- Short Story Review: “Beyond Imagining” by Lore Segal(The short story “Beyond Imagining” by Lore Segal appeared in the June 10th, 2024 issue of The New Yorker.) Illustration by Bénédicte Muller A few years before my mother passed away, we got into a conversation about getting older. She was around 70 years old at this time, and happily enjoying her life in retirement, … More Short Story Review: “Beyond Imagining” by Lore Segal
- Short Story Review: “Consolation” by Andre Alexis(The short story “Consolation” by Andre Alexis appeared in the May 20th, 2024 issue of The New Yorker.) Illustration by André Derainne If you have read any of my reviews, then you know that I am a sucker for a story about death, especially if it’s a story dealing with the death of a parent. … More Short Story Review: “Consolation” by Andre Alexis
- Short Story Review: “We’re Not So Different, You and I” by Simon Rich(The short story “We’re Not So Different, You and I” by Simon Rich appeared in the May 13th, 2024 issue of The New Yorker.) Illustration by Tim Lahan You know, it’s hard to make friends the older you get. Especially for men. When you’re a kid, if someone lived on the same street as you, … More Short Story Review: “We’re Not So Different, You and I” by Simon Rich
- Personal Review: “First Love” by Gwendoline RileyFor the life of me, I don’t remember who or what recommended First Love to me. It was on a list of books that I should read, and when I found a copy of it at the Strand, I picked it up without a second thought, nor having any idea what I was about to … More Personal Review: “First Love” by Gwendoline Riley
- Short Story Review: “Poetry Is Not About the Price of Gasoline” by Amorak Huey(The flash fiction story “Poetry Is Not About the Price of Gasoline” by Amorak Huey appeared in Okay Donkey.) I am aware that I should know this, but sometimes I just am not sure what the difference is between absurdist literature and postmodern literature. Some of my favorite writers fall into one, or the other, … More Short Story Review: “Poetry Is Not About the Price of Gasoline” by Amorak Huey
- Short Story Review: “Why I didn’t Immediately Load the Car When My Husband Texted that the Fire Was Getting Closer” by Claudia Monpere(The flash piece “Why I didn’t Immediately Load the Car When My Husband Texted that the Fire Was Getting Closer” by Claudia Monpere, appeared in Milk Candy Review.) I like flash fiction; it is my preferred form of storytelling now. It’s a very malleable form as well. It can be a straight forward very short … More Short Story Review: “Why I didn’t Immediately Load the Car When My Husband Texted that the Fire Was Getting Closer” by Claudia Monpere
- Goodnight Springton! There Will Be No Reviews!Yeah, I tried my best, but this week just had it out for me. There will be no reviews this week. Which is annoying as I had several pieces in the hopper that I just haven’t read yet. Such as: When She Falls by Louise McGuinness, from Milk Candy Review Mr. Mollusk by Didi Wood, … More Goodnight Springton! There Will Be No Reviews!
- Short Story Review: “This is a Dog” by Joanna Theiss(The story “This is a Dog” by Joanna Theiss appeared in Milk Candy Review.) It is hard to pack an emotional pay off in under 1,000 words. Not impossible, just hard. Joanna Theiss does this rather masterfully in her flash piece “This is a Dog,” which is one of the best examples of a story … More Short Story Review: “This is a Dog” by Joanna Theiss
- Short Story Review: “Neighbors” by Zach Williams(The short story “Neighbors” by Zach Williams appeared in the March 25th, 2024 issue of The New Yorker.) Photograph by Devin Oktar Yalkin A movie I love, just deeply admire, is Picnic on Hanging Rock by Peter Weir. For a movie that was a hit, and enormously influential, I have met very few people who … More Short Story Review: “Neighbors” by Zach Williams
- Personal Review: Road House; Both of Them (1989, 2024)(It’s my way, or the highway.) So, I’m a huge MST3k fan, and as such, I join in that show’s admiration of the Patrick Swayze epic that is Road House from 1989. It is a movie that was made specifically for pre-teen and teenage boys, and I happened to be that in the late 80’s. … More Personal Review: Road House; Both of Them (1989, 2024)
- Short Story Review: “The Spit of Him” by Thomas Korsgaaed (Translated from the Danish by Martin Aitken.)(The short story “The Spit of Him” by Thomas Korsgaaed appeared in the March 4th, 2024 issue of The New Yorker.) Illustration by Henning Wagenbreth “The Spit of Him” by Thomas Korsgaaed is a competent story. I believe that it accomplishes what is was created to do – fulfills its purpose of being – puts … More Short Story Review: “The Spit of Him” by Thomas Korsgaaed (Translated from the Danish by Martin Aitken.)
