A book of short stories that highlight the excellent writing skills of Ben Rogers. The stories are diverse in subject and characters but linked in the ability to pull readers into each story so quickly that moving from one story to the next is seamless. While I loved some more than others, every story wins a blue ribbon into the reader's favorite contest.

"The Mayfly" by Ben Rogers is a delightful and inventive collection of short stories that offers readers a glimpse into the varied and often unpredictable lives of its characters. Each tale is a unique specimen, showcasing Rogers' ability to capture the essence of the short story format.

The collection opens with the analogy of a mayfly's short-lived existence, setting the tone for the brevity and intensity found within the stories. Rogers explores a diverse range of narratives, from aging engineering professors seeking adventure to a pro cyclist grappling with the price of greatness. The author's storytelling prowess shines as he navigates through different genres and themes, keeping readers engaged with each turn of the page.

One standout feature of "The Mayfly" is the author's ability to inject humor and wit into even the most harrowing situations. The stories are not only well-crafted but also possess a delightful sense of playfulness. The characters, though facing diverse challenges, share a common thread of human vulnerability and resilience.

The narrative takes unexpected turns, offering readers a rollercoaster of emotions. From the resentful eyes of a Manhattan Project member witnessing the world's first nuclear reaction to a Hollywood editor deciding what belongs on the cutting room floor, each story is a testament to Rogers' versatility as a storyteller.

One of the gems in the collection is the tale set in 1869, where an aspiring writer pens a series of letters during his doomed homecoming to Virginia City, Nevada. The historical backdrop adds depth to the storytelling, and Rogers skillfully captures the essence of the time period.

While the stories are diverse, they are united by a common thread of creativity and imagination. The author's ability to create vivid and memorable characters in the limited space of a short story is commendable. The brevity of each narrative adds to the impact, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

"The Mayfly" is a rollicking debut collection that caters to fans of the short story genre. Ben Rogers has crafted a literary journey filled with humor, heart, and unexpected twists. Readers will find themselves entertained, moved, and fascinated by the inventive worlds brought to life within the pages of this collection. Overall, a four-star read that leaves a lasting imprint in the realm of short fiction.

Interesting collection of short stories spanning a vast range of topics. The first few stories are shorter and lighter, dealing with stories about a group of professors and a story about a boy's experience at a tennis camp.Each one was so interesting to read! They are so different and provoke different emotions as well. Some of the stories are amusing and funny, some are sad. And some are both. They all kept me entertained.

I loved the concept behind this book but wasn’t able to get into it unfortunately, despite trying a few different times

This title was a pleasant collection of essays that took the reader in so many different directions throughout the book. I enjoyed the consistency in style, while also getting an eclectic array of topics, settings, and storylines. Though a couple of the stories were a little longer than I felt like they needed to be, it was overall, worth the read.

I really enjoyed the gamut of stories in this book for the most part. It took me a while to get into the last story in the book, however I was glad that I kept reading because it really did pay off. I loved that each story elicited some form of emotion, whether good or bad. The sheer mastery of language alone was enviable and lended strength to this book. I definitely will be watching this author and felt that he represents such a unique take on the world and how he approaches a story. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

What a wonderful and unique collection of 8 short stories. Each one was so interesting to read! They are so different and provoke different emotions as well. Some of the stories are amusing and funny, some are sad. And some are both. They all kept me entertained. I would love to check out more of Ben Roger's writings.

I received a free electronic copy of this collection of short stories from Netgalley, Ben Rogers, and CQ books. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this work of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of the tales. I am tickled to recommend it to friends and family.

Each story is individual and different. Some made me a little uncomfortable, but all entertained. The first tale is the most complex and overwhelming - and I enjoyed it more as I re-read it after I finished the rest of the stories. received a free electronic copy of this collection of short stories from Netgalley, Ben Rogers, and CQ books. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this work of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of the tales. I am tickled to recommend it to friends and family.

Each story is individual and different. Some made me a little uncomfortable, but all entertained. The first tale is the most complex and overwhelming - and I enjoyed it more as I re-read it after I finished the rest of the stories.

The Mayfly is a book of short stories. Some of the stories such as the title one were a bit too long. I was relieved at the ending of that one; for a creature with such a short life, he had a long story.

This book will appeal to readers who enjoy quirky ideas.

An engineer by trade, Ben Rogers has seems to have hit his groove in his second career as a writer; I found the stories in this collection to be freewheeling, lighthearted and confidently told. Of course, the flip side of this carefree and assured style is that at times he plays a bit too loose, letting his stories meander and go far longer than they need to. Rogers is not necessarily a bore, but he tends to clutter up his narratives with extraneous material that make them lose their steam . A bit more tightness, a more streamlined story-telling approach, even just a hacksaw to rip off some of the too-long bits would have made each one of the stories in this collection better. Linguistically, he'll throw every trick at you that he can think of. When it works, it's clever; when it doesn't some of the lines will make you wince. Is it fair to even give this kind of book a review? It was written for Ben Rogers, and I'm sure he had a good time in the process. Maybe that's all that matters...

What kind of stories would you expect from "the lead author of Nanotechnology: Understanding Small Systems , the first-ever comprehensive college textbook on nanotechnology,"? Exactly. And very well done. The obverse of the wonderful sprawling multi generational novel we all love. These stories(?) are a crazy quilt and if one doesn't appeal to you, several more will. The title story includes this, "What would Jesus do with wings, two penises and a few hours to live?" How can you resist that?

I enjoy anthologies and short story collections, and I thought this was above average. I hope this title receives more reviews so readers can get a broader perspective than just 2 reviews. There's talent here, and I hope the author continues to write.

Thanks very much for the free review copy!!

The Mayfly is a book of short stories. Naming the book The Mayfly was clever since the life of a mayfly is so short. I found some of the stories to hold my attention but overall found it to be a book that is easy to put down and not pick up again. This may simply be due to my interests. #netgalley #Themayfly