October Book Mail

Compared to my September book mail, October was pretty quiet!

The theme for the October Nightworms package was “Voices to Fear” and featured new-to-me authors Del Sandeen and Sofia Ajram.  I immediately dove into Coup de Grace as the blurb intrigued me (a man set on ending his life steps into a train station of endless rooms and corridors), and it did not disappoint.  This Cursed House has a young Black woman who goes to work for an eccentric family, hoping to escape her own secrets and past.  But this new family isn’t what they seem, and have their own demons (I’m not sure if this will wind up being figuratively or literally, can’t wait to read it and find out!).

The Bog Wife was the selection from Fantastic Strangelings, and I devoured this one!  Five siblings living on a West Virginia cranberry bog must decide if they remain tied to their land and their strange family traditions.  A mix of fantasy, folk horror, and family dysfunction, and one that I highly recommend.

Did you pick up any new reads for October?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!

Until next time, stay safe and Happy Reading!

Reading Mash-Up #202

So, I’m posting this much later than I had anticipated, but I’m happy to say I did finish my personal challenge of reading 31 books for Halloween, wrapping up #31 in the early morning hours of November 1.

Much has happened these past few days, and I am still wrapping my head around everything.  But one thing that I have decided on is keeping this blog going until it is no longer an option.

So here is the final stretch of reviews for my Halloween reads…

What I’ve Been Reading

House of Justice by VIncent Bivona — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 20/31) Short story. A quick, creepy read about a family that puts on a haunted house every year, one that is known for it’s realistic special effects.  But are they really fake?  I liked this one, it reminded me of some of the found footage horror movies I’ve seen recently.

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 21/31) Novel.  Siblings Louise and Mark have just lost their parents in a tragic accident, and now they must try to get along in order to settle the estate.  There’s one big problem though:  their mom’s extensive puppet collection seems to have their own ideas and are taking matters into their little felted hands.  You really can’t go wrong with a story about weird puppets and murderous taxidermy squirrels.  I love how Grady Hendrix can mix his dark humor with some creepy characters.  I recommend this one if you’re looking for some scary fun reading.

Clown Eater: A Scary Short Story — 2.5/3 out of 5 stars

(H 22/31) Short story.  A lot of people are afraid of clowns, but what are clowns afraid of?  Told from the viewpoint of a bodyguard hired to protect a clown, I did find out what sends fear down clown’s spines.  That part of the story is pretty creepy and cool, but the rest of the story falters.  My only thought after finishing this was “That’s it??”  Good concept, just not the greatest delivery.

Bob the Zombie by Jaime Johnesee — 3.5 out of 5 stars

(H 23/31) Short story.  A light-hearted take on the zombie trope, we meet Bob, a self-proclaimed loser who is just trying to live his best zombie life.  Some very funny moments, and a great choice if you’re looking for a zombie tale without all the blood and gore.

The Handyman Method by Nick Cutter and Andrew Sullivan — 2.5 out of 5 stars

(H 24/31) Novel.  The Saban family moves into a new house in a new development and immediately things start to fall apart, from the house itself to their grips on reality.  I’ve been on a reading kick with stories involving haunted/creepy houses so I really wanted to like this one as it sounded promising.  I tried, but I absolutely hated every character in this book.  I’m not talking about “love to hate,” I’m talking I could not stand them and just wanted them all to die and the story be done.  And it didn’t help that Cutter added his usual dose of animal torture, once again involving a turtle.  Seriously, Nick, what the hell did a turtle do to you that you keep targeting and torturing them??!  I usually like both of these authors’ work, but this one just didn’t do it for me.

Coup de Grace by Sofia Ajram — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 25/31) Novella.  I added this one to  my list at the last minute.  It’s not your “typical” story you might think of for Halloween, but sometimes dark psychological tales can be just as creepy as those about ghosts and vampires.  It is difficult to describe without giving the whole story away, but I did find myself comparing it to House of Leaves, only more readable and accessible. This does focus on suicide, so read with caution if this is a trigger.

Circus of the Dead by Seth Blackburn — 2.5 out of 5 stars

(H 26/31) Short story.  The zombie apocalypse has happened, and survivors are few and far between.  When a traveling circus shows up at a remote desert community, the residents are given a rare opportunity to see a real zombie (contained, of course).  What could go wrong??!  I was hooked for the first half of this short story, then the second half happened.  After the extensive details at the beginning, the second half felt like the author was on a word limit, suddenly realized it, and just threw together an ending to call it good.

It’s the Apocalypse, Dave, Try to Have Fun by A. R. Wise — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 27/31) Novella.  Imagine just being an ordinary dude, recently fired from an ordinary job, then finding yourself in the middle of a not-so-ordinary apocalypse involving tentacled squid/jellyfish type creatures hell-bent on killing all of mankind.  That’s how Dave’s day is going in this entertaining novella.  The humor is pure no-shits-given snark and I loved it.  Once all of the characters were assembled, I almost felt like I was reading an episode of Scooby Doo Meets the Apocalypse.

All the Fiends of Hell by Adam Nevill — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 28/31) Novel.  And speaking of the apocalypse complete with other-worldly creatures, All the Fiends of Hell takes us to Great Britain where we meet Karl, another ordinary guy finding himself in extraordinary times.  After taking two orphaned kids under his wing, the story continues with their frantic search for safety and their fight for survival.  I’m a fan of Nevill’s storytelling skills, and I couldn’t put this one down.  A good place to start if you’re new to his writing.

Blood Covenant by Alan Baxter — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 29/31) Novel.  After a bank robbery goes horribly wrong, James and his crew flee, finding themselves at a seemingly abandoned hotel in the middle of a vast Australian forest.  But the hotel owners are there, as well as some other, more sinister, occupants…  A great mix of dark thriller and the chilling paranormal.  Alan Baxter’s tales are always fast-paced and entertaining, and this one is no exception.

The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 30/31) Novella.  I saw the original Hellraiser movie for the first time about a year ago, so this year I just knew I had to read the story that inspired a whole series of films.  I have to say, the movie did do justice to the book (there were certain scenes that, while reading, I could totally picture the film equivalent).   I did appreciate the extra back-story found in the novella, which was more explanatory than the bits in the movie.  Great read and a true modern classic from Barker.

The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister — 4.5 out of 5 stars

(H 31/31) Novel.  A haunting, atmospheric southern gothic tale of five siblings trying to carry on a family legacy.  This beautifully written story combines folk horror, folk tales, and family dysfunction.  I found myself totally immersed in the Haddesley family’s tale, and I found myself embracing all of them.  Highly recommend.


Please stay safe out there.

Reading Mash-Up #201

Only 18 days until Halloween!  Will I be able to reach my goal of 31 books?  Stay tuned…

What I’ve Been Reading

Monsters on the Couch:  The Real Psychological Disorders Behind Your Favorite Horror Movies by Brian Sharpless — 4.5/5 out of 5 stars

(H 10/31)  Nonfiction.  Have you ever wondered if there really could be werewolves, zombies, or vampires living amongst us?  Brian Sharpless, a licensed clinical psychologist, takes a look at some famous and not-so-famous horror movies and and examines the real life phenomena that may have influenced, or at least is reflected, in these stories.  For example, Sharpless draws similarities between the notorious Nightmare on Elm Street franchise and various forms of real sleep paralysis.  I loved this book for the accessibility and dark humor, and my inner science nerd enjoyed the factual content and research.  Highly recommend, but fair warning:  the chapters on necrophilia and cannibalism are pretty ewww.

Forgotten Sisters by Cynthia Pelayo — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 11/31)  Novel.  Sisters Anna and Jennie live in their family’s historic bungalow, one that is shrouded with dark secrets.  There is also a killer on the loose, leaving the victims in the nearby Chicago River.  What is going on, and how are these things related?  Combining the folklore of the power of rivers, the mythology of mermaids, a haunted house, and unsolved mysteries, Pelayo weaves a multi-layered tale that is beautifully written and almost dream-like in nature (many other reviewers have described it as a “fever dream” and I totally agree).  If you’re looking for a modern gothic-style tale to keep you up late at night reading, be sure to check this one out.  Highly recommend.

The Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 12/31)  Short story collection.  I’ve read several of Barker’s longer novels, but I have found some of his best work in his short stories.  The Inhuman Condition is, I believe, book four of his Books of Blood short story collection series he put out in the ’80’s.  These five stories are unique and range from darkly humorous to deeply disturbing (in my notes, I described one story as “horny monkey genetics in humans goes wrong.”  If that doesn’t pique your interest, I don’t know what will, lol!).  A good starting point if you are new to Barker’s work.

Midnight Monster Madness:  Outrun the Reaper/Power Play by Vincent Cava and James Sabata — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 13/31)  Short stories.  This monthly publication offers two very different tales from two talented horror authors.  Cava’s Outrun the Reaper takes us on a journey along the Pacific Coast Highway as our MC finds out the drag race he is in is for his very soul.  I’ve interacted with Sabata online over the years (great guy), and it didn’t surprise me that he used his pet tarantula, Ocho, as inspiration for Power Play.  I loved Sabata’s creature feature, The Cassowary, and this new one did not disappoint.

