Or Something Like That

by Bud Smith

A collection of off-kilter short stories. A stalker comes into your house while you are sleeping and does your dishes and your taxes because he loves you. A teenage D&D enthusiast searches for his lost broadsword and some people to roll 20 sided dice with. Little kids make Molotov cocktails out of beer bottles in retaliation for getting shot in the ass with a salt gun. One aggravated dog and a belligerently drunken ghost wage war over the living room couch. A man goes up against his girlfriend’s cat in a domestic battle for affection; the cat just so happens to be a 1/4 ton blood muzzled lion.

Want to learn how to use a Tiger Tank to rob a bank to fund your vacation to Fiji? What will you do when Aunt Joan calls up on a broken cellphone and gives the winning lottery numbers from beyond the grave? What’s more appealing, becoming a stripper or a clown? Inside, you’ll meet two donuts who fall in love and try to avoid the big hands swooping down into the box. A mailman trying to break a land speed record through a traffic circle. A little girl who wants nothing more than to get murdered in a toxic lake rather than move to Indiana.

Careen out of control in stolen cars. Take your kids to Burgerland. Come on a date to a supper club on the Ocean where the speaker cabinets are so large they might make your head explode when the band takes the stage with their thousand pound clarinets of doom. This book is a wild ride, fast and engaging. These 40 stories will surprise, entertain and probably do your taxes for you while you sleep.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Contemporary

249 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2012

About the author

Bud Smith is the author of Teenager (Tyrant Book), Double Bird (Maudlin House), WORK (CCM), Dust Bunny City (Disorder Press), among others. He works heavy construction, and lives in Jersey City, NJ.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bud Smith will take you on a crazy ride with his dark humor but there is a reluctant romantic hidden in that darkness. He always seems to find a hopeful place to land his reader. If Vonnegut was an optimist he would be Bud Smith. The short stories in "Or Something Like That" are no exception. Do yourself a favor and enter this world of wonder where your stalker washes your dishes, your dog is haunted by a dead ex, and your jelly donut is a bittersweet lover.

[Chuck Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bud Smith is like Babies, you really don't want one, but all your friends start having them and then one day you have a baby and decide it tastes awesome and you're hooked!

[Corissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short stories that stick with me and I find myself thinking of the characters long after I put the book down. Stories that come with a left hook sucker punch. Consider yourself invited to read this and warned that I think you will be surprised.

[Aaron Dietz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great short story collection and the best work I've seen from this writer yet. Always, Bud Smith delivers narration with a strong voice. In this short story collection, he also provides a wide range of settings and types of stories--from the working class normal to the outright absurd. In my favorite story of this bunch, a young child fan of the movie Silver Bullet decides he needs a wheelchair, so he asks his brother to break both his legs--I can't tell you what happens, but oh my goodness, it's an absolutely horrifying story to read, and I mean that in a super good way! I read it on an airplane, and even though it's difficult on a plane to be on the edge of your seat, that's exactly where I was.

Most short story collections have about two or three stories of merit, and sometimes those two or three are good enough to make the whole package worth it. In this collection, you'll get a full plate of goodies. It's a strong collection straight through. It only took me one plane ride to devour it, and usually I sleep the heck out of plane rides. This is a wonderfully entertaining collection from the always-good Bud Smith.

[Margaret Lesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of short stories. They're notoriously hard to get published, though, unless you're a Shirley Jackson or Raymond Carver. But there's nothing better, in my opinion, than a well-crafted short story. And from a writer's perspective, it's really tough to write a good one. It's nice to see more avenues available for short fiction with the advent of epublishing. But I digress.

Anyway, I found this book by accident, and after reading the first sample story, "My Brother & Me & Silver Bullet," I had to read more. Bud Smith is a talented writer to be sure. His stories are offbeat and quirky. They're random and unpredictable. I like all of those qualities, whether in a book or a film. I like to be taken on a journey with some twists.

Some stories in this collection I liked more than others, but that's typical. You will laugh though (unless you are a robot).

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Or Something Like That by Bud Smith is a collection of short stories that range from reality to surreal surroundings and situations.

