James grew up in Raleigh but moved to Asheville in 2013 to attend UNCA. Typically on his shelf, you can find a lot of literary fiction, satire, essay collections, works in translation, and graphic novels. When not in the bookstore, James is a standup comedian, but that's not really relevant right now. He also met Weird Al once.
In "How to Write an Autobiographical Novel", Alexander Chee demonstrates all of the winning characteristics of a good essayist. He is candid, lyrical, and not overly interested in painting himself in a positive light. The stories range from his time in school to his current day experiences as an LGBQT activist and force of good. By the end of his stories, the reader feels that they have learned something new about a dear friend.
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A great read full of dystopian dread and government corruption. In a world where the powers at be can make an announcement and an object no longer exists, our narrator struggles to control her artistic and personal life. Filled with the magical sparseness Yoko Ogawa has become known for, The Memory Police is an extremely readable, dark fantasy.
Ocean Vuong's novel radiates the unshakeable beauty of his poetry. Little Dog's story stays with the reader long after the last page.
Butler's tale of millennial burnout is rife with acidic humor and awkward charm. "The New Me" features Millie, a misanthropic thirty-year-old perpetually bouncing between temp jobs. She is relatable in an almost cringe-worthy way, reminding readers how funny we can be at our moments of weakness.
Have you ever met someone who makes you think, "Wow, this person just gets it."? Sally Rooney gets it. She has an understanding of young romance and isolation that cuts through the fluff and gets to the heart of the matter. A future classic.
Abdurraqib's greatest strength is his ability to discuss what he likes with unabashed freedom. One moment he is discussing Prince's otherwordly essence, the next he is quoting Pete Wentz. Read this book!
Ishiguro writes beautifully like always. This time deploying his unique brand of quiet, emotional sci-fi. The novel is a page turner that feels in line with literature's past visions of the future while still keeping the ball moving forward. I was enthralled in every moment spent with Klara.
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Doxology springs from the mind of Nell Zink armed with guitars and old school New York snarl. The characters, all looking to reinvent themselves in contrast to their respective families, carry themselves with a sort of defensive charm. Their interactions are all very of the time, late nineties into post 9/11 America, in a way that fills each exchange with an intriguing dialogue that is both refreshing and challenging. These characters have alot of heart though, and that bleeds through on every page. Also, if you even have a passing interest in second wave New York alternative music, this book is a must.
These short stories are wonderfully weird and quirky, while still capturing the ordinary doldrums of everyday life. Motoya's characters are familiar and relatable making each story all the more gripping as they venture off into the absurd. The collection's voice is totally original and I don't think you will read anything like this book!
Believe the hype. Tommy Orange's debut is a dazzling literary feat. A novel that demands to be heard and felt by anyone who picks it up.
Patricia Engel’s new book is a true gem. A family story where each voice is equally interesting and dynamic. A great examination on the brutish nature of the US towards people traveling stateside looking for opportunity. Your heart breaks and mends and breaks all over again for this family. In less than 200 pages, Engel works magic.
This novel is absurd, ridiculous, sometimes off-putting, fun. Mendelsund shows no desire to remain within the confines of traditional storytelling, character, structure, or dialogue, instead opting to whimsically meditate on what it means to truly create something.
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This book was described to me as "Pynchon-lite" compared to his other work, but that worked for me just fine. I loved the carefree, meandering plot and weird one-off characters. Part hardboiled mystery, part zany character study, you will not want to stop reading about detective Doc Sportello and his weed-hazed adventures.
Ottessa Moshfegh is a master of brutal, unflinching prose. Maybe the least likable protagonist I've ever come accross, the titular McGlue is a reckless, unruly potential murderer who is impossible to ignore. Set on the high seas of the 1850's, each page might as well reek of bilge water and piss. I was compelled. For fans of Herman Melville, The Lighthouse, or any sort of ruthless, mesmerizing lit.
"A searingly current book written from five perspectives in modern day London. Guy Gunaratne writes with deft prose that displays the language of youth while also providing his older characters with the same care and intention. Often the book is quite heavy but as a whole work, it is a necessary answer to our divided times.
Trigger warning: sexual abuse, violence
Giinzburg writes a family drama with an aching familiarity. These siblings and their mother are funny, frustrating, and hard to forget. While being somber novel, her prose is often funny and never overly showy. She is so wise while saying very little.
Sam Pink delivers a unique vision of chaotic brilliance with his collection, Ice Cream Man and Other Stories. My favorite writers keep me on my toes and Pink does this with his vivid characterization and bombastic energy. Not since reading Denis Johnson have I felt a short story collection this gripping.
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