Sunday, June 20, 2010

STORIES: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
STORIES

All-New Tales
Edited by
NEIL GAIMAN
and AL SARRANTONIO

ABOUT THE BOOK:


"The joy of fiction is the joy of the imagination. . . ."

The best stories pull readers in and keep them turning the pages, eager to discover more—to find the answer to the question: "And then what happened?" The true hallmark of great literature is great imagination, and as Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio prove with this outstanding collection, when it comes to great fiction, all genres are equal.

Stories is a groundbreaking anthology that reinvigorates, expands, and redefines the limits of imaginative fiction and affords some of the best writers in the world—from Peter Straub and Chuck Palahniuk to Roddy Doyle and Diana Wynne Jones, Stewart O'Nan and Joyce Carol Oates to Walter Mosley and Jodi Picoult—the opportunity to work together, defend their craft, and realign misconceptions. Gaiman, a literary magician whose acclaimed work defies easy categorization and transcends all boundaries, and "master anthologist" (Booklist) Sarrantonio personally invited, read, and selected all the stories in this collection, and their standard for this "new literature of the imagination" is high. "We wanted to read stories that used a lightning-flash of magic as a way of showing us something we have already seen a thousand times as if we have never seen it at all."

Joe Hill boldly aligns theme and form in his disturbing tale of a man's descent into evil in "Devil on the Staircase." In "Catch and Release," Lawrence Block tells of a seasoned fisherman with a talent for catching a bite of another sort. Carolyn Parkhurst adds a dark twist to sibling rivalry in "Unwell." Joanne Harris weaves a tale of ancient gods in modern New York in "Wildfire in Manhattan." Vengeance is the heart of Richard Adams's "The Knife." Jeffery Deaver introduces a dedicated psychologist whose mission in life is to save people in "The Therapist." A chilling punishment befitting an unspeakable crime is at the dark heart of Neil Gaiman's novelette "The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains."

As it transforms your view of the world, this brilliant and visionary volume—sure to become a classic—will ignite a new appreciation for the limitless realm of exceptional fiction.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS/EDITORS:

Bestselling author Neil Gaiman has long been one of the top writers in modern comics, and has also penned many books for readers of all ages, including American Gods, Anansi Boys, Coraline, and M Is for Magic. He is listed in the Dictionary of Literary Biography as one of the top ten living post-modern writers, and is a prolific creator of works of prose, poetry, film, journalism, comics, song lyrics, and drama. He has written multiple New York Times bestselling books, and is a Hugo, Nebula, Bram Stoker, SFX, and Locus Award winner. He has also worked in support of First Amendment rights, and was awarded the Defender of Liberty Award in August 1997 by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund for his efforts. Born and raised in England, Neil now lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has somehow reached his forties and tends to always need a haircut.


Award winner Al Sarrantonio is the author of forty previous books, including several highly acclaimed novels. He has edited numerous collections, including the groundbreaking
999: New Stories of Horror and Suspense and Flights: Extreme Visions of Fantasy. He lives in Newburgh, New York.
MY REVIEW:

STORIES is a decidedly varied anthology of short stories written by some of our most popular authors today and done so using various genres. This wonderful collection is filled with engaging stories that are as well written as they are enjoyable to read. STORIES is edited by Al Sarrantonio, who is not only an author in his own right (and contributes his own ’The Cult of the Nose‘) but is also well known for editing several other fine collections. Joining Sarrantonio in editing is the inimitable Neil Gaiman who also writes a wonderful introduction and treats readers by including a story himself with ’The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains‘. This short story alone would make the book worth buying/reading, but add in some twenty-six other great stories and you have an anthology of stories that are the kind that make you want to keep reading until you finish. One thing I usually find with a book of short stories is that it is nice because I can finish a story easily in a short time and not be left waiting to find out what happens next. However, with these stories, you mostly do want to know “what happens next” as Gaiman alludes to in his introduction.

That is part of what makes this book so compelling and the rest lies in the stories and authors themselves. STORIES includes narratives that are written with many sharing a hint of fantasy and some science fiction as well as folktales, spooky stories, alternative realities, and of course, realities as well. With authors from Gaiman to Joyce Carol Oates, Walter Mosley, Joe Hill and Jodi Picoult to Jeffrey Deaver, Chuck Pahlaniuk, Peter Straub, and Joe R. Lansdale, this is to me a perfect summer read. Allowing one to sample authors they love or wish to be introduced to, STORIES will be a book you keep handy and read over again and surely want to share with others. If you aren’t a short story fan before, or if you haven’t read a collection recently, you will be glad that STORIES is one you invested in. A bonus about the authors is included in the back of the book!


GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO MEGAN AND GOOD PEOPLE
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS EXCITING
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT
YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!




--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT READING A BOOK OF SHORT STORIES. YOU MAY WANT TO TELL IF YOU LIKE THEM OR NOT AND PERHAPS WHY

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON HOW YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, COMMENT SEPARATELY FOR MORE CHANCES TO WIN. DON'T FORGET YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL, GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT, OR GOOGLE READER, AS WELL AS FOLLOW ON NETWORK BLOGS AND AS FACEBOOK FANS, OR SOME OTHER WAY YOU CAN TELL ME ABOUT.

AND ONE MORE CHANCE THIS MONTH FOR.....+5 MORE ENTRIES: RECEIVE +5 BONUS ENTRIES BY GOING TO THE SWAGBUCKS LINK UNDER MY BINGO BUDDY IN THE RIGHT HAND COLUMN AND SEARCHING AND JOINING UP FOR SWAGBUCKS. COME BACK AND TELL ME YOU DID THAT. BY THE WAY, IF YOU DO THAT, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO ADD +5 BONUS ENTRIES TO ANY, AND ALL, GIVEAWAYS DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO ONES YOU ENTERED BEFORE YOU JOINED SWAGBUCKS FROM HERE. PLEASE REMEMBER, YOU GAIN SWAGBUCKS FOR PRIZES BY SIMPLY SEARCHING LIKE YOU DO ON ANY SEARCH ENGINE. SEARCHING EVEN ONCE OR TWICE A DAY CAN GIVE YOU SWAGBUCKS. CURRENTLY, ONE OF MY SWAGBUCK REFERRALS HAS OVER 250 SWAGBUCKS BY JUST DOING THAT.

COMING IN JULY, THERE WILL BE SPECIAL BONUS ENTRIES AND PRIZES FOR MY TOP SWAGBUCKS PEOPLE SO JOIN UP AND START SEARCHING TODAY!

GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST, JULY 7!
GOOD LUCK

99 comments:

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I'm trying to get myself to read more short stories. It's irrational of me not to like them but I feel like it's cheating or something by not reading a whole book!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I follow on Google Reader

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I follow on GFC

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

Nan said...

The good think about short stories is that you can sit and read them in one sitting!

vtgoat[at]gmail[dot]com

Nan said...

I follow you through google reader.

vtgoat[at]gmail[dot]com

Tea said...

+1 I love, love short stories. I can't exactly say why. I suppose because short stories are a quick punch of beauty, ugliness, magic, grief, etc.

Teakettle58(at)yahoo.com

Tea said...

I blogged about this giveaway in my sidebar http://readwithtea.blogspot.com

Tea said...

I follow you in email
I follow you in Google Reader
I follow you on Twitter
I follow you on Face Book

Tea said...

+5 I joined Swag bucks. I am going to put their badge on my blog. Had no idea what Swag bucks meant. Now, I know.

urbanL said...

+5 swag bucks jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

I've never read a book wioth short stories. My wife reads them all the time. If it's to be a Classic someday I would love to read it.
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

http://twitter.com/jeff72768/status/16622784825

jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100000609680005&v=wall&story_fbid=120489011327031&ref=mf

jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

FOLLOW ON NETWORK BLOGS
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

Facebook fan jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

Follow you on twitter
jeff72768@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

added to google reader
jeff72768@yahoo.com

bermudaonion said...

I generally don't read short stories because I don't feel like I can get to know the characters well enough, but I'd like to read this one because of Neil Gaiman! milou2ster(at)gmail.com

traveler said...

I enjoy short stories greatly. They are appealing and many times I wish that they would never end. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

follow with GFC

lauren51990 at aol dot com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

i do like short stories. i need to read them more, but some are quite good. and this book has some amazing authors that I love from Jodi Picoult to Chuck Palahniuk. Such a wonderful variety!

-Lauren
lauren51990 at aol dot com

Katia said...

I've only read it once and they are way too good to be short but I'll get over it.
kr_moreau(at)doglover(dot)com

Katia said...

GFC follower.
kr_moreau(at)doglover(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Sometimes I just want a short story due to time constraints. And the chance to read authors I may not usually read is a plus, too.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Momma Told Me said...

I follow on GFC
six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Momma Told Me said...

I love short stories I can fit them in between chores!
six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower.
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I really like short stories. They are one of those things that an author can do either really well, or very poorly. I find I like them just as much as novels.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Glenn said...

I like reading short story colections because it can expose you to new authors you might not otherwise have checked out. Thanks for the giveaway.

glenn_pessano AT yahoo DOT com

holdenj said...

