Review: Corners of My Mind by Travis E. Short – A Collection of American Short Stories
“Whether you crave laughter, heartache, or a jolt of surprise, Corners of My Mind delivers. Travis Short draws from dreams, memories, and imagination to reveal the astonishing beauty hidden in ordinary lives.”
🌟Welcome, friends!
I’m excited to share my final stop on the Travis Short iRead Book Tour. Today, I have a review of Corners of My Mind, an incredible collection of American short stories.
This diverse anthology sweeps readers from icy Korean mountains to small-town living rooms, introducing soldiers, preachers, lonely hearts, and even a talking dog. Each story captures a surprising corner of the human experience, balancing humor, heartbreak, and unforgettable tales that linger long after the last page.
👇 Keep scrolling for the giveaway.
📝 All About the Book
Corners of My Mind: American Short Stories
By Travis Short
Published by Publish Authority on June 2024
Genres: Age: Adult, Short Stories, Single Author Anthology
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 329
Corners of My Mind is a captivating collection of American short stories that promises to be the ideal companion for your next flight or bedtime routine. This eclectic assortment of tales delves into the lives of ordinary people who find themselves thrust into extraordinary situations, weaving a rich tapestry of human experience.
Within these pages, master storyteller Travis Short draws upon a vast array of sources—his own life, the lives of those around him, and flights of imagination. Each story emerges from a unique spark, be it a vivid dream, a fleeting conversation, or an evocative image. From soldiers and preachers to lonely women and even talking dogs, the characters in Corners of My Mind are as diverse as the stories themselves.
In “Old Men Cry Too Easily,” readers are introduced to Jacob Monroe, whose seventy-sixth birthday is overshadowed by the haze of Alzheimer’s, blurring the lines between celebration and reality. “Trimming Trees for God” unfolds the tale of a radio minister whose charisma ensnares an agnostic listener, leading to a dramatic personal upheaval when the listener’s wife leaves him for the pastor. In “Lap Dance” reveals the heartbreak of a widower who is swindled out of his life savings by a seductive pole dancer. “Extra! Extra! Read All About It,” a headline provides an unexpected lifeline to a man caught in the throes of infidelity. “In from the Cold” tells of a young soldier abandoned on a frigid North Korean mountain after escaping an abusive home life. Meanwhile, “Julius the Talking Dog” features a canine with remarkable intellect who converses with his master about the Tibetan concept of transference, while maintaining a peculiar silence around everyone else.
Each story in Corners of My Mind is imbued with unexpected twists and poignant moments that linger long after the last page is turned. Dive into this collection for a journey through the surprising and often profound corners of the human experience.
📚 Where to Find Corners of My Mind
Available on Amazon
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Prefer to shop local?
🛍️ You can also purchase Corners of My Mind from your favorite indie bookstore online.
Bookshop.org is an excellent option that supports indie authors—and book bloggers like me—while avoiding the big-box route.
Also available at:
📘 Barnes & Noble | Abe Books | BAM
✨ My Thoughts on Corners of My Mind ✨
Travis E. Short’s Corners of My Mind is a gem for readers who appreciate the art of the short story. I love the variety here—each piece feels like opening a new door into a completely different life. From heart-warming tales of quiet connection to heart-breaking snapshots of loss, every story wraps you in its clasp for just a few pages, yet leaves an impression that lingers far longer.
What makes this collection shine is the sheer range of voices and situations. One moment you’re sharing a lonely birthday with Jacob Monroe as Alzheimer’s clouds his memories; the next you’re on a frigid North Korean mountainside with a young soldier fighting to survive. There’s even a wisecracking talking dog who muses on the Tibetan concept of transference. Soldiers, preachers, dreamers, and drifters—each character arrives fully formed, as if you’ve known them for years.
This is the perfect book for bedtime or for reading on your commute. You can start and finish a story in a single sitting, but you’ll carry its echoes well beyond the last page. Whether you crave laughter, reflection, or a twist you didn’t see coming, Corners of My Mind proves that a few well-chosen words can hold an entire world.
Read More Travis Short Reviews
Anna: A Life of Faith and Courage
I received a copy of the book for this #iReadBookTours special four-book feature. This review represents my honest and unbiased opinion.
✍️ Meet the Author
Travis Short is the writer and author of several books, including Anna: A Life of Faith and Courage, Killers Can't Hide, and The Adventures of Faraday Fox. Among other works, he has also published the illustrated epic poem Old White Men, a story of the sacrifices by America’s warriors since 1775. His favorite pastime is writing short stories, many of which are included in his collection Corners of My Mind.
Retired as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, he pursued a career in shipbuilding and manufacturing. He has extensive experience in technical writing and business consulting. A graduate of the U.S. Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, Travis holds a degree in Engineering Sciences.
