REVIEW: The Broken Girls

The Broken Girls
Author: Simone St. James

Idlewild Hall. A school for girls. Some rebellious. Others illegitimate. All unwanted by their families. In the 1950s, four girls bonded over ghost stories about Mary Hand, a girl who supposedly froze to death on the grounds decades before. When one of them disappears, it starts a chain of events that will remain a mystery for more than 60 years. Flash forward to 2014....Fiona Sheridan wants to know the truth about her sister's murder in the 90's. Her body was found on the grounds of Idlewild Hall, a run down abandoned former school. Fiona's search for the truth becomes intertwined with memories and actions of three women, now elderly, and their search for justice.

I loved this book! It has a slightly supernatural edge to it and plenty of suspense. I don't normally like books that switch back and forth in time, but for this story it worked perfectly. Fiona's search for information about her sister's death opens up old mysteries surrounding the old school, even an old ghost story. I loved how came together with surprises and lots of suspense in the end!

I waited months in the online queue to listen to the audio book version of this story from my local library. Totally worth the wait!! I liked the characters, the setting and the plot. The story kept my attention from beginning to end. Nice steady suspense.

The audio book (Penguin Random House Audio) is just over 11 hours long and is narrated by Rebecca Lowman. Lowman has a nice voice and reads at an even pace. All in all, an enjoyable listening experience. I have partial hearing loss but was easily able to hear and understand the entire story.

This is the first book by Simone St. James that I have read. She has written several other suspense novels....I'm definitely going to be reading more!

REVIEW: A Dog Called Jack

A Dog Called Jack
Author: Ivy Pembroke

Jack is a dog. He used to live in a house on Christmas Street...but his family moved and left him behind. But don't worry about good ol' Jack. Now he belongs to everyone on the street. He visits all the neighbors up and down the street. They all feed, pat and love Jack. But the best part? Jack makes a huge difference to everyone on Christmas Street. By the time he's done wagging and working his doggie magic, the neighborhood will be transformed.

I love this book! My favorite character is the gruff curmudgeon, Bill Hammersley. He's determined to dislike the new neighbors the minute he sees the pink flamingo in their yard. But he learns a lot of lessons in this story....as do all the residents on Christmas Street.  A little abandoned dog brings a neighborhood together as a family. Just a sweet story!! As soon as I finished reading my digital review copy, I preordered a print copy of this book. It's going on my keeper shelf. I will definitely be re-reading this happy story many times!

Ivy Pembroke has written two other books about Christmas Street: Snowflakes on Christmas Street and A Wedding on Christmas Street. Romancey stories aren't my usual genre, but I loved A Dog Called Jack....so I'm going to read the other two books! Even I need a feel-good, happy story once in awhile! Perfect reads for cold winter nights.

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. My dogs wholeheartedly agree with my review and give it a full four paws!**

REVIEW: Dead as a Door Knocker

Dead as a Door Knocker
Author: Diane Kelly

Whitney Whitaker is a property manager and carpenter in Nashville, TN. When one of her developer clients wants to off load a house, she jumps in to buy it, intending to fix it up and flip the property. The project is difficult from the start. First, bad wiring causes a fire, quickly followed up by Whitney finding a dead body buried in the flower bed. Her house flipping days might be over before they even really start!

I enjoyed this first book in the House-Flipper Mystery series. Whitney is an interesting and intelligent main character. Her cat has the cutest name ever -- Sawdust. I liked the setting, the background theme and the side characters in this new series. Cute, creative idea! I felt sorry for Whitney.....she wants to build her business, expanding into renovation projects....but gets waylaid by fire and dead bodies. Yikes! What a way to start a new business venture!

This is the first book by Diane Kelly that I've read. She also writes the Paw Enforcement and Tara Holloway mystery series. I'm definitely going to read more by this author. I like her writing style and the mix of humor and mystery.

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from St Martins Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Death by Committee

Death by Committee
Author: Alexis Morgan

Death by Committee is the first book in the new Abbey McRee Mystery series. The series is set in Snowberry Creek, WA. The author also has a contemporary romance series set in the same town.

Abbey McRee is recently divorced and starting her life all over again. She recently inherited her Aunt Sybil's victorian style home in Snowberry Creek. She moves in with her dog, Zeke. Along with the house, she also inherited her aunt's quilting group, a spot on the local senior affairs committee and a tenant, Tripp Blackston. When an enemy of her aunt's is discovered dead and buried under junk in a corner of the yard, suspicion falls on her deceased aunt and Tripp. Abbey is determined to clear her aunt's name and identify the murderer. It proves to be a dangerous quest!

All in all, a nice start to a new cozy series. The premise of inheriting a victorian home from an elderly relative is pretty tropey, but the story was still a fun read. I like Abbey as a main character. She's trying hard to start her life over after a failed marriage and endures the snarkiness of small town busybodies. Her pet mastiff, Zeke, is a great addition to the story as is her renter, Tripp and the rest of the side characters. The quirky members of the quilting group jump in to help Abbey investigate. Nothing like a feisty group of senior citizens to help ferret out a killer. The ending wasn't really a surprise, but there was enough twists, suspects and surprises in this book to keep my attention. I will definitely read more of this series.

The cover art is colorful and cute. It really caught my eye, and first drew me to read this book. :)

Alexis Morgan is the author of several romance series, even a paranormal one. I don't read the romance genre, but I will definitely read any cozies she writes. I like her writing style, the characters, background theme and setting for this new cozy series. Makes for an enjoyable, relaxing reading experience.

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Love

Love
Author: Stacy McAnulty
Illustrations: Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Every year right after Christmas the commercialized Valentine's Day stuff appears in stores. Red and pink everywhere. Cute, mushy, suggestive. The word love splashed everywhere. But love isn't chocolates, cupcakes, bright greeting cards, stuffed animals or dinner out. It's so much more....

Stacy McAnulty's book about love shows that love is in everyday things....in our actions, words and caring for others. The illustrations carefully teach a lesson that love has nothing to do with a commercialized holiday....and everything to do with how we value those around us. Lovely book! I'm ordering a copy for my grand kids!

The Illustrations by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff are beautiful! Colorful, interesting and meaningful! The cover art pulled me in and got me to read this children's book. I'm glad I did....it really has an awesome message! I think my grand kids will really enjoy it!

This is the first book by Stacy McAnulty I've read. She has several others that Joanne Lew-Vriethoff also illustrated. I'm sure I will be reading and buying more!

**I voluntarily read a sample copy of this children's book. All opinions expressed are entirely myt own.**

REVIEW: Catching Murphy

Catching Murphy
Author: Wilson Ring

Murphy the Dog made national headlines when he ran from the scene of a traffic accident in Vermont in 2014. It took two years to reunite Murphy with his owner and catching the lost dog brought an entire community together.

A writer for the Associated Press, Wilson Ring diligently put out food and traps to catch the golden retriever and enlisted the help of many for two years. The dog hung around the outskirts of his property the whole time, evading traps and never letting anyone get near him. But Ring kept trying, until he finally managed to catch the lost dog. Catching Murphy is the tale of how one lost, confused dog brought together so many people.

I loved this story! I think I enjoyed it because I knew from the start that the outcome was a happy one. I can't stand animal stories that end badly.....it's that Old Yeller taint. But I remember the news coverage when the dog was finally returned to his owner. Happy ending! Yay!

