Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Aug 22

25

All the Rivers Flow into the Sea by Khanh Ha: Review

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on August 25, 2022
Posted in Book Tours • Books Read in 2022 • Literary Fiction • Short Story Collection • Vietnam  | Tagged With: , , , , | 1 Comment

All the Rivers Flow into the Sea by Khanh HaAll the Rivers Flow into the Sea and Other Stories by Khanh Ha

Publisher:  Eastover Press LLC (June 7, 2022)
Category: Short Stories, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Vietnam
Tour dates: July 25-August 31, 2022
ISBN:  978-1958094020
Available in Print and ebook, 208 pages

All the Rivers Flow into the Sea

Description All the Rivers Flow into the Sea by Khanh Ha


From Vietnam to America, this story collection, jewel-like, evocative, and layered, brings to readers a unique sense of love and passion alongside tragedy and darker themes of peril. The titular story features a love affair between an unlikely duo pushing against barely surmountable cultural barriers. In “The Yin-Yang Market,” magical realism and the beauty of innocence abounds in deep dark places, teeming with life and danger. “A Mute Girl’s Yarn” tells a magical coming-of-age story like sketches in a child’s fairy book.

Bringing together the damned, the unfit, the brave who succumb to the call of fate, All the Rivers Flow Into the Sea is a great journey where redemption and human goodness arise out of violence and beauty to become part of an essential mercy.

All the Rivers Flow into the Sea was selected as a winner of the 2021 EastOver Prize for Fiction and has received much advanced praise.

My Thoughts All the Rivers Flow into the Sea by Khanh Ha


Khanh Ha has released a new collection of short stories.  When Ha puts out a new novel or short story collection, it goes to the top of my list.  He has never disappointed and so is the case with this short story collection, ‘All Rivers Flow Into the Sea’!

Not all authors can write a good short story, it is a true art form an Ha has it.  I don’t give out 5-star reviews like candy however, every novel and short story collection of his had earned 5 stars, including this collection.

The stories are all about the people of Vietnam or the American soldiers who fought there.  They are all heart felt stories.  These are not stories that one ploughs through fast, they are to savor and contemplate.  I like to read one, put the book down and think. Many of these stories left me with my heart pounding with anxiety, like  the story about ‘The Woman-Child’. Cam live in a poor fishing village with her father.  Besides cooking for him, she has many other responsibilities like repairing his fishing nets every night. This is pain staking work but also becomes dangerous when a neighborhood drunk man appears and tries to rape her.  We learn this is not the first time. 

She has a new friend, a young Vietnamese-American man who is there working on his thesis about the environmental impact of shrimp farming.  This is a big problem in the country, much like Salmon farming is in North America.  He witnesses the attempted rape and asks Cam if she has told her father about it.  Her father basically shrugs it off and tells her to fight him off. Eventually the young man has to go back to the United States and hates leaving her.

I was delighted to hear the name Rossi again, that popped up in one of the stories about a U.S. man, Mr. Rossi, working as a diplomat towards the beginning of the Vietnam war. He was taking Vietnamese language lessons so he could better do his job.  Ha wrote an entire novel about Mrs. Rossi searching for the remains of her son, whom was an American solder fighting in the war.

I don’t want to giveaway to much from each story, you will have to read this collection for yourself. Be prepared for some sleepless nights contemplating some of these stories.  Also have some tissues available.  I am not trying to scare you off, ‘All Rivers Flow Into the Sea’ is a must read for literary fans!

Ha’s writing is mesmerizing and captivating. I completely forget my surroundings when I read his poetic prose.  I am transported to the places and people of whom he writes.  It is the closest thing to time travel one can experience. Highly recommended!

About Khanh HaAll the Rivers Flow into the Sea by Khanh Ha


Multi award winning author, Khanh Ha is the author of Flesh, The Demon Who Peddled Longing, and Mrs. Rossi’s Dream. He is a seven-time Pushcart nominee, finalist for the Mary McCarthy Prize, Many Voices Project, Prairie Schooner Book Prize, and The University of New Orleans Press Lab Prize. He is the recipient of the Sand Hills Prize for Best Fiction, the Robert Watson Literary Prize in Fiction, The Orison Anthology Award for Fiction, The James Knudsen Prize for Fiction, The C&R Press Fiction Prize, and The EastOver Fiction Prize.

Mrs. Rossi’s Dream was named Best New Book by Booklist and a 2019 Foreword Reviews INDIES Silver Winner and Bronze Winner. All the Rivers Flow into the Sea & Other Stories has already won the EastOver Fiction Prize.

