Things You Should Know is A.M. Homes' first collection of stories since the publication twelve years ago of The Safety of Objects, a critically acclaimed classic that immediately established her as one of the masters of the form. Homes is also the author of four novels, including the controversial The End of Alice. Homes' distinctive narratives demonstrate how extraordinary the ordinary can be. A woman pursues an unconventional strategy for getting pregnant; a former First Lady shows despair and courage in dealing with her husband's Alzheimer s; a teacher's list of things you already should know but maybe are a little dumb, so you don't, becomes an obsession for someone who wasn't at school the day it was given out, and adult tragedy intrudes into a childhood friendship. The stories are full of magic and strangeness and humour, but also demonstrate an uncanny emotional accuracy and compassion.