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Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness
Things that Cause Inappropriate Happiness is Danila Botha’s third collection of short fiction. In these brilliant stories she observes with her signature vulnerability and humour what it’s like to struggle to find your place in the world. From the bullied twelve-year-old (Born, Not Made) to the musician saved from sleeping in doorways (Blasting Molly Rockets), from the sculptor who builds a golem and fulfills her Holocaust survivor grandmother’s wish to protect her sister (Able to Pass) to a student who overdoses on opiates and meets an adult Anne Frank (Like An Alligator Eyeing a Small Fish), these stories pulse with Botha’s signature empathy and originality. Botha also addresses what it means to be Jewish, from characters who rethink their identity (Soulmates) to those who hold on at all costs (Dark and Lilac Fairies). As in her previous collection, the Trillium and Vine nominated For all the Men (and Some of the Women) I’ve Known, Things that Cause Inappropriate Happiness will make you laugh and cry, but above all it will make you feel less alone.
"We humans: what an endless braid of tender, joyful, painful, loving emotional pas de deux we live. In these stories, Danila Botha examines the complex knotting and unknotting of these contemporary relationships with vivid insight, deep compassion, and unflinching incision. They are virtuoso variations about what makes us human, what makes us—and our stories—irresistible, moving and compelling. "
Gary Barwin, award winning author of Yiddish for Pirates and Nothing the Same, Everything Haunted
"This book is pure, raw power. Like Botha’s other work, the stories in Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness push against every boundary, offering unsettling glimpses into the wars women wage on their bodies, the messiness of finding and losing love, the self-sabotaging patterns that both propel and hold back. Botha is a master of balance, offering switchbacks between the pristine beauty of actual happiness paired with deep, unapologetic rage rooted in larger contexts like the patriarchy and historical genocides. Each story feels so real—the clear and authentic character voices often hold the power to reveal the exact essence of a character, sometimes in a single sentence. Though these stories capture a wide range of geographies and experiences, they always reflect on important, universal questions—where are the boundaries of forgiveness? Where is the line between two much and not enough?"
Leesa Dean, author of Waiting for the Cyclone and Filling Station
"This sparkling collection documents the inner lives of girls and women with vivid emotion and delicious attitude. Botha's brilliant stories demand to be chewed on, mulled over, and talked about. Casting off the expectations of traditional style, they offer readers the comfort of generational wisdom and a clear-eyed view of our tumultuous present."
Carleigh Baker, author of Bad Endings, Mudlarkers and Last Women
"Powerful and searing glimpses into people’s most intimate emotions. Danila Botha’s writing makes the reader stop cold, sit up and listen. She expertly finds deceptively quiet moments in her characters’ lives, that by the end of her stories, reveal themselves to be more pivotal than we first realized. The characters in this collection will stay with me for a long time. An exquisite book."
Sidura Ludwig, author of the Vine award winning collection You Are Not What We Expected
"In these deft short stories, Danila Botha explores the desires of a cast of young, urban artists driven to escape their circumstances, from trendy Shakshuka bars to reality matchmaking shows to the horrors of the Holocaust. With fine prose and tender insight, Botha has written an indelible collection."
Kathy Friedman, author of All the Shining People
"We humans: what an endless braid of tender, joyful, painful, loving emotional pas de deux we live. In these stories, Danila Botha examines the complex knotting and unknotting of these contemporary relationships with vivid insight, deep compassion, and unflinching incision. They are virtuoso variations about what makes us human, what makes us—and our stories—irresistible, moving and compelling. "
Gary Barwin, award winning author of Yiddish for Pirates and Nothing the Same, Everything Haunted
"This book is pure, raw power. Like Botha’s other work, the stories in Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness push against every boundary, offering unsettling glimpses into the wars women wage on their bodies, the messiness of finding and losing love, the self-sabotaging patterns that both propel and hold back. Botha is a master of balance, offering switchbacks between the pristine beauty of actual happiness paired with deep, unapologetic rage rooted in larger contexts like the patriarchy and historical genocides. Each story feels so real—the clear and authentic character voices often hold the power to reveal the exact essence of a character, sometimes in a single sentence. Though these stories capture a wide range of geographies and experiences, they always reflect on important, universal questions—where are the boundaries of forgiveness? Where is the line between two much and not enough?"
