Hi Sarah, more adoption stories?! They do make compelling reads especially when issues of race and gender play into the storylines. I will check out the Benway book. I think you might like the 2nd Ng novel. There’s a lot going on in it! As for Eugenides, it is interesting that he used two of his characters in short stories for later novels. I liked seeing his early sketches of them & their progression. Hmm. He must not have gotten them out of his system.

Hi Kate, short stories aren’t for everyone. I only read about one collection a year but find when done right — they can be compelling. In general I like novels more too. Little Fires on audio is pretty good — this one I downloaded from the library.

Thanks Deepika. I think Ng’s Little Fires is less dark and more accessible than her first novel, so I think you will like it. Various characters make it interesting. Happy new year to you!

I loved Middlesex and enjoyed the Marriage Plot and didn’t know Eugenides had short stories about his characters. Haruki Murakami often expanded his short stories into novels too.

I am glad the wildfire seems to subside. I so wish it would go out soon.

Happy Holidays to you and yours, Susan! 🙂

Hi Ti, yes it is warmer today, hooray! We sat out on the deck & did some reading. Glad you liked Little Fires — the storytelling of it went by quickly. I hope you get to Santa Barbara this week — is there smoke around there? Things are quiet & enjoyable at the OC. Lovely to be here. Enjoy your Christmas!

Thanks Laurel. Yes traveling by train would be best. The highways are rather crazy here. I’m glad we share similar feeling about books. Have a great Christmas!

I loved Little Fires. It will be on my fave list at the end of the year. I loved it so much more than her first book. It wasn’t perfect, as you noted but I liked how rough around the edges it was.