I listened to the audio book version of this story. At just over an hour, it's an easy, enjoyable listen. Malcolm Hillgartner narrates. His voice is pleasant and he reads at a nice, even pace. I have partial hearing loss, but was easily able to hear and understand this entire book.

Catching Murphy is part of the Missing Collection from Audible/Amazon Originals. The Missing Collection gathers six true stories about people dealing and recovering from extreme loss or hardship. The stories are varied, but I've liked all that I've listened to so far!

REVIEW: The Judgment of Osiris

The Judgment of Osiris
Author: Theresa Crater

I have always enjoyed tales of Egypt ever since I watched documentaries about the pyramids and ancient Eqyptian history as a child. I'm getting ready to read a novel set in Egypt by this indy author, but decided to read this short story first.

The basics: An Egyptian tour guide accepts a strange gift from a rival guide. The contents take him on an unexpected trip to the underworld.

Owen is the perfect main character for this story. He loves Egypt....the people, history, relics, Gods....he loves it all. Then he gets the ultimate of tours....

I like the author's writing style. She doesn't over-tell or go into long unnecessary descriptions. She gives enough details to let readers' imaginations pull them into the story. Nicely done!

I have Theresa Crater's book, Under the Stone Paw, at the top of the queue on my Kindle. Definitely geared up to read it now! I loved the ancient Egyptian myth, history and setting in this story. Can't wait to get more in Under the Stone Paw!

**I voluntarily read a free copy of this short story provided to me by the author. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Time Out

Time Out
Author: Claudia Rowe

At 13 years old Willard Jimerson shot and killed a 14-year old girl. He was tried and sentenced as an adult because of the severity of the crime. Life in Prison. A child. A kid who never had a chance.....

Time Out tells Jimerson's story....his family, his absent parents, the crime and his conviction, his years in prison.....and his reform. This is a story of hope. Jimerson picked up the shattered pieces of his life and grew up in prison, realizing he wanted more than life in a 6' by 16' cell. He wanted to be more than a murderer. Jimerson wanted to help others to avoid the path he chose at 13.

I had mixed feelings about this story. On the one hand, I was joyful that Willard Jimerson changed his life. That he spent 20+ years in prison, but came out a changed man who brings hope to others now. On the other hand, he shot a little girl in the back -- took her life -- there is nothing in this universe that will give that little girl back the life he stole. For no reason. But, ultimately, at the time he took the decision to shoot a gun, Jimerson was a child. He had never been taught any better. He grew up on the streets...his parents were both criminals. His grandparents did their best, but it wasn't enough. Kids make mistakes. Jimerson just made a very, very large and everlasting mistake that he regrets. One line from the book made me realize this is a wonderful story. Jimerson commented that he couldn't make up for what he did...so he was going to make sure to live enough life and do enough good for two lives. He can't give that girl back the life she lost or heal her family's pain.....but he can make sure to do good things with the rest of his life. Reformation is possible. Jimerson is living proof of that. Lovely story!

Time Out is part of the Missing Collection from Audible/Amazon Originals. I listened to the audio book version of this story. At just over an hour long, the audio is an easy listen. J.D. Jackson narrates. His voice is pleasant and he reads at an even pace. All in all, an enjoyable listening experience. I have partial hearing loss but was easily able to hear and understand this entire book.

The Missing Collection gathers six true stories about people dealing and recovering from extreme loss.

REVIEW: After Words

After Words
Author: Nina Mitchell

I happened across several collections of original stories from Audible/Amazon Originals during the holidays quite by accident. The titles have been a bit hit or miss for me, but mostly enjoyable. After Words is part of the Missing Collection....six true stories about dealing with (and recovering from) loss.

In After Words, Nina Mitchell recounts her loss of speech and other mental faculties following two strokes. Mitchell was only 26, but a medical condition she didn't even realize she had forced her to face a struggle for her life. She endured brain surgery, difficult rehab and temporarily moving home with her parents. Mitchell tells her story with courage and humor. I loved this story!

I listened to the audio book version of After Words. Narrated by Angela Dawe, the audio is just under 40 minutes...so easy listening length. There is some cursing in the story....so might want to listen away from younger children. Dawe reads at a nice pace and has a pleasant, easily understandable voice. I have partial hearing loss but was easily able to hear and understand the entire audio book.

REVIEW: The Book Thief

The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak

This story is absolutely haunting and beautiful. This book languished on my TBR list for a long time before I had the courage to read it. To be honest, I had a couple false starts at this book before I could really get into the story. I get overwhelmed by books about the Holocaust. It breaks my heart. I'm glad I finally decided to start reading and not stop.

This isn't an easy story to love. It's filled with war, death, fear, grief.....but also deep love, friendship, understanding and beauty. To have light, there has to be darkness. I found it fitting that the story is actually narrated by Death. As he roams through Europe picking up the souls of people dying in the war, he becomes interested in the girl....the one who will be known as The Book Thief. Starting with her very first book stolen from a grave digger's assistant, Liesel Meminger uses books to get through the war years. She finds them....borrows them.....steals them. Liesel learns the power of words. They can be used to heal....or to destroy.

I haven't watched the movie version of this story yet, as I have a rule that I have to read the book first. I'm hoping the movie sticks closely to the book....this tale is just about perfect just the way it is.

I listened to the audiobook version of The Book Thief (Penguin Random House Audio). At just under 14 hours long, the story is narrated by Allan Corduner. Corduner gives a great performance, voicing and acting the different characters with great skill. I have partial hearing loss but was easily able to hear and understand this entire book.

I think my favorite character is Rosa Hubermann. She seems so angry and gruff, but she is actually a very loving, kind person. She calls both Hans and Liesel pigs -- saukurl and saumensch -- all through the book. And Liesel and her best friend use those same terms for each other. The words end up endearments rather than curse words.

Great book! I have the DVD on the way from Netflix as of today -- I hope the movie is just as good!

REVIEW: Hark! The Herald Angels Scream

Hark! The Herald Angels Scream
Authors: Various

I had an absolute blast listening to the audio book version of this holiday themed horror anthology! Packed with 18 horrific holiday tales, this collection ranges from humorous to spooky and even snarky. Fun! It was great timing on my part as I was packing away all the holiday decorations, moving furniture and mopping up after the holidays while listening to these stories. Made it more fun!

As with any story collection there were tales I loved, some that were good, and two that I really didn't like. It happens. The stories are varied in tone, length and type of horror....makes the collection appealing to a wide range of readers. My favorite story from the book is Good Deeds by Jeff Strand. There is a particular Christmas song overplayed by radio stations every year that I absolutely hate. Every time I hear the depressing tune about a kid buying his dying mother a pair of shoes, I just roll my eyes and wonder if my ears are going to start bleeding. Ugh. I hate that song! How lovely of Jeff Strand to bring a smile to my face with a horror story based on the fact that EVERYONE pretty much hates that song. It brought joy to my heart and I will think fondly on that story every time I am subjected to The-Holiday-Song-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named. Following a close second for me was Absinthe & Angels by Kelly Armstrong. Totally creepy holiday tale about mummers who appear outside a couple's cabin on Christmas Eve. Loved it!

