Title: River Polak Author: Mari Sandoz In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis) Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again) My Bookshelves:Westerns Dates read: 30th September 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 1959 5th sentence, 74th page: He rambled on, but Yonak did not hear.
A story of life on the Frontier for Poles and all of the intricacies that go along with it.
This was a very calm and relaxing story. I actually quite enjoyed it, but gave it a lower rating because, as I sit here trying to write a review, I really don’t remember much. And the notes that I wrote while reading it? Less than useless…
A very calm and relaxing story.
Felt like daily life on the frontier
Little bit sad, but felt kind of hopeful for Yorvak
That’s it. That is apparently what I thought while reading this relaxing story. And I’m not even sure if I spelt the last word properly… oh well, it was still apparently a pleasant way to pass the time.
Title: Emmet Dutrow Author: Jack Schaefer In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Westerns Dates read: 29th September 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 1951 5th sentence, 74th page: His voice rolled at its deepest.
Emmet Dutrow was an odd man. If you want to know just how odd, you’ll have to read the words of his neighbour in this kind of unsettling Western short story.
This, for me, highlighted just what it is about Christianity that I tend to find so disturbing – the belief that we are all sinners and somehow unforgiveable. Don’t get me wrong, I know that’s not how everyone follows their faith. But it’s the part that scares me the most. And to find it in a western short story. Well, it was somewhat surprising. But also helped to expand on my general discomfort.
I love that one of the messages in this short story is the idea that letting someone have their own experiences and make their own mistakes can actually save them from a far worst mistake. That, and, ultimately, everyone is responsible for the decisions that they choose to make in their lives. Even if there is a bit of a difficult situation that drove Jess to his actions – he was still ultimately responsible for them. And most definitely had to pay the price in the end.
Even though I quite enjoyed this story, it was really tragic. Just a reminder that when you have children, you can quite easily mess them up. And sometimes it’s done with the best of intentions (which, although the father in this freaked me out big time, he also tried). Just a truly tragic and somewhat uncomfortable short story that I’ve now experienced.
Title: The Way Home Author: Seanan McGuire Series: InCryptid #0.20 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy Dates read: 30th September 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Free online short story Publisher: Seanan McGuire Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: And about that time, pigs would fly.
Alice Healy is sixteen years old and chafing at the yoke of her father’s regard. His overprotective streak has blossomed in the absence of his wife, leaving his teenage daughter sneaking out at every opportunity, trying to find herself and her place in the world without any parental support. But she knows the woods, and she knows what she wants to do with her life; it’s just a question of whether she can keep herself alive long enough to actually accomplish her planned future.
Thomas Price is a man still paying for his past. He’s smart enough to understand that his assignment is essentially an exile, and has enough of a sense of self-preservation not to argue. Those who vex the Covenant of St. George rarely live long enough to explain themselves. At least in Buckley Township, he’ll be far away from danger…unless you’re counting Alice Healy.
Worlds will collide and a new story will begin as Thomas Price arrives in his new home, and Alice Healy does her best to stay alive long enough to say hello for the first time.
Oh, HELL YES!!! A story of Alice as a teenager, man I’ve been hanging for this ever since Snakes and Ladders. And it was everything that I expected – Alice is sassy, accident prone and wonderfully independent, just like her mother. The fact that she also seems to like knives a little… wow.
This story is not only Alice’s first appearance as a teenager, but it also has Thomas and Alice’s first meeting. Which, again, I fell completely in love with. I can now completely understand how they had Verity as a daughter, and I can’t wait to meet the rest of their children and get to know the family even more (when I have the money to buy the books anyway…).
I was intrigued to see how Thomas truly left the Convent. You get to understand the rationale for the Healys throughout the rest of the short stories, but I wanted something at least slightly different for the next deserter. And I got it. It was great, fun and I can’t wait to keep sticking my nose into this fantastic series!
Title: Madam Damnable’s Sewing Circle Author: Elizabeth Bear In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Steampunk, Strong women, Weird western Dates read: 30th September 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Titan Books Year: 2014 5th sentence, 74th page: Go on.
