All Dragons Read

Today is officially the first full day of winter…

…and there’s a forecast for snow on Christmas!  This time of year I find myself going into full-on hibernation mode, where all I want to do is curl up under some warm blankets with plenty of hot beverages and escape through tv binges and good books.  There’s something I find oddly comforting about the shorter, darker, colder days.  Of course, ask me how I feel about winter in late January or early February and I’m usually singing a much different tune!!

My reading year is winding down, and while I still have four books left on my 20 Plus 1 reading list I am confident I can finish three of them.  Sorry The Crimson Petal and the White, looks like you’re going to be a January finish.  I’ve also been going through my unread TBR mountain selecting my reading list for 2022 as well as coming up with my monthly themes.  And keep an eye out for my look back at 2021!

The Week in Books

Maiden by TC Parker and Ward Nerdlo — 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 stars, rounding up for Goodreads and NetGalley.      If you think you’ve read it all when it comes to horror fiction, then you need to pick up Maiden!  Set on a fishing boat named The Pepper Kay, we have a ragtag crew setting off for the Bering Strait under the leadership of a captain named God.  What they haul up from the deep is more than they bargained for and sets off a battle between good (actually in this case, the not-so-good) and evil.  Fast-paced storytelling, some truly unlikeable (and unforgettable) characters, and a ship with a mind of her own make this a must-read for horror fans.  Highly recommend!

Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

One of my 20 Plus 1 selections.  Hurricane Katrina wrecked havoc across several states in 2005, and the extreme flooding brought on by the storm and broken levees stranded thousands, including staff and patients at Memorial Medical Center.  When officials were finally able to get into the hospital, they found several deceased patients, most of whom were found to have died from excessive amounts of drugs injected into their systems.  Were these acts of compassion or murder?  The author does an excellent job of recreating the harrowing five days spent at the hospital and the immediate aftermath.  However, I felt the last third or so felt rushed and lacking the same attention to detail present in the first parts.

The Darling Dahlias and the Poinsettia Puzzle by Susan Wittig Albert — 3 out of 5 stars

I was a bit underwhelmed with this Christmas cozy.  This is one of those series where the storylines keep going throughout multiple books so if you haven’t read any of the earlier ones you might feel a bit confused or, like me, wind up not caring about any of the characters and their problems since there is no build-up or added explanations.  I give credit for the attention to historical details and I might just find myself checking out the first book in the series to see if it grabs me enough to read the other seven books that led up to this one.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

It’s snowing!

There’s still a few days left until winter officially starts, but earlier today Mother Nature decided to give us a bit of a preview in my little corner of the world.  Nothing nearly as heavy as this clip (thank God!!) but enough to blanket the yard and turn my steep driveway into a slippery slope.  We’re used to snowfall here in the foothills, but it seems like the first snow of the season always takes us by surprise.

One nice thing with all the white stuff is it makes it feel a bit more Christmas-y!  Will it still be around for the holidays?  I’ll keep you posted!

The Week in Books

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite — 4 out of 5 stars

I wasn’t sure about this one going in as I had heard some mixed reviews about it.  However, I wound up enjoying this quick read that focuses on family relationships (kind of a “Family — Ya Gotta Love ’em” theme).  The title pretty much sums up the story, and the short chapters are a breeze to go through, perfect for an afternoon read.  I’m not sure who exactly I would recommend this to, but if you come across it give it a try.

Managed Care by Joe Barrett — 4 out of 5 stars

One of my 20 + 1 For 2021 titles.  Fair warning: this book is not for anyone who is overly sensitive to anything.   Our protagonist, Frank, is one of those guys whose heart is in the right place but his enthusiasm often leads to pretty stupid decisions.  Currently living in a care facility for the elderly (and wearing a diaper out of principle), this thirty-something teams up with a couple of 12-year-olds and set out to turn the Catholic church upside down…at least, the local church anyways.  I found myself laughing out loud quite a bit, then feeling a bit uncomfortable a few pages later.  The overall story is a good one, but I thought it went off the rails in the last third or so.  If you’re looking for a quick read that you don’t have to put much thought into, this one fits the bill!