He is the father of four daughters and three sons, and currently resides in Moss Point, Mississippi, with his constant companion, a Lhasa Apso named Choi.
Connect with the Author:
🌐 Website ~ 📘 Facebook ~ 🔷X ~ 📚 Goodreads ~🅰️Amazon
🎁 Giveaway!
Enter the Travis Short Multi-Book Tour Giveaway
If the Entry Box is hiding around the corner, you can also enter here!
🗺️ Tour Stops — Corners of My Mind
- Sep 23 — Liese's Blog
- Sep 24 — Book Corner News and Reviews
- Sep 24 — Gina Rae Mitchell
- Sep 25 — Locks, Hooks and Books
- Sep 29 — @Leannebookstagram
🗺️ Full Tour Schedule (All Stops)
- Aug 10 – @therearenobadbooks
- Sep 2 – Liese's Blog
- Sep 2 – Cover Lover Book Review
- Sep 2 – @bubbleswrapherbooks
- Sep 2 – @onemorechap
- Sep 2 – @bearyintobooks
- Sep 2 – @youngpink_bibilophile
- Sep 2 – @my_fair_fiction
- Sep 2 – @adriftinfictionalworld
- Sep 3 – Gina Rae Mitchell
- Sep 3 – Kim's Book Review and Writing Aha's
- Sep 3 – @michellegodardricher
- Sep 4 – Locks, Hooks and Books
- Sep 4 – Kim's Book Review and Writing Aha's
- Sep 4 – @nessas_book_reviews
- Sep 5 – @tia.reads
- Sep 5 – @therearenobadbooks
- Sep 7 – @readwithinsoul
- Sep 9 – Liese's Blog
- Sep 9 – @Leannebookstagram
- Sep 9 – @anjiscape
- Sep 10 – Gina Rae Mitchell
- Sep 11 – @reader_ceygo
- Sep 11 – Locks, Hooks and Books
- Sep 12 – FUONLYKNEW
- Sep 12 – Writer with Wanderlust
- Sep 15 – @acourtofspinesnpages
- Sep 15 – @ablueboxfullofbooks
- Sep 16 – @Leannebookstagram
- Sep 16 – Liese's Blog
- Sep 16 – @onceuponamaltesereader
- Sep 17 – Deanna’s Bookstagram
- Sep 17 – Gina Rae Mitchell
- Sep 18 – GetUrBook!!!
- Sep 18 – @respecka
- Sep 18 – @Bookworm86
- Sep 19 – @the_secret_bookreview
- Sep 19 – Locks, Hooks and Books
- Sep 22 – Book Corner News and Reviews
- Sep 22 – @Leannebookstagram
- Sep 23 – Liese's Blog
- Sep 23 – @doyenne_in_tbilisi
- Sep 23 – Book Corner News and Reviews
- Sep 24 – @jilljemmett
- Sep 24 – Book Corner News and Reviews
- Sep 24 – Gina Rae Mitchell
- Sep 25 – The Life We Build
- Sep 25 – Locks, Hooks and Books
- Sep 26 – @lizzies.reading.recs
- Sep 26 – @kiv_coffeeandpages
- Sep 26 – The Life We Build
- Sep 28 – @nissa_the.bookworm
- Sep 29 – @nyahreadsbooks
- Sep 29 – @whatsenalireads
- Sep 29 – @Leannebookstagram
- Sep 29 – @bookwale_sharmaji
- Sep 29 – @readsandmusic
- Sep 29 – @this.human.reads
- Sep 29 – @the.librarymouse
- Sep 29 – @betweentheclassics
- Sep 29 – @rajendra_kumar02
Remember – Every stop has a new chance to enter and win!
🌟 Closing Notes
Many thanks to iRead Book Tours and Travis E. Short for providing the books and all the details that made this feature possible. This is my fourth—and final—stop on the Travis E. Short book tour, and each visit has been an absolute treat to share with all of you.
💬 Join the Conversation: Have you read Corners of My Mind or another short-story collection you love? Share your thoughts—or your favorite short story—in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear your recommendations!
Happy reading,
Gina Rae Mitchell
📌 Quick Book Tour Recap:
Book Title: Corners of My Mind: American Short Stories by Travis E. Short
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 329 pages
Genre: Short Stories
Publisher: Publish Authority
Release date: September 2024
Tour dates: Sep 2 to Sep 29, 2025
Content Rating: PG-13. Most stories are G-rated, but some contain curse words and street language. No explicit sex.
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#BookSky 💙📚
Civil, respectful conversation is always welcome—let’s chat about books, food, or whatever brings you joy.
📚 Why Join iRead as a Tour Host?
Free books in your mailbox? Yes, please!
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This looks like a great read. Thanks for sharing.