The best of short literary memoirs, essays and reflections, many of which were written expressly for this collection.

Brief Encounters expands the vibrant field of shorts-as these sharply focused pieces have come to be known-with nearly eighty new selections: representing an impressive range of voices, perspectives, sensibilities and forms. From the rant to the rave, the meditation to the polemic, the confession to the valediction, this collection will enlarge your world.