Oh man, this was a really tough read. Beth Hetland’s debut graphic novel is about the negative effects of social media, and how trying to “keep up” with societal expectations can prove to be our undoing. Carolann wants the kind of perfect life that she sees on Instagram. With no immediate romantic prospects, she engineers … Continue reading Review: Tender, by Beth Hetland (Fantagraphics)
Review: Green Frog, by Gina Chung (Vintage)
I was blown away by Gina Chung’s debut novel, Sea Change. Chung’s writing is so warm and charming, and this continues in her wonderful story collection, Green Frog. The opening, titular story is a wonderful snapshot of a character and a life. It’s a sweet tale about a young lady who has lost her mother, … Continue reading Review: Green Frog, by Gina Chung (Vintage)
Review: Through the Night Like a Snake: Latin American Horror Stories, edited by Sarah Coolidge (Two Lines Press)
I love translated horror. I enjoy learning what evokes fear in other cultures, and opening my imagination to new things to keep me awake at night. Through the Night Like a Snake, a new collection of Latin American horror from Two Lines Press’s Calico series, introduced me to exciting new writers and translators. With not … Continue reading Review: Through the Night Like a Snake: Latin American Horror Stories, edited by Sarah Coolidge (Two Lines Press)
Review: Barbara Comyns: A Savage Innocence, by Avril Horner (Manchester University Press)
Barbara Comyns is such a special writer to me. I became aware of her through one of my favorite short story collections, The Doll’s Alphabet by Camilla Grudova. In the notes of this collection, Comyns’s novel Sisters by a River is listed as a book that inspired Grudova. However, the only Comyns book I could … Continue reading Review: Barbara Comyns: A Savage Innocence, by Avril Horner (Manchester University Press)
Review: Thirst, by Marina Yuszczuk, translated by Heather Cleary (Dutton)
A translated gothic vampire novel?! Gimme it! I foolishly used to think I didn’t like vampire stories. But over the last few years, there have been some wonderful examples; Reluctant Immortals by Gwendolyn Kiste, The Hacienda by Isabela Canas, recent TV adaptations of Interview with the Vampire and Dracula, and THAT episode of UK anthology … Continue reading Review: Thirst, by Marina Yuszczuk, translated by Heather Cleary (Dutton)
Review: The Haunting of Velkwood, by Gwendolyn Kiste (Saga Press)
The Haunting of Velkwood is compelling from the first page, and does not let go until the very end. The concept of this novel is so clever, yet so simple. Instead of a haunted house, we have a haunted block of homes, which no one can enter, except the three survivors. Our protagonist, Talitha, is … Continue reading Review: The Haunting of Velkwood, by Gwendolyn Kiste (Saga Press)
California Reading 