A good, solid 3-star collection bracketed by two absolute 5-star stories: "Adults Alone" and "A Real Doll." Definitely hit those two.   posted Nov 1, 2009 at 4:40PM

Bailey dreams of dresses, beautiful dresses unlike any other. But when she tells her mother, father, and brother about her dreams, they insist that she is a boy ("But...I don't feel like a boy," Bailey answers) and that dresses are not for her. Bailey takes a walk and finds a frustrated girl sitting on a porch, trying to sew a dress--and Bailey helps her by sharing details from the dreams. The girl ultimately tells Bailey, "You're the coolest girl I've ever met." This book actually made my eyebrows raise, and not much does. The matter-of-fact way in which Bailey is referred to by the narrator as "she," phrases like "Together the two girls made two new dresses"--it's astonishing, really, how cool this book is. As far as the narrator, Bailey, and the other girl are concerned, Bailey is a girl--none of them ever think or suggest otherwise. Quite something, really. Surprising.   posted Oct 27, 2009 at 11:24AM

I re-read this every couple of years, it's so good. I would've loved to have seen Lily Tomlin perform it on Broadway. Written by Tomlin's partner Jane Wagner, "The Search" is smart and funny and insightful on everything from Andy Warhol to teen angst to Howard Johnson's to 70s-era feminism, cotton drawstring pants, and geodesic domes.   posted Oct 14, 2009 at 12:25PM

I've never seen this play performed, but I've read it at least 4 times: as a psychological investigation, it's just that intriguing.   posted Oct 14, 2009 at 11:43AM

You thought "Revolutionary Road" was a portrait of a complicated, cruel marriage? Oh, step back, and behold this devastation. This is hot on the page, and was made into a brilliant film with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor playing the main roles perfectly.   posted Oct 14, 2009 at 11:36AM

A quick, hilarious read that should appeal to fans of Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Bill Maher, and/or the Onion.   posted Oct 14, 2009 at 11:33AM

"Brownies" and "The Ant of the Self" are two must-reads for short story fans (and writers studying the craft).   posted Oct 14, 2009 at 11:09AM

I was thrizzled to the point that I might actually have to buy a copy--if not for me, than as a present for someone else. A brilliant love letter to comic books. Definitely plan on reading this one more than once: it's so packed with funny, you can't absorb it all in one round.   posted Oct 8, 2009 at 10:50AM

"Social Security Denies Gregor Samsa's Disability Claim" and "Following My Creative Writing Teacher's Advice to Write 'Like My Parents Are Dead'" are not to be missed.   posted Oct 7, 2009 at 2:26PM

A bit bland, but does the job. Chloe's sad and confused when her uncle announces that he's marrying Jamie--not because Jamie is another male, but because she's afraid it means her uncle will have less time for her. After spending time with both of them, she realizes she's gaining an uncle, not losing one. All characters are furry creatures (guinea pigs?), not humans.   posted Sep 29, 2009 at 11:56AM