I don't normally share personal photos on here, but at our recent library fundraiser, I got to meet author Amanda Churchill. She was so friendly and gave a great talk about her debut novel, The Turtle House. This isn't normally the type of book I read, but I really enjoyed it, and after listening to her talk about it, I like it even more now. 💚🐢

In true Kevin Wilson style, this book deals with dysfunctional families. A group of strangers who discover they share the same father set out on a road trip to find their dad.

Although this isn't my favorite by him, it was still a good read. At times, scenarios felt too easily resolved, but I enjoyed seeing the relationships between the characters grow as the story progressed.

#NetGalley #ARC

A friend recommended this one to me, and I'm so glad they did. I had such a fun time reading this book. It was humorous, with some great action scenes and a whole cast of wacky characters.

I told someone it was like Hitchhiker's Guide, Ready Player One, and Hunger Games all mashed together to create a glorious, entertaining mess that you can't look away from once you start. 😁

I can't wait to start another adventure with Carl and Princess Donut.

Fantastic new horror!

Nat Cassidy has become a great new voice in horror, and he deserves all the praise he gets for his writing. This newest book has all the things I love in a book- creepy premise, badass characters, just enough darkness and gore to keep me on edge, and a bit of humor even to break things up.

This was intense. It was also thought-provoking with great social commentary.

Another read I highly recommend for horror fans.

While I may not agree with everything in this book, I found it to be insightful and informative. The authors address policies from the past that have led to our current political crisis. I would have liked some more concrete examples of how to implement the change they talked about, but overall, this left me with a lot to think about, in a good way, which is something I need more of these days because all the news does is depress me.

This follow-up book was good but not as good as Red Rabbit. Lots more witchcraft in this story, which I liked, and Death is a character, which made for an intriguing side story, but I wasn't as drawn into this one as I was the first one.

Perhaps reading them back to back made me too judgmental. I am now a fan of Grecian's writing, though, and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Another excellent horror novel!

Red Rabbit follows a group of strange individuals, each unique in their own way, who get thrown together under even stranger circumstances.

I didn't think a horror western would be my thing, but I loved this one. I had no clue where it was headed, which is always high praise for a book.

This story is gory, full of supernatural aspects and lots of action. And Rabbit is a character I'll never forget.

This graphic nonfiction about a man I never knew before reading this was terrific. Eugene Bullard was the first African-American combat pilot, and this is his story.

The artwork is gorgeous, and the story is informative and heartfelt.

Highly recommend, even if graphic novels aren't your usual read.

Each chapter in this impressive, informative read follows a female scientist influenced by Marie Curie while also sharing her astounding story. Marie's love of science still influences young scientists today, and her dedication to learning is infectious.

This book is well written and the perfect mix of science and personal reflections.

Unlike a lot of people, I like manga, but I don't watch the anime series associated with them. I've heard so many great things about this series that I had to finally start it.

Attack on Titan has a very interesting backstory with civilization recovering behind walled cities after being destroyed by giant Titans. This first volume starts with a new attack. I liked the changing perspectives between citizens and soldiers. I'm excited for vol. 2.

Another recent read that I loved. I was unsure where this book was going, and I felt so many different emotions for Jane while reading this, but the two storylines weave together to create a psychological character study that will leave you unsettled, yet satisfied.

If you have followed me on here for long, then you know this author is a hit or miss for me without any in-between. I am happy to report I LOVED this one!

Jones delivers a historical fiction story mixed with one of the best vampire stories I've ever read. I couldn't put this one down once I started it.

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

Unsettling story set in a haunted house following two twins who lost their mother who make a new "imaginary" friend that leaves their Dad questioning what is going on in his house.

There are things left unanswered, but even with that, this creepy atmospheric read is worth it.

I expected more from this one, but I'm still giving it a low pick. It was a fast-paced audiobook that kept me entertained while listening, but it didn't make a lasting impression.

For me, there's nothing better than discovering a new Jeff Lemire graphic novel. 💚

Lemire once again uses a surreal monster tale to explore the inner lives of people in a small town. He's perspectives of small town life and isolation paint a picture of melancholy all mixed in with an unlikely friendship and a young girl full of hope.

Loved it!

This is a tough one for me to review. It's a speculative science fiction with a lot to say about AI and AI evolution/development in a futuristic setting.

I really liked the contrast between the AI and the human characters and their growth as the story unfolds. At times, the pace of this book is rather slow, and a few times, I wanted to put it aside. However, the ending was worth sticking with this one, and why this is a pick for me.

Megan E. Freeman's book Alone is one of my favorite MG reads. I was so excited when I found out she had a companion novel. While Away was a good read, and I couldn't pinpoint anything wrong with it, it just wasn't as good as Alone. I didn't connect with the character as much and found myself a little bored at times.

