Book Reviews on short story collections. May be by one or multiple authors.
Author Interview with Julia Ridley Smith Sex Romp Gone Wrong by Julia Ridley Smith In this Cantina Conversation Megan welcomes writer Julia Ridley Smith to talk about her short story collection, Sex Romp Gone Wrong, available February 6. Please rate, review, and subscribe so that you never miss an episode! Follow on social media to… Continue reading Episode 15 – Julia Ridley Smith: Sex Romp Gone Wrong
Readers with limited moments to enjoy their favorite pastime undoubtedly appreciate what short stories have to offer. Although challenges rest on the author to tell a full-fledged, engaging story in 20 pages or less, the results are rewarding for everyone. Sex Romp Gone Wrong by Julia Ridley Smith explores the struggles and psyches of women… Continue reading Sex Romp Gone Wrong by Julia Ridley Smith
Short stories have a way of connecting readers to characters’ backstories, hopes, desires, and even misfortunes in less than 20 pages. A well-written short story can leave some readers wanting more, and others content with where it ended. What Makes You Think You’re Supposed to Feel Better by Jody Hobbs Hesler explores the human condition across nearly every walk of life, pulling readers along for an emotionally complex journey.
Characters in the collection find themselves in strange, hopeful, and heartbreaking situations. While seemingly unremarkable at first, their stories are deeply-felt all the way through. As the title implies, readers won’t find happy endings here. But that doesn’t mean it’s all doom-and-gloom. Quite the opposite.
Hesler wrote these stories with compassion and respect for the subject matter at hand. Possible content warnings include suicide, infertility, alcoholism/substance abuse, animal cruelty, child abduction, bigotry, sexism, and abortion. Even though it might be heavy for some readers, I promise it’s worth it.
Here are my favorites among the 17 stories included in this collection:
What Makes You Think You’re Supposed to Feel Better is available now.
