THE DREAM LIFE OF ASTRONAUTS by Patrick Ryan

A suggestion from one paragrapher about a work from another former paragrapher. Patrick Ryan’s writing style is subtle and addicting. The characters are all flawed in the best ways. The picture he paints of Cape Canaveral is authentic, while also feeling universal if that is even possible. There’s something fascinating about American suburbs that I am always a sucker for and Ryan uncovers characters that defied my expectations. Favorites in this collection are “The Dream Life of Astronauts,” “The Way She Handles,” and “Miss America.”