Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It

The only bad thing about reading a really great book is that it is difficult to find something to read after as most books seem flat. After trying and tossing a couple aside, I decided to pick up a collection of short stories.

I had to start a new label for collections of short stories as I tend to shy away from the genre. I have gone so far to say that I hate short stories (with the exception of those by Jhumpa Lahiri and Lorrie Moore). I picked up Maile Meloy's Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It because when I saw Ann Patchett last summer she said Meloy is probably her favorite writer and specifically mentioned this book. I couldn't resist the urge to read the favorite writer of one of my favorite writers.

I have to amend my statement on short stories as I realize how much I love them when they are well written. I enjoyed almost all of the stories (though I wasn't all that crazy about "Agustin") and there were a couple ("Lovely Rita," "Two-Step," and "The Girlfriend") that I especially liked. I will definitely be reading more of Meloy's work in the future and will put this new label to good use. It probably won't be too long before I venture in the genre again.