 In its review of "A Disturbance In One Place", the "San Francisco Chronicle" said, "Kirshenbaum refuses to corral what is funny or sad into separate camps, but allows one to flip over into the other, creating unexpectedly poignant effects.Kirshenbaum’s novels have been chosen as Notable Books of the Year by "The Chicago Tribune", NPR, "Time", "The San Francisco Chronicle" and "The Washington Post".She twice won Critics Choice Awards, and she was selected by "Granta" as one of the Best Young American novelists.