All Dragons Read

So, I decided to do a bit of renaming and rearranging for 2023.  I started out with good intentions of a weekly update, but as life happened around me, I found myself unable to keep up for a variety of reasons.  This led to frustration on my part, and the feeling of failure would sometimes creep in as well.

I still plan on sharing my latest reads with you, I’m just not making it a set schedule (I do hope to post every 7 to 10 days, depending on how many books I’ve finished).

Books are a big part of my life, but I do have other interests, believe it or not, haha!  Since our household has finally jumped into the 21st century and we now have several streaming services, I’ve been catching up on some fantastic movies and rewatching favorite television series.  Starting next time, I will be adding What I’ve Been Watching, as well as What I’ve Been Doing for the other noteworthy events that pop up during the year.

So here’s to a healthier and happier 2023!

What I’ve Been Reading

A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett — 5 out of 5 stars

In 2008, Amanda Lindhout traveled to Somalia with photographer friend, Nigel Brennan.  On day four, they were kidnapped by Islamic extremists and wound up being held captive for 460 days.  This remarkable book tells Amanda’s story, from her early years and adventures that led to this fateful trip, to the horrors and abuse she endured while in captivity.  This is, at times, an extremely difficult read, but I think it truly exemplifies the strength of the human spirit in the face of such horrendous acts.  An absolute must-read.

In the Shadow of 10,000 Hills by Jennifer Haupt — 4.5/5 out of 5 stars

This unforgettable novel set in (mainly) Rwanda tells the stories of Lillian, a woman who left Atlanta, Georgia in the late 1960’s and found her calling as a caregiver for orphans, and Rachel, who sets out to try to find her father in the late 1990’s after finding clues that lead her to Lillian’s doorstep.  With a strong cast of characters, Haupt not only tells an emotional story of family, but also of the lasting effects of the 1994 genocide, and the trails that lead to redemption and forgiveness.  Highly recommend.

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan — 4/4.5 out of 5 stars

This turned out to be one of those books I didn’t know I needed in my life, and I’m so glad I read it!  The stories of Anthony Peardew, Laura, Eunice, and all of the “lost things” combined charm and heartbreak, and I have to say, there were three simple words that at one point brought a whole lotta tears to my eyes.  Highly recommend, especially if you’re a fan of stories like A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.

Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll by Andrew Friedman — 4 out of 5 stars

My first review for MrPinkInk coming at the end of the month!

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

Twilight at the Gates by Mark Allan Gunnells — 4 out of 5 stars

These 31 short tales and poems are Mark Allan Gunnells’ tributes to the iconic television series, The Twilight Zone.  As with the shows in the series, there is a wide range of weirdness to choose from.  Some stories left me scratching my head, but the vast majority I found entertaining and often creepy.  Great selection, and a good starting point for those new to Gunnells’ work.

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Stay safe, and Happy Reading!

First of all, Happy New Year!!

I don’t know about you, but I am so glad the shitstorm that was 2022 is officially in the rearview window.  Time to recharge and look forward to 2023.

First up, my January theme:  New Year, New Series/New Author.  I like to start off the new year with this theme as it just seems fitting.  This month I am looking forward to these two titles…

For the new series, I picked up The Book of Dead Days by Marcus Sedgwick.  This sounds right up my alley, with a mix of fantasy, mystery, and magic.  Added bonus:  it’s set between Christmas and New Year’s, a perfect fit for this time of year.  My other selection is a brand new release from new-to-me author, Garrett Cook.  Charcoal is described as “a dark allegory about the nature of art and the monsters that create it.”  I’ve been holding onto this one since it arrived a couple months ago, and I can’t wait to finally start it.