Website: http://www.authorkhanhha.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KhanhHa69784776
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkhanhha

Giveaway All the Rivers Flow into the Sea by Khanh Ha


This giveaway is for 3 print copies and is open to the U.S. only. This giveaway ends on Aug 27, 2022 midnight, pacific time.  Entries accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Buy All the Rivers Flow into the Sea by Khanh Ha


Amazon
Barnes&Noble
IndieBound

Follow All the Rivers Flow into the Sea by Khanh Ha


Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus July 25 Kickoff & Guest Post

Gud Reader GoodReads July 26 Review

Lu Ann Rockin’ Book Reviews July 29 Review

Katy Amazon August 1 Review

Sal Bound 4 Escape August 4 Review

Denise D. Amazon August 10 Review

Laura Celticlady’s Reviews August 12 Review & Excerpt

Gracie Goodreads August 15 Review

Bee Book Pleasures August 16 Review

DT Chantel Amazon August 17 Review

Jas International Book Reviews August 18 Review

Serena Savvy Verse & Wit August 18 Guest Post

Linda Goodreads August 19 Review

Suzie M. My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews August 22 Review & Interview

Serena Savvy Verse & Wit August 23 Review

Betty Goodreads August 24 Review

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus August 25 Review

Nancy Reading avidly August 26 Review

All the Rivers Flow into the Sea by Khanh Ha

May 20

13

Benefits of Breathing by Christopher Meeks: Review

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on May 13, 2020
Posted in Book Tours • Books Read in 2020 • Short Story Collection  | Tagged With: , , , , | 4 Comments

Benefits of Breathing by Christopher MeeksThe Benefits of Breathing by Christopher Meeks


Publisher: White Whisker Books (May, 2020)
Category: Short Stories, Literary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Relationships
ISBN: Coming Soon
Tour Date: May-June, 2020
Available in: Print & ebook, 238 Pages
The Benefits of Breathing

Description Benefits of Breathing by Christopher Meeks


In The Benefits of Breathing, his third collection of short stories, Christopher Meeks dives again into the human condition, particularly within relationships.  As one reader wrote on Amazon, “Some authors need a lot of words to describe their worlds and their people. Christopher Meeks says a lot with a little.” The Los Angeles Times has called his stories “poignant and wise.”

In this volume, “A Dog Story” captures a crumbled marriage and the love of a dog named Scrappy. “Joni Paredes” shows the birth of a new relationship that starts at a daughter’s wedding. “Nestor by the Numbers” follows one man’s often hilarious online dating experiences after he finally accepts his wife is gone. “Jerry with a Twist” shows an actor on an audition while his pregnant girlfriend helps him through a crisis. These and seven other stories will bring you into the special world of Meeks.

As reviewer Grady Harp notes, if you’ve previously “discovered the idiosyncrasies of Meeks’ writing style and content, rest assured that this new collection not only will not disappoint, but also it will provide further proof that we have a superior writer of the genre in our presence.” Try this book. You’ll have a lot to think about.

My Thought Benefits of Breathing by Christopher Meeks


First I have to say that I am a huge fan of Christopher Meeks.  I have loved all of his short stories and novels.  So, when I heard he was publishing another short story collection, I jumped for joy!

‘The Benefits of Breathing are 11 short stories about love, romance, relationships, and divorce.  The way the stories are ordered made perfect sense and make the stories flow from one to the next very well and add to the enjoyment.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, Christopher Meeks is a master in the art of writing short stories. In short 11-20 pages, he is able to accomplish what most writers would need an entire novel to get their story across. He has done so with his trademark humor and quirky characters, as well as his keen observation of the human condition.

I love all 11 stories but if I was forced to pick a favorite ‘Joni Paredes’ would be it.  I could relate to this character so much.  She has a hard time making a commitment.  I was married at 20 and divorced two years later.  After that I dated a lot and even had a couple 4-6 months relationships but as soon as they guy started talk of moving in or marrying, that was it, I severed ties.  It wasn’t until I met my husband Bill at the age of 30 that I met my match.  We took it slow and lived together for a year before he even hinted at marriage.  It seemed the Joni finally met her match but she ended up running. I’m so glad I took a different path; it just took me awhile to trust myself and a man again. Were coming up to our 25th anniversary in June. Other favorite stories are ‘A Dog Story’ and ‘You Wreak Me Baby’.

If you don’t like short stories, I challenge you to read this collection! Short stories are special, in the hands of the right author. It is a true art form and Meeks always gets it right! Meeks comes out swinging from the first story! I cannot recommend this collection highly enough! I give it 5 stars.

I received the ebook for my honest opinion.

Awards and Recognition for Christopher Meeks


Book of the Year Bronze Award from ForeWord Reviews (2017): ‘The Chords of War’

ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Finalist award (2011)- ‘Love At Absolute Zero’

Three book critics’ Ten Best Books of 2011-‘Love At Absolute Zero’

Three book critics’ Ten Best Books of 2009- ‘The Brightest Moon of the Century’ 

About Christopher MeeksBenefits of Breathing by Christopher Meeks


Award winning author, Christopher Meeks has five novels and two collections of short fiction published. The Benefits of Breathing’ is his third collection of short stories.

He has had stories published in several literary journals, and they have been included in the collections “Months and Seasons” and “The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea.” Mr. Meeks has had three full-length plays mounted in Los Angeles, and one, “Who Lives?” had been nominated for five Ovation Awards, Los Angeles’ top theatre prize.

Mr. Meeks teaches English and fiction writing at Santa Monica College, and Children’s Literature at the Art Center College of Design. He lives in Pasadena, CA.