A Gesture Life by Chang-rae Lee — 3 out of 5 stars

One of my 20 + 1 For 2021 titles.  This “quiet” novel focuses on Franklin Hata, a Japanese man of Korean birth, who is currently living in a small American town but is haunted by the women in his past, from his failings with his adopted daughter and a brief romance with a neighbor, to the tragedy surrounding his  encounter with a young Korean “comfort girl”/prisoner he fell in love with during the war.  I really wanted to like this one more than I did but it just fell flat for me.  Part of me wanted something more, but at a sluggish 356 pages, I don’t know how much more I really could have taken.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

I try to plan out my monthly themes several months in advance, and I knew that December would be perfect for some lighter “cozy” reading.  So you would think I would be prepared with several titles on hand, right?

Yep, that’s right, I’ve had several months to find some Christmas cozies and totally spaced on it!  Luckily I will be going to the library this week so there’s still a chance of finding something to fit the theme.  If you have any suggestions, feel free to send me a message!

One goal I know I can work on for December is finishing my 20+1 for 2021 list.  While I have six books left to finish, four of those are my current reads so I feel pretty good about reaching the finish line by the 31st!

What will you be reading this month?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!

Until next time, stay safe and Happy Reading!

It’s hard to believe we’re in the final month of the year!  The past few months have flown by, while at the same time feeling like it would never end…it’s almost felt like living in the movie, Groundhog Day!

But December is my second favorite month, with the holidays and my birthday all coming up.  While I have no big plans for either, I do plan on spending some time relaxing and enjoying all of the festive movies, lights, and food that are to be had…

And read a book or two, of course!

The Week in Books

Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie — 4 out of 5 stars

In his 1995 debut novel, Alexie uses magical realism to tell the story of Thomas, Junior, and Victor, three friends from the Spokane Indian Tribe who find themselves in possession of the enchanted guitar once owned by  legendary bluesman Robert Johnson.  What follows is a journey of highs and lows, humor, drama, and heartbreak.  As a longtime Alexie fan, I can say that while this wasn’t my absolute favorite of his works, it’s right up there and will stay in my thoughts and heart for some time.

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson — 3.5 out of 5 stars

This one was kind of up and down for me.  At some points I was laughing out loud at the exploits of Allan, both past and present, yet other times I was restlessly counting the pages until the next break so I could stop reading.  I liked the overall story, but by the last eighty pages or so I had pretty much lost interest.  Needless to say, I won’t be reading the sequel.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

Tales From the Typewriter by Mark Allan Gunnells — 4 out of 5 stars

Scheduled for publication in January 2022.  The latest from Gunnells is a collection of stories within a story.  Our narrator buys an old typewriter that once belonged to his favorite (deceased) author.  Shortly afterwards, strange noises are heard late at night as the typewriter comes to life and begins to tell some scary tales…

The six short stories offer some creepy, even disturbing, narratives, from a post-apocalyptic take on Misery (The Travelling Storyteller) to a tale that will make you rethink leaving those negative reviews (The Cult of Wrath), with all six sharing the common theme of storytelling.  I enjoyed all of the stories, and found this to be a quick, satisfying read.  Be sure to add it to your TBR for 2022!

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

For those who will be celebrating this weekend, I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Even though this year has been another one full of ups and downs, our little family will be giving thanks for the good things that have blessed our lives while enjoying a mini feast of turkey and all the trimmings.

I will also be participating in a four-day readathon, which will be perfect for the predicted cold, rainy weather coming our way.  Granted, I don’t know how much I will be able to read on Thursday and Friday, but I plan on curling up on the couch with some favorite teas and diving into my current reads on Saturday and Sunday!

