1. "A Tale of Two Lives" by Steve Hands
It had been the best of times, now it may be one of the worst of times. Two proud cities, buoyant with success, about to be punctured, their self perceived aura of invincibility pierced beyond immediate repair. Discarded bust will force its way back through the crowds and remind the world that it is always never far away. Posturing boom will once more have self doubt.
2. After William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying" by Dolores Evans
Daryl is taken a load of wood to town today to try and sell. Daryl is the last one still to home, the others gone as soon as they could git. I'm hopin' that with the few dollars of egg money and that load of wood, it will add up to enough to git us there and back. It's not easy to sell wood in the middle of summer.
3. "Before the Burning Began" (Fahrenheit 451) by Janalma
It was the third week of the first semester, a Friday, and Montag was irritated. He looked out over the classroom. "Did anybody even read the assignment?" he asked, his voice barbed. Several students glanced up at him and smirked, while in the back two girls seemed unusually interested in what he had said, which meant they were texting on their cell phones.
4. "In Mahim Bay" (The Mill on the Floss) by Jason Langkamer-Smith
In Mahim bay, where the Mithi river pours forth its reeking polluted waters like bile from the demigods, indigenous Kolis row tarp-covered dinghies in search of a meager catch. Like specters who have not yet been granted passage from their pitiable lives, they are born along to the docks as the city towers over them in stark modern contrast, casting on the brackish water a great encumbered shadow.5. "The Princess and the Maid" (Emma) by Heléne van der Westhuizen
Emma became mistress of her father's house from an early age, after her elder sister got married and moved to Cape Town. She had only vague memories of her mother, who died when she was very little. At first, her father's unmarried sister came to live with them to help care for the girls, but later, their care was taken over by an excellent nanny, who showered them with all the love and affection a mother could ever have.6. For Whom the Bell Tolls (after Hemingway) by John L. Wagner
"The smell of pines from the Oregon forest sends me back to my boyhood," Jason Annea told her. "I loved those days, yet I hated the people I was with, my family. We were poor so poor food was nothing to leave even if it smelled bad or tasted terrible."
7. "Antonia and Her Family" (My Antonia) by Heather Youngdell
We saved every penny my family could muster in an old tin can. We travelled by jeep with a reckless driver, milking us for our precious old tin can with the only money we had saved. We arrived at the small two-plane airport a couple hours from Bohemia, sticky and dirty from the humid air and the flying dirt from our long journey.8. "Leaving Delight" (Remains of the Day) by Zoe Beech
Many of my colleagues have not understood my hesitation in leaving for a spell, but, and my intention is not in any way malignant, they have always seen the world through a completely different lens than I do. They have spouses and children who demand their time, attention and love; and happily I have been able to devote myself entirely to the fine customers of Double Delight Vacuum Cleaners.
9. "The Trumping of Bag End" (The Hobbit) by Scott Schiefelbein
It was not a nasty, dirty wet hole, nor a dry, bare, sandy hole. Nor was it a hobbit-hole, the previous owner having been evicted after Donald initiated eminent domain proceedings, thanks to a corrupt Shire commissioner. It was a Trump hole, and that means over-the-top, in-your-face, class.
10. "Adventures and Kids" (Huck & Finn) by Glenda Widger
"Huck, sometimes I think you're tetched. You can't catch no fish here. We'll just have to go ashore afterwhile and forage for food. You know. Berries and stuff. Now just be quiet and rest. It's been a tough morning." The boys fell silent once more and watched the sky, while trailing their hands in the murky water.