Library of Clean Reads: Short Stories

Showing posts with label Short Stories. Show all posts

Monday, September 7, 2020

Stories and Places I Remember by Joe Giordano (Review)

A collection of short stories that pack a punch.

Book Details:

Book Title: Stories and Places I Remember by Joe Giordano
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 161 pages
Genre: Short Stories
Publisher: Rogue Phoenix Press
Release date: August 11, 2020
Content Rating: PG-13. Some language, violence and adult situations

Book Description:

Humorous and poignant, Stories and Places I Remember will take you around the world from the streets of Brooklyn to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Meet Anthony in 1950s and 1960s Brooklyn, then journey with a host of other delightful, contemporary characters portrayed in twenty-six tales set in New York, Texas, Brazil, Greece, Ireland, the Middle East, and Italy that will tickle your wanderlust.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

This is the fifth book I read by Joe Giordano so I was in anticipation of this latest release. Once again, I was not disappointed as Giordano delivers 26 short stories that pack a punch. The stories are divided into four categories: Anthony and the Old Brooklyn Neighborhood (in the 50s and 60s), More New York Stories, Texas, and finally stories with an international setting, namely Greece, Brazil, Middle East, Italy and Ireland.

Anthony's stories reminded me of my childhood, growing up with Italian immigrant parents, playing ball games, trading cards and hanging around in the streets with friends. They made me nostalgic. The stories set in Europe were my favorite. However, all the stories hooked me from the first page. Giordano's writing is rich and tight, with every sentence succinctly transporting me to a time and place, setting the tone for what's to come. Most of the time, when a story ended, I wished it had continued because I was invested and wanted more. They were all quick reads.

This short story collection is the perfect way to discover Giordano's writing. This talented author can write historical fiction, international thrillers and whatever else he sets his mind to, I'm sure. If you enjoy stories with realistic characters with an Italian-American and international flavor, this one is sure to please.

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Kobo

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

As a former International Executive Vice President of 3M, Joe Giordano’s experience included running a business in the Middle East out of Athens, Greece. Born in New York, he’s had first-hand experience with the cultures and most of the locations in Drone Strike.

Joe's stories have appeared in more than one hundred magazines including The Saturday Evening Post and Shenandoah. His novels, Birds of Passage: An Italian Immigrant Coming of Age Story (2015) and Appointment with ISIL: An Anthony Provati Thriller (2017) were published by Harvard Square Editions. Read the first chapters and sign up for his blog at http://joe-giordano.com/

Joe was among one hundred Italian-American authors honored by Barnes & Noble Chairman Len Riggio to march in the 2017 Manhattan, Columbus Day Parade.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest

Monday, March 18, 2019

From An-Other Land by Tanushree Ghosh (Review and Giveaway!)

I love immigrant stories, hence the reason I wanted to read this book. Check out my review and enter the giveaway to win a copy!

Book Details:

Book Title: From An-Other Land by Tanushree Ghosh
Category: Adult Fiction, 224 pages
Genre: Short Stories, Immigrant Stories, Literary
Publisher: Readomania Publishing
Release date: December 4, 2018
Tour dates: March 18 to April 5, 2019
Content Rating: PG + M (It has mature themes in the backdrop in some stories, but doesn't have explicit language or description)

Book Description:

Never has been the conversation on immigration more pertinent than now, post 2016 US elections. From cancellation of refugee protection and zero tolerance to undercurrent crackdown on H visas to the border wall - the resurgence of nationalism is hitting the globalized population head-on.

But what is immigration today? A question of life or death - fleeing of persecution? A compulsion? Or a mere pursuance of privilege? And what is the US today? A land of opportunities? Or a quagmire impossible to comprehend, inherently racist and selfish?

From An-Other Land dives deep into immigration today for the diaspora and its many facets with characters who seek to define themselves in an intercultural setting that is less and less sure of itself. A reality check and a guide for anyone who wants to understand the modern-day US.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

I love immigrant stories, hence the reason I wanted to read this book. Tanushree Ghosh has written a variety of short stories under the theme of immigration from India to the United States. Each story drew me in immediately with compelling characters, unique situations and the challenges of bicultural identities. Well-written and insightful, From An-Other Land gives the reader an intimate look at the Indian culture and immigration through the lens of an author who herself immigrated but fourteen years ago.

I couldn't help think that although I loved reading these stories, they were inherently sad, some even heartbreaking. It's true that the journey of immigration is one fraught with challenges, sacrifices, and nostalgia of one's homeland, and these stories realistically portray all of these aspects, however, I did miss the hopeful tone I was expecting from them. Some of the stories are interconnected and by the end, we get a picture of how immigration affects each person in different ways as they each search for a dream that for many remains elusive.