All in all, this is an enjoyable holiday anthology that doesn't have to be enjoyed during the holidays. These stories are entertaining and could be read at any time of the year.

I listened to the audio book version (Highbridge). At just over 11.5 hours, it took me a couple days to get through all of the stories. Narrated by Teri Schnaubelt and Charles Constant, the audio is high quality and very enjoyable. Both narrators read at a nice pace with great acting skills. A very enjoyable listening experience! This was definitely the perfect audio book to listen to while packing up the tinsel and reindeer!  :)

REVIEW: Black Sheep

Black Sheep
Author: Rory Scholl

Every family has a black sheep....the one who is judged, misunderstood and the cause of many eyerolls, face palms and eyebrow raises. In my family, it's me. I married young when I was stupid and got divorced....cue much wailing and gnashing of teeth from my extended Catholic family. Then, after a long stint of single parenting (eyebrow raises and much face palming from said Catholic family) was followed by my remarriage....to a Protestant. Not just a Protestant...but a decedent of That Troublemaker also known as Martin Luther (more wailing and gnashing of teeth by the papists...and several ancestors rolling in Irish and German graves, of course). When I saw that this story was about a Black Sheep and his feisty grandmother, I knew I would love it. And I wasn't wrong!

Rory Scholl beautifully weaves the story of his grandmother, her cats and her awesomely stand-out personality, plus his dreams of being a comedian despite his parents constant lectures on responsibility, dead end careers and their disappointment in him. But, he knows he can share his triumphs and challenges with his grandmother. She always supports him and listens. Every week he goes to see her. They play bingo and socialize....and he even sneaks in a bit of liquor for her...which of course lands him in hot water with his family again.

A joyous story about strong personalities and free spirits. I loved it! And guess what? Rory is a successful comedian and happy in his life. Pffffft to nay-sayers. And, I'm still married to my lovely Protestant spouse (happily living 1200 miles away from my family) while my ancestors still roll around in their sepulchres.

*Wink* Sometimes it's ok to be the black sheep. :)

I listened to the audio version of this story. It's an easy, quick listen at under an hour. Rory Scholl narrates his own story. All in all, a fun, delightful listen about family shenanigans and learning to march to the beat of your own drum.

Black Sheep is part of the Audible/Amazon Originals This Can't Be Happening Collection. The collection gathers four stories about people dealing with the worst moments of their lives and coming out on top. This is the third story in the collection I've listened to. Most of the time Amazon Originals are hit or miss for me, but this collection is definitely a hit. I have enjoyed each story so far. One left! On to the next!

REVIEW: The Third Man

The Third Man
Author: Mani Sheriar

The Third Man is a beautiful story about adoption, family and love. It is the fourth and final story in the This Can't Be Happening Collection from Audible/Amazon Originals. The collection gathers four tales about people persisting through a life crisis and coming out stronger for it. Mani and her husband David go through the adoption process and bring a little baby boy home with them. But the baby's father files papers to contest the adoption. Mani struggles with fears that she might lose Bodie and faces a whirlwind of emotions about the father who might take the baby away from them.

This story quickly became my favorite of the 4-story collection. Mani tells her story with real emotion and strength. She talks about fertility treatments, the pain of a miscarriage, all the paperwork involved before the adoption, meeting the birth mother and bringing the baby home.....only to face possibly losing him. The scene where she meets the birth father was tense, beautiful and filled with love. Such a sweet story of love and acceptance!

This story is part of a bigger collection of stories told on the Risk! Podcast, produced by Kevin Allison. The podcast gathers intense stories from people's lives that they thought they would never reveal in public. I've added the Podcast to my download list. I loved this collection of four original stories, and I hope the podcast offers more of the same!

Audible/Amazon Originals have proved to be a hit or miss experience for me. Some of the collections I have thoroughly enjoyed....others were a mixed bag....and some I just found to be awful. The This Can't Be Happening Collection is by far the best I have listened to so far. Loved it!

I listened to the audio version of this story. At just under an hour, it's an easy, quick but emotional listening experience. Mani Sheriar narrates her own story. She reads at a nice pace with real emotion. It was a very powerful, enjoyable performance. I have hearing loss, but was easily able to understand and enjoy this audio book.

REVIEW: Identity Thief

Identity Thief
Author: Rachel Rosenthal

The This Can't Be Happening Collection from Audible/Amazon Originals gathers four stories about people getting through their worst personal moments with strength and determination. Identity Thief is the second story I have read in this collection. While I loved the story and was totally engaged from start to finish, it was difficult to get through. It broke my heart to hear about a young woman going through so much stress and hardship. In her early 20's, Rachel was the victim of identity theft and fraud. There were multiple unexplained charges and withdrawals on her bank accounts, mysterious calls from creditors, and checks disappearing from her apartment. When she discovered the truth about the situation, it almost destroyed her. Lovely story about a talented, strong, awesome woman.....but heart-breaking as well.

I listened to the audio book version of this story. At just over an hour, it's a quick, easy listen. Rachel Rosenthal reads her own story, so the emotion behind her performance is real. I have partial hearing loss, but was easily able to hear and understand the entire audio book.

Rosenthal is a comedian and improv performance artist. I've never seen her perform, but would love to experience her comedy now that I've heard about one of the darkest events in her life. All in all, a great story of a woman developing her own sense of self through determination and strength.

I'm enjoying this story collection so far. I'm definitely going to listen to the other two stories in this collection. Amazon Originals are a hit & miss thing for me sometimes....but this collection seems to be one I can dig into and enjoy.

On to the next! :) This is a great set of stories to listen to as I clean up/re-organize my house now that the holiday season is over and the new year has started. :)

REVIEW: The Magic of Friendship Snow

The Magic of Friendship Snow
Author: Andi Cann

As a grandma and former homeschool teacher, I'm always on the lookout for outstanding children's books. I was first drawn to this book by Andi Cann because of the colorful front cover. The message inside is even more awesome...so I knew I needed to review this book.

Some children have a harder time making new friends than others. The stress of a move can make things difficult even for more social kids. This book tells a story about a little girl who desperately wants to make friends but isn't sure how. She finds a snowman who talks to her about how to make friends, and then in turn she helps a boy who just moved to town to make some new friends. The book doesn't over-explain, but leaves room for parents/grandparents or a teacher to start a discussion about ways to make friends, what being a good friend means and ways to make new kids feel welcome.

The artwork in this book is beautiful! Each page has a colorful picture.

This book could have classroom uses as well as being perfect for story time at home. It teaches an important lesson and could be really helpful for shy kids. The story might even give more outgoing children ideas about how to befriend kids who are more reserved. Overall, it's just a nice story about how to be a friend and make friends.

Great book! It is available in both English and Spanish. I'm going to recommend it to my local library.

REVIEW: Two Henrys

Two Henrys
Author: Kevin Allison

Two Henrys is one of four stories in the Audible/Amazon Originals This Can't Be Happening Collection. Each story is about someone's worst case scenario and how they used it to their advantage rather than letting bad events own them.

I loved this story! Kevin Allison tells the tale of meeting....and losing....his best friend in school. They were inseparable friends until Kevin divulged he was gay. That revelation of his greatest secret caused a rift between the two former best buddies, culminating in a run for junior high student council president.

