Julie read some books

 

Something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Every morning, employees arrive to find broken Kjerring bookshelves, shattered Glans water goblets, and smashed Liripip wardrobes. Sales are down, security cameras reveal nothing, and store managers are panicking.

To unravel the mystery, three employees volunteer to work a nine-hour dusk-till-dawn shift. In the dead of the night, they’ll patrol the empty showroom floor, investigate strange sights and sounds, and encounter horrors that defy the imagination.

Pages: 248

It's 1895, and after the suicide of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma's reception there is a chilly one. To make things worse, she's been followed by a mysterious young Indian man, a man sent to watch her. But why? What is her destiny? And what will her entanglement with Spence's most powerful girls—and their foray into the spiritual world—lead to?

Pages: 403

Ah, Christmas! Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy, spending time with her friends in the city, attending ritzy balls, and on a somber note, tending to her ailing father. As she prepares to ring in the New Year, 1896, a handsome young man, Lord Denby, has set his sights on Gemma, or so it seems. Yet amidst the distractions of London, Gemma’s visions intensify–visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened, something only the realms can explain...

But all is not well in the realms–or out. The mysterious Kartik has reappeared, telling Gemma she must find the Temple and bind the magic, else great disaster will befall her. Gemma’s willing to do his intrusive bidding, despite the dangers it brings, for it means she will meet up with her mother’s greatest friend–and now her foe, Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task.

Pages: 548

What's it about? Fencing. Fighting. True Love. Strong Hate. Harsh Revenge. A Few Giants. Lots of Bad Men. Lots of Good Men. Five or Six Beautiful Women. Beasties Monstrous and Gentle. Some Swell Escapes and Captures. Death, Lies, Truth, and Miracles.

In short, it's about everything.

Pages: 429

Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie

Fade to Black is the newest hit ghost hunting reality TV show. Led by husband and wife team Matt and Claire Kirklin, it delivers weekly hauntings investigated by a dedicated team of ghost hunting experts. Episode Thirteen takes them to every ghost hunter's holy grail: the Paranormal Research Foundation. This brooding, derelict mansion holds secrets and clues about bizarre experiments that took place there in the 1970s. It's also famously haunted, and the team hopes their scientific techniques and high tech gear will prove it. But as the house begins to reveal itself to them, proof of an afterlife might not be everything Matt dreamed of. A story told in broken pieces, in tapes, journals, and correspondence, this is the story of Episode Thirteen -- and how everything went terribly, horribly wrong.

Pages: 437
 

Exactly my kind of haunted house horror book :) 

All Kinds of Things

 

Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie’s work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can’t refuse. She’s excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn’t expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain private secretary, his charming accent, and unyielding formality.

Malcolm Hudson has worked for the Queen for years and has never given a personal, private tour—until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling.

Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy affair come New Year’s Day. . .or are they?

Pages: 304

Plenty of historians can tell you which president had the most effective economic strategies, and which president helped shape our current political parties, but can any of them tell you what to do if you encounter Chester A. Arthur in a bare-knuckled boxing fight? This book will teach you how to be better, stronger, faster, and more deadly than the most powerful (and craziest) men in history.

Pages: 255

A collection of tales to invade and paralyse the mind as the safe light of day is infiltrated by the shadows of the night. As you read, the clutching fingers of terror brush lightly across the nape of the neck, reach round from behind to clutch and lock themselves, white-knuckled, around the throat.

This is the horror of ordinary people and everyday objects that become strangely altered; a world where nothing is ever quite what it seems, where the familiar and the friendly lure and deceive. A world where madness and blind panic become the only reality.

Pages: 409

I don't think it needs an introduction, plus that description is way too long. 

Pages: 835

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas

As the daughter of a rancher in 1840s Mexico, Nena knows a thing or two about monsters—her home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers from the north. But something more sinister lurks near the ranch at night, something that drains men of their blood and leaves them for dead.

Something that once attacked Nena nine years ago.

Believing Nena dead, Néstor has been on the run from his grief ever since, moving from ranch to ranch working as a vaquero. But no amount of drink can dispel the night terrors of sharp teeth; no woman can erase his childhood sweetheart from his mind.

