Louise's Reviews

Sherman Alexie’s latest collection of new and republished stories will appeal to long-time fans as well as those new to the scene (but seriously, where have you been all this time? Does Alexie even have “new fans”? Aren’t we all long-time followers of his spare yet descriptive writing? Isn’t Sherman Alexie kind of the alpha and omega of storytelling?). Get some Diet Pepsi and read Blasphemy!

The Heart Broke In is an epic tale showcasing all of the best and worst parts of humanity: love, redemption, revenge, earnest longing, and terrible loneliness. This is a kind of anti-romance; Meek’s characters are all wanting to love and be loved, but can they put aside their egos long enough to grasp happiness? With Tolstoy-esque syntax and characters of real emotional depth, Meek’s latest work is a fast and compelling read.

When I need to fake a huge smile for a photo, I replay that scene in When Harry Met Sally when Rob Reiner’s mother says, “I’ll have what she’s having.” It guarantees an authentic smile every time, which is why I’m so grateful that Nora Ephron’s work is preserved in this new book. Her scripts, essays, and musings (some of which make their debut in this collection) are an important and hilarious cultural artifact.