Authors Books

The subject matter of these short stories is compelling. It is indeed interesting to see a snapshot of Middle America that is told in such a frank manner. The theme of 7 days and 7 sins, works well for a collection of stories.

However, I felt that a lot of the tales were cliche. In addition, Angela's character and position as supposed narrator is a forced thread to tie these stories together that is not only unnecessary, but detracts from the book. It would have been a better book had the author left her out and not explained how the stories were gathered.

You will not want to put this down. I spent every spare second of my time trying to read this book and was very sad to finish. I read many female authors and am very happy to say that Pamela Ditchoff is one of the best. I understand she is working on a new novel at the moment and I cannot wait for it to be published. Buy this book, you won't be disappointed!

I gave this book 5 stars because I think it is a very different idea and thought it was refreshing.

I loved the way each story tied into the next one. It was almost like using a telescope and peeping into other people's private life. It was amusing and interesting to see the skeltons that are in everyone's houses.

The book is about a young girl looking into every house on her street and examining the life situations that go on, at different occasions. It is like the "fictional" version of
24/7 Life in America the book that looks into thousands of lives and what people across America are doing on a specific day. This is the same book " sort of" just fictional, and on one street in average America.

Fun Read- reads quickly.

Ellen

This was an amazing, refreshing read. It's so nice to read something that's not just a great story, but great to read. I read that Pamela is also an accomplished poet, and it shows in her writing. I found myselft drawn into her stories by her magnificent characters and amazing prose. This is not just a great book, but a work of art!

This is the best book I've read in a long time! Each story is so interesting that I found myself wishing there were more than 7 days in a week and more than 7 sins, just so I could read more!

It may be just me but I love her works, and there are many days I wish she could have written more for us readers. The Aggar series is great and how I first became aware of her, but she speaks to the romantic in me in both Bitter Thorns and Annabelle and I. If you liked her writing style in this series, I strongly suggest you check out her other 2 books that were published as well.

Diana n'Athena is ready to go home. An "Amazon" from the all female planet of "dey Sorormin" (which Wolfe translates as the Sisterhood), Diana is a sociologist employed by the Terran Intergalactic Empire for the last 20 years as a Cultural Liaison and Feild Operative. Approaching forty, Diana has served the last five years on Aggar, a patriarchal, pre-industrial, semi-feudal planet located on the Empire's border. Over six foot tall, lean, strong and brown-eyed, Diana must pass as male to work effective on Aggar. Such a charade is not uncommon for Amazons serving on "primitive" planets, but it does wear on their spirits. Facing her last mission before she can return to her home world, Diana must locate and rescue a Terran pilot. He carries information that may mean the salvation of the Empire which is on the brink of war.

After years of working alone, Diana is not pleased when Aggar's ruling Council of Ten assigns her a native "Shadowmate." Shadows are individuals trained for years to act as guides, protectors, linguists, trackers, companions and whatever else is needed to aide the individual whom the Council has determined is important to the future of Aggar. Such assignments are one of the ways the Council "tips the balance" of fate for pivotal individuals and gently guides the planet's future.

Diana's Shadow, Elana is particularly special. In addition to her training and expertise, she bears the rare "Blue Sight." This extrasensory gift (genetically linked with blue eyes)allows her to read people's intent via their aura and create illusions. For years Elana has been training to become a Shadow. For the last five years she's been experiencing dreamlike visions of the Amazon that she is to Shadow.

"Shadows of Aggar" is a classic heroic quest. As such, the journey itself, what happens to both women during the trek and what they learn from the various encounters, is as important as the result of the quest. -- Although having the end of the empire as it is known hang in the balance does build the suspense! -- There are some similarities between Aggar and some other fantasy realms. Yet these parallels reflect cultural archetypes and Wolfe, who died in 1997, created some interesting, unique details and characteristics for three cultures: Aggar, Amazon and Terran. For example, imagine a race of humans whose skin color changes with excitement or exertion, thus making the racial differences we know, moot. Furthermore, Wolfe created the basics of a language for the "dey Sorormin" and provided a glossary of words from Aggar and the Sisterhood in the back for reference.

"Shadows" was originally released in 1991, and this reader has returned to it at least twice in the last decade. The story and characters hold up to re-reading. The same is true of Wolfe's second Aggar novel, "Fires of Aggar." Happily, the publisher has made a commitment to keep Wolfe's titles in print. The new covers of both titles are disappointing and distracting. Yet, to coin a phrase, don't judge the book by it's current cover. If you like fantasy stories with strong female leads that explore complex issues of gender roles, societal pressures to conform and their impacts on the individual -- not to mention a good old fashioned adventure with a touch of lavender romance -- you'll enjoy "Shadows of Aggar." Pick up a copy of it and its companion book, "Fires of Aggar."

