Erin Mcgraw Libri

“McGraw is wise and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny, with a seventh sense for the perfect turn of phrase . . . This quintessential collection of stories serves as an homage to the form while showcasing McGraw’s stunning talent and deep empathy for the idiosyncrasies, small joys, and despairs of human nature." ― Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed review) In Joy , narrators step out of themselves to explain their lives to us, sometimes defensively, sometimes regretfully, other times deceitfully. Voices include those of the impulsive first-time murderer, the depressed pet sitter, the assistant of Patsy Cline, the anxiety-riddled new mother, the aged rock-and-roller, the girlfriend of your husband―human beings often (incredibly) unaware of the turning points staring them in the face. "How can stories this brief be so satisfying? . . . [McGraw] deals with the profound, the dire, the mundane, and the ridiculous, paying particular attention to relationships between parents and children, siblings, spouses, criminals, and their victims. While some stories are meant purely to amuse, many are intense and beautiful . . . Fifty-three gems that demonstrate all the things a short story can do. Wow." ― Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

A radio talk show host's ratings soar, but her confidence falters when her sexy ex-husband unexpectedly becomes a regular caller; a man calls off his wedding when he thinks he has won $13 million in the lottery, only to discover the winning ticket was a practical joke; and in three related stories, "Lies of the Saints," we follow the tangles of piety and cynicism, the loves and deceptions of the Neill family over thirty years. These poignant, darkly funny stories interweave the extraordinary and the familiar to show us our lives as we should have seen them all along.

The story follows six college friends who launch an ice cream store with the hopeful motto "Better Food for a Better World." As they navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship, they confront the harsh realities of their dreams, revealing the complexities of idealism versus practicality. Their journey explores themes of friendship, ambition, and the unexpected obstacles that arise when trying to make a positive impact in a flawed world.