The Goodbye Process

by Mary Jones

NATIONAL BESTSELLER
Longlisted for the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collection
Longlisted for THE STORY PRIZE
A Library Journal BEST BOOK OF 2024
An Electric Literature Most Exciting Debut Short Story Collection of 2024

“Short story fans might just discover their new favorite author in this arresting collection, a must-have.”―Library Journal (STARRED review)

What happens when you are forced to let go of the things you love the most? What are you left with?

In her stunning debut short story collection, The Goodbye Process, Mary Jones uses her distinctive voice to examine the painful and sometimes surreal ways we say goodbye.

The stories―which range from tender and heartbreaking to unsettling and darkly funny―will push you out of your comfort zone and ignite intense emotions surrounding love and loss. A woman camps out on the porch of an ex-lover who has barricaded himself inside the house; a preteen girl caught shoplifting finds herself in grave danger; a Los Angeles real estate agent falls for a woman who helps him detach from years of dramatic plastic surgery; a man hires a professional mourner to ensure his wife’s funeral is a success. Again and again, Jones’s characters find themselves facing the ends of things: relationships, health, and innocence.

Arresting, original, and beautifully rendered, this story collection packs a punch, just the way grief does―knocking us off our feet.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Poetry, Grief, Anthologies

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 2024

About the author

MARY JONES is the author of the National Bestselling short story collection THE GOODBYE PROCESS, which was longlisted for The Story Prize and the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize, and named a Best Book of 2024 by Library Journal. Her writing has been published widely in such places as Electric Literature’s Recommended Reading, Subtropics, Book of the Month’s Volume 0, Alaska Quarterly Review, EPOCH, Epiphany, Santa Monica Review, Brevity and elsewhere. Her work has been cited as notable in The Best American Essays and appeared in The Best Microfiction 2022. Originally from Upstate New York, she lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve only read a few books of short stories and was unsure about picking this up but seeing that it’s published by Zibby Books (always enjoyed) I borrowed the audio on Libby. Happy to say I found it unputdownable and flew through it. THE GOODBYE PROCESS is a collection of short stories that seamlessly flowed into the next. It’s short, less than 7 hours on audio with - - easy to listen to, creative meaningful stories - - that are not necessarily about loss with the expectation to feel sadness. Instead I felt a variety of emotions all depending if one packed a punch or another had a quieter approach. The overall tone has a human, realness to it with a variety of scenarios; -one is of preteens shoplifting that turns scary, with other vignettes revolving around relationships, appearance.. all very thought provoking. Recommend. ❥ 4.5 stars — Pub. 7/30/24

[Stephanie Affinito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold onto your hearts with this short story collection: The Goodbye Process by Mary Jones This is a book about goodbyes: to seasons of life, to relationships, to earlier versions of ourselves and much, much more. Raw and real, honest and deep and sometimes even darkly funny, this book will make you feel all the feels, right from the shocker of the first story. As a bookologist, it’s the perfect collection of stories to have in my bookish toolbox to share with clients looking for the perfect story to grow through what they’re going through.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't often write reviews but I truly loved this collection and am so glad I picked it up. It reminded me a lot of the first time I read Lucia Berlin's work. The stories all pack a punch and stay with you long after reading. I have already read several of them more than once and know I will come back to them again and again. This is a must read collection.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book tremendously. I read it over the course of about a week and found myself so immersed in Jones’s writing I kept wanting more. These are uncommonly sensitive and beautiful portraits of people (often working class people) facing loss of various kinds. I was particularly moved by the title story which shares characters with two other stories. I also loved the weirder stories like “Realtor” and “Burglary.” There are even a few stories in this collection I found a bit scary… But the common thread, other than the simple, almost poetic language, is the glimpse of the human condition that colors every story. This is a special book, a collection that rewards a deep, careful reading.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisitely written stories from a wonderful new voice in short fiction. Full of wonderful surprises. Could not recommend it more highly.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book genuinely helpful in getting me through a recent loss... A sublime reading experience.

[Parisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

delectably emotionally devastating. transportive in a way only short stories can be, i think.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This one hits hard! Loved every story.

[Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow…to be frank, I bought this book because the cover was charming. Unabashedly so, I enjoyed every story in Jones’ collection. Many of the stories illuminate the process of saying goodbye and to the many varied goodbyes we face throughout our lives: emotions, relationships, innocence, etc. Once we say goodbye to these things, we also are saying goodbye to the person that we were. Unburden yourself for what has been.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a story by Mary Jones in Electric Lit a few years back and always remembered it, so I was very excited to see this collection out and couldn't wait to read it. Well I'm happy to say it doesn't disappoint!! Every story was just as surprising and powerful as the one I'd read... I loved every minute of this book. Highly recommend!

[Jamille Pelaez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like Mary Jones whispering, "It's okay," over and over again. It was beautiful and honest. I couldn't put it down most of the time, but other times, I had to take a reflective moment to think about my own goodbyes.

[Bibliophile Bliss ❀ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 29%

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

@zibbybookspublishing seems to find books that stick to your insides, never let go, and slowly become part of your personality, and this book is no exception. I finished late last night and have already told two people they really need to read it and I'm sure by the end of the day there will be plenty more.
This short story collection has something for anyone that has struggled with the acceptance that there are things we cannot change and must just accept. For anyone that has faced that letting go and moving on is sometimes the only option.
Goodbyes are so layered and these stories and characters reflect that.
Some of the stories have a quiet approach while others pack a punch and all of the vignettes really flow so beautifully. The humanness of goodbyes was explored in such a tender and thoughtful way and I found myself experiencing so many emotions while reading these stories.
This one will stick with me for a long, long time.

4.5⭐️

[Shannon (The Book Club Mom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE GOODBYE PROCESS is a beautiful collection of short stories that I inhaled in just a few sittings. It’s a short book—around 250 pages—so it was easy to whiz right through it. It explores loss, grief, and healing in the most unique way, and exemplifies the many different ways that humans can say goodbye—to relationships, friendships, partners, and so on. I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions while reading. One minute I was holding back tears, the next I was giggling! Not all of these goodbyes are sad ones, so don’t expect pages and pages of doom and gloom. Some are darkly funny, completely satisfying, and even beautiful. If short stories are your jam, and you enjoy reading about raw, real, and honest human experiences, then you don’t want to miss this one.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best collections I've ever read. The writing is understated, elegant and poetic. These stories caught me off guard in the best possible way; I laughed and cried throughout this entire book. HIGHLY recommend!

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning collection - I loved every story.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories to savor. Most deal with loss of some kind--of love, of loved ones, of parts of oneself. Some are funny, quirky, or odd. A few are flash fiction, very short. But overall, they're meaty and introduce you to people at vulnerable places in their lives. They allow us briefly, as George Saunders says, to enter the "black box" of another human's mind, which is what story is meant to do.

In general, I love linked stories in the vein of Olive Kitteridge, and I kept wishing more of these were linked. They're all excellent and can stand alone; I just forgot them quickly as I moved from one to the next. The three that stuck are linked: The one who keeps the washcloth cold; Tell me something new; and the titular story, The Goodbye Process. I became more invested as I got to know the characters and to see the family dynamics from three perspectives. But, again, all the stories were wonderful! Highly recommend.

[Ashna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was extremely difficult to finish. Had I not been provided a copy by Zibby Books (which I appreciate) I would have set this book aside after the first story, never to pick up again. Jones’ characters contain zero dimension or depth. All the stories in this collection are an amalgamation of flat, superficial plot lines and prose. More often than not, whatever message Jones was attempting to convey was unclear or nonexistent and everything leading up to each of these stories’ conclusions was disjointed and lacking.

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Jones is one of my new favorites. These stories are simply exquisite!

[Claudia Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this collection of tear jerkers. theres a quiet feeling underlying grief that makes you be like—hmm, this is life. and maybe it’s okay that things end. and maybe it’s really fucking sad, too.

