enjoyed this book, but I think I might be being generous with four stars. It was more like 3.5, but rounded up simply because I enjoyed the writing. At times the pace felt a bit dragging, but the descriptions really brought me fully into this so much. Each story was woven in a way that brought each moment into clear focus. Some stories really struck home with me a lot, especially the new knife since I had a similar thing happen when I was very young. It immediately brought all that regret I had barreling back to the surface, and I felt like calling my own dad and apologizing yet again about a necklace. Overall, I did really enjoy it.

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will Stepp’s 1986 is a nostalgic tapestry of childhood and adolescence, stitched together through a series of vignettes that brim with charm, humor, and raw emotion. The book follows a narrator’s youthful misadventures, from the mundane to the extraordinary, set against the backdrop of suburban America in the titular year. It’s a bittersweet journey through lawns mowed with finicky mowers, secret ponds discovered in forbidden fields, and friendships forged and frayed over the course of long afternoons.

The writing is stellar, pulling you straight into its world with rich sensory details and authentic dialogue. The interplay of nostalgia and immediacy is where the book shines most. Stepp’s prose made me feel like I was right there, watching Dusty the horse lumber toward an apple offering, and the thunder of her hooves charging across the field had my pulse racing. Stepp captures childhood’s blend of terror and thrill with uncanny accuracy.

But it’s not just the storytelling that captivated me—it’s the insight into relationships. Take “New Knife,” for example. The protagonist’s earnest desire to bond with his grandfather and the painful realization of having inadvertently hurt him is heartbreakingly relatable. The green pocketknife, cleaned and restored with care, stands as a poignant symbol of love and misunderstanding. It’s the kind of story that urges you to reflect on your own moments of familial friction.

What struck me most about 1986 is how it doesn’t shy away from the darker corners of childhood. “Mail Walk” dives into feelings of alienation, anger, and eerie surrealism. The protagonist’s disorienting walk through the apartment complex culminates in a scene that blurs the line between reality and nightmare. This chapter chilled me, not just because of its haunting imagery, but because it spoke to the universal fear of being left behind or forgotten.

Stepp’s ability to weave such a mix of light and shadow into his storytelling makes this book an emotional rollercoaster. It’s perfect for anyone who’s ever looked back at their childhood with a mix of longing and unease. Fans of reflective, slice-of-life stories like Tobias Wolff’s This Boy’s Life or even films like Stand by Me will find much to love here. While some of the stories’ slower moments might test a reader’s patience, the emotional payoffs make the journey worthwhile.

1986 is a beautifully crafted tribute to the messiness and magic of growing up. I’d recommend it to anyone nostalgic for their own “good old days” or curious about life in a time that feels simultaneously distant and familiar.

[Gerhard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of ten linked short stories – or maybe referring to these vignettes as little slices of life will serve to define the author’s intention better – concerns itself with incidents both touching and strange, as they occur in a young unnamed boy’s life. All the confusion and pain of growing up and having to confront the conundrums and mysteries that are part of inching towards maturity, are represented here in very readable prose (with a good sprinkling of surreal – and sometimes slightly puzzling but always entertaining – imagery along the way).

All of these stories focus on the varied aspects of life which any young person is likely to come across or might be beginning to perceive an inkling of : standing up to bullying and emerging from such an ordeal with a sense of self-worth and dignity (“Drainage Pipe”); the realisation that the concepts of family and home is at best fragile (“Mail Walk”); and the strange propensity towards both cruelty and kindness which seems to be part of the human psyche (“Dog and Butterfly”). Moral questions are also something that have to be dealt with by the main character, thus in “New Knife” our protagonist faces the dilemma of weighing up a kind, caring deed against an ill-conceived one.

The story that most tellingly illustrates the unpredictable and complex mindset of a young boy, is the very fine “Clubhouse” - a tale that culminates in an ironical ending that speaks volumes about the urge to belong and participate, and the regret and envy at being excluded from a significant event.

In my opinion the most effective story here is “Truck Stop”, in which the young protagonist, while accompanying his truck-driving father on a trip to Kansas, becomes separated from him at a fog-shrouded service station/diner. The author succeeds admirably in creating an authentic setting, and combining this with a well-conveyed sense of dread, he manages to elevate the material considerably. I for one would have loved to learn the father’s reaction to what is about to be revealed at the very end of the story. But it goes without saying that the author’s decision to conclude the story at that point is a very sound one. I think it leaves the reader with just the right degree of embarrassed empathy for the boy.

