When I was studying English for undergrad, I had to purchase an excessive number of copies of literature textbooks and anthologies. This was one of them, and I haven't used it since, but it cost a decent chunk of change so it's sticking around.

A great collection of stories and novel excerpts from some of the leading contemporary authors from the later half of the last century. From my perspective, reading this collecting was especially interesting considering that this 1998 edition was a commemorative edition covering the past 14 years of the Vintage Contemporary series, which I found myself reading 18 years after its publication. Some names are still strong contenders, while others have faded slightly over the past couple of decades, but they are all still strong entries in this volume. Personal favorite authors included in this edition: Raymond Carver, Richard Russo, Don Delillo, Nicholson Baker, Bret Easton Ellis, and Mark Leyner. ( )