- Short Story Review: “That Girl” by Addie Citchens(The short story “That Girl” by Addie Citchens appeared in the February 12th and 19th, 2024 issue of The New Yorker.) Illustration by Derek Abella Oh, it’s so much fun reading something that reminds you how powerful a short story can be. In a very deft, strong, subtle and powerful voice, Addie Citchens presents a … More Short Story Review: “That Girl” by Addie Citchens
- Short Story Review: “Life with Spider” by Patrick Langley(The short story “Life with Spider” by Patrick Langley appeared in the February 5th, 2024 issue of The New Yorker.) Photo illustration by Hana Mendel for The New Yorker First of all, when I read a story that has to do with a grown man and a large insect, I can’t help but think of … More Short Story Review: “Life with Spider” by Patrick Langley
- Short Story Review: “Poor Houdini” by Anne Carson(The short story “Poor Houdini” by Anne Carson appeared in the January 29th, 2024 issue of The New Yorker.) Illustration by Lauren Peters-Collaer Well, yeah! “Poor Houdini” by Anne Carson is the type of short story I love falling into. Why beat around the bush here; This is a fabulous story that happily reminded me … More Short Story Review: “Poor Houdini” by Anne Carson
- Short Story Review: “Chance the Cat” by David Means(The short story “Chance the Cat” by David Means appeared in the January 22nd, 2024 issue of The New Yorker.) Photograph by Bobby Beasley for The New Yorker (Edited and Updated on 2/5/24) I’m guessing here, but I’ve written close to 100 reviews for my blog. And when I write one, I try to come … More Short Story Review: “Chance the Cat” by David Means
- Short Story Review: “The Beach House” by Joy Williams(The short story “The Beach House” by Joy Williams appeared in the January 15, 2024 issue of The New Yorker.) (I will SPOIL this story.) Illustration by Mia Bergeron Of all the storytelling tricks that are out there, the “MacGuffin” is my favorite. If you don’t know, a MacGuffin in a story is any object, … More Short Story Review: “The Beach House” by Joy Williams
- Best of 2023 – Short Story Review: “Long Island” by Nicole Krauss(The short story “Long Island” by Nicole Krauss appeared in the May 22nd, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (I’m gun’na try not to, but beware of SPOILERS!) Illustration by Javi Aznarez There are no rules to writing. None. Whoever told you that you had to write in a certain way was lying to you. … More Best of 2023 – Short Story Review: “Long Island” by Nicole Krauss
- Best of 2023 – Short Story Review: “The Soccer Balls of Mr. Kurz” by Michele Mari (Translated, from the Italian, by Brian Robert Moore.)(The short story “The Soccer Balls of Mr. Kurz” by Michele Mari appeared in the May 29th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (This story will be SPOILED, so beware!) Illustration by Guido Scarabottolo The old “losing your ball over the fence” story. It’s nice to know that boys in other countries have this issue … More Best of 2023 – Short Story Review: “The Soccer Balls of Mr. Kurz” by Michele Mari (Translated, from the Italian, by Brian Robert Moore.)
- Best of 2023 – Short Story Review: “Colorin Colorado” by Camille Bordas(The short story “Colorin Colorado” by Camille Bordas appeared in the July 10 & 17, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (SPOILERS AHEAD!) Photograph by Ryan Frigillana for The New Yorker I loved it. It was much better than The Lottery. I going to read it, again and again.
- Best of 2023 – Short Story Review: “Valley of the Moon” by Paul Yoon(The short story “Valley of the Moon” by Paul Yoon appeared in the July 3rd, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (SPOILERS should just be expected.) Illustration by Dadu Shin “Valley of the Moon” is an exquisite short story by Paul Yoon. Writing a good short story is hard enough, but writing a short story … More Best of 2023 – Short Story Review: “Valley of the Moon” by Paul Yoon
- Best of 2023 – Short Story Review: “Different People” by Clare Sestanovich(The short story “Different People” by Clare Sestanovich appeared in the January 30th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (SPOILERS ahead!) Illustration by Jillian Tamaki I have been trying for some time to come up with a good introduction for this piece, but I have decided that the best way to open this is to … More Best of 2023 – Short Story Review: “Different People” by Clare Sestanovich
- Short Story Review: “Let Me Try to Make It Interesting” by Francesca Leader(The short story “Let Me Try to Make It Interesting” by Francesca Leader appeared on December 7th, 2023 in Milk Candy Review.) And then I read something that just floors me. Like, pulls at me in a way, like my breath is being evacuated from my body. That a piece of writing can use words … More Short Story Review: “Let Me Try to Make It Interesting” by Francesca Leader
- Short Story Review: “Self-Portrait in Assignments” by Max Kruger-Dull(The short story “Self-Portrait in Assignments” by Max Kruger-Dull appeared on November 30th, 2023 in Milk Candy Review.) I am a strong propionate for flash fiction to not behave like a short story. That’s not to say that a writer cannot craft a well written short story in under a thousand words which exhibits all … More Short Story Review: “Self-Portrait in Assignments” by Max Kruger-Dull
- Short Story Review: “According to Alice” by Sheila Heti(The short story “According to Alice” by Sheila Heti appeared in the November 20th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) Illustration by Janet Hansen At the very end of “According to Alice” by Sheila Heti, there is an addendum which states: This story was written in collaboration with a customizable chatbot on the Chai AI … More Short Story Review: “According to Alice” by Sheila Heti
