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ericfheiman's review
5.0
I love these books. (See my reviews of previous editions.) It's amazing what a bunch of high school students and an enthusiastic teacher can assemble for our reading pleasure.
scarletohhara's review
4.0
This book turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. Short stories or essays is not a genre I enjoy, but I know I miss out on gems published in online magazines , written by authors I love. Books like this are perfect in such cases.
I discovered short gems by Junot Diaz, Anthony Marra and Julie Otsuka. There were a few articles I had read and shared earlier in this book, reading them again was another pleasant surprise (Jose Antonia Vargas' essay on how finally decided to expose his immigration status in Outlaw and Mona Simpson's almost tearful eulogy for her brother Steve Jobs). And discovering new writers with heartening stories like The Years of my birth by Louise Erdrich, Eric Puchner's dystopian story beautiful Monsters, Mark Robert Rapacz's Bellwether, Jess Walter's dystopian sci-fi Don't eat cat and Wesley Yang's essay on Bamboo ceiling Paper Tigers.
Am going to look out for more latest versions of this series, in the hope of unearthing more such gems.
I discovered short gems by Junot Diaz, Anthony Marra and Julie Otsuka. There were a few articles I had read and shared earlier in this book, reading them again was another pleasant surprise (Jose Antonia Vargas' essay on how finally decided to expose his immigration status in Outlaw and Mona Simpson's almost tearful eulogy for her brother Steve Jobs). And discovering new writers with heartening stories like The Years of my birth by Louise Erdrich, Eric Puchner's dystopian story beautiful Monsters, Mark Robert Rapacz's Bellwether, Jess Walter's dystopian sci-fi Don't eat cat and Wesley Yang's essay on Bamboo ceiling Paper Tigers.
Am going to look out for more latest versions of this series, in the hope of unearthing more such gems.
balletbookworm's review
5.0
This collection didn't seem as light-hearted as previous NR's that I read. The "Front Section" bits are usually more light-hearted, in my opinion, and in this collection many of them are about the Occupy Movement (manifestos, minutes, essays) or have an undercurrent of exasperation underneath them (Alexie, Diaz, Ragsdale).
The short-story/essay section is amazing. Just amazing. Short fiction from Louise Erdrich, Julie Otsuka (wow, just wow), and Jess Walter. Essays from Olivia Hamilton/Robin Levi/Ayelet Waldman (makes me mad), Jon Ronson (who knew there were actual people dressed up as superheroes), John Jeremiah Sullivan, and Wesley Yang.
I got a little sniffy over the transcription of a eulogy given at Steve Jobs's funeral by his sister, Mona. And I'm not a Jobs acolyte, so she said beautiful things.
I hope Jose Antonio Vargas gains his citizenship. If you need evidence why the Dream Act should be passed then you need to read this article.
The short-story/essay section is amazing. Just amazing. Short fiction from Louise Erdrich, Julie Otsuka (wow, just wow), and Jess Walter. Essays from Olivia Hamilton/Robin Levi/Ayelet Waldman (makes me mad), Jon Ronson (who knew there were actual people dressed up as superheroes), John Jeremiah Sullivan, and Wesley Yang.
I got a little sniffy over the transcription of a eulogy given at Steve Jobs's funeral by his sister, Mona. And I'm not a Jobs acolyte, so she said beautiful things.
I hope Jose Antonio Vargas gains his citizenship. If you need evidence why the Dream Act should be passed then you need to read this article.
shonatiger's review
3.0
3.5. Enjoyed a few pieces very much: Julie Otsuka, Phil Klay, Louise Erdrich, Olivia Hamilton et al. Those of John Jeremiah Sullivan, Eric Puchner and Jose Antonio Vargas were also quite interesting. Strong warning for triggers (rape, suicide, etc) in some of the content.
ejmiddleton's review
4.0
Good heavens were many of these pieces haunting. There were very few selections that I didn't read til the end.
liz_keeney's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
bleepbloop's review
5.0
an incredible collection. every piece was a joy to read. my favorite of the three I've read so far.