This collection of previously unpublished and uncollected short stories gave me a perfect sample of Shirley Jackson's writing. Several of the stories may even have been unfinished (or not in a final edit).

This book was a reminder of a different time, when life was more simple. The stories are about, as the title explains, 'just an ordinary day' in the 1940's and 1950's. There is love and romance, fantasy and magic, and a lot of humor, all occurring in a domestic environment.

Although the stories are from an earlier decade, the characters and their life situations could be happening today. People, after all, really don't change that much. They can be nice and kind, rude and insulting, generous and helpful, mean-spirited and deceiving. And I found them all in this hefty collection from Shirley Jackson. (published after her death by her children).

I rate "Just an Ordinary Day" 4 out of 5 stars.