Jonathan Quinn + Short Story = Great Quick Read
358878
More insights into Quinn for those of us who always want more and a great introduction to those who have never met Quinn. I'm not a short story person, but if they were all written this well I would be. Another big thumbs up for Brett Battles.
3189843
I really enjoyed this short story. And recommend it to any fans of "Master of Crows"
124734
I liked this short story very much, I enjoyed the use of language, and of images along the story :)
2918336
This is a very enjoyable short read which is actually and adaptation of a screen play, thus it is more of a novella.  None the less, it is a very good quick read; is both thought provoking, and gives a good message.  I recommend it as a good read.
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
3445244
I have had this book on my to be read pile forever.  This ended up being a quick and fun read.  This is one of those quirky young adult contemporary fiction coming of age stories.  I think it would appeal to fans of John Green or David Levithan.

Charlie is starting the year as a Freshman.  This book is a series of letters to a mysterious someone about his thoughts and life during that year.  Charlie is a smart kid, hes not a geek and he can be tough when the situation warrants it.  However, he doesnt have a ton of friends either and is always kind of on the outskirts.  This is a book about his navigating a tough time in life...that of the high school freshman.

Parts of this book are laugh out loud funny, while other are heart warming or touching.  The book reminds a lot of other contemporary young adult coming of age stories out there, think Paper Towns by John Green.

Charlie is a complex and interesting character.  He is super smart but also has some mental and emotional issues hes struggling with.  Watching him deal with his family and friends at high school was very entertaining.

There are some things that are a bit ambiguous throughout.  We never find out exactly what type of mental issues Charlie has; just that hes been in and out of therapy and occasional hospitalization.  The ending is pretty open as well; this is just a look into Charlies life.

There is some more mature content in here, including some drug use, language and discussion of sex (including date rape and girls forced to commit unwilling sex acts while under the influence).  I will say its a lot more mature content then I dealt with in high school, but I may have been somewhat sheltered.  I could understand why people might find it offensive, but its all a valid part of the story.

Overall I enjoyed the book.  Its a fun read and a good look at a kid struggling with growing up and fitting in in high school.  Its one of those book I will probably keep around for my son to read when he hits that age.  I enjoyed the book and thought it was an interesting lesson in growing up and accepting who you are.
4358562
Here's another awesome Quinn story with plenty of  everything we Liam Quinn fans are looking for. Irish-Catholic family dynamics, a great murder mystery, close calls with the Mob, and in the middle of it all, Quinn is trying to figure out what's really going on between him and Nora. A rousing good read, especially for us northeasterners.
4858793
I highly recommend this book. The story is quick and well though out. If I had one negative about Andrew's Journal it would be that it left me wanting more. Being a shorter story I read through it fairly quickly, and was satisfied with the ending, but still I wanted more. More detail, more closure, more, more, more.
And that is where the negatives end. The characters were simple yet endearing, very likeable people.
As a reader of many young adult fiction novels, I found the characters surprisingly unique, dealing with problems I have not seen in other books. Great, quick read. I can't wait to read this authors future works.
3850186
This is a very interesting short story. Nice quick read.
Is easy, simple, with an interesting twist / surprise at the end.
503819
This small collection of short stories by Alex McGrath was enjoyable, but his story "Mr. Vacation" was a wonderful surprise.  It reads like an episode of The Twilight Zone, and I could easily visualize it on the screen.  A quirky, unexpected story, and I hope to see more like it from McGrath.  I also enjoyed "A Glass Marble."  He has a good voice in his writing and these stories are a very nice beginning.
2199238
As I started this book, I felt that this book did not have a sharp hook in the start to land a reader.  Some readers might lay this book down to look for more exciting story. However, I continued and suddenly realized that the hook well-disguised and the author deafly imbedded in my head.

It turned out that the author has the touch when it comes to writing short stories. The author accomplished this in the way he spent time to fill out a character until you were sure that the reader was sure he knew them personally.

There was the mentally challenged Harry Lane; the epitome of simplicity. To balance the character of Harry, we find an equally challenged Douglas who is basic psycho floundering in a sea of drink. There is also the commander of the prisoner who turns out to be a man carrying a hidden trait of empathy for those on his death row.

Then Scaddon mixes in the in depth study of the executioner and his assistant, an unfit lawyer who carries little for justice for Harry, a barrister with the answers to Harrys problem, and a grieving family and you have a complete story of justice caught up in the hangmans noose.

I would recommend this short book, 95 pages, for the traveler to add to his brief case for those delays that often happen. You will not be disappointed in this Four Star book.
3522390
I enjoyed this quick read. I hope that more short stories come out like this in the future. Well written with fast pacing.
3997774
This was a fun short read (emphasis on short) from the Charley Davidson series and can be read after the first or second book to make sense.  I enjoyed getting this surprising narrator's perspective on Charlie.

A female ghost is drawn to Charley.  The ghost remembers nothing, but is convinced that she is undeserving so Charley sets out to discover what she can about the girl's death and succeeds.

It is not the ghost's story that was as important to me though that was a sweet little story.  I was intrigued by reading about Charley and, yes, Reyes through someone else's eyes since the novels are all Charley's perspective.  Charley's wit is still there and the scenes with Reyes, but the third party objectiveness on them was delightful.

Darynda Jones has my blessing to make free with the short stories as much as she likes.

One little heads up- the story ends at 30%.  I was startled at the length so I didn't want it to be a negative surprise to other readers.
1316526
I loved it. This was a very short short story that was both enjoyable and entertaining.
2176816
I enjoyed this short story. It was interesting and it has me wanting to read The Fairest of Them since this was the recommended reading before that book. There's not a huge cliffhanger or anything like that. It's just a complete short story that you don't want to see end. I simply more of these characters and more story. I think the only thing I didn't care for was the way the switching point of view was done. It was confusing at first, but I got used to it and it did add to the suspense. Overall, it's great short story.
4145903
There are always really good books and stories that knows how to make a reader anxious for more, and this is one of those stories that I wished was longer. The premise of this short story is on point and delivers to the reader. I found myself engaged with the 'Archetypes' from the first book I read Darkness of the Womb which I thoroughly enjoyed as well. Clean Hands was a quick and engaging read but it also made me wonder a whole lot more, especially even more curious of this special person Instinct is trying to reach to. For those who have read and enjoyed Darkness of the Womb I highly suggest to read Clean Hands as it connects together and maybe might make you a bit more curious. Great job Mr. Knight and I look forward to more of your work and hopefully reading more of Instinct's adventures!
3986791
The entire novel is short and can be a very quick read, but if you take the time to appreciate the flow of the story, it will seem although you are reading poetry or prose set to music.

It is quite amazing how much information can be derived in so little words. I am a big fan of more verbose writers like Umberto Eco, Neal Stephenson, Philippa Gregory - and don't usually expect to become captivated by short novels.

The writer posseses a gift in being able to convey the characters' thoughts and essenses without have to go into detail about everything.

The day to day life that unfolds of young Griet, from her thoughts to her experiences gives the reader a glimpse into society and culture of that time period - which is truly, once again, mostly due to the author's writing style, quite enlightening.
384729
I enjoyed the heck out of this tasty vignette. Bridget McKenna's subtle style and deft handling are practically textbook perfect for short form fiction. I loved piecing the puzzle together. I can't go into too much detail without spoiling things. Suffice it to say, this is a quick read that your brain will love!