Beautifully written NY stories
597544
Loved these short stories set in NY, where I grew up, and recognized the sights and sounds in the voices of the authors. Very compelling stories. Well done!
1440428
I really enjoyed reading these stories, especially since it is winter in New England at the moment. This book contains a broad assortment of travel stories--they are all quite amazing. Some are laugh-out-loud funny while others have you petrified for the authors. A beautifully put together book.
607068
What a marvelous collection of short stories! I enjoyed the review on Literary Fiction Book Review and decided I wanted to read this for myself. The writing is superb, the characters incredibly well articulated and the plot beautifully managed in a short space of time. Each story is highly unique and incredibly engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed each story and look forward to this author's next publication.
4275197
These wonderfully written, highly engaging stories are rich with insight into a range of very different characters, revealed by finding the character at a turning point in his/her life. In my personal favorite, a seemingly patient woman's suffused rage surfaces to prevent her son from adopting his father's worst character traits. In another, we follow a young woman's mood shifts over a 24-hour period as they signal a shift in her life direction. Stegner never explains too much, and she captures brilliantly the sometimes tender, sometimes violent, creepy thoughts that exist just below the surface of polite discourse.

The stories have a powerful sense of place, with vivid physical details that propel the reader right into the scene with the characters. A woman looking out at Big Sur redwoods in the early morning: "Everything felt still, the only movement coming from the ground that was faintly huffing the heat it had held on to through the night."

Special bonus for Californians: Experience the most memorable ride up Highway 1 ever!!
2529568
Every story in this book deals with emotions but in a thoughtful and elegant manner.  Several of the stories deal with writers and writing, and a reader can only wonder if some of these stories are autobiographical.  There are phrases and thoughts that have stayed with me long after finishing this book.  I liked the idea that a character who was a writer was always looking for beautiful word combinations in the writings of others.  It made me realize that a well written story is not great just because of the story as illustrated by this collection. This author uses words in a manner that is both artistic and provoking. Like the other readers, I was surprised that every story in this collection was worthwhile.  Don't pass by this book.
1335567
These books were wonderful to read again and I'm happy to have both books in one. A little bigger in size but then I won't lose one of them. The stories are well-written and make one feel that they are there in New York on that Tuesday morning. Definitely worth reading.
3201496
Beautifully written and edited, more than I ever wanted to know about N Y
3287145
When I read Binchy's final novel, "A Week In Winter", I was saddened that there would be no more books from this beloved author. Her way of creating believable, authentic Irish characters is simply unmatched among modern fiction writers. So, when I was offered an advanced reader's copy of this compilation of short stories, I jumped at the chance to meet more of her friends and neighbors.

The 36 short stories in this collection range from just a few pages to 15-20 pages, averaging about 10 pages each. Some are more well thought out than others, and appear to be themes that she might have one day expanded into full blown novels. The stories are centered around the fictional neighborhood of Chestnut Street, where people of all walks of life come and go, some making lifelong friends, others keeping to themselves. The full range of human emotion and behavior is represented here - young, old, kind, not so kind, ambitious, lazy, thoughtful, generous - just what you'd find in your neighborhood if you took the time to know everyone. Some stories have happy endings, some have the hope of a happy ending, some are sad, some are insightful.