As for my 2022 goals, and my new ones for 2023…

I did complete my Goodreads challenge of 150 books (final count was 155).  However, I fell a bit short with my personal “22 books for 2022.”  Why do I always seem to put off reading the longer titles until the end of the year?!?!  I am currently reading the last two from that list, Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll and Black House, and while I want to finish them up soon, I also don’t really have them on my priority list at the moment.  But I do have my must-read books set up and ready to go.  This year I’m setting that goal to twenty…

FICTION (10)—The Painted Drum by Louise Erdrich

Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger

Genocide of One by Kazuaki Takano

The Bottoms by Joe Lansdale

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

Road Seven by Keith Rosson

A Quiet Belief in Angels by RJ Ellory

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith

NONFICTION (3) — The Lizard King by Bryan Christy

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

American Overdose by Chris McGreal

KINDLE (5) — Children of the Dragon by Frank Robinson

City of Endless Night by MM Hastings

The Dead Girls Club by Damien Angelica Walters

The Hobgoblin of Little Minds by Mark Matthews

Whimsical Leprosy by Brandon Faircloth

CLASSIC (1) — The Island of Dr. Moreau by HG Wells

MEGA (Over 600 pages) (1) — 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

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I’ll also be making a few small changes to my Weekly Mash-Up, I should have that up in the next day or two.

What are your reading goals for 2023?  Drop me a line, let’s talk books!

Until next time, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

To say 2022 was an off year for me would be putting it mildly.  The first ten months seemed to drag on forever, and the continuous onslaught of bad/depressing news and events, both personally and globally, left me feeling drained, anxious, and, at times, defeated.  There were so many times I would sit down to write a review to share with you, only to have my mind go blank, unable to put together a thought or reaction.  Thankfully things seem to be getting better, and I have made several reading and reviewing goals for 2023.

However bad this past year seemed at times, I  must say it was a great year for reading.  Maybe I’m just getting a bit more discerning as I get older, but the number of “very good” to “great” books I read was much higher than years past.  Trying to narrow down this list to  my favorites turned out to be a bit more challenging than usual, but here they are, my favorite reads (in no particular order) of 2022!

Fiction

Betty by Tiffany McDaniel

In the Shadow of 10,000 Hills by Jennifer Haupt

The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng

The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias

Creatures of Passage by Morowa Yejide

The Devil in the Red Dirt by Michael P. Smith

Nonfiction

A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett

The Color of Water:  A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride

Code Talker by Chester Nez

The Way of the Rabbit by Mark Hawthorne

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

Beautiful Atrocities by Ross Jeffery (short story collection)

Into the Forest and All the Way Through by Cynthia Pelayo (poetry)

Spinal Remains by Chad Lutzke (short story collection)

They Were Here Before Us by Eric LaRocca (a “novella in pieces”)

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What were your favorite reads of the past year?  And what reading goals do you have for 2023?  I have my “must read” book cart set up and ready to go!

So, from my little corner of the world, I want to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year, all the best to you in 2023!

Happy Reading!  Glenda

Our snow is gone (for now) and has been replaced with nonstop rain.  The days are shorter and darker…and I, for one, am totally fine with that.  This is the time of year I go into my hibernation mode, pulling out the warm blankets and curling up on the couch with big mugs of tea (or hot chocolate, especially my favorite, which blends powdered cocoa with ginger and turmeric.  So yummy!).

I’ve also been catching up on my 2022 reading lists as well as binging some television shows and movies I’ve been meaning to get to but kept pushing aside.  This week promises to be relatively quiet, with next week getting a bit busier with last-minute holiday baking and preparations (thankfully with only the three of us, there’s not a lot to prep).  After the flurry of Christmas and New Year’s, it will be back to hibernation mode for me, until I start complaining about the dark and dreary days in late January, haha!

The Week in Books

The Guardian’s Christmas Confession by P.L. Klein — 4 out of 5 stars

One of my December selections.  On D-Day, a medic named Gabriel is mortally wounded, dying alone on Omaha Beach.  In the afterlife, he becomes a Guardian, helping the dying to transition to their afterlives, ensuring they don’t die alone.  After seventy-five years, an encounter with a dying priest will completely change everything.     If you like heart-warming holiday stories like It’s a Wonderful Life, then be sure to check this novella out.  Some of the subject matter is a bit depressing, but overall I liked it and would recommend it for a more serious holiday read (and the ending even made my little dark heart open up a little bit).

Vinyl Resting Place by Olivia Blacke — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

Juni and her two sisters are all set to open their new shop, Sip and Spin Records, when a local is found murdered in their storage room.  Their uncle is the prime suspect.  But in a small town like Cedar River, where everybody knows everybody, how long can the real killer stay hidden?    What a fun start to a new series!  I really enjoyed this one, from the cast of characters to the mystery itself.  Hits all the “cozy checkpoints” without being overly obvious.  I’m looking forward to the next installment.

Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane — 3 out of 5 stars

Former journalist Rachel has become a shut-in, almost a shell of her former self.  But with a seemingly perfect husband, she begins to overcome her fears, only to discover secrets that have her questioning her own sanity.  Not one of my favorite stories from Lehane, but had some decent thriller elements.  I do agree with other reviewers that this seemed like two or three different story ideas that the author mashed together to make one novel.  If you’re new to Lehane’s work, I suggest starting with Mystic River or Shutter Island.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

It’s December first, and this is what I woke up to…

…winter is here!

December is not only a big holiday month, but it’s also my birthday month!  While I have no big plans at the moment (and if this snow keeps coming, it will definitely be a stay-at-home kind of day), I am looking forward to ordering some book mail from some of my favorite indie publishers.  I’ll keep you posted on that one!

This month, I’m also feeling the crunch of trying to finish my personal 22 Books for 2022 after having an unprecedented reading slump for most of the year.  I have six titles left, but I have started three of them so there is still hope!  I also wanted to keep with the holiday spirit so I picked a couple of novellas on my kindle for my December theme.

Merry Little Mystic Murder by Patti Larsen  (Synopsis from Goodreads)  Phoebe Monday’s unusual birth into a triunity of wonderworkers always left her feeling a bit like an outsider. At least the unusual power she (sort of!) controls makes working as a sketch artist for the police department the perfect fit. Still, diving into memories of victims while altering the luck of those around her seems trivial in comparison to what her Maiden, Mother and Crone family are capable of. But when homeless victims come under attack and a normal human’s murder puts the Monday magic at risk, it’s up to Phoebe and her odd talents to save the day.

The Guardian’s Christmas Confession by P.L. Klein (Synopsis from Goodreads)  After dying on Omaha Beach on D-Day, Gabriel Canfield believes no one should be alone when they die, so he becomes a Guardian of Transitions in the afterlife. For seventy-five years as a Guardian Spirit, Gabriel remains frustrated and embittered until he is called upon to help an old priest crossover on Christmas Eve.In the hours spent reminiscing with Father Drew, Gabriel finds a new appreciation for his own life. A heartwarming story about a restless spirit who discovers the meaning of life … in the Afterlife.

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

Until next time, stay safe and Happy Reading!

Happy Thanksgiving!  This year has certainly been up and down for me, but even when the downs left me feeling trapped and alone, I tried to remind myself of the good things.  I’ll admit it was very difficult a lot of the time, but taking regular breaks from social media and refocusing my attention has done wonders.

So as we start the holiday season, I just wanted to say thank you.  I’m truly looking forward to continuing to share my love of books with you!  I’ve even been toying with some new ideas, so stay tuned!

The Week in Books

Gothic by Philip Fracassi — 4 out of 5 stars

In this creepy novel, horror author Tyson Parks receives an antique desk for his birthday. Little does he know the evil behind this seemingly innocent gift, and the lengths one person will go to reclaim it.  There was a lot I liked about this story, from the pacing and characters, to The Shining vibes.  The one thing that threw it off a bit for me was the backstory.  I thought it felt out of place and didn’t have the same “feel” as the rest.  Overall, highly recommend.

Children of Sugarcane by Joanne Joseph — 3.5 out of 5 stars

Historical fiction set in the late 1800’s, this is the story of Shanti, who leaves her family home in India to avoid an arranged marriage and, thinking that she has found a new beginning, instead becomes an indentured laborer at a South African sugar plantation.  I appreciate the research the author did to recreate these places and events.  I liked the overall story, but at times the dialogue felt stilted, and certain plot points felt watered down.  While these certain technical aspects were not to my personal liking, I would recommend this novel.

A Stain on the Silence by Andrew Taylor — 3 out of 5 stars

James finds out he has a daughter from an affair he had twenty-five years earlier.  Not only does he have this new-found daughter, but she’s pregnant and on the run for murder…     There was a lot to unpack with this mystery/thriller.  From the backstory of the affair, to the backstory within the backstory of a tragedy kept secret for years, to the present day “whodunit” involving half-siblings and a missing man, it just got to the point of absurdity.  Still, a pretty quick read, and even with all of the strange twists a pretty decent mystery.

