David Abrams's Blog, page 45

Front Porch Books: February 2017 edition

Front Porch Books is a monthly tally of books—mainly advance review copies (aka “uncorrected proofs” and “galleys”)—I’ve received from publishers. Because my dear friends, Mr. FedEx and Mrs. UPS, leave them with a doorbell-and-dash method of delivery, I call them my Front Porch Books. In this digital age, ARCs are also beamed to the doorstep of my Kindle via NetGalley and Edelweiss. Note: many of these books won’t be released for another 2-6 months; I’m here to pique your interest and stock y...

My First Time: Emily Jeanne Miller

My First Time is a regular feature in which writers talk about virgin experiences in their writing and publishing careers, ranging from their first rejection to the moment of holding their first published book in their hands. Today’s guest is Emily Jeanne Miller, author of the new novel The News From the End of the World . Helen Simonson, author of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, said The News From the End of the World is “A beautifully crafted, emotional portrait of a Cape Cod family whose teen...

Sunday Sentence: Townie by Andre Dubus III

Simply put, the best sentence(s) I’ve read this past week, presented out of context and without commentary.


With physical violence there was always the wreckage after, not just the bruises and lacerations, the chipped teeth or fractured bones, there was a hangover of the spirit, as if all those punches and kicks had pushed you into a gray and treeless landscape where love and forgiveness were hard to find.

Townie by Andre Dubus III

Friday Freebie: The Dark and Other Love Stories by Deborah Willis

Congratulations to Lisa Murray, winner of last week’s Friday Freebie: The Underworld by Kevin Canty.

This week’s contest is for The Dark and Other Love Stories by Deborah Willis. And speaking of Kevin Canty, here’s what he had to say about The Dark and Other Love Stories: “A bright, adventurous, and lively collection. Deborah Willis seems to be able to go anywhere and do anything, taking the reader from the Ukraine to Mars. Beautifully told and strangely moving, these stories made the world s...

My First Time: Bren McClain

My First Time is a regular feature in which writers talk about virgin experiences in their writing and publishing careers, ranging from their first rejection to the moment of holding their first published book in their hands. Today’s guest is Bren McClain, author of One Good Mama Bone . She was born and raised in Anderson, South Carolina, on a beef cattle and grain farm. She has a degree in English from Furman University; is an experienced media relations, radio, and television news profession...

Sunday Sentence: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

Simply put, the best sentence(s) I’ve read this past week, presented out of context and without commentary.


The flowing sugar gown of Lady Liberty descended like drapery upon a Chinese pagoda, inside of which, in a pond of candy floss, swam miniature fish of chocolate.

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

Friday Freebie: The Underworld by Kevin Canty

Congratulations to Michael Cooper, winner of last week’s Friday Freebie: Questioning Return by Beth Kissileff.

This week’s contest is for the new novel by Kevin Canty, The Underworld . I have a hardcover copy to give away to one lucky reader. Deborah Reed, author of Olivay and The Things We Set on Fire, had this to say about Canty’s novel: “The Underworld pierces with busted hearts, broken families, and the gristly days of work and drink that bind them. A lovely, melodic, and unsparing look at...

Sunday Sentence: Souvenirs and Other Stories by Matt Tompkins

Simply put, the best sentence(s) I’ve read this past week, presented out of context and without commentary.


There’s a family of mountain lions living in my basement.

“Seeking Advice and/or Assistance
re: Mountain Lions”
from Souvenirs and Other Stories by Matt Tompkins

Sunday Sentence: The Stories of Frederick Busch

Simply put, the best sentence(s) I’ve read this past week, presented out of context and without commentary.


I was nine years old, and starting to age.

“The Settlement of Mars” from The Stories of Frederick Busch

Friday Freebie: Questioning Return by Beth Kissileff

Congratulations to Lynn Koeppen, winner of last week’s Friday Freebie: We Love You, Charlie Freeman by Kaitlyn Greenidge.

This week’s contest is for Questioning Return by Beth Kissileff. Here’s what Steve Stern, author of The Book of Mischief and The Frozen Rabbi, had to say about Questioning Return: “The brainy, conflicted heroine of Beth Kissileff’s heart-stirring debut novel Questioning Return goes to Israel to interview Jews who have come home to a tradition once lost to them. The process...