Leesa Dean, author of Waiting for the Cyclone and Filling Station
"This sparkling collection documents the inner lives of girls and women with vivid emotion and delicious attitude. Botha's brilliant stories demand to be chewed on, mulled over, and talked about. Casting off the expectations of traditional style, they offer readers the comfort of generational wisdom and a clear-eyed view of our tumultuous present."
Carleigh Baker, author of Bad Endings, Mudlarkers and Last Women
"Powerful and searing glimpses into people’s most intimate emotions. Danila Botha’s writing makes the reader stop cold, sit up and listen. She expertly finds deceptively quiet moments in her characters’ lives, that by the end of her stories, reveal themselves to be more pivotal than we first realized. The characters in this collection will stay with me for a long time. An exquisite book."
Sidura Ludwig, author of the Vine award winning collection You Are Not What We Expected
"In these deft short stories, Danila Botha explores the desires of a cast of young, urban artists driven to escape their circumstances, from trendy Shakshuka bars to reality matchmaking shows to the horrors of the Holocaust. With fine prose and tender insight, Botha has written an indelible collection."
Kathy Friedman, author of All the Shining People
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
244 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2024
3 people are currently reading
3231 people want to read
About the author
Danila Botha
8 books59 followersDanila Botha is the author of the critically acclaimed short story collections, Got No Secrets, For All the Men (and Some of the Women) I’ve Known, which was a finalist for the Trillium Book Award, The Vine Awards and the ReLit Award and most recently, Things that Cause Inappropriate Happiness. Things that Cause Inappropriate Happiness won an Indie Reader Discovery Award for Women's Issues, Fiction, and was a finalist for the Canadian Book Club Awards, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the National Indie Excellence Book Awards. She is also the author of the award-winning novel Too Much On the Inside, which was optioned for film by Pelee Entertainment. Her new novel, A Place for People Like Us will be published in Sept 2025.
Her first graphic novel, Vidal, which she wrote and illustrated will be published in 2026 by At Bay Press.
She is always working on new short fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 23, 2024
“All I wanted was for you to see me”
How to capture the joy of reading this, this collection of more than two dozen tiny perfect literary gems? Each story distinct, but at its heart, this is a cohesive collection, - tearing through layers of yearning and isolation, revealing narratives centering on the lost, the lonely and the disconnected.
With heart-in-hand these vignettes, (snapshots really, most just a few pages long) provide glimpses, bordered sharply in time and space, of fractured lives in everyday emotional crisis. Featuring ordinary people, many of them narcissistic, creative, troubled, transitioning or searching for identity, stories are usually voiced (intimately) in the first person, but are sometimes (chillingly) narrated in the third person, to reveal a character seeking the the opposite effect.
Narrators may be displaced temporarily in exotic locales (Hawaii, Miami) or cultures (often moving to or from Canada or Israel), and yet, wherever they land, it is clear that they do not fit in. Internally crumbling with longing and love and sometimes landing on absurd or desperate coping mechanisms, we meet, between the pages: those affected by the cataclysmic horrors of war; artist, writers, ballerinas, and photographers pursuing their “green shiny glittery” spark of promise; young adults dispossessed by parents, un-supported and emotionally outcast; lovers caught up in the poignancy of “what could have been, but not quite” as they experience love lost disproportionately.
Bullied and body-shamed, grieving or emotionally abused, these characters will resonate with anyone who has ever reached out, or desperately wanted to. Exposing and revealing the deeply personal, these beautifully-rendered characters manage to remain detached, restrained, or simply understated in their revelations, leaving the reader all the more touched by the gaping vulnerabilities exposed, amidst the gracefulness of their telling.
Impossible to pick favorites, yet the following must be called out - the achingly tender reflections of love in “Look at him”; the sublime tribute to a soul mate in “Love me till I'm me again”; and the heartbreaking rawness of “A good story to tell”.
Sensational.
A great big thank you to the author for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
How to capture the joy of reading this, this collection of more than two dozen tiny perfect literary gems? Each story distinct, but at its heart, this is a cohesive collection, - tearing through layers of yearning and isolation, revealing narratives centering on the lost, the lonely and the disconnected.
