Ramblings is a collection of short stories by Vera Mont. This multi-genre work presents historical fiction, dystopian, realistic fiction, thriller, fantasy, and romance stories. The tales are brief, at first, but work up to longer narratives, almost like flash fiction that progresses into longer stories. The plots cover a man who is rejected by electrical devices, a military dog whose life is at stake when his team finds gold, operatives who fall in love and set out to find each other when their mission is over, continuing stories about William (Wild Bill) Henderson's experiences after death, a fallen priest who seeks to make spiritual amends by constructing additions to his nativity scene every year, and an intricate story about a Blue Willow tea set, complete with a volume of oral family history.

Vera Mont showcases her wonderful storytelling skills with each piece. With the number of genres she covers and the differing tones in her work, Mont truly has a story for everyone. I appreciate stories that offer variety as this shows the author's versatility. Some narratives appear whimsical while others drip with sarcasm. Mont covertly references a Disney cartoon and other things known in popular culture, while delivering unique plots and characters. My favorite choice was "The Memory of Trees" as I felt it was comparable to Native American tales of origin. The brevity of the stories will provide readers with entertainment when they pause for breaks in their busy day. Readers who enjoy narratives of varying lengths and subjects will like Ramblings.

Ramblings by Vera Mont is a collection of short stories, ranging from a paragraph to a few pages, that cover diverse themes, including myths, family ancestry, love, animals, depression, and wealth. One story, The Memory Of Leaves, is a myth that can be shared during storytime about the destructive nature of man and how the fall of leaves is vital to trees. Animal lovers would enjoy stories such as Physics Lesson, a glimpse into the relationship between a cat and its owner, and Randy the Wonder Dog, told from Randy’s perspective, a loyal military dog betrayed by his handlers. My favorite story, Biography, follows Brother Theo, who racked with guilt for leaving his monastery and abandoned by his wife, immerses himself in chronicling the life of Jesus Christ from birth to resurrection through carved structures over more than 30 years.

Irrespective of its diverse themes and moods, Ramblings is enthralling because we are privileged to explore what seems like a neatly arranged notebook where the author has scribbled down her writing from brief lines to full-blown stories. Mont seamlessly transitions between different themes and tones yet manages to write tightly woven stories that focus on the plot. Dawn is sad. For an Application, Call This Number is satirical, and Interspecies Communication made me chuckle. Take It With You is funny yet enlightening, and Where Have All The Old Spooks Gone? is a cute, cryptic love story. Lovers of short fiction would enjoy reading each story in Ramblings and becoming engrossed in Vera Mont’s writing style.