This is definitely one of those books that will keep you up until the wee hours of the morning - you just can't put it down! This so reminded me of the Darkover series by Marion Zimmer Bradley (which I LOVED). Like MZB, Wolfe has created an exciting and interesting new world in which two technologically separate cultures meet...with one big plus. The relationship between the two women is protrayed in a more intimate and central way here than in MZB's books. This well written book was a throughly enjoyable read - do yourself a favor and buy it! :)

Many of us have found this dense book daunting, printed in tiny type with almost no white space for relief. However, for those who pick up the book after first laying it down in disbelief at the number of words, there awaits a well crafted world of Amazons, psychics and bad guys. Wolf has created a very believable world that mimics what most of us know about the medieval ages. Her imagination is rich and detailed. You will believe in Aggar before the end of the book.

I was annoyed by Di'nay's ability to be obtuse about her lovely "shadow" bonded to her in their attempt to rescue a downed Terran pilot. The world of Maltar was satisfyingly ominous and the Maltar was sufficiently evil. Once you get past Wolfe's inability to write straight forward dialog, you will enjoy the page turning excitement of the adventure. You will also enjoy the romance. Wolfe writes loving romance which hints joyously at what transpires between the two "shadow mates."

I could only find the most recent edition of this book. The cover should be punished as a crime against the author and the type setting is very bad. One wonders if anyone read the galleys.

I read any science fiction and fantasy novels that have lesbian characters that I hear of or stumble across. Most of what is out there is written for mainstream audiences and often by straight authors. There's nothing wrong with that, one of the attractions of the SF and Fantasy genres is that authors explore a vast array of character types and cultures. But there is a definite lack of fantasy novels written by lesbians for lesbian audiences. What's worse is, most of what is in print is mediocre at best and not worth the space on the bookshelf at worst. In desperation, lesbian fantasy fans end up buying and reading the dreck anyway.

Shadows of Aggar is a rare exception. To say that it's the best lesbian fantasy novel I've run across is true, but defining it that way is a disservice to the book, since that isn't really saying much. It holds up on its own merits within the fantasy genre as a whole, not just within the sparse lesbian fantasy subset. Shadows of Aggar contains most of the elements that make fantasy what it is; a unique world and culture, swords and magic, and imperfect characters on a heroic quest. The icing on the cake is that the lesbian romance is good too.

I do have to say here, I have NO idea what in heck the current publishers were thinking with the new book covers. I don't get this trend of putting photographs of real people on fiction. Part of the allure of written fiction is that our minds supply the images. To be blunt, the new covers are tacky and ugly. (I also note the editor's review said something about a trilogy, but there are only two books with those characters.)

One final note, as I noticed a previous reviewer mentioned hoping for more from Chris Anne Wolfe. Unfortunately for us, she lost her battle with cancer. So I highly recommend collecting all of her works currently in print if you enjoy her writing, as there won't be any more. Shadows of Aggar is by far her best, but the others are all worth a read.

I thought the spoken word cd along with the book was excellent I saw Tonya perform in Chicago in the Summer of 2001 at Romains Gallery in Oak Park, Il. She definitely writes from the heart. The poetry is so powerful and uplifting. I would recommend any one to purchase. My favorites are I will tell myself and shine. The whole cd is wonderful and its nice to be able to read the book as you listen to the cd. I think I have it memorized now. I have had people stop me and ask what are you listening to and where did you get it from. I tell them with a smile. If you are into poetry and would like to have a taste of some true talent I would suggest purchasing the shine deluxe edition.

Tonya Marie Evans' talent is a bright, steady light. Her Shine! Inspirational Poetry with Companion CD was my first introduction to the Spoken Word genre and I believe our "acquaintance" was meant to be. Not only did her expressive and melodic voice captivate me, but the messages in poems such as "I Will Tell Myself," "Angry Doesn't Live Here Anymore," and "Find Your Own Shine" inspired me to "begin again." The CD was so awesome that it got my creative juices flowing and I've returned to writing poetry. Tonya Marie Evans's words will affirm, encourage, and help you to turn your shine all the way on!

Shine provided me with the opportunity to reflect on my personal resilence. With pieces such as "I Will Tell Myself" and "Find Your Own Shine", I remembered a strength and determination that can only come from within. As I listened to Tonya Marie's words, both in the written form and on the accompanying CD, I was reminded that I am not alone in experiencing the trials and tribulations that Life can sometimes bring. I was also reminded that with each breathe and through careful reflection we can overcome these life experiences and "begin again" (taken from "A Villager Speaks"). I thoroughly enjoyed Shine and have found myself buying it for gifts, referring to it in the classroom, and using it as a teaching and therapeutic tool. I believe that Tonya Marie has a beautiful and powerful voice that soothes, heals, and inspires you to regain your life and be true to your real self. In other words, just as Tonya Marie as recommended, her work inspires and gives you the courage to "Shine".

