On "Kind of like You" by Tania Moore (4642 words) ***

Here's a painful story I know too much about and quite well identify with. Archie has a hard time working up the courage to ask girls out, wondering often what each action might mean. In this tale, he finds himself with a crush on a woman in his building, who unbelievably to him takes an interest in him. Originally published in Opium, you can still read the story here.

On "The Good Subject" by Karen Ashburner (264 words) ***

Short shorts are sometimes just nice descriptions or interesting ideas. But sometimes, those ideas take on a meaning that probably couldn't be conveyed with the same efficiency or effectiveness in a longer piece. Such is the case with Ashburner's "The Good Subject," which is about a regular person. Sure, lots of stories are about regular people, but the point here is that the story isn't the point, that there is no story. Read the story. Here. At Opium.