I listened to the audiobook available on hoopla and I'm so glad I got to enjoy this paranormal thriller/murder mystery, haunted house horror story in I listened to the audiobook available on hoopla and I'm so glad I got to enjoy this paranormal thriller/murder mystery, haunted house horror story in this format because the narrator's accent is perfect. I never would have been able to pronounce all the Icelandic names and places in my head.
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy: - Isolation horror - Fixing up/restoring a haunted house - Back & forth POVs - Intricately plotted storyline - Two separate stories that will later converge - Amateur sleuthing - Revenge - Grief & loss - Small town murder mystery - Short chapters with cliffhangers - The dog doesn't die in this one!...more
This book would have never taken me 5 days to read if I had read the physical copy. This is a one-sitting binge-thriller if I ever saw one. As it was,This book would have never taken me 5 days to read if I had read the physical copy. This is a one-sitting binge-thriller if I ever saw one. As it was, someone recommended I enjoy this as an audiobook and I did and they were right. That is the way to enjoy this book. The characters all have their unique voice and the podcast interludes have a signature jingle and sound like a real podcast. Listeners get to toggle back and forth from the current timeline with Lucy's POV, the podcast with Ben Owens, and another POV from Lucy but 5 years ago. A very clever, modern, addicting "Who Done It" with a colorful cast of realistic characters. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a good time! I'm going to dock it one star for being a little too on the nose sometimes and slightly cheesy....more
This was an audiobook experience for me. It felt like it took forever! I would have physically read this book in a matter of days. I didn't particularThis was an audiobook experience for me. It felt like it took forever! I would have physically read this book in a matter of days. I didn't particularly like the narrator's voice--the exposition was a bit monotone and took some time to get used to--the dialogue was better, and the narrator had good voice work for all the characters. The writing style is also quite sparse, but it seems to fit the nature of the story. The book follows several young people who escape The Mission, "Indian School", and try to live normal lives out in the world even though they are physically, emotionally, and psychologically damaged. Because they were taken from their families at a young age, they are developmentally stunted and naive. They have to learn everything through trial and error--the hard way. It's devastatingly painful to hear. The repeated message throughout all the varying POVs is survival after trauma and how each individual wrestles with their demons differently. Some seem to thrive, like Lucy, and some spiral into darkness, like Maisy. The author, Michelle Good, is an advocate for residential school survivors and this comes through in the book. One of the characters, Clara, trains to be an advocate and Kenny is defended by one after he has a run-in with the law. I enjoyed this book even though I felt like some chapters were just intricate details of mundane activities--a picnic lunch in the park, or a day at home doing chores...I was frustrated with it at first but then I found comfort in it. I realized that Good was showing us how the characters were settling into normal life but thinking about their early childhood trauma all the time--its effect on them.
Recommended for people who enjoy big feelings, a sprawling narrative over decades, reform-school survival, and indigenous storytelling....more
This audiobook revealed my threshold for bleakness. Melchor definitely succeeded in her mission to paint an unrelenting picture of cruelty and violencThis audiobook revealed my threshold for bleakness. Melchor definitely succeeded in her mission to paint an unrelenting picture of cruelty and violence. There really isn’t a single glimmer of beauty or hope. The beginning was the most enjoyable part for me—I thought that character’s POV was fascinating and funny, but the other three POVs were challenging More thoughts later...more
RIVER WOMAN, RIVER DEMON by Jennifer Givhan ✨ .. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Mexican-American & Indigenous author -Psychological/Murder-Mystery Thriller -Folk Magick, brujRIVER WOMAN, RIVER DEMON by Jennifer Givhan ✨ .. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Mexican-American & Indigenous author -Psychological/Murder-Mystery Thriller -Folk Magick, brujería, curanderisma -Cast of BIPOC characters -Strong cultural influence on the powerful storytelling voice .. I did a combo of audiobook and eBook. Highly recommend the audio—the narrator’s accent is beautiful but as the mystery intensified and the story escalated, I had to get the eBook so I could enjoy this at a faster pace. .. I LOVED THIS ...more
What You Need to Know: I listened to the audiobook. The male narrator’s voice matched the personalities of the character’s in the book, but I had a hard time with the female narrator. Something about her voice was devoid of emotion and had a strange “detachment” that pulled me out of the story, but as soon as the male narrator returned, I could get reinvested.
My Reading Experience: The first third of this book is quite entertaining. Mr. Cheong is a boorish, selfish, emotionally unavailable man who married his wife because she was “ordinary” and easy. One night, he finds her staring into the refrigerator. After harassing her, he finds out that she has a recurring nightmare and will no longer eat meat.
He sees this choice as a personal affront. Things escalate when he manipulates his wife’s family to get involved. It’s quite alarming the way Yeong-hye’s personal choice to be a vegetarian is somehow everyone else’s business–greatly affecting the whole family.
