Okay, not really since I listen while walking, but boy oh boy did I really not have the same experience as nearly everyone else did.
In my defense, I didn’t know much about this before diving in aside from (a) I have had it on my TBR for eons thinking I would read it every time “Nonfiction November” rolled around (b) I thought it was a true crime book about a murder committed by fundamentalists and (c) I’m sort of obsessed with all things polygamy (excluding Sister Wives because Kody and Robin *barf* . . . but Escaping Polygamy???? Um I’ll take that with cheese thankyouverymuch).
While the (double) murder was the jumping off point of the book, when it comes to true crime stories and how desensitized I probably am with my obsession to all things cult and murdery, it wasn’t a real shock and awe sort of grabber. Buuuuuuuuut, as I said above, I’m always down for a trip to Colorado City so at first I was hooked. However, then came the entire history of the Mormon faith from Joseph Smith to Brigham Young to very little on Warren Jeffs and the downfall of his FLDS sect since this was released 20 years ago.
Nearly everyone else found this fascinating, though, so take my “meh” with several grains of salt. Or read Into the Wild or Into Thin Air by this author because I found both of those fascinating. ...more
My friends gave this high marks . . . which is why I keep my friend count next to nothing. I’m assuming everyone who disliked this is still busy creaming their jeans over the new Riley Sager. And the shout-out to Todd is intentional here. While I have developed an appreciation for his ability to make a mint writing knockoffs, Megan Abbott’s newest (although probably not inspired by it at all) gave me all of the creepy Rosemary’s Baby vibulations. You know from the start that something is up with Jacy’s father-in-law . . . it just takes a long time to get there. This one is all about the ominous feeling you get while turning the pages. It is a slow roller, but one that confirms why I pick up every single new thing Megan Abbott puts out. She’s amazing.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley! ...more
Hahaha! Not really. I’m as basic as they come. Well maybe not as basic being that I do not enjoy the pumpkin spice, but I’m still pretty basic and only get my thrills from fiction. And boy oh boy do I love a fucked up family!!!!
The story here is about going home again. Told from Dahlia’s perspective as she returns home for the burial of the family patriarch, she will reunite with her mother along with siblings Charlie and Tate who she hasn’t seen in ten years. If you haven’t caught on courtesy of these kids’ names . . . .
They weren’t raised in a typical all-American family. Nope, their momma was country back when country wasn’t cool – a/k/a when it comes to true crime . . . .
And now the family has their own cold case to figure out.
Okay so I lowered my expectations before starting this due to seeing the mediocre reactions my pals were having, but I’m telling you I 100% did not need to do that whatsoever. Oh this was just what my freaky deaky little heart desired. Four Stars.
Full disclosure – I read this because Jan B said it was good. I didn’t look at the blurb and since I have CRS (Can’t Remember Shit) Disease I didn’t recognize the author’s name. Turns out I have read her before (with Very Nice Now someone go get me a turkey sammich! ...more
Unfortunately for Heather, her new husband Tom and his two kids – when they decide to go off the beaten path to see some authentic Australi
[image]
Unfortunately for Heather, her new husband Tom and his two kids – when they decide to go off the beaten path to see some authentic Australia while on vacay, they find themselves as the hunted.
I went in to this book with VERY low expectations after seeing a couple of not-so-great ratings, but I have to say my personal reaction was . . . .
If you are in need an escape of the stabby variety, this is pure brain candy. It definitely delivers in the edge of your seat department, doesn’t feature a dumb bimbo running straight to danger and had some unexpected twists that added to my reading pleasure. I slathered on the SPF five million on a Saturday afternoon, loaded up the Geti™ (that’s a ghetto Yeti for those of you unfamiliar) with Diet Coke and ate this puppy up – cover to cover in one sitting.
An easy 4 Stars.
ARC received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more
And it sort of creeps me out because (a) most people in the building are just now returning so where the eff did it even come from, (b) it’s in the middle of the third underground level, (c) it never moves or gets ran over, and most importantly (d) it never changes/decomposes/whatever you want to call it. Two years and it has been pristinely calling to mind a book jacket that I just couldn’t place. And then Jan read this book and I was like EUREKA!!!!!
Unfortunately my only other experience with Sharon Bolton was a bit of a meh when I undertook what she declared as a labor of love that was all witchy and boring and too long and all the other blah gripes that I can think of that made it just not my cup of tea. I’m so glad Daisy in Chains picked up steam again and got brought back to the forefront of Goodreads because it had been on my TBR for eternity and it was EXACTLY what the doctor ordered.
The story here is about Hamish Wolfe, a charismatic former doctor who was convicted of murdering three women and believed to also be responsible for a fourth that could never been proven due to lack of a corpse. Maggie, an attorney turned true crime bestselling novelist who has made a name for herself getting guilty verdicts overturned has been receiving letters requesting her expertise on Hamish’s behalf for some time and is possibly being persuaded to finally take on the case.
And that’s all you get. It took me until the 62% mark to get confirmation of what I was suspecting, but let me tell you even if you guess that part . . . .
Oh mommy likey. I have been participating in these challenges for going on a decade now and let me tell you the struggle has been real on some of the themes. But I am a sucker for free swag so I muddled through. Chills and Thrills, though??? Oh there’s no need to twist my arm so I immediately went to the recommendation page to see what the ol’ MCPLMO suggested I imbibe over the next few weeks. Not surprising, I had read a poopton of the offerings, but I was able to pull together more than the five books it would take for me to be able to tell everyone . . . .
Since I had previously read the suggested John Dies at the End I opted for this selection by the same author and, well, really the only thing I have to say about it is . . . .
Pushing 400 pages was waaaaaaaaay above my patience level for a story that should have easily been wrapped up in about 250. Repetitive and not particularly fresh. This one doesn’t have any of the magic contained in the John series.
Well, actually it was only like an inch or two, but it still shut down the city for three days so it might as well have been ten feet. My library hold for this one came up just in time and let me tell you I was ready to get my creepy carshare on.
However, in an attempt at full disclosure, as soon as those kids took a detour from the main thoroughfare in order to “save some time” my brain 100% went in a certain direction . . . .
So the big reveal ended up being way disappointing for me. Still, this wasn’t a completely horrible way to spend my afternoon all bundled up on the couch. I’m giving it a middle-of-the-road rating and rounding up for the occasional chills and thrills it provided. Great idea, great cover, a little lackluster on the delivery. ...more
Some people guzzle the Kool-Aid when they should take sips.
After experiencing Munchausen’s by proxy via Darling Rose Gold I knew I was going to beSome people guzzle the Kool-Aid when they should take sips.
After experiencing Munchausen’s by proxy via Darling Rose Gold I knew I was going to be the first in line for whatever Stephanie Wrobel came up with next. I didn’t bother reading a blurb or anything before requesting an early copy. And then I got one! The gods smile upon me!!!!!! Now all I have to say is . . . .
The story here is that Natalie’s sister Kit has been out of touch for over six months. While Natalie knew Kit was signing up for some sort of hippie dippie “wellness retreat” sort of place off the coast of Maine, she can’t figure out why Kit wouldn’t bother reaching out just to say she’s okay. Now Natalie has received an email from someone at Wisewood threatening to expose a secret she has been keeping from her sister so she takes it upon herself to show up in person to not only find out of Kit is really doing alright, but also to confess what she’s been hiding.
So I’m going to be completely honest here and say the big “secret” wasn’t a real humdinger for me and also when it came to the subplot regarding . . . .
It took me a bit out of my culty yum yum mindset. But that’s just a personal preference. I’m not a fan of “mindbenders” or illusionists and I’d rather join a cult myself than even have a cup of coffee with a weirdo like David Blaine. So take that gripe with several grains of salt. This story kept my attention right from the start despite me not being gung-ho for magic tricks and I looooooooooooved the grand finale.
4 Stars.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!...more
^^^ That really has no place here, but I just found it and needed everyone else to see it and all of its glory.
In case you don’t know, aside from giffing the crap out of life, my 9 to 5 takes place in the legal world focusing on real estate and bank lending . . . .
