This collection of short stories is tricky to rate. I got a lot out of some, and others I had to skip over. Overall, I've gone middle of the road with a 2.5. I'd recommend it to those who love short stories (it is packed full) and those keen to read about the Jewish experience and/or finding your place in the world.

Thank you to the author, Guernica Editions and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting this review, I had a bit too much going on.

I do love a short story collection, and there is a lot to love here - as always, there were some stories that resonated deeply with me, and others less so. Some are very short, some longer, but each left me with things to mull over. Themes of human existence, relationship, openness and vulnerability, and all kinds of emotions. And the cherry on top is the fantastic title!

I read ten of the stories in this collection and I felt the book wasn’t going anywhere. There was no depth to the stories and the characters were bland and interchangeable. The subject matter is something that normally will appeal to me but this rendering lacked heft.

All I know is she's a Jewish author who has some Jewish short stories and I haven't heard of her before. That's it. That's the post.

Danilla Botha's collection of 32 short stories is brilliant. Each story is wonderful on its own, and short, ranging from 3-18 pages in length; but also, each one packs velocity and impact. The characters vary in age, background, location and quirks, many are Jewish, but no story is like another. The writer's creativity, talent, and ability to so convincingly set these stories in such a wide range of far-flung locations are stunning.

I struggled to read this and it ended up as a DNF book. I was confused as to the point of most of what I read—some stories ended abruptly and others I just couldn’t understand the message trying to be conveyed.

*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

short stories are hit or miss for me, and the case was the same here. however, the writing was intriguing and i'd consider reading more by this author. thanks to the publisher for the digital copy.

Botha's writing style is truly something interesting. Like always it is hard to love every story within a collection but I liked a large majority of them. Both's humor, wit, and creative talents were seen in my of these stories which I think can and will be a hit or miss for readers depending if they pick up on it or not, but I think it showed a truly sense of voice and personal style.

Unfortunately i couldn't continue to read this book, yes it feels really emotional but i couldn't keep up, maybe because i can't picture myself in her shoes.

Like any collection of short stories, some resonated with me more than others. Some of these stories made me laugh and cry whereas others made me mildly uncomfortable, or made me feel like I didn't understand what the author was trying to do.
All of the stories were beautifully written and was an overall enjoyable read.

I love a short story collection that provides vastly different perspectives and this one is no different. The title of this collection is what immediately drew my attention. I love reading about the different experiences documented in these stories and could have read 1,000 more pages of it.

In the realm of literature, Danila Botha's "Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness" emerges as a poignant collection of short stories that delves into the complexities of human existence, evoking a range of emotions from laughter to tears. With her signature vulnerability and humor, Botha masterfully illuminates the struggles of individuals seeking their place in the world, leaving readers with a profound sense of empathy and connection. Botha's stories transcend conventional boundaries, encompassing diverse characters and situations that resonate with universal themes. From the bullied twelve-year-old in "Born, Not Made" to the musician saved from homelessness in "Blasting Molly Rockets," Botha's characters grapple with adversity with remarkable resilience. The sculptor who constructs a golem to fulfill her grandmother's wish in "Able to Pass" encapsulates the power of memory and the enduring bonds of family. Furthermore, Botha explores the complexities of Jewish identity through her characters' introspective journeys. In "Soulmates," a character reexamines their entire identity, while in "Dark and Lilac Fairies," another clings steadfastly to their heritage. These stories provoke contemplation on what it means to belong and the myriad ways in which individuals navigate their cultural roots. Just as in her previous collection, "For All the Men (and Some of the Women) I've Known," Botha's "Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness" elicits a kaleidoscope of emotions. Laughter and tears intertwine as readers connect with the deeply human experiences depicted in each story. However, beyond the emotional resonance, Botha's work imparts a profound sense of connection, reminding readers that they are not alone in their struggles and triumphs. In summary, Danila Botha's "Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness" is an exceptional collection of short stories exploring the human experience's depths with vulnerability, humor, and empathy. Botha's characters and narratives transcend boundaries, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives and identities. This collection is a testament to the power of literature to evoke a range of emotions and foster a sense of togetherness in the face of life's complexities.

This collection of short stories was emotional and wonderfully human. I found it hard to connect with most of the details (as I am not the target audience), but the ideas were intriguing and the writing was well done.

I don't always read short stories, but when I do I like them to be a little on edge and these were. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Unfortunately could not relate to the book at all due to the contents of it. It isn’t written bad per se, just did not interest me enough to want to continue.

I did end up DNF'ing this book. I found it extremely difficult to read through some of the stories, and perhaps that is because the Jewish experience is not something I relate to, I found it hard to follow along with some of the topics and traditions touched on in the stories. I did finally put this book down once I got to the story "Always and Angel, Never a God" - I found it incredibly insensitive and uncomfortable and just wasn't something I wanted to continue reading. The writing felt stunted, many of the stories ended abruptly and didn't really say much of anything at all. Because of this, I unfortunately would not recommend this book in good faith, and likely won't want to come back to it to finish it anytime in the future.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I lost my initial interest in the book fairly quickly and did not continue past the first story. I know this story will connect with their target audience, but I am not one of them.

This book was really difficult to get into. A woman’s journey through a difficult life is honestly difficult to get through. Honestly predictable and hard to get through. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The description of the book seemed interesting, so I wanted to check the story out. Unfortunately, I have since lost my initial interest in the story. I may try and find a physical copy to add the my library when it is released, though, because I think my readers could like it!

I have always loved short stories, and this collection did not disappoint. I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into since the book description covers a lot of topics, but imagine my surprise when I could identify with almost every one. It is very heavily embedded with Jewish culture and I didn’t realize I how badly I needed this book in my life until I read it. Especially during these times when it’s so scary to be Jewish in the world.

It’s so hard to pull off short stories and do them well, and the author flawlessly executed each one. Some were in first person and some were in third, but it didn’t matter because I was immediately engaged and invested. I’ll definitely be checking out more of her work. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC.