All Dragons Read

Happy Halloween!

This may be a bit late in posting, but I did wrap up my 31 Books of Halloween before noon on the 31st.  Now to start planning for next year (Kidding!  Or am I??)!

*Reviews may contain spoilers*

What I’ve Been Reading

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 21/31)  Recovering addict Mallory lands a dream-come-true job as a live-in babysitter for a wealthy couple, Ted and Caroline.  Their five-year-old Teddy is shy, sweet, and seems to have a very active imagination involving an imaginary friend and his constant need to draw pictures.  Soon, the pictures become more elaborate, and the seemingly perfect home becomes more sinister.  Is this all in Mallory’s mind, or  are supernatural powers at play?      Okay, it’s been a long while since I sat down with a book and devoured the first 300 pages in an afternoon.  This hooked me from the beginning and I couldn’t stop reading.  But why the lower rating if I was so enthralled?  For me, there came a point where the narrative started to feel forced, and that is where it stalled for me.  I didn’t feel the ending complimented the rest of the story (one reviewer called it correctly as “cringe”).  But overall, I would recommend this for anyone who loves psychological horror paired with a paranormal twist.

In Ghostly Japan by Lafcadio Hearn — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 22/31)  Essays.   This is one that I picked based on title without doing my research.  It did pay off, but not in the way I expected.  Originally published in 1899, these essays cover a variety of topics, from incense to Japanese proverbs.  There are a couple that touch upon some ghost folklore, but overall I didn’t see any connection between essays, they just seemed randomly thrown together.  I did find most of them interesting, I just was looking for more about “Ghostly” Japan.

Just a Little Terrible by Vincent Cava — 3.5 out of 5 stars

(H 23/31)  A collection of flash fiction (stories that are 1,000 words or less).  I’m not going to lie, I am writing this review one week after finishing this collection and I could not remember anything about any of the stories without referring to my brief notes so I will leave it at that.

Let the Woods Keep Our Bodies by E.M. Roy — 2.5/3 out of 5 stars

(H 24/31)   Teenage Leo thinks she knows everything about her hometown.  Then her girlfriend, Tate, goes missing in the woods at the edge of town and Leo is the prime suspect.  It turns out the woods holds its own secrets.    When it takes me over a week to read a 190-page book, that’s usually not a great sign.  The story seemed very broken up and all over the place, which led to some confusion for me at the beginning, which then led to me not really caring about the characters early on (except for the dog, the dog was the best part).  There were a couple of good scenes, but sadly this one just left me feeling “meh”.

There’s a New Witch in Town by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson — 3.5 out of 5 stars

(H 25/31)  Abby Odell has a lot on her plate:  her beloved mother has passed away, two of her estranged relatives have been murdered, and, oh, Abby has also found out she is a witch and the entire town she thought she knew is full of magic.  Throw in a snarky cat familiar named Cooper, an oblivious best friend named Stella, and a hunky police chief and you have the setting for another paranormal cozy mystery series.  Overall, I really liked this one.  Granted, there were several times where if felt more like an instruction book for the series, but it was entertaining.

The Resurrectionist by Wrath James White — 1 out of 5 stars

(H 26/31)  I read this so you don’t have to.

You’re welcome.

Now please excuse me while I inject bleach into my brain.

Somebody Is Walking on Your Grave by Mariana Enriquez — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 27/31)  Nonfiction.  Mariana Enriquez has a passion for cemeteries, and this book of essays showcases some of the more notable ones she has visited over the years.  A blend of memoir and travelogue, Enriquez also adds interesting historical facts and local legends.  A fascinating and entertaining read.

Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio — 2 out of 5 stars

(H 28/31)  Novella.  The blurb pulled be in, promising a story of five people finding an unexplained hole dug in a defunct neighborhood cemetery.  It sounded creepy, perfect for Halloween.  Sadly, I found it anything but.  Five random people, hints of some sort of lab experiment gone wrong, and no real cohesive storyline left me wishing I had left this one on the shelf.

Paint It Black and Other Stories by Sarah Jane Huntington — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 29/31)  A very good variety of short stories, with plots ranging from a possessed jukebox to a mysterious red rain that seems to cocoon people.  There are psychopathic wives, mean girls getting what they deserve, ancient evils, and literal inner demons.  As with all collections, there were some stories I enjoyed more than others, but overall a solid collection and one I would recommend.

