No One Belongs Here More Than You: Stories

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Despite their lengthy self-explorations, this particular couple come to understand the depths of their despair only when they get jobs as extras in a movie and have to act the parts of a loving couple on a date in a smart French restaurant. Miming to one another across the table as the camera rolls, they suddenly recall what passion means, and realise that they have to separate.

These stories are incredibly charming, beautifully written, frequently laugh-out-loud funny, and even, a dozen or so times, profound. Miranda July is a very real writer, and has one of the most original voices to appear in fiction in many years. Fans of Lorrie Moore should rub this book all over themselves – she's got that perfect balance of humor and pathos. There has been no more enjoyable and promising a debut collection in many a moon." —Dave Eggers

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Celia writes: “When our third little girl was born with learning disabilities my experience was of no longer fitting in, and of feeling that we didn’t belong anywhere. Norwood is the largest Jewish charity in the UK supporting thousands of vulnerable children and their families, children with special educational needs and people with learning disabilities and autism. An amazingly intricate and ambitious first novel - ten years in the making - that puts an engrossing new spin on the traditional haunted-house tale. I don't want to give the impression that the writing is bad. Most of it is actually very, very good. But I would caution people not to read this all in one go - the ideal way to read this book is to stretch it out over a few months, reading a couple of stories at a time while you spend the majority of your reading time on other books. Because if you read more than three stories in a row, you start to get this very odd sensation that you will be alone and unhappy for the rest of your life, and it is not pleasant. Almost every story centers on a woman, aged mid-twenties to mid-forties, with quirks that are less "manic pixie dream girl" and more "years of therapy strongly recommended." She usually has some weird sex story to tell us (one story, where a woman in her forties recounts her sexual fantasies about Prince William, haunts me still), and she is alone and unhappy, and is guaranteed to stay that way for the rest of her life. If that's not depressing enough, the sex scenes will probably make you want to shoot yourself, because what is the point of living if sex like this exists in the real world: A few years ago I read The First Bad Man, which both delighted and totally weirded me out. But I guess I wasn't weirded out so much as to turn me off the idea of reading her short story collection.

The UK’s first interfaith charity shop is run and staffed jointly by four religious charities chosen by Miranda July: Islamic Relief, Jewish charity Norwood, London Buddhist Centre and Spitalfields Crypt Trust. The proceeds will be shared equally between the four partners, all of who run their own charity shops. Items for sale are typical of those traditionally sold in charity shops – second – hand clothes, books, games, DVD’s, kitchen ware, toys ornaments and bric – a – brac. Prices are the same as in any charity shop. Discuss the sense of loneliness in this collection. Which characters feel isolated from the rest of society? Is this their choice? Do any of them change? The London Buddhist Centre (LBC) in the heart of the East End teaches meditation, mindfulness, and yoga through daily classes, courses and retreats. Our aim is to help people from all walks of life lead more fulfilling lives, reach their highest potential and alleviate suffering in the world. Buddhists practice non – violence and believe our minds determine how we respond to our experience. We provide practical tools so that people can change their minds and develop greater wisdom and compassion for responding creatively to the world. The Centre offers an oasis of calm in the midst of busy urban life and is very much part of the local, diverse landscape in Tower Hamlets. Through its innovative mindfulness program, the LBC reaches out to people living with stress, pain, depression, and addiction. We also run events for families, carers, schools, and professionals as well as arts happenings. Many of our activities are by donation and teachers give their time and skills voluntarily for the benefit of others. Miranda July's radio pieces are excellent. She tells her off-beat and romantic or oddly sinister stories, dramatizes quirks as real characters and situations, and enchants you with her squeaky little voice. Nothing makes sense, but nothing *has* to make sense. You just have to listen and be carried away. July's inventive tales swing from laugh-out-loud funny to heart-clenchingly sad" ( Daily Telegraph)

I hadn't seen the movie, but I remember seeing an ad in the paper and thinking, "I want to see that movie." Since Somebody is brand new early adapters are integral to its creation — the most high-tech part of the app is not in the phone, it’s in the users who dare to deliver a message to stranger. “I see this as far-reaching public art project, inciting performance and conversation about the value of inefficiency and risk,” says July. misiniz? Bir yastığı yumruklayın? Tatmin edici miydi? Çok değil. Son zamanlarda insanlar yumruklanmanın yetmeyeceği kadar çok öfkeli. Bıçak saplamayı deneyebilirsiniz. Bir yastık alıp çimenlerin üstüne koyun. Büyük, sivri uçlu bir bıçakla bıçaklayın. Bir daha, bir daha. Öyle sert saplayın ki bıçağın ucu yere girsin. Yastık yok oluncaya kadar ve hala dönmeyi sürdürdüğü için gezegeni öldürmek istercesine, her gün bu gezegende yalnız yaşamak zorunda bırakılışınızın öcünü almak istercesine durmadan, durmadan toprağı bıçaklayın.” The stories have a frank, direct tone that makes their loopiness charming . . . July delights in revealing the unseen awkwardness of the everyday, and this collection is both resonant and complex" ( Financial Times) Here is Cheryl, a tightly-wound, vulnerable woman who lives alone, with a perpetual lump in her throat. She is haunted by a baby boy she met when she was six, who sometimes recurs as other people’s babies. Cheryl is also obsessed with Phillip, a philandering board member at the women’s self-defense nonprofit where she works. She believes they’ve been making love for many lifetimes, though they have yet to consummate in this one.

July's short fiction is quirky and self-consciously postmodern in style . . . The best of her stories adds a depth of emotional truth which can persuade you to believe in her most oddball worlds." (Helen Chappell Tribune 2008-03-14) A personal development center providing free life skills courses in literacy, computing and math, alongside creative classes in art, woodwork and gardening Written and directed by Miranda July; director of photography, Nikolai von Graevenitz; edited by Andrew Bird; music by Jon Brion; production design by Elliott Hostetter; costumes by Christie Wittenborn; produced by Gina Kwon, Roman Paul and Gerhard Meixner; released by Roadside Attractions. With: David Warshofsky (Marshall), Isabella Acres (Gabriella) and Joe Putterlik (Joe/the Moon).Surprising, amusing and touching... they'll fill you with a renewed sense of wonder at the world" ( Venue)