The Week in Books

Without You, I Would Be Nothing by Brooke L. Davis — 4/4.5 out of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this very personal memoir…one hundred different memories and events, each told with one hundred words.  From the simplicity of planting flowers to dealing with a loved one’s decline, Brooke Davis shares her life in a very unique and touching way.  Highly recommend.

The Forest of Smoke and Fog by Alex McGlothlin — 2.5/3 out of 5 stars

Rounded up to 3 for NetGalley and Goodreads.  There was a lot of potential with this one:  John Kelton returns home after his father dies in a mysterious  hunting accident and finds himself battling for control of the family company while trying to find out the truth behind his father’s sudden death.  Overall not a bad story, but…I try not to lower my ratings on advance copies due to typos, grammar errors, etc. since many times the story has not gone through a final editing, but between the scattered narrative and other glaring errors, it became too annoying to overlook (example:  sequins are used in art projects, not sequences).   And as for the ending?  It felt like a last-minute “Hail Mary” that was thrown in and wound up falling flat.  If the final published copy addressed some of the bigger issues I found in this ARC then I will gladly revisit this book to reevaluate.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

Hard to believe, but this week marks the third year of All Dragons Read!!

I’ve been having a lot of fun sharing my bookish thoughts and hope you’ve been enjoying them as well!  Here’s to another year in the Book Dragon Lair!

The Week in Books

The Hidden by Melanie Golding — 4 out of 5 stars

A young girl is found wandering alone in a small seaside town.  A woman claims to be her mother and the pair disappears.  A man is found badly beaten and left for dead. Detective Joanna Harper is trying to figure out how her estranged daughter, Ruby, is involved.  Sound straight-forward?  Believe me, it’s not!  A tightly woven mystery/thriller with a hefty dose of magical realism mixed in, this page-turner kept me guessing until the very end.  A solid four-star book that I highly recommend.

Rust Belt Femme by Raechel Anne Jolie — 4 out of 5 stars

Be sure to check out  my full review here and at MrPinkInk the weekend of November 26-28!

In the Land of Dead Horses by Bruce McCandless III — 4 out of 5 stars

Set in Texas in 1908, this mix of western and supernatural horror tells the story of hard-drinking ranger Jewel Lightfoot who is hired to track down the killers of a local farming family.  What he and his companions, Ernesto and Antonio, don’t realize is that they are about to come face to face with evil itself.        This was one of those fast-paced, engaging reads that I found difficult to put down!  The characters are well developed, and I found myself saying “oh ****” more than once when a favorite character was heading towards a bad situation.  Horror westerns are here to stay, and I highly recommend adding this one to your reading list.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

Mestiza Blood by V. Castro — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

3.5 stars, rounding up for Goodreads and NetGalley.    V. Castro is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine, and this collection of short stories showcase the broad range of her writing talent.  Focusing on the Chicana experience, these stories are blends of fantasy, horror, sex, and urban legend/local folklore.  As with any collection, I thought some were more successful than others.  There is a common theme of the inner strength and powers of women, and all are truly unique.  If you haven’t had a chance to read any of Castro’s works, I recommend this as a great place to start.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

I actually had another theme in mind for this month, then I was reminded that November is National Nonfiction Month so I knew I just had  to get involved!

This month I will be focusing on these two books…

I started Five Days at Memorial in early September, then when my focus shifted to my Halloween titles this was set aside.  While I’m only 100 pages in, I am completely immersed in this account of the tragedy that took place at this Louisiana hospital in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and the doctors who were put on trial after having to make many difficult and painful decisions.

Raechel Anne Jolie tells her story of childhood trauma and alternative lifestyle in Rust Belt Femme.  I’m a big fan of memoirs where the average person overcomes trauma and life obstacles and learns to be true to themselves.  I will be featuring this one both here and at MrPinkInk at the end of the month (November 27-ish).

