The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson
This book was SO. AMAZINGLY. AWESOME. I could not put it down! Feminist dystopia, a suffocating religion, vengeful witches in the wood, curses and escapes and dungeons-- Okay, I have to stop. Just go read it, especially if you like the Handmaid's Tale or fantasy horror.
368 pages
We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix
Dude. The writing. I could feel myself being crushed by the walls of a cave. And such creative settings! Heavy metal bands fit so well into horror, but Hendrix also highlights the horror of materialism and the distractions of the modern world. I need to read more of his books!
336 pages
Read Harder Challenge #22
Chapel of Ease by Alex Bledsoe
The fourth Tufa novel, and still going strong. It's nice that for once we get a non-straight Tufa-human couple. I want to watch a hillbilly fairy musical. They never tell us what's in the box! Gaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!
320 pages
The Dollhouse Family by M.R. Carey, Peter Gross
Creepy dolls are one of my favorite horror tropes because I find them genuinely scary. But the dolls here aren't the really creepy part. A demonic dollhouse is overly possessive of its family, chasing them across generations. A fun read, good for a rainy afternoon.
160 pages
Daphne Byrne by Laura Marks, Kelley Jones
The Spiritualist movement of the 19th century has long interested me. Yes, lets manipulate people's grief so we can be parasites on society. This story just throws some actual demons in.
160 pages
The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
It's long, but the payoff was worth it! I really didn't know much about turn of the century labor movements, and this got me interested in looking up and reading more. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn deserves more recognition, and I'm tempted to track down some of her writings. The parallels in this novel to inequalities to today make the setting feel even more real. Very well written historical fiction!
352 pages
Come Back to Me by Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
Not the best Wonder Woman comic, but enjoyable. Starts off as standard Wonder Woman fun, ends up in some weird dinosaur time travel space stadium mess. Definitely better WW comics out there.
160 pages
Educated by Tara Westover
This one stuck with me. I still think about it, and I read it weeks ago. An amazing memoir about a girl who never went to school, then entered college and went on to get her PhD. Her childhood memories are disturbing and tragic. The conflicts with her family in the fallout are relateable. Reminded me of a lot of my dreams, and it has definitely got me thinking.
352 pages
Read Harder Challenge #12
Attack on Titan Volumes 4/5 by Hajime Isayama
This series. So good. More Titan lore, More epic 3D battles, more chaotic fights. The story is too good, a blend of mystery, thriller, fantasy, and of course, horror.
388 pages (194+194)
In Mad Love and War by Joy Harjo
This is one of her earlier collections, and I had a bit of trouble getting into it. Certainly quality, it makes you slow down and savor each line. Sometimes you have to reread the stanzas again and again for them to sink in.
79 pages
No One is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg
A collection of her speeches, so definitely a bit repetitive. The message is clear though, and I hope we are not too late to act. We only have a few years left, but we seem to be making the problem worse, not better. Tragedy of the Commons combined with Toxic Individualism just leads to ecological destruction. And really, it's not a money problem. It's an accountability problem.
80 pages
Read Harder Challenge #15
Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh
I love how Brosh is so funny even when talking about horrible things. I was getting weird looks from Matt because I was just sitting on the couch laughing my head off. That poor grocery clerk. That creepy neighbor kid needs some friends. I too identify with the balloon. Definitely check out her comics if you haven't. They will brighten your day!
528 pages
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
I have heard so much hype around this book, and I finally got around to it. Very much a thriller where you have to slowly piece the puzzle together. Still didn't expect that ending, love the added psychological dimensions. I was racing through this one.
336 pages
The Jedi Mind by Amy Ratcliffe
Little tidbits of wisdom, tied into the different characters of the Star Wars universe. The illustrations are just too cute!
80 pages
Steve Trevor DC Comics
This was a really cool collection of Wonder Woman comics featuring Steve Trevor. It includes the very first issues, the strange "New" look where she loses her powers from the 60's, and the great Perez issues from the 90's, as well as a handful of recent ones. Fun to see how her character has evolved over the years.
232 pages
The Factory Witches of Lowell by C.S. Malerich
This was a very fun historical fantasy novella, wherein a mill girl strike is aided by just a bit of magic. I thought it was an amazing setting, and I loved the sapphic side-romance. I was so enthralled I read this in one sitting. I never knew about brown lung and the stuffy fibrous airways which lead to untimely death for many women. Using the breath and blood you've poured into your looms to stop all work? Talk about seizing the means of production! I only wish this book was a bit longer to flesh out all the characters.
128 pages
The Cowboy Meets His Match by Jessica Clare
I have never read a cowboy romance. I don't feel like I was missing much. I know a lot of readers love them, but they are just not for me.
301 pages
Read Harder Challenge #14
Basketful of Heads by Joe Hill, Leomacs
This comic is so good. Norse mythology, zombie heads, corrupt small town government, and a brave female protagonist totally dominating. The drawings are emotive, the colors dark yet colorful. A must read horror comic!
184 pages
I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf by Grant Snider
I'm a librarian. I can't resist book humor! Snider's comics are always clever.
128 pages
