Last week we reviewed ten of the most-read Stoneslide pieces that weren’t short stories. This week we’re highlighting 15 of our most-read short stories from 2012. We just couldn’t limit ourselves to ten. These pieces are all works of art.

We’ve included the first sentence of each work in the list below. The sentence is the building block of story, and of course a first sentence carries an extraordinary burden. We found that, as we read through these opening lines, our affection for each story was re-awakened. Something of the full work is there, almost like a miniature model of the whole. Maybe it’s the voice of the protagonist, the hint of a critical relationship, the introduction of a distinctive conceit. Reading them all together, we are deeply appreciative—and a little amazed—that we had the opportunity to publish them all in these first ten months of Stoneslide.

“Peddler” by Tia Creighton

I’m standing on the porch of another split-level, post-war modern home waiting for an answer.

“Wayne’s Spontaneous Overflow” by Tracy Elin

Wayne had never thought to write a poem before.

“In the Rip Tide” by L.M.

I never smelled the smoke.

“Ian, Washed Up” by James Mitchell

Ian had become a wave.

“Drawn to Scale” by Sean McCleary

A map can save your life.

“Tricks of Life” by Tia Creighton

I wouldn’t call my dad cheap.

“Red Mask” by B. Clim

The gong sounded as the first sliver of sun appeared.

“Maui” by Kerry McArdle Lee

My husband pointed them out.

“The Aunt” by Robyn Parnell

You have time to think, riding the bus.

“Walking Distance” by James Esch

“Where were you losers?!” Ronny says from the driver’s side of the idling van.

“Buckeyes” by Leslie Rapparlie

“I can’t drink the water without the lemon,” my mother said.

“Triple-Double” by Douglas W. Milliken

The plan had been to spend Friday night at Paulie’s and hang out Saturday then go to Saturday practice together in the afternoon but then that morning Coach called—while we faked not being hungover in the buttery morning-bright kitchen, dopey and grinning while Paulie’s mom attacked us mercilessly with motherfucking pancakes—and said there’d be no practice today.

“Virgin in the Den of Whores” by Tadhg Muller

I remember when I was a virgin, recall the impending prospect of bliss.

“Everything in Its Right Place” by Salma Saeedi

My mom dismisses the song as being nothing more than noise.

“Mona’s Coming” by Lynn Stegner

It was after 1:00 p.m. when I telephoned Kaplan, assuming that he would at least be up, maybe already in the kitchen, preparing his usual toasted bagel with bacon, mayo, and cherry tomatoes—and he was up but only just.

Happy New Year! We look forward to bringing you more great stories in 2013.