Games and Rituals is a collection of short stories. I really enjoyed them! Katherine Heiny is a talented author, and dives into many unique life experiences with an objective lens, and elevates everyday experiences with enviable creativity.

The cover is so pretty also! I’d enjoy having this book on my coffee table while working my way through the short stories. It would also be a neat book to have in a guest room. 

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this lovely story told from the voice of Julia, a young 37 year old who had recently passed away, but gets to hang out at Fire Island this one last summer in the state of the in-between. I thought the story would be too sad for a summer read, but it wasn’t; this book was so well done. The setting on Fire Island was summery and beachy, and the community of characters were endearing, especially Ben, Julia’s grieving husband. There were some good laughs, and I also liked learning more about Jewish death custom and philosophy. It’s a story of love, and how a familiar place and those around can be a support in the most difficult of times.