I'm not sure Binchy ever published a collection of short stories before, but she had certainly mastered the craft. I liked the short story format, as I could pick up the book at bedtime and just read one or two stories without getting sucked into a novel that I couldn't put down ! This book will remain on my bookshelves, to be picked up and enjoyed again in the future. I only wish I had dog-eared the pages of my favorite stories so that I could find them again quickly.
1478357
I follow the Humans of New York Facebook page, so I was very excited when I saw that there was book coming out. I was not disappointed. This book now holds pride of place on my coffee table and has started many interesting conversations with guests to my apartment. The photos are beautiful and the stories are moving, and often uplifting. I would recommend this book to anyone.
1524094
For those of you who have read "Always Running" or any of Mr. Rogriguez's poetry, you already know he is a brilliant writer.  If you have not, treat yourself to those works as well as this one.  "Republic of East. L. A." is a collection of short stories; they can be read back to back, as you would a novel, or one at a time, which is what I would recommend. The stories are rich in language and imagery and gave me much to think about after I finished it.  Each story is different from the others, some are humorous like "My Ride My Revolution", "Miss East L. A.",  and (the majority of) "Chain Link Lover", some are unbearably sad like "Shadows" and "Las Chicas Chacuas", others are more political like "Pidgeons" and "La Operacion".  All of them offer a unique point of view, a passion for the characters, both those sympathetic, and those less so, and images and phrasing that can shine with Mr. Rodriguez's ability to use the English language.  The stories are earthy and occasionally profane, as are the characters in them, but they are vivid, true to the life of many people in America, not just East. L. A.  and always memorable. I would recommend that you NOT read these stories  on the train or bus and certainly not at the beach, but at a time and place where you can concentrate and savor the rich vibrancy of each story.
4735498
A delightful book of rich stories that are beautifully crafted and linger with you. I really enjoyed having the option to learn and develop reading in Spanish and the design of the book is particularly lovely. The cover art completed by Dallas resident, Rob Wilson, adds another layer of mystery and storytelling to this strong collection. Can't wait to read what Fabiana writes next!&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/12-Random-Words-12-Palabras-al-Azar-A-Bilingual-Collection/dp/0997149701/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">12 Random Words / 12 Palabras al Azar: A Bilingual Collection</a>
1369521
This is a funny, very varied, articulate beautiful collection of stories for dog lovers, and also for anyone interested in  psychology , relationships, the ways of New Yorkers, and culture in general
3528457
Shout Her Lovely Name by Natalie Serber is an exquisite collection of eleven short stories featuring mothers and daughters. All of the stories in this collection are poignant and impressive in the complexity and depth of emotion captured. With the exception of three stories, nine of them follow the same woman. The stories included are: "Shout Her Lovely Name," "Ruby Jewel," "Alone as She Felt All Day," "Free to a Good Home," "This Is So Not Me," "Manx," "Take Your Daughter to Work," "A Whole Weekend of My Life," "Plum Tree," "Rate My Life," and "Developmental Blah Blah."

The first short story, Shout Her Lovely Name (see the link to it below), was so powerful and eloquent it literally took my breath away at times. A mother recounts in a second person narrative the struggles and frustration she experiences trying to get her daughter help in overcoming an eating disorder. I think this story can be appreciated by anyone, but for those mothers who have had a similar struggle with a daughter's mental health, it will be more heart-wrenching because you will understand what this mother is thinking.

Most of the following stories in the collection feature Ruby and, later, her daughter, Nora. The transition from the first story, "Shout Her Lovely Name," to the second, "Ruby Jewel," may feel abrupt at first, if reading the short stories back to back, but give Ruby some time. While the first story wrung my heart dry, I was captivated by and engaged in all of the Ruby stories. The connection between Ruby and Nora is fluid and complicated, as all mother-daughter relationships can be, but following it is worth the effort. Ruby and Nora are not as privileged as the mothers and daughters in the first and last story. Their complicated relationship is punctuated by a greater struggle in their day to day life. Serber deftly exposes their sacrifices as well as their faults as they grow up together. When they were done, I was left wanting more of the story of Ruby and Nora.

"This Is So Not Me" and "Developmental Blah-Blah," were the least successful stories for me, but Serber is a skillful, ingenious writer so even though they were less successful for me, they were still both excellent short stories. (I should also mention that I love the cover of her collection and found it very visually appealing.)

In Shout Her Lovely Name Natalie Serber has presented readers with an excellent, eloquent, perspicacious collection of short stories that left me longing for more.
Bravo Ms. Serber! I will be anxiously awaiting another collection of your short stories!
Very Highly Recommended

Disclosure: I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.
3762669
Beautiful writing. Beautiful stories. Beautiful new beginnings that I am seeing in my life, thanks to this book for helping me to see them.
2360470
Anthony Doerr's style of writing is beautiful, and these short stories will not disappoint, particularly if you enjoyed All the Light We Cannot See.  He has the ability to describe things so that you have no doubt about what he is observing, and in words that from time to time will make you pause and think, "Wow, what a powerful description!"  I am not generally a big fan of short stories, but this book was a mind changer. Each story is complete and engaging, and presents both challenging characters and situations that will leave you thinking.  If you like his writing, also check out Four Seasons in Rome, especially if you are a fan of all things Italian. You will feel that you are there with him as he walks the streets of this fascinating city.
400687
This book is a beautifully written love letter to New York. It is a must have for anyone that has a connection to New York, even if they don't cook as it highlights local farms and the people who run them. The recipes in this book are all do-able even for the home cook. When I bought this book, I was thinking I could give it as a gift to a friend but once I looked through it I decided it was too beautiful to give away and I should keep it for myself. I highly recommend this book and think it's a bargain for $35.
2433750
What can I say ? I love New York and love reading any personal stories relating to this glorious city.  Of course exceptional writers are chosen for this publication and modeled after an exceptional writer.  A must buy for anyone interested in knowing what makes a New Yorker tick, why do they fall in love with the city and why do they leave the city.  Almost a training manual for one who wants to move there and a personal heads up of how this city plays the game of life.