I remember the days when the most terrifying thing that could happen to a kid was to be "different'' or even the dreaded term "unpopular.'' I was always in the "unpopular'' group for a large list of ridiculous reasons. I was told I was too smart, never wore the right clothes, my hair was wrong, didn't apply the correct shades of cool eyeshadow and lip gloss, and I wasn't thin enough. As soon as I had that magic birthday where I was old enough to work, I got a job waitressing at a truck stop so I could fix the clothes, my hair, and buy the required make-up. It didn't help....I was still in the reject group. Too smart. Too nerdy. Too plain. Wore glasses. Wore a size 12. I just was that too round peg that didn't even remotely fit the square hole of popularity.

There was one topic that was the ultimate taboo back in 80's public school in the rural midwest where I grew up -- being gay. I'm sure there were gay kids at my school, but they stayed safely in the closet back in those days. The worst thing to call someone back then was a "fag'' or a "fruit.'' It was the penultimate insult. The destroyer of worlds. Worse than being weird. Looking back, I wonder if any of my classmates lived in that hell of never getting to be who they really were. Never getting to just be themselves out of fear of being outted. There would have been no escape from being labeled as The Fag. I grew up in that era.....and I felt total sympathy for Kevin Allison as he told his story with honesty, humor and truth.

I listened to the audio version of this novella. It's an easy listen at just under 1.5 hours. Kevin Allison narrates his own story. His performance is top-notch. It was enjoyable to hear his tale of learning to be comfortable in his own skin. I have hearing loss but was easily able to hear and understand the entire audio book. Kevin Allison has a popular podcast called Risk!, showcasing true stories that people never thought they would work up the guts to tell in public. It sounds intriguingly interesting. I added it to my podcast lineup. Definitely worth a listen!

REVIEW: The Running Man

The Running Man
Author: Richard Bachman (Stephen King)

I read this Bachman Book years ago when it was released in a compilation edition called The Bachman Books (along with Rage, The Long Walk and Roadwork). I have never seen the movie version starring Arnold Schwarzenegger made in the 80s. But after finding a copy of this book with a movie tie-in cover, I've arranged to borrow a DVD of The Running Man. Before watching the movie, I decided to re-read the short book. I'm glad I did.

The Running Man is basically the story of a man desperate to bring in some serious money for his family. His daughter is sick, and they live in squalor. The working class is kept poor and downtrodden in one area of the city....while others live in relative comfort. But, in return for competing in dangerous games that will be televised, they can bring in some cash. Unfortunately, many of the contestants die. Ben Richards decides the best way to help his wife and sick daughter is to go through the screening process and join a game. He competes as The Running Man, chased across the country by law enforcement, mercenaries and the general public. He is required to send in daily videos and will be paid for each day he survives. A lot of money is promised if he can last 30 days. But.....nobody has ever lasted that long. The record is 8 days and 5 hours. Killer Capitalism.

This book came out in the 80s, but it's set in 2024. I couldn't help but notice the uncanny resemblance to modern reality television. People aren't paid to run from law enforcement with extra money paid for each person they kill while running.....but there have been people injured and killed during publicity stunts for views on YouTube and while filming shows or stunts for reality television. One game in the book has infirm, ill or crippled people competing for money by running on a treadmill. They are asked trivia questions...if they answer wrong, it costs them money and the treadmill speed is increased. They are paid by the minute, with the game often killing contestants. Nobody died....but lots of people tuned in to Biggest Loser for years, watching overweight, ill people endure exercise and starvation to lose weight. Contestants later talked about peeing blood from dehydration, collapsing after hours of forced exercise and being ill afterwards all in an effort to win the $250,000 prize.....pretty close to Treadmills To Bucks. It's not that far a jump to think the trend could jump up a few notches to more dangerous games.....all for money and a magical chance for a better life.

I had forgotten a lot of this story over the years. I was still basically a kid when I read it. I read it Before. Before marriage, before kids, before a lot of things. Re-reading it at 50 years old brought a new perspective. Great action story....but also a cautionary tale. We can't allow ourselves to become so engrossed in cheap, violent entertainment that we lose sight of other more important issues -- unsafe work environments, unfair treatment of the working class, and growing belief that some lives are worth more than others. Killer capitalism isn't that big a jump from where we are today.

I enjoyed re-visiting this book! It's a great action story with a bit of moralizing added in the mix. I'm going to re-read more of the Bachman books this year. They are shorter than the novels the author published as Stephen King, and have a different vibe to them. Less horror....more darkness.

Now that I have read the book and have the story fresh in my mind, I'm going to watch the 80's movie. I wonder how badly they butchered the story? My husband says the movie has very little resemblance to the book. Not surprised.

REVIEW: The Elephant in the Room

The Elephant in the Room:
One Man's Quest to get Smaller in a Growing America
Author: Tommy Tomlinson

Tommy Tomlinson is an acclaimed journalist, a happily married man, middle aged, intelligent, witty....and overweight. The Elephant in the Room is a book about his struggle with weight, heartfelt discussion on how his weight effects his life, thoughts on his writing career, family, and life in general.

This book is a bit like sitting across the dinner table with Tommy Tomlinson and just listening to him talk. He's funny, witty, emotional and serious. He started out at 460 pounds....he faced entering his 50s feeling like the largest person in the room. He laments that he is likely the largest person most people will ever see. So, he decided to do something about it.....

This book doesn't end with a shocking before/after set of pictures with Tommy touting some wonder drug or surgery for his complete success. He admits he is a work in progress, sharing his thoughts and emotions about the journey.

I jumped at the chance to review this book because Tomlinson is from Charlotte, NC...just an hour from where I live. I understand the struggles with trying to lose weight in the south where everything is fried and tea comes to the table with about a cup of sugar in each glass (ugh -- I was born in the Midwest. Sweet tea is about the nastiest concoction on the planet. And even after 15 years in NC, when I ask for unsweet tea, I still get confused looks and then commentary about how weird it is that I don't drink sweet tea. And I won't even start on the comments I get when I pass up grits, pimento cheese spread or liver mush.)

I enjoyed this book. Tomlison is real and open....he's sharing his life, his struggles. The story isn't just for people who are struggling with weight...but anybody who faces a challenge and needs motivation. He doesn't offer some magic fix or spend long chapters talking about how he did it and anybody can. It's all about the journey. And he's making progress!

Proud of you, Tommy! Keep going! :)

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The End of the World Running Club

The End of the World Running Club
Author: Adrian J. Walker

Edgar Hill is overweight, self-absorbed, lazy, selfish, indifferent. In a sort of grand comeuppance, the universe rains down the apocalypse from the sky on Edgar's cozy little life (after he completely ignores warnings of the possibility for weeks) and destroys everything. Now Edgar has to learn to survive in a world where nothing comes easily...where death lurks around corners....where some survivors go insane or turn almost feral...where he has to truly work to save his wife and children. Edgar finds himself running a race across the UK to find his family after they are separated by an international task force rescuing survivors. Edgar has to find strength and endurance that seems impossible while battling evil, physical pain and the elements.