What an incredible read! Although this book will not be for everyone, I personally loved it. The book explores themes of loneliness, freedom, acceptance, and love, all happening in the beautiful and often brutal natural landscape of Alaska.

The ending wasn't quite what I expected, but having reflected on it for a few days now, it really was a perfect ending for this story.

This MG horror novel was extremely well done. As a young reader, I sought out scary books, but it was often hard to find appropriate books for my age. I appreciate that horror authors are writing for a younger crowd.

In Another, Tremblay delivers creepy on a scale that readers of all ages will find perfect for this story.

#NetGalley

This is such an amazing book! I've recommended it so many times at my library, and everyone has enjoyed it.

It's dark, it's emotional, it's mysterious, and it's a novel that only Charlotte McConaghy could write.

I have loved all her other books, and this one did not disappoint.

I enjoyed this much more than I expected. Donoghue delivers an excellent novel based on a historical event, but this book focuses on the different individuals on the train before the accident. It's a wonderfully written character study that explores class, politics, and human nature.

It's a short read that only took me a few hours because I couldn't stop reading it.

I run two book clubs at the library I work at and this is one of our April reads. While I think this will lead to an interesting discussion, it wasn't a pick for me. I loved the historical parts of the story, but the modern day storyline bored me.

I can understand why others like this one so much. It is unique, with a mix of genres you don't normally see, but it just wasn't for me.

Just looking at this cover again makes my skin crawl. Horror + insects= nightmare inducing!

This book delivers on the creepy and will have you not wanting to step outside for fear of any flying bugs. It is fast-paced and intense, but the ending feels a little abrupt.

Overall, though, if you want a book that leaves you unsettled and on edge, give this one a try.

Because I loved Tender is the Flesh so much I went in with high expectations for this one, and I think that messed with my reading experience.

This is a bleak story full of things I normally like in a dystopian read. Plus, the addition of a creepy, religious cult just made me even more interested when I started this one. However, for such a short book, it took me forever to read this one, and I was just never fully invested.

Loved this one! It will be on my list as one of my favorite reads this year.

I truly did not know how the author was going to combine the two storylines in this book. I'm a sucker for a book within a book premise, and the mix of sci-fi with realworld everyday issues felt new and unexplored.

When I finished this, I just sat for a while contemplating it, and the more I think about it, the more I love it. 💚

#NetGalley

Ronald Malfi is a horror author that I feel doesn't get enough recognition. In his newest book, that was released yesterday, he combines what reads like a true crime story with a new twist on the age-old tale of bloodsuckers.

This book was intense, packed with dark suspense and tension, and such a great read. All of the subplots weave together so well in the end. Senseless is probably my favorite read by this author.

This is such a great MG series! 💚

Amari is this generation's Harry Potter, and I love reading about her adventures with her brother and her friends as they fight the forces of evil.

If you enjoyed HP or Rick Riordan's books, you should definitely try this series.

I really loved this book. I had not heard of Lizzie McDuffie before, but she is someone people definitely should know about.

She reminded me why we fight for the rights for all, even on those days when all hope seems lost.

Great historical fiction, especially for what we're going through today.

I couldn't wait to get back to Ilvernath after finishing the first book. In this sequel, we pick up the story right where we ended, which I liked, and I'm glad I read this one shortly after finishing the first book, or I might have been confused.

In this book, the authors take some liberties with the rules they established for the magic system, and this book was a lot more "telling" than "showing." It was still a good conclusion, though.

This one is hard to describe. It is marketed as horror, but the horror elements aren't as strong as I expected. Old Soul definitely creates a creepy, almost hypnotic atmosphere that will leave you feeling haunted by the story and the characters.

The story goes back and forth between different characters as the mystery unfolds. Although the book is slower paced, the unraveling of this story will keep you interested and unsettled until the end.

Another YA read this month, but this one is a survival thriller instead of fantasy.

It has a bit of a slow start, but it picks up in the second half. The character Claire was my favorite. She constantly thinks the worst is about to happen, and that's something I can relate to.

The read has suspense, some supernatural aspects, and a believable friendship bond between the girls. And I did appreciate the twist at the end.

I've been on a YA fantasy binge lately. Although this one is a low pick for me, I still enjoyed it enough to read the second one.

It uses familiar tropes, which annoyed me at times. Also, I would have liked the characters to have been more developed.

Overall, quick, typical read in the YA fantasy genre that I hope the author really expands on in Book 2.

Junji Ito has created such a unique horror experience with this story. He is definitely the King of horror manga. 🖤

This collection follows different individuals in a town plagued by spirals that drive people mad. The artwork is nightmare inducing and adds so much to the story.

