This is a perfect book. Every story is scintillating
935895
This is a perfect book.  Every story is scintillating, moves right along with no extra filler, and perfectly conjures up mental images that surprise and thrill.
1101181
It's not often that I start reading a book and worry every time I turn the page that I'm getting closer to the end. I did not want this story to end. It started with tears and ended with tears. But Eva and Cage had my heart on every page. Everything about this book was perfect. The F-bombs and hot descriptions of intimate moments were just right. I had a clear picture of the characters in my mind because of the authors choice of colorful language. Ha! 'colorful language'. I really don't have adequate words to say how much I love this book.
3252870
I love this book. I ended up buying extra copy to give as gifts to all of my friends with kids.  The stories are easy to read and something about the voice and tone is really comforting.  I like that there are 30 stories and that it is written so that you read one story a night for a whole month. And by the time you have finished all of the stories, you are ready to start over again!  the pictures are so imaginative and drawn in a style that matches perfectly with this book.  I am a nanny and also sister to young ones so I have had my fair share of Pinkalicious and Clifford the Big Red Dog and this trumps them all.  Plus, all of the stories have morals to them, and every one is unique.  Who doesn't like stories about rabbits and elves, witches and octopuses??? This book is golden.
212035
Sheer perfection... My favorite books of all time!
2628517
This is a stunning collection and I cannot put it down. All of the stories that I remember and loved from my childhood are here. The books are not as small as I was lead to believe from the other reviewers although I am considering purchasing a large magnifying glass so I can better appreciate the artwork. The printing quality is fantastic and the pages are thick and glossy with high end ink. I certainly recommend this collection to fellow enthusiast.
1865416
This is an absolutely fabulous collection.  The organization is simple:  each historian/critic presents his/her argument and each author defends his/her novel.  It is always charitable, never mean-spirited, but doesn't quibble about addressing the tough issues of historical representation.  It is not, however, the confrontation that is memorable, but rather the gifted, mind-blowing, awe-inspiring writing.  I read this book with angelic joy radiating from my face.  Word choice, grammar, imagery were perfect.  It is a masterpiece.  I re-read and own this book with pride.  Mark Carnes should be rewarded for superb editing and compiliation skills.  I cannot recommend this book enough.
3101666
"So this is what it feels like to have all your wishes come true."

This is the best, most amazing, story ever! I mean it; this book goes on my absolute favorite, never gonna forget, always gonna read again, best of the best book shelf. I'm not even going to get into it, because I will not be able to do this book justice. Everyone just needs to read it. Everyone! The writing is so beautiful, some of the most beautiful writing I have ever read! It's magical!

I have never ever read a book with such a personal way of narrating before. It was beautiful, magical, personal! The best, most amazing book ever!!
4687773
I LOVE everything about this book. The recipes are inspiring, fun, creative and quick/easy to make. From page to page, it just gets better and better. The stories, tips, photos and beauty DIYs really send this book into perfection. It'll be gifting this book to friends all year.
4414433
This was probably one of my all time favorite books.  Each story was just the perfect amount of time without going on and on with idle nonsense.  I felt that each story was perfectly written so that anyone reading could fall into the story do easily.  I know I really enjoyed it and was sad when the last story was done.  Like I said each story was just long enough to read if you were in a hurry or if you had all day.  They definitely kept me turning pages to see what was going to happen me next!  Thank You for such an awesome book!
1023078
FUNHOUSE is one the best books of 2017, and certainly the best story collection of the year.
 The language dazzles and makes you sit up and take notice:

-Heres what the moon shows me: you're still a liar.  --Last sentence in The Graffiti Maze

-My whole life [is] a preparation for this orbit.  --From Liminal

-It worked so well, my face fell off.  --From Party Like An Animal

-Dad wants his own bench.  My feelings aren't hurt, just who he isthe way any visitor from outer space might feel.  --From The 5% Nation of Pay-Per-View

-You think Im funny?  I think Im depressing.  --From The Message From Ruben

-His smile seemed to come from inside his eyes. --From Dinah Wont You Blow
-There are some things that haunt you.  --From Our Breakfast

And notice the titlesVaughan use evocative ones for every piece, as well as story starts that sometimes reel you in and other times grab your collar and yank you in.

