Christmas Gifties.
As in the past, this year I received from family members, among other things, a stack of excellent books. There were a couple action-packed page-turners, several excellent non-fiction books and one that is truly unique.
Of course, I speak of Shorts in a Wad, by none other than our pal Elisson. This morning, while taking a break from cleaning up the post-Christmas celebratory rubble, I sat at the kitchen counter and began to read Shorts in a Wad.
In the book’s introduction, Elisson writes:
You can devour the whole thing at once, popping stories like so many Snacky Peanuts, or you can savor them, reading a story when you have a spare moment.
I went the Snacky Peanuts route and inhaled the whole bowl in one sitting. I couldn’t help myself; the stories were just that good. I did a great deal of LOL-ing, and I’m an inward laugher, not much of an LOL-er, but you simply cannot read these stories and not laugh out loud (a very few are not intended to be funny, and those hit the mark as well). I defy anyone to read the Morty Maggot Story and not burst out laughing.
There is, however, a distinct difference between Elisson’s One Hundred 100-Word Stories and a bowl of Snacky Peanuts. I can’t re-eat Snacky Peanuts, but I can re-read each and every one of the 100-word gems again and again.
And so I shall.
Now, what sort of family member would foist this off on you? Just curious…
Thanks for the kind words, Jimbo – you made my day!
Comment by Elisson — December 26, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
That sounds great!
Comment by RT — December 26, 2007 @ 7:48 pm
Elisson gifted me with an inscribed copy — I keep mine next to my bed…a place of honor!
Anyone who has read one of these truncated MAHsterpieces on his blog knows precisely what a pleasure they are, for the brief smidgen of time one need invest in each one, to the punny witticisms…â€Gaza Strip Poker,†a “Lucky Rabbi’s Foot.â€
BAM! Before you know it, he’s got you. Good God, how his mind woiks!
Elisson, are you taking all this down?? I’m giving you pearls here, bro, for use on the dust jacket of your second literary tour de force, should there ever hopefully be one.
Comment by Erica — December 27, 2007 @ 9:01 am
Truer words were never spoke, Jimbo. This collection of stories… excuse me, GEMS, was devoured as soon as it came in the mail. I’m now looking for the next one, although I hear the author spends too much time choosing and buying Hawaiian-floweredy shirts, and not enough time writing. B-)>
Walrilla
Comment by Walrilla — December 27, 2007 @ 1:36 pm