I found myself shaking my head multiple times at the self-absorbed whining Edgar uses to explain his behavior in the first 2/3 of this book. But....aren't we all a bit self-absorbed at times? Don't we all fall a bit short as a spouse, a parent, sibling, daughter/son, friend, boss/employee.... Don't we all make excuses for our shortcomings? Blaming others. Bending our perceptions of our own thoughts, actions, failures. I know I do. Just imagine if an apocalyptic event hit....no more safe, warm house to live in...no more police....no more grocery store or gas station down the street...no more cars....no more anything. And panicked, out of control survivors out there looking to steal what little  you do have or do harm to your family. If parenting became more than buying food, paying bills and driving kids to soccer practice.....what would happen?? Edgar finds out. BOOM. Everything gone. He has to be a man.....a Real Man.... responsible for actually protecting, feeding, and caring about his family. He has to come to grips with himself...and become More. Edgar goes on a journey...not just a physical one, but a mental one as well.

This is an amazing story! All of the characters Edgar meets along his journey face choices....and all choose their path. Some choose to sacrifice to help others....and some choose to benefit themselves. Very realistic. Some people are just as dangerous as the natural disaster that destroyed everything. And others, met totally by chance, are a blessing beyond measure. I loved how even minor characters had something to add to Edgar's story from the people who made the journey with him to minor encounters along the way. Edgar has to morph from a fat, lazy person into a long-distance runner. He openly admits that he has never run a single step by choice in his life.....and has to find the strength in himself to run hundreds of miles to find his family. He makes a choice....and it's quite the journey.

I like reading apocalyptic action stories. I enjoyed this one more than most because it had a different purpose. The story isn't just about surviving a catastrophe....it's about coming out on the other side a better person. This is the first book by Adrian J. Walker that I've read. I'm definitely going to read his other books. I like his writing style and the way endurance running figured into the plot.

I listened to the audio book version of this story. Narrated by Jot Davies, the audio from Blackstone Publishing is just over 15 hours long. Davies reads at a nice pace and his acting performance is wonderful! Be warned -- the characters YELL a lot. There are fights, arguments, dangerous situations, injuries, mental breakdowns, etc....and the characters are often loud. Not a book to listen to at work....or turned all the way up with earbuds in. ha ha. :) Lots of yelling in various Scottish and English accents studded with various colorful metaphors. :) But, it really makes the listening experience a great one! This is one of the best audio books I've listened to so far....Davies made the story come to life. Awesome listening experience...after I learned to turn down the volume when a certain character gets angry. :)

REVIEW: The Tattooist of Auschwitz

The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Author: Heather Morris

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is based on the real-life experiences of Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew who was sent to Auschwitz Concentration Camp during World War II. He worked as a tattooist at Auschwitz-Birkenau camps tattooing identification numbers on thousands of prisoners held there. He witnessed violence, death and horrors over the three years he spent in captivity. Lale learned to use his position to sneak extra food and purchase items like chocolate from villagers living nearby. He also fell in love while a prisoner and used his relationship with Gita to give him the strength to survive.

This is a disturbing yet beautifully heartwarming story. I listened to the audio book version...and was totally mesmerized by the story from the start. Narrated by Richard Armitage, the audio book from HarperAudio is just under 7.5 hours long. Armitage reads at perfect speed and has a nice voice. His acting skills are apparent. He put a lot of emotion into his performance. All in all, a wonderful listening experience.

I have read that they are adapting this book into a film or television show. I will definitely watch it! I hope they remain true to the source, as this story is beautiful. The author interviewed Lale Sokolov over a three year period before his death in 2006. Her book is based on those interviews.

Full stars from me. This book is wonderful!

REVIEW: The Stones, The Crows, The Grass, The Moon

The Stones, The Crows, The Grass, The Moon
Author: Walter Kirn

The Stones, The Crows, The Grass, The Moon is the third story in the Missing Collection from Audible/Amazon Originals. This tale is the story of grief and wonder Author Walter Kirn experienced following the death of his mother. Kirn and his brother had to make medical decisions for his mother when she was in a coma. She had a Living Will that expressed her will to die if she was incapacitated, but Kirn still had to sign the medical papers to ok the use of morphine and other drugs that allowed her to slip away. It was emotional and heart wrenching. He felt responsible....guilt, sadness, anger....  And he kept having recurring images of a Native American holy place pop up in his head. They had been talking about visiting it before his mother's death. He took his family there after suffering with the mental anguish of ending his mother's life...and it helped to heal him and his family.

Lovely story! Very emotional and mystical. I have never had to make end of life medical decisions for a loved one....but I can see how it would be traumatizing, even if there was a DNR, living will or other legal paper stipulating that's what the person wanted. I can only imagine that sense of responsibility and guilt adding to the top of grief and loss. But, there was a sense of hope, forgiveness and healing in Kirn's story as well. Overall, a lovely listening experience.

The Missing Collection gathers six stories about accepting loss. I've listened to two of them so far. Both enjoyable. I will be working my way through the rest of the collection bit by bit. The stories are emotional and raw.....and I can only handle a bit of that at one time. They are all short, easy length stories....under two hours. I hope they are all as enjoyable as the first two I've listened to. So far, Kirn's tale of the loss of his mother and how it affected him is my favorite of the collection. This was a sad, but spiritual, story. Loved it! Full stars from me.

REVIEW: Rampage

Rampage
Author: Harold Schechter

In an age where mass shootings seem to dominate the news, the story of the man often referred to as the father of the modern mass murder was an interesting and disturbing one. In 1949, Harold Unruh finally cracked after years of simmering frustration and anger. He picked up his Luger pistol, walked out into his Camden, NJ neighborhood and gunned down 13 of his neighbors. He kept diaries listing his frustrations and anger. His homosexuality was often the cause of gossip and verbal abuse by neighbors as it was not accepted behavior at the time. He felt ostracized and victimized because he lived with his mother and was unemployed. Nobody thanked him for his service in WWII, nobody asked him if he was okay....he felt they all laughed at him behind his back. Until the day he reached his limit....and calmly, methodically walked through the streets shooting people.

Rampage is the final story in the Bloodlands Collection, a collection of six true crime stories. This one definitely had me thinking about present day events as Unruh's story unfolded. He kept diaries of the enemy soldiers he killed during the way, methodically listing information about the kill and how their bodies looked, etc. Then he came home from war....obviously mentally strained by the experience....and received no mental health care. He endured bullying about his inability to keep a job and his homosexuality. And then killed those who he felt victimized him. He was a ticking time bomb for years. And nobody noticed. Or, nobody cared. Or even worse....maybe everyone figured he was a worthless enough person that his rage, hurt, mental illness didn't matter. Maybe they felt he was defenseless...so an easy target? Who knows....   But it is undeniable that Harold Unruh's ramage through the streets of Camden that day in 1949 started a slide down a very slippery slope that we still deal with today. Gun violence. Mass shootings. Rage, victimization, and mental illness do not mix well with guns.

I found this story interesting, informative and disturbing. I had never heard of Harold Unruh before I listened to this audio book.  I thought the problem was a more modern issue....but it's been around a long, long time. Soldiers came home from the world wars broken men......and re-entered society with no mental health care to help them deal with what they experienced and did during war. Yikes. My father fought in WWII and refused to talk about it. He told me very few stories, but mostly said it was too horrific to discuss. As I listened to this story, I wish my father had been able to talk to someone about his experiences so that he could get that weight off him. It was obvious the experience had a huge emotional impact on him...but he was unable to even speak of it.

