Mary Rechner is a Portland based writer with a new book of stories just released by Propeller Books. Bravo.

Mary, the mother of two, is also the director of The Literary Art's Writers in the Schools program and was once a writer in the program herself.

Karen Karbo writes this praise of her work: "Mary Rechner's astounding, perfectly wrought stories of what is means to be a modern woman are witty, provocative and honest enough to make you gasp. She's the Mary Gaitskill of motherhood."

I asked Mary why she writes short stories, verses longer works. "I love short fiction," she said. "I love the concision and find I can build and maintain momentum in a way I cannot in longer work."

I have read a few of the stories in this collection and Mary is concise, precise and surprising. Her work doesn't shy away from the complexities of womanhood, motherhood and relationships. I particularly loved Moon, a story of two sisters who grow from girlhood into womanhood, passing the landmarks of menstruation, growing breasts and sexuality. One sister struggles with her body image, the other marries and has the first baby. There is this melding of life, this connection between the sisters but also this separation into unique universes. It's a complicated and intense story.

Mary writes: Lucy remembered (or maybe she dreamed it) life before Celia was born. Gulls circled overhead while she stood on wet sand. A giant triangle of pizza dripped from her hands. Her parents swam. Gulls screamed and swooped down with the sunset. The pizza flew off in a beak. Lucy ran. In the waves she grabbed her mothers long hard legs. Her father lifted her, and held her against his wet torso.

Such great writing. Look. Just nine lines and the scene is set and a life emerges. Mary's writing is spare and exact. Her words are chosen with great care. This is the kind of writing that takes time to create and thus is wonderful to read. Truly lovely.