The woods all black by lee mandelo
Okay! So this was not where I thought this book would go at all but it was amazing. The mcs are so cool and full of character and spitfire and I love them.
To be fair, the sex scenes kind of squicked me, especially the later one. But eh, not cup of tea but its my table so i'll live with it. Overall a really good reas! 4/5
~ Trashdog13
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
I haven’t read anything from the horror genre for a very long time, and I really enjoyed this one. I never could get into the writing styles of the famous horror authors from my generation (King, Straub, Barker) but I enjoyed how this one was able to seamlessly blend humour into both tragic and terrifying scenes. I look forward to reading his other books.
~ FelinePharma
Delicious in Dungeon vol 2, Ryoko Kui
I’ll be honest, I started reading this after watching the anime. (They were absolutely targeting me with this series.) I love how well the art and dialogue and world work together to make an easy to digest, fun, incredibly complex read. The book was just straight up FUN. You can’t help but smile the entire time you read it. Every character has a unique, distinct design, and the amount of work spent to the bit of cooking monsters is absolutely legendary. I adore the series and I can’t wait to binge through the whole series.
~ frazzledwriter@bsky.social
Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman
Great blend of humor and darker stuff as Carl tries to survive the dungeon with his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut. The end of Earth is being broadcast across the universe, viewed by billions of people/aliens. And poor Carl is wearing what he came into the dungeon with- his ex’s crocs, a t-shirt, leather jacket, and boxers covered in hearts.
~ killerweasel
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
An excellent unsettling retelling of “The Fall of the House of Usher” that felt firmly located in contemporary horror. Before I knew it, it was past midnight, and I’d finished the book. I read an ebook edition but I have to mention Avi Roque reads the audiobook, and they’re one of my favorite narrators.
~ Cap (gentleranium.bsky.social)
The Taiga Ridge Murders, Skyla Dawn Cameron
At a loss how to talk about this one sans spoilers. I enjoyed the book. The main character revisits an isolated lodge where she spent her early childhood before and briefly after her parents were jailed for a series of gruesome murders, and secrets are gradually revealed. Has a, well, unexpected but not shocking ending? Twist on a haunting, I am not sure how much of what occurs does so naturally and how much by ...extranormal means. CW mild (imo) descriptions of the aftermath of serial killings; CW semigraphic descriptions of intimate partner abuse, recently past; CW and I will always spoiler this (and this is a guarantee with this author) the cat lives and is fine; CW well if you could cope with OFMD you can cope with the degree to which I'd bother spoilering: mild cannibalism. If you do not want to read about isolation and challenges to survival, feeling trapped, being gaslit, or very bad childhoods this is not for you. This is a work of horror, or gothicy suspense with horror elements maybe.
~ madcatacres
The Luminous Dead, by Caitlin Starling
A science fiction-horror novel, set in a dystopian spacefaring future, extraterrestrial caving with extreme (temporary) body modification and armor, lying lesbians with mommy or/and daddy issues, hardcore manipulation tendencies, claustrophobia/claustrophilia, uncertainty of perception/hallucination and bodies galore (that's my CW and minor spoilers on this one embedded in the summary. I'd CW some more specifics but that would entail major spoilers). I enjoyed it but felt like the resolution at the ending needed a lot more.....fuckin therapy, lol. Reminded me slightly of some Nicola Griffith if she'd gone a lot darker.
~ madcatacres
Dirus by L.J. Vitanza
An absolutely amazing read about dire wolves still living in secret out in Yellowstone, on the hunt for food as humans make it harder on them when it comes to survival. Humans and animals begin disappearing, making everyone wonder what the truth is. A page turner I couldn’t put down, even when it was 3am!
~ IzzyHandsArt
Evocation by S.T. Gibson
I enjoyed it! I knew it was a romance but I didn’t expect it to be a polyamorous one from the blurb, and that was a nice surprise because I enjoyed the dynamics that it gave the characters. I liked the nods to different magical traditions in universe, the world building was interesting. I’m definitely looking forward to the next in the series!
~ zoestertoaster
The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
I enjoyed it. I mainly listened to it cuz Rory Kinnear narrated it.
