I learned about this book from a teacher on Twitter. The concept of flash fiction is not new to me, but I was eager to read more. This is a rather oldI learned about this book from a teacher on Twitter. The concept of flash fiction is not new to me, but I was eager to read more. This is a rather old book at this point, but there are still some solid stories in it. I found myself just reading a handful and putting the book down. I did not read it in one sitting, although that would have been easy to do.
Favorites: Eclipsed Survivors Worry Kennedy in the Barrio Carpathia Diverging Paths and All That Waiting Wallet...more
My favorite of the 3 so far in the series because now the illustrations are in color. Great resource for creative writing prompts too! A charming littMy favorite of the 3 so far in the series because now the illustrations are in color. Great resource for creative writing prompts too! A charming little book that's a delight to read....more
I liked this second volume better than the first. It's bigger, and the stories seemed more focused, purposeful. Like before, the illustrations rock. II liked this second volume better than the first. It's bigger, and the stories seemed more focused, purposeful. Like before, the illustrations rock. I used this book with my creative writing students, and they enjoyed it....more
This collection of hilarious stories about love and heartbreak kept me reading the entire time. I had read a few of the stories when they originally aThis collection of hilarious stories about love and heartbreak kept me reading the entire time. I had read a few of the stories when they originally appeared in THE NEW YORKER (Unprotected & I Love Girl). Not all of the stories in this collection are as stellar as these two, but they set a very high bar. A few stories dealt with religion being satirized, which seemed sort of cheap to me. Otherwise, a fantastic collection....more
I guess it's hard for me to appreciate graphic novels. My eyes are used to quickly scanning lines of text--not jumping around from one speech bubble tI guess it's hard for me to appreciate graphic novels. My eyes are used to quickly scanning lines of text--not jumping around from one speech bubble to another. I liked this collection of stories well enough. I thought I would eventually discover ALL the stories of the inhabitants of the castle, but the book ended abruptly. I guess that's why it's Volume 1. Ha....more
I enjoyed this collection, but these stories are not nearly as entertaining as Sedaris's collection of essays. I listened to the audio version, and thI enjoyed this collection, but these stories are not nearly as entertaining as Sedaris's collection of essays. I listened to the audio version, and the four performers (including Sedaris) were terrific. I think their delivery of the lines elevated the stories....more
I discovered Andrew Porter because one of my former students now attends Trinity University in Texas, where he teaches creative writing. I checked outI discovered Andrew Porter because one of my former students now attends Trinity University in Texas, where he teaches creative writing. I checked out Trinity's English department website and discovered Porter had published a book of short stories, so I bought a copy on Amazon.
I enjoyed these stories. They were all narrated in first person, mainly by men in their 20s and 30s, sometimes looking back on an important time from their childhood or adolescence. The titular short story is the only one narrated by a woman character, and she, too, is looking back on an important time of her life.
Some of these stories I can see using in the classroom--either as models in creative writing or as a piece to study in English. My favorite story is one of the shortest ones--"Hole." I really like its ambiguous ending.
Most of these stories had very sad elements to them, but that adds to their authenticity. I felt depressed after reading this collection, but in a good way. I guess I was uplifted by reading about how all these characters in these stories dealt with their problems.
Here's my ranking of the collection's stories, from favorite to least favorite:
Hole Departure The Theory of Light and Matter Connecticut Storms Merkin Coyotes Skin River Dog Azul...more
Humorous, moving, and insightful, this collection of poems and short stories is Alexie first book EVER. The content is focused more on the reservationHumorous, moving, and insightful, this collection of poems and short stories is Alexie first book EVER. The content is focused more on the reservation and "Indian-ness" than in his later works, which focus more on relationships. Reoccurring images include house fires, pow wows, and fancydancing. It was fun to read this book to see where Alexie began....more
Sometimes I wonder if Sherman Alexie is just messing with me
the way/he creates unique forms/on the page/the lines centered/or justified/or separated/with slSometimes I wonder if Sherman Alexie is just messing with me
the way/he creates unique forms/on the page/the lines centered/or justified/or separated/with slashes./But then/he creates/beauty/out of fry bread/and Pepsi/and basketball/and alcohol/and I turn/the page/one more/time.
1. I like the following pieces because of their form: --Year of the Indian, Fire Storm, Family Cookbook
2. I like the following pieces because of their final lines: --Tiny Treaties ("because I don't want to know the truth") --Split Decisions ("he stood up")
3. I like the following pieces just because: --Freaks, I Would Steal Horses, All I Wanted to Do Was Dance...more
The Joy Luck Club is on the approved list for sophomore novels at the high school where I teach. For almost three years, I have resisted reading this The Joy Luck Club is on the approved list for sophomore novels at the high school where I teach. For almost three years, I have resisted reading this book based on the opinions of some fellow teachers in the department. I finally decided to give it a go, and I immediately got sucked into the book. I blazed through the first half, put it down to read another book, and then quickly finished the second half. Tan's use of language is beautiful and simple. Or simply beautiful. Hmmmm. I'm not sure why previous teachers and students complained about this book. Each story/chapter can stand on its own, but they all connect. I think an overarching question the novel asks is, How has your family shaped your life? I mean, who can't get into a discussion about that? I'll admit that I watched the movie version a couple months ago, and I liked the movie so much that I figured the book would be better. I was right. I'm assigning the book as the summer novel for Pre-AP English II this upcoming school year....more
Sherman Alexie proves yet again that he is a master of the short story. This book also contains vignettes and poetry. Alexie's characters and narratorSherman Alexie proves yet again that he is a master of the short story. This book also contains vignettes and poetry. Alexie's characters and narrators seem so real and authentic; they move his stories along so well. Predictable themes about love and loss are woven throughout this book, and I'm not complaining about that. I love hearing what Alexie has to say about life. If you've never read Alexie before, this book is an excellent introduction to one of the greatest living authors in America....more
I enjoyed reading almost every story in this stellar collection. This is my third Alexie short story collection to read. I think it's better than The I enjoyed reading almost every story in this stellar collection. This is my third Alexie short story collection to read. I think it's better than The Toughest Indian in the World but not as strong as his first: The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven....more
Oh, Olive Kitteridge. You make me laugh. You make me angry. You make me hopeful. Ultimately, I think that's what I will take away from this book: hopeOh, Olive Kitteridge. You make me laugh. You make me angry. You make me hopeful. Ultimately, I think that's what I will take away from this book: hope. Hope to live another day. Hope to find relationships that matter. Even though I'm in my 20s, I found myself drawn to many of the elderly couples in this novel--their struggles, broken dreams, regrets, determination. This book is no way didactic in its tone, but I can't help feeling refreshed and optimistic about living life after finishing it. The last story, out of all of them, made me laugh out loud. I rarely re-read a book, but I know I will return to this book some day in the future....more
I read this book because the textbook for my sophomore students contains the short story "When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine," the third story in this collI read this book because the textbook for my sophomore students contains the short story "When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine," the third story in this collection. I initially did not enjoy this story every much; in fact, I did not assign it to my students. Upon rereading it, though, I liked the story and realized it would fit well into our middle Eastern unit.
I think the best stories from this collection are "A Temporary Matter" and "This Blessed House," both of which deal with newly married couples. I also liked the title story, even though I found it to be a little predictable. In fact, these stories aren't so much surprising as they are beautifully written....more
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