Jacquie Walters narrated her own novel and blew it away ten fold. It didn't dawn on me till the credits after the epilogue when she was named. The feeJacquie Walters narrated her own novel and blew it away ten fold. It didn't dawn on me till the credits after the epilogue when she was named. The feeling and energy that went in to characterization and situations was just phenomenal.
Dearest is a book about motherhood, generational trauma, post partum depression and the fears and worries we develop as mothers after we have our babies. There was such careful intertwining with these elements as the author created this world and our main character, Flora. Flora asks if the brain organ changes during/after pregnancy because of all her new found fears and worries (which yeah, the amount of hormones and new neuro pathways...okay I digress). We get time to relate as she worries about Iris and her little comforts. If she is doing enough or the right things. On top of being a new mother, her husband is away on work and she is isolated in a home and its so very cold outside. There is a point where Flora starts to question her sanity when things in the house begin to place themselves in unusual spots, flashes of unknown memories arise and she starts hallucinating. Out of desperation, she reaches out to her estranged mom of four years, and just in time because her childhood friend makes a reappearance. I won't go beyond this because there is a twist that actually got me, and that's really hard to accomplish.
If you are a mom like I am, and if you suffered from postpartum depression like I did, I imagine this book will have a very special deep effect on you like it did me. The author who wrote this either had PPD or knew someone very close to them who did. I feel seen, that's for sure. It's written with understanding and sincerity. There's even a mentioning of The Yellow Wallpaper in her story when mentioning her mother.
I still can't believe this is a debut novel. The language, execution and complexity of plot is well done and outlined. It's moderately to fast paced, well carved out characters, imagery for effect is very well done and the ending including epilogue is wonderfully tied off....more
I loved it! I adore Everett's writing! He is a mastermind of combined dark humor and truth. Gimme more!!!!!
The Trees has some weird shit going on. ThI loved it! I adore Everett's writing! He is a mastermind of combined dark humor and truth. Gimme more!!!!!
The Trees has some weird shit going on. There are dead folk turning up around Mississippi and a common element is the same dead black man also being present with...um...jewels in hand. The plot only thickens from there as a couple MBI special agents show up to help solve this clusterfuck of a case. The things that are revealed along the way are saturated with historical ghosts and thickly slathered with language which will have you on the floor laughing so hard. I didn't know a book like this could exist, so wonderfully written. So wonderfully cheeky and so deftly honest.
This copywrite is 2021, and that is the biggest hint I can give as far as Everett’s political views go. If the message wasn't clear early on or half way through for you, around the 60s chapters, it will. And I 100% support his voice!
I tabbed the absolute shit out of this poor book, so I will try to narrow them down:
..."I think we're all suffering from mass hysteria around here. You see, There weren't no Black man at either crime scene. We're just so afraid of Black people in this country that we see them everywhere. I mean there's Black men all round, but no dead ones. Not like this dead one." -p. 53
...The image of the boy in his open casket awakened the nation to the horror of lynching. At least the White Nation. The horror was lynching was called life by Black America. -p. 78
"No shit?" the big man said. "You mean like the KKK cross burning?" Jim looked to Jetty for an answer. The sheriff nodded. "I wish I had known, Jim said. "I forgot to be scared." -p. 110
"Yeah, you like it? I've got more. How about this one: Once you go Black, you die. Or, Dead is the new Black." -p. 141
Chapter 65 is a whole thing. It had me laughing so hard. I don't want to take anything away from that experience.
"That makes you an n-word, Red," she said, as if she'd found a new conscience about her language. -p. 226
Gertrude said nothing, looked past Jim and out window. "Everybody talks about genocides around the world, but when the killing is slow and spread over a hundred years, no one notices. Where there are no mass graves, no one notices. American outrage is always for show. It has a shelf life..."-p. 291...more
A huge thank you to NetGalley for an early audio to Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle.
Confession, I found an ARC for sale and snagged it (because this waA huge thank you to NetGalley for an early audio to Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle.
Confession, I found an ARC for sale and snagged it (because this was highly anticipated for me and I knew it would be love), but when I saw the audio was possibly available and who was narrating...I couldn't NOT try. The cast of well known authors help narrate this amazing story with wonderful feeling and voices for the different characters. There were even sound effects that really placed you in the pages, which I happily read along to.
You have to follow the rules if you are to survive. But the system is rigged and the algorithm is always a step ahead. Do you have the courage and strength to change them? Misha is a great writer with great ideas. His past experiences are his muses, and so far they've worked in his favor. When the hammer falls on his latest creation, demanding his gay characters essentially be buried, Misha now must face his personal demons in order to save what he cares for most.
