THE BEST AMERICAN NONREQUIRED READING 2003

This collection of short stories ranges from the humorous ("How to Write a Suspense Novel" by James Pinkerton) to the serious ("Stuff" by J.T. Leroy) to the oddball ("The Pretenders" by Chuck Klosterman). Many stories address issues and themes ideal for discussion, including racism, homelessness, addiction, and suburban foibles. Nearly all the stories are read by their creators. Actress Tatum O'Neal, however, gives an even, moving performance of the drug-addled heroine in "Stuff." The variety of both story and reader may be distracting to the novice listener but, taken as a whole, this is a solid production. J.M.S.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 04]