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)
Books to Read in September 2022
Oooooh, it's almost spooky season! Here in Sleepy Hollow, it's a little difficult to embrace the spirits at temperatures pushing 100 degrees. Luckily, there are so many fantastic new horror books flying around! All these books have been generously provided by the publishers via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Short Story … Continue reading Books to Read in September 2022
My June 2022 Reads
I'm pleased with the variety of books I read in June. Noticeably more comics than usual. I haven't read any plays for a while; something I hope to remedy in July. Anyway, here's the list: Five Stars The Colony, by Audrey McGee (Dreamscape Media)I grabbed the audiobook of this from NetGalley, as some of my … Continue reading My June 2022 Reads
Books Coming in Summer/Fall 2022 That I Need to Read NOW!
Alternate title: Please, lovely publishers, approve my NetGalley requests. The rest of 2022 looks absolutely amazing in terms of female-authored fiction. I will not rest until I have these books in my sweaty little bookworm mitts. Lapvona, by Ottessa Mosfegh (Penguin Press) - released June 21st, 2022 The reviews for Lapvona contain phrases like “gloomy … Continue reading Books Coming in Summer/Fall 2022 That I Need to Read NOW!
Short Stories – A Beginner’s Guide
A dear, dear friend of mine asked for "A recommendation for an introduction into short stories", that would be applicable to adults, and 14-16 year-olds. Oof, what a tremendous request! What follows is not a complete guide, but here are my suggested gateway drugs. The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson Is it the best short story … Continue reading Short Stories – A Beginner’s Guide
May 2021 Round-Up
Here’s the list, with a quick five-word summary: Because of You - Dawn French (Penguin) - Funny, entertaining, French is wonderful.Vulnerability is My Superpower - Jackie E. Davis (Andrews McMeel) - Honest, beautifully insightful, colorful comics.Piranesi - Susanna Clark (Bloomsbury) - Cosmic madness in Manchester, maybe?Two Besides: A Pair of Talking Heads - Alan Bennett … Continue reading May 2021 Round-Up
April 2021 Round-Up and May Reads
April Reads Well, suppose I’d better get my April round-up done before June comes along. Here’s the run-down: Parable of the Sower - Octavia Butler (Grand Central Publishing)Near the Bone - Christina Henry (Berkley Publishing)Folklore - Angela Mi Young Hur (Erewhon)Chouette - Claire Oshetsky (Ecco)Jews Don’t Count - David Baddiel (TLS Books)Sometimes Amazing Things Happen - Elizabeth Ford … Continue reading April 2021 Round-Up and May Reads
Where To Read Amazing Short Stories
I'm approaching the three-year anniversary of starting my habit of reading a short story every day. I've read over 1000 stories. To be honest, I don't manage to read one absolutely every day; I don't treat it like homework. There are days when I'm just not feeling it, or I'm engrossed in a novel. I … Continue reading Where To Read Amazing Short Stories
Beware the reading slump…
March has been rough. My brain flat-out gave up, and refused to participate. I found reading extremely difficult because I couldn’t focus. Maybe it was because it had been a year since the COVID crisis really blew up in Los Angeles, and I subconsciously wanted to mark the occasion with a bout of mental stillness? … Continue reading Beware the reading slump…
California Reading 