Weird and enjoyable.

This collection of stories is a bit of a mixed bag in terms of stories I loved. Overall, it's a pick for me, but I feel the first part few stories are probably the best in the collection.

I love how Schwelin pushes the boundaries and ventures into strange, unusual, and slightly uncomfortable topics with these stories though.

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Loved it! 💚

This book was engrossing from beginning to end. The science made my inner nerd so happy while reading, the sci-fi made my inner child sore through space, and Andy Weir's writing pulled me into the story and made me fall in love with his characters.

I can't wait for his next book.

Trying today to reset and find my peace. My anxiety has been off the charts lately and my poor husband and nephew have been so wonderful while I've been a mess. I find myself today having rare time alone at home, so I'm relaxing with fur babies, hot cocoa, and a book. Remember, it's okay to take a mental health day for yourself and "inhale calmness, exhale stress" ???

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Wow! Gus Moreno impressed me with this book. The way he blends the grief of a husband with the spine chilling supernatural is superb.

I don't want to give away too much with this one because having it unravel around you with make the suspense even better as you read.

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I listened to this book and I highly recommend it that way for others because McConaughey does such a great job narrating.

This isn't a memoir, which I didn't realize when I started. The short stories about his life are at times fun, uplifting, sad, tense, and a whole range of other emotions. He also offers insight to how he lives, like words of wisdom for life.

Much more enjoyable than I expected.

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This volume focuses on a crime involving high priced coffee beans, which I had my doubts about at first but Greg Rucka certainly knows how to take a story about almost anything and make it entertaining. Dex finds herself caught up in things yet again, and this time we get to meet her sister.

Another fun read in this series.

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Excellent true crime read! I'm now watching the docuseries on HBO.

This case starts with a house fire, but something's odd at the scene that sets this whole crazy tale in motion. Jax Miller does a great job of connecting the dots; she does get caught up in her own emotions at times.

The mismanagement by the law officers in this case made me angry and I wonder how many other cases are treated the same way.

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I loved this one more than the first volume. 💚💚

A trip back to the library soon is needed so I can get the next volumes in this series.

Finishing up the last of my October reviews today. #Screamathon @4thhouseontheleft

This is a stunning graphic novel, both in artwork and writing. Intricate world building coupled with immersive dialogue makes it a beauty to read. It's perfect for fantasy fans who like a bit of the macabre mixed in.

#unpopularopinion

While this does make for a quick, entertaining read, I just didn't love it as much as others seemed to. I found the chargers to be forgettable. It would make a great movie though.

First we march, then we run...

Wow! March left a lasting impression on me and I didn't think anything could top it, but with Run, Lewis and Aydin have once again created a must-read for people of all ages. 💚

This read made me angry, sad, and hopeful. I highly recommend this. Read it; gift it; talk about it.

Although this is a bit different than the other books I've read by this author, I really enjoyed it.

I truly appreciated that the story delved into homelessness and mental illness and showed the human side of a growing problem in our society.

The mystery side was predictable, but it doesn't take away from the storyline or become annoying. It's weaved together well with a journey through photographs and the world presented in The Great Gatsby.

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As a horror fan, I'm ashamed to admit I've never read Graham Masterton before. The Shadow People has left me wanting to read more by him though.

Warning: This book is a gore fest full of triggers, so it is definitely not for the faint of heart.

Masterton delivers a heart-pounding, action packed story that involves a ritualistic cult, who also happen to be cannibalistic. Perfect Halloween read. 🎃

I'm going a bit vague for November. #BookSpinBingo #BookSpin #DoubleSpin @TheAromaofBooks

I love Allie Brosh 💚💚💚 Like Jenny Lawson, her honest, and often humorous look at life, anxiety, depression, and just day to day activities always leaves me in a good mood.

This book has some dark, emotional sections and I love that the author didn't shy away from sharing them.

I loved the books in this series and I really enjoyed getting the background information of the Sons of Ares.

