Fiction/Nonfiction: fiction

  • Crumbs

    A short but potent piece about a woman watching her mother fall into dementia.

  • Black Heart

    A grandfather deals with some trespassers, bascially. The grandfather in this story reminded me so much of my dad. In the stare-down that follows, three men stand. I hope the girls are impressed, because I am mostly amused by guys who try to look tough but don’t know which way is front of their ball…

  • Rat Daddy

    A first date, some science about lab rats, and a bunch of unexpected twists. Read the interview with Plumhoff after the story, it addresses some questions you’re sure to have.

  • These Are the Fables

    This story about a woman finding out she’s pregnant and telling the would-be father goes places I would never have predicted. It’s the first I’ve read of hers but it won’t be the last. Recommended in this thread of gems by Aaron Burch.

  • Gravity, Reduced

    The Earth’s gravity begins to diminish and people are forced to adjust. This story is full of metaphors and original turns of phrase like this one: Some of us dream of the day the earth will remember itself and restore gravity. The accompanying interview with the author has some really great book recos too.

  • Bridezilla

    A couple plans to get married in a world that might be ending due to climate change and sea monsters. I could have read hundreds more pages taking place in this world. It brings new meaning to the term ‘cold feet’. (from Lena Valencia’s Personal Anthology)

  • The Beast

    A woman’s life starts coming undone as she discovers that an old flame is coming back to town. This story is like a slow-motion car crash. I couldn’t look away. (from Lena Valencia’s Personal Anthology)

  • Vagabond Mannequin

    Blog fave Avitus B. Carle uses a crossword puzzle as a hook for a story that affected me deeply. Just click, it’s fast and unforgettable.

  • Dancer

    A performer at tacky corporate events dreams of being a professional tapdancer. This story is so propulsive, and the characters are so real.

  • When I Say Grief

    a single paragraph mourning the end of a marriage, brilliantly written: “My husband left me in February. He left with my love in his hands, and I walked to the pharmacy for a carton of eggs.”