This is not your ordinary spoken word material. Tonya Marie Evans along with her co-horts Stephanie Renee and Damon "Dizzy Fingers" Bennet brew up some seriously groovy tunes, with styles ranging from house to progressive soul to acid jazz. Tonya Marie's voice is smooth yet commanding and when coupled with Stephanie Renee's own phenomenal voice the result is truly wonderful. My favorite's are "I Will Tell Myself" the danceable, deep house track and "FYOS" a groovy acid jazz track worthy of recognition. This companion cd is truly worth a listen. Unlike most music today it is soulful, inspirational and enjoyable!!

Inspirational and Finding My Own Shine are not words I
associate with poetry. I thought poetry was rhymes
like, Roses are red, violet are blue, sugar is sweet
and so are you. I am truly grateful that the author
has given me another view of poetry.The poetry in
Shine encourages you to look inward.

Shine is a divine influence. After reading these 48
pages it is my ambition to be 100% of me. A favorite
of mine is titled I Will Tell Myself, I plan to read
this poem whenever others try to define who I am. The
fourth paragraph of I Will Tell Myself read: "I am not
confused - I am convinced that I have greatness within
and I am Superwoman able to leap TALL DECEPTION in a
single bound", wow is all I can say to that.

This author doesn't stop there, she has included the
spoken word as well. This CD is one you do not want to
be without, complementing her poetry is Neosoul and
funk. This blend of music fits perfectly with her
words. Angry Don't Live Here No More is "Da Bomb"I
would love to ride to Philly and be a part of the
audience where she "melts the mic" with her poetry.
Evans' multimedia book is for the whole family. I plan
to read from it at my Black Light Open Mic this month.

Reviewed by Missy

Unlike most of the current "Southern Belle" books, this one shows a darker side. It took me by surprise and made a deep impression, especially since all of the stories are based on true incidents. But don't expect cutsie women secretly manipulating their men, or recipes for hush puppies. The stories in this book will stay with you for a long time.

Southern Fried Women is a fun and heart-felt book. I look forward to more from this author!

A very well written book. Very easy to follow. Her explanations and details make it easy to "see" what each character is doing and going through. They are short stories, so its a great book for people who do no have a lot time during the day to read. But each story will pull you in and you will not want to put it down. There are several stories in there that I wish were books in and of themselves. She is a fantastic writer.
I am pleased to have been able to meet this author recently. She is every bit as honest and passionate in person as she is her book. A true Southern Bell with a great talent. If you have not bought this book yet, you really ought to give it a try. I can't wait for the next book to come out!

Southern Fried Women is a beautifully written piece of literature. I savored each and every page and really hated to see the end of the book. I wasn't insulted by silly stories with juvenile plots and situations. It was mature writing that made me think she is a person who has experienced life and has become better, stronger and more resilient as a result. I was so inspired that she shared her wisdom with the world in such a moving and touching way! Her characters reminded me of Steel Magnolias and the women of the old south in Gone With the Wind. I can't wait to see future works from this wonderful, southern fried author. She's a keeper!

Yes, what a wonderful ride! There may be people who do not care for the use of photos at the beginning of each chapter - they are obviously wrong to think so. Sometimes I found myself studying the photos, even after I had begun reading the story - often going back and looking again - imagining how this story might truly have wrapped itself around the people and places in the photographs.

Also, the use of simile and metaphor is filled with imagery and life; painting with words what most people can only hold in their imaginations. "Cry" is so full of painful reality and "Coal Dust on my Feet" broke my heart. "Beach Babies" is probably my favorite - Bertie is a tragic character, but one that has so much to teach us.

Thank you, Pamela, for sharing your gift with the public. Sometimes as I read your words, I heard my own voice. We share many of the same beliefs, attitudes, joys, and heartaches in our observations of the world. Reading your book was like sitting down and spending an afternoon with you in conversation. Thank you.

Debra Thomas

This was a great book with well conceived stories and top rate characterization and writing - best Mythos work I've read so far.

HOWEVER. I'm one of those who read all the info on the front and back covers of the book before I start on the innards, and I was not happy to find that the editors had felt it necessary to print the full culmination of the final story on the back cover. This was a spoiler of epic proportions.

Buy the book, but do NOT read the cover text... What the HELL were they thinking? *sharon*

No-one is harder on Lovecraft homages than I am. I despise the imitators, the writers who make nary an effort to honor HPL. I was dubious when I first received this book with somewhat hokey cover art. I groaned inwardly when I noticed it was not so much an anthology but a series of stories centered around a few main characters.