With heart-in-hand these vignettes, (snapshots really, most just a few pages long) provide glimpses, bordered sharply in time and space, of fractured lives in everyday emotional crisis. Featuring ordinary people, many of them narcissistic, creative, troubled, transitioning or searching for identity, stories are usually voiced (intimately) in the first person, but are sometimes (chillingly) narrated in the third person, to reveal a character seeking the the opposite effect.
Narrators may be displaced temporarily in exotic locales (Hawaii, Miami) or cultures (often moving to or from Canada or Israel), and yet, wherever they land, it is clear that they do not fit in. Internally crumbling with longing and love and sometimes landing on absurd or desperate coping mechanisms, we meet, between the pages: those affected by the cataclysmic horrors of war; artist, writers, ballerinas, and photographers pursuing their “green shiny glittery” spark of promise; young adults dispossessed by parents, un-supported and emotionally outcast; lovers caught up in the poignancy of “what could have been, but not quite” as they experience love lost disproportionately.
Bullied and body-shamed, grieving or emotionally abused, these characters will resonate with anyone who has ever reached out, or desperately wanted to. Exposing and revealing the deeply personal, these beautifully-rendered characters manage to remain detached, restrained, or simply understated in their revelations, leaving the reader all the more touched by the gaping vulnerabilities exposed, amidst the gracefulness of their telling.
Impossible to pick favorites, yet the following must be called out - the achingly tender reflections of love in “Look at him”; the sublime tribute to a soul mate in “Love me till I'm me again”; and the heartbreaking rawness of “A good story to tell”.
Sensational.
A great big thank you to the author for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
March 19, 2024
I struggled to read this and it ended up as a DNF book. I was confused as to the point of most of what I read—some stories ended abruptly and others I just couldn’t understand the message trying to be conveyed.
*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.
*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.
February 16, 2024
I love a short story collection that provides vastly different perspectives and this one is no different. The title of this collection is what immediately drew my attention. I love reading about the different experiences documented in these stories and could have read 1,000 more pages of it.
March 31, 2024
Full review soon!
Thank you to the author for my gifted review copy!
Thank you to the author for my gifted review copy!
Did not finish
December 30, 2023received an ARC through netgalley.
it became clear fairly quickly that i am not the target audience for this collection of short stories and dnfed after the first story.
it became clear fairly quickly that i am not the target audience for this collection of short stories and dnfed after the first story.
January 17, 2025
This book was good. I will admit that I'm surprised my rabbi suggested it to my congregation, as it gets pretty graphic, but I enjoyed reading it. My main complaints are that the characters tended to be too similar to each other, making it harder to mentally separate each short story with ease, and that it definitely needed another round of editing (many missing words or generally awkward grammar choices).
December 30, 2023
This book was really difficult to get into. A woman’s journey through a difficult life is honestly difficult to get through. Honestly predictable and hard to get through. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 21, 2024
This collection of short stories was emotional and wonderfully human. I found it hard to connect with most of the details (as I am not the target audience), but the ideas were intriguing and the writing was well done.
Thanks to Netgally for the advanced reader copy!
Thanks to Netgally for the advanced reader copy!
January 9, 2024
I don't always read short stories, but when I do I like them to be a little on edge and these were. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
March 3, 2024
Danila Botha is no stranger to accolades, with her highly acclaimed previous books showing herself to be a consummate chronicler of the human condition. In this, her new collection of short stories, she delves into the inner lives of a diverse group of characters, ranging from Holocaust survivors to hipster artists to self-sabotaging singletons in stories that are by turns haunting, sad, and laugh-out-loud funny.
As a WW11 history buff, I was particularly taken by “Proteksyie and Mazel.”Set against the harrowing backdrop of the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw, the story unfolds along the rocky shores of the Viliga beach, which the Nazis allotted to the ghetto inhabitants. Narrated by a protagonist who is unable to understand her siblings’ incomprehensible optimism, how they believed "we’d survive and life would go back to normal one day if we stayed here,” it masterfully captures the mindset of a doomed populace basking in a brief reprieve from fear.