[Kathleen Dang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I pick up a book of short stories, I ask myself, do I really wanna go through the inevitable dread of 50% good stories, 30% mediocre fluff, and 20% wtf did i just read? Thank god I took a chance with one because it was 100% amazing (I didn’t even know that was possible!). Whether it was one page or ten, every story felt meticulously crafted with just the right amount of development and detail. I don’t often enjoy story collections (in fact, I usually hate them), but this one I loved wholeheartedly.

Also, I requested for this book to be purchased by my library so super glad that it’s now available for all of Wake County to experience :)

[Delkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterful and very touching collection.

[Kristi Kasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provided a refreshing opportunity to read a short story collection, something I don’t do often enough. The overarching theme of the collection is loss, but to me they just felt like very original and almost quirky stories about life. This book didn’t leave me with an overwhelming sense of sadness or despair in the way you might think a book about loss would leave you with.

The stories are all over the place but the book feels cohesive. The story that really stayed with me was about two young girls that get caught shoplifting and they think they are being apprehended by an officer but it is really a sinister man with bad intentions - creepy but so readable!!! Other stories delve into personal appearance, real estate woes and relationships - all very well crafted and written and completely satisfying.

Thank you @zibbybookspublishing and @netgalley netgalley for an advance copy of this book!

[JessQueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Goodbye Process by Mary Jones

Thanks to the ALC program of @librofm I had the opportunity to connect with @maryjoneswriter new book. It’s a unique collection of short stories that will inevitably lead you to the depths of your heart and make you remember, feel and if you’re lucky also say a proper goodbye.

What Jones put together here is so special! The stories seemed set in different moments in time, they can be read in any order (for those like me who like opening a book at random) and they will all have a special meaning.

From our live choices, to all the things we take for granted. From all the things we could have avoided to our greatest achievements. From the glorious eternal days, to the iron bed at the hospital and our last breath.

My favorites were: “Everything That’s Left” it has a special meaning. I would have loved finding the letter, but there was no letter. There was void, emptiness and chaos.
Also “The Short Story of Her Heart”, God that was brutal! Once more bookish friends, “Royalty” that cut through deep.

I truly hope you enjoy this precious collection and find one to feel yours! That’s my wish for you my bookish friend! This book falls into a special category I call “jewels” 💖

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 @maryjoneswriter @librofm

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding collection of short stories, from the surreal to the very real. The stories are raw and fresh - a bit edgy at times, and many struck a chord as they helped me revisit 'goodbyes' I've experienced in my own life - death, relationships that have ended, farewells to youth and innocence. I had the good fortune of meeting the author through my book club, and was so impressed with her method (she wakes before the sun rises and writes when her mind is still waking up so she can be less critical of herself) and the way she curated the stories and took the time to carefully arrange them in an order that took the reader on a journey. From the very first story, I was hooked. While I don't typically read short story collections, I'm so glad I did. It was something I looked forward to every time I had a sliver of time to pick up the book and read. Highly recommend!

[Dave Suiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren’t enough descriptive words to express the emotional output of Mary Jones’ wonderful short story collection, “The Goodbye Process.” A themed collection about saying good bye, telling tragic tales to absurd anecdotes and everywhere in between. With stories and vignettes that are thought-provoking and heartfelt, this is an enjoyable book.

[Bridget Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

review for talk lit, get hit podcast.

I loved this collection. at times it was hard to read because the subject matter for nearly every story was something that I don’t often wish to think about - the loss of a loved one. each story was heartbreaking in its own way and beautifully crafted.

thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this eARC.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional, thought-provoking and entertaining collection of short stories centered around all kinds of goodbyes. I laughed at some stories and teared up at other - Mary Jones does such a lovely job of capturing what it means to let go.

Thanks to Zibby Books for the copy to review.

[Pauln · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book!! An amazing debut collection. Some stories are only a few pages long but very quickly grab the reader. Others are longer but wish they would continue. Many stories focus on life’s little decisions, observations, etc. Highly recommended!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read a collection like this, I promise myself to read more short stories. Perfect.