- Short Story Review: “Our Time is Up” by Clare Sestanovich(The short story “Our Time is Up” by Clare Sestanovich appeared in the November 13th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) Illustration by James Lee Chiahan You know, and I’m not stepping out on a ledge here, but there should be more stories about mothers and daughters. For centuries, the literary cannon is filled with … More Short Story Review: “Our Time is Up” by Clare Sestanovich
- Short Story Review: “The Ghosts of Gloria Lara” by Junot Diaz(The short story “The Ghosts of Gloria Lara” by Junot Diaz appeared in the November 6th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) Photograph by Paul Thulin-Jimenez for The New Yorker I had a professor in college who taught a playwrighting class, who likened writers to jazz musicians. This professor believed, and taught, that both types … More Short Story Review: “The Ghosts of Gloria Lara” by Junot Diaz
- Short Story Review: “Upstate” by Emma Cline(The short story “Upstate” by Emma Cline appeared in the October 30th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (Yes, my dear, there will be SPOILERS.) Illustration by Dennis Eriksson “If God didn’t exist, it would be necessary to invent him,” was the first quote that came to my mind when I read this story. Maybe … More Short Story Review: “Upstate” by Emma Cline
- Short Story Review: “I Am Pizza Rat” by Han Ong(The short story “I Am Pizza Rat” by Han Ong appeared in the October 23rd, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (There are SPOILERS!) Photograph by Melissa Schriek for The New Yorker As a kid who grew up in the 90’s, I am a sucker for slacker lit. You know, meandering stories, aloof narrators, whacky … More Short Story Review: “I Am Pizza Rat” by Han Ong
- Short Story Review: “The Choc-Ice Woman” by Mary Costello(The short story “The Choc-Ice Woman” by Mary Costello appeared in the October 16th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) Illustration by Anna Morrison I love short stories, just in case you weren’t aware. It’s an art form that has an endless well-spring of inspiration and creativity due to the uniqueness of each and every … More Short Story Review: “The Choc-Ice Woman” by Mary Costello
- Short Story Review: “Heart” by Shuang Xuetao (Translated from the Chinese, by Jeremy Tiang.)(The short story “Heart” by Shuang Xuetao appeared in the October 9th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) Illustration by Sally Deng If you write a story about a parent/child relationship, and then throw in a dying parent, you pretty much are half way to claiming a small place in my heart. My logically analytical … More Short Story Review: “Heart” by Shuang Xuetao (Translated from the Chinese, by Jeremy Tiang.)
- Short Story Review: “ProCess” by Abigail E. Myers(The short story “ProCess” by Abigail E. Myers appeared on September 26th, 2023 in Rejection Letters.) image: MM Kaufman I remember how when I was a kid, I was told in school that technology, someday, would solve all our problems, thus making the world a better and perfect place. My dad, when he was a … More Short Story Review: “ProCess” by Abigail E. Myers
- Short Story Review: “The Narrow Way” by Liliana Colanzi (Translated from Spanish by Chris Andrews.)(The short story “The Narrow Way” by Liliana Colanzi appeared in the September 25th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (Do I even need to say SPOILERS?) Photograph by William Mebane for The New Yorker Liliana Colanzi pretty much nails it in the first four paragraphs of her story “The Narrow Way.” We come to … More Short Story Review: “The Narrow Way” by Liliana Colanzi (Translated from Spanish by Chris Andrews.)
- Short Story Review: “On the Agenda” by Lore Segal(The short story “On the Agenda” by Lore Segal appeared in the September 18th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) Illustration by Riccardo Vecchio “On the Agenda” by Lore Segal is an interesting exercise. I read it twice, enjoyed it both times, but I’m still wondering about the ending. Each time I read it, and … More Short Story Review: “On the Agenda” by Lore Segal
- Short Story Review: “Hobbies” by Robbie Herbst(The short story “Hobbies” by Robbie Herbst appeared in X-R-A-Y on August 30th.) (SPOILERS, people! SPOILERS!) Art by Bri Chapman There sure are a great number of short stories and novels that cover the subject matter of the male midlife crisis. Or, as a friend calls them, “Sorry your penis stopped working, stories.” In one … More Short Story Review: “Hobbies” by Robbie Herbst
- Personal Review: The Great British Bake-OffI did it – Well, the wife and I did it – We watched all 13 seasons of The Great British Bake-Off, or Show, depending on where you are. That was a lot of baking, and a lot of British culture. We watched the show together on our lunch breaks, so we only got about … More Personal Review: The Great British Bake-Off
- Short Story Review: “The Autopsy” by Lyudmila Ulitskaya (Translated, from the Russian, by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.)(The short story “The Autopsy” by Lyudmila Ulitskaya appeared in the August 28th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (You know there are SPOILERS, right?) Photograph by Tereza Zelenková for The New Yorker First of all, I do want to give credit and say thank you to the Fiction Editor at The New Yorker, for … More Short Story Review: “The Autopsy” by Lyudmila Ulitskaya (Translated, from the Russian, by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.)