The Complete Book of Ghosts by Paul Roland — 2.5/3 out of 5 stars

To say this book was a disappointment would be an understatement.  I was excited to read this collection of true ghostly encounters and haunted places, especially for Halloween, but I thought the writing was dry and uninspired, and many of the “true” tales were just rehashed urban legends.  There were a few interesting bits, but I found myself so bored with the writing that I wound up skimming through the last 200 or so pages.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

Human Tenderloin by Craig Wallwork — 4 out of 5 stars

These short stories offer a wide range for horror fans, from bleak to disturbing, to darkly humorous.  As with all collections, some stories resonated with me more than others, but all were solid and well crafted.  I honestly don’t know how I’ve only just found out about Craig Wallwork (I just read my first intro to his work, Heart of Glass, a couple of weeks ago). After finishing this short story collection I can honestly say I am a fan and can’t wait to dig into more of his works in the near future!

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Stay safe, and Happy Reading!

I’m writing this on the eve of general elections here in the states, and trying not to be too morbid, but knowing that the fate of our democracy is at stake (not rhetorically but realistically) has had me on edge for a while now.  Books have been my escape my entire life, but the past few days even more so as I try to distance myself from toxic doomscrolling and focus on what’s important.  Our national Thanksgiving holiday just a couple weeks away, and that has also helped me remember what is important in life.  No matter what happens in the next few days/weeks, please remember that I write and offer this blog as a safe space for everyone.  Feel free to share book recs and have  conversations with me…unless you are a neo-nazi facist-loving maga supporter, in which case…get the fuck off my page.

The Week in Books

Heart of Glass by Craig Wallwork — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

I can’t remember how I stumbled across this title (perhaps a promo of sorts on the bird app), but I am so glad I did.  My introduction to Wallwork’s writing was a great blend of dark and twisted, with a side of severe family dysfunction and unexpected twists.  If you like twisted love stories (I kept thinking of Natural Born Killers, even though this would have been the kindergarten version of that movie), then be sure to check this one out.  I will definitely be looking for more of Wallwork’s stories in the future.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

They Were Here Before Us by Eric LaRocca — 4.5/5 out of 5 stars

Any author who can craft stories that horrify me on one page then brings tears to my eyes on the next deserves all the stars.  This “novella in pieces” combines brutality and beauty, showing the pain we are willing to endure for love, no matter the form.  Fair warning:  these stories are not for everyone.  If after reading the “Word of Warning” at the beginning of the book you are still willing to turn the page, prepare yourself for a reading experience that will haunt you for some time to come.   A truly unique piece of work from a truly gifted author.  Highly recommend.

An Event in Autumn by Henning Mankell — 3 out of 5 stars

The final story of the Kurt Wallander series, originally written to be given away at a local event, and the final writing before Henning Mankell’s death in 2015.  While not my favorite in the series, there is something a bit heartbreaking when you know you’re reading the good byes of both character and author.  The mystery itself is pretty straight-forward, it just felt almost forced at times and like something was missing (and after reading the afterward from the author, I understand why).  Overall decent mystery, I think meant for superfans of the series.

Man Made Monsters by Andrea Rogers — 3 out of 5 stars

A collection of short stories that connects a family from the 1800’s into the not-so-distant future (however, I have to admit, I would never had seen the connection if it hadn’t been pointed out to me).  As with most collections, some tales were stronger than others.  Overall, I would recommend, but for me it just wasn’t what I expected after reading the blurb.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

Happy Halloween!  I am happy to say that I completed my personal challenge of reading 31 books for Halloween (my third year doing this).  I took this pic on Sunday afternoon as I started my choice for number 31…with a bit of help from a furry fiend (you read that right, I mean fiend, lol)…

I will be enjoying Halloween day by watching some favorite shows and movies of the season, drinking tea, and munching on homemade pumpkin cranberry muffins…have a great day!

The Week in Books

Bone White by Ronald Malfi — 4.5 out of 5 stars

(H 25/31)  The buried bodies of a mass murderer are uncovered in a remote small village in Alaska.  Paul Gallo’s brother went missing in the same area, so Paul travels north to try to find some answers in his brother’s disappearance.  What he finds instead is truly terrifying.   I loved this book!  The characters, the atmosphere, the tension were all great.  My only problem dealt with a couple of slow spots that disrupted the flow for me.  Highly recommend, especially for fans of mystery/thrillers with supernatural twists.