I subscribe via google reader.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I'm a google friend connect follower.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I like short stories, but don't read them very often. This seems to have a great selection of authors.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

g.g. said...

I subscribe and follow via email

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

g.g. said...

I am a Google friend connect follower

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

g.g. said...

I love short stories and have gotten away from them as they aren't as available to me as a novel. I would so like to win this book as I am a huge fan of Gaiman's work.

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

Debs Desk said...

I follow your blog in Google Reader.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Debs Desk said...

I have never read a book of short stories. I think I would really like it.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Ladytink_534 said...

I'm a FB Fan~ Jennifer L.
Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ladytink_534 said...

Networked Blog follower Jennifer L.
Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ladytink_534 said...

I love books of short stories and! I've discovered many of my favorite authors from anthologies.

Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I love to read Anthologies, I like them because the story starts happening earlier and it's not as drawn out, though sometimes I read a short story and wonder why since it was so good did they not make it a novel.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

https://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/16924945319

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100000641625482&v=wall&story_fbid=137687369579733&ref=mf chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/chirth7/review/43347844/

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=533391661&messageID=6672846307&hash

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

GOOGLE READER
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

+5 for swag bucks

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

FOLLOW ON TWITTER
Romantic73
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

FACEBOOK FAN
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

FOLLOW ON NETWORK BLOGS
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I am a fan of short stories and read collections frequently. Living in the city and traveling on public transportation frequently, as well as waiting in doctor's waiting rooms often, I have discovered that short stories are perfect because I can usually completely finish one or two and not have to stop reading in the middle of a wonderful part of the story. My favorite short story writers at this time are Raymond Carver and Amy Bloom but there are still many collections I haven't yet read and would like to. I think this collection, "Stories" sounds wonderful and I'm thrilled with the list of contributing authors, as well as with the editors, Neil Gaiman & Al Sarrantonio!

Thank you for a great giveaway!

~ Amy
Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I follow your blog on GFC.


Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I subscribe to your blog on blogger dashboard/google reader


Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I subscribe to your blog via email (my blog-reading email is Aimala02@yahoo.com)

Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

Latsyrc728 said...

I Love reading short stories because sometimes you do not want to commit to a long book. They are good to read in between, or in the bathroom. : )
Latsyrc728@yahoo.com

Latsyrc728 said...

I like you on Facebook (Crystal Jansen Hamilton)
Latsyrc728@yahoo.com

Latsyrc728 said...

I follow via google (it's a different picture...Latsyrc728)
Latsyrc728@yahoo.com

Benita said...

Follower by GFC.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

Email subscriber.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I love reading short stories. You don't have to stay with them too long, if you don't like one, it's on to the next. You are absorbed quickly and the read is fast.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jenna said...

I am a Google Follower

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jenna said...

I enjoy reading short stories.. I never used to, but once I began teaching I started to get a feel for them. I can easily read a short story during my lunch break or when the kids are reading themselves.

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jenna said...

+5 for swagbucks signup

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jenna said...

I am an email feed burner follower

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Pamela Keener said...

I am not a fan of short stories but would really like to become a fan. This looks like a nice place to start as I recognize some of the authors.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

Swagbucks + 5
Love & Hugs.
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I follow via GFC.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

petite said...

I enjoy short stories since they are a different and new pleasure for me. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Shirley said...

I've just read some short stories that my daughter had read. I really liked those short stories.
There's like never a slow part keeps moving and there were a few I had wished were full page books but most I like a lot shorter.

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=540593519&messageID=6672988156&hash

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/shundelt45/review/43551474/

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100001087052807&v=wall&story_fbid=140307555981358&ref=mf

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/17500225979

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

Follow GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

Follow GOOGLE READER
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

+ swag bucks shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I follow you on twitter
grandmamaof10
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm a FACEBOOK FANS
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

FOLLOW ON NETWORK BLOGS
shundelt@yahoo.com

Tina said...

I really like the short story format= I enjoy being able to complete a reading in one sitting. These look spectacular

tbranco(at)hughes(D0t)net

Tina said...

I blogged about all your giveaways here: http://tutus2cents.blogspot.com/2010/07/bingo-does-it-again-too-many-to-miss.html

tbranco(at)hughes (d0t)net

Tina said...

I follow on Bloglines and GFC

tbranco (at) hughes (dot) net

Emma Pridemore said...

I spend a good deal of time writing short stories so I try to read as many as I can. I love and respect the art.

Emma
felinmanor@aol dot com

Nancye said...

I like reading short stories because you get to read about a variety of subjects all in a single book.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/17983780211

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I subscribe via reader

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

email subscriber

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

GFC Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I Like you on Facebook

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I follow you on Twitter
@NancyeDavis

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I follow you on Networked Blogs

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY