Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Book Review: Out of Our Minds



 Out of Our Minds is a short story collection written by members of the North Texas Professional Writers Association. The authors are not out of their minds, but the stories are now out of their minds and in a book. There are 36 stories in this collection, so you'll find something for everyone.

There are sweet love stories, funny stories, stories that touch the heart and the mind. Some that will make you almost cry and some that will have you laughing out loud. There's murder, mayhem, romance, mystery, even poetry.

An Act of Mercy by Darrell D. Bartell was one that I especially liked. It has a great twist at the end.

Both A Matter of Taste by Charlotte Schreck Burns and The Excavation by Darrell D. Bartell made me laugh.

Broken Glass by LaNelle Pierce teaches forgiveness.

The Lifeline, also by LaNelle Pierce, made me want to cry.

These are only a few of the stories. I like short story anthologies because often I only have a few minutes to read at a time. With Out of Our Minds, I could read a story while taking a work break.

There is something for everyone. I liked all the stories.  I listed some of the stories here just to show that there's a wide variety.

Check out Out of Our Minds and be sure to read the author bios in the back.

Amazon  


I give Out Of Our Minds a rating of Hel-of-a-Group-of-Writers.
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Disclaimer: I was contacted by the North Texas Professional Writers Association about reviewing their anthology. Although I received the book for free, that in no way influenced my rating. As I said in the review, I like anthologies -- and this is a good one, IMO. Not only are there 36 stories, they're all different. I'm not sure, since I wasn't in on the creation of the book, but I'm assuming each writer could determine for themselves how their story fit the title of Our Of Our Minds. Having that kind of parameter means the reader gets a variety of topics, genres, characters, and plots. I'm sure some of you think I liked the book because of the title. You think Out of Our Minds is a book that totally fits me. Well, you're right. It not only fits me, it describes me.

17 comments:

  1. I'm like you--sometimes I only have time in a day to read a short story. So I've become a real fan of short stories over the years! Thanks for the review of this anthology.

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    1. Elizabeth, I don't know how you have time for anything outside of writing! You must be a whiz at multi-tasking.

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    2. I don't know how anyone with children can find time to write books!

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  2. Wonderful title! It fits me as well. ;)
    Thanks for reviewing it.

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    1. We can start a group of those Out Of Their Minds, Laura.

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  3. Replies
    1. And all this time, Alex, I thought you knew me.

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  4. A group of our local writers put together an anthology like this. It's a great idea to get some super stories published.

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    1. I used to be a book reader. I rarely read anthologies. I still, of course, read mysteries, women fiction, etc., but I discovered that I really like short stories.

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  5. I'm not much on reading short stories...or, I wasn't until I read the Corner Cafe. Based on how much I enjoyed that, I'll consider out of our minds. Thanks for the review.

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    1. Do you write short stories, Liza? If not, give it a go. They're really an art by themselves.

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    2. Liza, the BBT Cafe group is planning another collection - we enjoyed the Corner Cafe project that much. This one will be for Valentine's Day. Why not join us and give it a go?

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  6. It's great that their group could get their act together and do this. Takes a lot of coordination, but I think worth the collective effort. I'll have to check it out and support these local writers. Thanks

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    1. I totally agree Joanne. And the person in the group who does the editing and coordinating certainly deserves applause!

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  7. Clever title. Looks like some great contributions in there!

    Morgan Mandel
    http://www.facebook.com/morgansbooks

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  8. It does look good. Have you written about WHY you like anthologies at the BRP? Might be interesting.

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  9. Sounds like a hel of a group of writers indeed. I like the variety. I hear you on short work breaks seem to be facing those myself. :-)

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