Currently reading...

(Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

I am smitten with Katherine Heiny's book of short stories: Single, Carefree, Mellow. So far, I've only read two of the shorts in the book, but I can already tell that this book is my jam.  The writing is superb; the characters are unlikeable, relatable, and realistic; and the stories are fascinating, quirky, entertaining, and hilarious.  I am in love with this book!  In fact, I've decided to dole out the stories piecemeal - I'll be reading one a week.  After all there are only eleven and I'm already down two - yikes!

The first story I read was called The Dive Bar.  Its about a woman who agrees to have a drink with her married lover's wife.  Talk about awkward!  Suffice it to say that the drink does not go down well.  Then again, what did she expect, right?  In fact, what did the wife expect?  I found myself wondering why anyone would subject themselves to such a meeting and also thinking that the man in question was most definitely not worth all the fuss. 

As for the second short - How to Give the Wrong Impression - well, its my favorite so far.  Basically, a young woman is in love with her roommate.  She is infatuated to the point that she pretends they are living together like a couple and not roommates.  She doesn't correct anyone when they assume they are dating.  And she is always telling her co-workers stories about him as if they were married.  He on the other hand doesn't seem to notice her adoration of him.  In fact, he mentions a cute classmate of his and she urges him to date her.  Its pretty sad and funny at the same time.  Reading this story I couldn't help but be reminded of an old college friend of mine.  She was obsessed with this classmate of ours and was convinced that everything he did (or said) was for her benefit - like he was secretly in love with her or something.  So, she would always give the impression that he was pursuing her, when in fact he wasn't.  A touch or a glance always meant more than it really did in her mind.  I tried to get her to see sense, but she was infatuated, so all I could do was listen.   Reading this story I can see how easily someone can misread a situation.  Love isn't one-sided and this story clearly demonstrates that, along with the ways in which unrequited feelings are mishandled. 

And now, I'm off to read the next story titled Single, Carefree, Mellow.  Ta for now! Happy reading!!