Loved this one!

Great thriller that worked well as an audiobook.

It wasn't until I started reading that I realized it was part of a series, but Swanson gives the reader enough background so that this book works on its own.

I haven't read a book by this author for years, but now I want to go back and read more.

I run a book club at my library here in Texas, and most of the group is retired teachers. I thought this pick would give them lots to talk about. However, what I didn't realize was just how much I would love this one.

This book really is more of a character study, and each of these characters felt relatable and well fleshed out.

Mathieu delivers a poignant, heartfelt, humorous story that I think everyone should read. 💚

This dark YA fantasy was just the read I was looking for. It has been described as Hunger Games with magic, but there's so much more to it.

The world, the magic, and the characters are all very well done. Lots of action, betrayals, and twists keep this book moving along quickly.

I'm excited to read the second one now.

One of my favorite reads this year!

It's a short little horror read that is gruesome and funny all at the same time. The writing is perfect for this story, and the creepy atmosphere left me unhinged, which I love because it makes the read more intense.

There are lots of triggers in this one, though, so it's definitely not for everyone. But for my fellow horror loving, slightly demented readers, you should read this one. 😁🖤

I'm torn on this book. On the one hand, I liked and appreciated the message of community and survival that the author conveyed in this slow-burn dystopian novel. However, the writing felt a bit repetitive in areas, and the details describing this new water world felt poorly researched.

#NetGalley #ARC Release Date: May 6, 2025

Loved it! 😍 I normally bail on a long series after about 5 books, but Connolly never disappoints me and keeps me interested, even after 22 books.

This book leans more into the supernatural as Charlie Parker fights to locate missing children with the help of his daughters. The book is dark and gritty and filled with all the things I love about these books.

Loved this book! ? And it had a map and a beautiful diagram in it, which made me love it more.

This dark academia has a unique magic system with a female MC who is determined to prove she belongs in what has always been a "man's world."

It is a standalone fantasy with very little romance. The MC takes on the established powers when she uncovers a shocking secret about their society. Great pace and great characters. Highly recommend!

As soon as we got this at the library, I brought it home and stayed up all night reading it so I could get it back on the shelves for other patrons.

I'm still enjoying the series. It's fast-paced with the intense battle scenes we've come to expect. I did feel like the people were more the focus and we had less dragon time, and to be honest, I'm really just here for the dragons. 😁

Still a fun fantasy read with her signature cliffhanger ending.

I read Oscar Wilde for the first time 2 years ago and fell in love with his writing. When I saw this historic fiction book based on his marriage and relationships, I was instantly intrigued. The book is slow going, but I really enjoyed it. It felt well-researched, and I thought the struggle for Oscar between his love for his family and his desire to be true to himself was written in such a beautiful, bittersweet way.

I'm a big fan of Chuck Wendig. He combines horror and supernatural elements together in such a unique way that every book of his I read takes me on a new unforgettable journey.

The decent into madness in this story by one of the characters was truly terrifying. 😱

Great read for horror fans! #NetGalley

I'm really torn on this one. The writing was beautiful and created such a haunting atmosphere as the novel progressed, but the pace was so slow for such a short read. I found myself wanting to read it but dreading it at the same time.

I am still giving it a pick because Han Kang has such a way with words.

My expectations were let down a bit by this book, but it's still a low pick for me. It's really hard to categorize this one. I did go in thinking it would be more spooky, but what the author weaves together in this genre defying book is more cerebral and psychological than spooky.

I am still confused about some parts, but I'm a fan of this author and the message she was trying to put out there

Ta-Nehisi Coates has such a beautiful way with words. Getting lost in his view of the world opens my mind and my heart and gives me hope, which is something that is hard to find in our current world.

I will definitely be purchasing myself a copy of this one so that I can revisit it.

This book lived up to the hype for me. I thought Senna did such a great job with the mix of dark humor and just real world life experiences. I was completely engaged from the beginning and kept rushing back to read this book whenever I got the chance. It's been a long time since a book has kept me on my toes, made me reconsider things, and also made me feel.

I really loved Mcguire's newest addition to the Wayward Children series. I absolutely adored Nadya's character when we first met her in Book 3 of this series. Getting to learn more about her background, and her first journey to Belyyreka was everything I wanted it to be, and more. 😍 This book also did an excellent job of dealing with themes of adoption and disabilities.

I can't wait for the next book in this series.

I've missed being part of this amazing community. Life has kept me from being as active here as I once was. I'm hoping this most recent book haul will help me get out of my reading slump, too.

Happy Reading Everyone! 💚

All of the books, ebooks, and audiobooks I currently have checked out to read for #ToB25. We'll see how many I can get through before the shortlist.