- Short Story Review: “The True Margaret” by Karan Mahajan(The short story “The True Margaret” by Karan Mahajan appeared in the August 14th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) Photograph by Eliza Bourner for The New Yorker “The True Margaret” by Karan Mahajan, is an interesting short story, which ultimately is a well-crafted piece of fiction, yet I never found myself engrossed by it. … More Short Story Review: “The True Margaret” by Karan Mahajan
- Short Story Review: “Yogurt Days” by Jamie Quatro(The short story “Yogurt Days” by Jamie Quatro appeared in the August 7th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (SPOILERS! Though I think you know that, and I should stop announcing it now…) Illustration by Alex Merto; Source photograph by Bonnie Taylor Barry / Shutterstock Ah… religion and faith, and rules and guidelines, and patriarchy … More Short Story Review: “Yogurt Days” by Jamie Quatro
- Short Story Review: “A French Doll” By Cynthia Ozick(The short story “A French Doll” By Cynthia Ozick appeared in the July 31st, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (SPOILERS! There will always be SPOILERS!) Photo illustration by Joan Wong; Source photographs from Getty; NYPL And then sometimes, The New Yorker just publishes a good story. Why beat around the bush here; “A French … More Short Story Review: “A French Doll” By Cynthia Ozick
- Short Story Review: “Colorin Colorado” by Camille Bordas(The short story “Colorin Colorado” by Camille Bordas appeared in the July 10 & 17, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (SPOLIERS AHEAD!) Photograph by Ryan Frigillana for The New Yorker I loved it. It was much better than The Lottery. I going to read it, again and again.
- Short Story Review: “Valley of the Moon” by Paul Yoon(The short story “Valley of the Moon” by Paul Yoon appeared in the July 3rd, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (SPOILERS should just be expected.) Illustration by Dadu Shin “Valley of the Moon” is an exquisite short story by Paul Yoon. Writing a good short story is hard enough, but writing a short story … More Short Story Review: “Valley of the Moon” by Paul Yoon
- Short Story Review: “Status in Flux” by Weike Wang(The short story “Status in Flux” by Weike Wang appeared in the June 26th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (As in life, there will be SPOILERS!) Illustration by Jiayue Li First, we had stories about Covid arriving. Then there were the stories about living with Covid. Now we have arrived in age of stories … More Short Story Review: “Status in Flux” by Weike Wang
- Personal Review: KUDOS by Rachel Cusk(SPOLIERS, but I don’t think you can spoil this novel…) I’m a big fan of Rachel Cusk. Ever since I read a piece on her in The New Yorker a while ago, and I think the article was about the OUTLINE Trilogy, I have found her to be a huge inspiration and a fascinating author. … More Personal Review: KUDOS by Rachel Cusk
- Personal Review: Ted Lasso Season 3 and The Whole Thing(SPOILERS! You shouldn’t have to ask…) I finished it. Over the weekend, I finally got around to watching the final episode of the 3rd season of Ted Lasso. I had a complicated relationship with the 3rd season. I was watching in three-episode chunks over a two-week period, and then I would get off the wagon … More Personal Review: Ted Lasso Season 3 and The Whole Thing
- Short Story Review: “Civil Disturbance” by Said Sayrafiezadeh(The short story “Civil Disturbance” by Said Sayrafiezadeh appeared in the June 19th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) Photograph by Holly Andres for The New Yorker This week’s short story from The New Yorker is “Civil Disturbance” by Said Sayrafiezadeh, an author I never have read before until today. It’s a competent short story … More Short Story Review: “Civil Disturbance” by Said Sayrafiezadeh
- Short Story Review: “The Soccer Balls of Mr. Kurz” by Michele Mari (Translated, from the Italian, by Brian Robert Moore.)(The short story “The Soccer Balls of Mr. Kurz” by Michele Mari appeared in the May 29th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (This story will be SPOILED, so beware!) Illustration by Guido Scarabottolo The old “losing your ball over the fence” story. It’s nice to know that boys in other countries have this issue … More Short Story Review: “The Soccer Balls of Mr. Kurz” by Michele Mari (Translated, from the Italian, by Brian Robert Moore.)