Midnight Monster Madness:  Otter Madness/Gas Station Dick Pills by Vincent Cava and James Sabata — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 14/31)  Short stories.  Once again, Sabata takes the reins with this edition’s creature feature.  It was probably wrong for me to laugh at a cute otter ripping the face off of an unsuspecting swimmer, but I couldn’t help myself.  This one ticked all the boxes for good creature horror.  I can’t say much about Gas Station Dick Pills other than it was as crazy as you would expect from something with a title like this.  I’m looking forward to reading more of this series from these two authors.

Through the Scarlet Threads by Nicolas Francis — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 15/31) Short story.  A retired porn star riding the train to her new life encounters strange phenomena and takes matters into her own hands.  I almost gave this 1-2 stars based on  the dialogue alone, but the story itself was pretty decent.  Plus it was a freebie so I can’t complain too much.

The Elementals by Michael McDowell — 5 out of 5 stars

(H 16/31) Novel.  Combine an eccentric family with a haunted house, throw in a heavy dose of Southern gothic and some snappy dialogue, and you get this modern classic.  I loved all of the characters, and the horror elements were terrific.  I was so immersed in the story that I could feel the heat and humidity, as well as hear the grains of sand as they fell from the ceiling.  I truly loved everything about this book; highly recommend.

Blood Relations by Kristopher Triana — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 17/31) Short story collection.  These ten stories are great examples of why I enjoy Triana’s writing so much.  They show his vast range, from more traditional scary stories to his well-known splatterpunk style (there’s even one that I would say borders on sci-fi).  I liked some more than others (a given with any collection) but really not a bad one in the bunch.

Freaky  Folklore:  Terrifying Tales of the World’s Most Elusive Monsters and Enigmatic Cryptids by Freaky Folklore and Carmen Carrion — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 18/31) Nonfiction.  While the previous book on cryptids I read focused on the United States, this one takes a look at various monsters from around the globe, categorized by continent.  There was a lot I liked about this book, namely the illustrations and the history behind each creature.  What took it down a bit for me was the story-telling.  It seemed like the author had three or four plot lines that got recycled throughout the book, with names, locations, and creature being changed out accordingly.

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 19/31) Novel.  Chuck Tingle is known for his humorous LGBTQ erotica with some of the best titles on the planet (My Macaroni and Cheese is a Lesbian Also She is My Lawyer, Slammed in the Butt By the Living Leftover Chocolate Chip Cookies From My Kitchen Cabinet,…you get the idea).  Mr. Tingle veers from his usual fare with Camp Damascus, a story about the survivors of a religion-based gay conversion camp, and the true horror behind the unusually high success rate of the camp.  I was intrigued by the plot, but I felt the writing to be a bit disjointed at times, and by the end I just felt something lacking in the overall story.  More background perhaps?  If you’re looking for some religious horror, though, this certainly fits the bill.


Until next time, stay safe and Happy Reading!

September Book Mail

This month’s selections from my book subscriptions…

NightWorms included a novella, Crypt of the Moon Spider and a haunted house novel, Through the Midnight Door.  I immediately sat down and read CotMS when it arrived…what a strange little tale, but in a good way!  I’m hoping to add TtMD to my reading list for October but I may have to wait a bit.  From Fantastic Strangelings, we have Colored Television, a “…dark comedy about love and ambition, failure and reinvention, and the racial-identity industrial complex…”  I’ve been hearing good things about this one, and God knows I’ll be looking for some humor after a couple of months of reading horror!

 

Someone really needs to block me from Thriftbooks.  Seriously.  It never fails, I go on the site to find one thing and wind up with waaaaaay more than I planned.  But, hey, I need to make sure I buy enough to get free shipping, then there’s the book credits I need to use up…and then…and then…

I’ve been on a celebrity memoir kick this year so I picked up these three…

And just in time for the spooky season…

The Elementals is classic horror from the early ’80’s that has been on my wish list for years.  It seemed like whenever I came across a copy it was priced at $100 or more!  They must have issued a new reprint since TB had several new copies now available.  I’m currently reading it and loving it so far!  I Found Puppets... is one that I just had to get based solely on the title.  It was one of my first reads for my Halloween challenge and it did not disappoint!

