Pretty much every story in Rabbit Test and Other Stories punched me in the feels. In the first part of each story, I was getting the lay of the land, following the path so expertly laid out by Mills. I trusted this writer to lead me, as a reader. And by the end of each … Continue reading Review: Rabbit Test, by Samantha Mills (Tachyon)
Review: The Haunted Houses She Calls Her Own, by Gwendolyn Kiste (RDS Publishing)
It has been so amazing to see Gwendolyn Kiste’s career accelerate over the last few years. My first encounter with her work was her debut collection, And Her Smile Will Untether the Universe, which contains one of my all-time favorite stories, The Man in the Ambry. Her novels are also great, but especially The Haunting … Continue reading Review: The Haunted Houses She Calls Her Own, by Gwendolyn Kiste (RDS Publishing)
Review: The Only One Who Knows, by Lisa M. Matlin (Ballentine)
Lisa M. Matlin’s previous novel, The Stranger Upstairs, is one of my favorite books of the last few years. I can’t even remember all the details of the plot (which is more the fault of my poor memory than any flaw in Matlin’s writing); I just remember Matlin’s incredibly entertaining writing style, and the many … Continue reading Review: The Only One Who Knows, by Lisa M. Matlin (Ballentine)
My Week in Reading, February 27th, 2026
I am lucky enough to be reading an advance copy of Solace House, the new novel from Will Maclean (co-writer of Broken Veil, one of my favorite podcasts). It’s about a group of British students who spend their summer break clearing out some old, abandoned properties. I’m about halfway through, and it is incredibly tense. … Continue reading My Week in Reading, February 27th, 2026
Books of my Thirties
I turn 40 tomorrow. To be honest, I feel pretty good about it. My thirties were absolutely bonkers (marriage, baby, moving to a new country), so I’m taking the time to reflect on the decade. I looked back at my trusty Goodreads, and picked a memorable book from each of the last ten years. 2013 … Continue reading Books of my Thirties
My Week in Reading – Feb. 7th, 2023
How to Sell a Haunted House Oh my sweet lord, this book! Grady Hendrix has written so completely disturbing and hilarious. What a ride! Hendrix really takes the time to establish his characters before launching into all-out mayhem; it's an incredibly well-written novel. There was a moment when I literally screamed "OH NO!" I listened … Continue reading My Week in Reading – Feb. 7th, 2023
Alternative Mothers’ Day Books
It is Mothers' Day this coming weekend in the US. And as some marketing emails would suggest, I’m sure there are mothers that do like books with blue covers, with a photo of the back of a woman, staring out to sea. I am not one of those mothers. I have become a different reader … Continue reading Alternative Mothers’ Day Books
My Favorite Books of 2021
Alright lads?! Another year down the shitter, eh? Thankfully, we’ve got books to keep us from going completely mad. And hopefully you’ve read some incredible stories this year. In no particular order, here are my favorites from 2021, with links to my original reviews (if I wrote one). Chouette, by Claire Oshetsky (Virago/Ecco) Every so … Continue reading My Favorite Books of 2021
Review – When Things Get Dark: Stories Inspired by Shirley Jackson, edited by Ellen Datlow (Titan Books)
I am so excited to be able to finally share my love of this incredible anthology! When Things Get Dark is easily one of the best, and most consistent anthologies I’ve read in years. Each writer has brought their A-Game in Shirley’s name. Comparisons to Jackson’s work are a dime-a-dozen, and often completely unwarranted. But … Continue reading Review – When Things Get Dark: Stories Inspired by Shirley Jackson, edited by Ellen Datlow (Titan Books)
Short Story Update
The Saddest Short Story Ever Written Yesterday, I read the saddest short story I've ever read in my life, so I need to share the details with you. I found this little gem in The Persephone Book of Short Stories, which features a wealth of gorgeous stories by well-known and little-known female writers. I urge … Continue reading Short Story Update
California Reading 