Website at: www.chrismeeks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christopher-Meeks-212382392140974/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christopher.meeks1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeeksChris

Buy Benefits of Breathing by Christopher Meeks


Amazon 

Giveaway Benefits of Breathing by Christopher Meeks


This giveaway is for the winner’s choice of print or ebook however, print is open to Canada and the U.S. only and ebook is available worldwide. There will be 3 winners. This giveaway ends June 27, 2020,midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow Benefits of Breathing by Christopher Meeks Tour


Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus May 4 Guest Post

Amy Locks, Hooks and Books May 5 Review & Excerpt

Angel Goodreads May 6 Review

Infantina The Periodical Gazette May 7 Review & Excerpt

David Goodreads May 8 Review

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus May 13 Review

Cremona Mythical Books May 14 Review

Lu Ann Rockin’ Book Reviews May 15 Review & Guest Post

From Isi May 18 Review

Dawn Bound4Escape May 21 Review

Bookgirl Goodreads May 22 Review

Jas International Book Promotion May 26 Review

Lisa’s Writopia May 27 Review

Lisa’s Writopia May 27 Guest Post

Gud Reader Goodreads May 28 Review

Penny Amazon May 29 Review

Kathleen Celticlady’s Reviews June 1 Guest Review    & Excerpt

Linda Lu Goodreads June 5 Review

Betty Toots Book Reviews June 8 Review & Interview

Dee Donadees Corner June 12  Review

Lisa Goodreads June 19 Review

Lillie Amazon June 22 Review

Mindy Room Without Books is Empty June 26 Review
Benefits of Breathing by Christopher Meeks

Feb 19

11

Love Can Be: A Literary Collection About Our Animals: Review

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on February 11, 2019
Posted in Animals • Books Read In 2019 • Short Storry Collections Read in 2019 • Short Story Collection  | Tagged With: , , , | 1 Comment

Love Can Be: A Literary Collection About Our Animals, edited by Louisa McCune and Teresa MillerLove Can Be: A Literary Collection About Our Animals- edited by Louisa McCune, Teresa Miller

“Love can be, and sure enough is, moving in all things, in all places, in all forms of life at the same snap of your finger.”—Woody Guthrie

Oklahoma native Woody Guthrie said it first and best. This new anthology of poems and prose, Love Can Be: A Literary Collection About Our Animals, is proof of what love can be, as thirty acclaimed authors join together to champion life in all its forms. This is their gift to the world, not just the artistry of their words, but their vision of an extended community that includes cats, birds, frogs, butterflies, bears, dogs, raccoons, horses—a full-out menagerie of being that enriches us all.

This broad-hearted vision comes with responsibility, and that responsibility speaks to the mission of the Kirkpatrick Foundation, publisher of the book. The Kirkpatrick Foundation will donate all net proceeds of sales of this volume to animal charities in Oklahoma as well as honoraria donated to the contributors’ selected animal charities.

Authors featured in the collection are Julia Alvarez, Blake Bailey, Rick Bass, P. C. Cast, Wayne Coyne, Kim Doner, Delia Ephron, Reyna Grande, Joy Harjo, Amy Hempel, Juan Felipe Herrera, S. E. Hinton, Brandon Hobson, Dean Koontz, Ursula K. Le Guin, Jill McCorkle, Teresa Miller, N. Scott Momaday, Joyce Carol Oates, Susan Orlean, Ron Padgett, Elise Paschen, Diane Rehm, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Wade Rouse, Alexander McCall Smith, Lalita Tademy, Clifton Taulbert, Michael Wallis, and Mary Logan Wolf.

Special contributions include:
* “The Cat,” one of the final original poems by the legendary Ursula K. Le Guin.
* A memorial tribute to Sudan, the last male white rhino, by former U.S. poet laureate Juan Felipe Herrera.
* An essay by noted novelist Alexander McCall Smith, who celebrates the whimsical link between baboons and opera.
* An essay on love, grief, and resilience by Peabody Award–winning journalist Diane Rehm.
* A classic, “Jubilate,” by Joyce Carol Oates.

My Thoughts Love Can Be: A Literary Collection About Our Animals

When I was offered a copy of this book review I of course, accepted.  Everyone knows about my love for animals. At first I thought it was a collection of stories about the contributing authors pets however, there are also stories about encounters with wild animals as well.  There are a great variety of animals written about which makes this book more exciting.  I have to say however, that I found a few of the stories just plain boring.  That said, I did enjoy most of the stories and there were quite a few that had me in tears.

‘Love Can Be’ is dedicated in memory of Joan Kirkpatrick, an Oklahoma animal advocate and daughter of the founders of the Kirkpatrick Foundation. She passed away in 2009 but the foundation is still going strong.  The processed for this book will go to animal rescue organizations in Oklahoma and other animal related organizations.  There are a lot of pets and wildlife in need so be sure to pick up a copy of this book and donate to your favorite animal welfare organizations, if you can.

4/5

I received the ebook for my honest review.

Next Page »