Chuck writes his creations with the encouragement that the readers read between the lines. I hope to the literary gods that I did it right. We look at the ever corrupt Hollywood system, with it's drive to produce things that are supposedly trending/targeted marketing, while taking much to give so little in return. We get a quick nod to the sleazy actors that get away with disgusting sexual advances because of their standing fame. The guy was caught red-handed being a creep, yet his legendary status renders anything I could possibly say utterly meaningless. -p. 19 "In case you didn't notice, I rented out this whole floor," Jack continues. "I write it off as a health expense, can you believe that?... -p. 79 "You know who the real villain is?"...."Unchecked capitalism and the desire for capitalist systems to monetize other people's trauma" -p.242
A quick side note of dorkiness love: Magic the Gathering, Peter Gabriel and Meryl Streep. Also, be ready to have Sledgehammer playing as the soundtrack of this book. I digress.
This book obviously discusses a very important topic: normalizing LGBTQA and any I forgot to add. Chuck tackles elements flawlessly as we venture through this novel alongside Misha and those closest to him.
"It's not just about real queer suicide, though", She explains. "It's also about the romanticization of gay trauma in media. It's dark stuff." -p. 37 "I'm Los Angeles out," I finally admit. "I'm not... Montana out." -p.43 Fuck that show and their mid-nineties fake-progressive don't ask-don't-tell queer-bating bullshit. -p. 102 There's a wonderful exchange between Misha and a driver, Lily, on page 239 that was done beautifully and the message was so eloquent. Lastly on this note, there's a very honest nod to reality in respect to certain reveals discussed in the chapter Killjoy. Thank you for discussing something that should truly be more evident, but then again, we are in dire need of books like this.
Now I know there's a lot of big discussion points highlighted above and you may be wondering if there is in fact any truth to this being a horror novel..... holy shit, yes it is!!! Every encounter with a horror element was so in the moment and intense. I've almost convinced myself to never leave the house without a match book or BIC ever again! Or dare to pet a lamb...oooohhhh (shudders). No, no. Your skin is going to crawl and you are going to squirm. There's also real life horror instances in here too that will definitely hit you in the heart feels.
I loved this experience, everything about it. I had fun with the horror and felt the ride through the pressing points. The writing is absolutely amazing and moving. Definitely going on my auto buy list. On a long enough timeline, endings are inevitable. Tragedy is inevitable. Fortunately, so is joy. -p. 294 ...more
I found a new all time favorite book. Experiencing this on audiobook was pretty intense. I couldn’t turn it off. This was so raw and captivating. The I found a new all time favorite book. Experiencing this on audiobook was pretty intense. I couldn’t turn it off. This was so raw and captivating. The writing is absolutely wonderful considering the content. I’ve seen so many war movies only having been affected by a few. This book was 100% there. The boys forcefully brought in their minds and bodies to their realization of truth. How they felt and reacted was beautifully bitter. Their interpretations as time went on watching new recruits enter the blaze standing where they once stood. How their world view changed. Any and all elements seemed to have been touched on in one way or the other. I wish this was a required read for school. It will be for my kids. I MUST find my own copy. Has this book ruined all other historical fiction war stories for me? Did I find the best already?!...more
My dearest Horror readers, I present to you the horror book that will deliver the essence that we so do crave from our genera!!
A Mask of Flies was a My dearest Horror readers, I present to you the horror book that will deliver the essence that we so do crave from our genera!!
A Mask of Flies was a very highly anticipated read for me when the tagline promised elements of The Outsider, It Follows, and (my most prized flavor) The Evil Dead and it did in fact succeed! I loved every minute of this journey! Moderate to fast paced read that has you viscerally anchored the whole time. The author wonderfully executes the story with devouring descriptive passages and language appreciated by avid readers. The main character is smart, even in the horror genera, the trope of a naïve and overly curious mc to keep the story moving forward is not the driver and it's so appreciated. The supporting characters are wonderfully scripted, even the cat! Everything that happens has an actual purpose whether it's revealed immediately or when you almost forgot. The gore is not for the light hearted and the story is brutally unforgiving. The story has a smooth transition through the entirety and the ending comes together nicely. The epilogue is worth the read also. I have this nominated for my vote in Horror or Haven, so please come by and vote and get ready to have a wonderfully horrifying experience!
I've been waiting for this type of story! Finally, and enjoyably fulfilling. A full hearted thank you to Matthew Lyons for this creation.
