Short Stories I

I've been on kind of a short story kick for a while.  I avoided them for some time, but most of the time I like being able to devour these shorts in such a, well, short time.  Here are the ones I've read recently (and I'm being pretty loose in my use of the word recently, as some of these are from last year...).  Also, is anyone else so stingy that the thought of paying $3.00 or really anything for short stories is painful?  Let's just say, I prefer the free ones.  And those that aren't?  Thank you, library, for having them available.


Double Crossed by Ally Carter
Absolutely loved this.  I adore Ally Carter's series and seeing the two collide was so fun.  This was the perfect kind of story, too.  A short story should pretty much have an arc all its own and this one was wonderful.  It was perfect for devouring in one sitting and feeling satisfied.  Can't wait for more from this author!



Among the Nameless Stars by Diana Peterfreund
I enjoyed this short as well, though I think it left me a bit confused.  I liked seeing where Kai was when he left, but it didn't feel quite like a full story.  There was a lot of new stuff and not a lot of page time to explain it.  Still, I loved the book it went with enough to love this as well.



The New World by Patrick Ness
It has been ages since I finished the Chaos Walking trilogy, but this one has been sitting in my reader and I wanted to give it a try.  I felt like I was able to fall right back into Ness' world without any kind of refresher.  I loved seeing how Violet got there and what it must have been like.  Makes me want to do a reread.



The Spring Before I Met You AND The Summer Before I Met You by Sarah Rees Brennan
I'm lumping these two together, since they are from the same series.  I liked them a lot, mostly because of Brennan's fabulous writing, though I also thought the idea of seeing our two main characters from the POV of an outsider was interesting.  Fun stories, though not necessarily in the content (both were a bit heavy). 


Neverfall by Brodi Ashton
I thought this was rather an essential story to read for the whole trilogy to make sense.  I read it right before the last book and I think it made Cole a lot easier to understand.  His motivations and a bit of his history.  A nice addition to the series.


Life Before Legend by Marie Lu
I think I would have liked this more if I'd read it closer to when I read the second book.  Or maybe even the first.  I have to admit I had forgotten a lot of the story.  Even now, trying to remember the last book in the series, I'm drawing a blank.  I know I liked it, but I seem to have forgotten why...


Roar and Liv AND Brooke by Veronica Rossi
These two were both wonderful looks at some of my favorite side characters (well, Brooke wasn't a favorite, but her story was still interesting).  I loved seeing more of Roar and Liv and what it must have been like for Roar to lose her.  They were both rather painful reads and I think they make sense when both of them are read close together.  We see a lot about Brooke and possibly some motivation for her actions.  Loved them!


UnStrung by Neal Shusterman
This one was definitely important for me to read before I got to the third book.  I think it makes that one seem less like it's out of the blue.  I'm still not sure how I feel about short stories that are kind of required to enjoy the series.  Still, this one was a full story and it was beautiful and heart-breaking.  Definitely vital for more understanding of UnSouled. 



Isolation by Dan Wells
This was an interesting short story about Heron and I found it both intriguing and a little bit hard to follow.  It jumps back and forth in time and I didn't like that sometimes.  But I thought the story definitely made Heron make a LOT more sense in learning more about her history.  Good to read before Ruins.


Mitosis by Brandon Sanderson
First, I felt this was just the right length for a short story.  Most of these have been, though some felt a little too short :)  I loved seeing more of our "heroes" and just what it must have been like in the aftermath of the first book.  I don't know if it's essential for the next one, but I sure liked getting more story in the meantime.

Any favorite short stories you have found?  What's your favorite kind of short story?

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Book Review: Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor

Lips Touch: Three Times is a collection of three short stories that each revolve around a kiss.  In each story, a kiss is more than just a meeting of lips.  It could mean giving up your soul to a goblin, allowing a curse to run its course, or the bringing back of memories long forgotten.  Each story is set in a unique fantasy world with memorable characters that long for the wonder and excitement of a first kiss.

Things I Liked:
I really have never been a fan of short stories.  Not entirely sure why that is, but I just don't read them.  However, this book made me love them.  Once again, Taylor has created splendid fantasy worlds.  Seriously, I don't know how she does it, but each story has such a fascinating and dark and intriguing setting that you almost forget about the characters in your enjoyment of it.  Her writing draws you into these places in very few sentences.  I think this is especially vital when writing short stories, since you can't afford to have a lot of description and set up for your story.  She does an excellent job, though, and you get just enough detail to picture the place and to make you long for more stories set in each one.  Oh, and I love Jim Di Bartolo's illustrations - they quite fit the descriptions.  I think my favorite story is "Spicy Little Curses Such as These" with "Hatchling" coming it at second.  If you haven't tasted Taylor's words yet, run and get one of her books.  You will not regret it.

"The goblins want girls who dream so hard about being pretty their yearning leaves a palpable trail, a scent goblins can follow like sharks on a soft bloom of blood.  The girls with hungry eyes who pray each night to wake up as someone else.  Urgent, unkissed, wishful girls." p 13

"They were both small and beautiful with long, long hair as red as persimmons.  They laughed alike and moved alike, and they thought the same thoughts as completely as if a butterfly traveled back and forth between their minds, bearing ideas on its legs like pollen." p 146

Things I Didn't Like:
I have to admit being a bit surprised by the sensuality that is quite common in the stories.  I suppose it wasn't really too unexpected given the YA label, but coming from her Faeries of Dreamdark books, there is definitely an age shift.  

Read-alikes:
It is similar to her Dreamdark series in style, but obviously more mature
I can't think of anyone else who creates worlds quite like her

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
quite a few used, none too strong

mrg-factor: XX
commonly alluded to in each story, nothing graphic

v-factor: ->
some gruesome images

Overall rating: *****

Have you read Laini Taylor's work?  What do you think?

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Book Review: The Serial Garden by Joan Aiken

The Serial Garden: The Complete Armitage Family Stories is a collection of stories about the Armitage family, who happen to have very interesting lives.  Odd things always seem to happen to them on Mondays, and all of these strange happenings date back to a wish made by the newly wed Mrs. Armitage.  But, the family is quite used to these happenings and nothing, not even unicorns, magical gardens, fairies, or witches will phase them.

Things I Liked:
Each of the individual stories are very fun, full of silly things that happen.  The humorous and sometimes sarcastic comments from the parents, the tongue-in-cheek humor, and the delightful adventures are what makes each of these stories a delight to read.  I think these stories are best for reading aloud and in small increments (they can get a bit repetitive if read all at once).

Things I Didn't Like:
I admit I had a hard time getting through this one and ended up not finishing it (for Cybils).  I was bothered that there appeared to be no real progression from story to story, that they didn't relate to each other much other than the characters were the same.  I suppose this is expected as it is a collection of short stories.  I also found that some of the language was archaic and strange, rather difficult to understand at time.  I'm not sure how much appeal they will have to kids now, but I know many people who grew up with them adore them still.  But, I think they might appeal to advanced kids who like quirky read-alouds.

Read-alikes:
A little like the humor in the Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ***

Britt at Confessions of a Book Habitue asked whether some of our childhood favorites will appeal to kids today.  What do you think?

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