I loved the witty short stories in this book. They show a more thorough and less sentimental look at past relationships. Some stories were better than others, but one thing is certain: you will see yourself in more than just one of the stories. If you enjoy reading about relationships as much as I do, you'd love this!

I began reading this book with low expectations. A number of the contributors were unknown to me, nearly half of the stories have been published before elsewhere, and "failed love" seems like such a tired theme. But after reading a few stories (specifically, by the time I finished Maggie Estep's story) I was quite impressed. It's fascinating to read these stories in sequence, to perceive the similarities. No matter how different the setting, it seems there are certain elements of tone and mood that persist from one story to the next.

My favorites were the clever, evocative pieces by Junot Diaz, Susan Perabo, and the previously unknown-to-me Evany Thomas. The book contains quite a few other gems as well, in addition to just a few failures--notably Paulina Borsook's flabby story, which for some reason is allowed not only to run 20 pages but then to leave off in the middle, to be continued online at the publisher's web site.

The editor, also-unknown Blake Ferris (pseudonym?), has for the most part chosen excellent stories, but apparently neglected to copyedit them: the book is littered with typographical and layout errors, enough to bother even such a hardcore non-perfectionist as myself. Hopefully these will be corrected in a second printing.

But despite these shortcomings, the book's marvelous, emotional moments and revelatory humor make it well worth owning, reading, and rereading. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I couldn't stop reading...what a delicious collection of stories! I am so tired of sappy writing about love, how refreshing it was to read these smart reflections. Erotic, hopeful, sad, beautiful, wistful, happy--all tumbled into a tangle of stories connected by a theme with a twist and the keen perceptions of this talented group of writers. I am left hungry for more...

Bravo to Katherine L. Hester.

"Eggs for Young America" reminds me again why I so enjoy reading quality short fiction. Not only does she nail down thought mentalities from the modern South... she brings the scenes in her stories alive with vivid descriptions of detail. Her characters draw you in, her scenes show you around, and the plots force you to empathize with the main characters. After each story you end up thinking, "I know someone like that."

Think: a chatty Flannery O'Conner without the gore.

I can't wait to read what Katherine Hester writes next.

This is a very moving, understated collection of stories reflecting working class lives. Hester chillingly portrays the despondence, angst, lethargy, fantasy of escape, and tragic waste inherent in many blue or no collar lives. A melancholy, but profound set of stories which describe the typically "invisible" lumpen proletariat.

Great book. The author's range is phenomenal, with memorable, real characters of different ages and walks of life. Although Hester is a woman, she is very effective at presenting situations from the point of view from both her male and female characters. Her stories made me think and I enjoyed discussing them with my friends. I'm looking forward to Ms. Hester's next book!