American Literature

When someone compliments you, the usual response is gratitude and kind words in return. Not so with Mark Twain. When told that he spoke English very well Twain indicated he didn't speak English at all. He spoke American. This short story allows Twain the opportunity to explain the differences. As usual humor walks with Twain as he shares his thoughts.

Nelson Algren brings a deeply personal tone to his reading about Sophie, the doomed wife of card dealer and drug addict Frankie Machine, wanted for murder, as she waits futilely for him to return home.

Collecting two classic tales by the legendary O. Henry, All-American Stories presents a humorous, wry look at America and Americans from the Old West to the blinking lights of Broadway. "An Afternoon Miracle" tells the story of a Texas Ranger, a beautiful and a scurrilous outlaw who is wreaking havoc across the plains. And "The Song and the Sergeant" is a hilarious look at scene-stealing actors and lovesick playwrights.

For Saundra Smith, life is seemingly perfect. With a home of her own on the horizon, her teaching career set to begin soon, and a loving relationship with her longtime love, Langston, life couldn't be any more perfect...until she's blindsided by news that turns her perfect world upside down. Langston made a mistake - a costly mistake. As if cheating on Saundra wasn't devastating enough, he also confesses to having fathered a child with the other woman.

Jake has too many wild oats to sow to fall in love - or so he claims. Besides, he's much too busy with his band, the Wayward Sons, to go looking for romance. His reticence has nothing to do with his embarrassing crush on Chris, the band's lead singer and Jake's erstwhile best friend. But that was before enigmatic wanderer Parker McAvoy signed on as the band's new lead guitarist. He can only deny his attraction to sweet, dorky Parker for so long before the urge to do something about it becomes impossible to ignore.

Two years have passed since Grace Thompson left her home and her family in Houston. One of her three brothers, Peter, convinces her to return home for her cousin Jamie's wedding. Reluctantly she gives in. Things seems wonderful, and everyone is happy to see her. A few days after her arrival, news spreads that a serial killer is on the loose, and government officials believe it is the same individual who killed Clara, Grace's sister, years ago.

Gia Marie Giselli's boyfriend wanted to share her with his business partner, and she refused. She leaves New York the moment she gets a chance and heads to Houston, Texas. With the help of her cousin, Teddy, who's a detective there, she finds a new home and tries to put her past behind her.

This is the ideal collection for all lovers of first-rate erotic literature. Edited by Susie Bright, whom the Utne Reader calls "one of the leading thinkers and visionaries of our time", this fifth annual edition of a best-selling series brings together the most outstanding erotic writing of the year.