These stories are literary fiction that would appeal to all who love immigrant Indian stories that are thought-provoking and perspicacious.

To read reviews, please follow Tanushree Ghosh's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Book:

Amazon

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Tanushree Ghosh works in Tech and has a Doctorate in Chemistry from the Cornell University. She is also a social activist and writer. Her blog posts, op-eds, poems, and stories are an effort to provoke thoughts, especially towards issues concerning women and social justice.

She is a contributor (past and present) to several popular e-zines (incl. The Huffington Post US, The Logical Indian, Youth Ki Awaaz, Tribune India, Women’s Web, and Cafe Dissensus). Her literary resume includes poems and stories featured in national and international magazines (Words Pauses and Noises, UK; TUCK, Glimmer Train Honorable mention) as well as inclusion in seven anthologies such as Defiant Dreams (Oprah 2016 reading list placeholder) and The Best Asian Short Stories 2017 (published out of Singapore by Kitaab). Her first single-author book, From An-Other Land, is on immigration.

She has held different leadership roles in non-profits (ASHA and AID India) and is the founder and director of Her Rights (www.herrights.website), a 501(3) c non-profit committed to furthering the cause of gender equality. She is often an invited speaker or panelist for both corporate and non-profit endeavors.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends April 12, 2019

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Thursday, November 22, 2018

Spring Thaw (and Other Mystery Short Stories) by Lauren Carr (Review and Giveaway!)

What a treat this book was! All the stories were a great way to revisit favorite characters and remember why I liked them so much.

Book Details:

Book Title: Spring Thaw by Lauren Carr
Category: Adult fiction, 237 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery, Short Stories
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: August 12, 2018
Tour dates: Nov 12 to Dec 14, 2018
Content Rating: PG (mild violence and sexual suggestion)

Book Description:

In today’s hectic world, many whodunit fans don’t have time to get their mystery fix diving into a whole novel. Lauren Carr’s SPRING THAW AND OTHER MYSTERY SHORT STORIES is for these fans—but that doesn’t mean whodunit fans who do have time can’t dive in as well.

A novella, Spring Thaw features retired federal agent Chris Matheson from Lauren Carr’s newest bestselling cold case series. When his late father’s former friend is indicted for the seven year old murder of a church bishop, Chris renews old broken friendships to thaw out the cold case.

Featuring Mac Faraday from Lauren Carr’s popular Mac Faraday Mysteries, an estate auction turns into a deadly affair after Gnarly's antics cause Mac to purchase a gem of a dress, which isn't his color in Killing Bid. (Previously published in Lauren Carr’s BEAUTY TO DIE FOR.)

Beauty to Die For features the Lovers in Crime, Joshua Thornton and Cameron Gates in a race against the Angel of Death to clear the name of a dying woman's son, who was framed for murdering Miss Pennsylvania. (Previously published in BEAUTY TO DIE FOR.)

Countdown to Murder returns to the Lovers in Crime where Cameron and Joshua try to solve the murder of a young pregnant widow before it happens. (Previously published in BEAUTY TO DIE FOR.)

Mystery fans will see that every dog has his day, especially if that dog is Gnarly. In Lucky Dog, Gnarly helps Mac Faraday to solve the murder of a wealthy society girl. (Previously published in BEAUTY TO DIE FOR.)

Dog Loving Mystery Fans will get a special treat when they read The Gnarly Rehabilitation Program. In this Gnarly Mystery Short, Bert and Ernie learn the hard way that crime does not pay when they dog nap Gnarly. (Previously published as a bonus feature with A WEDDING AND A KILLING.)

Gnarly, the rambunctious German shepherd, is also features in Lauren Carr’s Christmas short, A Gnarly Christmas. It is Christmas day and Gnarly has been up to his old tricks again. Now he's in the dog house--or rather the boathouse--after stealing the Christmas feast! Moments after Archie and Mac leave Spencer Manor, Gnarly hears a call for help from Rocky, the Maltese down the street. Four assassins for hire have invaded the home of Rocky's elderly owners. While the home invaders wait for instructions from a mysterious caller, Gnarly must plot to stop them. Can Gnarly save Christmas with only the help of an 8-pound Maltese dressed in an elf suit? (Previously published as a single short story by the same name.)

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

I enjoyed reading ICE, the first book in Lauren Carr's new Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery series. So I was eager to read this novella that also includes some short stories. What a treat this book was! All the stories were a great way to revisit favorite characters and remember why I liked them so much. The Chris Matheson novella was a quick read and now I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series.

