• The Collected Stories by Amy Hempel -- this is without doubt one of the greatest collections I have ever read. Wonderful economy. Funny. Devastating. Every story I complete makes me put the book down and ponder.
• "Scarecrow's Bible by Martin Hyatt -- a debut novel that's got me hooked!
• "Ministry" by Kenan B. Osborne (yes, I'm a little overloaded on the Catholic books these days -- it's research.
• "Boys Like Us" edited by Patrick Merla -- This is a mixed bag of work, but I am interested in how gay writers present their personal experience on the page.

My most favorite recent reads were "Averno" by the poet Louise Gluck, "Bandit Letters" by Sarah Messer, and "Housekeeping" by Marilynne Robinson. Go to Amazon and buy them up!!!

To buy any of these books, click here.