But...

...it works. It works wonderfully. Think of it as part Tom Clancy, part Dan Brown, part john Shirley and even part of the master himself. While working within the Cthulu mythos the authors deftly sidestep the cliches and pitfalls so many other authors have fallen into.

Well worth the price. Get it and enjoy it.

The Spiraling Worm chronicles two men's attempt to make the world free from evil. Dixon and Peel are on a mission to stop the men who are trying to bring back the creations of the Elder Gods, and through their adventure they will find that there is much more at stake then a strange artifact.

The Spiraling Worm is a well-done story written by two of today's finest small press authors. John Sunseri has had over 50 stories published since 2000 and David Conyers' stories have been nominated for several awards. These two authors work together to create a believable and easy-to-understand glimpse at H.P Lovecraft's grand Cthulhu mythos.

If you're interested in Lovecraft, the mythos, or any of the two authors' work, The Spiraling Worm is a book you will want on your bookshelf. If this review could be longer, it would, but doing that would reveal plots of the short-story chapters.

As a new reader to this genre and of these authors, I was genuinely suprised. I purchased the novel on the strong recommendation of a close friend, and was not disappointed. The Spiraling Worm is the most thrilling, exciting, and well written book I have read in a long time. I shall eagerly await a sequel.

Exotic locales, extra-dimensional monsters, black-ops--The Spiraling Worm is a terrifying action-packed collection from two terrific authors. In each tale, a new monster is introduced, and the heroes--Major Harrison Peel of Australia and NSA man Jack Dixon--must find a way to maintain order in an increasingly chaotic universe.

The episodic nature of the stories is reminiscent of TV shows such as X-Files, but sometimes the installments fail to resolve the way an episode should. David Conyers' story "Impossible Object," for example: one of the most interesting stories in the book--yet also the most unsatisfactory. In this one, scientists are studying a mysterious relic that appears differently to each viewer: what is a door to one is a jar to another. Most of the researchers disappear while examining the object, and no one can figure out its purpose. The idea is intriguing but the cliffhanger ending doesn't resolve the mystery and the impossible object garners only a brief mention later in the collection; it could have been used to greater effect.

Despite this falter, most of the stand-alone stories produce an awesome impact: John Sunseri's "To What Green Altar" effectively mixes terrorists, Roman Catholics, and the fire deity Cthugha, while Conyers' "False Containment" spawns a hideous monster that absorbs and infuses with humans, animals, and plant matter, growing as it goes. Nevertheless, the most memorable stories are heavily interlinked. "Resurgence" by Sunseri and "Weapon Grade" by Conyers both feature shoggathai, giant protoplasmic slaves of the Old Ones. In "Resurgence," these beasts rise from their prisons in Antarctica to devour plant, animal, and human life, and in "Weapon Grade," the fates of the shoggathai are revealed--while one of the heroes suffers the consequences of saving his homeland.

Filled with fast, action-packed stories that read like episodes of a good TV show, The Spiraling Worm is an excellent installment in the Cthulhu mythos.

This book is as deep and powerful as the sludge ponds it tell us about. It was so interesting I had actually to find out the real events of the Buffalo Creek disaster. But even pictures can't effect you like the raw emotion in this book. Well written, emotional, and hard edged. Read it, weep, discover, and then pass it on!

The exquisite beauty of the land, the deep rich connections of the characters to that land, the complete integration of these people with the land, all so startlingly portrayed in the very different tongues of each member of a family living in a hollow deep in West Virginia, watching their lives being destroyed by coal companies ripping the heads off ancient mountains, and fighting back or running away.....

The beautiful, lyrical, and poetic descriptions of places and people in Ann Pancake's new novel create an atmosphere of lush imagery and evocative narrative voice. But the resonance of the novel's "voice," and its capturing the visual and auditory ambiance of a dying West Virginia coal town, the hollows, and the people who live there, is only the canvas she uses in order to flesh out entirely believable characters, and themes that resonate beyond the confines of the book. As I read, amazed by how she puts words, sentences, paragraphs, together on the page, I never questioned the essential validity of the characters.

Each chapter takes the perspective of one character: Lace, Jimmy Make, Bant, Dane, Cory, Tommy, Mogie, and Avery. One example of how well Ms. Pancake captures the personality and sensibilities of a character is Corey. Ten year old Corey is, as the expression goes, "all boy." He is obsessed with machines: his dad's truck, the massive coal train, the giant coal trucks, and even the diggers that are destroying Yellowroot mountain above his house.