But I must say my favorite stories were the ones that included Gnarly, especially Killing Bid and The Gnarly Rehabilitation Program. Oh boy, that Gnarly cracks me up! I had a few laugh-out-loud moments reading those stories. I simply cannot imagine a Mac Faraday mystery without him.

I've read about a dozen novels from Lauren Carr, but this is the first time I read her short stories. I think Spring Thaw is ideal for fans who want snippets of Lauren Carr's writing between waiting for her next novel in a series to be released. But it's also ideal for readers who have yet to read her books as this will give them a taste of her writing style, her memorable characters such as her smart tricky Gnarly, and the beloved characters from three of her series.

Buy Spring Thaw:

Amazon

Add to Goodreads

Praise for Lauren Carr's books:

“Lauren Carr is a master storyteller who combines the humor of Janet Evanovich and the investigative skills of Patricia Cornwell. She is always at the top of my reading list."
- Sherry Fundin, Fundinmental

"Lauren Carr could give Agatha Christie a run for her money!"
- Charlene Mabie-Gamble, Literary R&R

"Lauren Carr's books are never boring, that's for sure. They entertain, give us a good mystery to dig into, keep the reader guessing, give us a few good laughs and make us eager for the next book. Warning: Lauren Carr's series are addictive, so be ready to read more than just one book!"
- Laura Fabiani, Library of Clean Reads

"She is an amazing author that draws you into the story, makes you fall in love with the characters (they feel like family!) and keeps you guessing right to the very end."
- Working Mommy Journal

"Lauren Carr does a good job of moving the quirky storyline along nicely with an abundance of witty dialogue. And you have no idea who the good guys are and who the bad guys are until the end."
- Every Free Chance Book Reviews

To read reviews, please visit Lauren Carr's page on iRead Book Tours.

Meet the Author:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Now, Lauren has added one more hit series to her list with the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries. Set in the quaint West Virginia town of Harpers Ferry, Ice introduces Chris Matheson, a retired FBI agent, who joins forces with other law enforcement retirees to heat up those cold cases that keep them up at night.

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Dec 22, 2018

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Monday, July 10, 2017

Seven Threads: A Book of Short Stories by Jason Atkinson (Book Spotlight & Giveaway)

Today I'm happy to be kicking off the tour for Jason Atkinson's latest release, a collection of short stories. Enter to win a copy below!

Book Details:

Book Title: Seven Threads: A Book of Short Stories
Author: Jason Atkinson
Category: Adult Fiction, 151 pages
Genre: Thriller and Suspense
Publisher: Mascot Books
Release date: July 4 , 2017
Tour dates: July 10 to 28, 2017
Content Rating: PG

Book Description:

In this collection of seven short stories from Jason Atkinson, follow a man accused of murder, a runaway girl on a train, a scientist at the heart of a government conspiracy, and more! Full of twists and turns, Seven Threads offers a selection of fast-paced stories full of heart and excitement.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Books-a -Million

Meet the Author:

Jason Atkinson lives in the Midwest with his wife and son. With a love of writing, this is his 3rd book, but first book in the fiction category. Short stories are easy to digest, and yet, this book still provides all the joys for the long haul reader. Jason write for everyone in mind when creating this piece and hopes you will enjoy it as much as he did when writing it.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Facebook

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Aug 5

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Thursday, June 27, 2013

The Illusion of Separateness by Simon Van Booy

The Illusion of Separateness by Simon Van Booy
HarperCollins
ISBN: 978-0062112248
Published July 2013
Hardcover, 224 pages

The Illusion of Separateness is made up of the interwoven stories of six people that are linked in some way to each other. The book starts with Martin, who, when just a baby, was given to a woman on the street by a man during WWII in Paris. Thus begins a story that goes back and forth in time. Van Booy introduces us to each character both in the present and in the past that slowly unravels why Martin was given away as a baby, who the man was, and how they are all connected through various acts of selflessness during momentous events in history and their lives.

Van Booy's writing is sparse, but always accompanied with beautiful word pictures. Here are a few that touched me:

He was married for thirty-four years. They lived in Pasadena. The memories keep him company. He doesn't believe in finding anyone new. He's happy with what he had. Desire is met with the memory of satisfaction. (p. 14 galley copy)

The dreams break against the rocks of morning. (p.63 galley copy)

I didn't mind sitting. I got numb, but it was quiet. I waited for night. Night came. I fought to keep warm. With the armor of dawn came relief. I watched day unfold from inside, then slept where sunlight pooled. (p.109 galley copy)

Although the story deals with WWII, it is really character driven, and I did not feel so much the horror of that time but the courage and selflessness of the men and women who lived through it. This is an uplifting novel. It is a quiet novel that stays with you once you finish it. Van Booy states in his acknowledgements how this story is inspired, in part, by true events. I love the title, and I feel that we are all in some way connected, especially when we reach out to others. This message is beautiful and sums up the novel very well.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read, except for two religious expletives.
To read more reviews, please visit the TLC Book Tour page.