And a few other miscellaneous titles…

No, your eyes are not deceiving you, I did get a copy of China Rich Girlfriend.  Not one of my usual reading genre preferences, but I really enjoyed Crazy Rich Asians so I decided to finally check out book two.  The other three were random choices from my Goodreads “want to read” shelf.

How was your September?  Did you pick up any new reads?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!

Stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Reading Mash-Up #200

I can finally feel summer winding down around here.  There’s that certain autumn chill in the air now, the leaves are starting to fall, and my cravings for all things apple cider and cranberry are kicking into full gear.  I started out the month in high reading mode.  I’ve slowed down a bit this past week due to illness and decorating the house, but never fear!  I have my cozy fleece blanket and lots of tea to help me dive back into high reading mode for the second half of the month!

For the next few Mash-Ups, I will be listing my reads in the order finished instead of by star ranking.

What I’ve Been Reading

Chasing American Monsters by Jason Offutt — 3.5 out of 5 stars

(H 1/31)  Nonfiction.  A state-by-state “guide” to the strange and unusual.  The author provides a brief look at various cryptids and other creatures that have been purportedly spotted or interacted with in each state.  There was some interesting local folklore as well.  I think of this as more of a beginner’s guide as the descriptions/stories were very brief.  There is a lot of repetition as well…I get it, almost every state has had a Bigfoot sighting.  Some personal accounts do seem quite credible, then there are those that just read like bad acid trips (Peggy and the 6-foot tall, upright walking and talking cockroach, I’m looking at you!).  Overall, I’d say if you’re looking for a starting point to find out more about various cryptids, this is a decent place to start.

I Found Puppets Living in My Apartment Walls by Ben Farthing — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 2/31)  Novella.  If you mixed Five Nights at Freddie’s with Goosebumps, then added in some Sesame Street for nostalgia, you would get this fun novella.  Well, fun may not be the right word since there are some pretty dark moments, but I really enjoyed this one…and the dangling carrot that this could become a “Puppet Apocalypse” trilogy?!?!?!!  Sign me up for that!!

St. Aymon by George Gordon — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 3/31)  Short story.  Told through a series of letters, we meet a young newlywed who follows his bride from England to her home:  an isolated, extremely small village in the wilds of the Canadian wilderness.  Later, the focus shifts to Liam, an investigator sent to the village to look for the missing newlyweds.  Through the letters, we slowly learn what evil is really going on…or is it just a descent into madness?  Part of me like the vagueness of this story but I also wanted just a little bit more to really up the creep factor.  A kindle freebie if you want to check it out for yourself.

Chamber of Chills by Doud Davidson — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 4/31)  Short story collection.  Four shorts that vary from a babysitter getting revenge on her bratty charges (or does she??) to alien vampires in the old west.  No-frills storytelling that worked fine for the most part, but really didn’t leave much of an impression on me (I had to check my notes to remember what I had read just a few hours later).  But hey, another kindle freebie so I can’t complain.

The Day of the Door by Laurel Hightower — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 5/31)  Novel.  A story mixing family dysfunction with a “possible” haunted house, we meet the Lasco siblings who reunite to find out what really happened to their brother behind the strange door in their childhood home.  I am a fan of Laurel Hightower’s prose, and I love the emotions she creates with her stories.  There are some truly creepy moments in this one.  Recommended, especially if you are new to the author’s writing.

Crypt of the Moon Spider by Nathan Ballingrud — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 6/31)  Novella.  This strange little tale is set in the 1920’s and revolves around a wellness center for those dealing with melancholia that is located on the moon.  The treatments include spider silk placed in the brain to help with healing.  And that’s just the tip of the weird iceberg.  I enjoyed this one, but there were a couple of things that I thought dragged down the narrative which left me torn between a three or four star rating.  Fair warning — may not be suitable if you are prone to arachnophobia but well worth checking out.

They All Died Screaming by Kristopher Triana — 2.5/3 out of 5 stars

(H 7/31)  Novel.  It wouldn’t be the Halloween season without including a Triana story.  Sadly, though, this one missed the mark for me.  The storyline was pretty good:  a strange disease is wrecking havoc on humanity (and considering this was published in 2020, I don’t have to guess what inspired that line of thinking).  But beyond that, I had a difficult time enjoying the story.  I’m used to the over-the-top gore and rather “unconventional” sex scenes in Triana’s works, but this one had me rolling my eyes so much I was getting a headache.  What also brought it down was the injection of random conversations about hot-button topics and current affairs (Hey guys, we just had a grotesque four-way that ended with death and dismemberment, now let’s talk about climate change!).  Not a fan of this one, but that won’t stop me from reading more of his work.