All in all, an informative, interesting story. Very thought provoking. It talked about Unruh's crime, his arrest, and incarceration in a mental asylum. After listening to these six true crimes stories by Harold Schechter, I'm definitely going to read more of his writing. He has written other true crime novels about notorious killers H.H. Holmes, Ed Gein and Belle Gunness. I think I need a bit of a break before delving into his other stories though....I need to read some light fiction before venturing into the dark again. I have his book about Belle Gunness waiting on my TBR list for when I'm reading for more.....can't wait to read it!

REVIEW: Panic

Panic
Author: Harold Schechter

The United States was paralyzed by The Depression when a series of child murders incited a national panic about killer pedophiles. Reports from the FBI in the media about these cases riled the downtrodden masses into hysteria about supposed huge numbers pedophile sex criminals targeting American children. Turns out, those types of crimes, while scary, terrifying and horrible, were not increasing in number at all, but the public was in a particularly vulnerable state and susceptible to hysteria and fear.  Panic, part of the Bloodlands Collection from Audible/Amazon Originals outlines some of the child murder cases that incited the fear about pedophile sex perverts in 1937.

The Bloodlands Collection gathers six true crime stories by Harold Schechter. Schechter is also the author of several true crime novels. I listened to the audio version of Panic. The audio is just over 1.5 hours long, so an easy, short listen. Steven Webber narrates. He reads at a nice even pace and has a good voice. Even with my partial hearing loss, I was easily able to understand and enjoy the entire audio book.

I found Panic to be interesting, informative and poignant even after the passing of 81 years. Sensationalized reporting in the media can still incite emotion, panic, and fear in the public even now. And, with the instant news feeds of the internet age, the spread of news reports -- sensationalized, true, false and otherwise -- is lightning quick. I found myself comparing the scare of 1937 to present day panics as I listened. Some things never change. Public sentiments can still be manipulated by the media. In some ways it's even worse now than 80 years ago as information is passed so much faster now, often times with no fact checking whatsoever.

Another great listen in the Bloodlands Collection! I have enjoyed each story. I'm definitely going to check out some of Harold Schechter's other writings.

REVIEW: Death of a Cad

Death of a Cad
Author: M.C. Beaton

Death of a Cad is the second book in the Hamish Macbeth mystery series. Macbeth is the village constable in Lochdubh, Scotland. He's got a bit of a thing for the daughter of a local wealthy resident, Priscilla Halburton-Smythe. Imagine his disappointment when she brings home a fiance, a playwright from London with all the personality of a dead fish. Upper Class Twit basically. Priscilla's parents are glad to see their daughter not making goo-goo eyes at the local constable and settling down to a marriage within her own class, so they throw a party for Henry Withering. The upper crusties gather to meet the fiance. One of the guests, Captain Bartlett....a total womanizing cad....ends up dead. At first it appears to be an accident.....but then it becomes apparent that someone shuffled Bartlett off the mortal coil with extreme prejudice. Murder.  So.....which upper crustie is a killer??

I love the Hamish Macbeth series mostly because Hamish reminds me of the Scottish version of Columbo. Everyone thinks he is a bumbling, lazy, stupid village bobby.....but he is actually very observant and skilled at his job. While everyone else is observing social lines and graces, he's out looking for clues. For Hamish it's more important to find out who killed Captain Bartlett than to suck up to the local wealthy residents of Lochdubh. I was shocked at how they talk about how lazy and stupid he is when he is still in the room!! I found myself disliking Priscilla.....she uses Hamish when it suits her and teases him....then abandons him with she needs to kiss her family's asses to keep her money. Ick. He would be better off with another woman. Let her marry off to someone like the awful playwright she hooked up with to please her parents.....LOL....

I listened to the audiobook version of the story. The audio is just over 5.5 hours long and narrated by Antony Ferguson. Ferguson's voice and acting are perfect! He reads at a nice steady pace....and his accent is sublime! I have partial hearing loss but was easily able to hear and understand the entire book. All in all, a great listening experience!

There are 33 books in the Hamish Macbeth series. I have a lot of reading to do! M.C. Beaton also writes the Agatha Raisin series.

REVIEW: The Whole Cat and Cabdoodle

The Whole Cat and Caboodle
Author: Sofie Ryan

This series has been on my TBR pile for a long time. I'm so glad I finally brought it to the top of the stack and started reading!

Sarah Grayson makes a living from finding, refinishing/repurposing and reselling items in her shop, Second Chance. In this first book in the series, she also gives a second chance to a stray cat. She names him Elvis. :) When her elderly friend Maddie doesn't show up for a class she's giving at the local community center, Sarah and Elvis go to check on her. Maddie is fine....but the man sitting at her patio table is not. He's dead. And not from natural causes. Maddie is immediately the top suspect in the murder, but turns out her friend was hiding a life of crime and deceit. There are several people who might have wanted to see the cad and trickster dead. Sarah is determined to discover the killer's identity and clear her friend's name.

All in all, a great start to a cozy series! I love Elvis the Cat! Sarah is a great main character. She's intelligent and feisty when necessary. The story has a nice mix of humor and mystery. There were plenty of twists, suspects and investigation to make the story interesting. It kept my attention from start to finish.

I own the physical book, but opted to listen to the audio book version. Narrated by Marguerite Gavin, the audio from Tantor Audio is just over 8 hours. At first I found the narrator's voice a bit too nasal and annoying, but was still able to get invested in the story. Gavin reads at a nice even pace....I just didn't like her voice. I have partial hearing loss, but was still able to hear and understand the entire audio book.

There are five books in this series so far, with a sixth coming out in 2019. Sofie Ryan is a pseudonym for author Darlene Ryan. She also writes cozies under the name Sofie Kelly (Magical Cats series -- one of my favorites!).

REVIEW: Bones Behind the Wheel

Bones Behind the Wheel
Author: E.J. Copperman

This series never fails to make me smile and even laugh out loud. E.J. Copperman does a great job of mixing mystery and humor. Bones Behind the Wheel, the tenth book in this series, is no exception. I loved every word of this new book in the Haunted Guesthouse series!

Alison's life is going great...she's remarried, running her guesthouse, loving life...she doesn't have time for murder investigations and dead ghostly detectives. But her resident spirit, Paul Harrison, is having none of that. When an old buried Lincoln Continental is uncovered behind the guesthouse, a skeleton is found inside, belted in behind the steering wheel. And at the very bottom of the hole....something sparkly that might be right at the core of the crime.When Alison is reluctant to help her resident ghost detective solve the case, her husband Josh jumps in to assist. Oh no! A decades old cold case, whizzing bullets, and mayhem make this a fun cozy read...

This series is so much fun! I am never disappointed. Poor Alison....she hoped to retire from helping Paul solve crimes....only to have her new hubby jump in on the game. :) Ya win some....ya lose some. :) The mystery moves along at a steady pace with lots of investigation and funny moments. All in all, a great addition to this series!

As usual the cover art is great! Very eye catching!

E.J. Copperman also writes several other cozy mystery series including the Mysterious Detective, The Asperger's Mysteries (which he co-authors with himself as Jeff Cohen), and Agent to the Paws mysteries.

