PEOPLE I KNOW

by David Joseph

In this unique collection, David Joseph crafts more than sixty pieces of extraordinarily short fiction. They depict the author’s clarity of language, character, and ideas at their economical best, while managing to construct a literary world that feels complete despite the succinct nature of these stories.

Like a gallery in an art museum, the portraits in People I Know look back at us. In doing so, they become people we know. Wrapped in the cloaks of their own stories, they carry us on a roller coaster ride of the human experience - humorous, hopeful, sad, touching, curious, and nostalgic.

In this kaleidoscope of family, friends, lovers, and uncommon strangers, David Joseph’s concise writing cuts deep.

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2026

About the author

David Joseph is a recipient of The Paul Cave Prize for Literature, Next Generation Indie Book Award, Independent Press Award, and other honors.

He is the author of four collections of short fiction, and his writing has been published in The Wall Street Journal, London Magazine, The Smart Set, Litro, and Rattle. A recipient of The John Henry Hobart Fellowship for Ethics and Social Justice, he has taught at Pepperdine University and Harvard University, where he received The Derek Bok Award For Distinction in Teaching.

In 2024, Readers Digest named his book I Didn't Know What To Say, So I Just Said Thanks as one of the 38 Best Short Story Collections of All-Time.

Reviews

[Kenyah The Cultivated Reader · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

It was hard to believe that these were short fictions because each person described felt so real. Sal was the right choice for the first story because I can't forget such a subtle act of compassion. Each story humanized individuals that we meet, know, love, and lose throughout our lives. Despite their diversity, the whole book felt cohesive. It felt realistic that one person could encounter each of these people in a lifetime, and that is a beautiful thing. Our lives aren't just the things we accomplish. The people we know bring just as much value through fond memories and life lessons. The language is colloquial but packs a memorable punch. I really enjoyed reading People I Know, and I think fans of The Names by Florence Knapp and other literary fiction will love it too. I received an early review copy from the author/publisher, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Julia Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

These flash (likely auto-)fiction pieces about the author's interactions with other humans throughout his life were great to work through when I had a short amount of time to read on my commute or at the airport. Many painted a nostalgic picture of coming of age in small town America, whether told from the perspective of a kid growing up, or a man looking back on his glory days. I will say there were more stories featuring death than I might have expected, and the use of "damn" as an adjective became a little repetitive--but this also seemed to solidify who the author is in the present day more clearly. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.