The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum — 4.5 out of 5 stars

(H 8/31)  Novel.  After hearing about this story for years, I finally got up the courage to read it.  Holy shit.  Based on the brutal true crime involving the death of teenager Sylvia Likens,  Ketchum delivers a powerful and chilling story told through the eyes of a witness to the horrors.  What makes this so disturbing is not the gruesome details, but rather the exclusion of such details.  Chapter 42 is the perfect example:  “I’m not going to tell you about this.  I refuse to.  There are things you know you’ll die before telling, things you know you should have died before ever having seen.  I watched and saw.”  Perhaps the most chilling sentences in the entire book.  A true modern classic in the genre, and one that I will be thinking about for a long time to come.

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 9/31)  This classic really needs no introduction as the title pretty much sums it up.  I liked it well enough although there were a few times my mind would start to wander during some of the longer dialogues.


Stay safe, and Happy Reading!

September — The 31 Books of Halloween Begins!

‘Tis the season!!  And my book cart runneth over with titles fit for Halloween!

But where to start, and how to choose?  I started creating a reading list a few months ago, and I have been updating it constantly!  I’m trying to have a wide range of titles, from nonfiction to classic horror, autumn-themed cozy mysteries to hard-core splatterpunk.  In other words, a bit eccentric and a bit eclectic, which pretty much describes me on a daily basis.  To add to the printed matter, I also have several dozen short stories and novellas on my kindle (gotta love those freebies!!).

So the big question is…what books will I be reading??

I’ve selected these thirteen titles as a potential starting point.  These are all at the top of my reading list for the next two months, but since I’m a mood reader I’ll have to see if they “call” to me sooner or later.  Be sure to check back for my updates!  I’m super excited to share this year’s countdown during my favorite time of year!

Until next time, stay safe and Happy Reading!

August Book Mail!

The August selections from my monthly book subscriptions…

More great picks from Nightworms, this time a short story collection by Gianni Washington and a novel from Josh Winning.  Heads Will Roll sounds like a lot of  fun, featuring a disgraced sitcom star sent to a camp for adults desperate to leave their mistakes behind.  I’m getting some total Camp Crystal Lake vibes from this one.  New-to-me author Washington’s collection is described as “told through the lenses of Black, female, and queer narrators,” with gothic overtones and “grimy discomfort.”  Added bonus is this one is published by CLASH books, one of my favorite indie publishers.  I have a large collection of CLASH titles and they never fail to entertain.

When I received The Full Moon Coffee Shop from Fantastic Strangelings I started reading it immediately.  In a nutshell, it’s a tale of three individuals facing uncertainty in their lives and happen across a coffee shop attended by talking cats who help them by utilizing astrology and wise words.  I did like this one, giving it a solid 3.5 stars, but I guess I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to really enjoy it like I thought I would.

I was looking for a particular title through Thriftbooks, and, well, I couldn’t stop at one!

I recently read a review of A Tempest of Tea by my friend, Mr. Pink Ink, and just knew I had to put this on my TBR.  White Line Fever, Fires on the Plain, and Longreave were also titles I’ve had on my ever-growing to-read list, and Ordinary Soil sounded interesting enough that I decided to add that one as well.

Did you get some great books in August?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!

Until next time, stay safe and Happy Reading!

 

Reading Mash-Up #199

I’M BACK!!   Maybe??  Hopefully!

The past couple of months have been strange for me, to say the least.  I really couldn’t motivate myself to write anything about the books I finished, even the ones I absolutely loved.  I even questioned whether or not I wanted to continue this blog.  I decided I really do enjoy sharing my reading journey so I will keep going for at least another year (I’ve paid for this website for that long so I intend to use it, haha!).

To help me out, I bought a couple of reading journals that I’ve been keeping next to me for writing down thoughts/feelings, page numbers I want to revisit, etc..  I know  many of you already do something like this, so I thought I would try it out for a bit to see if that helps me to stay on track with my reviews.

And, of course, I had to get back into the swing of things before my favorite time of year, my annual 31 Books of Halloween, starts September 1st!

