2023 Reading Challenge

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (12/23/23)

December 23, 2023 — Leave a comment

This will be my last update of 2023! I reached my goal of 60. I actually surpassed it and finished the year with 63 books read.

Here are the books I read in December with my personal ratings and a little review. If you would like to see my full year-in-review (without having to find the blog posts), you can visit my Instagram account.

Dracula (Bram Stoker)

Rating: 4/5

The story itself was really good. It definitely held my interest. The writing style, however, took some getting used to. (Yes, I am aware when it was written and that Stoker was Irish. Lol.) If this is a classic that you have also not read thus far, I would highly recommend it.

The Witch of Halloween House (Jeff DeGordick)

Rating: 2/5

I was not a fan of The Witch of Halloween House. It was very simply written and rather predictable, and I didn’t care for how DeGordick wrapped it up. This is apparently part of a series, but I doubt I will be pursuing its successors.

You Love Me (Caroline Kepnes)

Rating: 2/5

Okay. I have overlooked a few things I do not care for in this series (like Kepnes’ insistence on waxing poetic about her liberal beliefs via Joe), but this novel… This was the worst of the series so far. I will not include spoilers; however, I will say that too much time is dedicated to the building of Joe’s relationship with Mary Kay for the book to end the way it does. Unfortunately, I am not a quitter, and I’ve made it this far, so I am going to read For You and Only You.

Camp Slaughter (Sergio Gomez)

Rating: 3/5

If you want a slasher without any deeper plot and with some graphic descriptions that might make you gag, Camp Slaughter is the book for you. It’s like a cross between Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Sergio’s writing style was not my favorite, but I do think I’ll try out the sequel, Halloween Slaughter.

Witching on a Star (Amanda M. Lee)

Rating: 3/5

So far, Witching on a Star has been my least favorite of Amanda M. Lee’s “Wicked Witches of the Midwest” series. I do enjoy the cozy mystery genre, but Lee is teetering on a little too much seriousness. I will continue this series; if the books continue in this vein, though, I will likely stop reading them.

Redemption (David Baldacci)

Rating: 4/5

This was my first Baldacci. I received it when I did one of those “blind date with a book” things on Etsy. As someone who is not a huge fan of books that center around cops, FBI agents, etc. as the main focus, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Redemption. To my surprise, I enjoyed this one! Detective Amos Decker was quite likable, as was his former partner, Mary Lancaster, and the man Decker saved from death row, Melvin Mars. Redemption was the fifth book in Baldacci’s “Memory Man” series. I may have to go back and read its predecessors.

Twelve Slays of Christmas (Jacqueline Frost)

Rating: 4/5

Have I mentioned my love of cozy mysteries? I saw Twelve Slays of Christmas recommended on Instagram and decided to try it. After all, ’tis the season! This is definitely a book you choose when you’re going to be wrapped in a blanket, sipping tea or cocoa, and indulging in a merry murder mystery! I’m about to dive deep into this series, even if Christmas is almost over.

Horseman: A Tale of Sleepy Hollow (Christina Henry)

Rating: 4/5

Horseman was an interesting re-imagining of the well-known legend of Sleepy Hollow. Learn the “real” story of the Headless Horseman and Ichabod Crane, the man who won Katrina’s heart and their granddaughter who bucks social norms and sets her own path. This was a fun read, a well-written page turner. I already have my next Christina Henry novel picked out: Alice.

**

If you read anything in 2023 that you particularly enjoyed, drop a comment and tell me about it!

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (11/15/23)

November 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

My November was even slower than my October, in regard to the reading challenge. To be fair, that could have something to do with extra hours at work and my week-long trip to Colorado…

Anyway, I have only read five books since my last update. I did reach my goal of 55; time to raise the number again.

So here are the books I finished, complete with ratings and brief reviews. Enjoy, and remember to recommend anything you think I’d find interesting!

None of This is True (Lisa Jewell)

Rating: 4/5

None of This is True was an intriguing read – until the very end. The story was enough to hold my interest, and Lisa did quite well in keeping certain things shrouded in mystery. However, the big reveal was a mite disappointing and, frankly, dissatisfying. I would still recommend it, though, because not everyone will feel as I do about the conclusion.

Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)

Rating: 2/5

After hearing about Frankenstein for years, I finally decided to read it. How had I missed such a classic, right? Especially given how much I love all things horror. Well… having read this infamous novel, I feel that I could have continued living without it. I’m sure many of you will herald Frankenstein as a must-read, and I do understand its importance in literary history, but I just couldn’t get into it. Victor pissed me off. That’s the gist of my complaint. I won’t bore you with my opinion on this particular book any further.

Ghost (Kat Blackthorne)

Rating: 3/5

Ghost is the first in Kat Blackthorne’s “The Halloween Boys” series. I like the concept behind this book, and I love Kat diving into several facets of the supernatural. On the other hand, I lost my patience with Blythe, the female lead. I’ll give the short version of what didn’t win me over: everyone wanted Blythe, she accepted what was going on way too easily, and – I can’t believe I’m saying this – most of the smut was unnecessary.

Witching You Were Here (Amanda M. Lee)

Rating: 3.5/5

Amanda M. Lee’s “Wicked Witches of the Midwest” series are considered cozy mysteries, and that description is accurate. I read most of Witching You Were Here on my flights to and from Colorado. This is the third book in the series, and while I do enjoy the quirky relationships among the Winchester witches and their friends/significant others, I am waiting on a more intricate plot, or even a darker scenario like the murders in the first book. Still, these are fun and easy reads. I highly recommend grabbing your favorite blanket and a mug of tea (or coffee) and curling up with one of these books.

The Drowning Kind (Jennifer McMahon)

Rating: 4/5

My mom read The Drowning Kind first and told me that I would enjoy it, and she was right. I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll say only that I was hooked from page one, I devoured this novel in three days, and this story carried me through a lot of emotions. It actually made me cry quite a bit. Read this. Read it now. Trust me.

**

I am currently reading Dracula (Bram Stoker) and The Witch of Halloween House (Jeff DeGordick).

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (10/16/23)

October 16, 2023 — Leave a comment

It’s been a semi-slow month for me in regard to reading. I did reach my new goal of 50 books for 2023, though. Guess I have to reset the goal again. I feel like I’m getting through so many books because I use the Kindle app and read on my lunch breaks at work. My coworkers think I’m weird, but whatever. Losing myself in a good book makes me happy and, I swear, lowers my blood pressure when I’m having a stressful shift.

Anyway, I have finished 6 books since my last update. My favorites were The Cotton Candy Massacre and its sequel, written by Christopher Robertson. If you like gore-filled slashers, these are the books for you! And now for my usual list of what I read, along with a brief review of each.

Nightseer (Laurell K. Hamilton)

Rating: 3/5

I have read a lot of books by Laurell K. Hamilton, most of them part of her Anita Blake series. I’ve tried two of her stand-alone novels, including this one, and I enjoyed both. Nightseer had a good plot and decent story, but I had to knock off a couple of points for the way it built so gradually, only to end very abruptly. I wondered if she intended to continue this story at a later date, for the ending left it wide open for a sequel.

The Nightmare (Lars Kepler)

Rating: 3.5/5

The Nightmare is the second book in Lars Kepler’s Joona Linna series. These novels are intricately crafted, in-depth, and filled with twists and turns, but they are fairly quick reads because of how they are written, and they certainly grab and hold your interest. So far, The Hypnotist has been my favorite. With The Nightmare as its follow-up, I am sure I will finish this whole series.

Every Witch Way But Wicked (Amanda M. Lee)

Rating: 3.5/5

I didn’t realize how many series I have started until I was putting this list together. Every Witch Way But Wicked is the second book in Amanda M. Lee’s Wicked Witches of the Midwest series. I would call these books “cozy paranormal mysteries.” They’re fun and humorous and great for indulging while curled up with a fuzzy blanket and a mug of tea. I highly recommend checking them out.

Shadow Girl (Gerry Schmitt)

Rating: 4/5

I did one of those Blind Date With a Book orders on Etsy and was sent this novel. I was wary, because I don’t typically enjoy stories about cops, detectives, etc. However, I actually liked Shadow Girl. Perhaps my favorite thing about it was the way the characters were written, particularly Afton Tangler. Afton has goals, she wants to be a detective, but she’s not superwoman, and I appreciate that. So often authors make the mistake of having a main character who is super smart or unrealistically tough or something that puts them above their surrounding cast. But Gerry Schmitt has made a relatable, likeable protagonist in Afton, someone you can root for and that you want to see succeed.

