I’m Not Hungry But I Could Eat

I’m Not Hungry But I Could Eat

From the Co-fiction editor of Barrelhouse Magazine , Christopher Gonzalez's I'm Not Hungry But I Could Eat is a compact short story collection about messy and hunger-fueled bisexual Puerto Rican men who strive to satisfy their cravings of the stomach, heart, and soul in a conflicted and unpredictable world. "Gonzalez's debut collection crackles with humor and tension in brilliantly crafted stories about food and relationships. Throughout, Gonzalez works multiple registers, creating rich, compressed portraits of his characters. This is as poignant as it is hilarious." — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review "At times full of devastating portraits of bisexual Puerto Rican life, and at others full of the punchiest wit and charm, Gonzalez's writing leaves you insatiable...craving more and more from this exciting writer."  — Marcos Gonsalez, author of Pedro's Theory: Reimagining the Promised Land Long nights, empty stomachs, and impulsive cravings haunt these stories. A college grad reunites with a high school crush when invited to his bachelor party, a lonely cat-sitter wreaks havoc on his friends' apartment, happy hour french fries leave more than grease on lips and fingers, and, squeezed into a diner booth, one man eats past his limit for the sake of friendship. Exploring the lives of bisexual and gay Puerto Rican men, these fifteen stories show a vulnerable, intimate world of yearning and desire. The stars of these narratives linger between living their truest selves and remaining in the wings, embarking on a journey of self-discovery to satisfy their hunger for companionship and belonging. A Rumpus Book Club pick for November 2021 A most anticipated book of 2021 from The Millions Named one of winter's most anticipated books for Apple Books Named one of the best LGBTQ+ Books of 2021 by Oprah Daily One of Electric Literature's favorite short story collections of 2021 "Gonzalez does such an excellent job showing readers tender, kind, humorous, and vulnerable moments within these 15 stories, depicting emotions that aren't often witnessed. I will think about this collection forever." — Real Simple "Gonzalez writes with such care and vulnerability. You feel the hunger in the text, a deference to the carnal that refuses easy categorization or shame. After you finish, you will need to eat." - — Raven Leilani, author of Luster "These sharp stories, sometimes hilarious and sometimes wrenching, form a collaged portrait of longing and uncertainty...this is a compelling debut." —Danny Caine, author of Continental Breakfast and owner of the Raven Book Store "A generous feat, astounding and heart-wrenching from top to bottom...This book is a meal shared with the best kind of friend--someone who's been there and back, keen to tell you what they saw, and inviting you to to share their story, beckoning you toward more. Gonzalez creates magic on the page, and we're all luckier for it." — Bryan Washington, author of Lot and Memorial "Christopher Gonzalez is a wholly original voice and this book is a treasure, crackling with real and important feelings. The stories of I'm Not Hungry but I Could Eat are funny, sharp and heartbreaking - and full of an enormous amount of hope." — Jami Attenberg, author of All This Could Be Yours "[Gonzalez's] clear-eyed prose captures all the messy joys and crackling anxieties of modern queer life, inviting readers to join its Puerto Rican characters on journeys punctuated by desire, shame, and grace. I'm Not Hungry But I Could Eat is a stunning debut that will leave readers hoping Gonzalez has a long and fruitful career." — Ruth Joffre, author of Night Beast "With these stories of dance floors and Lyft rides, of afterparty bodega sandwiches, of self-loathing mixed with shocking vulnerability, topped off by moments of self-discovery, Christopher Gonzalez's writing will feed you." — Tomas Moniz, author of Big Familia "The stories in I'm Not Hungry But I Could Eat are funny, tender, beautiful, and vulnerable...This collection is so important as it represents queer, specifically bi, yearning from a male perspective without the trappings of toxic masculinity and shows the depth and breadth of human emotions and the ways in which love, loneliness, and longing are complicated by self doubt. Everyone should read this collection!" — Tyrese Coleman, author of How to Sit Christopher Gonzalez is a co-fiction editor of Barrelhouse Magazine. His writing has appeared in the Nation , Catapult , the Millions , Best Small Fictions 2019 , and elsewhere. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.