I was blown away by Gina Chung’s debut novel, Sea Change. Chung’s writing is so warm and charming, and this continues in her wonderful story collection, Green Frog. The opening, titular story is a wonderful snapshot of a character and a life. It’s a sweet tale about a young lady who has lost her mother, … Continue reading Review: Green Frog, by Gina Chung (Vintage)
Review: Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart, by GennaRose Nethercott (Vintage)
I fell in love with GennaRose Nethercott’s writing after reading her thrilling novel, Thistlefoot. As an avid reader of weird short stories, I grabbed Nethercott’s debut collection, Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart, as soon as I could. Here are my favorites: Sundown at the Eternal Staircase - The opening story establishes the tone of … Continue reading Review: Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart, by GennaRose Nethercott (Vintage)
Review: We Have Always Been Who We Are, by Sofia T. Romero (Blackstone)
Sofia T. Romero’s debut collection, We Have Always Been Who We Are, contains a fantastic mix of stories. Here are my favorites: My First Confession - A weird sorority initiation ceremony including a book of secrets. It all goes wrong when an “outsider” tries to join. Ashes to Ashes - Oh my word, this was … Continue reading Review: We Have Always Been Who We Are, by Sofia T. Romero (Blackstone)
Review: No One Will Come Back for Us, by Premee Mohamed (Undertow Publications)
Premee Mohamed is one of those writers I had often heard about, but I foolishly never made the time to explore her work. However, after reading her contribution to the upcoming dark Peter Pan anthology (The Other Side of Never, Titan Books), I could no longer ignore this force. No One Will Come Back for … Continue reading Review: No One Will Come Back for Us, by Premee Mohamed (Undertow Publications)
Weird Female-Authored Short Story Collections
Little did I know that my dumb little morning tweet would provide such an incredible list of recommendations of short story collections by female authors. I've compiled most of the responses below. I can't speak to the quality of all of these (yet!), but I've highlighted my favorites. I like to think of myself as … Continue reading Weird Female-Authored Short Story Collections
Review – The BBC National Short Story Award 2021 (Edited by James Runcie, Comma Press)
It’s that time of year again! I’ve loved it for years, and I’m glad to report that the nominated stories for 2021 are incredibly strong. Click on each title to hear the stories for free on BBC Sounds. The first story will be broadcast on September 20th, with a new story for the following four … Continue reading Review – The BBC National Short Story Award 2021 (Edited by James Runcie, Comma Press)
April 2021 Round-Up and May Reads
April Reads Well, suppose I’d better get my April round-up done before June comes along. Here’s the run-down: Parable of the Sower - Octavia Butler (Grand Central Publishing)Near the Bone - Christina Henry (Berkley Publishing)Folklore - Angela Mi Young Hur (Erewhon)Chouette - Claire Oshetsky (Ecco)Jews Don’t Count - David Baddiel (TLS Books)Sometimes Amazing Things Happen - Elizabeth Ford … Continue reading April 2021 Round-Up and May Reads
Where To Read Amazing Short Stories
I'm approaching the three-year anniversary of starting my habit of reading a short story every day. I've read over 1000 stories. To be honest, I don't manage to read one absolutely every day; I don't treat it like homework. There are days when I'm just not feeling it, or I'm engrossed in a novel. I … Continue reading Where To Read Amazing Short Stories
September 2020 Reading Round-Up
A very brief breakdown of what I read in September. Lost Boy by Christina Henry (ebook) - One of my favorite books of the year. Dark and disturbing Captain Hook origin story. Fuck Peter Pan, and Tinkerbell is a snitch. Summerwater by Sarah Moss (hardcover, UK import) - An exciting read, but not as captivating as her … Continue reading September 2020 Reading Round-Up
Bookish Bluster – July 31, 2020
On My Read-Ar Two very exciting books were released this week. Laura van den Berg's new collection, I Hold a Wolf by the Ears, described as "an urgent and unsettling collection of women on the verge". Yes please! And I'm incredibly intrigued by Flyaway by Kathleen Jennings. "A beguiling story that proves that gothic delights … Continue reading Bookish Bluster – July 31, 2020
California Reading 