At the moment I’m reading The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher, and by god it is one of the most terrifying things I’ve read for a long time. It took me a little while to get used to Kingfisher’s writing style, which is a unique mixture of casual humor, and absolutely devastating terror. But it is a … Continue reading Reading Ramblings
The Books That Made Me
I am completely devoid of inspiration at the moment, so let’s nick some questions from the Books That Made Me in The Guardian. The book I am currently reading: Ring Shout by P. Djèlí ClarkThe Seventh Manson by Maryse Meijer - both of these books require quite a lot of concentration, so I’m tackling them … Continue reading The Books That Made Me
When Autumn Leaves…
It's not autumn/fall here in Southern California. The only visible reddish hues are from the wildfires. Ideally, one day I'll have a house in Vermont in which I can spend these autumnal months, so I can live in a sweater, tea in one hand, book in the other. But for now, it's hazy LA days, … Continue reading When Autumn Leaves…
Bookish Bluster – July 31, 2020
On My Read-Ar Two very exciting books were released this week. Laura van den Berg's new collection, I Hold a Wolf by the Ears, described as "an urgent and unsettling collection of women on the verge". Yes please! And I'm incredibly intrigued by Flyaway by Kathleen Jennings. "A beguiling story that proves that gothic delights … Continue reading Bookish Bluster – July 31, 2020
Literary Yammerings – July 17th 2020
My brain is a bit messy at the moment, and this is reflected by the disjointed nature of my reading this week. I bashed through Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, in a matter of days. It's wonderfully written, with a fierce central female character. Lots of oddball characters too. An incredibly engaging story, in a … Continue reading Literary Yammerings – July 17th 2020
Reading Ramblings – June 7th 2020
On My Read-ar (still funny) The Lost Village by Camilla Sten - This was described on NetGalley as a cross between Midsommar and Blair Witch, so I requested that pretty sharpish. And I just found out it's translated from Swedish! Dude. Keep 'em peeled for this. Set My Heart to Five by Simon Stephenson - … Continue reading Reading Ramblings – June 7th 2020
Bookish Brain-Dump – June 26, 2020
Wonderland - Zoje Stage You can read my full review of Zoje Stage's brilliant new book, Wonderland, on Goodreads or NetGalley, but I just want to re-emphasize my love for these weird novels that seem to be infiltrating the mainstream at the moment. I love well-written folk horror, and cosmic horror, and it seems there's … Continue reading Bookish Brain-Dump – June 26, 2020
Literary Nonsense – June 8th, 2020
It all seems a bit silly to even consider anything as frivolous as reading at the moment. But given there is evidence that those who read fiction are more empathetic than your average person, maybe now is more important than ever to talk about books. Black Lives Matter I widen my perspective through reading, and … Continue reading Literary Nonsense – June 8th, 2020
Literary Mumblings – March 7th 2020
It's been a funny old week. I finished the audiobook of Angela Carter's Wise Children, which I enjoyed immensely. The characters were wonderful, and Tracey Ullman was a hilarious narrator. But now I have a feeling I have very often - what the bloody hell do I listen to next? I gave Derren Brown's Happy … Continue reading Literary Mumblings – March 7th 2020
My Week in Short Stories – Feb 15th – 22nd
I'm trying to figure out a way to blog about my short story thing that isn't completely boring. But I am reading/listening to some great stuff that I do want to share with you. So let's just see how things progress. Anyway, here's what I've read this week. 2/15/20 The Silent Kingdom Claire Dean 2/15/20 … Continue reading My Week in Short Stories – Feb 15th – 22nd
California Reading 