The Witch by Freida McFadden — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 30/31)  Sitting down with a new Freida McFadden book is like sitting down with a bag of potato chips:  the plan may be to just sample a few chapters, then you keep telling yourself “just one more” until you realize that an entire afternoon has passed and you have consumed the entire thing.  The Witch alternates between Caroline’s story, set in 1692, and Julia’s, set in present day.  There are family secrets, a possible haunting, and the mystery of human bones found in the back yard.  Fast-moving with some great twists, this is my favorite McFadden book to date.

The Dead by Charlie Higson — 3.5 out of 5 stars

(H 31/31)  A new disease is spreading quickly.  It affects anyone over sixteen years old, turning them into zombie-like “sickos”.  A group of schoolboys leave their remote private school after their teachers turn into these flesh-eating creatures, hoping that London will provide some safety.  Or will it?     This YA horror was a fun take on the zombie trope, with an intriguing cast of characters and a lot of action.  It’s book two in the series, but I really didn’t feel like I had missed anything by not reading book one.  I may have to track down the next book to see how the series progresses.

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Stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Aaaand once again, I am running behind!  *Sigh*  I don’t know how this month got away from me, and it didn’t help that a bunch of library holds all came in at the same time.  Never fear, it looks like I’m still on track to finish my 31 books by the end of the month!

**Reviews may contain spoilers**

What I’ve Been Reading

The Witch Tape:  A Scary Short Story by Stories From the Attic — 3.5 out of 5 stars

(H 10/31)  This creepy little tale has three friends deciding to spend the night in the nearby woods to see if the rumors of witchcraft and strange rituals are true.  I agree with one reviewer likening this story to a campfire tale.  There’s nothing new or overly frightening, but it would make for a good read on Halloween night.

Evil Seeds:  The Ultimate Movie Guide to Villainous Children edited by Vanessa Morgan — 4.5 out of 5 stars

(H 11/31)  We’re all familiar with those infamous horror movies featuring diabolical children:  The Exorcist, The Omen, and Children of the Corn to name a few.  This 500+ page book showcases movies from around the world that feature children who aren’t exactly innocent little lambs.  From the 1950’s through 2020, various contributors give brief summaries and opinions on hundreds of films.  Needless to say, I now have a list a mile long of movies I will be looking for on various streaming services this Halloween season (and beyond!).

Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi — 4.5 out of 5 stars

(H 12/31)  On a stormy night, a gravely wounded man is brought to St. Vincent’s Orphanage for Boys, his skin carved with strange occult symbols.  His death releases an evil into the orphanage, pitting orphans and priests against each other and the unknown.    This novel of good vs. evil grabbed me from the beginning and refused to let go.  Fracassi did a great job with character building and creating such an ominous setting.  And the ending broke through my cold, jaded heart.  I’ve read several short stories by this author.  This is the first novel of his that I’ve read and I’m definitely adding more of his titles to my future TBR  lists.  Highly recommend.

Brad, Unwound by Jamie Kort — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 13/31)  Short story.  Think of Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, only his name is Brad, he lives in an attic, and he’s a sock puppet with a fetish for crochet hooks.  I think that about sums up this truly bizarro horror tale.

The Soxorcist by Jamie Kort — ??? out of 5 stars

(H 14/31)  Short story.  Jamie Kort seems to be the king of writing about deranged sock puppets, and The Soxorcist is one of the latest installments.  Now, I’m no stranger to extreme/bizarro/splatterpunk horror, and I’ve read my share of totally deranged and disgusting stories over the years.  However, this one crossed the line for me, and that is saying A LOT.  The premise of the story was good, but when it got to a certain scene, I just couldn’t deal with it any more.  It’s a shame since I had been enjoying these off-the-rails murderous sock puppet tales.

Nestlings by Nat Cassidy — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 15/31)  Ana, paralyzed after the complicated birth of her daughter, and her husband, Reid, finally receive some great news:  they have won an “affordable housing lottery,” and their new apartment is in the very exclusive Deptford building.  Of course, looks can be very deceiving.    There is a strong nod to Rosemary’s Baby, especially in the beginning, but, for me, much of this reminded me of season 5 of American Horror Story (aptly named Hotel and one of my favorite seasons of the show).  While I thought most of the story was pretty predictable and I am still on the fence with my feelings for the main characters, I found it suspenseful and well-paced.  It also made me thankful that I don’t live in an apartment building and have to worry about weird neighbors.

