he author’s debut, this is an amazing short story collection. If you like Jhumpa Lahiri (The Namesake, Interpreter of Maladies) this one should be on your list to read. ( )

I liked the vast majority of these stories, that never happens. Quietly surprising collection.

that of which we cannot speak, the only way out is through, good in a crisis, the laziest form of revelation, I knew you'd be lovely, we've got a great future behind us, double-blind, the far side of the moon, someday is today (9/13)

"I'm afraid that if I try to smile, I'll cry." ( )

So I'll just admit I'm a sucker for short stories. There's something about such small windows into life that gets me every time, and for a truly excellent writer, I always marvel at how they managed to pack so much character, so much feeling into a mere few pages. This is one of those collections.

Alethea Black is more in touch with the human soul than most. Almost every single story in this collection touched me to my core, even when it was Ms. Black's hilarity rather than her sadness. The stand outs for me: "That Of Which We Cannot Speak", "Good in a Crisis", "The Summer Before", "Mollusk Makes a Comeback", "Double-Blind" and of course, probably my favorite, "Someday is Today." Every one of these stories flutters with an originality and heartbeat all its own, whether it's Ms. Black explaining a gathering of nerds or the longing and desperation of a 20-something for a purpose.

I also enjoyed that the book felt tied together by a singular theme of characters trying to decide something large and possibly life altering, or looking back with hindsight on such a decision. I think it's hard sometimes to see those decisions when they're coming in your own life, and so it's always rewarding to see someone who has managed to confront those moments with such authenticity.

Read this book when you're sad to know that you're not alone. Read this book when you're happy to simply experience a few revelatory moments of the human experience. ( )

If every short story writer was able to write with such succinct intensity and blazing purity of message, I'd be a much bigger fan of the genre. At the very least, I am now a HUGE fan of debut author Alethea Black. There are thirteen stories in this amazingly slim volume, but the quality of reading experience for each and every one of them rivals many novels that are told in ten times the pages. She is able to use just a few words to convey a highly charged emotional setting, getting you completely invested in the characters within a couple of paragraphs. Frankly, I'm in awe of this collection, and cannot recommend it highly enough. I especially loved the author's notes section at the end of the book where she explains her inspiration for every story. I also think this would be a great read for a book club--there are an amazing number of issues covered in these stories should lead to some very lively discussions. ( )

As a child, my mother had given me a book of short stories written just for girls. The characters were ones I could identify with, making it a treasure that I read over and over. I carried it with me everywhere I went, and I shared it with my dearest and closest friends. I have not come across a book like that since...until now.

"I Knew You'd Be Lovely" is a collection of thirteen heartwarming and touching stories that one can easily identify with. They are real and so true to life; touching on subjects that will make you smile, stir up memories or tug at your heart. The characters are easy to get involved with. They reach out and grab you and hold on, even after the story is done. Because of this, I was not able to read story after story, but had to stop and mull over and savor each one.

This collection has made my favorites list and gained a spot in my personal library. I will be giving a copy to each of my dearest friends. Yes, to me it's just that good!

If you are looking for a good book for your book club, "I Knew You'd Be Lovely" would be a fantastic choice as the stories could easily spark some intense and in-depth discussions. ( )