Just finished the 2012 edition of “The Best American Short Stories of 2012″ (or to those who are hip “BASS 12”, just so you know, from one who is not hip.) I read BASS every year. I love short stories and there is always quite a variety depending on who the editor is that year. One can sample a bunch of different authors both known and unknown. What is cool is that the authors provide a brief bio and a few sentences about their included stories. Those are almost as interesting as the stories themselves.
Of course in a buffet like this book there are going to be some stories I like and others I don’t. I finished all but one of the stories. The best ones to me was a little sci fi “Beautiful Monsters” by Eric Puchner about genetically raised children who never grow up who encounter a full grown man for the first time (they smell awful!) and “What is Important is Feeling” by Adam Wilson about an almost famous Indie Film hanger on and his frustrated career.
Anyway if you like short stories check this out.
I am lovin’ your book and now short story reviews. The one about L. Johnson fascinated me. I had no clue he was such a crook…always gave that prize to Tricky Dickie. No more. Shared the post with Buddy, and he was aware of that typical politician flaw. I did know he and Bobby Kennedy despised each other. I am reading Chris Matthews book now about JFK and am finding it most interesting. But, looking at the list of books beside my bed (actually on my iPad or Kindle) you will notice I am consumed with books written by women who have left religious orders after years. Having been educated by Dominicans and actually was a boarder at the school, I thought I knew nuns inside and out. I always wondered why so many were so unconditionally cruel, mean, and demeaning…..well, now I know. Once I finish reading them all I am going to devote a long post to my findings. Am sure there are going to be lots of Catholics out there who are not going to be happy, but it will be my review and my thoughts on the issue. All I can say is nuns themselves were viciously and emotionally abused by others within their orders but we hear anything about that. All we read and hear is priests and the abused boys. I have definitely gotten an earful, and finally the pieces of the puzzle of my life are falling into place. Happy New Year filled with lots of good read and great photos. genie
not a fan of short stories, i always feel cheated .. but i do know this is a terrific anthology as i received a copy a few years back when a Nunnally Johnson story was included .. Mr Johnson is my friend’s late father in law
Yogi – I have this downloaded on my Kindle but haven’t started it yet. Also have the Essay and Travel ones.
Like Daryl, I’m not a fan of short stories, I much prefer to get my teeth into a thick novel. However, as the old memory box is fading somewhat, perhaps a short story might be more my cup of tea. I’ll give this a try.