However, there is also a sizable cast of supporting characters that interact with, love, teach, hate, fight, etc. the primary cast. The shifting (chapter by chapter) point of view lends a layered richness of various perspectives to the novel. The overall result is that I believed that the stories of the characters were their stories, and not imposed upon them by the author.

Thank you for this great book. I love the real Appalachian dialect. This dialect is music to my ears.
The coal industry is killing us here in Appalachia. The burning of coal is poisoning our babies all over America.

Vivid character development with clear and intimate understanding of what it means to love a place and culture. Sense of hopelessness overshadowed by the courage and resilience of the people who populate rural West Virginia. Compels the reader to confront the realities of what happens when we allow corporate greed to advance itself in collaboration with political ambition. Makes one painfully aware of how fragile our ecosystem is and the shared responsibility we have to protect it for our children. Also pays tribute to the amazing culture that exists in rural areas, particularly West Virginia. A read that won't soon be forgotten.

In my mind, Doyle's Sherlock Holmes is as good as it gets in the mystery genre. Miss Marple, however, is excellent, too. This volume presents thirteen short mysteries. Most are presented as tales recounted by dinner guests while sitting around the evening fire. The challenge is to see who can tell the most baffling story and who, if anyone, can solve each one. Miss Marple, of course, astounds the others by seeing through each to the solution. Along the way, the reader is treated to a selection of fascinating and enjoyable tales. Some are easy enough for the experienced mystery fan to see through, but all are fun to read nevertheless. THE THIRTEEN PROBLEMS is Agatha Christie at the top of her game and should be a great pleasure for anyone who enjoys a good mystery. I loved it. Highly recommended.

I'm not generally fond of short stories, but there exceptions: Somerset Maugham, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dorothy Parker... and Agatha Christie. At her best, Agatha Christie's short stories are the equal of any by these more literary writers--and THE THIRTEEN PROBLEMS is very much Agatha Christie at her best. The individual stories are loosely tied together as something of a party game: after dinner each guest is required to present a mystery to which he or she knows the solution and the other guests must puzzle it out. The concept produces a chatty sort format that is both entertaining and perfectly suited to Agatha Christie's demure yet remarkably sharp Miss Marple--who disconcerts the others by inevitably solving the crime.

In addition to Miss Marple, the storytellers include a number of always welcome re-occurring characters such as Mr. and Mrs. Bantry, Miss Marple's nephew Raymond West, and Sir Henry Clithering. Each of the stories is as memorable as anything Christie wrote in novel form, and although you can easily read any of the stories out of sequence the dinner party concept gives the collection a unified quality which nonetheless escapes the more demanding requirements of tackling a full-length novel.

This is the ideal bedside book, for you need read no more than a single story--drop off to sleep--and then return again to the next story at your leisure. At the same time it will satisfy even the most hardcore Christie fans; every one is sure to have their own favorite tale (mine is "The Herb of Death") and serious Christie readers will enjoy spotting plot devices that Christie later elaborated into full-length novels. Very, very enjoyable and highly recommended.

Picture yourself with a group of friends that include Miss Jane Marple. Sitting around the fire, someone brings up the idea of presenting mysteries that only you know the answer, and the other friends must solve. Guess who wins hands down every time? Yes, that little lady with lace mitts who is knitting little fluffy things.

This is a fine book of short stories and, as usual, Dame Agatha outfoxed me every time. Though Miss Jane publicly disdains outlandish plots ("undetectable poison from an African village"), her creator is sometimes guilty of just that. The very few that left me less than impressed involved entirely too much running around, an outlandish premise, and an overabundance of purple prose.

My hands down favorite was "Death By Drowning" when Dame Agatha shows her superb ability to misdirect. Even with broad hints, I didn't come near the answer. And never be certain that the villain will be punished, at least right away. "The Tuesday Night Club" and "A Christmas Tragedy" each have her particular brand of cleverness stamped clearly throughout.

This would be a wonderful book to have in the guest bedroom, but be sure to read it first!

This 1932 collection was also published as THE TUESDAY CLUB MURDERS. Many of the stories have also appeared separately in other collections.

Like THE LABORS OF HERCULES and PARTNERS IN CRIME it is a series of short stories bridged together in an arc. The opening setting is a gathering in St. Mary Mead at Jane Marple's cottage, attended by her nephew writer Raymond West, artist Joyce Lempriere, Sir Henry Clithering - retired Scotlandyard commissioner, Dr. Pender - the local clergyman, and solicitor Mr. Petherick. The group decides to entertain themselves by describing puzzling crimes they have experienced and to challenge the rest of the group to arrive at the solution. The group at first does not plan to include Miss Marple in their game but condescend to do so when she objects. Naturally Aunt Jane arrives at all the answers.