In one of the story’s most piercing passages, Botha writes:
“Some days, the beach was covered with revellers. There was hardly an inch of sand or dirt that wasn’t packed. There wasn’t as many kids as there used to be, but the ones that had been hidden, in closets or in the hospital were taken by nurses or friends of their mothers. They’d splash in the water, laughing for the first time, sounding like real kids. We saw adults of all ages, revelling in the moment or in old memories. We saw tensions loosen, people actually hoping for a future after all of this.”
Another of my favourite stories, “His Forever Girl”, deals with a lighter subject—unrequited love. Here we find the teenaged protagonist in a common predicament, placing her romantic hopes on an unattainable guy who has made it clear that he has no interest in being her boyfriend, but is not averse to making out with her. Like other girls in her situation, she pitifully accepts his crumbs of affection, recalling after a night helping him to write a paper, “I didn’t feel sad as much as I felt useful, which was addictive. It made me feel smart, and when he gushed his gratitude after, calling me a princess and telling me I deserved every gesture in the world, it felt like it meant something.”
Botched romance is the theme of another favourite, “If You’re Not Careful, You’ll Be Lonely” featuring a hard muscled, weight-obsessed protagonist who meets a potential suitor on a dating app. While not “sure if she wanted him, but it was nice to know he wanted her,” she forgoes her usual rigid calorie counting to indulge in a few glasses of wine at a ritzy restaurant, with hilarious results. Listening to her drunken ramble, her date observes, “she was bursting at the seams, like a carefully wrapped present shedding its ribbons and its paper only to reveal something cracked and probably defective underneath.”
Last but not least, the title story “Things that Cause Inappropriate Happiness" was a stand out for me. The protagonist, an artist who forgets her body while doing large scale acrylic portraits, suddenly finds herself at the mercy of her body with the onset of an inflammatory disease that permanently damages her hips and fingers. Now working as a substitute teacher for art students, she reflects, “They were well behaved, so they stayed, dragging their feet, the girls in heavy nineties redux platforms that looked better than the ones I actually wore in the nineties. So far, nothing has made me feel older than seeing clothes I wore fifteen years ago become cool again.”
For anyone interested in finely crafted tales that explore the intricacies of human nature—the good, bad, and all the messy in-betweens—I highly recommend it.
A great big thank you to the author for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
As a WW11 history buff, I was particularly taken by “Proteksyie and Mazel.”Set against the harrowing backdrop of the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw, the story unfolds along the rocky shores of the Viliga beach, which the Nazis allotted to the ghetto inhabitants. Narrated by a protagonist who is unable to understand her siblings’ incomprehensible optimism, how they believed "we’d survive and life would go back to normal one day if we stayed here,” it masterfully captures the mindset of a doomed populace basking in a brief reprieve from fear.
In one of the story’s most piercing passages, Botha writes:
“Some days, the beach was covered with revellers. There was hardly an inch of sand or dirt that wasn’t packed. There wasn’t as many kids as there used to be, but the ones that had been hidden, in closets or in the hospital were taken by nurses or friends of their mothers. They’d splash in the water, laughing for the first time, sounding like real kids. We saw adults of all ages, revelling in the moment or in old memories. We saw tensions loosen, people actually hoping for a future after all of this.”
Another of my favourite stories, “His Forever Girl”, deals with a lighter subject—unrequited love. Here we find the teenaged protagonist in a common predicament, placing her romantic hopes on an unattainable guy who has made it clear that he has no interest in being her boyfriend, but is not averse to making out with her. Like other girls in her situation, she pitifully accepts his crumbs of affection, recalling after a night helping him to write a paper, “I didn’t feel sad as much as I felt useful, which was addictive. It made me feel smart, and when he gushed his gratitude after, calling me a princess and telling me I deserved every gesture in the world, it felt like it meant something.”
Botched romance is the theme of another favourite, “If You’re Not Careful, You’ll Be Lonely” featuring a hard muscled, weight-obsessed protagonist who meets a potential suitor on a dating app. While not “sure if she wanted him, but it was nice to know he wanted her,” she forgoes her usual rigid calorie counting to indulge in a few glasses of wine at a ritzy restaurant, with hilarious results. Listening to her drunken ramble, her date observes, “she was bursting at the seams, like a carefully wrapped present shedding its ribbons and its paper only to reveal something cracked and probably defective underneath.”