In a parlour that offers services to those willing to pay, there are a certain set of rules. Ones which, if broken, can have some damnable consequences.
This short story was a lot of fun. Mostly because it was filled with a lot of blatantly obvious innuendos which had me giggling a little to myself. I’m a big fan of the subtle, but sometimes, it’s great to be… not so subtle. Specifically when you’re dealing with a story that is talking about a saloon…
There’s not many prostitute stories out there. Even fewer that are lighthearted and positive. It was exactly the kind of tale that I love. And, since I’ve now read a few of Elizabeth Bear’s short stories… it’s made me want to see what she can do in a full length novel… more books for my ever growing wishlist. Yay!
The only thing that I didn’t like about this short story… it ended. And now I’m sitting around, wondering where I can read more Elizabeth Bear and enjoy more of her unique and fun style of writing…
When you die, who will pick up your collect call? This short story is a great reminder to be kind and remember those that you love.
I actually seriously enjoyed this ghost story. And I loved the premise that it created for the afterlife. It’s such a great feeling – that those who are loved and cherished in life will have someone “pick up”. But if you’ve kinda been an arse… well, good luck!
Not only was this a great reminder of loving and karma, but it was also a cute story that was all about being reunited with family. We’ve all said goodbye to loved ones. So it was really nice to have a story that kind of focused on the fact that we’ll eventually see each other again. Whether it’s your father, your wife, your sister… whoever… they’ll pick up and be there when that final curtain call occurs.
Most ghost stories tend to leave you with goose bumps (which, I feel, is kind of the point). But this one didn’t. It left me feeling comfortable, safe and not scared of the future. That lasted all of about thirty seconds before reality crashed back in. But it was a nice feeling all the same.
John is part of the surveyor town on Mars. But when the governing bodies continuously ask for more and more of their tithe, it might just be time to give up his pacifist ways and start a new way of life.
It took me a little bit to get really hooked into this short story. Mostly because there was something that I thought was really good on tv. But, in irony of ironies. I can’t remember what was on tv in that moment. But I can remember how much I actually enjoyed this short story. It just took me that first page or two to completely fall into the spell…
I love that the lead “cowboy” (space cowboy) in this story is constantly focusing on trying to be a pacifist. That it isn’t about violence, but just trying to live and let live. Of course, being a weird western, this didn’t quite work. But I did love that differentiation in character that you don’t always get. Particularly when his reflection on his family indicate that they are most definitely not the same in their proclivities.
This story was definitely one that focused on the idea of power and community. I love that, ultimately, the community joined together and won the day. Even if there was a little bit of violence, mostly it was about unification and everyone joining together in a fight for their own freedom and… well, community.
Miss Extreme Congeniality by Erin McCarthy CJ White knows there must be a catch when Wyatt Maddock – her despised FBI partner – offers to transfer out of Chicago and far, far away from her. There’s a catch all right, and it’s a big one: CJ has to spend one sexy night with the untamed playboy, wearing the outfit of his choice, the pig. Okay, so the guy’s hot. So his reputation in the bedroom is the stuff of legend. So CJ’s been in a dry spell for about, oh, three years. So maybe one night to be rid of him isn’t so unbearable. But once the sheets have cooled, CJ’s just starting to heat up, and moving away is the last thing on Wyatt’s mind…
It took me a little while to click as to the reasoning behind the name of this novella. Normally I am a bit quicker with understanding McCarthy’s naming puns and choices. But, I literally finished this novella, walked away and then realised the next day. It’s not Miss Extreme Congeniality because C.J. is just so damn nice (she’s kind and beautiful, but not that intensely so). It’s Miss Extreme Congeniality because of the extreme makeover she goes through (think Sandra Bullock). Not really sure why I have to state that in a review, it’s not really a huge deal. But, honestly, I had such a proud, lightbulb moment that I needed to share regardless.
Anyhow… as with all of McCarthy’s stories, this was just so dang cute! There’s something so sweet and light about her stories that always leaves me with a happy, content smile on my face. So much so that I picked up one of the few remaining books that I have on my collection that I haven’t read by her… I just needed that nice, cute, happiness that she always imparts.
