About 50 States
An Idaho farmer who aches for absolution after a tragedy is given one more chance at redemption. Two runaways cross paths in a Tennessee bus station with only one ticket between them. A family sees looters racing toward their home as they escape an Oregon wildfire. A young couple takes a reckless turn off a state highway in Utah and find themselves in a nightmarish government biohazard area.
These and 46 more shorts make up an anthology that will surprise readers with each new thought-provoking story as they skip effortlessly across different genres. Together, they provide a character-driven sampling of the American experience over the last 60 years — the kind and the cruel, the heroic and criminal — in unpredictable and suspenseful ways.
50 States is an award-winning, best-selling debut collection of short stories that captures the human condition and how perception shapes destiny. The book spans several literary genres with each story set in a different state.
Signed copies are available at these bookstores:
Poets Bookshop in Bishop Arts District, Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth area)
Lion’s Tooth in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Milwaukee area)
Renaissance Books in Greendale, Wisconsin (Milwaukee area)
BookEnds in Kailua, Hawaii (Oahu area)
BookMaze in Mesa, Arizona (Phoenix area)
Adventures Underground in Richland, Washington (Tri-Cities area)
Barnes & Noble in Henderson, Nevada (Las Vegas area) SOLD OUT
The Book Bungalow in St. George, Utah (Southern Utah area) SOLD OUT
BookMonster in Santa Monica, California (Los Angeles area) SOLD OUT
Editorial Reviews
"A cleverly conceived, character-driven, if overstuffed, anthology sure to delight and enchant."
“A stellar debut with 50 States! I fell in love with how each short story packs a punch and is memorable on its own.”
"The author's writing flows from story to story effectively keeping readers wanting more."
— Entrada Reviews
“An impressive short story collection that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.”
“Richard is a superb writer, with an eloquent tongue and a tremendous turn of phrase, and these gems are each a standalone high-brow work of art.”
“The writing is gripping, the characters are regular people from all walks of life forced to survive with the hand that destiny dealt them, the action is fast and entertaining, and the atmosphere is immersive.”
“Written in sparse, understated prose reminiscent of Elizabeth Strout’s ‘Olive Kitteridge,’ Becker’s tightly focused stories pack a punch.”
“Each tale focuses on the emotions of the different characters, and this depth will hook readers in!”
“The authors' storytelling bore a resemblance to the style of the acclaimed Russian short storyteller Anton Chekhov in brevity and addressing salient issues of human existence.”
“Eclectic, powerful, and not for the faint of heart. A well-written, dialogue-rich collection of stories spanning an eclectic variety of topics and genres.”
“Thrusts our imagination into our own lives and those around us, giving us a class on how to be better humans as one finds compassionate characters inhabiting the story’s universe.”
“For a debut writer, this is a stunning display of talent, imagination and ability, that is not to be taken lightly.”
— Book Excellence
Ebook Editions:
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News:
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EIN BookLife Carson City Current HumanMade US Daily Ledger
Audiobook Blog Digital Journal ABR Book Excellence BookFest Awards
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