The following year Sir Henry Clithering was visiting his friends the Bantrys (THE BODY IN THE LIBRARY), and mentioned his previous trip to St. Mary Mead and Miss Marple. After dinner that evening another evening of curious problems took place. This time the group included Col. and Mrs. Bantry, Dr. Lloyd, actress Jane Helier as well as Sir Henry and Miss Marple. Again Miss Marple had all the answers, including one to a crime that hadn't happened yet.

The final problem was presented sometime later when Sir Henry was again visiting his friends, the Bantrys. A village girl, the daughter of the local pub owner, had killed herself the night before, sad but of no particular interest to Sir Henry. No interest that is, until Miss Marple arrived to request that Sir Henry investigate the murder, not suicide, of the girl. She even gave Sir Henry the name of the murderer! Sir Henry agreed to look into matter and.....well, read the story

The mysteries are all perfect little Christie gems, challenging the reader (with all the clues tucked in among the red herrings) to solve the crime before Miss Marple. The device of linking the stories in post dinner party conversation is charming. It is wonderful to meet characters that will return in other Miss Marple stories: Raymond West and Joyce Lempriere; Col. and Dolly Bantry; and Sir Henry Clithering.

Originally published as "The Tuesday Club Murders", "The Thirteen Problems" is a collection of Miss Marple stories, mini-mysteries that readers and characters alike are meant to solve. As always, Agatha Christie has a great knack at crafting mysteries that are both ingenious and simple, once solved or explained. "The Thirteen Problems" is a quick read, each story nicely paced and readily solved.

The setup to the collection is a get-together of friends and family for an evening of fun and games. When one guest proposes that each person present a 'problem' for the others to solve, the game is underway. When each little problem is presented, only Miss Marple can see her way through to the solution. These mysteries run the gamut of typical mystery stories, with murder and intrigue at the center of each.

Yet several of the stories in "The Thirteen Problems" are extremely predictable - anyone who has read a fair number of mysteries can spot the answer from the getgo, although there are several that are a bit more puzzling. And at times, the characterization of several key players is stereotypical and rather one-dimensional, an acceptable failing in a short story, but when several stories are collected in one space, it can become rather tiresome. Overall, "The Thirteen Problems" is a delightful read for any Christie fan.

A very funny,entertaining,and well thought out book. A great collection of stories by a wide variety of talented authors. Highly recommended!

I became interested in reading this book because I had read something about the controversy between the anthology titled THIS IS CHICK LIT and the one titled THIS IS NOT CHICK LIT.

I decided to read the anthology, and form my own opinion.

What I found was an engaging collection of stories with a wide variety of subject matters, themes and styles, that shared only that they were of interest to women. These stories were great-- funny and varied and well-written.

I especially enjoyed "The Infidelity Diet" and "Nice Jewish Boy". I also really enjoyed reading the introduction by Lauren Baratz-Logsted where she traces the Lit-chick divide back to Bronte and Austen... It's a terrific introduction to chick lit for someone who hasn't read much of it before.


I would highly recommend this book to fans of chick lit but also to readers who are interested in sampling a wide range of new authors.

I agree with many of the other reviewers: If you already read chick lit, you'll like this. It provides a selection of interesting stories, lets you get to know a little about the authors, and may introduce you to the work of authors you don't already know.

If you don't read chick lit, or don't think you want to, you'll be pleasantly surprised, I think. It's a quick read, and it can't hurt, so why not?

It's time to get mad, make a stand, and buy a copy of This is Chick Lit


Earlier this year, This is Not Chick Lit: Original Stories by America's Best Women Writer's hit the stands. As the title suggests, this book wants to set itself apart from chick lit writing. In the introduction, editor Elizabeth Merrick claims that the huge popularity of "bubbly" and "fluffy" chick lit novels is obscuring the writing of "some our country's most gifted women." She goes on to say that chick lit "numbs our senses" and "reduces the complexity of human experience."

When Lauren Baratz-Logsted, a seasoned chick lit author, heard about this collection she got angry. And then she got motivated! Baratz-Logsted without delay rallied the troops, quickly compiled eighteen stories by loud and proud chick lit writers, and This is Chick Lit was born.

Straight off the bat, the book proves that chick lit and its authors are far from mind-numbing or fluffy. In her fantastic introduction, Baratz-Logsted hits the nail on the head when she considers the publication of Merrick's This is Not Chick Lit and wonders, "What next: These Are Not Mysteries? This is Not Science Fiction? This is Not a Literary Coming of Age Novel?"

What Baratz-Logsted understands - unlike so many literary critics, book reviewers, and many supposedly smart writers - is that chick lit is a genre. And thus like all genres - mystery, sci-fi, literary fiction - chick lit has its own features and style and concerns. It is not better or worse than any other genre, it is just different. Baratz-Logsted demonstrates how it is basically sexist to single out chick lit, a hugely popular genre by and for women, as the one genre to attack and malign.

