Lyndon B. Johnson once said the United States is a nation of nations. But although “we pride ourselves in being a melting pot,” Capone says, “it’s not reflected in our school curriculum. I was never taught the full diversity of American cultures in my school years. A lot was lacking in what we were taught.” Capone quickly figured out that if she wanted to learn more about her Italian-American roots, she would have to educate herself.

There are more than 2,500 online dating sites in the U.S. and more than 5,000 worldwide, according to Online Dating Magazine.

The Internet has opened up worlds of opportunities for people who are shy, or for those would never talk to each other in the light of day, said Elizabeth Cohen, author of The Hypothetical Girl (Other Press), which launches August 4.

Cohen’s debut short story collection shows how complicated, quirky and bizarre online dating can be. Although the sites try to help singles efficiently sift through the non-compatibles, it is impossible to escape the unexpected. This could be a good or bad thing as Cohen portrays in The Hypothetical Girl…