Katrina
"We are all stardust and stories."
--Erin Morgenstern, The Starless Sea
I absolutely loved the voice in this novel- it instantly hooked me. Ainslie Hogarth's novel is filled with such dark, offbeat humor. It's seriously so witty and funny, but still deals with tough topics like depression, grief, and trauma. It begs the question: are ghosts real, imaginary, or something in between? This story of domestic "un-bliss" is perfect for fans of Otessa Moshfegh or Clare Kohda.
Sparse prose tells us a captivating story steeped in a rising feeling of dread. It's about aging, the cost of remembering and the cost of forgetting- and which one is higher. I couldn't put this book down and had to stop myself from reading ahead. I can't wait to share this book with others so we can talk about that ending!
I just couldn't stop reading this book. The first full account of the Slenderman case, we see how mental illness spiraled into horror. The author is from Waukesha, WI and provides inside insight into the culture of the Midwest. More than just a rundown of violence that occurred, this book also tells of how mental illness and incarceration is dealt with in Wisconsin- especially for youth. Very well done.
This is an EXTREMELY dark and disturbing dystopian novel that I could not stop reading. It's intense, thought provoking, and impossible to forget.
Reading this book feels like sitting in a dive bar with a new friend who feels like he's an old friend, swapping stories and reminiscing. Not afraid to be gritty yet tender, hilarious but heartfelt, Fitzgerald tells his story with honesty and personality shining through the entire book.
This is a mesmerizing and evocative novel set in the Caribbean that gives you a sense of the ancient wisdom of the culture. It's about loneliness, love, freedom, curses and what makes us human-especially a human woman. I was absolutely enthralled by this story of the mermaid Aycayia and the fisherman David who fell in love with her.
A quiet strangeness permeates throughout this novel of growing into womanhood. Translated into perfect sentences from Italian, it's intriguing, mysterious, and unsettling. I couldn't stop thinking about this book!
I absolutely adored this novel. It subverts how fairy tales are told, letting the "damsel in distress" tell her own side of the story. In a support group setting, we learn how these women are dealing (or not dealing) with the trauma of surviving what happened to them. Not every story has a happily ever after.
This story, set in medieval times, centers around a shepherd's son and the other characters in the village of Lapvona as they deal with a drought and sequential famine that tests their faith and endurance. It's dark and disturbing, which Moshfegh writes so well, and I was unable to put it down or stop thinking about it.
The Sign for Home does exactly what books and stories are supposed to do: offers a new perspective and gives insight into another's life that you aren't familiar with. I learned so much about ASL, tactile ASL, and the life of someone who cannot rely on all of their senses. I absolutely loved the characters. They are all so genuine and full of humanity, heart, and soul. They jump right off the page and into your heart. I highly recommend this novel- it's a much needed, refreshing read!
As soon as I started reading this novel, I knew it would end too soon. I wanted to linger with it, yet couldn't stop turning the pages. Emily St John Mandel is a master storyteller, interweaving plots with exquisite writing and small details that tie all of the storylines together. She expertly writes about humanity, even as it spans centuries and planets. I absolutely adore this novel!
This dark, twisty novel will snake into your thoughts and not let go. Multiple storylines ebb and flow, coming together to reveal shocking secrets that will change your perspective. This debut thriller set in Norway is not one to miss!
I loved, loved, loved this stunning collection of interconnected stories. It's so imaginative, intelligent, and unique. What may seem like a dark book is actually quite comforting and full of hope. This is one that is going to linger with me for a long time to come.
A lyrical retelling of Medusa's story- from a girl who is unfairly punished by the Gods and Goddesses to a woman who knows her true self. I absolutely loved this book. It's full of love and longing, hope and betrayal, strength and power. A completely dazzling book that should not be missed!
I cannot contain the excitement and passion that pours out of me when talking about Hollow Kingdom, and now Feral Creatures. I have pushed it on all of my friends and have received only positive feedback. This book is superb- a second read proves it may be my favorite book ever. And the follow up, Feral Creatures, is simply perfect as well. Spectacularly written, funny, devastating, brutal, and unforgettable. I am absolutely obsessed with Kira Jane Buxton's books. S.T. is my very favorite and I will love him forever.
I absolutely adored this novel. It was thrilling, funny, and full of emotion. It made me laugh, gasp, cry, and then laugh some more- all out loud, no matter where I was reading. Besides a page-turning plot, the writing was phenomenal and the characters really struck a chord with me, despite (or maybe because of) almost all of them being animals. When all the humans in the world start succumbing to a disease that turns them into zombie-like creatures, S.T. the crow(who thinks he should have been born human) and his faithful Bloodhound must go on a quest to free the pets of the world from the confines of the houses they are locked in. S.T. is such a plucky, genuine narrator and unlike any I've read before- I loved him so much. From page 1 this book drew me in and I couldn't stop reading it or thinking about it. I want to sit down and read it all over again. (After a second read, it still holds up!)