- Short Story Review: “Long Island” by Nicole Krauss(The short story “Long Island” by Nicole Krauss appeared in the May 22nd, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (I’m gun’na try not to, but beware of SPOILERS!) Illustration by Javi Aznarez There are no rules to writing. None. Whoever told you that you had write something in a certain way was lying to you. … More Short Story Review: “Long Island” by Nicole Krauss
- Personal Review: Let Me Think by J. Robert LennonI am embarrassed to say that I have no idea how Let Me Think by J Robert Lennon made it on my reading list. And my reading list is actually a wish list on my Amazon account. This was the book that was next up. I knew it was a collection of short stories, but … More Personal Review: Let Me Think by J. Robert Lennon
- Short Story Review: “The Plaza” by Rebecca Makkai(The short story “The Plaza” by Rebecca Makkai appeared in the May 8th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (SPOLIERS should be expected, but not intended.) Sometimes I just want to read a good old-fashioned short story, like from that Post WWII/1950’s period when writers could make a living publishing stories in magazines. These are … More Short Story Review: “The Plaza” by Rebecca Makkai
- Short Story Review: “Bowling Shoes” by Noel Streatfeild (Alison L. Fraser)[The short story “Bowling Shoes” by Noel Streatfeild (Alison L. Fraser) appeared in Rejection Letters on April 17th, 2023.] (It’s a flash fiction piece, so I will SPOIL it) I do miss going out and drinking on a weeknight. I don’t miss the hangover that followed the next day. Reading “Bowling Shoes” reminded me of … More Short Story Review: “Bowling Shoes” by Noel Streatfeild (Alison L. Fraser)
- Short Story Review: “Alisa” by Lyudmila Ulitskaya (Translated from the Russian, by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.)(The short story “Alisa” by Lyudmila Ulitskaya appeared in the April 3rd, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (Yes, I will SPOIL this story.) Illustration by Golden Cosmos The story “Alisa” by Lyudmila Ulitskaya is translated from the Russian, by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. But I’m pretty sure you knew that from the title … More Short Story Review: “Alisa” by Lyudmila Ulitskaya (Translated from the Russian, by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.)
- Short Story Review: “THE NIGHT THE STARS FELL” by Dustin M. Hoffman(The short story “THE NIGHT THE STARS FELL” by Dustin M. Hoffman appeared in One Story, issue 289.) (Yeah, I will SPOIL it.) I’m really late to the party on this story. “THE NIGHT THE STARS FELL” by Dustin M. Hoffman was published May of 2022 in One Story, and I got around to reading … More Short Story Review: “THE NIGHT THE STARS FELL” by Dustin M. Hoffman
- Short Story Review: “Snowy Day” by Lee Chang-Dong (Translated from the Korean, by Heinz Insu Fenkl and Yoosup Chang.)(The short story “Snowy Day” by Lee Chang-Dong appeared in the March 6th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (Yes, there will be SPOILERS!) Illustration by Anuj Shrestha “Snowy Day” is an okay story. Not awful, not amazing either, and in the end, I do recommend that you should read it. It was written by … More Short Story Review: “Snowy Day” by Lee Chang-Dong (Translated from the Korean, by Heinz Insu Fenkl and Yoosup Chang.)
- Short Story Review: “The Last Grownup” by Allegra Goodman(The short story “The Last Grownup” by Allegra Goodman appeared in the February 27th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (I will SPOIL the story.) Illustration by Geoff McFetridge Being a grownup sucks, and being a divorced grownup sucks even more. This is the basic idea behind the short story “The Last Grownup,” by Allegra … More Short Story Review: “The Last Grownup” by Allegra Goodman
- Short Story Review: “My Sad Dead” by Mariana Enriquez(The short story “My Sad Dead” by Mariana Enriquez appeared in the February 13th & 20th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (Translated, from the Spanish, by Megan McDowell.) (It goes without saying, but just saying, SPOLIERS!) Photo illustration by Silvia Grav for The New Yorker “My Sad Dead” is a finely written story by … More Short Story Review: “My Sad Dead” by Mariana Enriquez
- Short Story Review: “Different People” by Clare Sestanovich(The short story “Different People” by Clare Sestanovich appeared in the January 30th, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (SPOILERS ahead!) Illustration by Jillian Tamaki I have been trying for some time to come up with a good introduction for this piece, but I have decided that the best way to open this is to … More Short Story Review: “Different People” by Clare Sestanovich
- Short Story Review: “Wednesday’s Child” by Yiyun Li(The short story “Wednesday’s Child” by Yiyun Li appeared in the January 23rd, 2023 issue of The New Yorker.) (I will SPOIL this story.) Illustration by Camille Deschiens I sometimes need to be reminded that grief is an individual experience. Not only does each person grieve differently, but the grief one feels is also specific … More Short Story Review: “Wednesday’s Child” by Yiyun Li
- ODDS and ENDS: China Visitors, North London Derby, and Fantasy Football(Crystal Pepsi wasn’t that bad…) I am very thankful and grateful for the people who look at this blog; There are my friends from high school, college, and my life in New York.; And there are the other writers and bloggers on this platform. I appreciate the time you spend on the posts, and the … More ODDS and ENDS: China Visitors, North London Derby, and Fantasy Football
- Short Story Review: “Future Shock” by Peterson Berg(The short story “Future Shock” by Peterson Berg appeared in Rejection Letters on January 9th, 2023.) (SPOILERS AHEAD! – I think…) I know I have brought this up many times before, and I will be bringing it up again, but I really am enjoying all of the stories that are now coming out that are … More Short Story Review: “Future Shock” by Peterson Berg
