This year has definitely been a strange one so far. From the ongoing global issues to all the things piling up at my home, I have found myself in an almost continuous reading slump. Never fear, I’m sticking around and pushing onward, I just may be a bit slower to post things for the next month or so.
The Week in Books
Into the Forest and All the Way Through by Cynthia Pelayo — 5 out of 5 stars
A few years ago, if you had told me I would be reading and recommending poetry collections, I would have said you were mad, but here we are. Pelayo’s collection of true crime poetry focuses on unsolved cases of missing and murdered women and girls. It is at turns heartbreaking and horrific, and I think it is an important piece of work that should be read by everyone.
Road of Bones by Christopher Golden — 4.5 out of 5 stars
In this truly suspenseful supernatural thriller, documentary filmmaker, Teig, sets out into the remote wilderness of Siberia to research the history and strange events of Kolyma Highway, also known as the Road of Bones. He and his travelling companions arrive at an abandoned town, where the only person left is a nine-year-old girl. Strange and terrifying events soon start happening, forcing the small group to fight for their lives. I read this in one afternoon, and even though it was a beautiful warm day at my house I was left feeling chilled to the bone. Highly recommend.
Free: Two Years, Six Lives, and the Long Journey Home by Lauren Kessler — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars
Lauren Kessler takes a look at America’s prison system and what really happens when an individual is released back to society, focusing on a few who have spent a decade or more behind bars for crimes ranging from drugs and forgery to murder. While the data and facts were well researched and quite eye-opening, I felt there was something lacking in the personal stories, or maybe I was just expecting more about certain individuals. Overall a very interesting read.
Stay safe and Happy Reading!