Murder Any Witch Way by N.M. Howell — 3.5 out of 5 stars

(H 26/31)  I don’t limit myself to scary stuff this time of year, and this cozy mystery was a funny and entertaining change of pace.  Set in a small town of Brimstone Bay, we are introduced to River, an aspiring journalist and witch.  When a paranormal festival comes to town and a murder is revealed, River enlists the help of her witch roommates and some resident ghosts to track down the killer.  I really enjoyed this one until the very end that brought it down to 3.5 stars for me (it just felt too rushed and too convenient, like the author was trying to check off all of the cozy mystery “rules” ).  While I wasn’t blown away by the ending, I am going to continue with this series as I truly liked the characters and premise.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

Human Monsters — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 27/31)  Thirty-five terrifying tales brought together by the owners of NightWorms, Sadie Hartmann and Ashley Sawyers.  This is a great selection, with a mix of established authors like Stephen Graham Jones, Josh Malerman, and Laurel Hightower along with up-and-coming horror writers (Elton Skelter, Stephanie Nelson, and Jena Brown to name a few).  The human monsters in these stories are truly scarier than any vampire, werewolf, or ghost.  Highly recommend.

The Canterville Ghost

(H 28/31)  A classic that really needs no introduction.  I hadn’t read this in years and it was the perfect way to wrap up my Halloween reading list.

The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 29/31)  The original tale of being careful of what you wish for.

The Mangler by Stephen King — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 30/31)  A classic by King that is a reread for me (although it’s been a couple of decades since I first read it).  The tale of a possessed industrial ironing machine at a local laundromat is weird, gory, and truly classic King.  Not one of my favorites shorts by him, but still entertaining.

Crawl by Edward Lorn — 3.5 out of 5 stars

(H 31/31)  A young married couple are terrorized by a mysterious “preacher in red” while on a road trip to visit relatives.  Pretty straight-forward short story but it felt a bit drawn out in parts (mainly with the couple’s backstory which ultimately had nothing to do with anything, making it feel like filler to reach a word count).  One I would recommend for a quick scary read.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

Halloween is almost here…are you ready??

The Week in Books

The Haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Coates — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

(H 19/31)  Having never read anything by Darcy Coates before, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  But this novel about a woman inheriting a haunted house was a pleasant surprise.  I would describe it as more of a mystery with some paranormal elements, enough to give you the creeps but nothing over the top.  I can totally see this being turned into a made-for-tv movie.  Recommend, especially if you like scary stories without the gore.

The Darkest Lullaby by Jonathan Janz — 3.5 out of 5 stars

(H 20/31)  Another haunted house story, but definitely more evil vibes and not for everyone.  An abandoned house surrounded by rumors of a twisted cult that engaged in violent orgies and infant sacrifices.  A young couple move in and must face the demons that remain.   Many of Janz’s stories remind me of the pulp horror novels of the late ’70’s/early ’80’s, and this is no exception.

White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi — 2.5 out of 5 stars

(H 21/31)  I don’t even know how to describe this book so I’ll just say this:  while I truly liked Oyeyemi’s beautiful writing, I did not care for the constant POV changes, sometimes occurring in the middle of a sentence!  I’m all for multiple POVs, but not to the point that it gives me reading whiplash.  I was also so confused the first third of the book that I almost pulled a DNF (something I rarely do), but I broke down and read some reviews on Goodreads that gave me a better idea of what was happening.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

The Vessel by Adam Nevill — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 22/31)  Jess begins a new job as a care-taker for elderly shut-in Flo, hoping to create a better life for her and her daughter.  But what she discovers in Flo’s house will soon test her sanity.  Nevill is wonderful with creating very atmospheric stories, ones that suck you into the narrative, and The Vessel is a great example.   It’s dark and creepy, with a folk horror vibe.  A great choice for Halloween reading.

Safer at Home:  A Ghost Story by Zoe Cannon — 4 out of 5 stars

(H 23/31)  A man moves to a new town to be closer to his girlfriend and winds up getting more than he bargained for.  While described as a ghost story, this short also taps into the fears we were all facing at the beginning of the Covid lockdowns in 2020.  A Kindle freebie, perfect for a dark rainy day.