Baratz-Logsted's smart introduction is followed by a whole host of intelligent, funny, sad, ironic, entertaining, and very real tales about women. Jennifer Coburn's "Two Literary Chicks" wryly captures the whole standoff between a literary chick and her chick lit writing enemy. Deanne Carlyle's "Dead Man Don't Eat Quiche" is a mystery set in France and is as hilarious as its title suggests. Heather Swain deals beautifully with the trials and tribulations of postpartum life in "Café con Leche Crush." Baratz-Logsted's own story, an eloquent satire called "Shell Game," is a must for any successful and independent career girl heading for marriage, the suburbs, and potentially the loss of identity.

Many people are going to love This is Chick Lit. However, true to form, the literary world and the press are putting the boot in. In its review of the book, Publisher's Weekly says the stories in the collection are marred by "ho-hum dialogue" (and you're telling me Hemingway never wrote a ho-hum exchange?), "clichéd characters" (uh, and Dickens didn't have a few stock villains?) and "may pander to female audiences" (oh my god, what a crime!). The Village Voice described the stories as "glib and goal-oriented and focus on well-dressed women afraid of being 30" (hello? Can you read?).

To snoots like these, I say, "Go read what you want to read and leave the chick lit writers and chick lit lovers alone!" And to everyone else, I say, "Buy This is Chick Lit. You wont just make a purchase. You'll being making a political stand!!"

Apparently this book was born out of a sense of high dudgeon; a retort to the publication of the volume This is Not Chick-Lit; an assemblage of the leading authors of the centuries old genre now going by the name chick-lit; a defensive call to arms. As contributing writer Jennifer Coburn exclaims: "an author recently commented that the term chick-lit sounds as if the writing is about, for, and by women, nothing more. Nothing more?! Why isn't that enough?"

Enough, indeed. This savvy little collection of eighteen short, delicious stories showcases the tremendous variety, voice, and appeal of the oft-maligned, but also well-loved chick-lit authors. It should quickly disabuse the reader of any notion that chick-lit is somehow not representative or worthy of today's reader of popular fiction. So although the origin of this book may be found in a fit of pique, the result is a marvelous assortment of tales of the modern situation. Can we state more (or less?) of Jane Austen? If the Bronte sisters were writing today, would they be doing book tours on the Bridget Jones circuit? Would Mary Shelley be signing at ComicCon?

Always entertaining, frequently funny, occasionally wistful, this is the cream of the crop. Infidelity, fashion sense, husband hunting, girlfriend trauma: it's all here in this candybox sampler of morality tales, fables, and small encouragements. Dig in.

This was one of those stories where you just wanted to be there and talk to the characters! I began reading on a weekend morning (when I was supposed to be doing my chores) and ended up reading all day. Read a chapter (or two or three), do a chore, read a chapter..... Really excellent read all the way through!

I found this book to be very well-written women's literature. And you'll notice that I used the term "women's literature" rather than "women's fiction." That's because this book is definitely character-driven; that is, the characters are more important than the plot. And I've had the privilege to meet Nicole Seitz, a woman with a gracious and humble spirit.

When you play a stringed instrument, there are certain types of chords called harmonics. When this type of chord is played - although it is actually several notes - it sounds like a single note. It actually sounds as if it played itself - almost otherworldly.

In literature, you may call the same concept resonance: when characters in a book come alive to produce a prolonged response in the reader. TROUBLE THE WATER is that type of book. As you are reading, you realize that the characters have struck a chord in your soul - a chord that resonates long after you've finished reading.

Nicole Seitz is an artist. Literary fiction lovers might want to check into her further.

Through a group of Gullah women, Seitz reveals the fascinating spirit, superstitions and cultural richness as she revisits the Low Country once again. Though Trouble the Water is not a sequel to Spirit of Sweetgrass Seitz revisits settings that are obviously as fascinating to her as to her readers.

This is the type of novel I love to curl up with and savor. Seitz brought three first-person point of view characters to life as they relived sorrow and shame, choices and consequences. Honor, Alice, Duchess and The Nannies live and breath through Seitz's words. And what stories they tell.

This is not an easy read. Christian fiction, yes, traditional, no. Seitz writes with realism including sin and consequences, hypocrisy and the damage done through it. There is no salvation prayer at the end and very subtle gospel sharing, so those who expect a strong gospel message within their Christian fiction may be disappointed. In addition, the superstitions and beliefs of the characters may stomp on some toes.

However, those who are hungry for honest, transparent stories about tragedy and sorrow, and hope and restoration need to look further into Seitz's novels.