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Coming Storm

The Coming Storm
Author: Mark Alpert

In 2023, New York City is a dangerous place to be. Superstorms, dangerous floods caused by rising sea levels, and violent squads of soldiers threaten the public daily. Dr Jenna Khan, a geneticist, knows the situation is even more dangerous than most realize. The soldiers are genetically enhanced humans, stronger and more violent than anyone ever imagined. Now the very government that started the experiments into genetic enhancement want to cover it up while they continue their plans to alter humanity. Jenna knows too much. She finds herself on the run. Can she stop the government's plan to forever alter human genetics?

I really wanted to like this book. The book blurb promised a "pulse-pounding'' thriller. But, the story fell flat for me. The plot took a back seat to thinly veiled political commentary. I understand our current political environment is scary....not to mention immigration concerns, hate crimes against muslims and other groups, global warming and a whole host of other problems. I get it. But, I am getting very weary of reading books where authors try to weave current political commentary in with the plot. In this case, it just made this story klunky and trope-y, rather than pulse-pounding or exciting. For me, it killed the story. I never did get "into'' the plot or the characters. I wanted an action-thriller, not a slog through anti-trumpism. Bleck.While I totally understand the sentiments, I'm tired of being hit in the face with it nearly every time I open a book. Trump Trope....I'm over it.

This story disappointed me. But, others might enjoy it. Not every story is for every reader. This one is not for me.

**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from St Martins Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Haunting of Henderson Close

The Haunting of Henderson Close
Author: Catherine Cavendish

Many tourists come to see Henderson Close in Edinburgh, Scotland. The tales of crime, murder and intrigue, plague victims trapped inside their homes to die, and other haunting aspects of the Close's history bring the curious in droves. Hannah comes to Edinburgh to start her life over. She's divorced and her daughter is grown and at college. She sees the tour guide position at the Close as a dream job. But ghostly specters, disappearances and menacing encounters with evil soon make Hannah realize the stories about the Close are more than folklore.

This story sucked me in quickly....and I found myself reading until the wee hours of the morning. I couldn't put the book down! From a ghostly little girl with no face to the Auld De'il, the specters in this story are delightfully creepy and scary. I loved the setting. I have heard of Mary King's Close in Edinburgh, but didn't realize there were several similar sites in the city, all with their own scary tales. The story moves along quickly, with suspense from start to finish. I definitely would not want to be wandering around Henderson Close in the evening by myself! No thank you!

Great spooky story! I love ghost stories. Any spooky tale that keeps me up until 3 am because I can't put it down deserves full stars from me! I loved this story!

This is the first book by Catherine Cavendish that I've read. I'm definitely going to be reading more!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Guy Who Died Twice

The Guy Who Died Twice
Author: Lisa Gardner

This is the first story by Lisa Gardner that I've read. I've wanted to read her books for ages. I have two on my TBR shelf, and my library has several more. But with literally thousands of books on my shelves, I just hadn't gotten to her yet. I think every avid reader must have a couple authors that they really really really (really x 10) want to read, but their work never seems to pop up at the top of the TBR list.

Reading this short story has officially moved Lisa Gardner's books to the top of my TBR pile. Immediately.

The Guy Who Died Twice is part of Gardner's Detective D. D. Warren series. I haven't read any of the prior books, but was easily able to get into this story. It's a nice stand alone short story. And definitely a great lead-in for those who haven't read the series....while still being a nice tale for series fans who are waiting on the next book.

In this quick read, Detective D.D. Warren tells the tale of her strangest case to date. A man walks into police headquarters in Boston announcing that he has information on his own murder. The man thinks he is already dead. Even after the detective and others attempt to explain to him that he isn't dead, Adam LaToile refuses to change his story. Strangely enough, a few hours later, LaToile is actually dead. Stabbed. In his own bed.

This story progresses like an Agatha Christie story. Christie is my favorite author, so I was in heaven as the detective arrived to find that a strange cast of suspects were in the house when LaToile met his grisly end. The wife. The doctor. Gardener. Driver. Man servant. Maid. Chef. It's almost like a demented game of Clue. And the tale ends with all the suspects gathered in the library for the reveal. All the Christie vibes had me very, very happy! The ending was unexpected and darkly entertaining.

Loved it! I am heartily sorry now that Lisa Gardner's books have been languishing in my ponderous TBR list for way too long. This series, and anything else by Gardner, is now at the top of my list. I have the first book of this series, Alone, on hold at the library already. :) For those who already love this series, Book 10 -- Never Tell -- will be coming out in February! (And it's on my review TBR)

**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this story from Penguin via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: A Literal Mess

A Literal Mess
Author: J.C. Kenney

A Literal Mess is the first book in the new Allie Cobb Mystery series. In this series debut, Allie returns home to Rushing Creek, IN following the death of her father. Coming back to Indiana after living in New York is a bit of culture shock for her, but Allie is determined to help her mother close out her father's literary agency. Turns out someone else is interested in closing out her dad's former clients. Author Thornwell Winchester is found floating face down in the water under a bridge soon after Allie arrives in town. When her BFF and also the murdered author's daughter is declared a main suspect in the case, Allie is determined to prove that Sloane is innocent. Someone brave enough to be a literary agent in New York can ferret out a killer...right?

I will definitely be reading more of this new series. I like the concept, the literary agency background theme, the characters....it was just a pleasant cozy experience. I read a lot of cozies because they are my go-to for brain palate cleansing in between heavier horror, thriller/suspense or action fiction. I love it when I find a new series that is a bit different from all the other cozies I have read. This is the first cozy series I've read with a literary agent background theme. I like it!

The mystery moves along at a nice pace. Even though this is the first book in a new series, the plot isn't slowed down by too much character introduction and development. The story flows nicely and doesn't bog itself down, while still introducing the characters and setting. I like Allie as a main character. She is intelligent with just the right amount of feisty.

All in all, a great start to a new cozy mystery series! This is Author J.C. Kenney's debut novel! I'm definitely in line for his next book! It won't be a long wait. Book 2 in this series, A Genuine Fix, will be released in July 2019.

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Kill Creek

Kill Creek
Author: Scott Thomas

I love haunted house stories. Always have. I was really in the mood to read some good ones...so I posted on Goodreads asking for suggestions from friends. Several people recommended Kill Creek, so I grabbed the audio book.

Wow! I'm so glad they suggested this book -- it's a great haunted house story! And a great listen on audio!

The audio book is almost 16 hours long and narrated by Bernard Setaro Clark. Clark has a nice voice and reads at a steady pace. I have partial hearing loss that at times makes audio books difficult to understand, but I was easily able to hear and understand this entire book. Listening to this story added another dimension to its creepiness....there's just something about having a scary tale read to you!

The basics: Four horror writers are invited to a Halloween night interview session at a famous haunted house. The Finch House in Kansas has a reputation for being haunted and dangerous. The house has been closed for decades, but has been cleaned and prepared for this publicity stunt. Video and audio from the interview will be streamed live, posted online and used every which way to gain attention for the media outlet sponsoring it, and the authors themselves. But turns out the attention and online exposure is not enough to make a night in the Finch House worth it. The cost to all involved will be high.

