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Short Story Every Day: “That Lombardi Thing” from Phil Jourdan’s What Precision, Such Restraint

June 10, 2013

I read an early version of this collection, What Precision, Such Restraint, a few years ago, during which time I must have been drunk, since though I recall enjoying the collection I don’t remember it being so front-loaded with genius. I read two stories today, the first and second, chronologically. Both are amazing, but it’s the second I want to mention here, “That Lombardi Thing” which encapsulates what I consider to be the absolutely best kind of story: voice-driven, thought-provoking, and never too full of itself. This is why I love Saramago. This is why I love Brian Evenson (though his characters do tend to be a bit full of themselves, the stories aren’t). This is what I try to write. “That Lombardi Thing” explores the made-up (I think made-up) concept of Freudhacking, which is the practice of switching a person’s conscious with their subconscious. Thought-provoking: check. The narrator is…

Short Story Every Day: “Sugarbaby” from William Gay’s I Hate to See that Evening Son Go Down

June 9, 2013

"Sugarbaby" from William Gay's collected stories, I Hate to See that Evening Son Go Down captures slow, unaffected degradation of a marriage in ways I've never read before. The main couple, Beasley, and let's say, Martha (as part of the rules, I'm not allowed to go back to the story at all, and I can't remember the wife's name) are seen within their small community as a pillar of marital perfection. They've en-joyed/-dured marriage longer than any other couple. One day, Beasley buys his wife a dog, a small, yap-yap-yap kind of dog, who doesn't seem to appreciate the fine home Beasley has brought him into. Eventually, Beasley shoots the dog with a gun far larger than would be necessary to kill such a tiny animal. This fact, though not directly addressed, is mentioned only enough to be allowed to simmer in the reader's head. This is what makes a…

I get naked with this book! A review of The Cost of Living (a novel) by Rob Roberge

April 16, 2013

The Cost of Living will easily make my top 10 of 2013 list. I've read all of Roberge’s work, all that I’m aware of (Drive [novel], More than they Could Chew [novel], Working Backwards from the Worst Moment of My Life [stories]) and I’d read anything else in the future. He’s one of my favorite writers, so you know, having the history I do, you can trust my words. To read The Cost of Living is to read the rock and roll story that everyone’s always wanted, but could never find; there’s too much glitter and groupies, too much ego in other rock and roll stories. With The Cost of Living, you’re forced to deal with, and ultimately fall in love with, a life that’s been destroyed by the stage. Every rock and roll story you've read before will seem cliche compared to The Cost of Living. Buy the book:…

The Perfect Edge Trifecta tour begins today!

April 1, 2013

The Perfect Edge Books blog tour has officially started! What is it? A tour in which blog posts about 3 Perfect Edge Books releases will be posted on various super-duper blogs over the next few weeks. I'm telling you, Perfect Edge Books is going places. Big places. I've genuinely enjoyed and/or loved every book they've published so far in their short few months of existence. If you like my books, or like insightful, rough-around-the-edges, intelligent novels, then definitely check out Perfect Edge Books! See the tour schedule below. I'll be updating the dedicated The Perfect Edge Trifecta tour page as new posts are published. Be sure to check back often for updated links. While you're at it, head over to the blogs listed below and subscribe, why don't ya? You'll like them. They have good stuff to offer. Perfect Edge Books was founded in late 2011 to unite authors whose books weren’t “obviously” commercial. Our books…

The Sound of Loneliness by Craig Wallwork video book review

March 24, 2013

Craig Wallwork's The Sound of Loneliness (Perfect Edge Books) takes the concept of a tired, alcoholic, depressed writer and recesses it a generation or so, using a 22 year old protagonist with 52 year old problems. Much of the story’s tension lies between this 22 year old Daniel Crabtree and his teenage infatuation Emma, a tension that similar to Lolita, is meant to rouse conflict, but unlike Lolita, the age and maturity difference between the two characters is such that the reader can imagine the two characters actually working out, given another decade. Also, I manage to work in a Roseanne reference which makes me happier than you can even imagine. Buy The Sound of Loneliness by clicking here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Sound-Loneliness-Craig-Wallwork/dp/1780996012

They call me “Hipster Casanova.” Well, maybe not everyone, but Claire Wilkinson does.

March 19, 2013

In celebration of the release of his novel My Pet Serial Killer, Michael J Seidlinger is stopping by to transform me into a fictional serial killer, one of My Pet Serial Killer main character Claire Wilkinson's ex-boyfriends? I'm...honored? Alias/Known As: “Hipster Casanova” Real name: Caleb Ross Number of victims: 29 Description: Met victims at literature readings and art gallery events. Spoke with a clear and alluring accent said to be very charming by those that turned down his offers. Used self-deprecating, laid back conversation to let victim’s guard down. Often used the opening line, “Do I have something stuck between my teeth?” to start a conversation. Courted victim for approximately a week while waiting for inspiration to mount. Upon finding inspiration, approached victim with proposal to be a part of latest work of art. Used bladed weapons, nails, and other items to puncture, carve, and write into victim’s skin. After…

Wordless Book Reviews #4: Amy Sage Webb, Paul Tremblay, and Gil Reavill

March 19, 2013

A few days ago someone suggested I do more Wordless Book Review videos. I hesitated, mainly because it seems I've beaten that dead horse too much. But then I realized that I have access to a huge library of sound effects. Hence, Wordless Book Reviews: Sound Effects Edition. Books Reviewed/Sound Effected-ed: Save Your Own Life by Amy Sage Webb Swallowing a Donkey's Eye by Paul Tremblay Mafia Summit: J. Edgar Hoover, the Kennedy Brothers, and the Meeting That Unmasked the Mob by Gil Reavill