August 3rd, 2011
The best book I was required to read in high school was The Sun Also Rises, although I didn’t know that at the time. How could I? I was 16. I had little responsibility and no expenses. My pining was biologic and urgent, yes, but it was also vague and temporary–or so it seemed.

InDigest magazine asked me — and a bunch of other people — about our favorite required reading. I picked The Sun Also Rises (although I cannot recommend it for teenagers.)

lit
required reading

PRAISE FOR
WHY THEY CRIED



"... demonstrates real insight into the way we live now."
 –The Rumpus

"Reminiscent of George Saunders and James Thurber, Why They Cried is a great collection of modern tales."
–Hannah Tinti, author of The Good Thief and co-founder of One Story

"Jim Hanas has a remarkable talent for imagining and crafting uncanny little worlds that make me vaguely nervous. And yet I never want to leave."
–Rob Walker, co-founder of Significant Objects

"A tender and smart assembly of fiction about people trying to communicate—with each other, the world—and all the ways they fail. Fail better, fail beautifully."
–Fiona Maazel, author of Last Last Chance

Jim Hanas is the author of the short story collection Why They Cried (Joyland eBooks/ECW Press) and director of audience development at HarperCollins Publishers.

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