I think if you hadn't read the books though you would be a little confused even though this is a prequel.

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Although I can appreciate this book for all the wonderful ways it helped inspire future authors, I just found it slow and difficult to get through.

Mary Shelley does have some beautiful writing in this book, but I just wish the story had moved at a little faster pace.

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It's been several years since I read this book and I felt it was time to finally revisit. I noticed so many details this time around that I didn't before.

Gaunt makes such a great character and the psychological manipulation is handled so well. This is still one of my top 10 King reads.

It felt good to finally have time to stop in at my local library again. 💚💚💚

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Cradle Lake is located on tainted land that once brought healing powers to the Native Americans who lived there but now offers something much darker to the suburbanites who have taken over the forest around what was once a scared lake. Malfi uses the emotional turmoil of a couple who have lost a child to highlight the evil that lurks beneath the water.

Great spooky read! 👻

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The diversity of each new book in this horror series is amazing. V Castro has combined mythology, horror, and smut in this novella and made it all work very well together.

Who doesn't want to read a book about shape-shifting women who turn into predatory animals and seek revenge on those who wrong them. 😀 Fun read.

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Since I'm not a fan of Sleeping Beauty, I was a little unsure about reading this one. Alix Harrow has made me a fan of this fairytale though. This retelling is excellent!

I loved the characters, I loved the world building, and I loved the magic and adventure. Highly recommend this one for fans of retellings.

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This is my first read by Bentley Little. I've heard good things about his writing, but unfortunately for me, I wasn't the biggest fan of this one.

The story is all over the place with people going on wild killing sprees. It definitely made me feel on edge and uncomfortable while reading, which I liked, but I needed more substance to the characters and the plot.

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Excellent read! I loved the backstory in this book, and although the end wasn't the best, the rest of the read more than makes up for it.

McQueen has well developed characters with complex personalities and a small town full of secrets.

I'd love to read more by this author in the future.

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There was so much I loved in this book, but then parts of it needed to be edited in order to make the flow better. My favorite part was the library! 💚

Overall it's a fun read about a girl who never quite fits in but who finally finds her family. The various witches and their powers were interesting and the world building was solid.

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This is formulaic mystery with an interesting history story as the background. I'm enjoying these short mysteries as an escape from my usual dark and gritty reads.

I'd still like a little more character development for Wesley, but this is only book 2.

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Book 10 in the Will Trent series might be my favorite. Slaughter delivered so many excellent twists, and even a few that I didn't expect.

I liked in this one that it connected back to a case from the Grant County past. When she brings the two series together I always seem to enjoy the book more.

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More YA fantasy than horror, but it was still an enjoyable read. The town has a curse and it's up to the main character to save everyone. I enjoyed the folklore created for the town's history, but I could have lived without the predictable romance.

I absolutely love this cover though. 💚

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I'm always hopeful that a new Palahniuk will give me all those wonderful vibes I felt reading his early stuff, but I usually end up disappointed.

This book is weird, which I expect from him, but it just felt too forced to make a story of a man looking for his missing child and a woman who records screams for a living come together. It just felt too disjointed for me.

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This volume didn't have the same intensity as the first two, and a bit less of the sarcastic dialogue I've come to love.

Still a good read, just not as good as the others.

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This author is becoming one of my favorites. In this book we have ghosts, folklore, a haunted house, and a town full of dark secrets.

The House acts as its own character drawing the story towards it and setting the pace as the mystery unfolds.

Perfect read for Halloween time! 👻

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Book 9 in the Will Trent series took a bit of a different direction than others. In this one, Will must go undercover in order to save Sara and stop a crime from happening that puts thousands of lives in danger. Will also has to finally face his feelings for Sara.

Great thriller!

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I'm had already read most of these, but it was a perfect time to read them again. Poe certainly fits this spooky time of year.

