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A Travel Guide for Reckless Hearts: Stories
by
N.M. Kelby
"N.M. Kelby writes beautifully. Her characters are unforgettable, and her use of oddball details adds to the particular flavor of the story, which has moments of melancholy and tenderness among the fireworks."
–The Capital Times
Paperback, 170 pages
Published
September 15th 2009
by Minnesota Historical Society Press
(first published September 1st 2009)
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Disclosure: I won this book in the first reads giveaway.
Usually I have trouble with short story collections; the best short stories require some thinking after, so it takes a lot of time to move through a book. Here, the stories are almost all so neatly encapsulated that they are no sooner read than digested. This is not meant to disparage--each story is dense with detail and import--but they tend to focus on a moment. For this reason, they're very good examples of the art form; t...more
Usually I have trouble with short story collections; the best short stories require some thinking after, so it takes a lot of time to move through a book. Here, the stories are almost all so neatly encapsulated that they are no sooner read than digested. This is not meant to disparage--each story is dense with detail and import--but they tend to focus on a moment. For this reason, they're very good examples of the art form; t...more
I have never read anything by this author before, but I found this collection of short stories to be very good, although they were also mostly very sad. I would like to read more of her books. It was interesting that all of the stories had a connection to Florida in some way even if they weren't necessarily set there. Some of the stories were set in or had recollections of the 1960's - really takes you back in time and brings back memories.
This was such a fun book to read. Once I started I could not put it down until I was finished. It is a collection of stories dealing with relationships between men and women, husband and wife, parent and child and a music artist and his fans. The stories were sweet, charming and funny and Ms Kelby has a way with words that takes you right into the story and feeling the emotions of the characters.
Another goodreads giveaway win.
Like I've said in other reviews, I'm not a huge short story fan--although Jhumpa Lahiri and Julie Orringer can write a million short stories and I'll read them.
This book was better than most, but at first I wasn't so sure. I actually think the stories got better as the book went on--which either means the stories were better written, I liked them more, or, more likely, I just got used to Kelby's writing.
All of the stories have s...more
Like I've said in other reviews, I'm not a huge short story fan--although Jhumpa Lahiri and Julie Orringer can write a million short stories and I'll read them.
This book was better than most, but at first I wasn't so sure. I actually think the stories got better as the book went on--which either means the stories were better written, I liked them more, or, more likely, I just got used to Kelby's writing.
All of the stories have s...more
Lively, risk-taking tales of love and longing and the odd and the bizarre. And the shocking.
Kelby writes with grace, and wit, and a wonderfully twisted mind, similar to her fellow Floridian, Carl Hiaasen.
These stories also form a travel guide for timid hearts, too.
Kelby writes with grace, and wit, and a wonderfully twisted mind, similar to her fellow Floridian, Carl Hiaasen.
These stories also form a travel guide for timid hearts, too.
What a beautiful little collection of stories that I greedily ate up in a day - a touching and funny look at the complicated connections we make and break. I highly enjoyed (esp. The Faithful) - there were a few that I loved a little less (The Last Rites) but overall such a satisfying read.
Melissa
marked it as to-read
I really want to read this but am having trouble finding it. My library does not have it (yet) and a wider search also comes up empty. I will keep trying.
Margaret
marked it as to-read
Read about this book in today's Strib. Though I'm not usually a big fan of short stories, this book sounds like it might be fun.
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I received the book through the Goodreads giveaways. Although Kelby would REALLY benefit from obeying the old "show, don't tell" advice for writers, the book has enough interesting, life-worn characters to keep you reading. There were a few times that I got what the author was going for, then she spelled it out explicitly when she could have left it as a subtle allusion. Still, the book reveals enough insight on human behavior and genuinely moving moments that I'd like to see more f...more
Not all worked for me but mostly interesting
Note: I got this book free from Goodreads' First Reads
I sometimes skip story collections because I feel more content when I can immerse myself in a longer story. But I enjoyed reading this book. The stories in this collection are complete in themselves. Sometimes lighthearted, sometimes serene, sometimes frantic, sometimes fraught. All are full of memory and heart, and characters that resonated -- even when they didn't.
I recommend it and would be happy to loan it to you.
I sometimes skip story collections because I feel more content when I can immerse myself in a longer story. But I enjoyed reading this book. The stories in this collection are complete in themselves. Sometimes lighthearted, sometimes serene, sometimes frantic, sometimes fraught. All are full of memory and heart, and characters that resonated -- even when they didn't.
I recommend it and would be happy to loan it to you.
Short stories about twisted relationships. Kelby has a spark, and I look forward to future writings.
Kelby creates characters with very specific traits and interests, which makes them not in the least bit cliched. These stories are based primarily in Minnesota and Florida. I've never been to Florida, but the descriptions of Minnesota are spot on.
Jolene Clark
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cαss нαngs wιтн тнє cool ĸιds ♥
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N.M.Kelby is the author of the forthcoming WHITE TRUFFLES IN WINTER: A NOVEL (W.W.Norton), A TRAVEL GUIDE FOR RECKLESS HEARTS, WHALE SEASON, MURDER AT THE BAD GIRL'S BAR AND GRILL, IN THE COMPANY OF ANGELS and THEATER OF THE STARS. She is also the author of the craft book, THE CONSTANT ART OF BEING A WRITER: THE LIFE, ART AND BUSINESS OF FICTION from Writer's Digest Books.
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