
Book excerpt: "Bug Hollow" by Michelle Huneven
A summer lark turns tragic, and a shattered family must carry on, in "Bug Hollow" (Penguin Press), the latest novel by Michelle Huneven, the author of "Round Rock" and "Blame."
Read an excerpt below.
"Bug Hollow" by Michelle Huneven
Prefer to listen? Audible has a 30-day free trial available right now.
The summer when Sally Samuelson was eight, her brother Ellis graduated from high school and a few days later, he and his best friends, Heck Stevens and Ben Klosterman, drove up the coast in Heck's '64 Rambler American. They promised to be back in a week. Sally was the only one who went outside to see them off. She waved a dishrag and dabbed at pretend tears, then one or two real ones. "Bye, little Pips!" Ellis yelled from the back seat—he called her Pipsqueak, with variations. "See you in the funny papers!"
Ellis had thick, curly yellow hair long enough to tuck behind his ears and he wore a baseball cap to keep it there. He'd lately grown incredibly tall and skinny; his pants rode so low on his hip bones, they seemed about to slip off. Sally's sister, Katie, who was fourteen, called him El Greck after they saw El Greco's Christ on the Cross at the Getty; even their parents confirmed the resemblance.
His last two years in high school, Ellis had a girlfriend named Carla, who was also tall and blond and liked to show off her stomach. In front of Ellis, she would say hi to Sally. Sometimes Ellis would come into Sally's room when she was drawing on the floor; he'd sit by her and talk about his last baseball game or his weird calculus teacher, and sometimes he'd wonder how much he liked Carla and if she was even nice. Sally somehow knew not to say what she thought. Anyway, Ellis spent most of his time playing ball with Ben and Heck. For their trip, they packed Heck's old Rambler with sleeping bags, the small smelly tent the Samuelson kids used on camping trips, and a cooler full of sodas. After ten days, when Ellis hadn't come back, Heck showed up at the Samuelsons' front door with the tent. Sally answered his knock.
"Ellis decided to stay away for a few more days," he said.
"Stay where?" Sally's mother said from behind her.
"With some girl he met," said Heck. "Not sure where, exactly."
"Well, where did they meet?"
"On a beach around Santa Cruz."
That was all her mother could get out of Heck. "Some girl has snagged Ellis," she told Sally's father when he came home from work.
"Good for her," he said.
"How can you say that, Phil?" her mother cried. "El's such an innocent. What if she's trouble?"
Hinky, their Manchester terrier, cocked her head at one parent, then the other; she followed conversations—they'd tested her by standing in a circle and tossing the conversation back and forth. Hinky shifted her attention to each speaker in turn.
"What if he doesn't come back in time for his job?"
Ellis was supposed to be a counselor at the day camp he'd attended since first grade.
"Let's worry about that when the time comes," Sally's father said.
The camp's start date came and went.
An excerpt from "Bug Hollow," published by Penguin Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC. Copyright © 2025 by Michelle Huneven. Reproduced with permission.
Get the book here:
"Bug Hollow" by Michelle Huneven
Buy locally from Bookshop.org
For more info:
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
JAKKS Pacific Reveals All-New SUPER MARIO, THE SIMPSONS, DC X SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, BENDY and DOG MAN Toys and Collectibles at San Diego Comic-Con 2025
SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) today, during a special panel at San Diego Comic-Con unveiled an all-new dynamic lineup inspired by iconic franchises including , , , , and . The crowd went wild with excitement for the Super Mario Big Bad Bowser, a towering 12-inch tall figure with sound effects, 'fire breathing' light feature and slashing arms, storming exclusively into Costco this fall. Yours Truly, Princess Peach with her iconic floaty jump pose and 25+ quotes, sounds, and music made her a huge hit. Fans of The Simpsons lit up at the reveal of the Treehouse of Horror Countdown Advent Calendar, packed with 31 days of spooky mystery characters and accessories, as well as two all-new 5-inch Premium Figures, the monstrous King Homer and the winged Fly Boy Bart. Another standout moment came with the reveal of new figurines and plush inspired by the thrilling DC x Sonic the Hedgehog crossover event. At midnight this morning, the new Sonic the Hedgehog™ Shadow 18-inch Ice Cream Bar Plush became available for pre-order exclusively through GameStop, and panel attendees were given the first in-person look at the realistic, giant, super soft collector's item with a dark chocolate scent. The panel also unveiled Metroid Prime items featuring newly refreshed packaging, including the 2.5-Inch Bounty Hunter 3-Pack, 2.5-Inch Chozo Suit 3-Pack, and 6-Inch UV Metroid figure. It then introduced a first-ever 4-pack featuring the 