Weepin' Willa by Nariscia Lott

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Extraordinary and Honest

Weepin' Willa by Nariscia Lott is her first book of short stories which revolved from her past to present life. At first, I asked myself how I should read this book because as you may see, the stories are not in chronological order, but as I continue reading each story, I begin to understand why she wrote her book this way. Her stories are so real you can even see the characters' faces, smell their skin, touch and feel their emotions and even hear their heartbeat as they entwined their selves to the stories. Each character has its own color and vivid image that you will never forget.

Somehow the way Ms. Lott wrote her stories are what readers really missed from reading books. Though I'm not against with the edited versions but the way Weepin' Willa was presented is like as if Ms. Lott is actually sitting right next to you with a cup of lavender tea on hand while she unfolds all her happiness, sadness, loss and even her deepest secrets to you. You'd feel like as if you are Ms. Lott's best friend.

Weepin' Willa is a kind of book that will make you look out in the window and sigh and think about how you live your life. Her stories were filled with love, faith and straight from the heart words. No hypocrisy. Just plain love, love and more love.

No wonder Weepin' Willa, the tree, just keeps on shedding those tears for Ms. Lott's first collection of short stories is so deeply felt and beautiful. One of the many books I will never forget.

Lanie Shanzyra Rebancos is a published author of three anthologies, a book reviewer, Pushcart Prize nominee and one of the associates editors of Canadian Zen Haiku Journal. You may see more of her works at http://cobwebsandmemories.blogspot.com/

And Thereby Hangs a Tale by Jeffrey Archer

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Telling short stories is something that comes naturally to Sir Jeffrey Archer. His entertaining, stylish and witty short stories are just the right showcase for his expertise of characterization as well as unexpected plot twists in the story. The book And Thereby Hangs a Tale gives you all the reasons to understand why Jeffrey Archer is one of the bestselling authors of the world. All the short stories collections produced by him so far have turned out to be among the top ten bestsellers.

Consistently Producing Bestsellers

His books have sold more than 210 million copies all over the world and these include A Twist in the Tale, Kane and Abel and Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less. His most recent novel titled Paths of Glory ruled the Sunday Times Bestseller list for more than two months. He himself appears to be very well satisfied with the youth of the country and says they read well and are not at all swayed by Television and Internet.

The Effort That Goes Into the Book

When new writers look towards him for advice, he says he puts in about 1000 hours of hard work to write just one book. He further says it's essential to read a lot in order to become a better writer as great writing can only emerge from great reading. The author also says the Indians have great taste for stories, as they love stories which have beginning, middle and an end, and preferably, a twist in the tale also. Malgudi days is a perfect example of that, says Sir Jeffrey.

Based On His Own Experiences
There is a story in the latest collection about an Indian couple titled Caste-Off which touched Sir Jeffrey the most. It is about an inter-caste marriage and the consequences suffered by the couple due to the marriage. The collection reflects Sir Jeffrey's own experiences in the last six years, the book contains 15 short stories, complete with wit, entertainment and of course, great punch lines.

Some Stories Will Be Relished More

The story Members Only is about the young man who tries hard to get into a prestigious Golf Club. It is a typical Archer book, therefore the language had to be solid and lucid at the same time. All the stories are so different, but the readers are likely to relish some stories such as "The Queen's Birthday Telegram" and "The Undiplomatic Diplomat" more than the others. Some stories, however, are somewhat predictable but it only happens when you have read numerous such stories. These stories have been collected from all over the world and they come from as far as Germany, Italy, UK, France, and of course one from India.

The author Prasoon Kumar works for http://www.uread.com/ which is the leading online bookstore that offers all the current and all time great titles at never before prices. Sir Jeffrey Archer has established himself as the top author in the short stories genre. His latest book available at http://www.uread.com/book/and-thereby-hangs-tale-jeffrey/9780330513685 at huge discounts shows us just that.

Short Story Review - Stephen King's "Harvey's Dream"

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From the book "Just after Sunset," by Stephen King: "Harvey's Dream" a ten page story, in a book over 350-pages, $28.000 (I got it on sale for $7.00; thank goodness), dated 2008. To my knowledge, Mr. King hasn't written short stories for a while, this book was his first in a number of years. It says on the leaf inside the book "Stephen King...delivers an astonishing collection of short stories...." Harvey's Dream, is far from being astonishing. I read a few of his books years ago, only one impressed me, but I never read his short stories, and this story is badly written, by anybody's standards. I haven't gotten to the full book yet, it make take a year or two after reading this ten-page story which is real stale, oversimplified, written in short sentences that don't seem to connect properly.

He uses stupid phrases, idioms that don't fit the character or mood or life of the story-and perhaps a bit confusing for the younger reader; it seems he's simply grabbing at anything, knowing his name will carry the book over the silliness of it all, the sentences-in particular their endings awkward to say the least. He sounds like a reporter, and a 3rd person reporter, that shouldn't be reporting. He uses four-letter words, cuss words, to maximize the potency, or let's say, to emphases the mood, and by gosh, it just falls fat, like someone staring at you, dumbfounded.

