What kind of novel should I write?

National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo) is coming up in November. I tried last year and made it to about 25,000 words (out of 50,000 to finish) before I stopped. I'd like to try again this year, which I realize may be a little crazy with this next stage of my life so rapidly approaching, but I'm gonna at least see if its possible.

Last year I wrote a rather sad attempt at a fantasy/LordoftheRingsesque story, and it just didn't work out. I got bogged down in the details and the story really didn't go anywhere, even after 25,000 words. Now I still have a slight bent toward a fantasy novel, but I'm thinking I might should try something else just to see what happens. I've toyed with the idea of doing a collection of short stories, but I'm not sure yet what they would be about. Is that lame? Anyone have any other suggestions for me?