I love Julianna Baggott's voice. It is so wise and sharp and entertaining, and I appreciate the honesty with which she approaches each of these treasures of short stories. This is a lovely collection, and I can't wait to read more.

A speculative fiction collection that is compelling, moving, and often deeply upsetting in the way any effective short story is. Baggott takes us into a world that feels simultaneously centuries away and near enough to our own it's breathing down our neck; technology has advanced rapidly and inevitably, leaving damage and discoveries of all kinds in its wake. The premises of these stories will stick with me long after finer details have been eroded. Funny, fascinating, and unsettling, Baggott reminds/warns us about the profound sense of humanity we can't seem to (or won't) shake even with the dominant focus on constant optimization.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Buckle up, because this collection is a kaleidoscope of imagination, a carnival ride through the extraordinary, and a literary feast for the curious soul.

The Extraordinary Ordinary: A Fun House Mirror

Julianna Baggott’s words are like stepping in front of a fun house mirror. They warp reality, twist expectations, and reveal the extraordinary lurking within the mundane. Each story is a prism, refracting light into unexpected hues. Whether you’re sipping coffee in a cozy nook or riding the subway, these tales will nudge you to peer closer, to see the world anew.

A Glimpse into the Bizarre and Beautiful - Let’s dive into the rabbit hole, shall we? Here’s a glimpse of what awaits:

“Banned for Life”: In a future where credit scores and dating scores intertwine, a woman banned from dating apps stumbles into a support group. Love blooms in the unlikeliest of places, and Baggott’s prose dances between wit and vulnerability.

“Backwards”: Imagine Benjamin Button, but with a twist. A daughter reconnects with her aging father, their time together defying the laws of physics. It’s poignant, heartwarming, and a reminder that time is both linear and circular.

“Welcome to Oxhead”: When the power goes out in a gated community, the parents “shut off.” Baggott explores isolation, connection, and the eerie glow of emergency candles. It’s a suburban ghost story that lingers.

“Portals”: Dozens of portals appear in a small town. Hope and loss collide as people step through, seeking answers or escape. Baggott’s portrayal of human longing is both haunting and hopeful.

“The Now of Now”: Teenagers who can stop time find love in the frozen moments. Their stolen kisses and suspended laughter create a delicate tapestry of teenage yearning.

“How They Got In”: A grieving family watches old home videos, only to glimpse a murdered girl. Baggott weaves grief, memory, and the uncanny into a chilling narrative.

“The Versions”: Stand-in androids fall in love at a wedding. Their circuits buzz with forbidden emotion, and we’re left pondering what it means to be human.

Hold your breath—film rights have already been snapped up by Netflix, Paramount, Amblin, Lionsgate, and more. Imagine these stories on the big screen, their weirdness amplified by cinematic magic. Baggott’s characters will leap from the page, and we’ll witness their quirks and quests in high definition.

“I’d Really Prefer Not to Be Here with You, and Other Stories” is a literary rollercoaster. Julianna Baggott invites us to ride alongside her, gripping the safety bar as we hurtle through alternate realities. So, dear reader, fasten your seatbelt, open the book, and let the ordinary unravel into something truly extraordinary.

General short story collections and anthologies contain a lot of hit and miss stories for me but Julianna delivered a range dark, hilarious, and mildly sarcastic short stories
inspired by Covid lockdown and humanities imperfections that I just could not put down. Imagine a world where bad dates must go to their own support group!

You might just think you've entered The Twilight Zone once you pick up Julianna Baggott's new collection of speculative short stories, I'd Really Prefer Not to Be Here with You. This Black Mirror-esque collection of wholly unique and curious tales probes the mind and makes you question perception and reality.

Included in this collection are 15 sci-fi-type stories, which explore AI, virtual reality, the paranormal, metaphysics, and more. While these subjects may sound a bit dense and difficult for the casual science fiction reader, Baggott writes in a truly relatable way, making this collection accessible to everyone.

Not only are these stories readable; they also have heart. "Backwards," this collection's standout story, tore me apart in the best and worst of ways. In Backwards, a daughter, estranged from her absent father, is called to witness his death by de-aging. In this world, scientists have discovered how to trigger the process of de-aging, in which people rapidly travel backwards through the years, growing younger over the course of a few days until they reach a nascent stage of life in which their lungs are no longer fully developed and they die. Having lived life without her father in it, the daughter now gets to meet the man he was before she ever even came into existence, and eventually finds the parental roles reversed and herself caring for the spirited child that he was. This was such a thought-provoking story, which made me ponder my own parents and the people they were before I was born.

This is a remarkable collection of stories with a little something here for everyone to enjoy. Recommended to anyone who enjoys their fiction a little quirky and off the beaten path.

oh my god!!! some of these stories were incredibly creative and mindblowing. as someone who does not read a lot of science fiction or speculative fiction, this was such a good out of my comfort zone read. however, i didn't love many of these stories, but the ones i did enjoy i enjoyed so much. this is definitely black mirror galore in book form.

