Welcome to Litsy!

I struggle with short stories so for #booked2023 I turned to an author who writes stories that feel substantial and never leave me feeling unsatisfied. The themes and characters may feel familiar to a fan of Russo but nothing about these four stories felt stale to me. Instead it was like listening to a old and trusted friend.
#ashortstorycollection

I was disappointed to find this collection of 4 stories is mainly made up of 1 novella, Voice, I‘ve read before. I‘ve no problem with authors publishing a novella on its own and then re-publishing it as part of a collection, but I‘m frustrated he renamed it, (originally Nate in Venice). “He and Paula have been married for close to 30 years, thanks in large part to a mutual willingness to let an arched eyebrow do the heavy lifting of soliloquy.”

Russo has always been a TBR for me. I've consistently grabbed the book sitting next to one of his when choosing what to read next. I'm delighted I finally explored his writing. Three out of four of these stories were complete and memorable. The first story I kept forgetting. The final story about a writer and an actor is reportedly about Robert Redford and sheds quite a different light on the man.

Heading to Europe for a couple weeks in a few days. My kindle is ready to go, so thought I would read short story collections until we go. I want zero commitment if I have to leave it unfinished for awhile.

This pretty much sums up my garage door! Thankfully I live in Texas so it only gets that cold a couple of days each year.

Great reading & signing tonight by Richard Russo at the Margaret Mitchell House. I enjoyed hearing his perspective on the film adaptions of his work, how he starts his novels, etc.
#literaryfiction

Today's book haul on behalf of amazon.com. God I love pre-orders.

Read 23 books this month & hope to do some longer review essays on a few in April. Check out the #booklist on my site & there's a playlist there for ya too! misanthropester.com/2017/03/31/reading-room-march

4 stories, the primary is 'Voice' which is quite long and could best be described as a failed novella. The characters & academia depicted are trash people told in a perfect Pulitzer-esque tone that manages to alienate, convey alienation, bore, & show itself as overly adept

#Bookmail today is a Goodreads giveaway win