The Cotton Candy Massacre and The Cotton Candy Massacre: Part Toots (Christopher Robertson)

Rating: 5/5

This was a nightmare carnival ride of clowns, gore, and creative kills. As stated, if you’re a fan of slashers – and if you hate clowns, or love them – these are books you should read. The characters were vivid and interesting and likeable, in their own way, and Leigh was just a straight badass. I loved both books and will definitely be reading the third one if it’s written (which Christopher has implied will happen).

***

As planned for October, I have begun reading Frankenstein. I’m also totally engrossed in Lisa Jewell’s None of This is True and Jennifer McMahon’s The Drowning Kind.

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (9/20/23)

September 20, 2023 — Leave a comment

I actually completed my goal for 2023 and have since changed it twice. Haha. My new goal is 50 books! (It could rise again, as I’m already at 44.)

I last posted August 10th, and I have read ten books following that update, though one of them was a novella. Still counts. Here is a list of those books and my personal rating of each.

Ink and Bone (Rachel Caine)

Rating: 4.5/5

I love Rachel Caine. I love her writing style, her characters, her stories. If you’ve read her Morganville Vampires series, then you should know that Ink and Bone, and its successors, are worth checking out.

Going Dark (Melissa de la Cruz)

Rating: 4/5

I enjoyed this book a lot. I devoured it in maybe two days. The twist was…not quite believable, in a way, which is why I couldn’t give this a 5/5 rating, but Going Dark is still a great read.

The Things She’s Seen (Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina)

Rating: 4/5

This was another book I finished in 3-4 days. It was a quick read, and very emotional. The Things She’s Seen is a must-add for your to-be-read pile.

The Watchers (AM Shine)

Rating: 4.5/5

A coworker bought this book for me as a birthday gift. The summary didn’t give anything away, which I appreciate, but it still intrigued me enough to want to read it. I wanted answers, so I tore through The Watchers fairly quickly, and while I liked the explanation, I thought Shine could have ended it a bit sooner and not lost anything. I would highly recommend this book.

Late as a Rabbit (Kendra Moreno)

Rating: 3.5/5

Okay, I like the general idea around this series: a darker Wonderland where Alice is evil. But…I’m not a huge fan of the love stories developing, nor the unnecessary smut. These books feel like something that may have started on Wattpad.

Selfie (Stuart James)

Rating: 3/5

I don’t know how I feel about this book. The premise seemed interesting, but the execution wasn’t really for me, I guess. I can’t even say whether or not I’d recommend it. Just read the summary and decide. Lol.

Enter the Dark House (Laurie Faria Stolarz)

Rating: 4/5

This was a double feature, both Welcome to the Dark House and its sequel Return to the Dark House all in one. I enjoyed these books. They were right up my alley. I mean, trapping contest winners in an amusement park and picking them off based on their biggest fears? I’m such a sucker for that stuff. And, even better, Stolarz didn’t get sidetracked with the romantic relationship, even though her main characters were around the age of eighteen.

Sour Candy (Kealan Patrick Burke)

Rating: 2/5

I did not love this. I’m not even sure Burke knew what his own idea was, or if he just wrote some vague nonsense with no real plot in an attempt to seem deep or weird. The explanation at the end still didn’t clear things up. I don’t know. This wasn’t my cup of tea.

The Dark Room (Lisa Gray)

Rating: 4/5

This book disappointed me so much! It started out okay, seeming like my type of story, but then… It turned into a tale of men being evil, a theme I’m heartily sick of at this point. Even worse than that, the female protagonists were stupid and made all the same mistakes that piss me off in horror movies, with the result that if one of the men hadn’t helped them, they likely wouldn’t have survived. In case you couldn’t tell, Run on Red really annoyed me. And that sucks, because I loved the other books by Ihli that I’ve read (The Thicket and Ask for Andrea).

I read this on a whim. I had a $3 credit through Kindle, but it only applied to a handful of books. This one seemed the most like my type of story, so I bought it. And I’m glad I did! I won’t say too much here, but this is a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.

Run on Red (Noelle W. Ihli)

Rating: 2/5

***

I am currently reading Nightseer by Laurell K. Hamilton and The Nightmare by Lars Kepler.

