In her latest collection of stories, Susan Minot rages artfully against distraction of political and other varieties. . The stories are as sharp and elliptical as the sentences. If you've been a fan since way back (Lust & Other Stories), this one won't disappoint.

Minot’s tales embrace a number of themes and styles, all interlinked by a weaving of emotional intensity, playfulness and sharp observation. Some of the standout stories include Occupied, where an artist leaves her studio and cycles through Manhattan to relieve her babysitter, whereby her interaction with a group of Occupy protesters leads her to reflect on her missing lover. Another one, Green Glass” involves two young lovers consumed by jealousy, whereas “The Torch,” is an unsettling tale about a woman on her deathbed.

The 10-story collection involves some themes that are recurring—broken relationships, love, and loss. Most stories are about mostly white, upper-middle-class, cis-gendered people, and while the outliers -- “hookers”, “the insane”, trans women-- make appearances they are mostly stray references. This collection reinforces Minot’s fluidity and talent at telling women’s stories.

A cool collection of stories (and excuses). Not what I really expected but not in a bad way. I need to find more books like this!

A disconnected collection of ten short fictional pieces, all spare, minimalistic, the titular piece was a stand out for me. As I read the collection over the last couple of weeks, I realised I like my short stories to be of a particular kind, I do not enjoy mawkishness, the abrupt ends, but I also do enjoy a little bit show, some extra skin here and there —- peeking, teasing, letting me in, but not entirely indulging. Just a little bit, toeing the line, never crashing. But then I thought, do I expect short fiction writers to be funambulists? Thanks to @penguinrandomhouse and #NetGalley for the advanced readers copy I am not sure I enjoyed this fully but there were some interesting moments, a longer review to come, hopefully soon.

Minot's short story collection "Why I don't write" is definitely engrossing and absolutely enjoyable, the prose is simple yet unique and the themes explored feel personal and universal; a true page-turner.

So happy that Susan Minot after thrifty years absent from writing is back.Each story drew me in involved me had me turning the pages.Short stories that grabbed me page after page.Characters that engage involve us in their lives.Highly recommend.#netgalley#knopfdoubleday