HAPPY RELEASE DAY! This anthology has such a fantastic, nostalgic feel while still incorporating more modern concepts. It allowed me to relive that "80s kid hanging out at the mall, going to FYE, people-watching" feeling that a lot of kids these days just won't ever experience (if that doesn't make me sound old, I don't know what will).
This TOC is FIRE. I'm beyond in love with it, and the variety of stories they contributed. There were three in particular that stood out to me: "Closing Time" by Lor Gislason (and not just because the title got the song stuck in my head), Liam Burke's story "Posers", and "This Place Belongs to Us" from Wendy Dalrymple. These three stories are very different styles, but crept under my skin just the same. Claustrophic feelings, a longing for how things used to be, and anger taken out in the wrong ways, are all themes/elements that I find unsettling. In the case of wishing things were the way they used to be, it's also a very relatable feeling.
From Beyond Press has nailed it again, showing what great taste they have in stories and their affinity for picking great ones! I recommend taking a trip back to your childhood, memories from so long ago, and the ancient ruins that now dot our landscapes: victims to Amazon and overnight deliveries.