Watching the Grass Grow

by Diane Michaels

Two short stories about subway delays, jury duty, and how love rushes in when life stands still. They say you shouldn’t make eye contact with a stranger on the subway in New York City. It may not be an actual violation of the subway system code of conduct, but still. Lisa and Geoff, two strangers smushed together on a crowded E train, break that code when their train unexpectedly stops. Their conversation is the perfect antidote to the boredom and frustration of the delay. And more than the broken AC is to blame for the rising heat between them. When the train moves again, Lisa wonders if they should go back to behaving like strangers. But what if their paths were meant to cross? Tom—middle-aged, divorced, and out of work—needs to get a life. Instead, he gets a juror summons. Hardly expecting to ‘find himself’ while fulfilling his civic duty, he sets a single goal for the persuade the judge to exempt him from being picked for a jury. Time had stood still in the juror lounge. It begins to spin backward when he reconnects with Susan, a fellow juror and his middle school crush. Before long, he’s back under her spell. Could a man in his current position interest her? When she swipes through a dating app in front of him, she indicates the answer is no. With nothing else to lose, Tom prepares to sacrifice the one goal he has in order to capture her attention.

Genres: Romance, Short Stories, Fiction

50 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2017

About the author

Diane Michaels is a harpist and author. She balances her fondness for ice cream with her enjoyment of working out and walking through the woods. When she is not spying on the world from behind her harp to collect ideas for her next book, she and her husband make up stories and songs for and about their miniature poodle, Lola.

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 3 out of 5]

As other reviewers have mentioned this book is two separate stories in one. They are both short and take about a half hour to read.

So I found both stories interesting and quite cute. I sometimes, when reading short stories, wish they would be a wee bit longer and that applies here. Bot h stories end rather abrubtly and though they are fun and easy to read, not to mention being extremely well written, I kind of wanted more.

I particularly enjoyed the story about the lad y on Jury Duty. I loved the descriptions of the process. I have experienced some of that first hand. Jury Duty..argggg! I know it is my constitutional dity but sitting there all day when nothing happens can be grueling. I liked the story very much.

I'd kind of like to read a full length novel by this writer and will kep my eyes open. Recommended to fans of fun and quick short stories.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet, quick read. But, I'm having trouble finding a point. This book is just two unrelated contemporary fiction stories. Both have a happy, but cliffhanging ending. Both are a prelude to potential romance. Neither left me wanting more. But, I do think this author has the potential to write a lovely full-length novel. And if she wrote it, I would read it.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two clean easy reading short stories. Each one takes about 1/2 hour to read. Read, relax, enjoy the cute little stories about chance encounters and then take a nap. I enjoyed this book and got two nice nap days.

[Wendi Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're looking for a quick read that doesn't take any concentration, this is it.

In novels, these two stories would be the first chapter; but without the hook. I found them both to be entirely forgettable.

[Texas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watching the Grass Grow - My first read by this author, which actually contains two short stories: Downtown Dough Nuts and Watching the Grass Grow. Well written for nowadays, with Michaels' vivid descriptions you can actually feel like you're a fly on the wall. The characters aren't anyone special, but every day folks. I would read more of her quickly read stories. Perfect for coffee breaks or a few minutes of relaxation. 4*

Downtown Dough Nuts - Interesting, cute little story between two people stuck on the subway; complete with humor.

Watching the Grass Grow - Interesting, cute story between two people with a past history, as schoolkids, meeting decades later for jury duty.

[Jerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first story about encounters riding the subway was really enjoyable. I could relate to this after using the Metro to commute from MD and VA while working in Washington, DC. You revel in or endure the divine and the profane; the good, bad, and the ugly, especially when I had to bargain with teens for my senior citizen seating. During one period of my life, when I could I grabbed a seat by a window but still close to an exit door so I would be able to fight my way out the door in time and used that solitude to grieve for my mother or to bury my nose in my ever-present reading material. The last one was about the yoga instructor who is recognized by a woman he went to school with starting in sixth grade and had a crush on for years but never let her know that. He was unhappily married for 19 years and now divorced. They have been called to report for jury duty--she wants to serve, he wants to get out of it. She changes his mind. I fear he is attracted to a woman who will run his life again, but hopefully more towards what he wants instead of what she wants. I want to read more of what Diane has to share with us--especially if they are as much fun as the subway story.

[Shari Ring Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging

I'm not usually a fan of short stories, but I enjoyed this book. The writing is engaging, and it pulled me in. I doubt I would have been interested if I'd read a synopsis of the stories, but the writing made them good.

I generally feel like something is missing, or has ended before I find out what really happens, so I avoid short stories. Not so with these two. The author seems to know when a story needs to be short, and doesn't merely shorten a longer version of pick out a part of the big story to write about.

Next time I'm in the mood for light romance, I will read this author again. Diane Michaels.

[Ana T · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only thing bad about these short stories is that they are short.



Too quick to read. Like a fun sized bag of M&Ms when you're having a chocolate craving: delicious but it's not enough, you want, you NEED more.

[Rosemary Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic yet touching

This story was mesmerizing and fun at the same time! The characters were quickly yet, thoroughly, developed. They felt like old friends you wanted to reconnect with. The story left you satisfied but searching for more.

[Warren Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, quick read

"Watching the Grass Grow", is two short stories of accidental meetings and the possibility of romance. They are short, well written, and easy to read .
What's next?
Enjoy.

[Deanne C Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too quickly done

Very enjoyable read. The characters had fun, smart dialog that seemed believable. I liked the format of a short afternoon 'meet cute' and will look to read more from this author.

[Rita Kunselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! The two story’s were so different but, yet the same! The endings I most loved! I would recommend for anyone to read this book! I am sure they would enjoy it!

[Ankita Kaul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two short stories, interesting points of view, and actually ending at a hopeful maybe. Makes you want more, especially in a world of gratuitous epilogues, but a good read nonetheless.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, easy read of two short stories.

[Charlotte Osborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun quick little stories

Just want something to read while waiting in a dr office, quick little entertaining stores. I will def read more of her books. Loved her style

[Mina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 short stories. Really short. I liked the first, the second was just ok

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty boring.

[Lisa Samber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun quick read

[Gloria Archimandritis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bored

The first short story was cute in like a 13 year old would like. The second story was just boring.

[Ab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable quick read. Well written, interesting characters. Made me want to look for books by Diane Michaels.

[Erica Pyles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the idea of a book of short story/meet cutes. Well written and very entertaining short stories. However, two stories were not enough.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a book, more like an introduction to characters you'd like to get to know better. Two pretty short stories but they caught my attention and made me want to read more.

[Cindy Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two light and Quirky reads. cute but wish They were a little longer

[Anne - ReadingfortheWeekend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two short stories make up this book. They both are quick reads a nice taste of contemporary romances.

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 lighthearted short stories that I enjoyed reading.

[Jennifer Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these!

This style of capturing a few minutes of someone's life when they have a chance meeting with someone who may or may not become a love interest was fun.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute stories. Probably the shortest book I've ever read.

[Ginger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh! Didn’t care for either of the short stories. Glad this was free….

[Jacqueline Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun quick reads. Only let down is I want to know more of each story and how they continue for each couple.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

My full review can be found here: https://thereadingwife.com/watching-t...