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I’ve been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Edan Lepucki’s debut novella, If You’re Not Yet Like Me, and last night, it arrived! (In addition, I am now the proud owner of a Flatmancrooked condom and two postcards: Tony Danza and Tom Selleck.)

To celebrate, today’s story of the day is sure to make you order a copy of Lepucki’s novella. She’s damn good. Enjoy “Pretzel Girl,” from FiveChapters:

Sometimes, Kat felt alone, forever stuck in the past.  Perhaps she was trapped in adolescence, at the cusp of eighth and ninth grades, that cruel chasm.  She knew if she didn’t grow up, her lameness would eventually kill her.  Death by pathetic.

But here she remained: irresponsible, sometimes petulant, snubbing her father when he invited her somewhere.  For the time being, she was protected by cacti and the insipid lull of the television, and the dresses, which she looked terrific in.

(Edan Lepucki Bonus Round! Here you go: “Salt Lick.”)

(Bonus Review Boosh! Tobias Carroll loves If You’re Not Yet Like Me)