This is one of those times when “second star-to-the-right-and-straight-on-‘til-morning” is simply too complicated.
Philip Pullman’s Once Upon a Time inThis is one of those times when “second star-to-the-right-and-straight-on-‘til-morning” is simply too complicated.
Philip Pullman’s Once Upon a Time in the North calls for dead reckoning at an elemental level. In this prequel to His Dark Materials trilogy, there is no golden compass (a.k.a. alethiometer) and no Lyra Silvertongue. In a time before her birth, Lee Scoresby has just come north from the Dakotas, where he won a navigable ballon in a questionable card game. The fact that he is missing vital pages from the Elements of Aerial Navigation manual that came with the balloon has not stopped him from turning aeronaut and somehow, finding the Barrents Sea Company Depot in a storm. It does, however, provide unnecessary challenges for his proposed landing, as does the lack of a wrench to use on the stuck gas-valve.
Unholstering a rusted-up revolver, Scoresby bashes the valve into submission and negotiates a plunge-to-earth-style landing, which also serves to get the opening pages subtlety out of the way allowing Pullman to range freely and directly in a book that is little in size only. This is Pullman’s own antidote to complexity. Good is good and bad is mostly anything that deals with Larsen Manganese, an arctic mining company.
Not that everything is exactly straightforward. The belle of the boarding house dinner table is not the local schoolmarm but the local librarian, and why wouldn’t she be? Moreover, Lee Scoresby’s daemon has been wrong about her own identity for her entire life heretofore. Iorek Byrnison and Lee Scoresby meet and become friends in the course of mispronouncing each other’s names as well as saving each other’s lives. Name mispronunciation appears to have been the bigger issue for them. And Scoresby breaks his own heart losing any chance he may have had (slim to none) in wooing said librarian by trying to provide sage advice.
It is about as unexpected a Pullman story as an aeronaut or any of us could ever expect. One of those books you read twice in a row because how could you not. Comes complete with a Pullman created board game in the back pocket and a series of end notes that are a story in themselves. – Steven S.
Once Upon a Time in the North is an accelerated reader appropriate for middle grades. Lexile measure: 900L...more
Eric LaRocca's "The Trees Grew Because I Bled There" is a collection of horror short stories that will make your spine tingle and fill you with existeEric LaRocca's "The Trees Grew Because I Bled There" is a collection of horror short stories that will make your spine tingle and fill you with existential dread. The stories are expertly written, filled with suspense, and place you in the minds of some truly twisted people.
As a huge horror fan, I absolutely devoured these stories and loved how they pushed the boundaries of evil in the ordinary person. Fans of Mike Flanagan's TV series "The Haunting of Bly Manor" will appreciate the LGBTQ+ representation in horror, as well as the tragic and terrifying storylines. "The Trees Grew Because I Bled There" left me feeling unsettled about mankind's capacity for evil and the unavoidable tragedies of life.
This is not a comforting read so be warned, but true horror fans will love LaRocca's willingness to delve into some very uncomfortable and dark places. Madeline W. ...more
Toot-Toot and Oberon! Well, not in a story together, but existing only pages apart in this anthology!
Jim Butcher and Kerrie Hughes gathered urban-fantToot-Toot and Oberon! Well, not in a story together, but existing only pages apart in this anthology!
Jim Butcher and Kerrie Hughes gathered urban-fantasy writers to ponder the idea of heroes. Kevin Hearne’s story of Oberon, still loving sausages and becoming a hero in his own way, put a smile on my face. Annie Bellet’s diction and story of self-sacrifice made me pause and reflect. Jim Butcher’s courageous Toot-Toot made me laugh and want more Dresden.
Engaging, fresh, and dauntless. Not to sound too Bonnie Tyler, but we’re all holding out for a hero and these short stories delivered. -Sara S....more
Sparring Partners, Grisham's latest publication, is a set of three stories that the author found to be too short for a full fledged novel, yet too lonSparring Partners, Grisham's latest publication, is a set of three stories that the author found to be too short for a full fledged novel, yet too long for a novella. Homecoming brings us back to Ford County and Jake Brigance. A fellow lawyer, Mack Stafford, contacts Jake out of the blue. Being gone several years after stealing a client's money, leaving his family and escaping the country, he decides it’s time to return and answer for his sins. Or does he? Strawberry Moon is the story of a young man, Cody Wallace, on death row and just hours away from his execution. Finally, there is Sparring Partners, where we meet the brothers Rusty and Kirk Malloy, who jointly run their family's law business after their father goes to prison for manslaughter. They can’t stand one another and are as opposite as two brothers can be. The only person either of the brothers trusts is Diantha. Will she be able to reunite them and save the firm from financial ruin? All three stories are engaging as only Grisham can make them. The audiobook includes narration from Jeff Daniels and Ethan Hawke, among others, and they do a fantastic job. Although they are short stories, I found myself wanting to hear more about the characters, there is some room available for advanced storytelling by Grisham if he ever wishes to revisit them in the future. This is a quick listen and is well worth the time spent as with all his novels.