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (8/10/23)

August 10, 2023 — Leave a comment

Hi, y’all! It’s been just over a month since I last updated you on my Goodreads Reading Challenge, and I have still been steadily climbing towards my goal. I did take a break and re-read Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by Shea Ernshaw, just because I love it and it’s a comfort book for me (like the Harry Potter series).

As far as books from my to-be-read pile, I have marked off six more since the last challenge post. So, here’s what I finished and my rating of each one!

1. Any Witch Way You Can (Amanda M. Lee)

Rating: 4/5

The first in the “Wicked Witches of the Midwest” series, Any Witch Way You Can introduces us to the Winchesters and the inner workings of the family. Oh, and there are a couple of murders sprinkled in, just for fun. I really enjoyed this book, and I loved the characters. I wasn’t even bothered that the murders, and eventual solving of said murders, was almost an afterthought. The twist wasn’t overly surprising, but the way it all unfolded was cute and humorous. I will continue with this series, for sure.

2. The Final Girl Support Group (Grady Hendrix)

Rating: 2/5

Having read The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, I was looking forward to this novel. Unfortunately, it fell short. The plot wasn’t the best, the characters weren’t very likeable, and there was a heavy emphasis on the slasher genre being misogynistic (which I wholly disagree with). I got bored with reading about how evil men are, honestly. Hendrix ignored how many female killers there are in horror, and how one can also view the final girl trope as rather empowering – women surviving through their strength and wit, outsmarting killers who are, in general, men. While I would recommend checking out The Southern Book Club’s Guide…, I might suggest skipping this book.

3. Mad as a Hatter (Kendra Moreno)

Rating: 3.5/5

I love re-imaginings, especially dark versions of Wonderland, so I was intrigued when I stumbled across this series. The back story – how Alice became The Red Queen – definitely feeds my horror-loving heart. However, overall, this book fell short. It was too predictable, too much of a romance. And Clara accepted everything way too quickly. I am going to read the second one, because I like the plot and I don’t want to write Kendra Moreno off too soon.

4. The Resort (Sue Watson)

Rating: 2.5/5

I don’t know how to explain this book. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good either. I will say one thing; Watson did a great job throwing suspicion on all of her characters, so that the killer could have been any of them. The ending did not impress me, though. I guess if you like mysteries in the vein of Agatha Christie and Sue Grafton, you should add this to your list.

5. Four Found Dead (Natalie D. Richards)

Rating: 2/5

I didn’t like this book. The writing was confused and muddled, the characters weren’t relatable, and the killer’s motive was lame. I wouldn’t recommend it.

6. Come Out, Come Out, Whatever You Are (Kathryn Foxfield)

Rating: 3/5

The concept of this book was right up my alley. I love books/movies where there are groups of people going places they shouldn’t and getting terrorized by masked killers, evil spirits, etc. However, Come Out, Come Out, Whatever You Are wasn’t the best version of this horror trope. The characters almost saved it, though; I loved every single one, especially Lex and Python. I will be checking out Good Girls Die First.

***

I have now read 34 of 35 books. I may change my goal. Haha. My current read is Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine.

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (7/5/23)

July 5, 2023 — Leave a comment

I can’t believe it’s been almost 2 months since I last posted about the reading challenge! Time really got away from me, but rest assured I am still progressing towards my goal.

When I updated y’all in May, I had just finished Harrow Faire book one, The Contortionist (Kathryn Ann Kingsley) and was about to check out Room Service by Maren Stoffels, as well as book two in the Harrow Faire series, The Puppeteer. I read both of those, along with a few others, so here are my thoughts on each.

1/2. Room Service and Fright Night – Maren Stoffels

Rating: 3.5/5 for both

I enjoyed both books, don’t get me wrong, but the stories feel almost as if you’ve missed something from the very beginning. There’s not a lot of background, nor is there any character development, and while I don’t want to be overwhelmed with details (as Stephen King is prone to doing), I do need a little more in regard to the characters and their relationships. Still, if you’re looking for a fairly fast-paced read that is easily digestible, definitely check out this pair of books.

3. Cirque Berserk – Jessica Guess

Rating: 4/5

This was a fun read with a good twist. I think I finished it in two days. My complaints were minor, so I won’t bore you with them. If you like slashers and amusement parks, this is a must-read!