The literary universe offers vast (and sometimes tiresome) quantities of so-called coming-of-age fiction – or perhaps childhood narratives is the more apt term – but Mr. Stepp approaches his material from such an off-kilter angle that it practically demands to be read.

I received an ARC from BookSirens for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

[Beatrice Tibaldini · Rating 3 out of 5]

1986 is a short, fast-paced collection of stories, perfect for a quick read. The narratives flow smoothly from start to finish, but they reveal an unexpected depth and darkness compared to what the initial description might suggest. Childhood in the 1980s is a fascinating theme, capable of evoking strong nostalgia and offering an intriguing snapshot of an era filled with cultural transformations.

However, while the concept behind the collection is promising, the author struggles to maintain a consistent thread between the stories. Individually, the tales have their charm, and some stand out for their originality or emotional intensity, but as a whole, they lack the cohesive narrative structure needed to tie them together convincingly. This can give the impression of a project that, despite having excellent potential, falls short of achieving the narrative solidity required to express it fully.

That said, the collection's strength undoubtedly lies in its writing style. The descriptions are masterfully crafted, transporting the reader to a vivid and tangible world filled with details that almost leap off the page. This makes for an enjoyable reading experience, even when the plot or the connection between the stories feels less impactful.

Overall, 1986 is a work that, despite its imperfections, deserves to be read for the atmosphere it creates and the author’s ability to evoke images and sensations with just a few well-chosen words. A collection that, while not fully mature in its structural execution, still leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Really thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Stasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dreamy, nostalgic exploration of childhood that culminates in a final grown up story from our protagonist. The stories are interconnected with the same characters, but weave through an ambiguous timeline.

My favorites of the collection were “Truck Stop,” about getting lost & separated from your parent, and “YMCA,” about a single day at a YMCA after school camp. Both really showcase the author’s ability to describe the world in the eyes of a child- the world seems bigger, supporting characters seem more mysterious, and mundane tasks turn into frightening adventures. There’s a Christmas story that wanders into lengthy descriptions of each 80s gift, the richness of holiday food, and the snowstorm outside. It really puts words to the yearning a lot of us feel for the holidays of our youth.

The final story, “2006,” brings us to a bittersweet. reunion of the characters as adults. I found this quote relatable and moving as I grapple with aging & changing relationships myself: “My family was no more than an arm’s length away, but it may as well have been a million miles. I felt like a stranger to them. I was overcome with unbearable sadness, of loser of a world I had always known, slipping through my fingers, and being helpless to catch it.”

There a few stories where the morality felt heavy handed, or they’re just a bit weaker than the others. If decimals were possible this would probably be more or a 3.5-3.75 but it’s solid enough to round up. Overall a nice, quick read for a quiet night.

[Ryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Thank you to Netgalley and Brody & Malachi Press for providing me with a copy of this book*

1986 is a collection of 10 interconnected short stories about a young boy growing up in Georgia during the 80's. Think of it as an episodic experience of random vignettes of his life. All of the stories take place in the 80's, instead of the last one that takes place in 2006, and feature nostalgia that is sure to make anyone who grew up in that time period smile and reminisce.

The writing style was very easy to follow and was sort of soothing in a way to read. The way that it read felt like I was revisiting a memory from my own life. I also enjoyed the short story format as it made each section easy to digest and kept them from being long-winded. Though I will say that that might be a flaw for some people, as it sometimes feels that the stories are going nowhere.

However, I felt as though each story fell short when it came to the endings. For lack of a better term, they just ended. It was jarring at times reaching the final sentence when the story felt like it was building up to a different ending. The stories are pretty short as is so it wouldn't hurt to add a little more build up to make each closing more satisfying.

I enjoyed my time with 1986 even though I don't see myself ever returning to it. Will Stepp will definitely be an author that I will keep an eye out for. I'm excited to see what they put out next!

[Ella · Rating 2 out of 5]

“I swear, the longer I live, the less I seem to know.” This basically sums up my feelings on both life and my experience reading this book. Accurate as is for life, but the more I read of this book, the more confused I became. I am still so confused. I think each of the stories is about the same boy, but it’s the timeline and locations make that hard to be sure about. I liked the nostalgia of reading about childhood in the 80s, and some of the stories gave a bit of that “there’s a lesson in every story/show” that I felt growing up, but as a whole it felt super unfocused and disconnected. Like someone’s diary that they only wrote in a handful of times throughout their life, each time years apart. And were the stories real? Were those weird happenings supernatural or dreams? But also, it’s called 1986, so did all this happen during that one year? It doesn’t seem like it… It had enjoyable moments, so I kept reading thinking it would eventually make sense, and I guess the ending sort of brings it together, at least character-wise, but I am struggling to find the point, unless that is the point? Perhaps I am not smart enough, or just not the right reader for this? Can’t say I’d personally recommend this one, unfortunately.

