American Salvage: Stories
By Bonnie Jo Campbell

This is a moving collection of stories about people who are tired and overwhelmed by the circumstances of their lives and their labor-intensive relationships, but who keep trying. There are some really great last sentences that hit you like a punch.

Girl Trouble: Stories
By Holly Goddard Jones

Born and raised in western Kentucky, Jones writes insightful stories about coming of age as a working-class girl in the South.

Do Not Deny Me: Stories
By Jean Thompson

A favorite of David Sedaris, Jean Thompson excels at portraying self-deluding characters who tell you much more about themselves than they mean to.

-Beth