Review: Fang Fiction: A Novel

Fang Fiction: A Novel by Kate Stayman-London
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Fang Fiction by Kate Stayman-London from Dial Press Trade Paperback via NetGalley.  It is available for purchase now!

I don't usually read romance, but I make an exception for Kate Stayman-London.  Fang Fiction is really for anyone who is into vampires, romance or not.  With Halloween coming up, this was a perfectly timed read.  I mean, what if vampires are real?  And what if you accidentally found yourself thrust into their very dramatic lives because you just happened to be a fan-atic of a book series about vampires.  It could happen.  It might be a dream come true even.  It could also be your worst nightmare if you didn't really pay attention to the details.  Besides having interesting characters and a unique plotline, I love the way this is also told in an epistolary-type fashion with commentary from a variety of characters.  If you want something delightful, and a little steamy, to read this holiday, check it out!  If you aren't into romance, I suggest making the Kate Stayman-London exception.  

Bonus points: I usually reserve bonus points for a very particular inclusion in books.  I'm making another exception here.  Kudos to Kate for including diverse characters so that many people can see themselves reflected here.

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Review: Karma Is a Cat: The True Stories of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift

Karma Is a Cat: The True Stories of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift by Farrin Jacobs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Karma Is a Cat: The True Stories of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift by Farrin Jacobs from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley. It should be published on January 7, 2025.

Karma Is a Cat: The True Stories of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift by Farrin Jacobs is the PURRfect book for the Taylor Swift fan and/or the cat lover.  Some might think this is a children's book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it even though I am 50 years old.  Now, some might say I am a bit biased as I am a Swiftie and a bit of a cat lady myself.  However, I think I looked at this book through an impartial and critical lens.  It was so fun!  The illustrations by Katty Huertas are fantastic and really capture the spirit of this precious trio and their mother. Yes, I read it in one sitting.  Yes, I did go back to look at parts of it again and to enjoy the illustrations. Yes, you should buy a copy for the Swiftie(s) in your life.  They will thank you.  

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Review: Sinéad O'Connor: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations

Sinéad O'Connor: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations by Melville House
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advance Reader's Copy of Sinead O'Connor: The Last Interview: and other Conversations edited by Melville House from Melville House Publishing via NetGalley.  It should be available to the public October 29, 2024.

Sinead O'Connor: The Last Interview: and other Conversations edited by Melville House with introduction by Kristin Hersh is a collection of interviews with Sinead O'Connor that span her career basically from beginning up until her death.  Reading it made me miss her so much!  Not only was she an incredible singer, she always spoke her mind no matter what the consequences could be.  Not enough people do that in the world!  She had a tough life, faced so much criticism, and yet continued to make music that would smack you across the face with its beauty and insight.  She was so much more than the woman with the shaved head, or the person who tore up the picture of the Pope on Saturday Night Live.  If only people went after pedophiles as hard as they did Sinead after she did that.  How dare she call out child abuse!  Make no mistake, in reading these interviews, you can't ignore that much of what Sinead did was to call attention to all the different ways children are abused. She wanted a better world for her children and all children. She was way ahead of her time.  Now excuse me while I go listen to No Man's Woman.

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Review: Cabinet of Curiosities: A Historical Tour of the Unbelievable, the Unsettling, and the Bizarre

Cabinet of Curiosities: A Historical Tour of the Unbelievable, the Unsettling, and the Bizarre by Aaron Mahnke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Cabinet of Curiosities: A Historical Tour of the Unbelievable, the Unsettling, and the Bizarre by Aaron Mahnke from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. This book should be available to the public after November 12, 2024.

I was very excited to receive a copy of Cabinet of Curiosities: A Historical Tour of the Unbelievable, the Unsettling, and the Bizarre by Aaron Mahnke because I am a big fan of his podcasts on tales of the weird. If you've listened to his podcasts, the book is very similar. It is a collection of true stories of unusual happenings throughout history and the world. They are loosely grouped by theme. You don't need to read them in order. You could read it in small snippets or big chunks, however you like. Having listened to the podcasts so much, I could nearly hear Aaron reading the accounts to me. The writing is very similar to the way the stories are presented in the podcasts. Besides being interesting and entertaining, you can come away with some great pieces of trivial knowledge. You never know when that can come in handy!

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Review: The Last Dream

The Last Dream by Pedro Almodóvar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advance Reader's Copy of The Last Dream by Pedro Almodovar from HarperVia via NetGalley.  

The Last Dream by Pedro Almodovar is a collection of short stories, mostly fiction although some are/might be autobiographical.  If you enjoy his films, you should enjoy this collection as they explore similar themes and reflect his style. My favorite story was the titular, The Last Dream.  I won't spoil it by telling you what it is about, but it was so moving.  It made me think of my own experience.  I shed some tears.  But not every story tugs at the heart strings.  Some are fun or dark or fantastical.  It is an interesting read because you never know what to expect from the next story.  Of course, you don't need to read them in order.  You could read them however you want.  But definitely read The Last Dream.  And maybe have a tissue handy just in case!

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Review: How to Sell a Haunted House

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Apparently, I have been on a haunted house kick lately, specifically a selling haunted houses of parents who have recently passed away under suspicious circumstances kick.  How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix fits very nicely in that niche.  Maybe because I am currently dealing with cleaning a house full of my parents' things, this book hit me hard.  I could relate to Louise not wanting to rush to just throw everything away.  There are lots of memories.  Memories are tricky things, and boy, can they be skewed by different perspectives.  This house has an added bonus, creepy dolls and puppets!  I never really thought of puppets as the thing of nightmares until now.  Dolls I can definitely see.  There are plenty of movies that make that point.  Add a healthy dose of sibling rivalry, and you have the makings of a horrific tale.  Get to reading!

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