~ Silverbatwing
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
A joy to read - recommended for fans of Sanderson who enjoy a unique and well-examined magic system.
~ HipHopAnonymous
Goth by Otsutchi
This was absolutely not my pick. It was chosen by another member of my book club. Six intertwined vignettes of murder and other horrors. It wasn’t really my cup of tea but I did enjoy the way the stories dipped in and out of the same continuity and the way the author played with very disturbing violent imagery. Definitely approach with caution but it was a trip 6/10
~ Kayla (ironstrangle)
The Broposal by Sonara Reyes
Funny little book about two best friends who decide to get married so one of them can get the green card. It's actually cute. One of them is autistic and it's probably mentioned once but you can tell he is through the book from the way the acts and thinks. There's a hateful ex girlfriend that I was tired of. But the two main characters are good I think, they obviously cared about each other.
There's a mention to some show called 'Our Flag Means Death'.
~ MoonySmith81| Feña
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
It felt like just a cozy, relaxing read at first. Then I got to a line at the end that just took me out; I keep going back and re-reading this one line. It was wonderful.
"You keep asking why your work is not enough, and I don’t know how to answer that, because it is enough to exist in the world and marvel at it. You don’t need to justify that, or earn it. You are allowed to just live."
~ @aletea
Nevada by Imogen Binnie
I think it built into something really interesting. It definitely feels of its time (published in 2013, but the author started writing it in 2008), which the author notes. It can get didactic, but never less than insightful. I see the influence of this book on other books that came after. The ending is controversial, but I actually really liked it. It is told with two main characters. It takes a lot of time before the author gets to the second main character, and I wish there was more prose-wise to differentiate the two, even though it kind of works thematically. I have a lot to say about this one, which is great! Art! But I’ll leave it here.
~ BKTrashCat
Marsha by Tourmaline
This was both an informative and incredibly impactful read, absolutely worth picking up if you’d like to learn more about Marsha P. Johnson’s life and legacy.
~ acesaru
"May We Be Spared to Meet on Earth" by Potter, Koellner, Carney, and Williamson
A great book for Terror/polar exploration fans. It's a collection of letters from the Erebus and Terror crews, as well as letters sent to them. The best part is when the writers' personalities shine through in their words and writing styles, i.e. James Fitzjames's wit and humor. I also found Lady Jane Franklin's unending devotion to finding her husband for years after his disappearance to be very moving. Sometimes the letters are repetitive (if someone was writing updates to several different people) but that's completionism for you. It's a fantastic resource.
~ @spacecadetglowao3.bsky.social
Hunting the Falcon: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and the Marriage That Shook Europe by Julia Fox and John Guy
I’m back on my Tudor history hyperfixation bullshit of yore. I love history, but it was a long and dense and a lot closer to the academic side of the scale than the compellingly written public history side of the scale. If nothing else, it’s got me itching to find another book about the Tudors.
~ Lindsay (wildflowerstede)
Invitation to a Banquet: The Story of Chinese Food by Fuchsia Dunlop
This one was long but really interesting. I do wish there had been some photos included though, especially given all the discussion of the presentation of different dishes.
~ remreader
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
I enjoyed it, although it was a bit longer than it needed to be. There were a couple of fun surprises along the way.
~ Callous
The Good Old Days- They Were Terrible! By Otto L. Bettmann
Nonfiction book focuses on the time just before the United States Civil War & goes to 1900. It’s amazing people are still here considering how deadly & toxic so many things were.
~ killerweasel
Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
Great! Gay! Gothic! the three Gs are all you need ;)
~ darcylindbergh
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
Loved it!
~ Aletea
Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea - Rebecca Thorne
Just as advertised, cozy, romantic, tea, maybe some dragons. Will probably continue with the series.
~ FelinePharma
Home Before Dark by Riley Slager
I love haunted house books and this was a pretty decent one.
~ darcylindbergh
What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher
Loved this sequel to What Moves the Dead. A different type of creepy than the first, and I enjoyed the further world-building the premise allowed for. I also loved the return of Angus and Eugenia Potter.