When the United States attacks Mexico in 1846, the two are brought abruptly together on the road to war: Nena as a curandera, a healer striving to prove her worth to her father so that he does not marry her off to a stranger, and Néstor as a member of the auxiliary cavalry of ranchers and vaqueros. But the shock of their reunion—and Nena’s rage at Néstor for seemingly abandoning her long ago—is quickly overshadowed by the appearance of a nightmare made flesh.

And unless Nena and Néstor work through their past and face the future together, neither will survive to see the dawn.
 

Pages: 371

The Troop by Nick Cutter

 

Once a year, scoutmaster Tim Riggs leads a troop of boys into the Canadian wilderness for a three-day camping trip; a tradition as comforting and reliable as a good ghost story and a roaring bonfire. But when an unexpected intruder -- shockingly thin, disturbingly pale, and voraciously hungry -- stumbles upon their campsite, Tim and the boys are exposed to something far more frightening than any tale of terror. The human carrier of a bioengineered nightmare. An inexplicable horror that spreads faster than fear. A harrowing struggle for survival that will pit the troop against the elements, the infected ... and one another.

Pages: 407

The Spite House by Johnny Compton

 Eric Ross is on the run from a mysterious past with his two daughters in tow. Having left his wife, his house, his whole life behind in Maryland, he’s desperate for money–it’s not easy to find safe work when you can’t provide references, you can’t stay in one place for long, and you’re paranoid that your past is creeping back up on you.

When he comes across the strange ad for the Masson House in Degener, Texas, Eric thinks they may have finally caught a lucky break. The Masson property, notorious for being one of the most haunted places in Texas, needs a caretaker of sorts. The owner is looking for proof of paranormal activity. All they need to do is stay in the house and keep a detailed record of everything that happens there. Provided the house’s horrors don’t drive them all mad, like the caretakers before them.

The job calls to Eric, not just because there’s a huge payout if they can make it through, but because he wants to explore the secrets of the spite house. If it is indeed haunted, maybe it’ll help him understand the uncanny power that clings to his family, driving them from town to town, making them afraid to stop running. 

Pages: 261

Draula by Bram Stoker

 

When Jonathan Harker visits Transylvania to help Count Dracula with the purchase of a London house, he makes a series of horrific discoveries about his client. Soon afterwards, various bizarre incidents unfold in England: an apparently unmanned ship is wrecked off the coast of Whitby; a young woman discovers strange puncture marks on her neck; and the inmate of a lunatic asylum raves about the 'Master' and his imminent arrival.

I ended up watching the 1930s Dracula movie after this and man did they leave so so much out! Now on to watch the Gary Oldman version :) 

Pages: 488

The Bone House by Emily Lloyd

 Pages: 352

"Seventeen-year-old Aderyn ("Ryn") only cares about two things: her family, and her family's graveyard. And right now, both are in dire straits. Since the death of their parents, Ryn and her siblings have been scraping together a meager existence as gravediggers in the remote village of Colbren, which sits at the foot of a harsh and deadly mountain range that was once home to the fae. The problem with being a gravedigger in Colbren, though, is that the dead don't always stay dead.

The risen corpses are known as "bone houses," and legend says that they're the result of a decades-old curse. When Ellis, an apprentice mapmaker with a mysterious past, arrives in town, the bone houses attack with new ferocity. What is it that draws them near? And more importantly, how can they be stopped for good?"

I wish this author has more standalone fantasy novels. I really enjoyed the Drowned Woods with is quirky magic (and the corgi!!) and strong characters. This one was a twist of more welsh folktales with more of a horror twist and another fun sidekick/pet in the goat.

The Ruins by Scott Smith

 

Trapped in the Mexican jungle, a group of friends stumble upon a creeping horror unlike anything they could ever imagine. Two young couples are on a lazy Mexican vacation–sun-drenched days, drunken nights, making friends with fellow tourists. When the brother of one of those friends disappears, they decide to venture into the jungle to look for him. What started out as a fun day-trip slowly spirals into a nightmare when they find an ancient ruins site . . . and the terrifying presence that lurks there.

Dumb college students, man vs. man and man vs. nature, slow burn terror. It was awesome. 