- Best of 2022 – Short Story Review: “Wood Sorrel House” by Zach Williams(The short story “Wood Sorrel House,” by Zach Williams, Appeared in the March 21st, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (I see spoilers!) I do not know what to make of this story. I haven’t stopped thinking about the thing since I finished reading it, but I still can’t come up with what it’s all … More Best of 2022 – Short Story Review: “Wood Sorrel House” by Zach Williams
- Best of 2022 – Short Story Review: “The Face in the Mirror” by Mohsin Hamid(The short story “The Face in the Mirror” by Mohsin Hamid appeared in the May 16th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (This story will be Spoiled!) I didn’t know I had been waiting for a story, but “The Face in the Mirror” by Mohsin Hamid was the story I had been waiting for. I … More Best of 2022 – Short Story Review: “The Face in the Mirror” by Mohsin Hamid
- Best of 2022 – Short Story Review: “Annunciation” by Lauren Groff(The short Story “Annunciation,” by Lauren Groff appeared in the February 14th & 21st, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) First of all, I am not related to Lauren Groff. Second, this is the first short story by her that I have read. And it was a good one to start with. From the first … More Best of 2022 – Short Story Review: “Annunciation” by Lauren Groff
- Best of 2022 – Short Story Review: “What the Forest Remembers” by Jennifer Egan(The short story, “What the Forest Remember” by Jennifer Egan, appeared in the January 3rd & 10th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) Why did our parents do the things that they did? Why did my dad stop buying sports cars in the 70’s and then start buying station wagons? I can guess, which is … More Best of 2022 – Short Story Review: “What the Forest Remembers” by Jennifer Egan
- Best of 2022 – Short Story Review: “So Late in the Day,” by Claire Keegan(The short story “So Late in the Day,” by Claire Keegan appeared in the February 28th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (And there are SPOILERS!) Character study, as a short story format, is one of those “classic” forms that’s taught in school; an analysis or portrayal in literature of the traits of character of … More Best of 2022 – Short Story Review: “So Late in the Day,” by Claire Keegan
- Closing Out 2022This will be my last real time blog post for 2022. I have some posts in the can that I have scheduled for the next couple of days, but for all intents and purposes, I am done blogging for the year. Christmas is right around the corner and I am intending to spend time with … More Closing Out 2022
- Short Story Review: “The Other Party” by Matthew Klam(The short story “The Other Party” by Matthew Klam appeared in the December 19th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (Do I still need to say, SPOILERS?) Photograph by Elizabeth Renstrom for The New Yorker About a month into the Covid lockdowns, so this was late April 2020, on a Zoom chat with friends, someone … More Short Story Review: “The Other Party” by Matthew Klam
- Short Story Review: “Quaintrelle” by Kristin Garth(The short story “Quaintrelle” by Kristin Garth appeared in Rejection Letters on December 12th, 2022.) (Sorry, I will spoil this story.) I remember I was in a writing group back in college, and the professor leading the group said he had two rules that he wanted us, a group of burgeoning writers desperate for approval, … More Short Story Review: “Quaintrelle” by Kristin Garth
- Short Story Review: “ODE TO LOKI, OR AN ABSURD GLORIFICATION OF EXISTENTIAL LONELINESS” by Gabriela Denise Frank(The non-fiction short story, “ODE TO LOKI, OR AN ABSURD GLORIFICATION OF EXISTENTIAL LONELINESS” by Gabriela Denise Frank appeared in Rejection Letters on December 7th, 2022.) (I do SPOIL it.) I stated that one of my new favorite lit mags is Rejections Letters, which I subscribe to, and I got an email this morning which … More Short Story Review: “ODE TO LOKI, OR AN ABSURD GLORIFICATION OF EXISTENTIAL LONELINESS” by Gabriela Denise Frank
- My New Favorite Lit JournalsI alluded to this yesterday in my short story review, which is that I have found myself reading more flash fiction and short-short stories. The sources of this material has been coming from, primarily, online lit journals, which I have been spending more of my time looking for. What I am enjoying from these publications, … More My New Favorite Lit Journals
- Short Story Review: “My Wonderful Description of Flowers” by Danielle Dutton(The short story “My Wonderful Description of Flowers” by Danielle Dutton appeared in the December 5th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (I can’t help it; I spoil this story…) Photograph by Ioulex for The New Yorker I have been getting into short short stories, and flash fiction. What I am enjoying about these smaller … More Short Story Review: “My Wonderful Description of Flowers” by Danielle Dutton
- Short Story Review: “In the Garden” by Elliot Harper(The flash fiction story, “In the Garden” by Elliot Harper appeared in The Molotov Cocktail.) (Yes, I would say that this story will be spoiled.) I like flash fiction, and, I do take some responsibility for this, but most of the flash fiction I encounter is rather serious. Coming across a piece that is humous, … More Short Story Review: “In the Garden” by Elliot Harper
- Short Story Review: “Big Phipps Climbs the High Dive” by Brendan Gillen(The short story “Big Phipps Climbs the High Dive” by Brendan Gillen appeared in Volume 5 of Taco Bell Quarterly.) (Things will be spoiled!) I like flash fiction. It’s a literary form that I think correctly reflects the time we live in; cut the bullshit and get to the point. And it also feels like … More Short Story Review: “Big Phipps Climbs the High Dive” by Brendan Gillen
- Short Story Review: “Returns” by Annie Ernaux (Translated from the French, by Deborah Treisman.)(The short story “Returns” by Annie Ernaux appeared in the November 14th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (Yes, I will SPOIL this story.) Illustration by Sébastien Plassard The New Yorker publishing a shorty story by Annie Ernaux for this issues, is the equivalent of a company softball team bringing in a ringer to bat … More Short Story Review: “Returns” by Annie Ernaux (Translated from the French, by Deborah Treisman.)