P.S. I enjoyed this book so much that I bought a hardback. It's fucking gorgeous!...more
My favorite horror book is The Exorcist. I’ve read My Best Friends Exorcism, Come Closer, Goddess of Filth, The Omen (I think this counts for the sub My favorite horror book is The Exorcist. I’ve read My Best Friends Exorcism, Come Closer, Goddess of Filth, The Omen (I think this counts for the sub genera), basically a few in the posession category. This novel was so different with its approach to posession and how the evil powers were played out. The other basic elements were still there: play on the innocent, major inner battles, doubt, sins and self hate and of course the religious just. I really enjoyed the different point of views and the inner monologues. This book was written well, without the recent trend of nautious regurgitateion of information. The chosen characters has entertaining builds and the pacing was very tasteful, as was the chosen violence (not grossly overdone and potent enough to keep that unsettling vibe going strong). This story spoke to me and I enjoyed it thoroughly and happy to have found another favorite, I guess this really is my sub genera ...more
I found another favorite! A horror novel with something to tell, to hold up a mirror.
This book has a lot to give you, a lot. Boys going to an island I found another favorite! A horror novel with something to tell, to hold up a mirror.
This book has a lot to give you, a lot. Boys going to an island on a routine endeavor with their scout leader...an island. The whole story is set up so wonderfully. A a man wanders around with the worst possible situation, the perfect storm.
The elements I love: survival situation, heavy medical story telling, practical application makes the story believable and so fucking scary.
The chapters are mostly short and have a wonderfully tidy off island excerpt of how the situation is being approached and eventually handled. There's one that has an addendum for the research involving a fucking 3yo and it's so heart wrenching. p. 145-151 if you would like to skip. Is it a make or break to the story? No. Does it fuel medical personnel like myself to inflame the story in to pure horror? Yes.
The kids in this story are amazing. 1). They do a wonderful job of showing us how faulty adults can be in situations like this. No better than the children themselves. 2) Despite #1 the children yearn to have us present for what we are suppose to stand for while they desperately hold on to their innocents. 3) In our absence the kids try to rationalize our behaviors in situations and find them repulsive or lacking *There's a lengthy scene of 2 boys trying to best a turtle so they can eat only to find that the feelings that develop inside themselves and the act of violence ultimately crushes their hearts. p.222-225.
A couple more things this book gives you. Nick Cutter is a master of description. Like SK level master! The imagery is just so profound. I could smell, hear and feel this story. This is a tame one as the others will give away more of the story line. Tim gritted his teeth so hard that his molars squeaked in their gum beds. p.27
Also, there's a good example of a sociopath in an element free to act on their desires and the results are really gruesome.
The gore in this book is told in a way that, to me, can be called art I would hang on my wall. The relationships are believable and the characters are well fleshed out. The events are well organized and very believable, hauntingly believable.
Bone meal, Max's grandpa said. It's magic boys - nothing grows plants better than bones. Hearing this, Max wonders why farmers didn't plant potato fields over cemeteries ... the answer had dawned on him before too long. -p. 37
And I'll tell you, man, missing can be worse than dead. Missing is like a book with the last few pages torn out or a movie missing the final reel. Missing means you'll never really know how it ends. -p.233
"It's love. Love is the absolute killer. Care. The milk of human kindness. People try so hard to save the people they love that they end up catching the contagion themselves. They give comfort, deliver aid, and in doing so they acquire the infection. ..." -p. 252-253 ...more
I'm addicted! Hungrily searching for the next book in this amazing series!!!!I'm addicted! Hungrily searching for the next book in this amazing series!!!!...more
Such a great classic in horror. My 2nd time reading it and having a slightly different filter now that I have kids and just more exposure to things. GSuch a great classic in horror. My 2nd time reading it and having a slightly different filter now that I have kids and just more exposure to things. Good stuff!...more
10/5 I was pleasantly blown away with this novel! I’ve read Blacktop Wasteland and loved the tone, messages and mc. This book, All the Sinners, oh my g10/5 I was pleasantly blown away with this novel! I’ve read Blacktop Wasteland and loved the tone, messages and mc. This book, All the Sinners, oh my good publishing gods! On the heels of a dear like-minded reader, the quotes and passages had me hungry for this experience. It does contain a huge trigger for me. Good thing the topic is known, but details are not present. Thank you Cosby❤️.
This book is going to pull you through emotions. Books are meant to make you feel, that’s why we read them. This was done with perfection. It’s going on my favorites shelf! I could not put it down.
