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Annalisa Crawford
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You. I. Us. Paperback – June 10, 2016

by Annalisa Crawford (Author)
3.8 out of 5 stars 22 ratings

In 'You. I. Us.' Annalisa Crawford captures everyday people during poignant defining moments in their lives: An artist puts his heart into his latest sketch, an elderly couple endures scrutiny by a fellow diner, an ex-student attempts to make amends with a girl she bullied at school, a teenager holds vigil at his friend's hospital bedside, long distance lovers promise complete devotion, a broken-hearted widow stares into the sea from the edge of a cliff where her husband died, a grieving son contacts the only person he can rely on in a moment of crisis, a group of middle-aged friends inspire each other to live remarkable lives. Day after day, we make the same choices. But after reading 'You. I. Us.' you'll ask yourself, "What if we didn't?"

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  1. Print length
    108 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Vine Leaves Press
  4. Publication date
    June 10, 2016
  5. Dimensions
    4.72 x 0.26 x 7.48 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1925417174
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1925417173
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vine Leaves Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 10, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 108 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1925417174
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1925417173
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.84 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.72 x 0.26 x 7.48 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 out of 5 stars 22 ratings

About the author

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Annalisa Crawford

Annalisa Crawford

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Annalisa Crawford lives in south east Cornwall and shares her home with her husband, and canine writing companion, Artoo. She writes dark contemporary fiction with a hint of paranormal.

Her first book, Cat & The Dreamer, was published in 2012 and became the catalyst for longer works and eventually novels: Grace & Serenity (2020), Small Forgotten Moments (2021), and One Tuesday, Early (2024). Her short stories have appeared in Writers’ Forum, The New Writers, Flash Fiction Magazine, Fictive Dream, and Reflex Fiction, and many others.

Small Forgotten Moments won Silver Medal in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, and her short story collection, The Clock in My Mother’s House, was shortlisted for the Rubery Book Award.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
22 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers appreciate the book's storytelling, with one noting how the author taps into universal feelings. The visual quality receives positive feedback, with customers describing it as beautiful.

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6 customers mention "Storytelling"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the storytelling in the book, describing it as gifted and emotive, with one customer noting how the author taps into universal feelings through many little snippets of life.

"...feeling, which I enjoyed, of the author seeing that every person has an interesting story, and she has done us the great favor of imagining those..." Read more

"...The writing is flawless, and the author does an incredible job of tapping into universal feelings that will make you nod your head in agreement, and..." Read more

"...And you are not let down. It takes many little snippets of life from myriad situations ranging from the torture of low self-image issues to life and..." Read more

"...Every story is its own emotional journey, like the heart-wrenching and oh so tender, This is My Love Story to the angry internal struggle of the H..." Read more

3 customers mention "Visual quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the visual quality of the book beautiful, with one mentioning that the images and descriptions are vivid.

"...Crawford's writing is beautiful and sharp. Her images and descriptions are vivid and she knows how to pace the story to keep you engaged...." Read more

