Great read:

I've just finished Clifford Garstang's In an Uncharted Country and very much enjoyed it. This is a collection of short stories, filled with warm, honest characters, some of whom make repeat appearances. I took my time with it, reading one story at a time, then setting it aside for a day or a week in order to allow the story/characters time to sit with me. I found that each story was like a small universe unto itself, full of rich details and tremendous depth.

If you haven't already read this collection, put it on your to-read list.

Great reads:

I've been busy with non-writerly and non-reading things (tax season 'n all... bleh) but managed to squirrel away a few minutes and stumbled across a couple of extraordinary stories online:

From the XLV issue of Danse Macabre: "Parallax and the Gandy Dancer" by Robert Kaye. I'm not sure there's anyone better at word choice; the imagery just sings. And then there's the way this (can't tell you exactly what I'm talking about because I don't want to spoil it, but after you read it, you'll know and agree!) is handled -- it's just exquisite.

From Issue 13 of Per Contra: "In the Palace of Cortes" by Clifford Garstang. This is sophisticated: from the elevated prose to the dance with a bit of magical realism, it surrounds you, seduces you.

Go on... check 'em out!