This book is great, and I was waiting for it for months, and months! It is always unavailable whenever I look for it at bookstores, but Huzzah - B&N.com, you are my savior! Firstly, I am a big AS King fan; and let me just say that I will read whatever she writes. This review may be slightly biased. :)This is a collection of 12 short stories (around 5 to 10 pages each,) but there are certain ones in particular that really struck me...highlights of this collection include:"Leroy Can Tell You When" about a little boy who knows the exact amount of time a person has left to live. He can tell you how many days you have left on earth. "Monica Never Shuts Up" about a woman (Monica) who is engaged to be married to the narrator's brother, and is basically a compulsive liar. This story is particularly FUNNY! :)I was not so hot on "Can You See Lois Gardening?" but that's probably because I was unsure of who was narrating, and how many characters there were in that story. I did gather that Lois is a hippie, kind of obsessive-compulsive, and she has thieving tendencies - to steal her neighbors' plants; that is. I've only ever read King's YA selections, but if I remember correctly, this book is supposed to fall under the Adult category...It's still classic King, except the main characters are older than usual (30ish? I always picture characters in adult fiction in the 30 to 40 range; personally), with more mature themes like impending marriage, drug abuse, physical abuse; that kinda stuff. Also, gardening. And recycling. Bottom line: AS King can do anything; and she can do it well. Love, love, LOVED this collection! It started off with the usual AS King humor we all love, but it quickly turned serious. Some of these stories are going to sit with me for a LONG time. AS King is also an advocate for open rape discussion and for more education about it. Anyone who knows her, knows this. There are a few stories that deal with this, and they are amazing. As a rape survivor, I have no problem with reading about it, as long as it is used in an appropriate way and not glorified nor romanticized. I just wanted to give fair warning for any girls who are triggered easily. People sometimes ask me why I warn, and I always say, 1 in 3. It's 1 in 3. If you have one sister and a mother, 1 in 3. 1 in mother effin 3 means you know someone, even if you don't know it. But... with all that being said... it really was an amazing collection of stores. Not that I expected any less from Amy. She's amazing, so of course her stories are! I laughed out loud all through the first story. I will definitely re-read these again. I'm not much of a re-reader, but here are some amazing points and delicious thoughts to chew on a bit longer.AWESOME!
What do You think about Monica Never Shuts Up (2012)?
These short stories were good but River 16, oh. Oh how I wish she expanded it into an entire novel.
—brentisfluffy123
What can't A.S. King do? Stories to make you laugh and break your heart.
—godskid1127
A friend introduced me to the author. It was really well done.
—fanime
I won a signed copy of this and I am excited to read it!
—doorkob
