Monica Never Shuts Up by A.S. King

Rating: 4 out 5 stars

A dozen stories for adults featuring a mouthful of lottery tickets, a giant cow, two yachts, a six-pack of Fresca, and Monica, who never shuts up. When Liz and Reg find their dream house, they don’t expect to find Lois and her magical Fresca. Same as Deirdre doesn’t expect to find what she finds in the trash bin. Debra can’t help but send pieces of herself to her ex-husband same as Jim can’t help thinking about the pieces of men that are taken without permission. Award-winning author A.S. King shares her short fiction including the Best New American Voices-nominated title track, “Monica Never Shuts Up” and keeps us thinking, exploring, and laughing all at the same time.

I've been a big fan of A.S. King since I read Everybody Sees the Ants. Her writing is powerful and really funny at the same time. Monica Never Shuts Up was a bit different from her other books. This was an anthology for adults. I thought I wasn't going to like this one because I’m used to her YA voice but I was wrong. I think A.S. King can write about the most boring subject in the world and I’m going to love it.

I loved every single short story but there were I few that I couldn't help but adore. There was Monica Never Shuts Up, this one is the first short story in the book and my absolute favorite. From the first sentence Sadie had me rolling on the floor with her humorous rants. Her brother’s girlfriend (Monica) literately NEVER shuts up! Here’s one of my favorite quotes:  

“So, apparently my brother is unaware that he is screwing an emotional ten-year-old. No one has told him that he is now a brain-pedophile.”

Here’s another one:

FYI Monica is “allergic” to mushrooms.

“Six months later. We’re eating dinner at my place. I have laced every course with hidden mushrooms. She still won’t die” 

I would love for A.S. King to write a book with Sadie as the main character because she was hilarious. 

Then there was “Butcher” which was a little bit disturbing. Also “River 16”, this one made me cry my eyes out. There’s something for everybody in this book. If you are a fan of King or you are just a fan of awesome books then Monica Never Shuts Up is for you. 

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