He uses click, catchphrases, tags like "Waterloo," or "Alfalfa of the Little Rascals," or "The Sopranos," to make his point (dumb, dumb and dumber). I can't imagine any one wanting to reread this story, and I'm afraid to move on and read the other several stories in the book, it's embarrassing, I'm embarrassed for him-odd isn't it. He's evidently, not working for posterity of his works, most folks, writers nowadays aren't, and it shows. But this story should never have been put into the book, it's really beneath him. (8-11-2010)

Room a Novel by Emma Donoghue

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Book Review: Room a novel by Emma Donoghue

A unique novel from the pen of Emma Donoghue, Room is whole lot different from the what you have ever read. The protagonist is a five year old boy named Jack who was born and has lived his entire life in an 11 foot by 11 foot room.

Jack is a typical five year old, innocent and curious with a streak of imagination whose mother was taken away by an abductor named "Old Nick" on her way back home from her college. Ever since that incident she has lived in a small sound proofed room, for the past seven long years where she then gave birth to Jack who is the son of the abductor himself. The mother attempts to feed the curiosity of her son by making up a lot of games that are innovative. The world of Ma and Jack are totally intertwined of course and they devote every ounce of energy to each other. All of this binds both the son and mother who lead their abnormal existence not knowing about the real world outside.

Jack gives us the child perspective of the Room and the situation which he has to deal with in a simplistic manner which just accentuates the horror of the plot. During the nights, he goes behind the wardrobe to hide and perceives Old Nick's presence by counting the number of creaks in the bed. He feels the depression of his mother, but although he knows it, he has no idea why she feels that way. His mother is more concerned about her son than herself knowing full well that as he grows older, his sense of curiosity will increase which may put him in the path of fatal danger.

The plot unfolds from then on but i will not spoil this for you. The book is a thriller and a must read for all, though you will probably only want to read it once!

Was the inspiration from Josef Fritzl? The real life nutcase in Austria who kept his daughter locked up in an underground bunker, probably.

A stealthy feminist manifesto or one of the best books of the year? - I will let you decide

If you have the guts to read a chapter of this scary book click here

For your chance to get a free iPad or amazon kindle do check out http://powerfulreviews.com/ thanks.

Learn the story of the great short story authors book good?

She wrote a good book should be essential elements of a good story. Means you need a similar title, pulling, moving the first paragraph, and the conflict between at least two opposing action of agents, and finally the solution to the problem (which is not always happy weekend!).

It also seems obvious that describe the characters and the place and time with few words, so the story has its own unique setting her completely. But you will not be satisfied if the official list of criteria. The real value of the literary quality of the story, the school, depending on the group. Characters, plot, setting, and conflict, extension should be the logical parts of a story in which match each of these components. If they don't want to, the story not many readers, and it's not very reliable or convincing.

Where you can get help? The first step for anyone who wants to write a special kind of text is called the great writers. Famous short story writers ever have considered these aspects, masterful and up combinations of these elements. So let me try to use one of the best short stories, "the cat that I know of Hemingway in the rain".

This story has only four pages, but all the pieces are there. There are very precise definition, there are two characters at the end of the conflict, offers a solution that might be positive; At least there is a feeling of hope, change and a young woman can come true, eventually.

All this sounds simple and even banal. But this is a very short story is a masterpiece, because it puts all the pieces together the flow of his qualities and operation that makes unique. The question is, "How do you get the ability to write to the stream of words that make a work of art, or at least a logical construction that some degrees?

My answer is, not only has the talent. You can learn how to write a short story, and of course the school story, taking into account these ideas a few basic rules. Try to create the raw structure your story, perhaps only one event begins your school life. Download it and think the reasons, conditions, problems and implications related to this event. Find two or three people who had to do with it, and then make sure that the second write full story at this point. Use your fantasy, as well as your memory.

Never should forget about dialogue. A short story is a piece of literature to life with direct communication of flies. Through dialogue make it not only read but also exciting. Make people talk, your story will speak your readers!

Henry Arnold, author of the book "stories, published a number of books on American and English novels. With his experience as a teacher at the school for many years, he wrote his first collection of stories only that deals with the life of the school. He tries to help authors who are interested in this subject to make the first steps towards real book stories. His special interest is in describing problems, patterns of the education system, for example, literary means school stories. You can visit his blog for more information on: http://smartschoolstories.blogspot.com/

Chicago BB I card entrepreneur

What do you do when your life takes a detour you don't know where to start? Do your learn how to command seat to take over? Or, can you take is killed and only with the flow? One person has the answer-he learned quite badly.