About the author:
Simon Van Booy is the author of two novels and two collections of short stories, including The Secret Lives of People in Love and Love Begins in Winter, which won the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award. He is the editor of three philosophy books and has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, NPR, and the BBC. His work has been translated into fourteen languages. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter.

Find out more about Simon at his website and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Conjugations of the Verb To Be by Glen Chamberlain

Conjugations of the Verb To Be by Glen Chamberlain
Delphinium Books
ISBN: 978-1883285500
Published Sept 6, 2011
Trade paperback, 208 pages

This is a collection of short stories that explores the themes of living, loving and dying—hence the catchy title. Chamberlain's writing is beautiful, making even the mundane sound inspiring. I felt like every sentence held meaning, and I sometimes re-read certain passages which begged to be scrutinized and appreciated. This doesn't mean that I cared or liked every character or situation in the stories but they certainly made me reflect.

All the stories take place in Buckle, Montana, a setting that is alive and as much a character in every story as those the author introduces to us, whether a teenager who shares a mother/daughter moment that I loved in Amongst the Fields or a hired hand whose magical view of horse birthing was lovely to read in Horse Thieves:

“It's that first stolen breath, a big, startled one, the biggest one ever because the baby's lungs have never had anything in them before. Nothing at all. After that, all the other breaths will be married up in pairs of in and out, except that last one where the body comes full circle and gives back what it took when it was born, and nothing's telling it to, but everything is.” p.97

Stacking, one of my favorites, kept me turning the pages fast, a tale that expanded three generations. I got a few chuckles out of Conjugations of the Verb To Be--the introspective thoughts of an adjunct professor who teaches composition at the university, contemplating her life as she does a crossword puzzle. It made me wonder how much of it was from the author's own experience of teaching. Off the Road: or the Perfect Curve Unfound was another that I liked because the main character grew by the end of the story, and her experience made her a better person. With most of the stories, the reader is never sure where the author will take him.

The stories are filled with descriptions of the Montana land and ranch life, making the author's love for this state obvious. The stories seem to touch each other even though only a few characters appear in more than one story. Most of all, I was taken by the author's imagination as she spun stories that were different, especially Twin Bridges, Montana about the orphans who find something unexpected under the pond's ice. The last story had a sadness to it, and I was sorry the collection ended this way, but it seemed to bring things full circle.

This is a collection of interesting stories, with thought-provoking metaphors and a style of writing that is reflective, lyrical and rich. A reader cannot rush through it but is compelled to savor the words as they unfold into magnetic stories.

Note: This book is rated P = Profanity for 2 f-words, a few religious expletives and a some crude words.

I will count this book toward the following challenges: Short Stories Reading Challenge

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to Kimberly Sorren from Delphinium Books for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Narrow Lives by Tyler R. Tichelaar

Narrow Lives by Tyler R. Tichelaar (Rated: S not explicit)
Marquette Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-9791790-3-7
Published 2008
Trade Paperback, 208 pages

This is the fifth book I read from author Tyler R. Tichelaar that is connected with his Marquette Trilogy books. I’m happy I kept it for last because unlike his other novels this is a collection of connected short stories about some of the minor characters of the Marquette books. Does it ever happen when reading a novel that you wonder about a character who had a very small albeit interesting role in the story? Well, this book satisfies that curiosity.

And once again, Tichelaar’s signature talent for creating unforgettable characters that jump off the page is no less evident here. This author is an amazing storyteller, bringing to life not only believable characters but the history of his hometown, Marquette.

Although the book is considered a stand-alone and could be enjoyed even if you haven’t read any of the Marquette Trilogy books, I liked knowing the background and making the connection to what I had previously read. I especially liked the stories of Serena and Scofield. I also found Tichelaar’s themes bolder in this book, exploring the topics of betrayal and adultery and their effects on the parties involved. There is even a rape scene, however, it is not explicit. The title Narrow Lives is inspired from a passage of Willa Cather’s Lucy Gayheart, where it beautifully expresses the effects people have on each other in small towns.

I certainly look forward to reading more from this gifted author who has provided me with hours of reading pleasure.

Disclosure: Thanks to ReviewTheBook.com for sending this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.