Harmony's Songs and Other Stories
Carl Wooton
I first came across Carl Wooton's writings when he submitted a story to Blue Lake Review. The story, "A Wide Day," which is included in this collection, was a multilayered story of family relations and generations that was both sad and enlightening, and reflective of life, universally relatable, highlighting family dissonance, strife, and dysfunction. Beautifully written, sad, and begging reflection of one's own life at the same time.
The collection has a number of stories following the protagonist, Mark Rambler, from childhood to adulthood, and shows the changing family relationships.
This is an undiscovered gem of a book and one you should check out.
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Once I started reading the book I was saddened to find out that Mr. Wooton passed away in 2019. So, we've lost a great storyteller. It's time to rediscover his words.
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Here's the link to his book on Amazon.
Poor Advice and Other Stories
Lou Gaglia
In Poor Advice and Other Stories, Lou Gaglia puts the entertainment back in literary fiction. Many of his characters seem laughable and misguided in their fumbling ways, but the reader will come to love them for their heart-warming innocence. You will laugh, you will cry, but mostly you will go away remembering his vivid characters, his spot on dialogue, and his varying modes of conveying the stories in this unique collection, all of which reflect the talents of an outstanding fiction writer. Lou is another writer who has contributed to Blue Lake Review and we were happy to feature his work. Here's the link for his book on Amazon. And check out his other great story collection, Sure Things and Last Chances.