- Short Story Review: “Princess” by T. Coraghessan Boyle(The short story “Princess” by T. Coraghessan Boyle appeared in the November 7th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (Spoilers, I guess) (Photograph by Jacob Mitchell for The New Yorker) Well… Stories like “Princess” by T. Coraghessan Boyle make me feel like an asshole. I’m going to have criticisms about this story that will seem … More Short Story Review: “Princess” by T. Coraghessan Boyle
- Short Story Review: “Narrowing Valley” by Jonathan Lethem(The short story “Narrowing Valley” by Jonathan Lethem appeared in the October 31st, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (I couldn’t Spoil this one if I tried.) Illustration by John Gall The short story is an art form that I love immensely. Basically, everyone tells short stories; “Funny thing happened to me at the grocery … More Short Story Review: “Narrowing Valley” by Jonathan Lethem
- Short Story Review: “Tiny, Meaningless Things” by Marisa Silver(The short story “Tiny, Meaningless Things” by Marisa Silver appeared in the October 24th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) I think Paul Thomas Anderson said that when he starts to write about a character, he tries to imagine that character doing simple mundane tasks, as those actions truly reveal how that character honestly perceives … More Short Story Review: “Tiny, Meaningless Things” by Marisa Silver
- Personal Review: One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by B.J. NovakI had received One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by B.J. Novak as a Christmas present back when it came out a couple of years ago. Friends had recommended it to me, saying that this is a really funny book that I’d love. So, I have kept it close to me on my night … More Personal Review: One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by B.J. Novak
- Short Story Review: “Come Softly to Me” by David Gilbert(The short story “Come Softly to Me” by David Gilbert appeared in the October 17th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) Sometimes a story comes along, and calls me out on principle. Such as, a story will ask me, “If you were okay with this trick being used in that story, then you have to … More Short Story Review: “Come Softly to Me” by David Gilbert
- Short Story Review: “Take Half, Leave Half” by Thomas McGuane(The short story “Take Half, Leave Half” by Thomas McGuane appeared in the October 10th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (I might SPOIL IT. Just be aware.) I like a western. Maybe it’s because I grew up in Texas, or maybe it’s because a good western is like good sci-fi; it is a vehicle … More Short Story Review: “Take Half, Leave Half” by Thomas McGuane
- Short Story Review: “Shelter” by Nicole Krauss(The short story “Shelter” by Nicole Krauss appeared in the October 3rd, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) What are the two biggest cliché subjects in literature? Boys at boarding school, and middle aged men dealing with middle age. It once used to be like you couldn’t swing a dead cat without hitting one of … More Short Story Review: “Shelter” by Nicole Krauss
- Short Story Review: “Easter” by Caleb Crain(The short story “Easter” by Caleb Crain appeared in the September 26th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (Photograph by Ana Cuba for The New Yorker) (I SPOIL EVERYTHING!) The short story “Easter” by Calen Crain is set in Ft. Worth, TX, so my interest in this story was peaked rather early. Set in the … More Short Story Review: “Easter” by Caleb Crain
- BEST OF 2022: Short Story Review of “Wood Sorrel House” by Zach Williams(The short story “Wood Sorrel House,” by Zach Williams, Appeared in the March 21st, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (I see spoilers!) I do not know what to make of this story. I haven’t stopped thinking about the thing since I finished reading it, but I still can’t come up with what it’s all … More BEST OF 2022: Short Story Review of “Wood Sorrel House” by Zach Williams
- BEST OF 2022: Short Story Review of “Annunciation” by Lauren Groff(The short Story “Annunciation,” by Lauren Groff appeared in the February 14th & 21st, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) First of all, I am not related to Lauren Groff. Second, this is the first short story by her that I have read. And it was a good one to start with. From the first … More BEST OF 2022: Short Story Review of “Annunciation” by Lauren Groff
- BEST OF 2022: Short Story Review of “So Late in the Day,” by Claire Keegan(The short story “So Late in the Day,” by Claire Keegan appeared in the February 28th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (And there are SPOILERS!) Character study, as a short story format, is one of those “classic” forms that’s taught in school; an analysis or portrayal in literature of the traits of character of … More BEST OF 2022: Short Story Review of “So Late in the Day,” by Claire Keegan
