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100pagesaday's review
4.0
Not Quite So Stories offers a variety of speculative fiction short stories that takes everyday events and turns them on their head. Most of these stories will make you wonder and will definitely leave questions unanswered. Some stories made me laugh and some left me in deep thought. Like all short story collections, there were stories that I enjoyed more than others.
One of the stories that stood out the most for me was A Brief Account of the Great Toilet Paper War of 2012. A story of replacing the toilet paper roll incorrectly for your spouse quickly spirals out of hand. This was something I could completely relate to and I was so wrapped up in the story because it went to the absurd, but was still something that I could almost see happening.
Another story that first had me thoroughly confused and then laughing uncontrollably was Changes for the Chateau. When a French Chateau has the conundrum of offering economy and deluxe suites, but only has one type of room, they decide that the economy rate will include constant annoyances from staff. As I caught on to the game, this story became thoroughly enjoyable and I could see American tourists visiting for just an experience like this.
A story that had me deep in thought was Dreams of Dead Grandpa. Almost everyone has had the experience of losing a grandparent; however, what if you didn’t really know them all that well in life? This story not only had me thinking of death, but also dreaming, and getting to know people.
Overall, an interesting collection of short stories that will have you pondering the experiences of life.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
One of the stories that stood out the most for me was A Brief Account of the Great Toilet Paper War of 2012. A story of replacing the toilet paper roll incorrectly for your spouse quickly spirals out of hand. This was something I could completely relate to and I was so wrapped up in the story because it went to the absurd, but was still something that I could almost see happening.
Another story that first had me thoroughly confused and then laughing uncontrollably was Changes for the Chateau. When a French Chateau has the conundrum of offering economy and deluxe suites, but only has one type of room, they decide that the economy rate will include constant annoyances from staff. As I caught on to the game, this story became thoroughly enjoyable and I could see American tourists visiting for just an experience like this.
A story that had me deep in thought was Dreams of Dead Grandpa. Almost everyone has had the experience of losing a grandparent; however, what if you didn’t really know them all that well in life? This story not only had me thinking of death, but also dreaming, and getting to know people.
Overall, an interesting collection of short stories that will have you pondering the experiences of life.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
hugbandit7's review
4.0
This is a collection of shorter stories and I have to admit they are a bit bizarre, well some of them anyway! However they are interesting too. There are a few stories where they just end and in a way I felt let down, that there might have been more to the story that I guess we just have to make up on our own!
I like that some of the stories are short and some are longer. None of them take long to read and it is easy to put down if you need to stop for some reason.
I think one of my favorites was The Onion She Carried. The last line definitely made me smile in this story.
I like that some of the stories are short and some are longer. None of them take long to read and it is easy to put down if you need to stop for some reason.
I think one of my favorites was The Onion She Carried. The last line definitely made me smile in this story.
novelesque_life's review
3.0
NOT QUITE SO STORIES
Written by David S. Atkins
March 2016; 166 Pages
Literary Wanderlust
(I received an ARC from the AUTHOR in exchange for an honest review.)
3 Stars
"The traditional explanation for myth (including such works as the relatively modern Just so Stories by Rudyard Kiping) is an attempt by humans to explain and demystify the world. That's crap. We may be able to come to terms with small pieces, but existence as a whole is beyond our grasp. Life is absurd, ultimately beyond our comprehension. The best we can do is to proceed on with our lives in the face of that. The stories in this collection proceed from this idea, examining how the different characters manage (and/or fail) to do this." (From Publishers)
Not Quite so Stories is an interesting collection of stories. Atkinson seems to take a different approach to the "what's next" in a story. I enjoyed a few of the stories more than others, but it was interesting to read on the whole. I would recommend this collection to those that enjoy shorter prose and want something a bit different.
k (My Novelesque LIfe)
Written by David S. Atkins
March 2016; 166 Pages
Literary Wanderlust
(I received an ARC from the AUTHOR in exchange for an honest review.)
3 Stars
"The traditional explanation for myth (including such works as the relatively modern Just so Stories by Rudyard Kiping) is an attempt by humans to explain and demystify the world. That's crap. We may be able to come to terms with small pieces, but existence as a whole is beyond our grasp. Life is absurd, ultimately beyond our comprehension. The best we can do is to proceed on with our lives in the face of that. The stories in this collection proceed from this idea, examining how the different characters manage (and/or fail) to do this." (From Publishers)
Not Quite so Stories is an interesting collection of stories. Atkinson seems to take a different approach to the "what's next" in a story. I enjoyed a few of the stories more than others, but it was interesting to read on the whole. I would recommend this collection to those that enjoy shorter prose and want something a bit different.
k (My Novelesque LIfe)
btwnprintedpgs's review
4.0
Not Quite So Stories was one of the oddest books I've ever read, in the best possible way.
Let me try to break it down for you - have you ever seen those twitter trends where tweets take a twist in the 140 characters allowed? Well this book is like that except with short stories. Each story was unique, and each story had me absolutely confounded by the end - some due to awe at how deep the short story got, some due to absolute confusion as to why it was even a thing, and some due to annoyance 'cause I really wanted an explanation to why it was a thing (even though the synopsis states clearly that that's literally the reason why is was written).
I enjoyed about 90% of the stories in this books, the other 10% were okay, but just didn't appeal to me. Something that was hard to work out for me was taking the work as it was. Often times, I'd flip back pages to figure out if I missed something, when I didn't, it's just that the "weird" part of it all wasn't explained. This both added and detracted from my reading experience.
On one had it was really interesting to read the stories and think, "Hey, that's really weird and funny" or "I see what you did there, interesting", while other times I'd be like, "What??", and then re-read the story from the beginning - leaving it no less confused than when I had read it the first time.
Overall, definitely would recommend. The stories get you thinking about everyday life, as well as get your spirits up. This isn't a book you have to sit down for a while to read either - each story gives you a dose of happy! My top three stories talk about rolling oranges, toilet paper, and disappearing houses, haha. Check it out - I think there's something in this book for everyone!
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4/5
World Building: 4.5/5
Writing: 4/5
Cover: 3/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.48/5
eBook obtained via Roger Charlie in exchange for an honest review.
Let me try to break it down for you - have you ever seen those twitter trends where tweets take a twist in the 140 characters allowed? Well this book is like that except with short stories. Each story was unique, and each story had me absolutely confounded by the end - some due to awe at how deep the short story got, some due to absolute confusion as to why it was even a thing, and some due to annoyance 'cause I really wanted an explanation to why it was a thing (even though the synopsis states clearly that that's literally the reason why is was written).
I enjoyed about 90% of the stories in this books, the other 10% were okay, but just didn't appeal to me. Something that was hard to work out for me was taking the work as it was. Often times, I'd flip back pages to figure out if I missed something, when I didn't, it's just that the "weird" part of it all wasn't explained. This both added and detracted from my reading experience.
On one had it was really interesting to read the stories and think, "Hey, that's really weird and funny" or "I see what you did there, interesting", while other times I'd be like, "What??", and then re-read the story from the beginning - leaving it no less confused than when I had read it the first time.
Overall, definitely would recommend. The stories get you thinking about everyday life, as well as get your spirits up. This isn't a book you have to sit down for a while to read either - each story gives you a dose of happy! My top three stories talk about rolling oranges, toilet paper, and disappearing houses, haha. Check it out - I think there's something in this book for everyone!
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4/5
World Building: 4.5/5
Writing: 4/5
Cover: 3/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.48/5
eBook obtained via Roger Charlie in exchange for an honest review.
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