That said, I do want to thank NetGalley and Brody & Malachi Press|BookBaby for this eARC. I’m glad I gave it a chance, but unfortunately, not everything is for everyone.

[Luke Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

1989 is a collection of short stories by Will Stepp that shares select stories from the main character's life as he grows up in the 80s. The stories are all connected to each other, sharing characters and places and even containing a sense of continuity throughout.
Many of the stories are impactful and thought provoking and they do well to convey the era in which they are set. They also have this looming sense of danger that permeates the whole collection which gives the sense of a kid who was trying his best to contend with an often terrifying world.
Where I felt the collection faltered was with the simple prose and the slightly confused themes. I think Stepp might have been going for a stream of consciousness kind of narrative to put the reader into the mind of the main character and in some ways this works. The story “Mail Walk” in particular has a section that really leans into this that I found to be particularly enjoyable. I would have liked to have seen more grounded descriptions that really put me into the narrative, but other than that the stories were really impactful.
1989 is a good collection of stories that does its own thing well.

I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shireen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

An engrossing read with several short stories that all connect through the life of the young protagonist. The stories are nostalgic and sometimes bittersweet, but there's usually a weirdly uncanny feeling of eeriness hiding in there. Or sometimes not hiding at all. The eerie veers into the bizarre in certain places, but not in an off-putting way. There were times when I would be reading a passage and it would trigger a memory of my own childhood in the 80's and it was really fun to reminisce about toys and shows and games, and then BAM! We'd veer right into spooky territory and it would no longer be about my experiences but those of this kid again. It's definitely worthwhile to pick up a copy of this book to read if you'd like an atmospheric trip down memory lane - perhaps as an elder millenial - and also for the fact that these vignettes are pretty well-written and engaging. I think my favourite stories were the ones set at the truck stop and the YMCA.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Will Stepp, and Brody & Malachi Press for giving me access to a digital ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.

[Karine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here we have a collection of short stories that revolve around a young boy growing up and his emotional growspurts are nicely captured in each and every one. There is a dreamlike quality to it and just a hint of supernatural elements and it certainly gives a good idea of what it was like to be a child growing up in the 1980's. I particularly liked the story with the pocket knife, as it perfectly describes how sometimes we can deeply hurt the people we love the most.

The chapters have an unfinished feel to it, but I believe it is the author's intent as it incapsulates how we experience our childhood in those short unfinished episodes. The writing is good and fluent and the structure of the stories are just right.

There is a story that depicts animal cruelty (luckily it ends well), and I just didn't like the last chapter when the boy is all grown up. I think it is superfluous and detracts from those childhood reveries. But all in all, a very good novella.

Thank you NetGalley, Brody & Malachi Press | BookBaby, and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short stories, 1986 (2025) by Will Stepp is his debut literary fiction novel. The ten stories are interconnected by the young lad growing up in rural Georgia in the 1980s. The narrative has a nostalgic feel with its captured glimpses of childhood memories. The unnamed boy experiences various changes, getting lost, moving houses, friendships and family, in a dreamlike series of tales. There are also hints of the supernatural or otherworldly elements, adding to the ambiguity and hazy recollection of days long gone. An interesting read, which is somewhat surreal, yet captures the essence of childhood in a delightful 164-page novella with a four star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement. With thanks to Brody & Malachi Press and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.

[Bonnie Kernene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the author's first book, and it is a winner from my point of view! I love the way it was written. It is several short stories that some intermingle. They are all about memories of childhood, friendships, home, etc., in the backdrop of the 80s. The stories themselves are each well written, with well developed characters that you could even picture in your mind as you were reading the story. For me, this was one of those "can't put down" books. Each chapter was a fast and easy read for me, so I was able to read the book rather quickly to satisfy that impatience! But it was well worth it. The book was great. I am hoping for more from this author. I hope to see something else from him soon. He is a good writer and should keep it up! I highly recommend this book. Especially if you loved the 80s and lived through it!

