Review: A Haunting on the Hill

A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand from Mulholland Books via NetGalley.

A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand is set in Shirley Jackson's world of Hill House.  You don't have to have read Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House or seen the TV show to enjoy this book.  It's got legs enough to stand on its own.  October was the perfect month to start this book.  It is squarely in the spooky haunted house category of horror.  The characters have gathered to rehearse and hone a play about a witch who sells her soul to the Devil to exact revenge on her enemies.  I want to see that play.  While the house may or may not be haunted, the characters certainly are haunted by demons of their pasts.  Is that really what is at play here, and it just takes a creepy old mansion to ignite psychological breakdowns?  Also, if locals tell you to take shelter elsewhere during a snow storm, take their advice!

This book should come with a soundtrack so you can listen to the music written for the play they are rehearsing.  I imagine it would be quite haunting.

Bonus points for making hares absolutely terrifying.  Move over, Bunnicula!

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Review: Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory by Martha Wells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory is a short story set after Exit Strategy, the fourth book in the Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells.  I would suggest not reading it before Exit Strategy.  It is also one of the few times we get to see things from outside of Murderbot's perspective.  Clocking in at under 20 pages, it is a quick way to get a Martha Wells fix.  

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Review: The Cloisters

The Cloisters by Katy Hays
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Cloisters by Katy Hays is a mystery of sorts with a Gothic vibe.  When I lived in New York City, I never went to the Cloisters.  In fact, I had to check to see if it was a real place.  It is (!), and I will definitely visit in the future.  While the Cloisters is a cool setting, the big draw for me was the research the characters are doing on tarot cards and the mysterious deck they are putting together.  I could read a whole book just about that.  So where does the mystery come in?  Someone dies.  Was it an accident or murder?  

Bonus points for Ketch Rare Books and Antiques.  I don't know why Katy Hays decided to name it this, but it certainly evoked a very "supernatural" image of the proprietor for me.

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Review: Once Upon a Time in the North

Once Upon a Time in the North by Philip Pullman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of His Dark Materials: Once Upon a Time in the North, Gift Edition written by Philip Pullman and illustrated by Chris Wormell from the publisher, Random House Children's, via Netgalley.

His Dark Materials: Once Upon a Time in the North by Philip Pullman is a prequel of sorts to the His Dark Materials series.  If you've read the books or watched the show, you'll know these characters.  If you haven't, there's no reason you can't start here.  While this is classified as a children's book, it can definitely  be enjoyed by adults.  Pullman's writing is always a pleasure to read.  This is a short story but every bit as good as the rest of the books in the series.  The gift version has beautiful illustrations and some extra bits that make it feel like you picked up a book that someone else was reading and stashing clues in.  You can definitely finish it in one sitting.  If you are like me and look for any chance to immerse yourself in this universe, you will want to pick this up.

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Review: Wow, No Thank You.

Wow, No Thank You. by Samantha Irby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, No Thank You is a collection of essays by Samantha Irby.  I love her writing and find it laugh-out-loud funny.  In fact, I did laugh out loud in public while reading it.  I don't care what people think of me.  I don't know if it is because we are of a similar age, like the same music, enjoy animals more than most people, or both grew up in Illinois that I feel a kindred spirit in Samantha Irby.  I don't have the IBS, but I do understand one's body betraying them on a regular basis.  So if you need a good laugh, have a strong stomach, and aren't easily offended, I highly recommend this book.

Bonus points for the adorable rabbit on the cover!

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Review: The Ghost Ship

The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received a copy of The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.

The Ghost Ship is the third book in the Burning Chambers series by Kate Mosse.  It is not necessary to read the first two books before this one unless you want the backstory of the family that leads to the main character in this book.  This book goes in a new direction: pirates!  I loved that the main character, Louise, not only pursues her love of sailing to the point of captaining a ship but that she uses her wealth and privilege to take on the worst of the worst, slavers.  Louise ends up bucking societal norms than more ways than that.  You can't help but cheer her on even though you know she plays a dangerous and deadly game.    

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Review: Fall; or, Dodge in Hell

Fall; or, Dodge in Hell by Neal Stephenson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fall: or, Dodge in Hell by Neal Stephenson is a standalone book that feels like it exists in the world of Cryptonomicon.  One doesn't embark on a Neal Stephenson book expecting a light read.  This is no exception although I felt it didn't require a deep understanding of technology to "get it."  It's a unique cast of smart characters.  There's some interesting conspiracy/fake news type stuff happening that will make you question everything you think is real.  But primarily, the book focuses on the question of afterlife. What if your brain could be uploaded to the cloud when you die so that you live forever? 

 It's not a new idea.  As a gamer, I liked that Stephenson takes it in a direction that makes it feel like the digital afterlife is more like a video game.  More importantly, it asks you to contemplate what you would do if you could create the world from scratch and is there a right answer to that question.  

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Review: Her Body and Other Parties

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado is a compilation of short stories from a female perspective.  If this was made into a movie, it might be considered erotic thriller.  The stories are often a mix of fantasy, horror, and sensuality.  The writing is very lush, like being wrapped in velvet.  It's the perfect book for autumn.  

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Review: Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up

Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received a copy of Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter from Harper Perennial and Paperbacks via NetGalley.

Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter is fiction.  I had to check a couple of times because it felt very real.  While anyone might enjoy it, I think it has a special appeal to single women in their 40s who can relate to the trials and tribulations of navigating the world during this special time of life.  It's a combination comedy/horror show.  If you are not but know someone who is, this might give you some insight into their crazy brain.  

If you enjoyed Bridget Jones's Diary, you will most likely enjoy this as well.  Give it a go!

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