Last but not least, the title story “Things that Cause Inappropriate Happiness" was a stand out for me. The protagonist, an artist who forgets her body while doing large scale acrylic portraits, suddenly finds herself at the mercy of her body with the onset of an inflammatory disease that permanently damages her hips and fingers. Now working as a substitute teacher for art students, she reflects, “They were well behaved, so they stayed, dragging their feet, the girls in heavy nineties redux platforms that looked better than the ones I actually wore in the nineties. So far, nothing has made me feel older than seeing clothes I wore fifteen years ago become cool again.”
For anyone interested in finely crafted tales that explore the intricacies of human nature—the good, bad, and all the messy in-betweens—I highly recommend it.
A great big thank you to the author for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
February 3, 2024
In the realm of literature, Danila Botha's "Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness" emerges as a poignant collection of short stories that delves into the complexities of human existence, evoking a range of emotions from laughter to tears. With her signature vulnerability and humor, Botha masterfully illuminates the struggles of individuals seeking their place in the world, leaving readers with a profound sense of empathy and connection. Botha's stories transcend conventional boundaries, encompassing diverse characters and situations that resonate with universal themes. From the bullied twelve-year-old in "Born, Not Made" to the musician saved from homelessness in "Blasting Molly Rockets," Botha's characters grapple with adversity with remarkable resilience. The sculptor who constructs a golem to fulfill her grandmother's wish in "Able to Pass" encapsulates the power of memory and the enduring bonds of family. Furthermore, Botha explores the complexities of Jewish identity through her characters' introspective journeys. In "Soulmates," a character reexamines their entire identity, while in "Dark and Lilac Fairies," another clings steadfastly to their heritage. These stories provoke contemplation on what it means to belong and the myriad ways in which individuals navigate their cultural roots. Just as in her previous collection, "For All the Men (and Some of the Women) I've Known," Botha's "Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness" elicits a kaleidoscope of emotions. Laughter and tears intertwine as readers connect with the deeply human experiences depicted in each story. However, beyond the emotional resonance, Botha's work imparts a profound sense of connection, reminding readers that they are not alone in their struggles and triumphs. In summary, Danila Botha's "Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness" is an exceptional collection of short stories exploring the human experience's depths with vulnerability, humor, and empathy. Botha's characters and narratives transcend boundaries, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives and identities. This collection is a testament to the power of literature to evoke a range of emotions and foster a sense of togetherness in the face of life's complexities.
June 23, 2024
I picked this up because I love the title and cover and also the inappropriateness of the title of the opening story (Sometimes I Like to Shoot Kids) made me laugh with shock.
Really wanted to like this one but sadly didn't. These are stories mostly set in the Jewish diaspora that cover loneliness, body image issues and artistry. Unfortunately with 30+ stories they all started to feel a bit indistinct and repetitive, more idea fragments than actual stories. How many times can you read about a girl who feels ugly and jealous of her green eyed friend? How many times can you read about an awkward, misfit artist?
Another example: there's a story near the beginning of the book called Always an Angel, Never a God and one near the end called The Best Guy I've Ever Known. In both, a woman with body image issues falls for a charming guy who is arrested and revealed to be a predator. This is the same story. Yes, there are surface level changes and the characters aren't literally the same but it follows the same beats and has the same twist. I didn't find anything so charming about the writing I wanted to read it multiple times.
Story standouts were:
-Would You Rather? This is part of a story triptych in the middle about Lindi, a socially awkward immigrant in Canada who struggles to fit in. In this middle story she finally makes a friend and the heartbreaking results of that relationship.
-Black Market Encounters about a self help group for people who have met their partners in socially unacceptable ways. TBH even this story I didn't end up enjoying so much, but the beginning is shocking in a way I wished Botha had leaned into more.
Also this didn't affect my rating and actually made me feel angry on the author's behalf, but Guernica editions needs to get it together because this book was full of typos and missing or added words, some of which changed the meaning of Botha's sentences. I don't know what gives, because Guernica is a real publisher with hardworking people, but somewhere between editing, typesetting and printing something got lost in translation. I'm not talking about 1 or 2 small errors either. There were 3 in the first 20 pages and eventually I lost count of them all.