Like the best poetry which makes the reader pause and contemplate what theyve just read, these stories demand study and patience in order to absorb the layers and textures they have to offer.

Vaughan gives us something of everythingpathos, humor, self-inspection, meditations on life, wry wit, gorgeous descriptions and clever word play to name just a few.

Some books are read and then tossed on a shelf, left to collect dust.  FUNHOUSE certainly isn't one of those.  Youll return to it again and again as I have.  I guarantee it.
1812219
I'm a bit surprised that this hasn't been reviewed yet, but I see that the author has other collections and some of those stories are in this new one, and I suppose I'M the one that's late to the party.

I came across this book the other day and have had a hard time putting it down since I started it (I know I say that a lot, but I guess it's because I have impeccable taste *chuckle*).

I started reading at 9 pm...finally put it down several hours later...and now I'm getting anxious because I only have ten stories left to read and I CAN'T stop. I haven't felt like this since my last coke binge; this is an exquisite story binge and I can't stop til every word has been hoovered, has hit the pleasure receptors in my brain and has left me breathless!!! LOL

But SERIOUSLY - each story is SO absorbing that you can actually read this book from cover to cover as if it were a novel, perhaps a lush and riveting, sometimes provocative and scary novel-in-stories about the inhabitants of Georgia. As a New Yorker, I'm not too familiar with the writers of the "New South", but I am so glad that I have this book. The writing is absolutely beautiful; when I say that he is a writer's writer it makes me think of the quote that a writer "strings words together like small children do with beads, happily absorbed in the process, putting one after another", and you can tell that while his work is subtle and RICH, his efforts were surely painstaking.

I am so smitten with this book. I also have the 2007 New Stories from the South edited by Edward P. Jones to see what else I'm missing once I'm done with this one, but I had to come on here and give the man his props cause he deserves them.

Buy and read at ONCE.
4089759
Every story is as sweet as the next, and the illustrations will have you lingering on every page hoping you don't miss anything.
1632081
There are no words for how much I love this book. The author's style has a way of transporting the reader, whisking away the real world to leave only the story behind. And this is an amazing story. From the beginning, it's clear Omar and Devi are meant to be together. Their natural friendship just begs for more, which makes the transition to a relationship superbly organic. Much of the story takes place over a short period of time, but between the characters' shared past and the beautifully portrayed, insanely romantic setting, they couldn't have come together in a better way. This is so, so far from insta-love...it's more like a dawning of something that has been there all along. And in every, EVERY regard, I don't think anyone captures the senses as well as Ms. Warner. Her attention to detail allows the reader to thoroughly experience every moment, but these engaging details don't weigh down the story. Instead they provide a superb backdrop to the delightful crescendo of the relationship between Omar and Devi. This book is absolutely full of lines that are so artistically crafted that I actually savored them, and for that reason alone--for the beauty and subtly of the background--I'm sure I'll revisit this story. I'm thoroughly looking forward to the next book in the series, but in the meantime I liked this one so much that I actually gifted copies to a couple of friends. This is a must-read!
999990
This collection of stories has most everything from sailing to puppies. There is even a story about an angel and superman saving an island from floating away. Seriously this book provides a look at values such as family, friendship,, and moral attitudes as they should still be today, but sadly are not. I am thankful to Mr. Rossignol for putting these gems to print so they do not disappear. These stories are fairly brief allowing those with limited time to read each in a single session. I believe that if you honor family, friendship, truth and right being right you can strike gold with just a little digging in each and every story.
4538181
This is so good. The characters are perfectly flawed. They are amazing. The way the author switches between the 'voices' is just beautiful. I really feel like I got a look inside of each of the main characters. It's hard to know what to say without giving too much away, but it's a perfect fit for anyone who loves John Green or Jandy Nelson.
4504749
Ruta's writing is exceptional. She writes the kind of books where there's never a sentence out of place, a character never says something you wish they hadn't. Everythings perfect. I loved this book so much. It's such an important story and one I knew little about before reading it. Both of Ruta's books are amazing and I am impatiently waiting for the thrid! READ THIS BOOK!
1293287
I laughed, I cried, I am completely in love with the characters, the story and the delivery. Perfection. I am so glad to have found this beautiful book. Thank you for the reminder that everyone has the gift to help someone else.