Inside the Indie Horror World — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 16/31)  Essays.  A collection of essays from over thirty indie horror authors offering advice and their experiences on getting their stories published.  Why include this on my Halloween list?  Mainly because some of my favorite horror authors contributed their two cents (Chad Lutzke, John Boden, and Steve Stred for starters).  Also, why not?  🙂

The Night Parade by Ronald Malfi — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 17/31)  Wanderer’s Folly is a plague that is threatening to wipe out the human race.  David Arlen and his young daughter, Ellie, are on the run, not only from disease-ravaged towns but from mysterious people looking for them.  While this story has very strong Firestarter vibes, it is it’s own story, and one that I really liked.  I’ve been a fan of Ronald Malfi for a few years now, and this novel offered the pacing, strong characters, and atmosphere that I’ve come to expect with his works.  Strongly recommend, and a great starting place if you are new to Malfi’s writing.

Beneath the Poet’s House by Christa Carmen — 2 out of 5 stars

(H 18/31)  After her husband’s death, Saoirse White moves to another state and into the house that once belonged to Sarah Helen Whitman, the fiancee of Edgar Allan Poe.  She soon befriends three people she found holding a seance in her basement, starts a love affair with a guy obsessed with Poe, and adopts a black cat with diabetes.  Plus, there’s the mysterious Aidan, who wants to talk to her about her husband’s death but Saoirse is afraid he’ll find out “the truth.”  Oh, and the Poe-obsessed lover she’s known for about three seconds isn’t who he claims to be.  *Shocker.*  I really thought I would like this book, and it looks like I’m in the minority with my two-star rating.  I did appreciate the author’s ability to create mood and atmosphere.  But beyond that?  Well, I wanted to DNF at chapter 2.  I have rocks in my back yard with more common sense than the MC.  The only thing that kept me reading was to find out the secret that Aiden may or may not know.  I won’t steer anyone away from this one, it just wasn’t for me.

The Guest is a Goner by Carly Winter — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 19/31)   Bernadette (Bernie) inherits her grandmother’s home in Sedona, Arizona, turning it into a Bed and Breakfast to make ends meet.  After being struck by lightning at a cousin’s wedding, Bernie returns home to find out she has someone else living with her:  the ghost of her grandmother, Ruby.  Then a guest is found murdered, so Bernie and Ruby set out to find the killer.      I truly enjoyed this cozy paranormal mystery!  Ruby is an absolute blast, the mystery was well done, and even the Scooby Doo ending was satisfying.  I’m looking forward to continuing this series.

Paradise Club by Tim Meyer — 3.5 out of 5 stars

(H 20/31)  If you like “dystopian action horror” movies like The Purge, then this book may be for you!  An all-inclusive resort on a remote tropical island, where all phone/internet access to the outside world is prohibited.  Security guards escorting bloodied guests to dark basement rooms.  And rumors of something called “The Skirmish?”  Well, you know that can’t be good.  Tim Meyer starts the bloodshed early and doesn’t let up as we follow several of the guests in their quest to survive.  A fun note about this story: the author originally set this up for his Patreon page, asking his readers to vote for certain outcomes.  That may explain the totally off-the-wall twist at the end.

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Support your local library!

Stay safe, and Happy Reading!

 

Today is September 22, the Autumnal Equinox, officially kicking off my favorite time of year!

This also marks the first part of my 31 Books for Halloween personal reading challenge.  After starting September 1, I had a few delays which cut into my reading time.  No worries, though, I believe I am back on track to complete my 31st book on October 31.

Let’s count down the 31 books as I finish them!

**Reviews may contain spoilers.**

What I’ve Been Reading

Lute by Jennifer Thorne — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 1/31)  Novel. “On the idyllic island of Lute, every seventh summer, seven people die. No more, no less.”  Nina moves to the island of Lute with her children and husband, who happens to be the Lord of Lute.  She has been told about The Day but has always blown it off as superstitious nonsense.  Then The Day arrives and she finds out what it’s really all about, as well as the secrets her husband has been keeping.      For something that was described as “Wicker Man meets Final Destination,” I was expecting a lot more from this story.  I was drawn in at the beginning (the author does know how to create an ominous atmosphere), but by the middle of the book I found myself really  not caring about any of the characters and counting the pages until the end.  The final chapter did surprise me a bit, which kept my rating at a solid 3 stars.  While the story didn’t hit the mark for me, I would recommend giving it a shot if you are a fan of folk horror and don’t mind a few violent scenes.

