The first book about celebrating Halloween, published in 1898. Cute! Rule one, don't invite your married friends to your Halloween party, because theyThe first book about celebrating Halloween, published in 1898. Cute! Rule one, don't invite your married friends to your Halloween party, because they're "de trop." Unnecessary killjoys? Most of the party games involved finding the person you would marry and when. This tiny 50-page book also includes decorating tips and an extensive section on fortune telling at your party. I never thought about carving cucumbers with scary faces....more
3.75 Stars — A harrowing tale of survival during the Holocaust, based on the real life experiences of Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jewish prisoner at Aus3.75 Stars — A harrowing tale of survival during the Holocaust, based on the real life experiences of Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jewish prisoner at Auschwitz. While I'm glad I read (listened to) this book, I felt like the writing was too simple, reading more like a YA or middle grade novel. It lacked the emotion that I was expecting. Lale's story is a very important one to tell, I just didn't care for the author's writing style....more
THE HOLLYWOOD ASSISTANT was a soap opera thriller, lots of drama and even some overacting (!!!). For me the book was a bit too long and too slow to geTHE HOLLYWOOD ASSISTANT was a soap opera thriller, lots of drama and even some overacting (!!!). For me the book was a bit too long and too slow to get going. At about the 40% mark, we get the first real "conflict," then it's not until 80% that we find out who's been murdered. I enjoyed the twisty ending, but overall it was just an ok read....more
First published in 1949, I CAPTURE THE CASTLE is a captivating coming of age story set in the 1930s. I loved it. The characters in this book will stayFirst published in 1949, I CAPTURE THE CASTLE is a captivating coming of age story set in the 1930s. I loved it. The characters in this book will stay with me for a long time.
The story is told through the journal entries of 17-year old Cassandra Mortmain. The Mortmain Family was something else! They were the definition of "genteel poverty," struggling to scrape by while living in a crumbling castle. There was a reason why none of them could make any money, except for the deceased housekeeper's son, who was sort of adopted by the family.
So Cassandra "captures" life at their English castle between the months of April and October, the year their rich new landlords arrive from America, brothers Simon and Neil. I enjoyed Cassandra's funny, charming, and insightful journal entries about her life, struggles, family, and falling in love for the first time.
4.5 Stars — Elementals?!? New fear unlocked. This Southern Gothic Horror classic was first published by Avon Books in 1981. I saw that it’s by the sam4.5 Stars — Elementals?!? New fear unlocked. This Southern Gothic Horror classic was first published by Avon Books in 1981. I saw that it’s by the same author who wrote the screenplays for Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas, so I was intrigued.
I wasn’t going to write a review, because I think there’s so much going on underneath the surface, and so much symbolism, that I’d need to read it again to fully digest everything. Then I decided to throw out a few thoughts anyway. I originally listened to this on audiobook, and R.C. Bray did a fantastic job with the narration and capturing the essence of so many characters.
I love a good Southern family drama, then mix in some horror and I’m hooked. In THE ELEMENTALS, there are two old families from Mobile, Alabama, connected through marriage, the McCrays and the Savages. At a place called Beldame on the Gulf, there are three Victorian summer houses — one owned by the McCrays, one owned by the Savages, and no one was sure who owned the third.
That third house was slowly being engulfed in sand, and though it appeared empty, it wasn’t. There was evil afoot, the families KNEW IT, but they still returned for holidays. The death of the Savage matriarch ignites a series of horrific events during another sweltering summer in Beldame.
I was completely absorbed in this creepy, atmospheric book. Much of it was a simmering slow-burn, as we get to know the bizarre characters and their complicated relationships, and the dark history of Beldame. Did I mention that they’re cut off from the mainland during high tide? There’s no way you could get me back there, knowing what they know, and ooh, they’re about to know more. Character-driven horror is the best.
I’m very impressed with Michael McDowell’s writing. Sadly, he’s no longer with us, but I plan on reading more of the work he left behind....more
This is the 10th Anniversary expanded print edition of THE HEADMASTER, which includes new material and illustrations by the author’s husband, Andrew SThis is the 10th Anniversary expanded print edition of THE HEADMASTER, which includes new material and illustrations by the author’s husband, Andrew Shaffer. I read this very steamy gothic romance when it first came out, and when I spied the awesome new cover, I knew it was time for a re-read.
Gwen Ashby is an unemployed teacher on a road trip to Chicago when she happens upon an all-boys academy in the Appalachian Mountains looking for a new literature instructor. The headmaster, Edwin Yorke, agrees to let her teach there for a short trial period to see if she’s the right fit for William Marshal Academy. There’s definitely something different about the place, including the creepy woman in white haunting the grounds at night. Even so, Gwen can’t help falling in love with the school, and Edwin.
This creepy-lite, quirky romance was a lot of fun to read. It’s novella-length, around 200 pages, but the story and characters were developed and engaging. I especially loved the intriguing mystery surrounding the woman in white.
I enjoyed this homage to old-school gothic paperbacks (plus a little spice). Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book. Thoughts are my own....more
Feeling like she needs a fresh start in life, Cassie moves from Orlando to Boneyard Key, buying a charming historic cottage right on the beach. But, uFeeling like she needs a fresh start in life, Cassie moves from Orlando to Boneyard Key, buying a charming historic cottage right on the beach. But, unknown to Cassie, her dream home is haunted. Nick, the grumpy owner of the local coffee shop is no stranger to ghosts himself, having had one as his roommate ever since taking over the business.