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Jones yet again delivers a completely unique book with an intriguing writing style, but sadly for me it just never came together. The book is written in script form and it's as if you're reading, instead of watching, a cheesy "B" movie. This style doesn't give room for good character development which made it difficult for me to become fully invested.

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I couldn't stop listening to this one once I started. Slaughter really brought out some of her best techniques in this book and the twists just kept coming from the beginning to the end. What a wild ride!

I didn't think I could dislike Angie's character more than I already did but this book proved that theory wrong.

Such a great thriller.

Not perfect writing, and the plot gets a little muddled at times, but it was still a spine-tingling read that kept building momento from beginning to end. The "beast" in this story was very creepy.

I loved that Jazzland, both before and after Hurricane Katrina, was a setting in the story. I spent lots of wonderful weekends in college riding the rides there.

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Loved this one! I'm not quite sure how to review it without giving too much away. The story takes place in a town haunted by ghosts. Some of these ghosts are helpful, but many are not. On top of a haunted town there are also human/pig people, aliens, and robots. It sounds crazy, but it comes together so well. At the center of the story is a girl fighting to keep her family together.

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Wow! Even better than the first two volumes. I'm going to have to go on a buying spree and get the next volumes in this series.

The Smiling Man is one of the creepiest characters I've read in a long time.

Horror fans, do yourself a favor and read this series.

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I had to jump right into this one after finishing the first. I'll admit, I'm not entirely sure what is going on, but I am definitely enjoying the journey.

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Such a deliciously creepy and weird read. The artwork fits the story so well too.

Another great example of why I love Jeff Lemire.

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I re-read this excellent King collection because it has been a long time since my first read. These 4 novellas are some of my favorites from King. I feel this book portrays the versatility of King's writing very well. I recommend it a lot to people wanting to read him for the first time.

I also watched Apt Pupil last night. I think it's a good adaptation of the book.

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Although this book didn't offer anything new I didn't already know about the Manson murders, I still found it to be a captivating read.

Sadly, our world is full of people like Manson who manipulate those around them to do unspeakable things. I always find stories like that much more horrific than anything a horror author can dream up.

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Book 4 in the Rewind or Die series takes place in an amusement park, which is one of my favorite settings for a story. A group of friends decide to perform a ritual to make them immortal, but it comes with a twist that on one night each year they are mortal and they must sacrifice other humans.

Another great read in this series.

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Fun spooky read that reminded me of the 90's horror books I used to read as a teen. I really liked all the nods to classic horror reads and films throughout.

Short novella that is just the right amount of weird and creepy. 👻

A town of anarchist squatters summon a spirit capable of determining who in the community is good and who is bad. The descriptions in this story are very vivid adding to the gore and creating an intense feeling as the action escalates.

There were some parts that felt rushed, but overall, I really enjoyed this one.

#NetGalley

When you start reading and realize this book involves music, donuts, the devil, and space travel it seems like it could never truly come together. Boy was I wrong. 😀

I don't want to give too much away, but do yourself a favor and give this book a chance. It has excellent characters, all unique and well-developed, set in an intriguing futuristic world all tied together with a great story.

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I understand why this book receives such wonderful praise. 💚 It's a gorgeous piece of literature with complex themes about home and family.

I loved this book, although it did break my heart several times while reading, but trust me, in the end it was worth it.

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I love all things horror related and I always love participating in the readathons on Litsy in October. With limited reading time now, I decided to just participate in #screamathon @4thhouseontheleft 🎃👻💀

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I finally had the chance to read my birthday present from earlier this month. I'll admit, my feelings on this book went from love to boredom and then settling in at, "I really liked it, but it's not a top King book for me."

Surprisingly, the last few chapters of this book were my favorite. The way this story ends was perfect.

There's been a lot going on in my personal life lately that has had my anxiety at really high levels, and this book was exactly what I needed, although I didn't know that until I read it. 😀

I absolutely adore Jenny Lawson and her honesty is so refreshing to me. Not to mention she's also freakin' hilarious!

Loved this one. 💚💚💚