True Ghost Stories and Hauntings, Volume 3 by Barb Shadow — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 2/31)  Barb Shadow is a paranormal investigator who has collected stories from everyday people who have had unexplained encounters or sightings.  Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, I think it’s safe to say that we all have had some sort of strange event happen to us at some point.  However, not all of them need to be published (“I heard a strange voice when I was six.  I don’t know what it was.”  Yes, that is an example of what a few of the stories were like).  There were several that caught my attention as being genuinely unsettling, but, for the most part, most of the “experiences” either fell flat, read like urban legend retellings, or were so poorly written that I couldn’t follow what was trying to be described.

Miracles For Masochists by James G. Carlson and Michael R. Collins — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 3/31)  Short story collection.  This collection has a bit of everything, from the ghost of Elvis who loves to bedazzle in Sequined Specter, to an artist who becomes one with his art in Transformation of Hayden Connor, to a dark tale of trading places with Death in More Human Than Human (plus four other tales).  I loved the dark humor that was laced throughout some of the stories.  I thought this was a pretty strong collection, one that I would recommend, especially if you are new to these authors.

The Auctioneer by Joan Samson — 4 out of 5 stars

(h 4/31)  Novel.  “Just remember this.  Whatever I’ve done, you’ve let me do.” (pg 210).  Charismatic auctioneer Perly Dunsmore arrives in small town Harlowe, New Hampshire.  When his donation solicitations and auctions start to take a more sinister turn, the townsfolk begin to realize it may be too late to take back their town and themselves.      There is something truly unsettling and disturbing about this 1975 horror classic.  Perhaps because it could easily be set in today’s modern world.  I highly recommend this one, especially if you liked Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery.

Within These Walls by Ania Ahlborn — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 5/31)  Novel.  Washed-up true crime writer Lucas Graham is being given the opportunity of a lifetime:  exclusive access to cult leader/mass murderer /death row inmate Jeffrey Halcomb.  The catch?  Lucas must move across the country and live in the house where the grisly deaths took place.  Lucas immediately packs up and moves to the secluded area in Washington state, bringing along his twelve-year-old daughter.  Of course, the house (and Jeffrey) have their own plans for Lucas.        I love stories involving haunted houses, and I love stories about psychotic cult leaders, so combining these two things hit the mark for me.  The atmosphere Ahlborn creates is dark and brooding, and the ending brought some surprises I didn’t see coming.  I’ve only read three of Ahlborn’s books, and this story definitely makes me want to track down more.

Offspring by Jack Ketchum — 2.5/3 out of 5 stars

(H 6/31)  Novel.  This 1987 follow-up to Ketchum’s notorious cannibal classic, Off Season, is just what you would expect a book about a cannibal tribe roaming the Maine sea coast to be.  Lots of gore and violent sexuality make this a book not for the squeamish.  There are really no surprises with this story, other than the fact that I actually bought my copy.  Granted, it was only 25 cents at a used book sale, but still.

Pumpkin Spice Scare by Molly Maple — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 7/31)  Cozy mystery.   In book 4 of Maple’s “Cupcake Crimes” series, Charlotte’s cupcake business is taking off and she plans on leaving her job at the local diner.  However, the discovery of her coworker’s body may change things.      I haven’t read the first three books in this series, but I really didn’t have any problems picking up the storyline and character quirks.  It has all the standard cozy requirements (budding love interest, kooky but loyal best friend, some sort of animal sidekick).  Overall it was a sweet, fun, October-based story.  For me, it did verge on being almost too sweet.  At one point, I felt like I was one sugar cube away from going into a diabetic coma.  Still, this is a series that I wouldn’t mind indulging in from time to time.

The New Dead:  A Zombie Anthology — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 8/31)  Nearly 400 pages of zombie stories and I found myself…bored??  With a list of well-known horror authors like Brian Keene, Max Brooks, Tim Lebbon, and Kelley Armstrong, I was expecting a bit of a wow factor, or at least some stories that stood out enough for me to remember after I finished them.  Don’t get me wrong, I did like all the stories to some degree.  However, after a bit, they all seemed to melt together.  Two standouts for me were Ghost Trap by Rick Hautala and Twittering From the Circus of the Dead by Joe Hill.  While most of this anthology didn’t blow me away, I would still recommend it for anyone looking for some zombie reads for the upcoming spooky season.

