Books: “Games and Rituals” by Katherine Heiny

“Games and Rituals,” Katharine Heiny’s new collection of short stories, confirms that she is the funniest, tuned-into-the-zeitgeist writer since Nora Ephram.

There are so many good stories, I find it difficult to say which I liked best. For timeliness of topics, there’s “Pandemic Behavior” which demonstrates the extremes two roommates go to avoid catching the virus. In the category of Doomed Extramarital Relationships, “561”, “Turn Back, Turn Back” and “King Midas” enjoy a three-way tie for first place. And for sheer ridiculousness, “Chicken Flavored and Lemon Scented” nails the awkwardness of conducting a romance with your coworker, particularly when you work in close quarters.

Katharine has always been an astute observer of human behavior (and misbehavior) which I learned this from reading her novels, “Standard Deviation” and “Early Morning Riser.” So I’m happy to report her side-eyed, snarky perspective translates well into the short story format. “Games and Rituals”? Game on, people. You’re welcome.