All Dragons Read

It’s almost time…

What titles will be chosen for my annual 31 Books of Halloween two-month-long reading marathon?  Stay tuned…

The Week in Books

Silas Marner by George Eliot — 4 out of 5 stars

Classic stories can be a bit of hit or miss for me.  Sometimes I fully embrace them, other times I loathe them from the first paragraph and find it almost torturous to finish.  Silas Marner turned out to be a pleasant surprise, and as Silas’ story unfolded, it made my cold bitter heart melt a bit.  If you are like me and find novels written in the 1800’s a bit daunting at times, give this one a try.  This story of the redemptive power of love is one not to be missed.

LaRose by Louise Erdrich — 3 out of 5 stars

I’ve been a fan of Erdrich’s work for many years, but this 2016 novel (and one of my 2022 TBR picks) just fell flat for me.  The story starts with a horrific accident that leaves one young boy dead and two families grieving.  As the story progresses, we learn more about the family histories, friendships and betrayals, the “standards” that Erdrich brings to her stories.  However, I just couldn’t embrace any of the characters, and the storyline felt almost forced at times.  Don’t get me wrong though, I would still recommend this novel, especially for anyone who has not read any of the author’s other works.  For me, it just didn’t seem as strong as the other stories I’ve read.

Six Feet Deep Dish by Mindy Quigley — 3 out of 5 stars

I’m always up for checking out new cozy series, especially those involving food, so this tale featuring Delilah and her dream of opening a gourmet pizzeria in a quaint tourist town seemed like something right up my alley.  Overall I thought the mystery was good, and all the usual cozy elements were at play.  What I found disappointing was the main character herself.  There was something about Delilah’s demeanor that I just found annoying and distracting.  However, even though I didn’t fall in love with Delilah, I did like the cast of supporting characters and the writing so I will be looking for the next book in the series when it comes out.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

Spinal Remains:  A Collection of Stories by Chad Lutzke — 4.5/5 out of 5 stars

One of my favorite authors has done it again, delivering another amazing collection of short stories!  Lutzke writes what I like to call “horror with heart,” and these are perfect examples of why he has become one of my favs in the genre.  There are stories that will leave you gutted (He Wears the Lake brought tears to  my eyes), while others may make you laugh, even if it’s a bit uneasily.  If you haven’t read any of Lutzke’s works, this is probably the best place to start.  Highly recommend.

If Only a Heart and Other Tales of Terror by Caleb Stephens — 4 out of 5 stars

A new to me author and one I can’t wait to read more from!  This collection of thirteen tales offers a great variety, with timelines from the 1300’s to modern day, and stories involving psychological, physical, and paranormal horrors.  Many of the stories incorporate the theme of loss at different levels and in often macabre and sinister ways.  This is a definite must to put on your Halloween to-read list!

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

It seems like my weekly updates have turned into bi-weekly ones.  Ugh!  I guess that’s what ongoing reading slumps does to a person.  However, I am so looking forward to the end of summer and the beginning of my two month long binge, The 31 Books of Halloween!  I’ve been saving up my NightWorms books and, on top of my already large collection of spooky titles, I should have more than enough to choose from!  Stay tuned!

The Week in Books

On the Hoof by Jesse Alexander McNeil — 4 out of 5 stars

Writing up a review to share here and at MrPinkInk, coming soon!

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa — 4 out of 5 stars

On an unnamed island, things are disappearing.  Not just disappearing physically, but people’s memories are being erased of these items as well.  Some people are able to retain their memories, and those who can are subjected to the Memory Police.    Wow, I really didn’t know what to expect from this dystopian tale but it truly delivered.  I felt it dragged a bit at the beginning, but the characters kept me coming back.  And the ending?  I’m still thinking about it, several days later.  Highly recommend.