Goodreads Group Reads

A couple of books stood out for November’s group reads.  The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is one that my friend’s local book club has chosen.  I’m going to try to fit it in since I’ve had this copy sitting on my shelf for a couple of years now…no more excuses!  And as for The Last House on Needless Street?  After just recently finishing it, I can’t recommend it enough to be added to your to-read list!

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What are your reading goals for the month?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!  Until next time, stay safe and Happy Reading!

Happy Halloween!!

I put off my weekly mash-up so I could include my final reads from my personal Halloween reading challenge.  With only a few hours to spare, I wrapped up my 31st book this morning!  So without further ado…

The Week in Books

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward — 5 out of 5 stars!

(H 22/31)  I am so glad I was able to avoid spoilers for this one!  What seems like a story about a man and his cat living in a creepy house turns out to be so much more.  I can’t say anything else without giving away major spoilers but I will say that the hype is real!!  Highly recommend!

A Taste For Poison by Neil Bradbury — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 23/31)  Be sure to check out my full review coming here and at MrPinkInk on October 31!

The Cassowary by James Sabata — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 24/31)  The world’s deadliest bird just got an upgrade…   The latest in the creature feature horror series that started with The Roo,  Sabata takes us to a wildlife park in Arizona, where a possessed cassowary escapes and wrecks havoc around town.  Good ol’ creature feature fun, with lots of bloodshed, standard horror characters, and tongue-in-cheek humor.

Riley’s Excellent and not-at-all Fake Exorcism Service by Sophie Queen — 3.5 out of 5 stars

(H 25/31)  Riley has a feeling that something has come over her in-laws…just wait until she finds out exactly what that is.  Overall a pretty funny story and quick read.  I did find myself wanting to know more about the supporting characters than I did about Riley.  If you’re looking for some lighter “horror” with minimum ick factor, this isn’t a bad choice.

Rings by Koji Suzuki — 3.5 out of 5 stars

(H 26/31)  This is one of those rare instances where I actually like the movie much better than the book (and I’m talking about the 2002 movie).  The general storyline is still present, with a mysterious videotape that makes anyone who views it die within a week.  I think my biggest issue was with the book’s characters, I just didn’t really care about any of them, even the girl in the well.  Maybe if I’d read the book first I would have a different opinion, but for now I’ll just stick to rewatching the movie.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

The Midnight Meat Train by Clive Barker — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 27/31)  One of Barker’s classic short stories, this has us riding along with Leon Kaufman as he discovers what’s at the end of the line on this subway train.  It’s been several years since I’ve picked up a Barker novel or story, and this reminded me of how much I always enjoyed his writing and how atmospheric his stories are.  Great place to start if you’re new to his writing.

Trick or Treat by Jamie Stewart — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 28/31)  A mother seeks revenge against The Reaper Man, the mysterious entity believed to have abducted her child on Halloween night.  This was a great surprise find in the kindle freebies, one that held my attention and offered a good ending (something that some short stories often lack).  I agree with other reviewers that it sets the mood for a creepy Halloween.

Slush by Glenn Rolfe — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 29/31)  This was definitely the darkest writing I’ve read from Rolfe so far (one story I noted as simply “gross!”).  Stories range from cursed coins to zombies, revenge to a disturbing look at teen love.  I probably wouldn’t recommend to first-time readers of Rolfe, but do recommend for his fans who want something edgier.

Deadly Women:  A Horror Short Story Collection by Mav Skye — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 30/31)  There was a lot of potential in these twisted tales, but definitely something lacking since I promptly forgot what I had read within 24 hours.

Put on a Happy Face by Terry M. West — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 31/31)  A young girl lives with her twisted brother, a young man who wears different masks to hide his deformities.  What else could he be hiding?  Not a bad story, but one that really needed a touch more background to really  make it whole.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

A Taste For Poison:  Eleven Deadly Molecules and the Killers Who Used Them by Neil Bradbury

Expected Publication Date:  February 1, 2022 by St. Martin’s Press

Four out of Five stars

For the month of October, I wanted to find some nonfiction that would tie in with my favorite holiday, Halloween.  After looking at titles involving ghost hunting, unsolved mysteries, and even witchcraft, I happened upon this one on NetGalley and I couldn’t resist.  I mean, really, what’s scarier than a tiny molecule capable of killing within seconds?!