Deerhead by Blair Cousins — 2 out of 5 stars

(H 9/31)  Short story.  It’s always a crapshoot when I pick up a bunch of freebies for my kindle.  Over the years, I have found some hidden gems as well as several clunkers.  Sadly, this short story is one of the latter.  It starts out well enough:  a young couple take off for a weekend of camping at a nearby park, that just happens to have a reputation for hikers disappearing on a regular basis.  At about the halfway mark, things take a dark turn for our young couple, and, for me, that is when the story started to fall apart.  I get what the author was going for in regards to dealing with past traumas.  However, I thought the ending was too rushed for the complexity of  what was being revealed, leaving me with more questions than answers.  Not terrible, but a little fine tuning would have kicked this up a star or two.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

It’s finally September, and you know what that means…

My annual 31 Books of Halloween is back!

I started going through my physical books and Kindle titles a couple of months ago, trying to make a reading list for the next two months.  As always, the list will likely change based on my reading moods, but here’s a sample of what I’ve picked out…

I have a large variety of short stories and novellas on top of the dozens of full-length novels on my reading list.  And don’t fear, not everything is creepy or gory!  In the mix, I have a couple of nonfiction titles, as well as a variety of cozies featuring neighborhood witches or mysteries taking place in October.

Make sure to watch for my reading mash-ups in the next few weeks.  I will be posting my updates and reviews as I read them!

Have I mentioned how much I love this time of year??!!

Stay safe, support your local libraries, and Happy Reading!

 

 

 

 

 

For July, I know I have several library holds coming in over the next few weeks so I decided to keep it simple with these two from my shelves…

I’ve read other titles by both Brom and Paula Hawkins.  Brom’s Slewfoot was hands down one of my top three reads of 2023.  After finishing it, I immediately ordered Lost Gods…then let it sit on my unread shelf all this time.  I put it on my “26 Books to Read in 2026” list and decided this seemed like a good time to start it.  I read a few pages tonight and my first impression is “I think I’m going to really like this one.”

From Goodreads:

“Fresh out of jail and eager to start a new life, Chet Moran and his pregnant wife, Trish, leave town to begin again. But an ancient evil is looming, and what seems like a safe haven may not be all it appears . . .

Snared and murdered by a vile, arcane horror, Chet quickly learns that pain and death are not unique to the living. Now the lives and very souls of his wife and unborn child are at stake. To save them, he must journey into the bowels of purgatory in search of a sacred key promised to restore the natural order of life and death. Alone, confused, and damned, Chet steels himself against the unfathomable terrors awaiting him as he descends into death’s stygian blackness.

With Lost Gods, Brom’s gritty and visceral prose takes us on a haunting, harrowing journey into the depths of the underworld. Thrust into a realm of madness and chaos, where ancient gods and demons battle over the dead, and where cabals of souls conspire to overthrow their masters, Chet plays a dangerous game, risking eternal damnation to save his family.”

When I read Paula Hawkins’ huge hit, The Girl on the Train, back in 2017, I went in with low expectations.  “Runaway hit bestseller” are three words that normally  make me avoid reading the book as I usually wind up disappointed, leaving me wondering why the hell the book is so popular.  I was surprised at how much I liked it, so when I found this copy of Into the Water at a used book sale I decided to see if it was just as good.  And, once again, it has sat on my shelf of unread books for God knows how long.  I’ve been in the mood for a good psychological thriller so fingers crossed that this one doesn’t disappoint.

A single mother turns up dead at the bottom of the river that runs through town. Earlier in the summer, a vulnerable teenage girl met the same fate. They are not the first women lost to these dark waters, but their deaths disturb the river and its history, dredging up secrets long submerged.

Left behind is a lonely fifteen-year-old girl. Parentless and friendless, she now finds herself in the care of her mother’s sister, a fearful stranger who has been dragged back to the place she deliberately ran from—a place to which she vowed she’d never return.

With the same propulsive writing and acute understanding of human instincts that captivated millions of readers around the world in her explosive debut thriller, The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins delivers an urgent, twisting, deeply satisfying read that hinges on the deceptiveness of emotion and memory, as well as the devastating ways that the past can reach a long arm into the present.