The Train Derails in Boston by Jessica McHugh — 3.5 out of 5 stars

Now this was a fucking wild ride.  I’ll sum this up as an erotic haunted house horror, but that doesn’t do it justice.  Alcoholic Rebecca, her wannabe writer husband, and horny teenage daughter move to a secluded estate.  Rebecca finds a haunted mahjong set and things start getting weird…including a whole “evil spirits having sex with humans in nearly every other chapter” storyline.  The main horror storyline is good, so if you’re looking for something really different for your Halloween reading (and don’t mind a rewind/fast-forward type of narrative) I’d say give it a try.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

South Central Noir edited by Gary Phillips — 3.75/4 out of 5 stars

Another strong addition to the Akashic Noir series.  Fourteen stories cover a wide range of timelines and themes, from unsolved murders of young black women near the Dunbar Hotel set in 1935 (The Golden Coffin), the dark secrets at a 1960’s all-girls Catholic high school (The Last Time I Died), to a young girl dealing with life and the early days of Covid (If Found Please Return to Abigail Serna… ).  If you haven’t picked up any of the titles in this series, this would be a great place to start.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

Since my last update, I participated in a weeklong readathon through one of my Goodreads groups, Unexpected Readathon Time.  I have to say, even though I felt like I didn’t get a lot of reading time in,  my totals surprised me.  I wrapped up four books, and over the course of seven days logged 1,185 pages!  I guess the excessive heat we had that week made my brain believe I was reading slower than I was.   😀

The Week in Books

Creatures of Passage by Morowa Yejide — 4.5/5 out of 5 stars

I was mesmerized by this story, yet find myself unable to succinctly describe it.  Morowa Yejide has created a haunting tale that combines elements of paranormal fantasy, Egyptian mythology, horror, and magical realism, set in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington D.C., 1977.  With topics like alcoholism, racism, and horrific child abuse, it is not an easy read, nor should it be.  But even with such heaviness, the writing is beautiful and the story unique.  One of my top five favorites for 2022.  Highly recommend.

Ouch by Pug Grumble — 4 out of 5 stars

“A comical and quirky tale about a masochist, a sadist, and a klutz” is the byline for this tale, and sums up the story perfectly.  Masochist Sylvester is in a relationship with sadist Felicia, but when klutzy Natalie enters Sylvester’s life, he finds himself yearning for more than his next encounter with pain.  I found myself chuckling quite a bit throughout this funny yet somewhat dark love story.  Fair warning, there are some uncomfortable and icky scenes, but if you’re looking for a funny, fast read with just enough weird, you may want to check this one out.

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson — 3.5 out of 5 stars

An invitation to a teenager’s birthday triggers reflection on the past in this 2002 novel.  Told through the eyes of Kate, whose adoration for her older brother Matt changes through the years and after a multitude of various tragedies.  This is also the story of the neighboring Pye family, whose paths will intersect with Kate and her family in various ways.  The story is beautifully written, but by the end I guess I was just thinking that Kate would have gained more insight…or something!  A good choice for book club discussions.

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Stay safe, and Happy Reading!

What is your idea of the perfect summer beach read?  A light romantic comedy?  Maybe a fast-paced thriller or a head-scratching who-dunnit?

For me, I like my vacation reads fast-paced and fun, something light that I can spend a lazy afternoon with.  This month, I picked a couple of lighter reads, a sort of palate cleanser before my two month journey of darkness, The 31 Books of Halloween, begins on September 1.

First up is a new cozy mystery series from Mindy Quigley, Six Feet Deep Dish.  Set in a small resort town in Wisconsin, we have a woman opening a pizza shop who stumbles onto a murder and is aided by her quirky friend and an oversized cat named Butterball.  Basically, all the markers of a good cozy!  My other selection is one from a series I haven’t picked up in some time, Janet Evanovich’s Eleven on Top.  I think it’s been nearly two years since I last visited private eye Stephanie Plum and her weirdly chaotic world and I think it’s time to fix that!

July Wrap-Up

My July reading goal was to catch up on my 2022 TBR that I had set at the beginning of the year.  I did finish two from the list of twenty-two, Crow Lake by Mary Lawson, and You Will Be Safe Here by Damian Barr.  Both were good overall, but for my reading experience I felt they both fell a bit flat at times, thus my 3.5 star ratings for both.  I also started a third book from my 2022 TBR, The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa.  I’m only about 16% into it, but it’s shaping up to be a potentially intense and perhaps tragic read.

Goodreads Group Reads

The past couple of months, it seems like the same titles have been coming up in my Goodreads groups for their monthly reads, but Shine and Shadow has one that has been on my to-read for a bit now:  Five Little Indians by Michelle Good.  The story of five indigenous children taken from their families and sent to a remote religious residential school, their journeys into adulthood and their struggles to cope with the trauma they endured.  Not a light read for sure, but I’ve heard a lot of great things so I’m hoping to track down a copy soon.

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

Stay safe and Happy Reading!

