Great reads:

I've been reading again (in between watering my evergreen trees for the last time before the ground freezes, and hosting an engagement party for my daughter, and polishing up a story that's finally (yay!) out making the rounds, and and and... you get the idea). This is my long-winded way of saying that I've come across some wonderful stories, stories worth checking out:

From the Fall 2010 issue, #30, of Frigg: "Last Lilacs" by Clifford Garstang - and - "Blooms" by Kathy Fish. Both of these are full and rich and captivating.

From the October 2010 Special Issue of Foundling Review: "On A Date" by Ethel Rohan. This is tender and smart and a real treat.

From Issue 18 of Per Contra: "The Parking Victim" by Robert Kaye. I love the way an ordinary object takes on new meaning in this story. What I admire and what intrigues me about stories like this one is their ability to do something with an ordinary object that would never occur to me.

From the 26th Collection of The Year's Best Science Fiction: "N-Words" by Ted Kosmatka. Yes, this is sci-fi, but don't let that scare you. I love when sci-fi and literary worlds blend; the result is usually a well-written story about intriguing, creative possibilities. This story is no exception.

Great reads:

I am going through my backlog of literary journals and this past weekend I came across 2 great stories in Cream City Review. They're from the Spring 2009 issue (I know... they're a little "old" but I gave fair warning with the word "backlog" - heh) but don't let that stop you. These are well worth the read:

"Hunger" by Clifford Garstang: This central character-only story includes a few key interactions and is wonderfully full and has terrific depth.

"This Way I Don't Have To Be" by Shelly Oria: The format is one I've not seen before - mini sections within 3 larger sections. But the story is intriguing and told with an openness that's compelling so that by the time you get to the 4th or 5th mini section, you skip right over the section breaks as though they're not even there.

Lit Journals

I was at Barnes & Noble yesterday and stopped by the literary journal section. I felt like a kid in a candy store! There were so many to choose from... must've been the timing because I've never seen it so stocked before. Here's what I brought home: The Southern Review (Summer 2009); Cream City Review (Spring 2009); Another Chicago Magazine (#49); Zone 3 (Spring 2009). Of these, I've only read Cream City Review before so am excited to see what the others have to offer.

I'm also reading Cliff Garstang's In an Uncharted Country. I'm only a couple of stories in (where do the days go?) but I *loved* "Saving Melissa." The characters were so real, so honest--it had me from beginning to end.

The weather is perfect for sitting outside and reading. I need to find a way to get back to the story I'm working on.

In an Uncharted Country

Cliff Garstang's collection of linked stories comes out this week. I've just ordered my copy. Have you ordered yours?