~ Cap / gentleranium.bsky.social
Alanna: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Tamora Pierce (Author), Vita Ayala (Adapted By), Sam Beck (Illustrator)
A beautifully illustrated adaptation of Alanna: The First Adventure that perfectly captures the spirit of the novel. I especially loved how Gareth and Sir Myles were rendered. Very excited for the next volume that will adapt my favorite of the Song of the Lioness books, In the Hand of the Goddess.
~ Cap / gentleranium.bsky.social
Thank You For Calling The Lesbian Line by Elizabeth Lovatt
An incredibly well-researched archival retelling of the sorts of calls a lesbian helpline in the nineties received, this book made me feel closer to my community than ever. Throughout, Elizabeth Lovatt reflects on a logbook she found from a North London lesbian helpline and ties these logs into queer history, politics and her own experiences with coming out. I especially appreciated the inclusivity of this book, detailing disabled lesbians, lesbians of colour and trans lesbians who used the helpline and what their experiences doing so might have been like.
"I think of lesbians as the unspoken squeeze of a hand in public, the silent nod, the friendly dykish glance. I think of lesbian as the ellipsis in a question, the slow trailing off, 'is she a...' If lesbians are in the 'um's and the not 'um's, in the spoken and the unspoken, in the loud and the silence - then we are everywhere."
~ @petrichorpond.bsky.social
Mr Loverman by Bernardine Evaristo
A thought-provoking and funny look at comp het and the complex intersections between culture, race, class and sexuality
~ Steph (moderatecitrus)
Not-Sew-Wicked Stepmom 6 by Mo9Rang
I’m absolutely in love with this fluffy take on a fairytale Isekai. Mature characters dealing with dark traumas and becoming better people all in the framework of a fairytale meant for kids while still maintaining a clear plot that is solely different from the tried and true narrative. It’s just fun. It’s a nice way to turn off your brain and the color palette is pretty too.
~ @frazzledwriter.bsky.social
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
It was a bit dated in language but it was an interesting book. I remember reading it as a kid but I forgot most of it.
~ Silverbatwing
Sea Change by Gina Chung
I read this in the space of two days, so there's no denying it absolutely grabbed me (insert tentacle puns, etc). The simplistic yet impactful prose was right up my alley, as was the connection between the main character, Ro, and the octopus at the aquarium she works at. Honestly, it was healing in a lot of ways – throughout the book, Ro deals with grief and change and often reaches epiphanies that hit me right in the gut, especially for their ephemeral nature 'cause, yeah, it's like that. Spoiler? I'm still unpicking how I really feel about the ending. Currently unsure. I guess, kind of like big changes in life, I built the idea of it up in my head, and it wasn't that at all, but still made me feel a lot of things and I loved it for that.
~ @petrichorpond.bsky.social
The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
I had a feeling I’d like this one, but WOW. I ADORED it. It’s beautiful and clever and bittersweet in a way that’s going to sit with me for a long time.
~ acesaru
Brokeback mountain by annie proulx
Basically the movie, extremely heart wrenching and beautiful.
~ Trashdog13
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
This was a very atmospheric Gothic story set in the 1950s. Noemí visits her cousin, Catalina, who lives with her husband and his family, to check on her well-being after receiving a concerning letter. Noemí soon finds herself wrapped up in a hauntingly mysterious family secret that could keep her from returning to life as she knows it.
I liked that this book blurred the lines between reality and a dreamlike state that kept pulling the main character, Noemí, in deeper and deeper. The slower narrative pace lends to Noemí's journey in navigating the family's dark secrets and her distrust for the cause of her cousin's turmoil, creating an air of uncertainty for both the main character and the reader.
3.5⭐
~ bookloverstede.bsky.social
Goldenhand, Garth Nix
The Old Kingdom audiobooks are some of my go-to comfort media. This isn't the first time I've listened to Goldenhand (and the rest of the series) and it won't be the last!
~ michellethestan
The Longest Night by EE Ottoman
This is a historical transmasc romance novella by a transmasc author. Two lonely men meet after exchanging letters for years. A bit of angst, a bit of spice, and a cat named Guinevere make it just the right mix of real and soft. 💖
~ silvergoldsea
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