4. The App – Stuart James

Rating: 4.5/5

Stuart James delved into one of my new favorite subgenres of horror: using the internet to find victims. It’s not unheard of in this day and age, which creates a sense of reality (though the complexity of the app in this book still seems…not quite doable yet). I loved this novel, even if the characters frustrated me at times.

5. Hidden Bodies – Caroline Kepnes

Rating: 4/5

It’s odd that I’m just now reading this, as I have watched every season of “You” the instant they were available and read the first book over a year ago. This was a quick read for me, because Kepnes’ style of writing is easy to follow and keeps you wanting to see what’s next. I could have done with less of Joe’s snide opinions on certain topics that had very little to do with the story, but overall, I really liked this book.

6. The Puppeteer – Kathryn Ann Kingsley

Rating: 3.5/5

I’m still not sold on this series and these characters, though I do like Cora’s sass and determination. I still have the remainder of the series on my To-Be-Read list, but I think they will be read when I don’t have any “must-reads” to get to.

7. Wonderland – Jennifer Hillier

Rating: 4/5

Wonderland was certainly readable, but I wasn’t necessarily absorbed in the story or attached to any of the characters. I will admit, the labyrinthine twists and turns kept me turning the pages and earned the book its 4/5 rating.

8. The Last House on Needless Street – Catriona Ward

Rating: 5/5

I have saved the best for last. I feel like I could do an entire blog on Catriona Ward’s The Last House on Needless Street, but I’ll keep it short and sweet. This novel is so beautifully crafted. I was almost put off by the beginning, because it seemed to dive straight into the middle of something and I was momentarily lost. That was done intentionally, however, as the reader soon discovers. I loved the characters, the story itself, the twists, the overall sense of melancholy throughout. I actually cried at the end. There was hope in those final pages, but Ted was such a likable, tragic character. If you’re reading this mini-review, let me tell you that this book has to be on your list and should be read ASAP!!!!!

**

Next up on my list is Any Witch Way You Can by Amanda M. Lee, which is book one of the Wicked Witches of the Midwest series. I have read 28 books, and my goal is 35. Feel free to drop in and tell me what you’re reading, or about any good finds you’ve come across this year!

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (5/15/23)

May 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

I’ve been reading a lot since my last update! I found a few quick reads, and I made it through Carole Johnstone’s Mirrorland. So, here’s the full list of what I’ve read over the past month, my rating of each book, and what I’m diving into next!

Carole Johnstone: Mirrorland

Rating: 4/5

I actually loved this novel. It was a bit of a slow build, and confusing at times (though that is intentional – you are immersed in the main character’s mind, and she is coping with some major trauma), but in the end, everything makes sense. I only knocked the rating down because I think the last twist was one too many; the story was pushed beyond what I considered its natural conclusion. However, I would highly recommend Mirrorland, and I will be seeking out more from Carole Johnstone.

Sarah A. Denzil: Silent Child

Rating: 4/5

This was a very readable book. I had more or less figured it out before the reveal, but Denzil definitely threw in a few curves that made me doubt myself. I couldn’t quite give this a 5/5 rating, though I can’t exactly explain why. There was just something missing. Please don’t let that discourage you from checking it out! I am going to read the second in the series.

Christopher Golden: All Hallows

Rating: 3.5/5

I stumbled across this one via a Google search, and I’m glad I did. I didn’t find it to be creepy in the least, but it was interesting. My complaints with this book likely would not be shared by many, so I’ll keep them to myself.

Ivy Tholen: Tastes Like Candy

Rating: 5/5

Okay, this is like a 90’s slasher in book form. Kinda cheesy, very bloody, and so much fun! A must-read for anybody who likes slasher films.

Ivy Tholen: Maul Rats

Rating: 4/5

I enjoyed Tastes Like Candy so much, I had to try another from Ivy Tholen. I wasn’t as sold on this one, but I did finish it in about two days. There were tiny details that added nothing to the story that should have been left out, especially since this book was promoted as more bloody, stabby, campy fun, hence my not giving it a full rating.

PJ Stanley: Most Likely to Die

Rating: 1/5

I don’t even want to review this book. It was awful. It wasn’t well-written, there was no character development, and the motive of the killer fell flat. I understand how slashers work, I really do, but wow. I do not recommend.

