booksbythecup's review against another edition
5.0
How do you feel about short stories? Are they a regular part of your reading or do you find that after you read them you feel like the story is incomplete?
I remember thinking in the past when I tried short stories they felt unfinished since I had become accustomed to reading a complete book. But there has been one author who had consistently made me feel right at home, like my grandmother or wise older auntie has sat me down and left me with a few lessons on life. Because her age and life experience exceed my own and she can tell a story like no one else, I pull up a chair, grab a pot of tea (well maybe a pitcher of sweet tea for her) and I hunker down for what I know will be another treasured and cherished moment in our relationship.
That, in a nutshell, is how I feel after reading J. California Cooper. Everytime. Although it's been several years since I've read one of her novels or collections of stories, it's like we haven't missed a beat. We are picking up where we left off and for the life of me, I can't figure out how I can review those feelings. It just doesn't seem possible. Overall, I didn't think I had much to say about a collection of short stories, but the feelings and emotions and the words, they just tumbled out. Reading JCC always makes me think of my dear friend who introduced me to this author many years ago. She was my best friend, more like a sister.
Full review here
https://booksbythecup.wordpress.com/2019/01/23/the-matter-is-life-short-stories/
That, in a nutshell, is how I feel after reading J. California Cooper. Everytime. Although it's been several years since I've read one of her novels or collections of stories, it's like we haven't missed a beat. We are picking up where we left off and for the life of me, I can't figure out how I can review those feelings. It just doesn't seem possible. Overall, I didn't think I had much to say about a collection of short stories, but the feelings and emotions and the words, they just tumbled out. Reading JCC always makes me think of my dear friend who introduced me to this author many years ago. She was my best friend, more like a sister.
Full review here
https://booksbythecup.wordpress.com/2019/01/23/the-matter-is-life-short-stories/
crabbygirl's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book young.. but it stayed with me
I think it was in the forward, something to the effect:
you can be dead in 5 minutes from a bad decision.
a penny piece of candy can choke your breath,
as a penny piece of lover can choke your heart
I wish I could find a copy of it
I think it was in the forward, something to the effect:
you can be dead in 5 minutes from a bad decision.
a penny piece of candy can choke your breath,
as a penny piece of lover can choke your heart
I wish I could find a copy of it
essencemichelle's review against another edition
4.0
I don't normally enjoy books with short stories, but I really enjoyed this one.
beverleefernandez's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic!! I enjoyed these stories because it's the perfect combination of simplicity & lesson(s) to learn.
berniemck's review against another edition
5.0
I have read a couple of this author’s writings and I have loved them all. This short storey collection was just as wonderful. The characters are so interesting and there is so much to digest in each storey. I recommend this book by J California Cooper.
salowlbooks's review
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
J. California Cooper has done a great job on this book. This is a short fiction stories which in tales 8 different titles about simple people who love too little and too late and about those who work and struggle against a difficult and often hostile environment. There was 3 stories that stands out for me ' Evergreen Grass,Vanity and No Lie' and throughout these stories it tends to have a strong importance about TIME.
All 8 stories was great and strong also right to the point. No matter what happen in life we have to deal with it in the best way we can.
This is a great book to read for the start of the new year.
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