20something

Isabella, Mary and Lauren are the central 20something characters in Jennifer Close’s debut book of linked short stories, Girls in White Dresses. Despite the title lifted from the lyrics of “My Favorite Things”  — the theme of a bridal shower the friends are forced to attend — the book shouldn’t be confused with the raunchy summer flick Bridesmaids or [...]

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Special delivery

I wrote a letter the other day, just a quick note to an old friend in Kansas recovering from a bump on the head. Told her I had had the strangest dream — and she was in it! And she was wearing the cutest red shoes. I added a few more lines, and then because [...]

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Good Ol’ Girls

It was one of those magic nights of words and music and laughter. I can close my eyes and I’m right back at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, listening to writer Lee Smith and songwriters Marshall Chapman and Matraca Berg play around with the beginnings of a musical based on Smith’s short stories and those of [...]

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Mountains of books

In case you haven’t heard, today is pub day for Matterhorn, a 598-page first novel from Marine veteran Karl Malantes. Despite the title, it’s not about the Swiss Alps but about the Vietnam War. The advance hype is almost irresistible, with impressive blurbs from distinguished writers, an amazing backstory (30 years in the writing), a [...]

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