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Have You Heard This One Before
Have You Heard This One Before is a lively mix of short stories. Each tale jumps into a different mood, scene, or style, and the collection opens by proudly admitting that nothing links these stories except the author himself. You move from haunted lighthouses and eerie déjà vu to strange pumpkins with suspicious personalities and even a falling piano that changes a gambler’s life. The stories swing between mystery, humor, horror, sentiment, and quiet reflection, and they do it with a kind of carefree confidence that feels refreshing in a world obsessed with strict genres.
Reading it, I kept finding myself surprised at how quickly the tone could shift. One moment, I was following a family heading toward an old lighthouse in The Loop, and the next, I was inside a gambler’s mind as he dodged two thugs moments before a piano drops out of the sky in Surprise. The writing has a steady clarity, and the ideas land fast. Sometimes the twists feel sharp enough to make me sit back for a second. Other times, I felt a simple warmth, like the narrator in Surprise looking back on a messy young life with equal parts regret and humor.
I enjoyed the way the book leans into its own freedom. The author admits right in the foreword that he wasn’t sure who would read a genre-free collection, which almost made me root for the book before I even hit page one. That honesty softened me. Then the stories did the rest. Some ideas feel whimsical. Others dig into darker corners. A few made me laugh out loud because of how strange and blunt they were. I liked the looseness of it all. I liked that every story seemed to shrug at the idea of rules. Even when a moment made me uncomfortable or confused, I felt like the book wanted me to just ride the wave and trust it.
If you like stories that pick you up, spin you around, and drop you somewhere unexpected, this book will treat you well. Readers who crave strict genres might feel lost, yet readers who enjoy surprises, playful ideas, and quick bursts of emotion will have a good time. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys short stories that don’t mind being weird, heartfelt, eerie, or funny, sometimes all in the same breath.
Pages: 165 | ASIN : B0FXCKZB4W
I NEVER KNEW HOW OLD I WAS
David Joseph’s I Never Knew How Old I Was is a poignant and introspective collection of short stories that explores the complexities of human experience through a uniquely engaging narrative style. Joseph’s writing is marked by its lyrical, almost poetic quality and his ability to delve deep into the psyche of his characters. The stories are rich in metaphor and symbolism, often leaving the reader with lingering thoughts and emotions.
Character development is a strong suit of Joseph’s writing. He has a knack for creating characters that are relatable yet complex, allowing the reader to see parts of themselves in the stories. The characters are often depicted in moments of introspection or transformation, which adds depth and realism to the narrative. Joseph’s characters are not just figures in a story; they are living, breathing entities with whom the reader can empathize. The plot of each story in this collection is carefully crafted to not only entertain but also provoke thought. Joseph has a unique way of taking ordinary, everyday scenarios and infusing them with meaning and significance. His plots often revolve around themes of aging, self-discovery, and the human condition, making them universally relatable. The narrative flow is seamless, with each story building upon the last to create a cohesive whole.
I Never Knew How Old I Was is a masterful collection that showcases David Joseph’s exceptional talent in character development and storytelling. His writing style is both elegant and accessible, making this book a compelling read for anyone interested in exploring the depth of human experience.
Pages: 240 | ASIN : B0CRGLSZ7Z
LITERARY TITAN 