[Mary Polzella · Rating 3 out of 5]

A
A series of interconnected short stories about a boy growing up in the 1980's, some which leave you with an almost melancholic sense of nostalgia. The stories deal with the good and bad aspects of growing up and had me feeling wistful. They touch on dark issues such as difficult family relationships, love and friendship, bullying and feeling ostracized by others. A number of the stories have a mysterious, ghostly feel to them and their short length and writing style makes this an easy to read collection.

One of my favourite stories in the collection was New Knife, a lovely story about the love between a young boy and his grandpa, and a special gift he gives to his grandson.

A lovely collection about both the wonder and terrors of growing up. Thank you to NetGalley and Brody & Malachi Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[ems_booknook · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess with this one I got something that wasn’t what I expected. I’m not entirely sure what that was, and what I will say is that this author has a great prose. I really did enjoy the writing style but I think what let it down for me is that I don’t really feel like it ‘went’ anywhere.

To me, it sort of just felt like a little memoir of some events that happened in this boy’s life, that didn’t really amount to anything but were fond or even distressing memories about his family from when he was younger.

To me, it wasn’t like there was much a plot per se, but the characters were highly relatable, it was easy to see the connections he had with people and his family. I wish there was more to it, but it is what it is!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGgalley and Brody & Malachi Press for the ARC of this book.

I was intrigued by the time period and setting of this book since I spent a portion of my childhood living in Georgia. The idea of the stories being short, interconnected bursts was great. It set a nice atmosphere.

The writing is pretty straight forward but I think it could have benefited from a bit more editing to make it sound a little less "and then, and then" as it goes on. But this book is easy to pick up and put down in short spurts because of its format.

Love the idea, but I'm not sure that this was for me.

[hus · Rating 3 out of 5]

1986 is a short but poignant collection of ten interconnected stories that follow a boy growing up in Georgia. At under 100 pages, it’s a quick read, but one that lingers with you due to its quiet, atmospheric prose. The stories don’t always follow a traditional narrative arc—some feel like fleeting moments of adolescence, meandering without clear resolutions. While a few stories didn’t quite resonate, others captured the complexity of growing up in a way that felt real and raw. The final story offers a satisfying sense of closure, rounding out the collection. It’s a thoughtful read that I can appreciate, even if some parts didn’t fully connect with me.

[Taren Hartwig · Rating 3 out of 5]

"1986 - Stories" by Will Stepp is a collection of short stories based on the author's youth.

The title was a bit misleading because as I read, details didn't quite align from one story to the next, but characters carried over, so these seemed to be about the same main character. However, in one story, he lives in a trailer park, while in another he's living in an apartment complex. The ages and maturities of the characters seem to shift as well, leading me to believe that these are not all curated stories from the same year, and there isn't a singular standout story titled "1986" that would give the book its name. There's even one story at the end that takes place in adulthood. Also, the description of the book seems more lighthearted, focusing on the nostalgia of growing up, but the content is dark, focusing on bullying, getting lost, ghosts, anxiety, and scary adults. Overall, the tone and mood is darker than most collections of childhood stories and reads more like Stephen King stories of growing up ("The Body"/"Stand by Me", the non-horror portions of "It", etc.).

The writing is pretty good, and the characterization felt authentic to children of the 1980s. Stepp does a nice job of making kids sound like kids and adults sound like adults, both in narrative voice and in dialogue. The stories are short and written from the adult perspective, so many of the stories have some kind of life lesson that stuck with the narrator, and that helps to connect stories that might otherwise not feel as cohesive.

Readers looking for stories that will take them back to a 1980s childhood of Saturday Morning cartoons, toys, and the warmer parts of youthful memories won't find what they're looking for in this book. However, readers who are looking for darker, moodier stories might find this an interesting and quick read. As I fall within the former group of readers, this one wasn't really for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really original collection of short stories that never tried too hard to be interconnected but weaved into one another with common settings or characters as reference points. The tone and sometimes obscurity within the stories really give an authenticity to that strange time between childhood and the self awareness of becoming a teenager. Stepp writes really well and sets a strong tone and sense of place within the 80's and for that, although some of the stories weren't for me, I appreciated the style and prose overall.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nostalgic and atmospheric set of interconnected stories, with a strong sense of place and time.

Set in Georgia, while all the stories are not equally interesting, many are enjoyable. The pace of the story telling is a little uneven at times, and some judicious editing might help with that.

Worth checking out if you like the coming-of-age genre, in particular. I do, which is what gets it 3 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review