Abstract: Marcella had arrived with the magazine's photographer an hour early. Sallie had already shot two rolls of film. Only a small percentage of those photographs would make it to the finished article, but Marcella was leaving nothing to chance on this assignment. “Guess we’d better get seated. I wonder what the delay is? Hey, Sallie, you don’t suppose Lynne’s having second—”

A thundering blast of motorcycle exhaust drowned out her voice. Insult seethed in Marcella. This lovely wedding morning, assaulted by motorcycle noise pollution. How dare anyone. She stormed out to the front steps of the ancient stone church, Sallie following behind, and watched as a large black and smoke motorcycle roared into the church lot.

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By: Mark D’Anna
Reviewed by: Mona Lisa Safai
Publisher: Ex Machina Press, LLC
Pages: 204

Abstract: The stories in Big Brown Bag offer not just a world, but worlds. They are a little humorous, a little surreal, sometimes painful, but always hopeful. Here are 12 stories peopled by small boys who can't keep their arms and legs on; old men obsessed with dead celebrities; young men obsessed with themselves; war veterans deeply in love with ghosts; old ladies mildly in love with anonymous waiters; a pregnant woman who unexpectedly finds herself un-pregnant; and, of course, Santa Claus. Read more . . .

Review: Growing up in Cumberland, Rhode Island, I was always fascinated by the historical mysteries that this state held. As an undergraduate student studying American History, I learned many of the details about Rhode Island that I craved as a boy. But in all of my forty-six years, I’ve never been able to sate my desire to know more. Quite by chance last month, author and well-known media personality Glen Laxton dropped me a line, and in chatting back and forth, I learned of his and Paul Eno’s excellent book, Rhode Island: A Genial History. With my curiosity piqued, I was thrilled to return home from work shortly after we spoke to find a copy of A Genial History tucked inside my mailbox. Read more . . .