By Raymond Carver

I’m a bit embarrassed to say that this was the first time I’ve read Carver, and I was hooked after the first page.

Named as one of America’s most influential short-story writers, Carver delivers the most authentic writing about ordinary everyday people and the complexities of their lives.

I was introduced to this book through Haruki Murakami’s book of a similar name, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, which I also loved.

Murakami is an admirer of Carver and translated a lot of his work into Japanese.

Although the subject matter of the two books is very different, there is a familiar minimalism in both authors writing.

If you like short fiction and authentic, yet economical prose this is a must-read.