Other People We Married

Emma Straub's debut story collection contains ten narratives focused on relationships, belonging, and identity. The stories follow characters at various life stages as they navigate marriage, friendship, family ties, and personal transitions. The collection moves between settings in New York City, small towns, and vacation destinations. Characters include newlyweds, longtime couples, single people seeking connection, and individuals grappling with major life changes. The stories explore universal experiences of human connection and disconnection through precise observations of everyday moments. Straub's writing examines how people define themselves through their relationships with others, and how those definitions shift over time.

Readers describe the stories as intimate character studies with subtle emotional shifts rather than dramatic plot points. The writing style draws frequent comparisons to Alice Munro and Lorrie Moore. Readers appreciated: - Complex female friendships and family dynamics - Natural dialogue and authentic relationship portrayals - Stories that reveal character through small moments - The blend of humor with melancholy Common criticisms: - Several stories feel unresolved or end abruptly - Characters can come across as privileged and self-absorbed - Some readers found the pacing too slow - Similar themes and character types repeat across stories Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (48 ratings) "The stories have a way of sneaking up on you emotionally," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Another commented that "the collection feels uneven - brilliant in spots but frustrating in others." Multiple reviews mentioned the authentic portrayal of modern relationships as a strength while citing the limited plot movement as a weakness.

Birds of America by Lorrie Moore Stories of characters confronting relationships, loss, and identity through interconnected moments in contemporary American life.

You Think It, I'll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld Ten stories examining marriage, parenthood, and social class through characters who navigate miscommunications and unspoken tensions.

The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank Linked stories follow a woman's journey through relationships and career choices from adolescence to adulthood in New York City.

Bobcat and Other Stories by Rebecca Lee Seven stories explore academia, relationships, and moral choices through characters facing pivotal moments in their lives.

Single, Carefree, Mellow by Katherine Heiny Stories of women at different life stages dealing with infidelity, marriage, and the complexities of modern relationships.

🔖 Emma Straub wrote this debut short story collection while working at Brooklyn's beloved independent bookstore Books Are Magic, which she now owns ✍️ Several characters appear in multiple stories throughout the collection, allowing readers to see them from different perspectives and at various points in their lives 📚 The book was originally published by FiveChapters Books in 2011 in a limited run of 500 copies before being republished by Riverhead Books in 2012 🎬 The story "Some People Must Really Fall in Love" was adapted into a short film starring Justin Long and Busy Philipps 🌟 The collection explores themes of friendship and marriage across different ages and stages of life, reflecting Straub's interest in writing about what she calls "the ways we are tethered to one another"