The nine short stories collected here, selected by our judge and panel of readers from a pool of over five hundred stories, admirably showcase the range, vitality, and distinction of the contemporary literary short story. Kimberly Willardson's winning story, Winter Memories of the Summer Bear, was chosen from the 2008 contest's nine ?nalists by our judge, Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Olen Butler.
The nine short stories collected here, selected by our judge and panel of readers from a pool of over five hundred stories, admirably showcase the ran...
Fiction. Named one of Kirkus Reviews' Best Fiction Books of 2014. Each of the characters in SCOUTING FOR THE REAPER faces an unanticipated challenge: transporting a truckload of penguins across the country, arranging a proper Jewish burial for the remains of Gregor Samsa, and selling tombstones dressed as a Girl Scout. These stories explore the domestic and professional adventures of people in over their heads, while leavening their struggles with humor.
"Jacob Appel's stories echo with secrets. There are the secrets we keep from those closest to us, of course. Our parents, our...
Fiction. Named one of Kirkus Reviews' Best Fiction Books of 2014. Each of the characters in SCOUTING FOR THE REAPER faces an unanticipated challenge: ...
Phoning Home is a collection of entertaining and thought-provoking essays featuring the author's quirky family, his Jewish heritage, and his New York City upbringing. Jacob M. Appel's recollections and insights, informed and filtered by his advanced degrees in medicine, law, and ethics, not only inspire nostalgic feelings but also offer insight into contemporary medical and ethical issues. At times sardonic and at others self-deprecating, Appel lays bare the most private aspects of his emotional life. We'd just visited my grandaunt in Miami Beach, the last time we would ever see her. I...
Phoning Home is a collection of entertaining and thought-provoking essays featuring the author's quirky family, his Jewish heritage, and his New York ...
Fiction. Named one of Kirkus Reviews' The Best Fiction Books of 2015. "Appel presents a cast of characters worthy of his quirky title. Among them Red Ziggy, a restaurateur from a distant planet who opens Birmingham, Alabama's only Latvian eatery, and Happy Gallows, a widower with granddaughter who advertises in the newspaper for 'housekeeping and discourse.' The topics are weighty abortion, climate change, cancer but the touch light enough to make you wonder whether you're reading miracles and conundrums of this world or some other. An intriguing read." George Harrar, author of Reunion at...
Fiction. Named one of Kirkus Reviews' The Best Fiction Books of 2015. "Appel presents a cast of characters worthy of his quirky title. Among them Red ...
