Recommended by Paul Donnelly

The end of the GenX world comes not with a bang, but a whimper. But after that whimper new horrors grow with which the generation feels ill-equipped to cope. This is a stunning reflection on loss and betrayal and the pain of being unmoored.

Divine madness courses through the saga of Marston Moore's untimely demise. The usual heavenly suspects (God, St. Peter) are novely rendered and add to the general tone of sublime lunacy.

What starts out seeming a moving character study becomes something richer and deeper as a startling bit of misdirection is revealed. We are left to wonder when we are sharing Eddie's delusions and when we are experiencing what is real. This is a finely crafted and gripping work.

Painfully funny. Intentionally painful and riotously funny. This clever piece will entertain the young and the young at heart alike.

This conversation that juxtaposes poets and semioticists and includes a discussion of the fallibility (or infallibility) of opinions is a real hoot. To the question of whether or not Flannery will come back for more, let me say I hope so and I hope that we will be privy to it.

The Shoebill Stork tries to offer wisdom, but Dr. Bill is too dense to hear it. This is a riotous comedy filled with witty lines and delicious revelation of character and possessed of a most satisfying ending.

There is something especially captivating about a murder mystery in which every suspect has a reason to want the loathsome victim dead. The complex dynamics of several families come into play as histories are explored. I can't help but wonder what the imminent arrival of the police has instore for the innocent suspect left standing. This is a compelling and highly theatrical mystery thriller.

What a lovely portrait of two old friends reconnecting and then growing their relationship through an exchange of letters. All four characters are vividly drawn and sympathetic and the evolution of the correspondence has a natural build. The ending is a most heartening affirmation of the power of love.

An encounter with the spirit of his dead lover leads Alec to attempt to return to the world. Bursts of unexpected humor leaven this thoughtful and moving exploration of grieving a sudden and shocking loss.

A moving and finely wrought one-minute revelation of what truly terrifies a child. The monster's entrance is quite humorous, the child's response is chilling. So much is said and unsaid in such a short time.