I've been waiting to read this one as close to September as I could get, and I just couldn't wait anymore, so I started in the middle of August. I lovI've been waiting to read this one as close to September as I could get, and I just couldn't wait anymore, so I started in the middle of August. I loved this one. It's a new favorite. The tone of this novel was my favorite part. I loved how matter of fact our MC is and how she just explains all these crazy things with such a "it is what it is" attitude. Loved this. If you enjoy haunted house stories, I highly recommend this one....more
I’m glad I gave Kingfisher another chance. I ended up loving this one. I loved how our MC was obsessed with bugs and the things we learned about them I’m glad I gave Kingfisher another chance. I ended up loving this one. I loved how our MC was obsessed with bugs and the things we learned about them along the way. It added a unique element to the haunted house story. ...more
This was a nice way to start 2024. This story was a nice blend of mystery, magical realism, paranormal and feminine energy. The change refers to the pThis was a nice way to start 2024. This story was a nice blend of mystery, magical realism, paranormal and feminine energy. The change refers to the post-menopausal time and how it has affected three different women. I liked the varying three women’s personalities and approach to their changes as well as their friendships. And all this is happening under the foundation of a body turning up- and more suspected. This had a moment where I thought the story was wrapping itself up, but still had 20% left. I was very curious how the story was going to keep going and enjoyed the continuing story and eventual wrap up....more
I just love Hilarie Burton Morgan. I love her practical views on grimoires and witches. I love how she applied it to all stages of religions or beliefI just love Hilarie Burton Morgan. I love her practical views on grimoires and witches. I love how she applied it to all stages of religions or beliefs, because for her it’s about your personal history and learning your relationship with nature. I could reread the chapters on flowers over and over again. I’m probably going to have to get this book for myself. ...more
I didn’t know my son would have a new favorite after the BFG, but he does. He loved the Witches and I can see why. This has been the best story so farI didn’t know my son would have a new favorite after the BFG, but he does. He loved the Witches and I can see why. This has been the best story so far by Dahl. I’m so familiar with his stories because of the movies, but it’s weird to think I never read these as a kid....more
This is a good look at the consequences of war for men who fought. We follow a ‘nurse’ who’s just gotten a job at a mental house for men. As usual witThis is a good look at the consequences of war for men who fought. We follow a ‘nurse’ who’s just gotten a job at a mental house for men. As usual with St. Jones, we have a paranormal twist. I enjoyed this novel. Apparently I can do historical if it has ghosts. Haha. ...more
This was an entertaining read about a girl that comes when you think about her. It surrounds the girls on a basketball team that have a ritual of askiThis was an entertaining read about a girl that comes when you think about her. It surrounds the girls on a basketball team that have a ritual of asking the rim questions using making free throws for yes and missing for no. A little more simplistic of Malerman’s novels, but still good. ...more
Can I be apart of this book club? Pretty please? They read books I would actually read. Grady Hendrix is climbing up my list of favorite authors. His mCan I be apart of this book club? Pretty please? They read books I would actually read. Grady Hendrix is climbing up my list of favorite authors. His modern horror novels are just top notch. I really related to this one as I'm apart of a book club and in the throws of being a stay-at-home mother for the time being. I also am clearly jealous of the book selections this book club chooses. The vampire in this is a slightly different take on a vampire, and I liked what was done with it in this. And yes, as it says in the prologue, this definitely ends with blood. Lots of blood. Loved it....more
Rating- 3.5 rounded down due to a very strong romantic subplot. I really enjoyed the story of the Haunting surrounding the ghost of Maddy Clare. I likeRating- 3.5 rounded down due to a very strong romantic subplot. I really enjoyed the story of the Haunting surrounding the ghost of Maddy Clare. I liked the mystery that the MC's had to solve. What I was not prepared for was a lot of the story focusing on the romance between two characters. But the main story was strong enough for me to continue and just take it with a grain of salt....more
This was one of my good 3 star ratings. I enjoyed this. Just not sure it added anything to what I’ve already read before.
Also PSA for audiobook creatThis was one of my good 3 star ratings. I enjoyed this. Just not sure it added anything to what I’ve already read before.