The second part of the story shifts focus and then it all transitions a third and final time. I feel like each part goes deeper and deeper into the depravity of man and how selfish people can be. A character study on how we fight to control the people around us, our blood family but also, our chosen family. Perhaps the most glaringly obvious message is that how the people we think we know best, are strangers to us. Their secret thought life, intentions, motivations, desires….everything hidden from us makes people totally unknowable for the most part. Sometimes, these unknowable parts come to light. Especially when there is a catalyst for change like Yeong-hye discovers when she decides to stop eating meat.
Final Recommendation: I’m not entirely sure I understand this story completely, but I enjoyed my reading journey. I especially recommend the audiobook version, even though the female narrator’s voice wasn’t my favorite. I would categorize this novella as Escalation Horror; deeply disturbing and hard to peel yourself away from. It lingers long after reading.
Comps: The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder, The Push by Ashley Audrain
Sidenote: Which cover do you like best? I love the last one with the flowers, it ties in really well with the second part of the story as well as the body horror (see the flower petal looks like a tongue) and the vegetarianism with the raw steak...those fingers peeking out, I love the composition....more
3.5 I listened to the audiobook on hoopla (I didn't care for the narrator) and would recommend for fans who enjoy: -Scandinavian crime/suspense thriller3.5 I listened to the audiobook on hoopla (I didn't care for the narrator) and would recommend for fans who enjoy: -Scandinavian crime/suspense thrillers -paranormal activity -documentary filmmaking -ghost towns -religious cults -mining towns -missing people -obsession -group dynamics 0n a creepy expedition -secrets -1950s, historical fiction -seeing ghosts Full review on Patreon...more
I listened to this on the plane yesterday from San Diego to Seattle. It's about 40 minutes or so. A paranormal romance is the catalyst for the MC to lI listened to this on the plane yesterday from San Diego to Seattle. It's about 40 minutes or so. A paranormal romance is the catalyst for the MC to learn about herself and take charge of her life. I didn't read what this was about before I jumped in; it was all a surprise. I had fun with it. It's not especially deep, the characters are a little underdeveloped and there is an insta-romance. I've seen what can be done in just a few pages so it's not because it's short, it's because (I believe) it's supposed to be playful and sweet. Perfect for readers who love spooky love stories....more
I listened to the audiobook on Libby. After careful consideration and writing up my review this morning for Patreon https://www.patreon.com/posts/book-rI listened to the audiobook on Libby. After careful consideration and writing up my review this morning for Patreon https://www.patreon.com/posts/book-re... I've updated my rating from 4 stars to 5. ...more
What You Need to Know: You need to know that I listened to the audiobook and I thought it was great. I had a tedious task that would take about 5-6 hours so I decided to listen to a book while I accomplished my task and this was what I chose. It was perfect because there is a small cast of important characters that are mostly all women and it was narrated by a woman, so there were no awkward child voices (which I hate). There was one male character, Phil, and the narrator chose to have a sort of dopey voice for him that I didn’t care for but that’s really my only complaint on the audiobook. You also should know that while there are some creepy scenes, and a sense of dread building, for the most part, this book is light horror–even humorous. It doesn’t lean into traditional horror elements until the end
My Reading Experience: This will be a memorable experience for me. I needed to sign stacks upon stacks of my books which, by my estimation, was going to take about 5-6 hours. To keep my mind occupied, I decided to get an audiobook. Typically, I don’t have a lot of time for something like that, so I was eager to settle in with it. Over the course of three days (about 2 hours each day), I listened to this book and had the best time. Sam is a quirky lady. We get the privilege of being inside her head as she heads out to rural neighborhood in North Carolina to spend some time with her mom in her deceased grandmother’s house. Immediately she notices things are a bit “off”. Her mom is acting strange. During her stay, we get to know the family dynamics through scenes of hilarious dialogue and weird, random stuff happening in the house/garden. A few interesting characters are introduced, a neighbor who had a bit of an on-going competition with the deceased grandma and the gardener, Phil. Who may or may not be, a love interest for Sam. If bugs give you the heebie-jeebies, this one is pretty unsettling. I loved all the fascinating trivia and descriptions but people who get wigged out over that stuff will have a difficult time. The building dread as Sam continues to uncover family secrets does unfurl slowly. Toward the end, things dive into horror headlong and it gets pretty gruesome but up to that point, I’d say this is a solid horror comedy; lighthearted and fun.
Final Recommendation: This is perfect for when you are craving something a little less dark and brooding. It’s a great summer read. The MC has a feisty, bubbly personality. Her asides and self-depricating humor sprinkled throughout keeps the mood of the book on the sunnier side. She’s an interesting, dynamic character with her quirky worldview and specialized job as an archaeoentomologist (studies historical bugs) There’s also witchcraft, family drama and secrets, and an exciting climax. A very entertaining, enjoyable read. I had a good time.