Pages: 369

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

 Pages: 416

"When Springville residents—at least the ones still alive—are questioned about what happened on prom night, they all have the same explanation... Maddy did it. An outcast at her small-town Georgia high school, Madison Washington has always been a teasing target for bullies. And she's dealt with it because she has more pressing problems to manage. Until the morning a surprise rainstorm reveals her most closely kept secret: Maddy is biracial. She has been passing for white her entire life at the behest of her fanatical white father, Thomas Washington. After a viral bullying video pulls back the curtain on Springville High's racist roots, student leaders come up with a plan to change their image: host the school's first integrated prom as a show of unity. The popular white class president convinces her Black superstar quarterback boyfriend to ask Maddy to be his date, leaving Maddy wondering if it's possible to have a normal life. But some of her classmates aren't done with her just yet. And what they don't know is that Maddy still has another secret... one that will cost them all their lives." 

This was a retelling of Stephen Kings Carrie with a twist that explores the racism still rooted in small communities. I really liked the podcast feel at the beginning of the chapters. I really fell for Maddy's character and kept hoping the ending would not come and everything would work out for her. Its a heartbreaking story and very well done.

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

 

In the overthrow of the Mexican government, Beatriz’s father is executed and her home destroyed. When handsome Don Rodolfo Solórzano proposes, Beatriz ignores the rumors surrounding his first wife’s sudden demise, choosing instead to seize the security his estate in the countryside provides. She will have her own home again, no matter the cost. But Hacienda San Isidro is not the sanctuary she imagined.

When Rodolfo returns to work in the capital, visions and voices invade Beatriz’s sleep. The weight of invisible eyes follows her every move. Rodolfo’s sister, Juana, scoffs at Beatriz’s fears—but why does she refuse to enter the house at night? Why does the cook burn copal incense at the edge of the kitchen and mark its doorway with strange symbols? What really happened to the first Doña Solórzano?

Desperate for help, Beatriz clings to the young priest, Padre Andrés, as an ally. No ordinary priest, Andrés will have to rely on his skills as a witch to fight off the malevolent presence haunting the hacienda and protect the woman for whom he feels a powerful, forbidden attraction. But even he might not be enough to battle the darkness.

Pages: 352

Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

 

In December 1975, the Lutz family moved into their dream home, the same home where Ronald DeFeo had murdered his parents, brothers and sisters just one year earlier.

the psychic phenomena that followed created the most terrifying experience the Lutz family had ever encountered, forcing them to flee the house in 28 days, convinced that it was possessed by evil spirits.

I have my feelings on whether this is based in truth, but overall it was a good, creepy haunted house story. 

Pages: 315

An Apple for the Creature by Charlaine Harris

 An Apple for the Creature by Charlaine Harris

Pages: 336

Rating: 3 out of 5 star

This short story collection features scary tales set in schools. Is the teacher really a creature, or does the teacher need to be worried about her students?

This collection features a Sookie Stackhouse story, Playing Possum.

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

 

Fifteen years ago, summer camper Emma Davis watched sleepily as her three cabin mates snuck out of their cabin in the dead of night. The last she--and anyone--saw of them.

Now a rising star in the NYC art scene, Emma turns her past into paintings. They catch the attention of Francesca Harris-White, the socialite and wealthy owner of the very same Camp Nightingale--and when Francesca implores Emma to return to the camp as a painting counselor, Emma sees an opportunity to find closure and move on.

Already haunted by surfacing memories, Emma is suddenly plagued by a security camera pointed directly at her cabin, mounting mistrust from Francesca, and, most disturbing of all, cryptic clues Vivian apparently left behind about the camp's twisted origins. And as history begins to repeat itself and three girls go missing again, Emma must face threats from both man and nature in order to uncover all the buried secrets--including what really happened all those years ago.

Pages: 384

October books

 My Best Friend's Exorcism

Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fifth grade, when they bonded over a shared love of E.T., roller-skating parties, and scratch-and-sniff stickers. But when they arrive at high school, things change. Gretchen begins to act….different. And as the strange coincidences and bizarre behavior start to pile up, Abby realizes there’s only one possible explanation: Gretchen, her favorite person in the world, has a demon living inside her. And Abby is not about to let anyone or anything come between her and her best friend. With help from some unlikely allies, Abby embarks on a quest to save Gretchen. But is their friendship powerful enough to beat the devil?

