I've entered my Ottessa Moshfegh obsession era.

This woman makes me want to sit down and write. This short story collection features a cast of terrible characters who all have a ridiculous cavalier bluntness to them that is, however unintentional, darkly funny. Every short story centers a main character that embodies all of the worst thoughts you've ever had about others and your own body. Moshfegh also cleverly throws darts at the instalove trope, exposing the grotesque misinterpretation of lust for love. All these characters are lonely and filled with an urgent need for connection that leaves you feeling gross and empathetic.

The opening story "Bettering Myself" is definitely my favorite, but "No Place for Good People" and "Dancing in the Moonlight" are going to stick with me for a while.

CW: this is definitely not for the faint of heart. It's disgusting, upsetting, gross, features very negative descriptions of the body. If you like Carmen Maria Machado's Her Body and Other Parties and Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder, you will love this.