short stories – vignettes that point out all the inherent contradictions in the complex world of love and dating (For example: 3. “You’re not like other girls,'” he said to every girl.) I started in sketch comedy, and that’s not what I’m doing anymore. I don’t want my short stories to feel like a comedy sketch. I try to find in all of [my stories], what is the emotional hook? What is this story actually about? What is this character going through? The Average of All Possible Things – when an average girl with an average life and an average job has a rough breakup, but admitting things aren’t quite average is a little too hard

Ahead of his book’s June release, The Atlantic spoke with Bob-Waksberg about the book, writing across different formats, and the role art plays in shaping expectations about love and romance. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. this is dinner happening. this is the story that started turning it around for me. fun fact: i don't usually love dog-voiced stories, but this one made me smile and got me all soft in the heart. in a book filled with love stories, this one--about the waxing and waning of a human romance seen through the fuzzy filter of doggy-understanding -- this is the one that got me a little choked up. Up-and-Comers – superheroes in a band, lots of drinking, dysfunctional friendships, poor relationship choices…in other words, a bizarre and fascinating story that takes a totally absurd premise to explore a wide variety of important ideasIn “Salted Circus Cashews, Swear to God,” a woman goes on a first date with a man. The date goes well, but then the man gives the woman a can of cashews. The long label on the can makes many unconvincing claims that it is not actually a prank filled with spring-loaded rubber snakes. The stories are very moving and true to today’s society. As your grandma, I hope you sell a million copies of this book. I’m so proud of my little Raphi.”

Better question: What happened to our society to make it so we view damaged things as somehow incomplete?” Floor, Retail Center, CRC Tower, All Seasons Place, No.87/2 ,129A, Wireless Road, Lumpini, Patumwan, Bangkok 10320

Success!

But now I feel known and I feel loved. So I would like to think that future books I write will be able to maintain a little bit of everything. I’ve allowed myself to change and write in ways that reflect how I feel about things now. Some of the stories in this book I could not write now, so I’m happy to have this record of them. and so much more! The rest of this review, for the sake of my sanity and yours alike, will be a rundown of the individual stories, followed by a lengthy section of my favorite quotes from the book, because I flagged quite a few of them, and I think they might give you a better idea of what actually happens in this one. With all that said…let’s go. Salted Circus Cashews, Swear to God – a short but oddly brilliant reflection on the difficulty and complexity of trusting someone when entering a new relationship…told through the metaphor of a can of cashews that may or may not have a spring-snake-toy inside. This was a perfect start to the collection and basically dissolved any uncertainty I felt about whether this would be a good read. It turns out making an asshole a president just means you end up with an asshole president. Probably could’ve guessed that–being president doesn’t change you, not really; it just brings out more of the you that you already are.”

Bob-Waksberg manages to balance his ironic humor with a deep sincerity that continues to surprise and delight. . . . [These stories] do that mysterious thing that good art can do: make your heart clench with feeling, your eyes fill with tears, your lips twitch toward a smile or all three at once.” Lunch with the Person Who Dumped You” lists hypothetical scenarios between two people who used to date. In all of the scenarios, there is the sense of lingering tension between the two people.

More of the You That You Already Are” follows an unnamed narrator who works at a U.S. president-themed amusement park. He does not like the job, but he needs the income to help support his sister, who is undergoing cancer treatment. One day, the park introduces a new attraction: a genetic homunculus that is a combination of the first ten U.S. presidents. After genetic being escapes, it is possible that the park will close down. The narrator’s only solace is that he will look for another job to help support his sister. Missed Connection–m4w – a trippy, sad sort of story about hesitating to act and the possible painful results thereof

I remember one time I asked Iris if she was afraid to die. This was when we were trapped in the Man-Pig Pit of Dimension K and it really looked like we might not make it home. Iris said, afraid or not, it didn't really matter. That the thing about death is that it's terrifying and overwhelming and it can happen at any moment. And when we're confronted with death we can either be cowardly or we can be brave, but either way we're going to die, so...Floor, Room No. plz.2shp029b Future Park Rangsit, 94 Paholyothin Rd., Prachathipat, Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani 12130