By the Book
I am the kind of person who likes to do things by the book. At least at first. Tell me the rules, tell me exactly how to do it. Later, I’ll bend or break the rules and make my own way…
“(T)here: Writings on Returnings” edited by Brandi Dawn Henderson
“Nothing seemed quite as important, as terrible, or as beautiful as the country I had just left behind.”
“The Time Traveler’s Boyfriend” by Annabelle Costa
Do you like the idea of The Time Traveler’s Wife as chick lit? Then you’ll love this book.
“The Frangipani Hotel” by Violet Kupersmith
Gabriel Garcia Marquez annoys me. There, I said it. His is the most prominent name in magical realism, and his work had me convinced that I was not a fan of the genre. I inevitably grew weary of what seems like cutesy or convenient inventions put it place to further the narrative or tickle the reader. I want to know if a story is based in the world that I know or if it is fantastical. Go big or go home; don’t settle for ambiguous magical realism, I always thought.
“The Sense of Touch” by Ron Parsons
The Sense of Touch, a collection of short stories by Ron Parsons, examines the lives of Midwesterners—the struggles and compromises, the joy and grief—set against larger-than-life landscapes.
On the “R” Word and Insults in Books
Language is flexible and fun, and normally I’m the last person to tell you how to use it. But insults are an entirely different beast. These are words used to destroy people.
“Be With Me” by J. Lynn
The past few months haven’t been easy for Teresa Hamilton. After she tore her ACL, she had to put her ballet career on hold…
“Wait for You” by J. Lynn
Going to college is stressful for pretty much everyone, but for Avery, there is a whole new level of fear. Now, away from home, she can’t explain why she hates going to parties and why she’s never dated a boy—hell, never even been alone in a car with one before…
“Cairo In White” by Kelly Ann Jacobson
Eighteen-year-old Zahra has been climbing over the wall to Jamila’s house and sneaking into her girlfriend’s room for years, but that night was different…
“We” by Michael Landweber
Ben was 42 when he reached to scrub an old stain from the ceiling of his apartment and lost his balance. When he opened his eyes, he was 7 again. He had traveled back in time to the days before his sister’s rape tore their family apart.