Beware a calm surface—you never know what lies beneath.

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As for my June and mid-year updates…

It’s hard to believe we have reached the halfway mark for the year.  Personally, it has felt like several years rolled into six months, with no relief in sight.  Between dealing with an elderly parent to the current global shitstorm, I am feeling exhausted all of the time, often having headaches or feeling sick for days.  Books were my escape as a child, and they continue to be an escape.  As of June 30th, I’ve read 71 books of my Goodreads goal of 125.  I actually finished all three of my June TBR, a high point since I usually get distracted with my monthly TBR goals and wind up not finishing them in a timely manner.  I’ve wanted to continue my reviews, but so many of my recent reads have been pretty mediocre…of course, that could be due to my current state of mind.  But never fear, I do have some reviews I’m working on, I just need to find my focus.

What are your reading goals for July?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!

Support your local library!

Stay safe, and Happy Reading!

 

Happy Pride Month!!

Well, it’s the seventh of June and I’m already falling behind!  I hope that’s not a sign of how this month is going to go.

Over the past two months, I’ve had a bunch of library holds arrive that I prioritized.  This month, it’s all about my personal TBR library.

Eleanore of Avignon by Elizabeth DeLozier is one of my “26 for 2026” picks.  Set in 1347, this historical drama centers on Eleanore, a young woman skilled in the arts of herbalism and midwifery.  Add the Black Death and a disgraced. pregnant queen, this has the makings of a truly remarkable story.  Fingers crossed on this one!

I Died Too, But They Haven’t Buried Me Yet by Ross Jeffery is a book I have wanted to read since I bought it shortly after publication in 2023.  This is a story of a father grieving the disappearance/loss of his daughter, and the offer from a stranger to make contact with her.  “...A tale of deception and possession like no other.” (from the cover blurb)  I read Ross Jeffery’s short story collection, Beautiful Atrocities, in 2022 and gave it one of the few full five stars I’ve given to any anthology/collection.  I’m hoping the author brings all the greatness to this novel that he did to those short stories.

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown is a story that caught my attention last year.  I actually finished reading this one earlier today, so I won’t say much more about it here (but I will be putting up a review in my next Reading Mash-Up).

There are a couple of other titles on my shelf I would like to start this month, including The Devil’s Star by Jo Nesbo and A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas.  But, since I am a total mood reader, I guess we will have to see what mood I am in this month.

What are your reading goals for June?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!!

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Support your local library!

Stay safe and Happy Reading!

I believe I can sum up my reading experience for this month with two words:  Mediocre May.  As of today, May 27, I have finished ten books, with three current reads I should be finishing before the 31st.  Sadly, most of my reads this month were rather underwhelming, most getting three stars or less.  They weren’t bad, per se, they just didn’t grab me (with the exception of the 1.5/2 star book, that one was just plain ol’ bad).  I hope this isn’t the start of a dreaded reading slump!

There were a few that rose above the others…

What I’ve Been Reading

Nobody’s Girl:  A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice by Virginia Roberts Giuffre — 4.5 out of 5 stars

Virginia Giuffre was one of the many survivors of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking ring who came forward, most notably for her testimony against Maxwell and Giuffre’s role in exposing some of the world’s wealthiest men, including Prince Andrew.  Giuffre tells her story of horrific childhood sexual abuse, her “chance” meeting with Maxwell which led her down into the depths of hell as a victim of sex trafficking.  There were some brighter moments when she finally escaped, married, and had children.  There was hope among the horror, and her story was made even more tragic with her death around the time this book was published.  Not an easy read, but one I highly recommend.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr — 4.5 out of 5 stars

Historical fiction.  Set in France and Germany during World War II, this story alternates between Marie-Laure and Werner.  Marie-Laure is a blind girl who lives with her father, the “master of keys” at the nearby Museum of Natural History.  They are forced to flee Paris and find themselves living with a distant uncle on the coast.   Werner is an orphan, highly talented in building and fixing radios.  He is “recruited” by an academy for Hitler Youth, where his talents are nurtured, then exploited for war gains.  Add to this some unforgettable side characters and a precious gem thought to be cursed.  I don’t know what initially drew me to this book as I usually don’t read fiction set during WWII.  However, I was instantly engaged with the story, not wanting to put it down.  My only complaint:  there were a couple of things that, to me, felt “forced” into the narrative and wound up being a distraction.  Highly recommend.