While I wasn’t feeling inspired to write much, I did at least stay motivated to keep reading.  Here are some highlights…

What I’ve Been Reading

Dahlias:  Beautiful Varieties for Home and Garden by Naomi Slade and Georgianna Lane — 5 out of 5 stars

Naomi Slade has put out a delightful series of nonfiction books dedicated to a variety of flowers and plants.  Each book offers general information, histories, and care tips, as well as more detailed looks at different varieties.  While I do appreciate Slade’s light banter and information, the absolutely gorgeous photos by Georgianna Lane are the true showstoppers.  Dahlias is another great addition to this series, and you really can’t go wrong with any of the other titles.

House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias — 4 out of 5 stars

This is the story of five childhood friends in Puerto Rico, who, as a hurricane approaches, find themselves facing tragedy and evil.  Gabino Iglesias is a master at what I call “barrio noir with supernatural twists,” and I think this is his best novel so far.  HoBaR grabs you by the throat very early on and doesn’t let up.  The characters are well-written, and as for the supernatural “twist?”  Let’s just say, I did not see that coming!  This is definitely not for everyone (lots of violence), but I think this is a great starting place if you are interested in checking out Iglesias’s work.

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

My taste in reading material tends to gravitate towards the darker side, but I do enjoy a good light-hearted, uplifting read, and The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers hit the mark on that aspect (plus, after having just finished the deeply disturbing Child of God, I really needed something to brighten the mood!).   We meet young Clayton, who was abandoned at birth and left to the care of a group of eccentric wordsmiths.  When his adoptive mom, Pippa, passes away, she leaves behind clues for Clayton to unravel in order to discover not only his past but his future.    I really enjoyed this book and didn’t want to put it down.  My only complaint would be I wish there had been a little more character building, especially with the main players.


Some other great titles I would recommend:

The Rocks Will Echo Our Sorrow by Elin Anna Labba — 5 stars!

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune — 5 stars!

I Was Better Last Night by Harvey Fierstein — 4.5 stars!

Moonfellows by Danger Slater — 4 stars!

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden — 4 stars!

Until next time, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

 

August — Autobiographies and Memoirs

To say July was an “off” month for me would be putting it mildly.  However, one of the positive things to come out of the past thirty-one days was my desire to restart what I began with this blog:  to share my love of reading.

My favorite reading months are almost here (31 Books of Halloween for September and October), so I thought I would go the nonfiction route for this month, featuring some lighter memoir/autobiography reading…

Chelsea Handler is one of those people you either love or loathe.  She is definitely not for everyone, but there’s something about her snark and don’t give a shit attitude that I love.

Since I will be attending my first live music concert in over twenty years this month, featuring two favorites (Mudvayne and Megadeth), I thought it would be appropriate to read Megadeth founder Dave Mustaine’s memoir.  I started this a couple of days ago and it’s pretty entertaining so far (and yes, I’ve always  believed Dave was screwed over by Metallica, IYKYK).

In keeping in line with metal legends, I recently ordered a copy of Lemmy Kilmister’s autobiography, White Line Fever.  The founder, lead vocalist, and bass player for Motorhead was one of my first introductions to heavy metal in the early 1980’s, and for some reason has always been one of my favorite old-school frontmen.  It looks like my order is on track to arrive soon so I can include this title on my monthly checklist.

Do you have any reading goals for this month?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!

I’m looking forward to moving ahead again with my reviews.  Until next time, stay safe and Happy Reading!

July Book Mail!

Two things I love and appreciate with my monthly book subscriptions are the variety of themes and the diversity of the featured authors.  This month was no exception.

I joined Fantastic Strangelings almost a year ago now, after checking out their past selections and deciding to try something new.  Most of the titles sounded good, but I’ll admit that I would have probably passed them by in a book store or library.  I’ve read about half of the ones I’ve received and have thoroughly enjoyed them!  This month’s title, The Lost Story, has vibes of The Chronicles of Narnia (one of my favorite childhood series).  Two young boys disappear in a local forest, only to reappear six months later under mysterious circumstances.  Years later, one of the boys becomes a missing persons investigator.  He alone remembers the fantastical world that they visited, and believes it holds the clue to finding a missing girl.  I’m looking forward to starting this one very soon!

Over five years ago, I signed up for a relatively unknown little local subscription called NightWorms.  Owners Sadie and Ashley took their love for all things horror and ran with it, showcasing indie presses and new/up-and-coming authors.  This month’s theme, “Strange and Unusual,” was quite fitting for me, as July turned into quite a strange and unusual month.  Bora Chung’s short story collection, Your Utopia, is described as “haunting, funny, gross, and terrifying,” and I am here for it!  As for The Eyes Are the Best Part, well, the title pretty much says it all.

Did you find any great new reads last month?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!

Until next time, stay safe and Happy Reading!