Wake up! The last quarter of the year is a real ass kicker to start with and the other gal who is a pack mule when it comes to work like me is currently on maternity leave. While I wish she could stay home with her baby forever if that is what she would prefer to do, I also need her to come back to work tomorrow. On top of that I have been getting wicked eyestrain headaches (new glasses are finally on the way – thanks COVID for no one being able to get in to see their damn doctors) and being on a screen all day definitely amplifies the pounding. By the time the weekend rolls around I do not want to think anymore and I just need to sink into a delicious paper book.
All it took with this one is the blurb stating a woman finds out her dead mother had been writing to a serial killer for decades. Then it was pretty much . . . .
I don’t care if things got a little Lifetime Stabby Stabs for Women. I don’t care that the big reveal was over the top. I needed some brain candy. With shout outs to creepy copycat killers, creepy communes, creepy fairy tales, creepy meet and greets and creepy families this was just what the doctor ordered. (But you know I hate that cover, yo!)
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The most efficient way to lose yourself is to idolize somebody else.
Fan Club turned out to be an exception to just about every “rule” I have when The most efficient way to lose yourself is to idolize somebody else.
Fan Club turned out to be an exception to just about every “rule” I have when it comes to books.
1. I hate face covers, but immediately fell in love with this one. 2. I was denied an ARC (which happens frequently, I’m not butthurt), but rather than waiting to see what my friends thought I asked the library to purchase a copy pronto months before its scheduled publication date. 3. I 100% knew what the climax was going to be nearly from page 1, but I gave zero shits and never wanted to put it down. 4. And more stuff that I’ll get to in a second.
I’m going to be honest and say that I wasn’t sure if this was going to end up being a 1 Star or a 5 Star nearly the entire time I was reading it. The premise here is that an underemployed millennial finds friends and fellowship with a gaggle of other gals due to their shared superfan status of America’s biggest pop princess. The inspiration behind the superstar was crystal clear – and even included her former fiancé . . . .
But eventually it became clear that Erin Mayer did what Community did best and “took everything and shoved it up its own ass.” I’m glad I was finally smart enough to get it instead of ruining my own good time with my stupidity. I also really dug the writing, which, once again, was not my usual cup of tea. You know that meme about vegans????
That’s how I feel about authors who have MFAs. While this particular author doesn’t have a full bio on her Goodreads page, I would be very surprised if she didn’t have a degree to brag about. Usually that pretentious sort of elaborate, purple, word vomit is an instant turn off, but Mayer somehow pulled me in.
Then there was the fandom itself. My brain kept telling me it was so farfetched . . . Until Taylor Swift released her 10 minute “All Too Well” re-recording and video and yep, if she ever dated Jake Gyllenhaal again this most definitely could happen. And all I have to say about that is . . . .
The story here is about Lyla her husband Graham and his mother Margo who live in pretty much a compound of mansion, second house and guest cottage in the Hollywood Hills. Something ridiculous like . . . .
Too rich for their own good, the trio have created a hobby of finding the perfect tenant to live in the cottage – and then finding a way to ruin them.
So you have to know going in this is 100% over the top. Like throw away all sense of realism, pop a big ol’ bag of corn and just go with it type of crazy. There’s obviously some B.E.E. inspiration going on here, but much like any other copy of an original it’s not quite as crisp. That’s not to say it’s not highly enjoyable for the right audience. You’ll know right away if you’re going to like it or not. Just know you need to truly have an appreciation for the absurd.
Oh and one more thing. I figured out how publishers can get me to enjoy people covers. CUT OFF THEIR HEADS!
Many thanks to Berkley via NetGalley for offering me an early chance to read this one. It was just what I needed!...more
They thought their nightmarish pasts were behind them, but now . . . .
Someone’s coming for final girls.
I arrived just a little late to the Grady Hendrix party having skipped Paperbacks From Hell entirely, not feeling Horrorstör much at all and kinda halfway wrongreading My Best Friend's Exorcism as well. But then I found the best book club of all book clubs which was The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires and I knew I was going to fall all over myself for whatever Hendrix came up with next. I am so happy to report this did not disappoint. So much stabby shooty bloody good timey fun . . . . .
Poor guy. At least I do the cooking while I’m annoying the poop out of him with my incessant song stylings!
