September Wrap-Up

Hello there, here I am again with another wrap-up. In September I inadvertently read mostly all horror once again. One of my reading goals of 2021 was to read more from the genre since I had only read a couple and it looks like I’ve definitely checked that off my list. So, let’s get into it!

The Shining by Stephen King ★★★★★ : Full review here. I really loved this book for some reason. I may read some more Stephen King now, but I’m still on the fence on that one.

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware ★★★★☆ : I randomly decided to read this book and ended up finishing it in one night. A standard thriller, but I enjoyed it immensely. Maybe it’s because I haven’t read a thriller in a while and don’t have much to compare it to, but I loved how atmospheric and somewhat predictable it was.

My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones ★★★☆☆ : ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley. It took SO much of my brainpower to get through this one. Full review here.

Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark ★★★★☆ : Solid horror novella. The important question: will there be some sort of sequel???

The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle ★★★☆☆ : The attempt to subvert the conventions of Lovecraft fell a bit flat with the lack of depth to many characters. Although I liked this story, I wanted more from it.

Goddess of Filth by V. Castro ★☆☆☆☆ : This was just so bad. I rarely say that about a book, but I truly didn’t like anything about it.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz ★★★★☆ : Ok…I was so surprised at how this one *didn’t hit* the same way as when I first read it. If I read it for the first time ever at this current stage in my life I would probably give it a 3.5 versus the five stars plus endless tears I gave it when I first read it. I still love these characters and what they did for me when I first read it, but the writing style wasn’t as impactful to me this time around. I’m still excited to read the new sequel finally coming out this month though so we can see where Aristotle and Dante are in their future!

Two of my favorite TV shows ever are The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor. Midnight Mass was written and created by the same person, which meant I absolutely had to watch it. It was eerie and disturbing in all my favorite ways, with a hint of hopefulness peeking through. It didn’t reach the level of love I have for the other two shows, but it was still a good time. It also freaked me out as a former Catholic school student still afraid of lots of things that were ingrained in me as a kid…yeah.

So it seems that my blog has temporarily become something of a horror blog, which I’m fine with for now. I have a few other books on my shelf that I am hoping to get to in October, including some non-horror books. XOXO,The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, The Death of Jane Lawrence, and The Exorcist (the last of which I am scared, but curious to read). I’m still working on finishing Dune, which I’ve been sloooowly reading for about three weeks, but I’m liking it so far. What are you reading/looking forward to reading this month? Hope you are having a lovely start to October!