pickOrringer writes about what everyone writes about -but she does it so much better than everyone. Some stories were a bit too dark for me - pretty much every story has death in it.I loved The smoothest way is full of stones: Coming of age set in an Orthodox Jewish family caught between the secular world and the secluded way of Orthodox life by the arrival of a secular cousin.And it‘s the cousin who finds meaning in Orthodox life…
pickThese stories explore the different ways people deal with trauma and loss. Orringer's characters are mostly children/teens, but even her grown-ups don't have things figured out much better. Mostly these stories take place in the 1990s, based on the absence of cell phones and on how uninvolved the adults are in their children's lives. I can't tell if Orringer intends this as an indictment of Baby Boomers' parenting style, but that's how I read it.
pickA beautiful collection of stories about girls and women making sense of a world that can at times be cruel, beautiful, underwhelming, and bizarre by turns. My favorite story of the bunch was "The Isabel Fish," though all were moving. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
pickThe best books of short stories I‘ve read in a long time! It took me a while to read because I wanted to savor it. Yes, the stories are very bleak, but they are written absolutely beautifully! 5/5 stars
Rainy Saturday morning read. So far the best short story collection I have ever read. I find I am reluctant to pick it up because I dont want it to end.
I am blown away by these short stories!! #sundaynightplans
When too many of your library books come in at once! #problemsofareader #firstworldproblem #thestruggleisreal
Some keepers from my shelf. #publishedinthe2000s #readjanuary
I went to Half Price Books to sell some books and I came home with two new ones. But I'm also $1 richer, so I'd say my purchases were justified!
Chili burbling for hour 2, hiding from my wildling children in my scruffy kitchen.
Short stories are hard for me to get through but so far so good. #booksandfood hearty breakfast bread and cheddar.
pick'da fudge did I just read? Wha?? This was freaking amazing. I will never forget them. Each story touched my heart. In the core of this collection is the question: why do girls hurt each other so much and where do boys fit in the equation of that hurt? Read. It.
"Now we are different girls, it seems to me, carrying a different kind of weight." This book y'all. I keep telling myself "one more story and I go back inside" but each story sucks me in!
So so good. I've liked all the stories so far. Even the ones that left me scratching my head and saying 'huh?' And I'm not even done yet!
pick#Recommendsday Pick! A Beautiful short story collection that encompasses the dark, tragic, yet hopeful experiences of youth. These will hit you hard in the best way possible.
How to Breathe Underwater | 
