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A lovely book about H.H. Holmes and his crimes. This book has so much interesting information about the man, the crimes, as well as the place and time that the events took place. The author does an amazing job of setting the stage in this respect. I’ve always been super interested in H.H. Holmes anyway, and this is DEFINATLY one the best books on the market about him. Everything this author writes is amazing.
I had never read this book until recently, even though I’ve loved the animated movie since I was little. This book was originally written/published in 1872. Pictured here is my antique copy, which does have illustrations but is also abridged. I recently listened to the unabridged version on Audible, and it was fantastic. They had kept so much of what happened in the book when they made the cartoon, so it was nice to have the visuals already. The story itself is charming, wholesome, magical, and overall a really great story for any age.
The Grisha Trilogy was one I had wanted to read for a long time and I forget where exactly I had heard about it. It kept getting pushed to the back burner behind other books I wanted to read, but after seeing that a Netflix show was being made, I made it a priority. The world was well created, the villan was well developed, and the ending wrapped everything up well and wasn’t a disappointment. It wasn’t my most favorite YA fantasy series that I’ve ever read, but it was defiantly worth the read, and not only had interesting characters, but had enough twists and turns. to keep me intrigued. The Netflix show (what is out so far) was really well made and seemed to stay in keeping with the series. The show also included a parallel story line that take place in the same world, but is a separate series by the author, which I haven’t read.
“The Shining” by Stephen King
Finally starting a classic that’s been on my TBR list for what seems like forever. Some notes: A) Stephen King books are usually a hit or miss for me; some I love, some aren’t anything to rave about. B) The Stanley Kubric film is a cinematic masterpiece in and of itself; including watching a forwards/backwards overlay. I’m a big fan. C) I’ve never personally been to The Stanley Motel in Colorado, but my parents have and they said it definitely had the vibes and King’s inspiration for the book was quite obvious. D) The hazelnut coffee in my new Tinkerbell thermos is a win.
I started this book right after Christmas, and have just finished the fourth in the series, and am about to start the most recently released book. This isn’t the usual type of genre I read, but after seeing all the hype about it on the internet and #booktok, I decided to give it a try. This is what I would consider Fantasy/Romance. There are spicy sex scenes, but the book is also full of magic, war, politics, interpersonal relationships, mythological creatures, trauma, Fae, travel, and beautifully described locations. I have been plowing through these fairly quickly, and have really enjoyed the story. The initial books are from one character’s point of view, but later in the series the chapters vary for whom you are reading from. There are some amazing quotes and dialogue, good representations of various forms of trauma and mental health, sexy men, and bad villains who don’t deserve to be redeemed. Overall great read so far. It’s defiantly fantasy, and I wouldn’t say its a standard “romance novel”. Though there is a major love story theme, it walks hand in hand with the plot line of war.
I finished this book a year or so ago, after reading about it online and then my Cousin ended up buying a copy for me for Christmas. I have never read a fiction book so completely seeped in African culture and Mythology, and it was pretty amazing. The story is full of magic, action, love, quests and adventure, war and warriors, mystery, Gods and Goddesses, ancient relics and ruins, and defiantly checks all the boxes. The narrator who does the audiobook for Audible is amazing as well, and really helps with some of the pronunciations, and adds to the immersion of the story with her thick accent. The sequel is currently in my “to-be-read” pile, and I can’t wait to find out what happens. Highly recommended.
I recently started a new book in tandem with a friend of mine; “Payback’s a Witch” by Lana Harper. It’s modern times WLW romance centering around a magical town of witches, and their traditional festivities for Halloween. The main character Emmy returns home after a many-years absence (which caused her magical powers to fizzle out) to serve as Arbiter for a magic tournament. While back home she has to deal with her past, her magic, her family, an ex, and a new love interest.
I’m only a couple of chapters in, but the writing is vividly descriptive and poetic, and I’m already “under its spell”. Can’t wait to see how the book turns out. It’s pretty popular right now so I hope it lives up to the hype.
#bookclub #currentlyreading #currentread #paybacksawitch #lanaharper #romancebooks #lgbtqromance #lgbtqbooks #lgbtq #theywereroommates #wlw
“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
This has always been one of my favorite series. The third book in the trilogy really portrays a great representation of PTSD as well. The awesome district maps people have made of the USA are always fun to look at as well. I have the unofficial cookbook companion to this series, which talks about a lot of different foods as well. It’s a really great all around series, and I love the way the author describes things, as well as Katniss’ internal dialogue.
“Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur.
Some seriously amazing poetry. It’s all very raw and honest and gritty. Written by a woman, it covers topics like parents, love, sex, relationships, and sexual abuse. Haven’t read a poetry book in forever it seems, but this one will definitely be added to my collection.
“Stalking Jack the Ripper” By Kerri Maniscalco
Got this gem at a yard sale today for .25ยข! Now that I’m two chapters in, this is definitely my current read. “Stalking Jack the Ripper” By Kerri Maniscalco. Her first novel, the language is pretty amazing, and what isn’t interesting about cutting up cadavers or Jack the Ripper?
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Here’s the book description: ‘Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born into privilege but leads a forbidden secret life. Against her father’s wishes and society’s expectations, Audrey spends most of her time in her Uncle’s laboratory to study forensic medicine by dissecting cadavers. But when their work on a series of gruesome murders and savagely killed corpses pulls them into a serious criminal investigation, she may not be able to keep her double life from her father or society much longer. But she is determined to find answers, for both herself and the murdered women. Set in 1888, this seamless blend of history and fiction places its characters directly in the middle of the Whitechapel murders attributed to Jack the Ripper.’
AEL Library & Archives 