I really enjoy reading short stories collections, and this one did not disappoint. The stories run the gamut. Many of the stories at the beginning are interesting and fun to read. Some of the stories in the middle of the collection are a bit more introspective with little action, but the collection overall is very entertaining. There are also points where the stories overlap a bit which is interesting to read.

If you are not used to reading short story collections, it may not keep your interest but those who love to read short stories will enjoy these many adventures the writer provides.

*Reviewer received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of the time short story collections can be a gamble. Not with Bud Smith. His voice comes through loud and clear, with undertones of sadness and ache. His often fantastical situations are delivered with logic, yet are also raucous and melancholy. After a few lines, I wanted to take the ride. After a few more, I forgot I'd even had to leap. I wanted the book to go on and on. Will be looking for more of his work in the future.

[Downward · Rating 5 out of 5]

oiled with the urgency and energy of youth, this collection of short stories moves between social and magical realism, dealing with a wide range of themes and recurring characters that populate a region (smalltown, nj) of boredom and boredom born mischief, piloted by the bored and the mischievous. sloppy like a wet kiss or a drunken fistfight and just as compelling to watch. check this collection out.

[Kent Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this collection of short stories. Bud Smith has a great sense of humor and it shows in this collection of shorts. Writing is excellent. I've shared a few of the stories with friends and a good laugh is always aroused. I can truly say that a couple of his pieces reside among my favorite writings.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of short stories with the best cast of misfit characters I have ever come across. This is a great collection that can just as easily be read straight through or one short story at a time as time permits.

[Brent Woo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conspiracy donuts, "scolding coffee", every meal is just eggs, "Distract Oprah!", "several Eddies". just every story a new, completely new unexpected experience

"Wedding Speech" and "My Heart Will Go On" are amazing

[Mitsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories. The first three are okay. Everything, Scout and Work are great!

Everything is about a young woman trying to earn money for college. Her story is fascinating. A lot happens in this short story, giving it depth. Excellent. I love this one. 5 stars

Scout is a story where a man moves in with his girlfriend - and her cat. Poor kitty! He hates the cat! Dealbreaker! Cat before man! Anyway. Very funny! Then they get a dog....Hilarious! I was laughing during this story. Love the sick ending. ;) I didn't like a few words used. Overall, though, I love it. 5 stars

Work is almost perfect. A man hates his back breaking work for little money. You can read the rest. Work is a detailed, in depth, well written, and realistic short story. Ignoring a few words, that I'm quickly becoming used to, I give Work 5 stars.

Wow. I am loving these short stories. They're well written and all so different! I love them. If the rest are half as good as Everything, Scout, and Work, I'll be elated! :)

Yep. They're good. This is so much fun to read. :)

Love reading these short stories, especially at work. Highly recommended to everybody.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know when you eat right before you go to bed or have a little too much to drink, and your night is filled with crazy dreams that just kind of end. And when you wake up, you think to yourself, "Huh, that was weird." Yep, that's what this book was like, except the it's less interesting because they're the dreams of a self-centered alcoholic with a sad life.
Also, if I were lucky enough to get published, I think I would get the book edited beforehand.
On a positive note, there were a few moments that stood out, like the scene between Jesus and God:
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
"Oh...you say that to everybody!"
(Maybe that's just my sense of humor.)

[Cindy Holdmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book of short stories. Some of them were very good but others left me saying, "What was the purpose of that?" The writing was good and the characters ranged from well defined to flat. Some stories intermingled in certain ways as well, sharing the same home town,characters, etc. Some stories left wondering if he had actually finished them and some were brilliant. Some of the editing needed help but all in all it was a very interesting book.

[Misti Rainwater-Lites · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those extremely rare books that made me laugh so hard I was in pain. I gave my copy to a friend before leaving San Francisco for San Antonio in 2013. I had two suitcases and they were stuffed. I'll buy this book again soon. That's a promise.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

stopped at p.114. / so i'm a fan of short stories that are a bit quirky and i thought this would be up my alley, but it was so disappointing. each story was too short, kind of weird but not really and like in a bad way, boring, and i just kept waiting for a good story to show up but none ever did.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me chortling into my fist like a stoned teenager in church.

And I'm FAR too classy to chortle. Usually.

[Brian Alan Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bud Smith can fix your pipes and roofing but his book of durable, brick-layered stories can also fix your brain plumbing, too.