Dear Great Book Guru,  I was at an event at the Sea Cliff Arts Council recently: Fred Stroppel’s iconic “Twisted Shorts” - eight extraordinarily funny vignettes - when one of the cast members mentioned a wonderful new book about a team of workers at a big box  store. It sounded interesting - thoughts?  Fan of “Twisted Shorts”

Dear Fan of “Twisted Shorts,” Adelle Waldman’s HELP WANTED is not to be missed!  Set in upstate New York, the novel introduces us to twelve people working in a huge box store -think Target or Costco - most of whom are members of Team Movement. These workers   clock in at 3:55am to unload the delivery trucks, stock the shelves, organize the merchandise before the store opens, and check out at 9am.  The work is grueling and their pay low. Hours are limited by management so there are no health benefits, vacation or sick time, but jobs in this part of the state are scarce and most of the workers have few qualifications for better jobs.  Waldman describes the lives of these workers in exquisite detail, and we feel great sympathy as we learn about their individual plights. When the store manager Big Will is promoted to another facility, everyone realizes there is a possible chance for advancement or at least some realignment.  The Team comes together in an elaborate plot to sabotage their hated self-absorbed crew leader Meredith, and we cheer them on.  While there is much humor throughout, we witness the underlying injustices low- wage workers encounter in the modern workplace.  A thought-provoking book on many levels and highly recommended!