Also PSA for audiobook creators. We like our sections/chapters broken up. I did not like that this was one continuous track. The minutes looked so intimidating and I never knew where it’d be ok to pause....more
I was close to enjoying this, and the ending really did improve my experience, so I'll rate this a 2.5. But unfortunately it took WAY too long to connI was close to enjoying this, and the ending really did improve my experience, so I'll rate this a 2.5. But unfortunately it took WAY too long to connect all the little stories told in this novel. There were a lot of switching of timelines and perspectives and it felt very disjointed why we were hearing about these stories. One felt like it was inspired by Frankenstein: The 1818 Text, then another had paranormal vibes. But none were strong enough for me to consider them to be enjoyable. I held on for how much I loved Ward's two novels The Last House on Needless Street and Sundial. But alas- this felt very different and wasn't a satisfying read for me....more
I'm glad I had read a few reviews of this novel to get a sense of the comparison to IT isn't how I should approach this novel. And gladly I didn't (evI'm glad I had read a few reviews of this novel to get a sense of the comparison to IT isn't how I should approach this novel. And gladly I didn't (even though my brain couldn't help trying to find why people said it was). This is a unique tale of a magician that caused havoc on some kids that appears to be happening again (ok yes- I can see how the comparison to IT happened, but the format is so different from IT that it doesn't do this novel any favors being compared to it). I love Malfi's ability to make us care about the characters and I was truly transported to the action. Malfi still has a fan after this novel. I really enjoyed it....more
This is a very fast-paced vampire horror. Because of its length, plot elements develop very quickly. If you enjoy that, you’ll enjoy this novella. ForThis is a very fast-paced vampire horror. Because of its length, plot elements develop very quickly. If you enjoy that, you’ll enjoy this novella. For me character development was sacrificed for this quick pace, leaving me unconnected to the characters. I could tell this was used as some therapy for the author as a lot of trauma is mentioned; this could’ve been elevated even more through more showing of the character’s traumas and more scenes with the characters themselves. Overall, a decent debut novel by Topside....more
I can say safely that a majority of this book was unlike anything I’ve read before. The beginning part, which focuses on a guy going into hiding becauI can say safely that a majority of this book was unlike anything I’ve read before. The beginning part, which focuses on a guy going into hiding because of a serial killer was the part I was familiar with, but I loved the added depth to the evils that existed on Barrows Bay island. There were some scenes that are not for the faint of heart. They were both gut wrenching and heartbreaking for me as a mom. The scenes added to the character development of the midwives. There was also enough mysteries for me to stay engaged, but I did make this a 4 star part for the areas that lagged. Good story overall. ...more
Blah/ this memoir (note:novel) did not work for me at all. Mercy’s notes took me out of the story, which was severely lacking. I also highly dislike pBlah/ this memoir (note:novel) did not work for me at all. Mercy’s notes took me out of the story, which was severely lacking. I also highly dislike people classifying a book horror just because the author does tend to write horror books. This was not a horror book. It was a novel that was written to read like a memoir. There was a lot more telling than showing. Honestly this would’ve been better had the author just decided to make it about the story surrounding the Pallbearer’s club. I would’ve appreciated a story like that....more
This book was good enough to finish, but it was written in a style that was very dull and matter of fact. When I'm reading dark fantasy or paranormal,This book was good enough to finish, but it was written in a style that was very dull and matter of fact. When I'm reading dark fantasy or paranormal, I'm looking for more feeling and pizazz. This was my first Bardugo; I've heard her other books are better, but written to a YA audience. Maybe I'll check those out, but unless people I trust go on with this series and love it, I think I'll pass on continuing with it....more
Rachel Harrison has a way of mixing paranormal and reality with ease. While crazy things are happening to our main character, I still feel like I coulRachel Harrison has a way of mixing paranormal and reality with ease. While crazy things are happening to our main character, I still feel like I could be reading regular fiction, because she writes about the normal routine of the day along with the weird. Her stories for me so far have been a nice break from some not great stories, and it was so nice having a new Harrison to read....more
Color me surprised. I went into this knowing most all of my Goodreads friends had already read this and rated it rather low. Maybe my expectations werColor me surprised. I went into this knowing most all of my Goodreads friends had already read this and rated it rather low. Maybe my expectations were low, but I really enjoyed this slow-burner of a novel. I wouldn’t have been able to guess what happened in my wildest dreams. I’m so happy to have another 5 star Sager under my belt after last year’s dud. ...more
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