I literally read the words “Delta Dawn” while taking a gander at the blurb for this book and needed to look no further before requesting a copy. Yep I’m that easy of a sale. In fact I was so smitten with this main character’s name that it even counteracted my hatred of the face cover.
Another selection for the shelf entitled . . . . .
The Photographer would be a great way to wind down these final pool days before summer comes to a close. The story here is about - you guessed it - Delta Dawn, a photographer by trade who gets hired to commemorate the Straub’s daughter’s 11th birthday party and finds herself a little too smitten with the family leading to a case of . . . .
Then I was on the library list and no matter when I logged in to check my #1 in line status, I continually received a message saying my wait was approximately two weeks . . . .
So anyway, I finally got a copy of this and sucked it all down like a chocolate milkshake yesterday. I didn’t know anything before starting aside from the title which was obviously . . . .
“Well, I remember he turned out to be a serial killer.”
“Tony was the Cape Cod Vampire? Our Tony? A serial killer?”
“Yeah, so what? He didn’t kill you, did he?”
Back in the 1960s Liza and her sister were raised by a single mother home-ec teacher who would take work on the Cape during summer break. Between working and wanting to let down her hair the two girls were pretty much left with anyone who would agree to babysit. Tony was one of the voluntary caregivers. He also just so happened to be the local drug dealer and a murderer in his free time. Told in a rotating narrative consisting of part memoir and part true crime story, I found this to be un-put-down-able.
I feel like I’ve been on the library list for six months (and I know I requested it be purchased after getting denied an ARC) so this was a massive disappointment.
Near the Bone is half Elizabeth Smart kidnapping and half . . . .
Don’t even get me started on the godawful dialogue. Or the fact that someone’s arm can be ripped off and they are in shock and unable to move one minute, but then somehow manage to get a second wind and become not only completely cognizant but also able to run/drive a car/etc. And apparently this wasn’t marketed as YA???? ‘Cause it’s real turrrrrible YA.
I mean I understand being a new(ish) author who wants to strike while the iron is hot, but man oh man this was just not good. I really loved Alice, The Girl In RedandThe Lost Boy and have high hopes The Horseman will follow suit. Henry’s niche is obviously dark retellings – maybe she should stick in the genre where she creates magic. ...more
Are y’all superfans enough to get that reference or did I just waste a crapton of my time making this gif for no reason????
Whatever. Worth it! Especially if it might mean I get an advance copy of the next book too : )
When I “wished” for this over on NetGalley, I figured I was doing so along with twelve gazillion others and never expected to get an early shot at this latest release in the You franchise. Then I had one of those seriously first worldy sorts of moments where I wanted to message the powers that be and tell them . . . .
Not because I think I’m important but because I admitted loving Joe back when it was still a taboo thing to do. I mean, unless Kepnes really shit the bed there’s slim to nil chance that I wouldn’t kinda love this. And then?????
I knew this was going to be a winner immediately when the format returned to the second person narration as was found in the original. The first book followed “You” after Joe set his sights on his dreamgirl – culminating in the realization that maybe their relationship wasn’t just meant to be. But then he found “Love” and although there were some bumps in the road, things were going as well as can be expected with our favorite antihero right up until the very end. This time around Joe just wants to find the one. And it appears he has – he just has to be patient and make sure they are on the same page so no more incidents occur. It’s a shame everybody and their brother in the small town of “Cedar Cove” seems to be trying to cockblock him!
Some things you should know about this book. It is not a standalone. You absolutely have to read the others and be willing to commit to the crazy one hundred percent. If that’s not your bag, I get it because I’m not a fan of reading a series either. This one is an exception to the rule and in an even rarer turn of events if you follow me here you’ll have noticed I did a re-read of numbers 1 and 2 to catch up with my old pal because I love him that much. Also note this is a sloooooooooooooooooooooow roller. Good, bad or indifferent - You has become a television series and since I believe things are all caught up now (sorry – not a T.V. watcher – Penn Badgley makes a hot Joe, but hour long fictional programs bore me when I can read an entire book in a few), this definitely gives the impression that it is now being written for an instant morph into weekly episodes with multiple “a ha” and “WTF?!?!?” moments throughout the novel to drive the action. It may not be for everyone, but if you are a freak in the sheets there’s a solid chance that you love being stuck in Joe’s head and don’t mind just meandering along through his days with him until you get to the big reveals. And if you truly “get” Joe, you’ll find yourself continually amused with the dark humor contained within these pages. You’ll also find an ending that leaves you thirrrrrrrrrrrsty for the final installment in the series and once again falling to your knees at the altar of the Kepnes because she is such a delightful weirdo!
