About the Book
-
Author:
- Aashna Avachat
- Genres:
- Anthology
- Contemporary
Cover Story: Middle School Art
The Best: ‘Shofar, So Good’, by Jake Maia Arlow
The Best: ‘Powder’, by Michael Waters
The Best: ‘Momo’s Epic Rescue’, by Boon Carmen
Bonus Factors: Diversity, College
Break Glass in Case Of: A Very Fluffy Read
Cover Story: Middle School Art
The art is not particularly impressive, and since I’m not sure which characters those are supposed to be, I feel no connection. I do love the moose mascot, though.
The Deal:
A dozen or so short stories that take place at the fictional Millbridge University (Go fighting Moose!). Each story is told by a different author, and takes place in a different month of the school year. The stories aren’t connected, but characters make cameos in other stories, and the campus is consistent. I’d love to eat at Aesop’s Cafe or have a coffee at The Last Drop.
The Best: ‘Shofar, So Good’, by Jake Maia Arlow
How does a Jewish kid describe to his conservative mother that they’d like to subscribe to a looser, more inclusive version of Judaism…and gender?
The Best: ‘Powder’, by Michael Waters
A college student meets the person of their dreams and gets up the courage to ask them to do their makeup. This story was confusing as hell, as we’re never told how the narrator identified before the makeover, so I had no idea if they were coming out as trans, or non-binary, or what. And was Ivy supposed to be their girlfriend? I guess not. But this was the only story in the book where the main character’s dream partner shows up and they don’t immediately fall in love and live happily ever after.
The Best: ‘Momo’s Epic Rescue’, by Boon Carmen
When Sophie’s roommate gets dumped via text, she’s only too happy to accompany her on a 500 mile road trip to rescue Momo, her favorite stuffed animal. And not, you know, to tell her roommate that maybe there’s someone else out there who’d treat her better.
Bonus Factor: Diversity
All the authors are Generation Z, and it certainly comes through in the writing. We get a nice variety of races, religions, sexualities, etc. Unfortunately, many of the authors just assume people are going to understand their cultural references. In ‘Rani’s Resolutions’, by Arushi Avachat, there were conversations in another language and references to Indian food that meant nothing to me. In ‘Momo’s Epic Rescue’, I went nuts trying to figure out where the narrator was from, my only clue being she was not used to driving on the right (it was Malaysia, but I had to look up the author’s bio to figure that out). This book would have been a great opportunity to educate readers on other cultures, but instead just left me feeling confused.
Bonus Factor: College
The authors really cover a lot of college issues: love, loss, breakups, hookups, fitting in, standing out, fear for the future, regret for the past, etc. Unfortunately, every one of these stories ends with the main character’s problems being solved, usually with the help of a hot new lover (I’ve noted the one exception above). It’s hard to have a good story arc in 20-30 pages. Some of these plots would have worked as novellas, but as they stand, they’re just fairy tales for new adults.
Break Glass in Case Of: A Very Fluffy Read
This isn’t isn’t a book that deals with the deep issues of college, such as drugs, suicide, or rape, nor is it a brainless description of sex and parties. If you want a quick pick me up, pick this up.
Literary Matchmaking
Fresh, by Margot Wood, also is a lighthearted take on the college experience.
The anthology Fresh Ink is another anthology book with diverse voices.
As is (Don’t) Call Me Crazy.