I wasn't sure what to expect out of this novel, as southern lit doesn't necessarily sound like something I'm going to be captivated by. I adored it. I got into it pretty quickly because the dialect and setting were so interesting. And, of course, there's a bit of mystery in the lives of both the Duchess and Honor and I was interested in understanding these two sad women better. It all unfolds perfectly paced, with just a smidge of humor, beautiful language, and characters that you just really care about.

It's the sort of book that makes you want to treasure life, and also to fully feel and grieve the pain of your past. But hope is beautifully etched into this story, not overbearingly, just lightly enough so that you can feel it. And yes, I sobbed through the last 70 pages or so of the book.

Everything is beautiful about this book from the cover to the title to the final pages and the way it is all woven together. Highly recommended.

Trouble the Water by Nicole Seitz is a multi-layered story about the love between sisters and the power of God's healing love. Honor is rescued from a suicide attempt by several nannies in South Carolina's Low Country. Miss Blondell, an elderly Gullah woman, takes Honor under her wing and puts her in local dingbat Duchess' home. Duchess is known for her flirtacious antics with the men and showing her sixty year body in all its naked glory. Honor and Duchess make for an odd mix. Both suffer from depression and acting out, but each look at the placement as God's way of using them to help care for others. The story is told through several different points of view. Honor and Duchess each take turns telling their story, but Honor's sister Alice also gets a turn, as do Honor's letters to Alice. Honor is truly the heart of the story, but her chapters aren't the ones that tell you the most about her. It's the chapters from Alice and Duchess that really expose Honor for who she is: the angel who troubles the waters for their healing. Seitz writes this achingly beautiful story of healing and forgiveness with compassion and just enough humor to take the edge off of the sweetness.

To help you understand what kind of a person i am and to find if you can relate to me... I was recently called obscure. I prefer to call myself unique.
I absolutely loved this book. I would have to say it is one of my top 5 favorites. I've read it over and over again, I have 2 copies... one is always in my purse (just in case I need something to read!) and I have lended the other to many friends and they have loved it as well.
I love it because it has a story to fit every mood. Hope you love it too!

I can't heap enough praise on 80 percent of the stories in this collection. They were variously beautiful, touching, haunting, riveting, warming...it makes me run out of adjectives. They covered me in short story love.

The next 15 percent were excellently written but didn't enchant.

Only 5 percent made me raise my eyebrows and mutter.

Read this book. You'll feel wiser to the human condition, when you throw a party beautiful people will start conversations with you when they see it on your bookshelf, and most importantly, you'll feel wiser to the human condition.

This is one of the best collections of contemporary American fiction. Every story is top-notch, and Wolff included a few authors I'd never heard of before (such as Braverman and Dybek, two writers whose short stories I've since sought out). I was also surprised at how this collection didn't sag at all--it was strong right to the end.

The bottom line: Wolff knows how to choose a great story. This book is a keeper.

Also recommended: The Gospel of Arnie

"The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Short Stories" speaks with the intensity of liquor and fists. It lets loose on the gut of America.

Tobias Wolff, one of America's hardest hitting fiction writers, ("The Night in Question: Stories" and "In the Garden of North American Martyrs") has hammered together one of the best collections of modern fiction--far better than any individual "Best of..." collection.

If you are drawn, like me, to the intensity and disillusionment present in American literature at the turn of the century (i.e. Edith Wharton, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald) this book may be what you have been looking for in contemporary writers. Including such staples of the contemporary cannon as Raymond Carver, Andre Dubuse, Amy Tan, Joyce Carol Oates this book packs in the best of modern short fiction and restores the genre to its former revered status.

Tobias Wollf, himself an excellent practitioner of the short story, does not include a work of his own in this wonderful collection (save a very thoughtful introduction). This is one of the most well edited collections of contemporary short stories on the market. It may be a few years old by now, but most of the "must read" writers, as well as surprisingly good lesser-knowns are included. Raymond Carver and Andre Dubus, sadly no longer contemporary in the strict sense, live on within these pages alongside excellent new voices. Two stories that really stand out for me are John L'Heureux's "Departures," a very deep and moving narrative, and Ralph Lombreglia's "Men Under Water," a beautiful alchemy of the dreams and realities of contemporary life. The selections written by Jamaica Kincaid, Joyce Carol Oates, Tim O'Brien, and Denis Johnson are so well picked, they seem to capture a bit of the authors themselves, as well as a portion of their writing. Because of these atttributes, I think the Vintage Book of Contempory Short Stories is both valuable for personal collections and for use in the classroom. It does the job that all compilations are supposed to, but seldom do, accomplish. It exemplifies the current breadth and depth of this contemporary artform.