All I can say is...I guess so?

Pages: 337

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

Aiden Bishop knows the rules. Evelyn Hardcastle will die every day until he can identify her killer and break the cycle. But every time the day begins again, Aiden wakes up in the body of a different guest at Blackheath Manor. And some of his hosts are more helpful than others. 

This book was awesome! Great all the way through. 

Pages 458

The Exorcist

A desperate mother and two priests fight to free the soul of a little girl from a supernatural entity of pure malevolence. 

Captain Howdy indeed. Good story, but not as scary as I imagine. I'm chalking it up to the fact I've seen the movie, there's too much hype and that I'm pretty sure I'm desensitized to most horror now. 

Pages: 385

Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama

LONG POST OF A BINGE READ OF A MANGA AHEAD- BEWARE. 

I tried not to mention anything that was spoilery, but like. Shrug.

I added a read more button because...I read like...basically the whole series and I don't wanna put you guys through that--there are some iconic gifs though

Volume 1:
I like....kind of know things because I've read some articles and I made the mistake of reading a post that said "No Spoilers" but definitely had spoilers (which I have tried to forget) 
WHY ARE ALL OF THEIR NAMES SIMILAR. I KNOW THEIR FACES BUT NOT THEIR NAMES. ...wait is this commentary on how we know people by how they look but not by who they really are.. No I'm overthinking and my one brain-cell can't take it. 
208 Pages

 Teen Frankenstein (High School Horror Story #1)

by Chandler Baker

Pages: 336

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Story starts off with an intriguing premise, what if the high school age girl was the first scientist named Frankenstein to bring someone back from the dead. How would she and her best friend, lab partner, deal with the ethical implications? What would they do with the uh, person? during the day while they were in class? How does she keep Mom from finding out? A good beginning introduction to horror and science fiction for a young teen or even the right pre-teen. Some of the ethical questions brought up could lead to good classroom or book club discussion. Not scary at all for most adults and most older teens. 

Horrid by Katrina Leno

Don't mind me, not liking the mom. because that right there is not a healthy parental relationship. 
Will is cool. 
I'm still trying to figure out if eating paper is like...a fun fantasy thing in the story, or part of an eating disorder as it is in the real world....because like...Can we please address this.... Xylophagia....please.
The triangulation in this is making me uncomfy...
Yeah no I hate Ruth
Ummmm....Wut.
336 Pages

Graphic Novels

 Attack on Titan Volumes 8-11 by Hajime Isayama

This series is so good. Hey, let's protect humanity-why the heck are you helping the monsters?! Wait... OH MY GOSH THEY ARE IN THE WALL. WHAAA??!? 

768 pages (192*4)

Plunge by Joe Hill and Stuart Immonen

Ghost ship suddenly shows up after being missing for 30+ years? Okay. Out in the middle of no man's (is)land in the Bering Strait? Cool. Zombies? Sure-wait... worms? Alien worms? Animated corpses controlled by alien worms? This just got interesting.

168 pages

Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf

I knew of it, but I really didn't know about this event. Wow, the research that was put into this, hunting down the firsthand accounts and interviews of everyone involved. Backderf's work is always great. If you haven't yet read My Friend Dahmer I'd highly recommend it. (That title though! Of course I had that song stuck in my head all the way through it...)

288 pages

The Low, Low Woods by Carmen Maria Machado, Dani and Tamra Bonvillain

Excellent example of body horror. That stomach/sinkhole image will stick with me for a while. Also, why do dear-headed women keep showing up in the things I read recently? Maybe it's too much horror. Wait, no... you can never have too much horror.

160 pages

Sapiens: A Graphic History: The Birth of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari, David Vandermeulen, and Daniel Casanave

Yeah, I've been meaning to get to this one for a while. No, I don't think it's cheating to opt for the graphic novel adaptation. Honestly, I love reading about paleoanthropology and  early human history, so I may go back to the print at some point anyway.

248 pages

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

 

This was fantastic! It took some twists and turns that I was not expecting in the best ways. Does it have some plot problems? Sure. I easily overlooked them as I raced through. Worth the read if you are into creepy houses, horror, some gore, and a good mystery. 

Pages: 301