With A Taste For Poison, my inner science geek got to hold hands with my inner true crime junkie, embarking on a dark and interesting journey.  This book is primarily science-based, with each chapter focusing on a different poison that has been used for both good and evil through the ages.  Bradbury explains the origins of each, as well as a pretty detailed account of the poison’s  effects on the human body (let me tell you, it’s not pretty!).  He breaks them down into two categories:  biomolecules (ricin, digoxin, insulin, atropine, strychnine, aconite, and cyanide) and molecules from the earth (chlorine, arsenic, polonium, and potassium round out this section).  There are historical notes as well, especially on the subject of creating accurate testing/detection methods which helped in the early prosecutions of those who thought they could get away with murder.

For those who enjoy the true crime aspect, Bradbury introduces us to various criminals who have used these poisons as their weapons of choice.  Many of the cases are much older (1800’s to early 1900’s) but there are a few from more recent times, including the man who laced several bottles of tonic water at a local grocery store with atropine just to get to his wife, and the former spy who died a terribly slow and painful death from polonium poisoning.  Compared to the scientific explanations, I found the true crime aspect to be a bit lacking at times.  Even though they were thoroughly researched and well presented, I thought some of them just didn’t rise to the same level as the scientific narratives  (or perhaps it was the case studies themselves that lacked a certain shock factor, I’m not sure).

What I enjoyed most about this book is Bradbury’s writing style.  While the information can be overwhelming at times, it is written to be easily accessed and understood by everyone.  Even with such a weighty topic, he keeps the narration on the lighter side, with some darker humor thrown in as well.  In short, if you’re like me and have an inner science geek and/or inner true crime junkie, be sure to put this book on your 2022 reading list!

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Happy Halloween!  Stay safe and Happy Reading!

Book mail is always exciting, and this past week was no exception!

Not only did my order of Rings and Rust Belt Femme arrive, but I also received a new ARC that I won in a recent LibraryThing giveaway!  The Hidden sounds like it’s right up my alley, blending mystery/thriller with British folklore.  I’ll be diving into these in the very near future so be sure to look for my thoughts in upcoming mash-ups.

And if those weren’t exciting enough, check out this month’s NightWorms delivery!

The Last House on Needless Street has been on my must-read list since I first heard of it so finding it in this month’s package was truly fantastic!  I’m over halfway through and all I can say is “wow!”  Dark Matter is a 200+ page “magazine” that features a wide variety of short stories, poetry, and artwork from the science fiction and horror genres.  I’m seriously considering treating myself to a subscription for my upcoming birthday.

While I didn’t get a lot of reading in, I did manage to finish a couple of books.

The Week in Books

The Narrows by Ronald Malfi — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 21/31)  One of Malfi’s earlier works is the story of a small town harboring deadly secrets…and some pretty nasty creatures.  I thought this was a perfect Halloween read, even though it was a bit predictable.  The twist on the vampire was unexpected and truly creepy.  Recommended for fans of moderate horror.

City of Ash and Red by Hye-Young Pyun — 3 out of 5 stars

I picked up this book based on the cover synopsis promising a tale of a man stranded in a foreign country while a pandemic rages around him (sounds pretty timely, right?).  Well, not so much.  This is more the story of the main character’s personal failings, with flashbacks to events that have led him to his current state.    I agree with another reviewer’s comment that this book leaves you feeling filthy; from the reeking garbage and systematic rat deaths to the filthy soul of the unnamed main character, it’s not light reading by any means.  The writing was impressive, but for me the story was unsatisfying.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!