Sharp Objects, by Gillian Flynn

It always takes me a long time to catch up to popular writers. They enjoy a brief period of rabid success, and only once that noise has quieted do I find even a sliver of interest in their work. Such was the case once again with Gillian Flynn. Honestly, I didn’t pick up Sharp Objects … Continue reading Sharp Objects, by Gillian Flynn →

The Green Mile, by Stephen King

The Green Mile is an evocative title for me. I remember in 1999 seeing the Tom Hanks movie poster appearing on one of those scrolling paper ad screens you saw in shopping malls. I was also astounded to learn that The Green Mile, one of the most emotionally-heavy stories of the last couple of decades, … Continue reading The Green Mile, by Stephen King →

Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination, by Neal Gabler

I love Disney, plain and simple. Actually, to say I merely love it is an understatement. Every time we were asked to do a school project on a historical figure, I called dibs on Walt Disney. Every time there is a choice of movie to watch, I'll gravitate toward a Disney flick. Whenever I'm in … Continue reading Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination, by Neal Gabler →

Cujo, by Stephen King

You all know the drill by now: Stephen King's name pops up on this blog and I generally laud the author and the story he created. And that's what I usually expect to write when I go into each of his books. I was a little wary of Cujo, though, because how could King build … Continue reading Cujo, by Stephen King →

A Witch in Time, by Constance Sayers

When it comes to stories about witches, I have a very specific idea in my head. I not only expect for them to be powerful, but also to have the ability to overcome a serious obstacle with their magic. If they're lacking in either of those, an interesting story can at least compensate for that. … Continue reading A Witch in Time, by Constance Sayers →

Lessons in Magic and Disaster, by Charlie Jane Anders

While pursuing my MFA at Butler University, I had the privilege of meeting Charlie Jane Anders, whose work crossed journalism, fantasy, and science fiction. I remember talking to her at a Visiting Writers event, where she asked me what my MFA thesis was going to be, and when I told her the plot in detail, … Continue reading Lessons in Magic and Disaster, by Charlie Jane Anders →

A Mother Always Knows, by Sarah Strohmeyer

A few years ago, I said my true crime fix was stalkers, but I think I've added another one to the list: cults. Jonestown, the Ant Hill Kids, the Work, anything that involves a sociopathic narcissist roping innocent victims into their twisted orbit, under the guide of improving their lives. Everyone says that they are … Continue reading A Mother Always Knows, by Sarah Strohmeyer →

Witch You Would, by Lia Amador

I think this is the first romance I've read in a bit that, to my knowledge, has not been rabidly hyped up on social media. It's probably going to be a while until I read another Abby Jimenez book (Abby, I admire your work, but your formula is wearing off), so books like Witch You … Continue reading Witch You Would, by Lia Amador →

Just for the Summer, by Abby Jimenez

Need I even try to introduce Abby Jimenez anymore? For better or worse, this BookTok-famous author (the only one that I've actually liked so far) has slid right into my list of reliable writers. Although I did not enjoy Say You'll Remember Me at all, I was still willing to give her next books a … Continue reading Just for the Summer, by Abby Jimenez →

Pen Pal, by J.T. Geissinger

The next time someone suggests a book that has any sort of popularity on TikTok, I should just not bother. Or at least do my own damn research on a book before deciding to consume it. I first heard of Pen Pal in a TBR video from a YouTuber that I typically get horror movie … Continue reading Pen Pal, by J.T. Geissinger →