"...Simply beautiful." Read more

"...i love this little book, from the beautiful cover to the clever stories inside it...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a gem. Some of the stories are very short, some a little longer, but they all grabbed me and made me want to keep reading. Even the shortest of them was satisfying - which is not to say that all loose ends are tied up - the beauty of short stories is that they never are! But still, they satisfy. I picture the author gathering her story ideas from watching people in a cozy coffee shop. They have that feeling, which I enjoyed, of the author seeing that every person has an interesting story, and she has done us the great favor of imagining those stories and sharing them with us. They are not always happy stories, but they are not always sad either, and they seem very, very real. Crawford's writing is beautiful and sharp. Her images and descriptions are vivid and she knows how to pace the story to keep you engaged. I plan to read this book again, simply to savor the words and appreciate how deftly the author takes us where she wants us to go. I highly recommend this book.
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  • Susan Flett Swiderski
    5.0 out of 5 stars Stories to Touch Your Soul
    Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The ONLY thing I don't particularly like about this book is its title. It doesn't even come close to indicating how truly terrific the stories are inside. I mean, really. The writing is flawless, and the author does an incredible job of tapping into universal feelings that will make you nod your head in agreement, and make your heart ache with the sweet sadness of it all. Simply beautiful.
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  • I Forgive Heathcliff
    4.0 out of 5 stars Vignettes for the soul
    Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    You. I. Us. When you see the title, along with the cover, you're expecting something eclectic and emotive, stirring, wide-ranging. And you are not let down. It takes many little snippets of life from myriad situations ranging from the torture of low self-image issues to life and death and mental instability. One of my favorites reminded me of a T.C. Boyle story involving a dead husband watching his widow from afar; this author's take on an echoing voice left behind raised the hair on the back of my neck. A nice collection; a unique idea creating vignettes tied together by an omnitude of wanting and pathos and joy into: You. I. Us.
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  • Elizabeth Seckman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Short and not-so-much sweet, but satisfying!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Annalisa never fails to weave a great story. i love this little book, from the beautiful cover to the clever stories inside it. Every story is its own emotional journey, like the heart-wrenching and oh so tender, This is My Love Story to the angry internal struggle of the H Word...all of these stories are quick, satisfying reads that will stick with you long after the book is finished.
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  • Sharif
    5.0 out of 5 stars gifted storytelling
    Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Crawford is a gifted storyteller, which anyone can tell from reading this short story collection. She writes in a range of emotions as well as points of view of men, women, the young, and the old. The endings of all of them were fantastic, especially the ones that had an unexpected twist.
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  • Ann S. Epstein
    5.0 out of 5 stars Finely tuned first-person vignettes...
    Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Annalisa Crawford has composed a set of finely tuned first-person vignettes that evoke the darkness and sorrow in big and small events. Economically written, these honest stories are deeper and more expansive than the words on the page.
    One person found this helpful
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  • BigAl
    4.0 out of 5 stars You. I. Us.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2017
    As the description says, each of these short stories focus on “everyday people during poignant defining moments in their lives.” Sounds serious, doesn’t it? And some of them are. But I found my emotions or reaction to the stories were more varied than that. Some got a laugh, maybe a sympathetic laugh or an I’m-glad-that-isn’t-me laugh, but still a laugh. While some stories are better than others, none are bad and your list of the best and worst would be different than mine. These are the kind of stories that which ones resonate with you are going to be dependent on your attitudes and experiences as much as the character’s. Those who like short stories and characters who feel real life, you’ll find plenty to like in this collection.

    **Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
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  • Cathy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful short stories
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2016
    This book of short stories is a little gem. It runs the spectrum of emotions from differing points of view and age ranges, from the most joyful high to the depths of sorrow – emotional, sensitive, moving and tender. The stories convey sentiments we can all relate to and appreciate. There are sketches from all sorts of situations and each gives pause for thought. I enjoyed them all. Here’s just a very small taste, there are lots more.

    Motherhood ~ one of the longer stories, which tugs at the heartstrings.

    'I’m sorry, so sorry.

    You’re wired up, your tiny heart beating through tissue-paper skin. You’re far too small – your hand doesn’t even wrap itself around one of my fingers.

    It’s all my fault.'

    In The Beer Garden ~ appearances can be deceptive, and how often do we ignore something or someone through feeling uneasy.

    '…I sit alone.

    …my hands shake, my eyes are puffy and raw. I probably shouldn’t be here, in full view of other people, but I didn’t know where else to go.'

    Sisters ~ being the most beautiful doesn’t guarantee happiness or affection.

    'Oh, this must be killing you. It’s you who people normally stare at and admire, falling over themselves to talk to you. The rest of us gave up years ago.'

    Redemption ~ an opportunity for revenge on one of the bullies who made schooldays miserable.

    'I stare at my phone long after you’ve disconnected, wondering what the trick is. Will you be sitting in the café opposite, pissing yourself laughing, while I wait for you in the rain? Will you take bets on how long I’ll stand there? Or perhaps you’ll order the most expensive dish and run out on the bill?'

    It’s expert storytelling and skilful writing when so much is expressed in so few words. Some of the stories are only just over a page long, some are several pages and in each one there’s a definite sense of the characters and their reactions and emotions relating to the circumstances and/or relationships with others. I loved the unexpected twists to some of the endings. Great cover too.

    My review is based on a free copy of the ebook from the author/publisher. This does not affect my opinion or the review content.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Christina Fulcher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I loved reading this book. Highly recommend.
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