If you haven’t read Barthelme yet, or maybe it has been a while (he had 129 stories published in The New Yorker over 26 years), then you owe it to youIf you haven’t read Barthelme yet, or maybe it has been a while (he had 129 stories published in The New Yorker over 26 years), then you owe it to yourself to pick up this volume. One of the 20th century’s greatest experimental writers, Donald Barthelme defies categorization, and is sometimes compared to Kafka for his imagination and Beckett for his darkness. Don’t be intimidated by the 900+ pages of collected stories because this book is best enjoyed in sips. In fact, I don’t recommend starting at the beginning and reading it cover to cover, I recommend starting with a few of the later chapters: Sadness, Amateurs, and (From) Sixty Stories. Below are some notes about several of my favorites.
Critique de la Vie Quotidienne (p. 335) “Our evenings lacked promise. The world in the evening seems fraught with the absence of promise, if you are a married man. There is nothing to do but go home and drink your nine drinks and forget about it.”
Unable to cope with the usual irritations and mishaps of fatherhood, a man seeks escape through drinking and relentless critique of his wife. Their marriage reaches an inevitable breaking point, but is it the Scotch bottle that breaks or something else? A distillation and amplification of all the most frightening truths of family life, written so that we can laugh at both the story and ourselves.
The School (p. 467) “They said, will you make love now with Helen (our teaching assistant) so that we can see how it is done? We know you like Helen.”
Death, existential philosophy, and carnal curiosity: Barthelme explores the unpredictability of the elementary school classroom. Who is better equipped to see reality, children or adults? A very humorous and thought-provoking short piece.
A Manual for Sons (p. 662) “Often that memory is more potent than the living presence of a father, is an inner voice commanding, haranguing, yes-ing and no-ing . . . governing your every, your slightest movement, mental or physical.”
How do you cope with a dead father who won’t stay dead? Maybe Barthelme doesn’t have the answer for everyone, but one thing is for certain: you’re not alone. This piece is full of hilarious and relatable father stereotypes, and also hits the bullseye on several sharp, buried emotions. -Andrew S....more
Thank you for writing about the embarrassing things you do like accidentally starting fires in your house and maI feel like Jenny is my spirit animal.
Thank you for writing about the embarrassing things you do like accidentally starting fires in your house and making me feel better about when I accidentally start fires in my house.
And thank you for discussing your anxiety because it's good to have a hypotherical buddy who also involuntarily tightens or shakes their hands when anxiety or sensory overload takes over and you realize you are not as unusual as you feel you are, although being unusual is also how you like it and would never want to be "normal."
