Some Holiday Suggestions from Monkeybicycle

At Monkeybicycle we love our contributors. Without them, obviously, we wouldn't exist. And that's why we're always happy to hear when someone who's had a story on our site or in one of our print issues has a new book published. Lately, this seems to be happening a lot, so it seems like a good time to acknowledge these folks and their work, and maybe give you some holiday gift ideas for the book lover on your list.

Feeding Strays by Stefanie Freele
Lost Horse Press, $16.95
This short story collection is jam-packed with tiny tales (there are 50 in there!) about people--both ugly and beautiful--and their relationships, told in wonderfully dark and funny ways. One of the stories in the collection, "Tinfoilers," which was originally published on the Monkeybicycle Web site, was selected for the Wigleaf top 50 [very] short fictions 2009.

What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us by Laura van den Berg
Dzanc Books, $16.95
As the Art Director at Dzanc Books, I've had the opportunity to read early versions of a lot of amazing books over the past few years. And one that really gripped me from the very beginning--and I subsequently barreled through in like two days--was the debut title from Laura van den Berg: What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us. This short story collection has quickly become a favorite of reviewers all over the place since its release last month, and deservedly so. The stories are filled with emotional and mythological monsters, and the vividly-captured people who wrestle with them. You're guaranteed to love this book.

Laura's story, "Photography," was included in Monkeybicycle6, and is available as a podcast here.

Sex Dungeon for Sale! by Patrick Wensink
Eraserhead Press, $9.95
This hilarious collection of short stories covers everything from a little boy who believes he's French, to James Brown's capes, to "Chicken Soup for the Kidnapper's Soul" and will definitely leave you satisfied. It's a quick read, and a fantastic effort for a first book. The title story can be found in the Monkeybicycle archives here.

Lost and Found by Meg Pokrass
elimae books, $5
This one is a late addition because I just discovered it. And even though I don't have my own copy yet, I can assure you that Lost and Found will not disappoint. Meg Pokrass is just one of those people who you know is going to do amazing work every time. Evidence of that can be found on the MB site, in the form of her story, "What the Doctor Ordered." Lost and Found is a collection of her works from the fantastic literary site, elimae. So, you can probably read all of the stories there, but it's much better to have them in book form. And it's only $5, so it'd be the perfect stocking stuffer.