C.J. and Wyatt make a really great couple. I love that they are still able to maintain their sense of selves and be who they want to be, whilst still making compromises to bring each other into their lives. It’s one of those great literary relationships – healthy. Probably, honestly, why I like McCarthy so much… her relationships might have barriers and have issues, but, ultimately they’re respectful and about finding compromise, not changing everything that you are. But I digress… I keep getting a little side-tracked in this review.
Other than everything else that I loved in this novella, I thought that the presence of C.J.’s autistic son was glorious. It highlighted the issues that not only single mothers have, but the parents of neurodiverse children when they are creating their lives. It was just so full of love and acceptance. My heart definitely grew a few sizes after reading this novella.
Title: I Can See the Ending Author: Will Kostakis In: Begin, End, Begin (Danielle Binks) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Romance, Young adult Dates read: 29th September 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Year: 2017 5th sentence, 74th page: I sit back and smile.
He’s finishing his final day at work, and about to step into the adult world. But there’s this gorgeous girl that he just can’t stop thinking about…. And then a kiss lets him see the ending of their love and he asks himself… if you can see the ending, should there be a beginning?
I really loved the question that this short story posed – namely, if you can see the ending, do you even bother trying for a beginning?
That question, and the brilliant writing in this story made it incredibly difficult to look away from the pages and left me constantly pulling for the narrator of the story. After all, I don’t know if I’d have the guts to start a relationship when I know that it’s going to end in heartache. I’m not sure that I’m that brave or tough… it also highlights the risk that love is, no matter what the situation.
This was a great, cute and seriously fun short story. One that is all about first loves and the fact that sometimes happily ever after isn’t, well… quite happily ever after. But that doesn’t mean that all of the bits in between aren’t worth it! And it’s definitely a great idea to live in the moment as much as you possibly can…
Rick just wanted to make some extra cash. But then a ghost comes out of the floor and his day goes from bad to worse. But maybe he can be brave.
I absolutely loved the fact that this short story ultimately lead to Rick finding his confidence and sense of self. In a way, it was a bit of a Coming of Age story. Alright, he’s kind of already an adult. But sometimes adults do need that extra little shove to be well… adult-like.
I absolutely loved the backstory that was in this tale. I can’t wait to find out more – after all, a world in which Mistletoe is somehow a portal for evil, soul consuming ghosts… definitely sign me up for that one! It just intrigued me so much and pulled me right in from the very beginning.
I love that although most stories I read with ghosts in them portray ghosts as kind of misunderstood, and / or just kind of sad… this one didn’t. The ghosts are dangerous, kind of evil and most definitely scary. It was a great change from the whiney, will-o-the-wisp style ghosts I’ve been reading about a lot lately. Always good fun when a spectral phantom can somehow annihilate you and destroy everything you are…
Cat and Bones’s romantic vacation is interrupted when they’re enlisted to guard a spoiled heiress with both human and undead hitmen on her tail. Things quickly go from bad to worse when details of their assignment make their way through the supernatural grapevine, and what started as a simple bodyguard job ends up being a fight for survival that neither Cat nor Bones saw coming. This story takes place after the events of Destined For An Early Grave and before the events of This Side Of The Grave.
I loved this short story. Didn’t exactly love that it takes place after the next novel I want to read in this series… it kind of gave a few big spoilers as to what happens. But, as always, hopefully by the time I actually get to reading that novel I won’t remember all of the minutiae and can still be surprised. Although, let’s admit it – I’ll be surprised regardless because Frost always manages to pack a lot of storyline and information into one story. Which, I, of course, love.
I absolutely adore Bones and Cat as a couple. They are sexual, intense and more than a little violent. All things that I apparently love in my fictional couples. We won’t delve too much into my brain to discover why I love the fact that Cat cuts ghouls heads off and blows up cars and such… it’s quite cute that this is their vacation and there is untold drama occurring.
One of the parts of this story that was a bit of a give-away, but still enjoyable was the way in which Bones taught Justina to defend herself. It was cute, a little awkward and involved lots of stabbing. It definitely hinted at this great idea that there was going to be some healing of old wounds and fractures in Cat’s relationship with her mother throughout the series… YAY!