The past two weeks have been rather strange for me, reading-wise.  I started six books but found it difficult to get any momentum to keep reading them…reading slump indeed!

But starting July 25, Unexpected Readathon Time will begin a weeklong event that I plan on participating in, partly to try to shake off this slump and partly because it’s going to be too hot to do anything else!  I haven’t decided on my TBR, but I do have one more July pick and a library book to finish before the 31st, so we’ll see how that goes.

The Week in Books

Aue by Becky Manawatu — 4.5 out of 5 stars

An absolutely amazing debut from New Zealand author Becky Manawatu.  Inspired by a tragedy that hit the author’s family, Aue is the story of two Maori brothers and a family split apart by drugs and gang violence.  It’s violent, it’s heartbreaking, and it may be difficult to read at times, but the trials of these “stronger than they know” characters captured my attention and kept me reading well into the night. I will remember Ari, Beth, and Taukiri for a long time.  Highly recommend.

Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office by Brian Baumgartner and Ben Silverman — 4 out of 5 stars

I am a die-hard fan of The Office, both the British and American versions, so finding this at my local library was a must-read for me.  This is a compilation of podcast interviews, featuring not only the actors (most of them, anyways) but some writers and producers as well.  Sorry folks, there’s no dirt dishing here, but it does give fans a glimpse into the making of this beloved series and the strong relationships between the cast and crew.

You Will Be Safe Here by Damian Barr — 3.5 out of 5 stars

One of my July selections.  Set in South Africa, this is a story in two timelines. The first is 1901, told through the diary of a woman who was forced from her home and relocated to a notorious concentration camp during the height of the second Boer War.  The second part starts in 1976 and travels forward through 2015, where a “school” for troubled boys, New Dawn Safari Training Camp, will alter their lives forever as well.    I agree with some of my fellow reviewers in that the first part of this book set in the concentration camp was much stronger and more engrossing than the modern storyline.  The second part just seemed…detached is the only word that comes to mind.  I would still strongly recommend giving this one a try, though, as it does deliver some powerful scenes.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

A little sunshine for your day!

I love lilies, and last year I bought a variety pack of bulbs for my garden.  They are starting to open up now, and every new bloom is a beautiful surprise! They have also been a nice backdrop for when I sit on my porch for some reading time.

The Week in Books

Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley — 4 out of 5 stars

There are no unicorns and fairy tale endings in Kiara’s world, just a relentless cycle of poverty, abuse, drugs, and disappointment.  Doing what she has to in order to provide for her brother and help out a young neighbor boy, she finds herself in the middle of a police scandal that will change her world even more.   Author Leila Mottley was only seventeen when she began writing this novel, using a local true story of police corruption as a base.  It is bleak and raw, and I really couldn’t put it down.  Leila Mottley is definitely an author I will be watching.

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant — 3.5 out of 5 stars

This is the second novel I’ve read in less than a year involving killer mermaids and I have to say, I am here for it!  Young scientist Victoria Stewart wants to find out what really happened to her sister, who, along with the entire crew, disappeared seven years earlier while filming a “mockumentary” near the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean.  This new crew sets sail in order to solve the mysterious disappearances, and what they find will be scarier than they imagined.    I’ll admit, I almost didn’t finish this one.  The first hundred pages or so just dragged for me, and many of the characters just felt like caricatures.  However, the last 200 pages or so really made up for the lackluster first half and I am so glad I kept going!  While my experience was a little mixed, I would still recommend this to anyone wanting a good, scary mermaid read.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

Below by Kev Harrison — 3.5/4 out of 5 stars

Nick’s grandfather was lost in a mining cave-in many years before Nick was born.  After hearing so much about his relative, Nick teams up with a social media star to investigate the newly rediscovered mine, because, hey, nothing could possibly go wrong in an abandoned hole in the ground!   This is one of those fun, fast-paced horror reads that drops you into the action right away and doesn’t let you go until the end. Added bonus that it went a direction I really didn’t see coming.  Great choice for a quick afternoon read.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

What a beautiful day to sit on the porch and start a new book, this one a recent giveaway win from LibraryThing and Scribe US!

The Week in Books

The Color of Water by James McBride — 5 out of 5 stars

This is a memoir that I believe everyone should have on their “must read” list.  James McBride pays tribute to his mother, the daughter of a rabbi who left her Virginia home to marry the love of her life, a black man, which ostracized her from her family.  Through many of life’s ups and downs she was able to raise twelve children and have all of them graduate college.  This amazing memoir flows between McBride’s memories and recorded interviews with his mother.  Truly inspirational, highly recommend.