Comps: MOTHERTHING by Ainslie Hogarth, HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE by Grady Hendrix ...more
What You Need to Know: I had a hard time getting into it when I tried reading my physical arc last year. The font on my NetGalley copy was too small, so this book has lingered on my shelves. This year, it made my #23in23challenge so I decided to try the audiobook and I’m so glad I did! Highly recommend the audiobook. However, I usually adjust the speed to about 1.3 or 1.5 and the way the writing flows and the way the narrator has vocally interpreted the flow of the prose, I feel like I should caution against adjusting the speed too much. 1.3 is about as fast as it can go before it starts to sound weird.
My Reading Experience: Did you watch (and enjoy) the show, Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu with Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy? This book, WE SPREAD by Iain Reid (I’m Thinking of Ending Things, Foe) gave me Nine Perfect Strangers vibes but with elderly people in an exclusive retirement facility. I know it sounds dry, and parts of it were slow…the beginning was a little mundane. Basically, an elderly woman is alone in her apartment eating “red soup” and grilled cheese and hearing voices, and falling down. Lol
Once the MC finds herself in the retirement community, things get interesting. There is a full cast of quirky characters and a mysterious lady that manages/owns the home and seriously, all the asides about living life to the fullest, finding your passion and creativity, and how fast life passes you by has given me an existential crisis! I keep thinking about how we only have this one life. It has made me want to spend more time loving my family & friends and way less time worrying about trivial, inconsequential things. Iain Reid writes the strangest, most profoundly thought-provoking books. I loved ITOET & FOE. They both left me so unsettled in the best ways…this did too! If you have fears about getting old, becoming irrelevant, being alone, watching your body age, your mind slip, losing friends and loved ones, forgetting your passion for art or reading…forgetting what it feels like to love others or have a special person…this is for you. A different kind of horror…but oh so real. I recommend the audio!
Final Recommendation: This is a slow, creeping feeling of dread; psychological horror with an unreliable narrator. It plays heavily on all our fears of aging, growing old, and ultimately, facing death. Highly recommend the audiobook--the narrator does an excellent job voicing all the characters.
Comps: Nine Perfect Strangers (Hulu 2021), Nine Days (movie 2020), Synecdoche, New York (movie 2008) ...more
BOOK RESPONSE: THE HANDYMAN METHOD by Nick Cutter and Andrew F Sullivan THE HANDYMAN METHOD by Nick Cutter and Andrew F. Sullivan
Other Books I Enjoyed BOOK RESPONSE: THE HANDYMAN METHOD by Nick Cutter and Andrew F Sullivan THE HANDYMAN METHOD by Nick Cutter and Andrew F. Sullivan
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: I have read and enjoyed all of Nick Cutter/Craig Davidson’s books. I have read a short story collection but Sullivan called ALL WE WANT IS EVERYTHING. He recently released, MARIGOLD
What You Need to Know: First things first, there is a fair amount of animal trauma in this book. A family pet is greatly harmed (it’s not a dog but does it matter? It’s bad.) For me, personally, I was able to get through it. One scene was excessive and awful but it fit the paranormal activity going on in the house, so it wasn’t for shock value or exploitation and I think it could be easily skimmed or skipped.
My Reading Experience: Total transparency, I was reading the physical ARC and couldn’t get into it. Something about the way the characters were written, and their dialogue, was sounding weird in my head. It was jarring. I put the book down in disappointment thinking I wasn’t going to pick it up again. When I logged into Audible a few days later, it came up as a suggestion and I pulled the trigger. Sometimes, an audiobook unlocks the narrative for me and I was hoping this would be the case because we included this book in a Night Worms package-we’re both HUGE Nick Cutter fans.
I’m happy to report it TOTALLY unlocked it for me. I will be recommending this book as one of the scariest books I have read. There were some scenes that took my breath away, or my mouth hung open in shock while I was listening, or I felt a chill; a shudder. So many things that I find scary are present in this book.
If you read the Shining, do you remember how you felt as soon as you realized what was happening to the family? The father’s part in what was happening? The mother’s?
Danny.
If you want to experience those feelings again…this is the book for you.
I loved the escalation.
There are specific characters that were exceptionally freaky every time they were present on the page (in my ear, actually…the audiobook narrator gave CREEPY voices to the paranormal activity)
Toward the end, some things felt a tiny bit repetitive but the absolutely BANANAS horror elements and graphic details were entertaining as hell, so I just enjoyed the feeling of it all going off the rails.
Don’t skip the acknowledgments.
Final Recommendation: If you’re looking for actual scares, a modern haunted house story with interesting characters, and a strong family dynamic-unique paranormal activity infused with a possession element, you will love this book. I highly recommend the audio for a bonus layer of chilling scenes.
Comps: The Shining by Stephen King, The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons, The Breech by Nick Cutter (Amazon audible original which was super scary...more
Listened to the audiobook so it took a while. Recommended for horror fans who enjoy: -fast, short chapters with multiple POVs - a large cast of characteListened to the audiobook so it took a while. Recommended for horror fans who enjoy: -fast, short chapters with multiple POVs - a large cast of characters -police procedural -survival horror -creature-features -"something in the woods" -friend group dynamics -young adult characters -missing person mysteries -cryptids...more
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