I have a dilemma.

I am a bibliophile.

Now, usually this is viewed in a positive light and rightly so. If you read, supposedly, you are well informed and self-motivated to learn. You know how to read texts in a deeper manner and you have the ability to visualize events that are not occurring right in front of you. As a result [...]

By Chris Campbell

Through the grimy windshield of his rusted-out Chevy Monte Carlo, Sam studies the entrance to the Rosedale Mall, trying to steel himself for the mission at hand. He wavers between going inside to get it over with and getting the hell out of there before someone recognizes him.

If that happens, he’ll be forced to enroll in one of those science-geek magnet programs where instead of homecoming and prom night, the student body rallies around the finals of the Upper Midwest Robot Skills Competition. He’d electrocute himself in the tub with three hairdryers if it came to that. [...]

By Arthur Slade

The 7-11 is empty, so I count the hairs on the third finger of my left hand. Forty-one. Forty-two. Forty-three. DING. The door swings open and Yvonne sashays in, her butt clad in blue jeans shorts, a tank top clutching her breasts. She doesn’t see me; she hasn’t really seen me for over a year. Her hair is blonde now. After my first glance I continue with my work. Forty-eight. Forty-nine[...]

My senior year in college, I worked as a barista/coffee slinger at Peet’s Coffee & Tea on Solano Avenue in Berkeley.  If I had class after a shift, I wafted into the room like a hot cup of joe.  Every shower I took smelled like a fresh brew.  Ironically, I didn’t drink coffee regularly back [...]