Kathryn Ann Kingsley: The Contortionist

Rating: 3/5

Despite the rating, I am not actually that critical of this book. I enjoyed the writing style, and I am definitely interested in the world Kingsley is creating. I didn’t love The Contortionist, but it is only the first in the Harrow Faire series. I have hope that the story and characters will develop more, and that I will like the following books better.

***

Next up on my to-be-read pile are Room Service by Maren Stoffels and The Puppeteer by Kathryn Ann Kingsley (Harrow Faire Book #2). I’ve read 20 of 35 books. I may need to change my goal. Haha!

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (4/4/23)

April 4, 2023 — Leave a comment

I missed posting an update for March. Whoops! I have no excuse other than a lot of things have been happening at work and I’ve been scheduling the bare minimum of posts.

Since I last shared anything about my 2023 Reading Challenge, I finished Emilie Autumn’s The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls, Danielle Valentine’s How to Survive Your Murder, Riley Sager’s The Last Time I Lied, Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen, Paula Morris’ Ruined, Kim Harrison’s The Drafter, and Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. I’ll put my ratings below.

5/5
4/5
3/5
3.5/5
3.5/5
3/5
4/5

I’m not going to go into too much detail about why I gave these ratings, because many of you likely won’t agree with why I gave lower ratings to a couple of them. Let me just say that the twist in The Last Time I Lied was good, but possible to figure out if you’re really trying. The twist in How to Survive Your Murder was actually really solid, I just wasn’t crazy about the characters. Red Queen was a little too typical for me; it was well-written and is worth reading, but I’m not sure I’ll continue the series. Ruined was readable, just not overly interesting. Same with The Drafter, which is a shame because I typically like Kim Harrison’s books. And American Gods was too long (good story, though).

I have now started Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone, and Silent Child by Sarah A. Denzil.

As always, feel free to tell me about any books you’re reading and offer up some recommendations! I have only read 13 of my 35 book goal, so I need some suggestions.

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (2/13/23)

February 13, 2023 — Leave a comment

I didn’t intend to do this exactly one month from the last update, but maybe I should actually start scheduling them this way. Haha. Once a month is enough, right? 🙂

I finished A.M. Shine’s The Creeper, and while it was an eerie tale (reminiscent of The Bye Bye Man, in my opinion), I didn’t love it overall. The twist at the end wasn’t terrible, but…the story lost something with the revelation. I enjoyed Shine’s writing style, though, and I still intend to read The Watchers.

Rating: 3.5/5

I also read Poltergeist by Kat Richardson. It has been sitting on my bookshelves since I found it in an apartment my friends and I cleaned out. I’m not sure if I’d have gotten more out of it if I’d read the first book in the series, well, first. However, I didn’t love this book. I think there is potential for Richardson to build an interesting fantasy/supernatural world, so I will certainly try at least one more from the Greywalker series.

Rating: 3/5

The third book I completed since my last post is the final in Katherine Arden’s Small Spaces series, Empty Smiles. This was my least favorite of the four. The build-up was so promising, but the ending was rushed and fell flat. I still say these books are worth the read; I just wish the conclusion had been…more.

Rating: 4/5

I am currently reading two books. (I’m the world’s worst to start a second book before finishing the one I initially started.) I finally decided to check out Emilie Autumn’s The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls, and I also dove into my second Riley Sager novel, The Last Time I Lied. I’ll let y’all know my thoughts in about a month!

Any recommendations for me? Please leave them in the comments!

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (1/13/23)

January 13, 2023 — Leave a comment

I finished Stacia Kane’s Unholy Ghosts, and I was right – I am definitely reading the whole series. I loved the story, the characters, her writing style… Overall, I’d rate the book 4.5 out of 5.

I also ran through the third book in Katherine Arden’s Small Spaces series, Dark Waters.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this is the kind of kids’ book I wish had existed when I was a kid. So many of the “scary” books I read back then fell short. They weren’t even creepy (to me). But Arden’s tales of The Smiling Man are eerie, and the entity is not easily beaten or discovered to be anything less than frightening.

Rating: 4/5

And last but not least, I have started my fourth book of the year, The Creeper by A.M. Shine. I read a recommendation of this book on Jenny In Neverland’s blog [check out the post here]. So today, I plan to drop my car off at my mechanic’s then curl up with a blanket, a cup of coffee, and this suspenseful chiller from Shine.