Handbook for the Criminally Insane by Brian Holtz — 3.5 out of 5 stars

Between finishing Betty (and feeling totally gutted) and trying to process the latest bullshit in this country, I was in desperate need of some fun, mindless escape, and Handbook fit the bill quite nicely!  A story filled with snarky zombies, ghosts, demons, and a chihuahua you won’t soon forget, this is one of those entertaining tales that lovers of B grade horror movies from the 1970’s and ’80’s will enjoy.

Bunny by Mona Awad — ??? stars???

I’ve read a lot of fucked-up weird shit in my life and I think Bunny is probably in the top five of the weirdest and most fucked-up.  The only way I can describe it is if you simultaneously watched Heathers and The Craft while on a bad acid trip.  I can’t even tell you if I liked it or hated it, I am still trying to wrap my brain around the whole thing!

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

Stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Summer is finally here so I thought I would go through my giant TBR pile and try to find a lighter read, maybe one involving a warm climate or vacation vibes to fit the summer theme.  Then I checked my Goodreads page…

At the beginning of the year, I picked 22 titles that I really wanted to read for 2022.  As of today, I’ve only read eight!!  What the hell is wrong with me?!!!  So, for the month of July, I decided to pick up the pace a bit and challenge myself to finish three of my 2022 must-reads.  I can’t really say which ones I’ll grab this month as I am a total mood reader (which probably explains why my reading habits have been all over the place this year), but I will keep track of them in my weekly mash-up.  The heat is on!!

June Wrap-up

There’s something to be said for just letting things go and going with the flow.  My June theme was “Just Because” so I counted any book that wasn’t a NetGalley title or personal challenge choice.  Of the fourteen books I completed in June, eleven were “Just Because,” and I have to say it felt really good to just pick up random books and enjoy them without worrying about self-imposed deadlines.  My top five favorite reads for June were:  Betty by Tiffany McDaniel, The Color of Water by James McBride, Beautiful Atrocities by Ross Jeffery, Penance by Kanae Minato, and The Devil in the Red Dirt by Michael P. Smith.  Be sure to check them out!

What will you be reading for July?  If you made any yearly reading goals, how are they coming along?  Drop me a line and let’s talk books!

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

While the Supreme Court’s ruling on June 24th has left me feeling numb, I will continue to lose myself in my reading, as it truly helps me find balance and restore my mental health.  That’s one thing they can’t take away from me.

The Week in Books

Betty by Tiffany McDaniel — 5 out of 5 stars

I had heard this novel was a heartbreaking and beautiful piece of work, so I went in with some high expectations…and wow, did it deliver!  Loosely based on the author’s grandmother’s childhood, we see life through Betty’s eyes growing up the child of a Cherokee father and white mother.  Fair warning, there is a lot of trauma in these 460+ pages, but there is also a lot of love and hope.  I really can’t recommend this book enough.

Code Talker by Chester Nez — 5 out of 5 stars

The outcome of WWII may have been vastly different if not for the secret code created by Navajo Marine recruits utilizing their native language.  Only a handful of people outside of the codetalkers knew of this, and it wasn’t until records were declassified decades later that Americans (and the world) found out about this secret, unbreakable code that was pivotal in the victories in the South Pacific.  Chester Nez was one of the original twenty-nine young men who created the code, and this is his story.  Mr. Nez tells not only of his Marine service, but also of his childhood and his life after the war.  While reading this, I really felt like Mr. Nez was sitting next to me telling his story.  Highly recommend.

The Devil in the Red Dirt by Michael P. Smith — 4.5/5 out of 5 stars

Set in 1960’s Australia, this is a multi-layered crime novel filled with unspeakable violence and truly flawed, unlikable (yet unforgettable) characters.  While the dark underbelly of humanity is exposed, there are also strong loyalties and glimmers of hope and redemption.  I’ll admit it took me a bit to really get into the story, but once there, I couldn’t stop reading.  One of my top five favorites of the year, highly recommend.

