Before we say goodbye --book 4 of 5 of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold books by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

 Publisher: Hanover Square Press; November 14, 2023

Language: English

Hardcover: 240 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1335009111

5 Stars

 

To be honest, I hesitated on reading this one. I’d read the first three, and I wasn’t sure Kawaguchi could come up with 4 more different stories. I should have known better. Like the previous books, these four stories are charming, heartwarming, and great fun. He has a ‘formula’ for his books, they all, so far at least, have four stories and are in small format (roughly 6.5” x 8.5”), the books are easy to hold while reading in bed, and are just fun! Some of the characters have appeared in earlier stories, and it’s like meeting an old friend by chance again.

 

One of the great things, to me at least, is you do not have to read the books in order. I read the second one first and had no problem reading number one later. Just buy these little books, they are great fun. Honest. Trust me.

 

 To read my reviews on earlier books:

https://lenoragood.blogspot.com/search?q=Toshikazu+Kawaguchi

Ten Little Indians --by Sherman Alexie

 Publisher: Grove Press; Reprint edition (March 17, 2004)

Language: English

Paperback: 243 pages

ISBN-13: 978-080214117;0

5 Stars

 

In full disclosure, I’ve been in literary lust with Sherman Alexie since I first read one of his books, and the lust lives. No, I’ve never met him. And I am NOT in lust with him, just his writing.

 

Also, my copy of Ten Little Indians is probably somewhat different than yours, as I read an “Uncorrected Proof.” 

 

I love short stories. And these did not disappoint. I laughed in many, got sad in a couple, and angry in one or two. Most stories are funny, most offer insight and might give you something to think about. Like Rez humor? Read this book. There is a reason Alexie wins awards for his writing. 

 

But why only 9 stories? Why not 10? Or did I miscount?

How much does a world weigh? Will it fit in your pocket?

Weight of Worlds –by Alma Alexander

Fiction, Short Stories

828 KB

5 Stars

Ms. Alexander publishes several of her short stories in what she calls "triads" and this collection is a collection of some of those triads. They range from a god and his marbles to the world as seen through the point of view of a cat.

There is a feeling of old style fairy tales in this collection. Although none of the stories have a "happy ever after" ending (thank heavens!), they all have very satisfying endings, and none are particularly sad, they are the logical conclusions to the stories being told.

My biggest complaint was there just weren't enough of the stories!

Ms. Alexander is a marvelous writer, and definitely knows how to spin a yarn, and she knows just exactly the length it needs to be.

Some may find the introductions at the beginnings of each book and the stories a bit off-putting, but they are free to skip them and go right into the story proper. I, however, enjoyed them. (I also love Prologues and Prefaces and Epilogues. But, then, I also read foot notes.)

They are stories to be read again.