New Release Tuesday

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.

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

  

They say don't judge a book by its cover, but we all know we do it. Sometimes it's the cover that originally catches our eye, drawing us to give a book a closer look. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday I'm going to post some of my favorite covers of books coming soon!

Your past and your family can haunt you like nothing else… A hilarious and terrifying new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Final Girl Support Group.

Every childhood home is haunted, and each of us is possessed by our parents.

When their parents die at the tail end of the coronavirus pandemic, Louise and Mark Joyner are devastated but nothing can prepare them for how bad things are about to get. The two siblings are almost totally estranged, and couldn’t be more different. Now, however, they don’t have a choice but to get along. The virus has passed, and both face bank accounts ravaged by the economic meltdown. Their one asset? Their childhood home. They need to get it on the market as soon as possible because they need the money. Yet before her parents died they taped newspaper over the mirrors and nailed shut the attic door.

Sometimes we feel like puppets, controlled by our upbringing and our genes. Sometimes we feel like our parents treat us like toys, or playthings, or even dolls. The past can ground us, teach us, and keep us safe. It can also trap us, bind us, and suffocate the life out of us. As disturbing events stack up in the house, Louise and Mark have to learn that sometimes the only way to break away from the past and sell a haunted house is to burn it all down.

HAPPY READING!!

Bone Deep - Review

 

Author: Charles Bosworth Jr. & Joel J. Schwartz

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: Audio Book

Hours: 11 Hours

What in the made-for-Lifetime TV movie did I just discover? So originally I'm from the Middle USA and grew up in a town just like Troy, Missouri. So yes I heard about this case, in the way it was on the news all the time and people were talking. But, I somehow missed the drama of all.

I started listening to this in the morning at work when it was just me setting up our prep kitchen for the day. But, on the first day, I had to stop for about twenty minutes. Because barely passed the introduction to the crime I was listening to police officers screw up. I was listening to them do anything but their jobs. 

So I had to turn it off until I was driving home, and then I spent the rest of the night listening to this book. I call it rage reading. Because at some point someone had to step in and be in Russ Faria's corner. But, no but it own lawyer seemed to see trees from the forest.

This case is frustrating and poorly handled. I was yelling in my car, talking to myself as I listened. Put shortly I became addicted to the drama of all. The absolute ridiculousness of the case.

Because every single time I thought, 'surely this can't worse'. It does, it absolutely got worse, and I will die on the hill that the last person Pam Hubb killed could have been avoided if anyone had been doing their jobs correctly the first time. Instead of trying to force evidence to fit a theory that was a hundred percent incorrect.

This book does a real job of retelling the story of Besty Faria's murder and telling her and Russ's story. It also did a really good job of giving Pam Hupp no extra time other than to pain as the villain she was. Toward the end of the book, we get Hupp's back story. But, it is basically almost a footnote. 

Because this story wasn't about her, it's about the lives of the people she ruined and hurt. I've already pushed this book on a handful of people who enjoy true crime. 

The way Bosworth and Schwartz crafted this book makes it so easy to fall into the absolute absurdity of this story. Everything is presented in a timeline format that makes it easy to follow, and Gary Bennet did a great job of telling this story. I was able to stay engaged with the story. Only get lost a couple of times, but those were my fault for getting distracted.

So it was easy to go back and retrace my steps to catch back up. A great pick-up from True Crime lovers. Also a really good audiobook. I sometimes struggle with audiobooks, but this one kept me engaged. 

HAPPY READING!!

September Spotlight

 

I don't want to over-simplify this book because yes it is kind of a re-telling of Carrie. And, that's what caught my eye because that's one of my favorite Stephen King's books. The reason I'm so excited about it is the spin that Tiffany D Jackson has put on this classic horror trope. I like a book that packs a punch and this book seems like one that will have me pacing and on the edge of my seat all at once.

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.

The Weight of Blood is hits shelves Sept 6, 2022!!

HAPPY READING!!

August Wrap Up

This was a whirlwind of a month! In the best way possible. I took a promotion at work which has been stressful, but in the best way possible. I get to be a little more creative and I really vibe with our new Head Chef. It's not all positive, we're having the same problem a lot of kitchens are having. But we're making do!  I finally feel like I'm out of the reading slump I've been in all summer. Oddly enough vacation seemed to help with that. I think I was stuck in a weird loop of work and home. Wash, rinse, repeat. So getting out of town helped with that.