2.5-inch Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong figures. In addition, the presentation highlighted key products announced earlier this year, including the Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Star Lightning R/C, DC x Sonic the Hedgehog 5-inch Figures, Target-exclusive DC x Sonic the Hedgehog Power vs. Speed Pack Multipack, The Simpsons Talking Funzo Plush Doll, Super Mario Spinning Spirit House Diorama and Super Mario Spinning Spirit House Playset. A full list of the all-new JAKKS Pacific products revealed at SDCC can be found below. Images can be found HERE. For more information, visit Super MarioBig Bad Bowser roars exclusively into Costco this October! Standing 12 inches tall with 13 points of articulation, this figure features a 'fire-breathing' light effect, and multiple button triggers that activate a variety of iconic sounds and music. This item will be available in October for $ Truly, Princess Peach stands 12 inches tall with six points of articulation and fun interactive features. Kids can press multiple activation points to hear classic quotes and songs, and her dress billows out like it does in the game! The figure will be available in December for $39.99. The SimpsonsAvailable exclusively at Costco this fall, Treehouse of Horror Countdown Calendar features 31 days of mystery characters and accessories. Different Treehouse of Horror episodes are represented through miniature scale 1.5-inch figures with fun holiday themed reveal packaging. The calendar will be available for $ exclusively at Target this fall, the Fly Boy Bart 5-inch Premium Figure includes multiple points of articulation and a teleporter with interactive push-button to activate the green 'transformation light.' The set also includes a tiny Fly Boy Bart figure. The figurine will be available for $ King Homer 5-inch Premium Figure is restrained and waiting to break free! Push the button on the back to release him from the chair. The figure includes multiple points of articulation, and includes a restraint chair accessory along with a mini-Marge Figure. The figurine will be available for $ exclusively at Target this fall, The Simpsons Sedan with Family Figures includes Homer's iconic sedan and 2.5-inch figures of Homer and Bart, both exclusive to this set, as well as Lisa, Marge and Maggie. The set will be available for $29.99. DC x Sonic the HedgehogMultiple 2.5-inch and 5-inch figure multipacks, inspired by the hit crossover comic book series and a great gift for fans of DC and Sonic the Hedgehog, will be available this fall for $19.99 USD each. Each pack includes a quintessential pairing of two heroic characters! The sets include Shadow as Batman & Batman, Tails as Cyborg & Cyborg, and Knuckles as Superman & all-new 9-inch DC x Sonic the Hedgehog plush will hit shelves this fall for $9.99 USD each. The ideal size for a huggable and cuddly experience, each plush will feature deluxe fabric and ultra-soft material Wave 1 spotlighting Sonic as The Flash, Silver as Green Lantern, Knuckles as Superman, and Shadow as Batman. Collect them all! Sonic the HedgehogThe realistic, giant, super soft Shadow 18-inch Ice Cream Bar Plush stands out with its collector packaging and dark chocolate scent inspired by the iconic treat. The must-have addition to any Sonic collection is now available to pre-order through GameStop for $44.99. BendyAvailable this fall, the Bendy: Lone Wolf Crane Game Mini Plush features seven mini plushes from the new video game, Bendy: Lone Wolf, including Bendy, Boris, Alice, Charley, Barley, Edgar and Carley. Featured in Crane game style packaging, each plush is 3 inches tall. Available this fall, the set retails for $24.99. Dog ManRecreate the action from the hit movie with the Dog Man 2.5-inch Squirrel Tank with Figures. A fantastic gift for any young hero, the set includes Dog Man and Petey 2.5-inch articulated figures and will be available this fall for $29.99. Dog Man 2.5-inch Supa Cool Figure Pack Wave 2 and 3 will be available this fall for $19.99 each. Each figure is designed with unique details, ready for action to ensure hours of playtime excitement. Recreate your favorite scenes from the Dog Man movie with the Dog Man and Lil' Petey 5-inch figures, available this fall for $14.99 each. Each comes with multiple accessories and points of articulation for dynamic poses and interactive play. About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.:JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of toys and consumer products sold throughout the world, with its headquarters in Santa Monica, California. JAKKS Pacific's popular proprietary brands include: AirTitans®, Disguise®, Fly Wheels®, JAKKS Wild Games®, Moose Mountain®, Maui®, Perfectly Cute®, ReDo® Skateboard Co., Sky Ball®, SportsZone™, Xtreme Power Dozer®, WeeeDo®, and Wild Manes™ as well as a wide range of entertainment-inspired products featuring premier licensed properties. Through our products and our charitable donations, JAKKS is helping to make a positive impact on the lives of children. Visit us at and follow us on Instagram (@ Twitter (@jakkstoys) and Facebook (@ ©2025 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All rights reserved. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at CONTACT: Media Contacts: Jessica Kavanaugh JAKKS Pacific, Inc. PublicRelations@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Millennials, I'm Dying To Know The "Cringe" Millennial Trends That Should Be Buried In The Archives Forever
