Category Archives: Short story collection

BARK by Lorrie Moore

Posted on December 23, 2014 by OnlyGoodBooks

As any true short story junkie knows, you cannot go wrong with Lorrie Moore. Beginning with her first collection, SELF-HELP (published in 1985), she established herself as a deft musician with words, and she has rarely hit a wrong note. … Continue reading →

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ONE MORE THING by B.J. Novak

Posted on May 26, 2014 by OnlyGoodBooks

One of my favorite books for teaching creative writing is What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter.* I was thinking of that book the whole time I read B.J. Novak’s hilarious collection of stories, … Continue reading →

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DIRTY LOVE by Andre Dubus III

Posted on December 7, 2013 by OnlyGoodBooks

One of my college professors used to say that you don’t really read a short story until you re-read it.  I began thinking about this halfway through DIRTY LOVE, as soon as I realized that the stories—four novellas, actually—were interconnected. … Continue reading →

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BOBCAT AND OTHER STORIES by Rebecca Lee

Posted on June 23, 2013 by OnlyGoodBooks

As a short story junkie, I am painfully aware that the supply of short story collections published is sparse, so it brings me great joy not only to see one released but also to find it completely engrossing. In the … Continue reading →

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TENTH OF DECEMBER by George Saunders

Posted on February 14, 2013 by OnlyGoodBooks

My first reaction to this new collection of stories by George Saunders was: Whoa.  Wow!  Whoa. I’ve read a few Barnes & Noble “reviews” from folks who didn’t “get” these stories, and while I can understand why (Let’s face it: … Continue reading →

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WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU by Molly Ringwald

Posted on August 27, 2012 by OnlyGoodBooks

Whether you read this book because you are curious about what the “Pretty in Pink” star would write or whether you are a novel-in-stories junkie like me, it’s worth a look. Although a somewhat snarky New York Times review by … Continue reading →

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DESCENT OF MAN by T. Coraghessan Boyle

Posted on August 23, 2011 by OnlyGoodBooks

Possibly because I am a short story junkie, the first writer who came to mind as I thought about today’s earthquake and the impending hurricane was T.C. Boyle.  He has written several provocative collections, including IF THE RIVER WAS WHISKEY, … Continue reading →

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