Take my rating with a grain – or a bucket – of salt. I could give it 4 rather than 5, but fuck it. I’m here for the long haul and I love every G.D. second of it. From the LOLing at completely inappropriate circumstances to the shouting out loud and startling my children with “I’VE READ THAT!” when he references books such as Last Night at the Lobster or Fashion Victim. Joe is my person . . . .
My first experience with Darcey Bell was not a good one (to put it lightly). But then I watched the film version and really (like really really) dug it so I definitely wanted to give her another go. About the only thing that can be said to sum up this sophomore experience for me is . . . .
Obviously this is no literary masterpiece, but I read it back before the temps were hot enough to immediately fuse your underwear to your butt on a Saturday morning out on the deck while imbibing copious amounts of coffee and found it to be sort of just the trainwreck I was looking for at that moment.
To sum it up briefly, this is the story about a family vacation that ends up with a potential kidnapping once the parties return home. It features picture-perfect couple Charlotte and Eli and their daughter Daisy along with Charlotte’s “rakish” (*cough drunken manbaby cough*) brother Rocco and his latest girl-of-the-moment Ruth, a Mexican Adventure where threats are made of possibly revealing long-held secrets and where at least one character might not be exactly what they appear to be. The story is presented via Charlotte, Ruth and occasionally Rocco's narratives with time hops all over the place so if that’s not your bag, this will annoy the crap out of you. Like I said above, this completely jumps the tracks into batshit crazy – but in a Lifetime Stabby Stabs sort of way where it’s truly just a page-turney sort of delicious disaster. Basically? Pure brain candy. Oh, and it has a horrible face cover that I hate . . . .
To put it real bluntly, if it’s about a cult then I’m gonna read it. I actually didn’t request Godshot until I found out it was culty. The cover had me thinking it was going to be trash like Glitter - remember that????
And if I would have read the blurb I probably would have avoided it because White Oleander was not my cup of tea and there’s zero chance this is the result of that book having a baby with Geek Love. (I haven’t read Cruddy yet, but I’m fixin’ to go request it from the library now that I am allowed to go in there and pick stuff up again.)
Anyway, somehow in passing I found out this was about a cult and then I read it the very next day. The story here centers around 14-year old Lacey May and her community of Peaches, California – a town who truly believes “In Vern We Trust” – even while living through a drought of biblical proportions. But this is more than just a story of a creepy preacher and a dying town. More importantly it’s a story about mother/daughter relationships. From Lacey May and her own excommunicated mother to Grandma Cherry who says things like . . . .
Second – SOMEONE CHAINED UP IN THE MUTHAFUCKING ATTIC! Um yes and you might receive automatic 5 Stars.
Third, I read The Passengers not that long ago and that dang thing was about autonomous cars murdering people so at this point all I can say is John Marrs – you are a freaking T.R.E.A.S.U.R.E.
I will say due to the fact that I watch only reality housewives and things on the Lifetime Stabby Stabs for Women I was a bit scared I was going to find this . . . .
I mean my level of crazy isn’t exactly the same as most people’s level of crazy (except for my Goodreads friends – they all batshit too). But great news! I haven’t had this much fun with someone locked up in a house since . . . .
That being said, I could absolutely see every single one of the big reveals coming well beforehand. Luckily it didn’t diminish my enjoyment at all. Read this when you are looking for an escape. I picked it up after having a couple of real butthole days at work and it totally turned my frown upside down. Yes, it’s 100% farfetched and ridiculous and whatever else Ron 2.0 might say about it, but hey . . . .
Kelly (and the Book Boar)
>
Books:
nutters
(130)
Loading...