Everything that's being marketed to us these days feels like a remix of the past, from reboots and remakes to low-rise jeans and pop-punk revivals. If you're a millennial, you've probably already seen it all the first time when it was still considered cutting-edge. Related: Maybe it's the rise of AI, the TikTok-fueled nostalgia economy, or just the fact that Gen Z never knew a world without social media. However, originality feels like it's gone missing. And if you've recently seen a pair of JNCO jeans in the wild or a trucker hat at brunch, you might've felt a full-body shudder. Related: As someone considered an Unc in certain circles — and maybe I'm just grumpy and jaded — I have a sneaking suspicion a few of you feel the same way I do. For the millennials of the BuzzFeed Community, what's the trend — fashion, lifestyle, aesthetic, internet behavior — that deserves to stay buried in the past? Related: A few come to my mind off the top: skinny jeans, am I right? I'm honestly surprised they didn't cause long-term blood circulation issues for those of us whose legs couldn't even breathe in them. And while some are attempting to make them fashionable again, it's really just a big no. Although I wouldn't be shocked if it happens again soon, I'm begging for Instagram's in-app filters to stay dead and buried. We don't need them. Let's move on. Related: And maybe most importantly, can we let hustle culture die already? I'll give Gen Z credit: they've done a great job rejecting the grind economy, and let's hope it stays that way. We already know we're getting the short end of the stick, no matter how burnt out we get. And while we're at it, let's retire the whole "can't adult today" energy, too. We're grown. We pay bills. We're just exhausted. On that note, share the millennial trends that should remain in the past and never return in the comment section. For those who feel they have especially hot takes on the matter and would prefer to remain anonymous, feel free to fill out the form below. Also in Community: Also in Community: Also in Community:
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Someone just died going overboard on the Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world
Crew member dies on Icon of the Seas after going overboard - here's what we know. Summer and fall are popular times for cruising, and many travelers are currently planning their next getaway. Unfortunately, the cruise world was shocked by a terrible tragedy yesterday. A crew member aboard the Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, has died after going overboard near San Salvador Island in the Bahamas on Thursday, according to Royal Caribbean, the ship's operator. Crew member overboard on Icon of the Seas The individual, whose identity has not been released, entered the water while the 1,200-foot-long vessel was sailing approximately 200 miles east of Nassau. It remains unclear how or why the crew member went overboard. 'Our crew immediately initiated a search and rescue operation, but unfortunately, the crew member passed away,' a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told Fox Business. The ship was on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean voyage and is not expected to be delayed, the outlet reported. Other deaths on cruise ships This marks the second such incident aboard Icon of the Seas this year. In May 2024, a male passenger went overboard and was pulled back onto the ship, but later died despite efforts by onboard medical staff. Similar headlines have emerged across the cruise industry in recent months. In June, a child went overboard on a Disney cruise ship. Her father jumped in after her, and both were rescued by the ship's crew and survived. What is Icon of the Seas? Icon of the Seas entered service in January 2024 and features 20 decks, 18 of which are open to guests. It can accommodate up to 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members. The 250,000-ton ship offers more than 40 dining and entertainment venues, eight themed 'neighborhoods,' a massive water park, and multiple pools and performance spaces. The ship was en route to Coco Cay—Royal Caribbean's private island resort in the Berry Islands—when the incident occurred. According to Cruise Hive, an overboard alarm was triggered around 7 p.m., prompting the immediate launch of rescue operations. Royal Caribbean added, 'We extend our condolences to the crew member's family and loved ones. To respect their privacy, we have no additional details to share.' Solve the daily Crossword