Thank you for the laughs and the comforts and your vulnerability. -Sara S....more
A beautiful body of work, They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us is a collection of essays about music, race, and life in modern America. Hanif AbdurraA beautiful body of work, They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us is a collection of essays about music, race, and life in modern America. Hanif Abdurraqib has an incredible voice and weaves personal stories with pop culture and the difficult to discuss realities of America. Even if you are not interested in the pop culture aspect, the essays are about much more than what is on the surface. My personal favorite essay is Fall Out Boy Forever. -Jenny L....more
The latest from Stephen King is a collection of four novellas that will entertain both avid King readers as well as those who might typically shy awayThe latest from Stephen King is a collection of four novellas that will entertain both avid King readers as well as those who might typically shy away from his novels. The title story is one that is a follow up to The Outsider. If you have not read The Outsider, it might prove to be a bit harder to follow but does provide the reader enough insight into Holly Gibney’s background for one to make it through. To really capitalize however, reading both Mr. Mercedes and The Outsider would be the ultimate way to read it. The first story, Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, is an emotional story of an older gentleman and a young boy who develop a very special friendship through the years and manages to effectively navigate and connect the millennial and baby boomer generations quite nicely. If you happen to recall the days when iPhones first hit the market and were all the rage, this story will resonate with you. It was my favorite one in the whole book by far and reminded me of an episode of The Twilight Zone. If you read nothing else in this book read this one! That is the great thing about short stories; you can read the ones you want and not feel guilty about moving on. -Pam B....more
This young adult anthology is a perfect read for the spooky season. Comprised of 15 diverse witchy tales by 15 young adult authors, this collection feThis young adult anthology is a perfect read for the spooky season. Comprised of 15 diverse witchy tales by 15 young adult authors, this collection features stories set in contemporary, historical and futuristic settings. Each story revolves around a strong and powerful female voice. Usually with a collection of short stories there are some hits and misses. However, with this collection I can honestly say that I loved each and every one of them. My favorite stories were definitely Starsong by Tehlor Kay Mejia and The One Who Stayed by Nova Ren Suma. I recommend that you cozy up to this read while the weather is still chilly. - Jenny L....more
In American Like Me, you will find essays from famous Americans who have struggled with feeling “other” in their home country and with finding a way tIn American Like Me, you will find essays from famous Americans who have struggled with feeling “other” in their home country and with finding a way to meld their cultural identities. Some of these essays are hilarious, some are heartbreaking, and most are a beautiful mixture of the two. Finding your sense of self is something we can all relate to and I learned a lot from the diverse authors in this book! – Michelle V....more
Scott lives in a small conservative town called Castle Rock. When a strange affliction befalls him, he seeks the advice of a local retired doctor; whoScott lives in a small conservative town called Castle Rock. When a strange affliction befalls him, he seeks the advice of a local retired doctor; who has never seen a case quite like this.
I was engaged from the first page and read this novel in one afternoon. This story examines the dynamics of relationships and their evolvement, the gift of empathy and the power of surrender. -Clara M. ...more
Something happens to me each time I read a Lauren Groff novel and though I can’t quite put my finger on it, I do know I will be forever changed. I becSomething happens to me each time I read a Lauren Groff novel and though I can’t quite put my finger on it, I do know I will be forever changed. I become imprinted by her characters, they attach to my psyche with their raw complexities and realness. My first Groff discovery, Arcadia, bewitched me so strongly I implored family and friends to read it until everyone knew of Bit and the Kid Herd, I defended Groff’s brilliant multifaceted Fates and Furies to a book club passionately, and impatiently awaited this collection of stories in southern gothic tradition. From what I know of the author, it seems we are privy to biographical snippets in this collection heavily focused on motherhood. The last story, “Yport”, had a strange validating and comforting effect on me as I am also a mother of two boys. I identified with the mother’s fierce love for her boys and less conventional way of interacting and engaging them in the world around them. I haven’t even mentioned her descriptions of Florida, the Wild West of the south, gritty and crawling with dangerous beasts. Like the panther on the cover, it feels there is always something precarious lurking in the strange shadows of Florida, in addition to a mild thread of melancholy which is common in Groff’s writing. If you haven’t yet read her, be prepared for a weirdly beautiful journey. -Lisanne E....more
Elizabeth Strout has an amazing ability to delineate characters we are not used to seeing clearly. She favors people who are skilled in the art of melElizabeth Strout has an amazing ability to delineate characters we are not used to seeing clearly. She favors people who are skilled in the art of melting into the background wherever they are. To a person they seek to hide within their social ostracism. Strout brings them to the foreground and builds entire books around them. In this book, a series of linked short stories describe the relatives of a main character in a previous book, Lucy Barton, who has shed her previous social constraints entirely and remade herself as a famous author. This act, the shedding of her previous social 'skin', consumes the small community up and down its social strata. It speaks of such great possibility, right in front of them, and is frightening and awesome. The stories are wonderful in their creation of the people in the tight community. Strout's ability to create worlds and hopes within brief descriptions is amazing. I thought this book was leaps beyond My Name is Lucy Barton, the book around which the characters are based. It just took so much more skill and creativity and each section was a wonder to explore. -Suzanne R. ...more
