Short Stories

Chicago Author

Adult

Joe Meno creates worlds so fragile they might blow away at a whisper. Small worlds: a one-bedroom apartment, a vaudeville theatre in Cuba, the laundry room, a plastics factory, an amusement park, Greek Mythology Camp. In fact, in the story "Hold On To Your Hat," a man does blow away, off his feet, off the busy street, to float above the city for a period of respite and self-reflection. Meno paints best in the color of tears and the kind of smile that trembles. His writing is so romantic it is almost revolutionary; so spare, it spares no one. "Bluebirds Used to Croon in the Choir" is cunning, wise, and hopeful, and most of all -- necessary.

-Claire

mystery/ adventure

Young Adult

Fans of Artemis Fowl will enjoy Eoin Colfer's "Half Moon Investigations"

12 year old Fletcher is a law abiding citizen who only breaks the rules to solve his cases! Can a private investigator's badge help him unravel the mystery while he's on the run from the local police (the " Guard" in Ireland), his family, and the hospital staff as well as his own family?

-Michael Redding