Cenote by Shaun Horton — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 24/31)  A vacationing student and her fling find themselves trapped in a cenote, or sinkhole.  Will they get out alive?  This quick read was one where I found myself rooting for whatever creature(s) lived in the watery depths instead of the characters (and that’s not always a bad thing).  Entertaining, for fans of creature features.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

It’s taken a while, but things are finally starting to feel like autumn around here!  Chilly nights, changing leaves, the smells of spiced cider overtaking the house.  Along with my Halloween reading list, I’ve been watching a ton of new-to-me movies perfect for the season (thanks to finally having the technology to stream some of the great free services out there).  They’ve ranged from truly terrifying to “so bad they’re funny” and it’s been a great way to spend the dark, cold evenings.

The Week in Books

Dead Space by Kali Wallace — 3.5 out of 5 stars

One of my September Sci-fi and Scary selections.  Hester is forced to take a dead-end job with a security firm out in the asteroid belt after a horrific accident/attack.  Then a strange message from a friend (who was also involved in the accident/attack) followed by his mysterious death leads Hester to an isolated mining operation on a distant asteroid, searching for answers.    This is a good mix of sci-fi/mystery/thriller, but I have to say, I found it pretty slow going at first.  Once it picked up, I thought it was great (however, I still have some unanswered questions).  While my reading experience wasn’t five star (probably due to my ongoing reading slump blahs), I would still recommend this to sci-fi fans.

Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage — 2.5/3 out of 5 stars

(H 13 /31)  Based on the glowing reviews I kept hearing about this novel, I am definitely in the minority with my rating, but I can’t begin to tell you how much I fucking hated this book.  I have issues with parents who let their kids rule the household, you know, the ones where the kids can do whatever they want with zero repercussions.  This is nearly 400 pages of that shit and I almost threw the book across the room a few times.  There were some good elements that kept me reading, so I guess I didn’t hate the entire book…just a majority of it.  Added positive bonus:  the author will be releasing the “children’s” book that was the bedtime story featured in this one and I am looking forward to that!

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

Human-Shaped Fiends by Chandler Morrison — 4 out of 5 stars

(H  14/31)  This was my first read by Morrison, and it was definitely…different!  The actual splatter western part of the novella was okay, but the meta-fiction author interludes put it over the top for me, and I found myself laughing when I knew I shouldn’t.  I really can’t in good conscience recommend this to anyone, so if you decide to pick this up don’t say I didn’t warn you!

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher — 4 out of 5 stars

(H  15/31)  It’s been a loooong time since I’ve read Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher (something that I will be remedying before Halloween), but you really don’t have to be familiar with the classic tale to enjoy Kingfisher’s adaptation.  A creepy lake, possessed animals, strange fungal growths…I mean, what else could you ask for in a creepy Halloween read?!  I really liked this one, my only complaint is feeling a bit distant from the characters.  Perfect read for a dark, rainy night.

Shallow Graves by Robert Essig and Jack Bantry — 4 out of 5 stars

(H  16/31)  These eleven tales offer a variety of chills as well as some pretty twisted dark humor.  Some of my favorites in the collection include The Itch (a man visits a prostitute and learns a painful lesson), Rejected (the secret to preventing yourself from changing into a werewolf), Starving Artist ( the ultimate bad houseguest), and Keep Safe (who needs a guard dog when you can have this!).  While these were my favorites, I thought the entire collection was solid.  Great for horror fans who like to mix things up a bit.

The Paper Mache Man by Jesse Pullins — 4 out of 5 stars

(H  17/31)  Two friends love horror movies, but when one of them wants to find something even more extreme, they discover the horror of the Paper Mache Man.  Sometimes the kindle freebies are worth checking out, especially in this case.  Great writing and build-up, and I couldn’t help thinking that this could be the love child of two movies, Urban Legend and The Ring.

Plop:  A Horror Short Story by Samuel Small — 3 out of 5 stars

(H 18 /31)  A man’s growing dread as something from the past gets closer.   A kindle freebie that’s a good creepy tale to get you in the Halloween spirit.  At seventeen pages, there’s no backstory or huge character development, think of this as a tale to tell around the campfire.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!