No One Belongs Here More Than You: Stories

At first I wasn't vibbing with this book but I ended up enjoying it a lot, particularly the longer stories. I recommend checking warnings online because there are mentions of triggering topics, but nothing graphic. About the condition of the book, I chose acceptable and the outside was kind of banged up, but the inside was pretty nice. A great story collection to get back into reading books after years of only reading fanfics on AO3.

I was originally was gonna give this book a 4/5 stars, as I like most of the stories from the unique and bizarreness of the stories that are in it but dropped due of unaware that every single one of them are very suggestive, not really much a problem about like a story or two but, it's like every single of them.

This might not be your best introduction to Miranda July. I'd suggest watching her movie Me and You and Everyone We Know first. If its brand of shocking yet sweet-hearted humor isn't your cup of tea, don't pick up this book. If, on the other hand, you love the film, think of this book as a must-read sequel. Her distinctive voice is as loud and clear as it could be here. I enjoyed every one of these 16 charming and hilarious pieces, laughing on every page and smiling on every paragraph. A typical excerpt: "If you are sad, ask yourself why you are sad. Then pick up the phone and call someone and tell him or her the answer to the question. If you don't know, call the operator and tell him or her. Most people don't know that the operator has to listen, it is the law."

These are among the most accessable stories with literary merit I have ever read. Actually, that does not say enough--allow me to revise the former statement: These stories are among the most relevant stories in contemporary literature I've ever read. They are also among the most accessible stories I've ever read. Miranda July cites her acting history as a guide for capturing the voices of characters who vary in age from approximately 5 to 60. From a woman in her early thirties, both ends of this spectrum are far-reaching. You will laugh, you will cry, you will laugh out-loud publicly if you are in public, you will cry because you're already sad that eventually you will finish the book and it's the only thing she's written so far (except for one ultra-recent story called "Roy Spivey," which appeared in the New Yorker in that perhaps you could locate online or back-order the issue to read). July is one of the most intimate writers you will read. This book makes an excellent gift. I have already given it to several people in all walks of life and heard positive reviews from all. TEACHERS of creative writing/american literature/composition: Many of the stories in this book would be enjoyable and easy to teach with as they engage on many different levels. The first story in the collection, for instance, is unexpectedly interrupted by bizarre italicized advice (as one would see in a magazine). It is never addressed directly, however, at the end of the story the reader realizes their purpose and it becomes a vital and poweful ending (apologies if this is too vague--I am trying not to spoil). The story is hilarious, emotional, and written in a totally unconventional manner that opens it to analysis in a larger, cultural light. Point of View and Voice are handled with the utmost authenticity throughout the collection, but an excellent story for teaching either is the last story, "How to Tell Stories to Children."

I picked this collection up with possibly the lowest expectation of the quality probably because where I got the info and how I got interested in it: I thought this was another chick lit and it unfolded something the least of it. In a good sense, of course. This was an arresting read. The initial paragraph of the very first one "The Shared Patio" was enough to know that it would be so, and actually the whole collection was amazingly good and I do not know what to say for my preconception of chicklit. The author's got a couple of good features as a writer such as keen observation, intelligence and right choice of words. Another indispensable quality of good short stories like 'effective sequence of logic' and/or unpredictable development are also equipped, so what can you really say?

Miranda July has a perfect eye for the beautiful and the humanity we all share; that each of us own. Each of these stories illustrates how we are all together on this planet for a very particular reason. They will make you feel connected, alone, afraid, elated, sad, silly, sick, and excited to live. I recommend buying it and savoring each word.

The Barnes & Noble I went to only seemed to carry the one with the Pink cover, but that's all right; it's the one I wanted. It was the morning of May 13th when I bought it, which is two days earlier than what the internet tells me is its release date. Did they sell it to me early? Can't be sure. If so, hooray for me. I proceeded to read all the stories in the book within the next 24 hours. I obviously liked them a lot, seeing as I rated the collection with a five out of five. My favorites were The Shared Patio, Something That Needs Nothing, and How to Tell Stories to Children. I was just left wishing all the stories were longer. Each of these works could have been novel-length, and I would mind a bit. When reading them, I wanted to know so much more than what little was offered about each character. I imagine there isn't a better thing to say about a writer's stories than "I wish they were longer." If you need a warm invitation to check this book out, I recommend visiting its website, which you can reach if you type all the words in the title (minus spaces) into a browser, surrounded by "www." and ".com". By the end of your time there, I can say with some confidence that you'll probably know whether or not the book will be something you'd be interested in. If you've seen and appreciated Ms. July's film, Me and You and Everyone We Know, then this book is something you're probably already going to purchase. If you haven't seen this film, I heavily heavily heavily urge you to do so. But yes. The book. Go; read it; smile.