I was first drawn to this collection of short stories simply because they were written by actor Tom Hanks, and I was interested in his literary work. I was first drawn to this collection of short stories simply because they were written by actor Tom Hanks, and I was interested in his literary work. After I finished I looked up his background to see if he had an English degree, because I thought his writing was quite good. He doesn't by the way; studied theater in school. "Uncommon Type" is a collection of seventeen short stories with varying themes, but most of the stories have a common denominator in which an antique typewriter pops up at some point. Because the characters and events of these stories are so varied I found myself reading the book practically in one sitting, never tiring of it. Included are stories of relationships, war, space travel, and even time travel. "Steve Wong is Perfect" is a story of one man catching the eye of ESPN after bowling continuous perfect scores. He enters a tournament to win 100,000 dollars, and I found myself totally invested in this story about bowling. Well done, Mr. Hanks! - Sara Z....more
Set aside a moment and travel back to a time when giants tenanted the world and gods made playthings of natural wonders. Gaiman delivers an exceptionaSet aside a moment and travel back to a time when giants tenanted the world and gods made playthings of natural wonders. Gaiman delivers an exceptionally authentic retelling of Norse mythology. He brings to life Odin, Thor, and the always devious Loki and articulates Norse origin stories of the world, the gods and natural phenomenon with inspired imagery along with that adroit and sublime wit Gaiman is known for. This is a mythical gem and the short story format is truly enjoyable. Leave behind contemporary notions of Norse mythology and revel in the world of the gods long disregarded but not forgotten. -Sara G....more
I just finished a very unusual book. It is called Chance Developments by Alexander McCall Smith. He was asked to write an introduction to "orphaned" pI just finished a very unusual book. It is called Chance Developments by Alexander McCall Smith. He was asked to write an introduction to "orphaned" photographs----old black and white pictures that had no clear provenance. Thus, he took 5 of those photographs, and put names and places to them. All of the 5 short stories are different in their location and time. The photos are an actual part of the book.
ALL of the stories are uniquely told, and very interesting. The style is very endearing in that you have an attachment to the characters. Since Book Clubs are usually fiction, or biographical, I wonder if a Book Club would enjoy the discussion of the material in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed ALL of the stories. -Bob K....more
I just finished "Unaccustomed Earth" by Jhumpa Lahiri. It is a book of short stories, mainly of two families with roots in India. The stories are inteI just finished "Unaccustomed Earth" by Jhumpa Lahiri. It is a book of short stories, mainly of two families with roots in India. The stories are inter-related with the central characters. It was an enjoyable read, and gives you insight into assimilation into the United States as well as the people who still cling to their native beliefs. It was very well written. –Bob K....more
I wish B.J. Novak was my friend. The closest I can get is spending a few hours with him as he reads his book for the audio version. If you don't alreaI wish B.J. Novak was my friend. The closest I can get is spending a few hours with him as he reads his book for the audio version. If you don't already know him from the hit show The Office, he is also a graduate of Harvard with a degree in English and Spanish Literature. He is amusing and clever and quirky. His stories come off as a daydream musing thought strings followed to the fullest extreme and crafted into a chuckle producing story. -Lisanne E....more
This is a short story from Gillian Flynn, author of "Gone Girl" and it originally appeared as "What do you do?" in George R. Martin's "Rogues" antholoThis is a short story from Gillian Flynn, author of "Gone Girl" and it originally appeared as "What do you do?" in George R. Martin's "Rogues" anthology. I listened to the audio version, and was riveted. Flynn references the gothic writer Ann Radcliffe, which was very fitting as her tale is styled as a classic ghost story. The narrator is a young woman, "struggling to survive by perpetrating various levels of mostly harmless fraud", which includes posing as a psychic. When she visits the Victorian home of Susan, one of her clients, she's drawn into Susan's world of terror and grief. Susan claims to fear her stepson's "disturbing manner and grisly imagination," but soon Flynn introduces very interesting plot twists that leave the reader wondering who in this story is truly the evil one. - Sara Z
I just finished "The Grownup" by Gillian Flynn. She wrote the best seller "Gone Girl". This book was written after that novel. This is really a novella of sixty-two pages, BUT it is eerier than "Gone Girl." Who is the grownup here? Is it the step-son Miles, or the step-mom, Susan, or the unnamed narrator who pretends to be a psychic?? Truth in lending laws suggest that I advise you not to read this late at night, while alone, just before bedtime. This is pure Stephen King in fright. Have fun. -Bob K. ...more
In this collection of short stories, Katherine Heiny, portrays the other, perhaps more realistic aspects of love. A woman torn between her love of twoIn this collection of short stories, Katherine Heiny, portrays the other, perhaps more realistic aspects of love. A woman torn between her love of two men, a woman loving someone in a way they can never return, and the deep interior life of a woman involved in an extra marital affair. Although it could be quickly consumed on the beach, Heiny lends a wizened depth to portraying of how complicated love can be. -Lisanne E....more
Scottsdale Public Library
>
Books:
short-stories
(31)
Loading...