Really wanted to like this one but sadly didn't. These are stories mostly set in the Jewish diaspora that cover loneliness, body image issues and artistry. Unfortunately with 30+ stories they all started to feel a bit indistinct and repetitive, more idea fragments than actual stories. How many times can you read about a girl who feels ugly and jealous of her green eyed friend? How many times can you read about an awkward, misfit artist?
Another example: there's a story near the beginning of the book called Always an Angel, Never a God and one near the end called The Best Guy I've Ever Known. In both, a woman with body image issues falls for a charming guy who is arrested and revealed to be a predator. This is the same story. Yes, there are surface level changes and the characters aren't literally the same but it follows the same beats and has the same twist. I didn't find anything so charming about the writing I wanted to read it multiple times.
Story standouts were:
-Would You Rather? This is part of a story triptych in the middle about Lindi, a socially awkward immigrant in Canada who struggles to fit in. In this middle story she finally makes a friend and the heartbreaking results of that relationship.
-Black Market Encounters about a self help group for people who have met their partners in socially unacceptable ways. TBH even this story I didn't end up enjoying so much, but the beginning is shocking in a way I wished Botha had leaned into more.
Also this didn't affect my rating and actually made me feel angry on the author's behalf, but Guernica editions needs to get it together because this book was full of typos and missing or added words, some of which changed the meaning of Botha's sentences. I don't know what gives, because Guernica is a real publisher with hardworking people, but somewhere between editing, typesetting and printing something got lost in translation. I'm not talking about 1 or 2 small errors either. There were 3 in the first 20 pages and eventually I lost count of them all.
February 7, 2024
A great short story gives us 10,000 words worth of material with only 1000 on the page and the other 9000 left unspoken. Danila Botha's superpower is to do just that, to create stories that carry the weight of years, of the full spectrum of emotions, of hopes and dreams, in compact yet pleasing prose.
The stories in this collection lure us in then challenge us, giving us an unfiltered look into the darkest sides of the human condition, which ultimately means the darkest sides of ourselves. The stories cover a wide range of topics, some with the horrors of the Holocaust prominent in the rearview of the characters' lives, some in the era of #MeToo and others focused on love, love lost and the act of creation. It's a heavy collection that gives and takes, offering joy and sadness and conjuring the rare magic of truly great, rich prose.
Stories like "Able to Pass," "Always an Angel, Never a God" and show us difficult situations and ask much of our souls, while a story like "Look at Him" shows such tenderness and longing, while "Dark and Lilac Fairies" show us true resilience. Botha's ability to convey complex emotions in the gray areas of our lives is stunning. She's a remarkable talent destined to be recognized in the upper echelon of Canadian Fiction. I can, regardless of how consciously or unconsciously, see her influence manifesting itself in my own work.
Lovers of the short story cannot go wrong with this collection. Botha's skill is plain for all to see. She is not just a writer's writer, but a reader's writer as well.
The stories in this collection lure us in then challenge us, giving us an unfiltered look into the darkest sides of the human condition, which ultimately means the darkest sides of ourselves. The stories cover a wide range of topics, some with the horrors of the Holocaust prominent in the rearview of the characters' lives, some in the era of #MeToo and others focused on love, love lost and the act of creation. It's a heavy collection that gives and takes, offering joy and sadness and conjuring the rare magic of truly great, rich prose.
Stories like "Able to Pass," "Always an Angel, Never a God" and show us difficult situations and ask much of our souls, while a story like "Look at Him" shows such tenderness and longing, while "Dark and Lilac Fairies" show us true resilience. Botha's ability to convey complex emotions in the gray areas of our lives is stunning. She's a remarkable talent destined to be recognized in the upper echelon of Canadian Fiction. I can, regardless of how consciously or unconsciously, see her influence manifesting itself in my own work.
Lovers of the short story cannot go wrong with this collection. Botha's skill is plain for all to see. She is not just a writer's writer, but a reader's writer as well.