The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding — 3.5 out of 5 stars

A psychological thriller told through the voices of two women:  Lee, a former restauranteur who is currently homeless and living in her car and running from her past; and Hazel, the abused wife of a high-powered attorney who is rescued by Lee from her suicidal drowning attempt.  Then things get twisted and weird…   I love a good psych thriller, but this one left me feeling hot and cold.  The good stuff:  I thought the pacing was good, it kept me reading, and I didn’t see some of the twists coming.  For me, the down side was the characters.  One page I would be invested and intrigued, the next page I would be rolling my eyes at how fricking stupid these characters were acting.  I know, it’s fiction, but still.  Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quick thriller read.  It is entertaining, I just had issues with some of the actions and plot line.

The Book of Sheen by Charlie Sheen — 3.5 out of 5 stars

Memoir.   I’m sure we’ve all heard of Charlie Sheen, whether through his various acting gigs or his notorious lifestyle choices that used to make tabloid headlines.  I was never a huge fan but I will give him props for his acting in Platoon, Two and a Half Men, and Young Guns.  I found this book at my local library so I thought it might be interesting to check out.   The first half to two-thirds of this memoir was good.  He offered many entertaining anecdotes from his childhood and from his early acting years.  But once he hits the infamous Two and a Half Men years, he suddenly becomes vague, sidestepping many of the issues that made him tabloid fodder at the time.  His marriages are blips on the page, his out-of-control behavior barely addressed.  There’s something about the last third of the book that has me mistrusting his claims of long-term sobriety.  For the sake of his children and those he did hurt over the years, I truly hope he has been maintaining his sobriety and is working on repairing his relationships.  Overall, not bad as far as celebrity memoirs go, but not one that I would enthusiastically recommend.

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May already??  Time for another TBR goal!

Here are my picks for this month…

I’ve been reading a lot of longer fiction lately, so I wanted to pick some shorter stories or novellas to break things up a bit.  I chose Raise the Red Lantern by Su Tong, three novellas that showcase “…the brutal realities of…1930s provincial China – worlds of prostitution, poverty, and drug addiction…”  (from the back cover).   It may sound pretty bleak, but I’ve heard some good things about this collection so we’ll see.

My other pick is one of my “2026 List of 26 to Read” titles, Where I Come From by Aaron Sanchez.  As someone who obsessively watches reality cooking shows, I am interested to see how Aaron got his start and to read more about the inspirations behind his cooking career (things he has hinted at on various shows).

These are two of my current reads I am also planning on finishing this month…

You may remember that I had Wolf Totem as one of my April TBR selections.  Well, April turned out to be a very weird reading month for me so I didn’t get to start this one until April 29!  It is definitely one that I will be taking my time with as I’m already finding myself researching certain references, and I’m not even to page 100 yet!  Very mesmerizing so far.

I feel like I’m becoming the “Queen of Reading Celebrity Memoirs.”  When picking up some of my library holds I came across Charlie Sheen’s memoir, The Book of Sheen.  Yeah, I know.  But I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for bad boys, so I just had to check it out.  I must say, so far, it’s not what I expected (and that’s a good thing).

I also mentioned last month that I had several books on hold through my local library that I figured would all start coming in around the same time.  Sure enough, they did!!  And these aren’t even all of them!!

I swear I’ve checked out Freida McFadden’s The Boyfriend at least three times but always wound up taking it back without even starting it.  I am determined to actually read it this time!!

I already know Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Giuffre is going to be a difficult read.  I just hope that this book will truly help all SA survivors (myself included), and give us all the courage to step forward to take these motherfuckers down.

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What is on your reading list for May?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!

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I want to start this by giving a huge shout-out to my big boy, Mister Sissy, who turned 16 on April 6th!  He was born to a feral cat under our house and spent his first 9-10 years living outdoors.  He is huge (well over 20 pounds), and now spends his days demanding scratches and taking over the entire couch.

Now, on to the books!

