The Simplest of Acts and Other Short Stories by Melanie Haney

Although I am not a big fan of short stories - Melanie Haney’s The Simplest of Acts and Other Short Stories was quite a treat.

The book holds a total of 11 stories and it is 102 pages short - so it was a quick read for me. Each story draws you in and you become immersed to the point where you feel each characters, love, loss, woe, pain, despair, happiness and hope. The stories were beautifully written and although there is an underlying thread of loss it was not something that I felt overwhelmed with, instead I felt a spark of hope as each story neared its end. All these stories underscore how humans can adapt to their situation and learn to survive. Good things can happen. But don't count on that to be the norm.

If I had to choose a favorite, I would choose An Ordinary Evening. This poignant story gripped me to where long after I put down the book I was still thinking about it. It’s so heartfelt, emotional, raw. It was beautiful. Some other favorites where Only in Bellington, The Simplest of Acts and Milk. Although the other stories were just as enjoyable.

I loved Ms. Haney’s prose - her ability to create feelings and imagery made me feel as if I was there taking a glimpse into her characters lives. Her stories moved me to tears at times, yet through it all, I felt that though my time with each story was ending, their journey was just beginning. An excellent first book for Melanie Haney. I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.