Of course, Cassie knew that the town’s draw was ghost tourism, but she didn’t realize that it wasn’t just a gimmick until the magnetic poetry on her fridge started moving around on its own. Nick has taken a liking to the new girl in town, and wants to show her that living with ghosts isn’t so bad before she gets scared and leaves for good.
HAUNTED EVER AFTER was equal parts cute small town romance and intriguing ghost story. Very cozy. I loved learning about the history of Cassie’s new house, as well as other local lore. I love how the mystery of Cassie’s restless spirit played out. I felt like the growth of Cassie and Nick’s relationship was sweet, genuine, and realistic, in spite of the ghosts. I’m looking forward to seeing where the series goes next.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC. Opinions are my own.
SANDWICH is a poignant story that resonated with me, as I'm in the same boat as the main character Rocky, sandwiched between aging parents and new aduSANDWICH is a poignant story that resonated with me, as I'm in the same boat as the main character Rocky, sandwiched between aging parents and new adult children. Not everything she went through was relatable to me, but I found myself nodding my head in agreement or in empathy for most of the book, as she navigated this moment of middle-age. I could definitely understand her nostalgia for the past. This is a wonderful character-driven story with many humorous passages balanced with ones that made me teary-eyed. Perhaps it's because I'm reading this at just the right time in my life, but I adored this book....more
A grumpy WWI vet and a college dropout travel to France to track down the fate of a baby the vet was entrusted with as a young soldier nearly 60 yearsA grumpy WWI vet and a college dropout travel to France to track down the fate of a baby the vet was entrusted with as a young soldier nearly 60 years earlier. This was such a beautiful and bittersweet historical mystery with characters I fell in love with, warts and all. Multiple storylines weave together into an emotional conclusion. I didn't want to put the book down! ...more
I grabbed this one because of the You've Got Mail comparison and the 90s nostalgia, but I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. I'm torn over hI grabbed this one because of the You've Got Mail comparison and the 90s nostalgia, but I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. I'm torn over how to rate this book, maybe 2.75 stars? The prose is lovely, and I was certainly invested in how the story would play out, but I also felt like it was too long and slow in parts, and the infidelity was ick. The last 20% of the book was probably my favorite....more
Intriguing mystery, but too slow-paced for me. Two estranged stepsisters return to the small Greek island where their parents were married 25 years agIntriguing mystery, but too slow-paced for me. Two estranged stepsisters return to the small Greek island where their parents were married 25 years ago, and where a girl named Abigail went missing at the same time. The island setting and their family home called Calliope were my favorite parts of the books. The ending was a bit confusing. I read it twice and still feel like I'm missing something....more
A CYCLIST’S GUIDE TO CRIME & CROISSANTS finds American Sadie Green leaving her humdrum office job in Chicago and heading to the South of France to buyA CYCLIST’S GUIDE TO CRIME & CROISSANTS finds American Sadie Green leaving her humdrum office job in Chicago and heading to the South of France to buy a bike tour company. After a successful first nine months, her former boss from back home and his family book a tour, along with a few other cyclists looking to experience the French countryside on two wheels. Of course, Sadie wants everything to be perfect, but her tour plans hit the skids when her boss ends up dead, and the police say it was no accident.
The descriptions of the French scenery and landmarks, and especially the delicious food, were amazing. The book was set up in part like a travelogue in journal form at the beginning of each chapter, which I enjoyed. Sadie was a wonderful, likeable character, very dedicated to her dream business and the guests in her care. I felt bad for Sadie when everything started falling apart!
The murder mystery wasn’t the easiest to figure out, and I enjoyed how all of the pieces of the puzzle came together in the end. I do feel like the mystery and investigation sometimes took a backseat to the descriptions of their travels. While I wish the mystery had been stronger, I still enjoyed taking this armchair trip to France with Sadie and company. I’m looking forward to seeing where the adventure takes us in the next book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC. Opinions are my own....more
A ghostwriter is summoned to the remote island of a reclusive author with a dark past to pen her memoir. Is she ready to finally spill her secrets? MaA ghostwriter is summoned to the remote island of a reclusive author with a dark past to pen her memoir. Is she ready to finally spill her secrets? Maybe start with what happened to her previous ghostwriter? If you’re a fan of those old vintage gothic paperbacks, read this atmospheric short story. A twisted and satisfying ending....more
4.5 Stars — A nosy neighbor pesters a young couple who’ve just purchased their dream home in upstate New York. With a baby on the way, they’re ready t4.5 Stars — A nosy neighbor pesters a young couple who’ve just purchased their dream home in upstate New York. With a baby on the way, they’re ready to nest, not feel uneasy in their own home with the guy across the street always watching. This was a fun quickie thriller that went in a totally different direction than what I was expecting. Very creepy and twisted....more
3.5 Stars — The Bad Friend was a bit different from the other short stories I've read from this collection. It was very unsettling, and downright depr3.5 Stars — The Bad Friend was a bit different from the other short stories I've read from this collection. It was very unsettling, and downright depressing too. I did like how time moved quickly over the main character's lifetime to see the consequences of her actions. This is what happens when you're never satisfied with what you've got....more
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