Thirty-seven award-winning short stories fill these entertaining pages. Written by Australian and international authors these stories explore Australian culture — sometimes funny, often poignant, occasionally unsettling, this anthology showcases the best of contemporary short story writing.

Everyone has been embarrassingly kind. When Colin died, I received flowers and sympathy and even two casseroles. A very private person, I had not expected that living in Edenvale Lifestyle Village would be so pleasantly sociable and supportive.

But I can't stay here now.

—From The Underground River by Gaye Spreglewski

He wore pants today, navy chinos. She imagined his legs as they were yesterday, bare and muscled. Too hairy for a cyclist. He probably went to the gym. She swapped his dress pants for a pair of grey gym shorts. He is doing squats, a bar loaded with weights across his shoulders. His legs are tanned, caramel. She wants to run her tongue along the hairless patch behind his knee.

—From Tarred and Feathered by Lesley Day

The sun didn't kiss Alice's skin, it gnawed her like a dog with a bone. Despite the thick, pungent layer of sunscreen that covered her, she felt like she was burning – and the flames were invisible to everyone else.

Why didn't you just tell him no?

—From Burning by Helen Walker