Summer Days and Summer Nights

by Stephanie Perkins

[Angie]

Summer Days & Summer Nights is a pretty good collection of stories. I did enjoy most of them, although for the most part they're forgettable. There were only two stand out stories for me: one which was completely horrendous and one that I absolutely adored. Several of these would work much better given more page time, as they feel rushed, jumpy, or underdeveloped. But all in all, it was a fun collection with a good mix of themes and tones.

★★★★☆ Head, Scales, Tongue, Tail by Leigh Bardugo

I needed this one to be longer! As a short, it felt a bit jumpy because it covers a couple of years. But I absolutely loved this premise! Two teens come together while searching for a lake monster, fall in love, and then....well, I won't spoil it!

★★★★☆ The End of Love by Nina LaCour

This was a super sweet F/F Romance with math! I love F/F Romance and math!

★★★★☆ Last Stand at the Cinegore by Libba Bray

Can this be a SyFy Channel movie, please? Everyone knows that taking your date to a horror movie is the key to a lasting relationship. Especially if that movie is cursed...

★★☆☆☆ Sick Pleasure by Francesca Lia Block

I don't even know what to think about this one. I was bored with it and didn't really get the point. It also doesn't really fit the theme of this collection at all, other than being set in the Summer (although it could have been any time).

★★☆☆☆ In Ninety Minutes, Turn North by Stephanie Perkins

I loved that this was a sequel to Marigold and North's story in My True My Love Gave to Me, but it was so boring. The ending was cute though.

★★★☆☆ Souvenirs by Tim Federle

I liked this one because it shows that break-ups don't have to be a big drama or the end of the world. But I was also bummed because it was about a break-up rather than a relationship starting.

★★★★☆ Inertia by Veronica Roth

This is one of my favorites, even though I think it barely fits the theme of this anthology at all (It's set in July, end). I loved that it started with friendship and the idea of "last visitation" was super interesting. Also it shows that it's okay, and GOOD, to seek help for depression.

★☆☆☆☆ Love is the Last Resort by Jon Skovron

While this is one of the more summery tales, it's also the worst. I was put off by the first paragraph, since it opens with the very annoying "This story isn't like the others" spiel. Then the dialogue was absolutely horrible, but I think it was suppose to be funny. Maybe. But the author was right. This story isn't like the others, since none of the others are terrible.

★★★☆☆ Good Luck and Farewell by Brandy Colbert

I liked this one, but I definitely would have liked it more if it were a full length book. There's a lot going on here.

★★☆☆☆ Brand New Attraction by Cassandra Clare

This was a most excellent premise: a carnival powered by a demon! But as a short, it didn't really work for me. It was so rushed and I needed more.

★★★☆☆ A Thousand Ways This Could All Go Wrong by Jennifer E. Smith

That was super sweet, but also needed more page time! I need an entire book of Annie and Griffin! Their story is not one that should be squeezed into so few pages.

★★★★★ The Map of Tiny Perfect Things by Lev Grossman

I loved this! It's the only story that works perfectly as a short story, but would also be utterly amazing as a full length novel. And I just love short time frames, even though this one technically spans quite a lot of time, it's technically only one day.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.