Talks With Dead Aunts: And Other Tales From the Isla Ajaja

by Carly Berg

The semi-fictional Isla Ajaja lies just south of the Texas gulf coast --- and just south of normal. This linked story collection is about women trying to get by in a 1970s beach town.

205 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2024

About the author

MY LIFE AS A DUST DEVIL (2025)
A young girl's hardscrabble with humor coming-of-age story (for grown-ups). Star Garza somehow makes it through, with her loony mother, across the desert and hills of New Mexico.
https://www.amazon.com/My-Life-as-Dus...

NOMADS NEST, POPULATION: 12 (2025)
This novel-in-stories portrays some of the fallout of today's disconnected, mobile lifestyle. The residents of six apartments above a truck stop in rural Alberta, Canada, live, love, fight and run in place with each other, all as they're just passing through.
https://www.amazon.com/Nomads-Nest-Po...

ST. LOUIS SISTERS: A 1970s RETELLING OF LITTLE WOMEN (2024)
These sisters aren't quite as sweet and innocent as in the 1800s original, in this spicy, updated version of Little Women (for grown-ups).
https://www.amazon.com/St-Louis-Siste...


TALKS WITH DEAD AUNTS: AND OTHER TALES FROM THE ISLA AJAJA (2024)
The linked stories in this over the top collection are loosely modeled on Galveston, Texas.
https://www.amazon.com/Talks-Dead-Aun...

COFFEE HOUSE LIES: 100 CUPS OF FLASH FICTION (2014)
The short-short, far-ranging stories in this collection have been put together into a book, after rights to them reverted back from the various litmags they first appeared in.
https://www.amazon.com/Coffee-House-L...

HOW TO WRITE A NOVEL WHEN YOU JUST...CAN'T (2025)
For those who just don't seem to ever make it to "The End." This short guide lays out three big boosts that provide that something extra to get you there. It's like training wheels for writers.
https://www.amazon.com/Write-Novel-Wh...

STORY PROMPTS THAT WORK: 52 DETAILED, TESTED STORY STARTERS FOR SHORT STORIES AND FLASH FICTION (FOR ADULTS AND TEENS (2016)
You couldn't really get lost with these, even if you tried...
https://www.amazon.com/Story-Prompts-...

WRITING FLASH FICTION: HOW TO WRITE VERY SHORT STORIES AND GET THEM PUBLISHED (2015)
This popular, slim guide shows aspiring writers how get something polished and out on submission within hours or days, rather than only after weeks, months or years.
https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Flash-...

Reviews

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very fun read. Not my usual subject matter (received in a Goodreads giveaway), but I was very quickly drawn into the lives of these Southern beach town characters - quirky, funny, introspective, sometimes ribald - trying to navigate as best they know how through their precarious lives. I really enjoyed the interrelatedness of the tales. Never a boring moment. I will be checking out Carly Berg’s other books.

[Courtney Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this one in a giveaway and I’m so glad! This isn’t something I would’ve picked up on my own so it was definitely new to me but I loved it. I enjoyed how the stories all stood on their own but were also interconnected. It really showed the many issues we face as women and how we can all have empathy for one another. I laughed at parts and I cried at parts. I felt for the characters and also was mad at the characters sometimes. Beautifully written!

[Lisa Fuhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I laughed out loud so many times. It was quirky, fun, and interesting storylines and the way they were connected worked very well. I'll have to read more from this author, great work!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book.

[Adina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a unique and intriguing read. The blend of magical realism and quirky storytelling immediately drew me in. I enjoyed how the author combined humor with a touch of darkness, creating a strange yet engaging atmosphere. Isla’s journey of self discovery and connection to her family’s past was both moving and thought-provoking. The interactions with the dead aunts added an unusual, almost whimsical element that kept me turning pages.

However, there were moments where the pacing felt uneven and some parts of the plot could’ve been more fleshed out. At times, the shift between serious and lighthearted tones felt jarring, but I appreciated the risk the author took. Overall, it’s a book that evokes mixed emotions, humor, nostalgia, and a touch of sadness. If you enjoy stories with a supernatural twist and an offbeat sense of humor, this is worth picking up.

[Maritsa Daumer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giveaway review

Received this book as a goodreads giveaway, I mostly enjoyed the first tale, I think this book would have done better if it had gone between characters POV instead of different "tales" That combined in a way, it does give you a bit of perspective of how everyone is different and copes with life differently but it was not something I loved

[Alex Hagman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the first story was okay, but it’s like the author just ran out of steam after that. The rest of the stories are just kind of boring. I kept waiting for the story to come together in the end and maybe convey some big message or something and it just doesn’t. Not my style at all, but I hope others can enjoy it.

[Iasia Naranjo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first story was decent. It wasn’t anything that I would normally reach for to read. I liked the overall premise but something was just lacking in the execution of the characters.

Not sure if I will get through the other short stories.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a decent story. I listened to it and AI was the narrator which is another aspect that made it just okay. AI just isn't far enough to do narrations properly, it seems to choose the wrong pronunciation of same spelled words every time. ex : bow / bow

[Eleanor M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the storyline confusing - I was confused by who, when and where. I believe it’s just not my style preference.

[Ophelia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book in a giveaway in exchange for an honest review. It's not good, folks, not good. This is the most boring thing I've read all year. I hope the author has a backup career.

[Em · Rating 1 out of 5]

D, and I do not say this lightly, NF. I never DNF books unless I have to. dnf dnf dnf dnf

[Bob Nadal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book that captures the 1970s perfectly. All of the characters are perfectly brought to life. A wonderful giveaway book.

[Dan Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like very original fiction, this is for you.