Read
March 9, 2024 A collection of diverse short stories united by their exploration of the lives of young women struggling to make art, find love, and be their truest selves. Different stories go at these themes from various angles, some more literally and some less so--my favourite was the young artist who meets Anne Frank in the afterlife--but all have great kindness and empathy for the struggle of being a creative woman in a society that puts tremendous pressure on women to be gorgeous, thin, and have a loving male partner. My other favourite piece is one of the longest, "All Good Things Take Time," about Miriam--a musician who moves to New York with her med student boyfriend. At first she is focused on her success and her wild adventures but there's always an undercurrent of dissatisfaction in the relationship, which curdles to self-distruction for Miriam without her ever being able to put it into words and from there, goes in a most unexpected--but maybe I should have expected it??--direction. A complex and affecting story, as are many in this collection.
December 18, 2023
I have always loved short stories, and this collection did not disappoint. I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into since the book description covers a lot of topics, but imagine my surprise when I could identify with almost every one. It is very heavily embedded with Jewish culture and I didn’t realize I how badly I needed this book in my life until I read it. Especially during these times when it’s so scary to be Jewish in the world.
It’s so hard to pull off short stories and do them well, and the author flawlessly executed each one. Some were in first person and some were in third, but it didn’t matter because I was immediately engaged and invested. I’ll definitely be checking out more of her work. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC.
It’s so hard to pull off short stories and do them well, and the author flawlessly executed each one. Some were in first person and some were in third, but it didn’t matter because I was immediately engaged and invested. I’ll definitely be checking out more of her work. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC.
December 28, 2023
DNF
*arc reader* I did end up DNF'ing this book. I found it extremely difficult to read through some of the stories, and perhaps that is because the Jewish experience is not something I relate to, I found it hard to follow along with some of the topics and traditions touched on in the stories. I did finally put this book down once I got to the story "Always and Angel, never a God" - I found it incredibly insensitive and uncomfortable and just wasn't something I wanted to continue reading. The writing felt stunted, many of the stories ended abruptly and didn't really say much of anything at all. Because of this, I unfortunately would not recommend this book in good faith, and likely won't want to come back to it to finish it anytime in the future.
*arc reader* I did end up DNF'ing this book. I found it extremely difficult to read through some of the stories, and perhaps that is because the Jewish experience is not something I relate to, I found it hard to follow along with some of the topics and traditions touched on in the stories. I did finally put this book down once I got to the story "Always and Angel, never a God" - I found it incredibly insensitive and uncomfortable and just wasn't something I wanted to continue reading. The writing felt stunted, many of the stories ended abruptly and didn't really say much of anything at all. Because of this, I unfortunately would not recommend this book in good faith, and likely won't want to come back to it to finish it anytime in the future.
February 16, 2024
Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness is a collection of short stories. It elicits a myriad of emotions ranging from lighthearted humour ("Sometimes I Like to Shoot Kids") to regret ("The Name Game").
There were stories to elicit memories from the awkwardness of being a teenager, dating, marriage and eventually parenthood. Each one leading me to reflect on my own past. I also appreciated the stories that spoke of resilience and growth, my favourites being "Aloha State", "Blasting Molly Rockets" and "Dark and Lilac Fairies"
There is a story for everyone in this brilliant collection!
I was gifted a copy of Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness from the author and publisher. Opinions are my own.
There were stories to elicit memories from the awkwardness of being a teenager, dating, marriage and eventually parenthood. Each one leading me to reflect on my own past. I also appreciated the stories that spoke of resilience and growth, my favourites being "Aloha State", "Blasting Molly Rockets" and "Dark and Lilac Fairies"
There is a story for everyone in this brilliant collection!
I was gifted a copy of Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness from the author and publisher. Opinions are my own.
October 7, 2024
I got this book as a giveaway
“Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness” by Danila Botha is a collection of short stories that deeply moved me. Through powerful stories and complex characters, Danila Botha uniquely explores moments of vulnerability and the search for identity. Each short story reveals a different facet of the human condition, perfectly balancing humor with intense emotions. I especially appreciated how she tackles themes like memory, loss, and resilience, while subtly reflecting on Jewish identity. A poignant book that leaves a lasting impression.
I don’t think I would have had the chance to read it if it hadn’t been for the giveaway and I’m really glad I won. It’s worth the read!
“Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness” by Danila Botha is a collection of short stories that deeply moved me. Through powerful stories and complex characters, Danila Botha uniquely explores moments of vulnerability and the search for identity. Each short story reveals a different facet of the human condition, perfectly balancing humor with intense emotions. I especially appreciated how she tackles themes like memory, loss, and resilience, while subtly reflecting on Jewish identity. A poignant book that leaves a lasting impression.
I don’t think I would have had the chance to read it if it hadn’t been for the giveaway and I’m really glad I won. It’s worth the read!
January 8, 2026
Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness is a fearless and emotionally electric short story collection that captures the strange, painful, and luminous moments that shape inner lives. Danila Botha writes with startling intimacy, balancing humor and vulnerability in stories that refuse to look away from grief, identity, and longing. Her characters feel painfully real, often revealed through small, devastating details that linger long after the story ends. Whether exploring Jewish identity, bodily autonomy, love, or survival, Botha’s voice remains compassionate without ever being sentimental. This is a collection that unsettles, comforts, and ultimately reminds readers that feeling deeply is not a flaw, but a form of resilience.
February 8, 2024
Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness by Danila Botha is a pristine collection of short fiction. Botha skillfully connects the experiences of her characters with moments of knowing, small epiphanies that resonate with wisdom, insight, and personal revelations. Her use of satire surprises and delights as stories take sudden twists, while the characters sometimes encounter historical figures who dialogue with them about deep, metaphysical issues. Echoing with deep cultural resonance, these stories dazzle with polish and charm.
May 30, 2024
Thank you to the author, Guernica Editions and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting this review, I had a bit too much going on.
I do love a short story collection, and there is a lot to love here - as always, there were some stories that resonated deeply with me, and others less so. Some are very short, some longer, but each left me with things to mull over. Themes of human existence, relationship, openness and vulnerability, and all kinds of emotions. And the cherry on top is the fantastic title!
I do love a short story collection, and there is a lot to love here - as always, there were some stories that resonated deeply with me, and others less so. Some are very short, some longer, but each left me with things to mull over. Themes of human existence, relationship, openness and vulnerability, and all kinds of emotions. And the cherry on top is the fantastic title!
April 9, 2024
Danila Botha is not only one of the hardest working authors on the CanLit scene, she's also one of the most talented. Things that Cause Inappropriate Happiness is exotic and unique, a voice entirely Botha’s own. It was a pleasure to dive into these richly textured gems, much like losing oneself in rich tapestries in an art gallery, revelling in the velvety folds that draw you in and grab ahold of your heart.
August 13, 2024
These are really beautiful short stories. They remind me, almost, of poetry, in the sense of their ability to be so concise - there's so much there, in just a few pages. ''Look at Him'' really stuck out for me, but I enjoyed all the stories. I don't usually read a ton of short stories, I can be more of a novel person, but this really reminded me of how enjoyable short stories can be, and I know I'll be reading more in the future.
November 23, 2025
I have so many quotes from this collection that I'd like to post here! These stories felt both everyday and refreshing. Even when there were things I had no reference for, the stories kept me hooked simply because of their originality. I loved how the stories would start one way that felt familiar and relatable, and suddenly take a turn, sometimes dark, sometimes uncomfortable. Looking forward to reading more Danila Botha.
PS Love the book title and the cover!
PS Love the book title and the cover!
November 16, 2024
This collection of short stories is tricky to rate. I got a lot out of some, and others I had to skip over. Overall, I've gone middle of the road with a 2.5. I'd recommend it to those who love short stories (it is packed full) and those keen to read about the Jewish experience and/or finding your place in the world.
January 17, 2025
A very moving collection of short stories. My favourite story is "Able to Pass." There’s one line in there that still haunts me: “… Basja was jealous sometimes, that her mother got to miss the suffering, and that their town, and family and friends were frozen in a state of comfort and mendacity in her mind.”
September 18, 2024
The short stories in Danila Botha’s collection Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness are delicious, sometimes tart, bite-sized bits of daily life, each with its own soft internal glow. Okay, that’s kind of a weird mixed metaphor, but you maybe get my point.
April 24, 2024
Review to come. Thanks to the author for a gifted copy!
Currently reading
December 28, 2024Good
August 11, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this collection of short stories. For me it was a book to savour slowly, to take my time, reading each story and just take a moment between each to just appreciate. I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
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