What I’ve Been Reading

PROJECT HAIL MARY by Andy Weir — 5 out of 5 stars

“Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission – and if he fails, humanity and Earth itself will perish.”    I loved Andy Weir’s The Martian, both the book and movie.  For whatever reason, Project Hail Mary slid through my reading radar when it was published in 2021 (I’m guessing the whole global pandemic thing may have had something to do with that).  Anyways, after hearing nothing but praise about the movie since it came out March 20th, my interest was renewed and I picked up a copy.  I am so glad I did!!  I absolutely loved this story.  I really don’t know what more I can say without giving away a lot of the plot, so I will say this is definitely one of my top reads of the year, and one that I highly recommend to everyone.

A COURT OF MIST AND FURY by Sarah J. Maas — 4 out of 5 stars

Feyre, granted the gifts of the High Fae and haunted by her time Under the Mountain.  An upcoming marriage, a bargain with the Dark Lord…..    Okay, anyone who remotely knows me knows that I have never been a fan of romance, romantasy, etc..  If you had told me ten years ago that I would be reading this series and actually LIKING it (!) and looking forward to reading the next book, well, I probably would have laughed and went back to whatever genre I was reading at the time.  So why do I like this series?  Because there is an actual story that intrigues me and it doesn’t revolve around sex 24/7.  Plus the whole bad boy with a good heart named Rhysand.  God, I’m getting soft in my old age.

DIAVOLA  by Jennifer Thorne — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

Anna, the black sheep of the Pace family, is not looking forward to the yearly vacation with the fam.  What makes it even worse?  The destination is a “modernized” castle-like home in a remote Italian village.  Locals warn the family about staying there, and there is the mysterious key that the caretaker insists should not be touched…ever!!  What could possibly go wrong??       I had some mixed feelings on this horror novel, but let me start with the positives.  I love haunted house stories, and this really hit the mark for me on that aspect.  I enjoyed the building sense of dread and certain imagery.  What brought it down for me was the cast of characters.  I did not like any of them, even the kids annoyed me for some reason.  I also felt that there were a lot of loose ends and unanswered questions.  However, I did round up to four stars on Goodreads simply because I really enjoyed the horror aspect, just not the dysfunctional family part.  A great read for Halloween.

Here’s some other titles worth checking out:

Welcome Home:  Travels in Smalltown Canada by Stuart McLean (Nonfiction)

Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie

Bat-Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker

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What have you been reading?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!

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In the past, I used monthly themes to plan my reading.   Then after a really bad reading slump last June or so, I started going through my unread books and prioritizing them.  Do I want to continue this series?  This title has been on my shelf for years, do I still want to read it?  And so on.  I pulled out a journal and started making lists of what I really wanted to read and wound up starting a monthly goal of two to four books from these lists that I wanted to tackle each month.  It helped tremendously with my reading slump…plus, I just love making lists, there’s something immensely satisfying crossing items off as they are completed.  I still plan on continuing my 31 Books of Halloween for September and October…I’m already putting together my reading list for that!

So, with that being said, here are my selections for April…

I have several library holds that should be coming in over the next few days, so I decided to keep my list down to two.  Wolf Totem by Jiang Rong is fiction “…drawing on the author’s experience during the Cultural Revolution of the late 1960’s and ’70’s” (from the cover).  A college student is sent to Inner Mongolia as part of a modernization movement.  His admiration for the nomadic herdsmen and his fascination with the Mongolian wolf will soon be tested by government policies.     I have been obsessed with Eastern Asia, especially Mongolia, ever since I can remember, and I’m really looking forward to this one.

I learned about Lenin’s Kisses by Yan Lianke through an online course I recently took, ChinaX Book Club.  The plot is pretty wild:  After a bizarre summer snowstorm ruins their crops, a village of mostly disabled people, led by their county official, start a traveling performance show to raise money to buy the corpse of Lenin from Russia so they can create a tourist attraction to compensate for the lost crops.  Like I said, pretty wild.  What really sold me on this book was the interview with the author that was part of the course.  It’s something that I would recommend trying to find if you are interested in reading this book.

 

This month, I also want to make some progress, or actually finish, my other current reads…

I’m about halfway through A Court of Mist and Fury, so I should wrap that up in a week or so.  I’ve been a bit disappointed with The Curse of Oak Island.  I’m not quite at the DNF stage yet, I just keep hoping something interesting will finally happen.  And as for Fucked Up?  I’ve been working on that one for several months now.  Not that it’s bad, it’s just been a lot to deal with.  Once I hit page 300 or so, it did seem to pick up more momentum so I’m hoping to finish it by the end of the month.

What are your reading goals for April?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!