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Discover the untold stories of the supporting characters in a trilogy of novels by a talented contemporary writer. MINOR CHARACTERS features previously published short stories by Jaime Clarke, as well as contributions from other gifted writers. This unique collection enriches the standalone novels in the trilogy, with a foreword by Jonathan Lethem and an introduction by Laura van den Berg. Explore the landscapes of Vernon Downs, World Gone Water, and Garden Lakes through the eyes of characters that you never knew existed.
"Discover fresh voices in contemporary American literature with Ploughshares Spring 2021." This award-winning journal, named "the Triton among minnows" by the New York Times, delivers thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Guest-edited by Laura van den Berg, this issue features an imaginative exploration of history, with works by Helen Phillips, Fernando Flores, Kaveh Akbar, Eloisa Amezcua, Carl Phillips, and more. Join the journey of creating new shapes on the page and exploring the awesome gale-force of imagination with Ploughshares.
I Hold a Wolf by the Ears is a powerful collection of ghost stories that explores the struggles and complex emotions of women on the verge. Author Laura van den Berg takes readers on a journey from Florida to Mexico City, Sicily, and Spain, as her characters deal with misogyny, violence, and economic struggles in America. With humor and surreal imagery, van den Berg delves deep into the human psyche to confront the thoughts we keep hidden from the world. This collection is a must-read for anyone searching for timeless and urgent stories that push the boundaries between magic and annihilation.
Recommended by
Brandon Stosuy
"Chain of Action" is a unique artistic experiment by Ria Patricia Röder that explores the connection between images and storytelling. Röder creates photographic collages in her "Scanogram" series by bringing together a variety of pictorial elements on a scanner screen. The book features eleven authors, including Diane Williams and Lauren Groff, who were each invited to select a scanogram and create a text in response to it. The result is a fascinating collection of distinct voices that show how an image can trigger a narrative #chainofaction.
A collection of new essays exploring how traits inherited from parents affect the lives of 25 writers today. Covering topics from arrogance to table manners, this book features an all-star lineup of eloquent and humorous contributors, including Ann Patchett and Sallie Tisdale. A prismatic meditation on how we make sense of ourselves and our relationship with our parents.
This surreal and mystifying book by Laura van den Berg follows a widow in Havana who encounters her supposedly deceased husband outside a museum. As she tries to piece together the truth about their marriage and his reappearance, she grapples with themes of grief, art, misogyny, and loneliness. With subtle meditations and a brilliantly shape-shifting narrative, this book is a must-read for those looking for a unique and powerful story.
A story about attraction and the sacrifices women sometimes make, "If That’s All There Is" comes from Mona Awad's debut collection "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl". Follow the narrator's tumultuous relationship with her co-worker, Archibald, as a metaphor for the way that women often compromise themselves. A poignant and thought-provoking read recommended by Laura van den Berg, this compelling story explores the complexities and contradictions of attraction.
"Uncover fresh and electrifying stories from acclaimed authors like Haruki Murakami and Louise Erdrich in this debut edition of Freeman's - a new biannual literary journal featuring the best unpublished fiction, nonfiction, and poetry about new beginnings and strange encounters. With essays from notable writers like Aleksandar Hemon and Garnette Cadogan, Freeman's is an essential map to the world's latest and greatest writing. Don't miss your chance to experience this terrific anthology that is sure to become a classic in years to come."
A darkly funny and imaginative debut novel about a young woman named Joy, who is struggling to find her place in the world. After a memory loss and death epidemic sweeps the country, Joy discovers that she is immune and gains admittance to a hospital in rural Kansas. There, she forms bonds with other patients and embarks on a journey to find her birth mother. On the road, Joy encounters mysterious companions, strange cities, and must confront her damaged memory and long-held secrets.
The Isle of Youth by Laura van den Berg
xo Orpheus by Kate Bernheimer
Glimmer Train Stories, #88 by Laura van den Berg, Joseph O'Malley, Tom Kealey, Michael Deagler, Louis Gallo, Kim Brooks, Aja Gabel, Karen Brown, Stefani Nellen, Danielle Lazarin, Peter LaSalle, D. Seth Horton (interviewer)
15 Views Volume II by Nathan Holic
There Will Be No More Good Nights Without Good Nights by Laura van den Berg
Monsters by Brian Baldi
What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us by Laura van den Berg
Monkeybicycle (Monkeybicycle, #6) by Brandi Wells, Sheila Ashdown, Matt Bell, Ryan Boudinot, Kim Chinquee, Martha Clarkson, Michael Czyzniejewski, Curtis Smith, Laura van den Berg
The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2008 by Dave Eggers
Brevity and Echo by Abigail Beckel