"I initiated the Chicago show" card gives the BB the perfect combination of power, expressed excitement over the climax of the story, multilingual and smooth steering. Each chapter revealing descriptions of life supported by encapsulated narration pineapple Sam. The title may give you a hint of what I expect but as you progress on every page, you know that something more still waiting.

An unexpected adventure of the pineapple hotel in Chicago where Sam started with random guests having casual conversations was in the lobby near the great hnshpim. Little commotion, which welcomed the arrival of Sam found out that due to ongoing baseball card show held in the city. In 1984, and was busy with the MTV generation, Kenny Rogers, women claim Ghost, the first Karate Kid ever Apple Macintosh. Like everyone else at the same time, Sam just wanted to ?irok?m his chshbaota a little fun on the side of the business trip. Sam found himself in the middle of a baseball, collectors, spectators and Mr. I.T. Mas askn sport defense. It was the first time ever seeing a great man is heard him quite a few times before. Therefore, he gave it a shot, this time turned himself, and enjoy the show. He did so while waiting for it to complete the business that put him on this trip. He was also one of the most stylish dinner restaurants-Chicago's Ditka gone part of the boat until ... life has been upside down pineapple Sam. Faults were everywhere, it is the site of conflicts. What started as a casual dinner party invitation turned out to be a popular restaurant Ditka-disaster. From the Convention and simply type it into the baseball limousines, pineapple, Sam found himself fighting for his life.

This book contains five chapters and all these just get better and better as the start pages. Narration of the character looks like action-adventure flick that were taken all the way to the "wide screen. Add to this is the fact that all the characters in the story are methods. Each character is bound to make the sign of the head. More, this book is a good companion between your busy days. It is bound to remind you of that one moment you had no choice but to take a risk, wild ride called life lounged about.

Pineapple Sam originated as a fictional character from the mind of Ismael Tabalno Hawaii. He is a local man of Kauai decided to "write the story Asian ago as when he retired. I loved her "to talk to Sam pineapple story" when they say in many of his friends and family, now you still hear or read about his adventures.

Http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/stabalno

A Book Review of Lighting the Dark Side - Six Modern Tales by William R Potter

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If you aren't already a fan of short stories, this book will change your opinion. In Lighting the Dark Side - Six Modern Tales, William Potter has written three novellas and three short stories that, as he says, "features leading characters that live their lives as normally as possible and then suddenly find themselves in extraordinary situations." These six stories cover almost genre from thriller and suspense to mystery, detective and even romance. The character development in each story is amazing. All of the main characters are written superbly. The dialog never comes off as stilted or phony. Mr. Potter may well find himself in some extraordinary company with some of the best authors sooner than he ever expected.

The first story, Bent, Not Broken introduces us to Dwayne Johnson, a character who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, a disorder which obviously makes him very socially backward. As Dwayne drives by a certain bus stop every morning on his way to work he looks for someone very special. Someone he has named "Black-Coat Girl". The unexpected happens and Dwayne's life takes a dramatic turn when he finally gets to meet her face to face.

The next story, In the Gray is a very short tale where the reader gets to peek into the life of Michael Conner. Most of the story is a phone conversation with his mother, but from that one phone call we are able to learn everything we need to know about Michael, his family and his past. It is amazing how much information the author can squeeze into less than a dozen pages.

Prominent Couple Slain is a great old-fashioned detective/murder mystery. In this story, we are introduced to Detective Jack Staal, a burnt-out homicide detective who has just transferred from the stress of the big city only to be faced with a horrendous murder of his new small town's most prominent couple.

The premise of the next story is that May 18, 2010 will be the very last day of civilization. The comet, Ivan is on a collision course to destroy everything and it will be here soon, but all Trevor wants to do is get home to be with his girl, Kelly-Anne. For some reason it isn't the comet, Ivan that worries Trevor, but something else. He feels that he's already lived through this disaster many times before. Can he change the future?

Who hasn't dreamed of winning a multi-million dollar lottery? Lighting the Dark Side's fifth story, Blessing or Curse? deals with that exact topic. The main character, Brad Stewart has won 11 million dollars? Imagine all of the things that he can do with that money. Imagine what he'll buy. Imagine how much his life will change. Brad imagined all of this, but what he didn't plan for was that as a lottery winner he would become the target of an extortionist who has kidnapped his son!

The last story, Surviving the Fall is an exciting thriller that takes place a week or so before Christmas. In it, James Goodal witnesses a young woman being thrown out of a moving vehicle and takes her home to care for her. Unfortunately, Ashley has a very dangerous past that catches up to her and James. This story is fast-paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Each and every one of the stories contains two of the most important elements in good story writing and that is believable characters and interesting situations. This book delivers much more than expected. I look forward to more of William Potter's works in the future.

For more information on Lighting The Dark Side-Six Modern Tales by William R. Potter, please view at The author's website [http://www.lightingthedarkside.com/] or at Amazon.