Incredibly weird, but all in a good way. Like reading a weirder collection of Black Mirror episodes. Enjoyed it.

"I'd Really Prefer Not to Be Here with You, and Other Stories" by Julianna Baggott is an absolute treasure that I hold dear to my heart. This collection of stories is a captivating journey through the human experience, and I am genuinely enamored by every word within its pages.

Baggott's writing is a masterclass in storytelling, with each tale transporting me to different worlds and emotions. The characters are beautifully fleshed out, and their struggles, joys, and vulnerabilities come alive in every story. Baggott's ability to evoke empathy and connection is truly remarkable.

At the core of this collection is a rich exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the moments that shape our lives. Each story offers a unique perspective, whether it's a moment of heartache, humor, or profound realization. The range of emotions Baggott captures is astounding.

"I'd Really Prefer Not to Be Here with You, and Other Stories" is a literary feast that satisfies both the heart and the mind. The depth of insight, the lyrical prose, and the emotional resonance of these stories are a testament to Baggott's skill as a storyteller.

This collection has left an indelible mark on me, and I'm thrilled to recommend it to fellow readers who are looking for stories that challenge, uplift, and resonate long after the final page. Baggott's work is a gift, and I am beyond grateful to have discovered this collection that will remain close to my heart.

This is an excellent and entirely original collection of short stories. Baggott covers a lot of topics in this impressive collection.

I really wanted to like this book and some of the stories I did. The Story 'Welcome to Oxhead' was very interesting and I wish Baggott explored a bit more into that world. I also liked 'How they got in' and 'The Versions' as the stories felt unique and interesting. Most of the other stories on the other hand just felt chaotic and were paced a bit weird. Some just felt weird to just be weird, which I actually am a fan of creepy and weird stories but they need to be cohesive.

Baggott is a really good writer. I really like how she describes things, she doesn't overly describe. I would really love to read a full-fledged novel from Baggott rather than short stories, which I know they have so I will be looking for some with a weird vibe.

Confusing but not in the fun way😞 I feel like this is a yassified version of a fun collection of sci fi short stories. I've read a lot of sci fi short stories and these just didn't have the believability and intrigue that makes a good collection in my mind. DNF at 20%.

This ended up being a DNF for me at around 30%. The stories I read had fascinating concepts but all of them weren't fleshed out enough. I had to desire to continue reading, although I appreciated the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

This collection is so good. There's something so different about each story and I found myself flying through all of them. I honestly wish some of these were expanded on and made into whole novels!

This is a wonderfully odd collection of short stories by Julianna Baggott. From a woman bonding with her dad as he ages backward to a family mourning a father's death stumbling onto a cold case, Baggott shows characters in unusual circumstances and how they cope. Her writing shines, and I am looking forward to the movies from this collection!

I'm so thankful to have received digital access to I'd Really Prefer Not to Be Here with You, and Other Stories by Julianna Baggott, leading up to its publication date of March 28, 2023. I thought this piece of literary fiction, in the short-story format, was so well done and I can't wait to run to my feed to see what my fellow readers think of this work of art. I am so thankful to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing additionally for the bookish love.

This is an excellent collection of science fiction short stories about love, grief, loneliness, and trauma. Thought provoking, this collection has a dystopian element that makes it impossible to put down. There is some adult language but it’s used appropriately.

This collection had my mind swirling with philosophical thoughts. Is our current perception of reality really correct? Can marketing change living conditions? These stories seemed plausible to me and while I couldn’t put it down, I also needed many cups of tea. It was a terrific way to spend a Sunday,

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

The comparisons to some of these stories and the feel of a Black Mirror episode are easy to draw. There's a technological dystopian feel to much of the tales herein. Julianna Baggott has a knack for weaving technology elements and strong characters together to create deft, engaging stories. This is a collection not to be missed.

These short stories are groundbreaking. Every single one of them is fresh, incredibly original, unpredictable, and masterfully written. I can’t wait to read more books written by this author.

I loved this odd, speculative collection. If you’re craving Black Mirror pick this up. It’s strange and wonderful, and will be on my mind long after finishing it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A quirky and speculative collection of short stories is one of my absolute favorite genres, and Julianna Baggott's debut collection did not disappoint! This gave me definite Black Mirror vibes, and since that is one of my all-time favorite shows, bring on all the Black Mirror energy!

I'm giving this a rating of 4.5 stars, and as with any collection of stories/essays, some stood out more than others. My favorites from this collection were "Nest", "Backwards", and "The Holographer".

I'd recommend this collection of short stories to any reader who enjoys speculative, dystopian, or science fiction with a literary base and focused on human relationships/dilemmas. All of the stories drew me in from their beginnings, and they felt very approachable and propulsive--I found all of the main characters interesting and could relate to many, despite the often strange situations involved. There were some that I wished were longer, and felt somewhat unresolved, but that is often the nature of the short story genre itself.

I also loved the cover art, title, and overall immense creativity that Baggott displays in "I'd Really Prefer Not to Be Here With You, and Other Stories." I was sad to finish the book, and look forward to reading more of this author's works in the future.