The word "unsayable" can mean something is too vast to be put into words. Alternatively, it can refer to the things we can't say because they'd be hurtful or they'd make us look bad. In Lynne Sharon Schwartz's short story collection Truthtelling, the author communicates the unsayable — both definitions — in a wide range of situations. Through their discomfort, Schwartz's characters become uncannily relatable, even if they're not always likable. The writer deftly distills this complexity into stories told in a matter-of-fact style that's never showy or self-indulgent. This book will appeal to readers across numerous demographics.

There are 25 stories, and they differ substantially in length. Some are paragraph-long microfictions and others feature full plot arcs. This range was helpful because it was easy to find time to read a story and digest it before returning to read ...