When Cosby writes, he has a purpose and a goal. He uses every page to discuss matters within the character’s relationships or with the plot and all of the possible elements that could be involved. I tabbed sooooo many things that moved me. The characters and movement in the story was completely immersive for me, feeling the fear and anger. So much happens. So much is torn wide open and all of the truth and ugliness gets revealed. What happens when you can’t trust the people you should be able to?!
“Even the finest sword plunged into saltwater will eventually rust.” -p.51
Black boys who may not have been able to truly articulate how seeing that statue (a confederate statue) every day on their way to school made them feel but knew without a shadow of a doubt what that statue meant. -p.71-73
“Think of the worst thing you’ve ever seen. Now imagine seeing it dozens of times. See it and hear the screams that come with it and the cries for mercy or for god or for mama and that there will be no mercy, no rescue, no divine hand of god coming down to smite the devils..” -p. 82
God wasn’t here. This was the devil’s work. And the devil was a man. -p.255
Some people were monsters among monsters. -p. 271
There’s a very distinct character trait reveal on p.282-283
Sometimes the star felt like a shield over your heart, and other times, well, other times it felt like a cheap-ass piece of tin. -p. 307
The discussion on p. 329 is just heartbreaking and one of the most wonderfully written red bow to tie the book together.
There’s more I could share, but I’m scared of creating suggestions or too much of a reveal.
I keep thinking about how to even start this review. Readers get to experience a thousand lives.... Readers get to walk in the shoes of characters....
NI keep thinking about how to even start this review. Readers get to experience a thousand lives.... Readers get to walk in the shoes of characters....
No matter what, this book gives you an experience so raw and deep. Immersive is the first word that comes to mind. I caution you to be ready for an experience Due gives you that will reach for your soul and rip it from its comfortable place. She sets a remarkable tone with characters you will hold on to for dear life and send you reeling time and again through their encounters with the other characters an the world around them. Also, read her authors note to deepen that feeling even more.
Right from the beginning, before the spooky horrors even begin, the reader is introduced to the existence of colored/Negros during the Jim Crow era. Step in to the shoes of a young Robert all of 12 years and a young Gloria only a few years older, as they try to exist in that era without their mother or their father (who is in Chicago for his own situation, which causes it's own problems for the children). They don't have much for themselves and for their characters among whites, they constantly adjust themselves to appear less threatening, more subservient and humble to appease the white folk. Each interaction is taxing and can come with grave consequences for their livelihood. Layering on top of this extreme one sided environment these children work so hard to exist in, something happens to Gloria and her young brother comes to her aid. Of course the law sides with the wealthy white, regardless of who initiated and did the actual wrong doing, leaving young Robert to a sentence at The Reformatory.
Now the horrors layered on horrors,....on horrors begin. We've already established the era which the characters are trying to survive, but now weigh it down more with a prison, um I mean school, run by a sadistic man with a horrible, haunting secret. There are some white kids in the school too which adds to sad power plays even in this trying environment. There are such tight rules for the kids that most are terrified to even laugh in the safety of their bunks at night. Then we are also introduced to haints/ghosts. Can you trust a haint? The Reformatory is filled with awful secrets the haints show you, let you experience to a degree. During Robert's time here, friends are made and promises are broken and the punishment is the fun house. There's also the hole and a few other sick contrived punishments for the kids, should they misbehave. Robert is eventually pushed to the limit after a terrible thing occurs and makes a deal with a haint. Should he have trusted them? Will he ever see Gloria again?
Red McCormack boxed Robert's ear so hard that he and his sister screamed. -p. 13
Florida's soil is soaked with so much blood, it's a wonder the droplets don't seep between your toes with every step. -p. 16
The only Negros in the courthouse were the accused and their families, with whispers up and down Lower Spruce when so-and-so was arrested or about to go on trial. -p. 22
"here's what the sign really says in plain English: as an officer of the state, I will beat you bloody and sleep like a babe at night because it will make you a better man..." -p. 60
"A Negro child who'll kick a white man will grow up to poison society and his own race. If he grows up..." -p. 61
....'Cuz, see, colored folks fighting for what's theirs is like a virus to white folks-and they kill a virus so it don't spread. That killing is the work of man, not the devil. -p. 108
'Gimmie your shirt," Crutcher said. Robert hesitated just long enough for him to add, "You don't want to wear it. Fabric gets in the skin." For the first time Robert thought of his skin breaking; not bruises, not welts, but slashed-open flesh. As if he were no different that the dead side of beef hanging in the freezer. -p. 157
See this tree? When I was a boy it was a hanging tree. We had to walk past it to go to school, even if a man was still swinging. -p.190
"....They saw Willie's father's statement saying they made him watch at gunpoint while they forced a child with hands and feet bound to jump from the bridge, and still couldn't get an indictment. .." -p. 225
Also, for all this has achieved for my experience...this is my BOOK OF THE YEAR
First read through: I’m going to read it again. There’s so much to pay attention to. A massive house with closets and drawers with filing systems. Even the little hide aways for secret stashes. Ssooo…..RTC.
