Short Stories

Short stories. I used to like them, then I hated them and I'll tell you why.

I'll start with the first part--I used to like them. I guess it was because they didn't take much time to read and usually had a whimsical edge because that's what you have to do when you write a short story; the author only has a few pages to impress the readers and make an impression. But to be honest, I never came across a short story I actually even liked or remembered. I just kept reading them, buying books full of them and even writing them myself.

So then comes the second part--I hated them. And I realized why. Because by the time you actually know the characters and remotely care what happens to them or understand where the plot is going, the story's over. Super anti-climactic. That's when I realized they were a waste of time, money, and energy and I stopped giving a crap. Although the occasional short story while taking a crap did prove to be somewhat enjoyable. Better than the back of a shampoo bottle.

Then one day, I was at the bookstore and saw a 2 for 1 deal. I came across No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July. Initially, it was the bright fluorescent cover that caught my eye and I really liked the plain cover; simple and bold. But then my brain yelled, "Don't do it! It's a collection of short stories!" But of course, I didn't listen because the back of the book had blurbs of how great the stories were and it was enough to persuade me to open to the first page. I wasn't too impressed by the first story, although it did have some good moments (such as the dead whale part ^_^), but it was enough to make me buy it at a discount. And I'm sure glad I did. I read all of them in one sitting and absolutely fell in love with each story. I don't really know how Miranda July does it, but she made me like short stories once more, well, at least hers. I think it's the way she writes; not very typical, even somewhat "unprofessional" (no fancy words or flowery prose), but her unique writing voice brings her stories to life--a mixture of beauty, humor, bitter-sweetness, and little noticed yet unnoticed truths of life that would make Seinfeld proud.

I actually had it for a few years and almost forgot about it. But today, when I was cleaning out my bookshelf, I saw it sitting in the back and had an "aww, this book" moment. So I had to post it up and share. Beautiful, wonderful, all things good in the world.