All These Subtle Deceits by C.S. Humble — 4 out of 5 stars

The first in a series featuring the strange town of Black Wells, Colorado.  After Lauren is attacked by supernatural forces in a nightclub bathroom, she seeks help from a local exorcist who just happens to be excommunicated from the church.  What follows mixes dark humor with horror, and adds a twist to the standard “possession” trope.  Very entertaining, I can’t wait to read the next Black Wells installment.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

This Census-Taker by China Mieville — 3 out of 5 stars

I’ve been a fan of Mieville’s weird fantasy fiction for some time, so when I came across this novella at the library I just had to read it.  I honestly don’t know what to say about it other than its stranger than hell, even by Mieville standards.  Not something I could really recommend except for die-hard Mieville fans.

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Stay safe and Happy Reading!

It seems like forever since I last sat at my keyboard, attempting to write anything, least of all a book review.  But thankfully things have somewhat settled down around my household (not so much in the country or world, but I know I have no control over others and it’s best for my mental well-being and blood pressure to avoid news channels and certain social media for now).  And with the persistent spring rains and cooler weather that just won’t change over to summerlike temps I’ve had a lot of reading time on my hands!

The Week in Books

Kind Nepenthe by Matthew Brockmeyer — 4.5 out of 5 stars

In literature, nepenthe is used to describe a drug or drink that brings forgetfulness or “chases away sorrow.”  Very fitting title for this outstanding novel set in modern Northern California.  Deep in the forested mountains is another world, one of outlaws and drugs, not a place for the faint of heart.  A few of the characters include a young mother trying to create a better life for her child, an ex-con trying to change his ways, and his son who is hell-bent on revenge.  Oh, and there’s ghosts, too!  I would describe this as noir meets the paranormal…and it’s a very good mix.

Penance by Kanae Minato — 4.5 out of 5 stars

Five young girls encounter a stranger at a local park.  One of the girls never makes it home.  Fifteen years later, the now-grown young women tell their stories of what happened that day, and how their own guilt and other feelings, coupled with the curse put upon them by their friend’s grieving mother, has affected their lives (with some surprising outcomes).  Wow, this book!  I went into it totally blind, based on a recommendation from a goodreads friend, and devoured it in two short sittings.  The various POV narratives work well here, as there is not a constant jumping around.  Each characters voice is distinct, and the writing (and translation) is spot-on.  Powerful story, highly recommend.

Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes — 4 out of 5 stars

A repair crew in outer space stumble upon a missing luxury spaceliner that had been missing for twenty years.  After deciding to claim the ship as salvage, they board the vessel, only to discover the horrors within.  The story gives off total Alien vibes, but (spoiler alert) there are no exploding alien pods or creatures breaking their way out of human torsos.  It’s fast-paced and addictive reading, and the jump scares were great (hey, if I can feel a jump scare when reading, you know it’s pretty darn good).  Perfect for sci-fi and horror fans.

Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel — 3.5 out of 5 stars

Maeve and her cousin Andrea were raised in a cult known as Mother Collective.  After an escape/rescue, Maeve found a home with a new family and lost contact with Andrea until many years later.  Will reconnecting with her cousin be a good thing for Maeve or will her past come back to haunt her?  I’d label this more as a psychological thriller with hints of horror (because the thought of a room full of creepy dolls is definitely horrific).  I enjoyed the story well enough, but Maeve was just too wishy-washy for me.  I don’t mind unlikeable, unreliable MC’s, but I just couldn’t muster up enough “give a crap” to care about her and her outcome.

Novellas, Short Stories, and Anthologies

Beautiful Atrocities by Ross Jeffery — 5 out of 5 stars

I don’t think I’ve ever given the full five stars to a collection/anthology before, but this one totally deserves every star!  Ross Jeffery’s writing is loaded with mood and each disturbing tale draws you in and doesn’t let go, even after the last sentence.  I still can’t stop thinking about a few of these dark stories.  Highly recommend.

Stargazers by LP Hernandez — 4 out of 5 stars

Something strange is happening.  People are drawn out of their houses late at night to gaze up at the stars.  Then these people, the Stargazers, start walking…but where are they going?  What is happening??  Focusing on a war vet named Henry and his wife and child, LP Hernandez weaves a tale of societal breakdown as the Stargazers follow some unnamed force.  Fast-paced and absorbing read, I really enjoyed this one…but I was left wanting more!  I could totally see this being the first in a duology of sorts (hint, hint!).  Great afternoon read, especially for fans of apocalyptic horror.

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Stay safe, and Happy Reading!