- BEST OF 2022: Short Story Review of “What the Forest Remembers” by Jennifer Egan(The short story, “What the Forest Remember” by Jennifer Egan, appeared in the January 3rd & 10th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) Why did our parents do the things that they did? Why did my dad stop buying sports cars in the 70’s and then start buying station wagons? I can guess, which is … More BEST OF 2022: Short Story Review of “What the Forest Remembers” by Jennifer Egan
- BEST OF 2022: Short Story Review of “Long Distance,” by Aysegul Savas(The short story “Long Distance,” by Aysegul Savas, appeared in the January 31st, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) Sometimes it’s nice to read a love story. And sometimes it’s also nice to read a love story about “relationships where you get jerked around,” to quote the Fortune Teller from The Simpsons. When it came … More BEST OF 2022: Short Story Review of “Long Distance,” by Aysegul Savas
- This Week: The Best of 2022 (So Far)As the Summer comes to a close and we can see Labor Day on the horizon, I will be taking this week off from working on the blog. I want to spend this final week with the kid before she returns to school, and see what trouble we can get in. For this week, I … More This Week: The Best of 2022 (So Far)
- Short Story Review: “Mitzvah” by Etgar Keret(The short story “Mitzvah” by Etgar Keret appeared in the June 27th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (Heads up! SPOILERS!) Well… “Mitzvah” was a very short story. I know that Etgar Keret is famous for his very short short stories, and this is one of them, alright. I understand his popularity. His writing is … More Short Story Review: “Mitzvah” by Etgar Keret
- Short Story Review: “HOUYHNHNM” by André Alexis(The short story “HOUYHNHNM” by André Alexis, appeared in the June 20th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) Photograph by Vanessa Winship (I’ll probably SPOIL it) Did you ever have a simple turkey sandwich but for whatever reason, was just amazing? Like, it’s made up of all the same simple ingredients that you have in … More Short Story Review: “HOUYHNHNM” by André Alexis
- Short Story Review: “Trash” by Souvankham Thammavongsas(The short story “Trash” by Souvankham Thammavongsa appeared in the June 13th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (Things might get SPOILED) Self-perception, self-worth, first impressions, the desire for acceptance; these were all the themes that swirled around and in the very compact and effective short story “Trash” by Souvankham Thammavongsa. The story is about … More Short Story Review: “Trash” by Souvankham Thammavongsas
- Short Story Review: “The Boy Upstairs” by Joshua Ferris(The short story “The Boy Upstairs” by Joshua Ferris appeared in the June 6th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (Just a slight hint of SPOILERS this time around.) I think it was Robert Altman who said that all stories have a philosophical viewpoint, which can be as simple as supporting or challenging the status … More Short Story Review: “The Boy Upstairs” by Joshua Ferris
- Short Story Review: “Invisible Bird” by Claire-Louise Bennett(The short story “Invisible Bird” by Claire-Louise Bennett appeared in the May 30th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (Odds are there are SPOILERS!) Well… I’m not sure what to make of “Invisible Bird” by Claire-Louise Bennett. I have had this happen to me several times of late, when reading a short story from a … More Short Story Review: “Invisible Bird” by Claire-Louise Bennett
- Short Story Review: “Occupational Hazards” by Jamil Jan Kochai(The short story “Occupational Hazards” by Jamil Jan Kochai appeared in the May 23rd, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (Yes, there are SPOILERS, so just go read the story!) I liked this story, and I liked this story a lot. And let me tell you why. “Occupational Hazards” by Jamil Jan Kochai tells the … More Short Story Review: “Occupational Hazards” by Jamil Jan Kochai
- Short Story Review: “The Face in the Mirror” by Mohsin Hamid(The short story “The Face in the Mirror” by Mohsin Hamid appeared in the May 16th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (This story will be Spoiled!) I didn’t know I had been waiting for a story, but “The Face in the Mirror” by Mohsin Hamid was the story I had been waiting for. I … More Short Story Review: “The Face in the Mirror” by Mohsin Hamid
- Short Story Review: “Nondisclosure Agreement” by Said Sayrafiezadeh(The short story “Nondisclosure Agreement” by Said Sayrafiezadeh appeared in the May 9th, 2022 issue of The New Yorker.) (I see dead people and SPOILERS ahead!) (Note: This review was updated on 5/8/22) I don’t like being a grownup; it sucks. I’m not saying that I want to be a kid, because that also sucked. … More Short Story Review: “Nondisclosure Agreement” by Said Sayrafiezadeh
- Short Story Review: “The Repugnant Conclusion” by Elif Batuman(The short story “The Repugnant Conclusion” by Elif Batuman appeared in the April 25th & May 2nd issue of The New Yorker.) Kierkegaard! It’s just fun to say it! Kierkegaard! I know he was Danish, but I like to say his name in a heavy German accent, like I’m acknowledging a rival has bested me. … More Short Story Review: “The Repugnant Conclusion” by Elif Batuman
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Matthew Groff 