I am however very excited about Spooky Season. Next on my to-do list is to decorate the house. Of which I have not yet gone overboard with Spooky Season decorations. Yet being the keyword.

Books Read: 5
BINGO Books: 0

Pages Read: 984

Currently Listening: Bone Deep by Charles Bosworth Jr.

Currently Reading: Butcher's Work by Harlod Schecter 

This coming Tuesday is National Read a Book Day. It's also right after a good friend comes back into town from their summer job. So we planned to get together and read all day and just chill. 

 

Okay so there were a lot of books this year between my own thrift store runs, friends gifting me some awesome finds, Night Worms, and that one trip to Barnes and Noble. A lot of books have come into my house this month. So if you want to see all the books that made their way onto my shelves, just out my Instagram, @Bookish_Whispers!

HAPPY READING!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally, they are books that have yet to be released but don't have to be. It is based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous at Breaking the Spine.

Her city is under siege.

The zombies are coming back.

And all Nona wants is a birthday party.

In many ways, Nona is like other people. She lives with her family, has a job at her local school, and loves walks on the beach and meeting new dogs. But Nona's not like other people. Six months ago she woke up in a stranger's body, and she's afraid she might have to give it back.

The whole city is falling to pieces. A monstrous blue sphere hangs on the horizon, ready to tear the planet apart. Blood of Eden forces has surrounded the last Cohort facility and wait for the Emperor Undying to come calling. Their leaders want Nona to be the weapon that will save them from the Nine Houses. Nona would prefer to live an ordinary life with the people she loves, with Pyrrha and Camilla and Palamedes, but she also knows that nothing lasts forever.

And each night, Nona dreams of a woman with a skull-painted face...

Why I'm Waiting: I loved Gideon The Ninth, and while I haven't brought myself to read Harrow yet (I know it's full of pain) I'm excited about the third book!

HAPPY READING!!

New Release Tuesday

Be sure to keep your friends close . . . and your secrets closer.

Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favorite teacher—a story that made headlines after the teacher’s body was found by three Saint Ambrose students in the woods behind their school. The case was never solved. Now that Brynn is moving home and starting her dream internship at a true-crime show, she’s determined to find out what really happened.

The kids who found Mr. Larkin are her way in, and her ex-best friend, Tripp Talbot, was one of them. Without his account of events, the other two kids might have gone down for Mr. Larkin’s murder. They've never forgotten what Tripp did for them that day. Just like he hasn’t forgotten that everything he told the police was a lie.

Digging into the past is bound to shake up the present, and as Brynn begins to investigate what happened in the woods that day, she begins to uncover secrets that might change everything—about Saint Ambrose, Mr. Larkin, and about her ex-best friend, Tripp Talbot.

Four years ago someone got away with murder. The most terrifying part is that they never left.

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

   

They say don't judge a book by its cover, but we all know we do it. Sometimes it's the cover that originally catches our eye, drawing us to give a book a closer look. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday I'm going to post some of my favorite covers of books coming soon!

Her city is under siege.

The zombies are coming back.

And all Nona wants is a birthday party.

In many ways, Nona is like other people. She lives with her family, has a job at her local school, and loves walks on the beach and meeting new dogs. But Nona's not like other people. Six months ago she woke up in a stranger's body, and she's afraid she might have to give it back.

The whole city is falling to pieces. A monstrous blue sphere hangs on the horizon, ready to tear the planet apart. Blood of Eden forces has surrounded the last Cohort facility and wait for the Emperor Undying to come calling. Their leaders want Nona to be the weapon that will save them from the Nine Houses. Nona would prefer to live an ordinary life with the people she loves, with Pyrrha and Camilla and Palamedes, but she also knows that nothing lasts forever.

And each night, Nona dreams of a woman with a skull-painted face...

HAPPY READING!!

The Hunger - Review

Author: Alma Katsu

Genre: Horror / Historical Fiction

Format: Hardback

Pages: 376

I have not seen enough about this book in the blogging community, and after finishing that bums me out. Because there is a lot to like about this book, from the story itself, to the way Katsu writes, to the characters she's created. My only real issues with this book were personal because I don't think I'll forgive her for one of the deaths in this book. I'm also really bummed that this book was optioned as a movie, mini-series, or something, but hasn't happened yet. I would binge the crap out of that show. And, then be angry about one of the last deaths in the story.

I'm really ticked off about it. To the point, I sent a text to my roommate in all caps about it. Like, it was a good death but I wanted him to make out of this chaos final girl style. I even had in my reading notes from the day of starting this book on vacation.

Anyway, I've fallen from the point. I knew I was going to like this one because I loved Katsu's writing style in The Deep, which I read last year. So, going in there was no doubt that I knew I was going to enjoy the story. I will say that I definitely prefer The Hunger over The Deep. Both had solid stories and solid monsters, but I connected with the characters of The Hunger more. 

Ensemble casts are one of my favorite kinds of books to read. The switching point of view always feels like I'm allowed to get more of the story through different pairs of eyes, and different opinions. With The Hunger this works for several reasons: there is a lot of conflict at the start of the story, and it keeps focused on those and not the twists that are about to happen. I did call a few of the smaller twists throughout the story: Stanton's backstory, Reed's little secret, etc. I didn't however catch the web of a twist that Katsu was created with one single character that someone how connected all the characters together.

Because that last twist there at the end ties it all together. I was so busy looking over here at all the people dying, that I missed the connection. Thinking back on it though, it was all there staring me in the face. I just didn't realize that I should have been connecting dots.

I also really like that this wasn't the monster I thought it was. Going into The Hunger I was like this was going to be a wendigo, and maybe in some ways, it was. But, it wasn't at the same time, and think that sure-fire assumption was what made it hard to see the forest for the trees. Was I bummed, sure, but I really like the way this book turned out. Do I still hate Lewis despite the fact he seems to be the better of the men in his family?

Yes, he is the worst.

My favorite part of this book was the character I hated the most and had the worst time it toward the end. From her introduction I hoped she'd get a grisly end, and while it could have been worse in my opinion. I thought she went out in the book was very on point for that character. Though I would have loved to have been crushed by stampeding oxen or something.

Lastly, I do love who one of the last men standing was. While at first Reed wasn't one of my favorite characters, he kind of grew on me. Looking back on my notes I called him an absolute tool, and I still believe that. However, he was from a cowardly little worm to a man with a backbone, which means I was happy he got a bit of a happy ending.

This was an absolute gem and I cannot wait to share it with a friend of mine who I think we also adore it to pieces. At least I hope she does! I cannot recommend Alma Katsu's books enough. This was my second of her books. I will definitely be picking The Fervor next, Katsu's newest release that hit shelves back in April!

HAPPY READING!!

Book Haul

Okay, so I had no real intentions to go book shop again this month. Seeing is how I've done quite a bit of that already. But... Of course, there is a but. But, I got out of work early one day and wound up wandering around the thrift store on the way home. I wasn't planning on getting anything while I was there, just sort of wasting away an afternoon that I planned to be in the kitchen. I'm glad I stopped in though because I found some gems! 

The original covers for the Christopher Pike books have been really hard to find. So I'm always excited when I find one. While they haven't exactly aged all that well, they are filled with pre-teen summer's reading in the hammock at my parent's place. So there's that. 

And, I'm still kicking myself for getting rid of the massive Goosebumps collection. At the time I hadn't thought anything other, but hindsight and all that. Those also hold a lot of core memories for me. They are the first books I remember really creeping me out growing up. And I feel a need to go back and re-visit them as we finally roll into the Spooky Season.

HAPPY READING!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally, they are books that have yet to be released but don't have to be. It is based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous at Breaking the Spine.

Arthur Crazy is drunk and seeing ghosts.

This is not a metaphor. The dead are walking and talking, and it doesn't matter that Arthur doesn't believe in them. They believe in him.

Too drunk to recall how he stumbled upon his nascent power, Arthur is burdened with newfound responsibility: he’s the only one who can hear the unfinished business of every dead guy in York, and he’s the only one who can help.

As forgotten legends and lost demons stir all over the cobbled streets and snickleways, Arthur finds himself at the center of an unfolding mystery—a light in the desert, a fart at a funeral—and he is about to discover that an unfortunate surname isn't the only thing that makes him stand out.

Arthur just wants to sober up, have a kebab, and go home, but his conscience is knocking loud and clear, demanding he open the damn door. He may not be the hero the dead need, but he’s the one they’re stuck with. Besides, one of those ghosts seems kind of cute.

Why I'm Waiting: I love a reluctant hero and this has a little bit of Dresden Files sprinkled in. Sounds like a combo I'd love.

HAPPY READING!!