If you didn’t gather, it’s amazing. Potent, raw, and frightening as hell. Just read it! Also, have wine or a punching pillow to assist you if you get all the feels like I can, and I did. It’s fast and heavy. Try to breathe as often as you can....more
I found a new favorite! This woman, OMG she can write. So raw and unapologetic. The tone was perfect to portray the messages in this story. With everytI found a new favorite! This woman, OMG she can write. So raw and unapologetic. The tone was perfect to portray the messages in this story. With everything currently going on, I couldn't have read a more precise book. Did she know, somehow, what things could be pressed upon us in this time? So eerily close. There is a lot of real human horror experienced and discussed in a way that is so unsettling. As she takes us through this journey, sadly so much of these are every day occurrences that evolve the MC and her companions along their journey. The elements she keeps through her early teachings and the elements she discovers on her own will create the group's future should they survive their long trek.
Favorite quotes or passages: * That Old Testament God doesn't violate the way things are now. But that God sounds a lot like Zeus --a super-powerful man, playing with his toy soldiers. Bang! Bang! Seven toys fall dead. If they're yours you make the rules. Who cares what the toys think. -p. 16
Most people have given up on politicians. After all, politicians have been promising to return us to the glory, wealth and order of the twentieth century ever since I can remember. -p. 20
"...None of us knows very much. But we can all learn more. Then we can teach one another. We can stop denying reality or hoping it will go away by magic." -p. 58
Zahra and Natividad got in to an argument about whether I was talking about a male god or a female god. When I pointed out that Change had no sex at all and wasn't a person, they were confused, but not dismissive. -p. 220-221
"Your god doesn't care about you at all," Travis said. " All the more reason to care about myself and others. All the more reason to create Earthseed communities and shape God together. "God is Trickster, Teacher, Chaos, Clay.' We decide which aspect we embrace- and how to deal with the others."
"And why should people bother about Destiny, farfetched as it is? What's in it for them?" "A unifying, purposeful life here on Earth and the hope of heaven for themselves and their children. A real heaven, not mythology or philosophy. A heaven that will be theirs to shape." -p. 261 ...more
Oh....my.....goodness. This was such a fun novella!!! The wit and charm Kingfisher dishes out is just delightful. I will be reading the next in this sOh....my.....goodness. This was such a fun novella!!! The wit and charm Kingfisher dishes out is just delightful. I will be reading the next in this series!!!...more
Harrison is so casually wonderful with her dark humor mixed in whatever story she shares. She has truly become a favorite. First CacklHell and back...
Harrison is so casually wonderful with her dark humor mixed in whatever story she shares. She has truly become a favorite. First Cackle, and now this. I will read more from her.
The title is pretty on point with a young girl estranged from her family, but everyone has family drama though...right? Well, maybe not this sinister.
This book goes through the every day mundane steps with this girl, with the casted shadow and dark humor of course. Eventually finds herself back at her family home for a wedding. Seems like nothing had changed. Bittersweet? No. Shit hits the fan and she leaves yet again, this time though...things are quite different,
Feels normal, but not. Eerie with breaks of humor. This book is unforgiving with wonderful jabs at risky topics. I love her for it!!!!
The last chapter was so cathartic for me. I savored it all. So, yeah, I'm considered a black sheep in my family too, and maybe that's why this book was extra special to me.
Though I hadn't expected my mother to be happy to see me, I also hadn't expected to hurt that she wasn't. With all the scar tissue I'd built up, I forgot how easily it could be split open. - p.68
"I've been cursed with the face of someone who is supposed to love me but can't stand me.." -p. 106
When you're young, you just absorb your surroundings . Absorb, absorb, absorb, like a tiny stupid sponge, and then your bones grow around it, skin stretches to fit it. So it was all still there. -p. 209
And even though it was painful, even though she wasn't gentile, wasn't nice, I relished that time, because she was there. -p. 213
It was abruptly, dreadfully clear to me that I was still fucking desperate for those people to see me, to love me, and they couldn't -p. 238
...we don't get to choose our parents or the circumstances we're born into. We can't change our blood. But it shouldn't determine our fate. -p. 288...more
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