Mary Shelley

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.

A/S/L?

October 11, 2023 — Leave a comment

Remember the days of AIM and chat rooms and people asking “a/s/l”? Haha! Today’s kids will never know…

Anyway, I don’t actually want to know your age, sex, and location, but if you’re seeing this, it would be cool for you to tell me something good about your day! I feel like I don’t do nearly enough personal posts. I keep intending to change that and I always fail miserably – then I do a post like this, explaining how I’m trying to do more personal posts and that I always fall short. Lol. In my defense, the focus here is music, movies, and books.

For those interested, I’ve been working a lot. I had a doctor’s appointment Monday, but there’s no diagnosis yet: I have to have an ultrasound to check my gallbladder, and I’m on meds to help alleviate the acid in my system, in case I have an ulcer. I’m not super worried; I simply hope I feel better by the end of the month, when I’m going to Colorado to visit my brother again. We plan to celebrate Halloween in Albuquerque, New Mexico, then we’re going to see Wednesday 13 performing Murderdolls. And my brother bought me the VIP meet-and-greet experience for my birthday. Eeeeek!

Hope y’all are having a fabulous October so far! I started Frankenstein, by the way. I don’t know if I like it or not. Victor annoyed me, the way he avoided a situation he created. But we’ll see. I’m about halfway through.

If you’ve made it this far, please leave me a comment, as I mentioned earlier, about your day. Or something you like. Or…whatever. I just want to connect with my followers a bit.

It’s Spooktober!

October 1, 2023 — 3 Comments

Fall is my favorite time of the year. It actually gets below 90° in Alabama, and the leaves are beautiful for, like, three days. Lol. And, of course, there’s Halloween. Given my love of all things spooky, y’all have probably guessed that Halloween is my favorite holiday.

This year, I have issued a personal challenge to myself, kind of an extension of the Goodreads Reading Challenge. See, I have never read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein or Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I’m sure you’re thinking “what have you been doing with your life?” Well…I don’t know. Haha! I missed out on those classics, despite my parents having copies of both.

Anyway, sorry for my rambling. My point is, my goal for October is to read Frankenstein and Dracula. What better way to celebrate the season?

Happy October, y’all! If you have any other reading recommendations, I’d be glad to hear them. Drop a comment!