I loved this book! The plot is very creepy and suspenseful! I liked how all of the authors write in the horror genre, but they are all very different from each other. Each one reacts to the situation differently as well. The story is well-written and kept my attention from beginning to end. And speaking of the end....I didn't see it coming. Lots of twists and turns in this tale!

Great listen! So happy my friends at Goodreads recommended this one!

Closing out 2018....movin' on to 2019

Every year I spend a bit of time on New Year's Day checking my reading stats for the year. For the past two years I have been on a mission to: Read books that I want to read and clear books from my ponderous TBR.

Let's get real -- I own thousands of books. Some have been on my shelf for 10+ years and I haven't read them yet. I decided it was high time I actually read what was on my shelves....so I could donate/trade them and make room for new books! I placed myself on a book diet....allowing very few purchases of new books (vowing to make use of my library more and my credit card less!) while reading (and re-visiting a few favorite) books off my shelves. I have found that between reviewing new releases for publishers and using my library card for physical and digital books/audio books, I really can survive without buying very many books. It didn't cramp my bibliophile lifestyle one little bit.

My main goal this year? Clear shelf space.

I love reviewing new releases. I'm going to continue. I love listening to audio books from the library. And I'm going to continue. BUT....I have to make reading my TBR stack a priority this year. So the goals in order of importance for 2019 look like this:

1. Read books off my shelves -- donate/trade -- and clear out shelf space so I can ease my restriction on new books just a bit in 2020. Lots of backlist books languishing unread on my bookshelves! I have floor to ceiling built-in shelves in my office....completely full. And five huge bookcases in my bedroom...also full. Even after two years of diligently reading, I still have too many books. 2019 -- clearing out space baby!
2. Read books that I have always wanted to read -- but never did. And re-read some favorite books and series from the past. I'm still working through the list off 100 books included in The Great American Read. I'm going to continue reading from that list. Plus there are other great books I have always wanted to read, but haven't yet.
3. Continue reviewing new releases in advance with the intention of getting my review TBR pile down to a 10 book limit by June and keeping it there. Then I have to read an ARC before I can request another one. 10 and ONLY 10.  Right now I'm ending 2018 with a waiting eARC list of 33 books released from January - August And about 15 physical ARCs that I need to read off my shelf. I can easily pare that down to 10 books by June without reviewing anything past its release date.

Stats for 2018:

I read a total of 486 books in 2018. I reviewed each one. I think that makes up for me buying fewer books as reviews also help support authors and publishers. I used my local library and also joined the nearby larger Charlotte-Mecklenburg library so I could access their digital site. Best $45 I ever spent! I will definitely be renewing my card this year! The city library just has a lot more funding than my small town consortium does, giving me access to many, many more books and digital services like Hoopla.

The breakdown of the 486 books I read in 2018 is as follows:

112 audiobooks (mix of Audible and online offerings from the library)
37 kindle books (purchased and Kindle Unlimited)
29 physical books from the library
35 physical books off my own shelves
53 OOP books read from Openlibrary.org
220 ARC copies read for review (new releases)


At first look, it appears I didn't read many of my own books (35 out of 486.... eek!). But...many of the audio books I listened to were ones I also owned physical copies of. I listened to the books on audio so I could enjoy the story while working at home, driving, etc. Helped me clear a few more titles off my shelf. Easily 2/3 of the audio books I listened to were books I owned.....so I really read about 120 books off my own shelves this year. I was able to clear out 3 bookshelves. I donated the shelves and the books themselves to local charity and friends. Real progress!!! I want to see more progress in 2019! Listening to all those audio books also helped me learn to love listening to books! In the past, I really didn't like audio books. I would get busy and lose concentration and have to rewind all the time. I just didn't like it. But, I learned to listen in small snippets....a half an hour here and there, rather than trying to listen for long periods. I also learned to listen while working outdoors in my garden (or while painting the house this summer).....I could listen for longer periods of time while working. It made my work more enjoyable to have a story along! I find now I really enjoy audio books! In some cases (like horror or ghost stories) having the tale read to you really makes the story pop! Love it! I never thought I would say that....but I am truly a convert. Love audio!

I reviewed 220 new releases for review this year. That's more than I intended, but I'm happy with that number. Less than half of my total reading. But only by a bit. In my defense, a lot of great books came out this year! I do want to pare that number down just a bit in 2019 and focus more on reading backlist titles from my own shelves. I'm going to be more picky about the ARCs I request and review requests I receive. I'm tired of having five bookshelves filled to capacity in my bedroom! I need to read my own books!

In 2018, I also read 53 books on OpenLibrary.org, a digital library website. Most of the books were out-of-print older books and ones not available from my local library. This is a great way for me to be able to read books I have always wanted to read but that are now hard to find. I also revisited a lot of old favorites from childhood ..... old OOP scholastic books, the Trixie Belden series, etc. I love OpenLibrary! I got to read 53 books that would have been unavailable to me otherwise.

I read 37 books on kindle in 2018. I make use of Kindle Unlimited that offers thousands of books for free for a monthly fee. I want to make better use of this service in 2019. Not only do I have hundreds of books on my kindle, but I want to be able to justify the $10 a month I pay for KU. I also feel that reading more free books I've downloaded on Amazon and really utilizing KU then reviewing each book I read will help those indy authors who publish their work through Amazon. I'm considering setting aside an entire month in 2019 to read only indy authors whose books are awaiting me on my Kindle app. I have more waiting on a list on the Amazon site.....KU titles that I want to read. I just have to decide which month will be indy month! I want to whittle my review TBR down to 10 books first. So....in order to be sure I make good on my plans for an Indy Authors Month.....when I have my review pile down to 10 books, I will set the following month as KU/Indy Authors month and get that TBR stack down a few notches as well. :) Sounds like a plan!

All in all, 2018 was a great year for reading! I got to enjoy and review many, many books in a whole spectrum of genres. I only DNF'd three all year. And there were very few that I didn't enjoy. I am selective in what I read and review though....so I don't normally have a lot of low/bad ratings to give. But, I'm always honest and rate according to my real feelings when I finish a book.

On to 2019! I hope to have only one small bookshelf in my bedroom by the end of the year!! And less crowded shelves in my office! Maybe I can lift my book buying ban in 2020!

Happy New Year!!

REVIEW: Bird Box

Bird Box
Author: Josh Malerman

What a deliciously terrifying demented story! I loved it!

First there are alarming news reports from Russia. People are going crazy, killing others and then killing themselves. Soon The Problem has spread throughout the world. People see and hear something....then go violently insane. Things quickly go apocalyptic with extreme prejudice. The only survivors are ones who rarely venture outside...and never, ever uncover their eyes. You look? You die.

OMG.

The entire time I was reading this book I kept thinking "I would have peeked by now.'' Yeah. I would be dead.

This book is a relatively straight forward, quick read. It's horror not complex fiction....read it for all the creepy feels. The story jumps back and forth in time a bit....but it's the type of story where that works. Instead of feeling confusing, it helped build suspense.

I read through this book in just a couple of hours because I wanted to watch the Netflix movie. I have a rule that I always read the book first before watching any film version of a story. I'm about halfway through the movie...took a break to come write this review. Turns out reading this story is creepy....but SEEING it happen (given the eebie jeebies with sight intrinsic to the story) is a rough watch. Had to pause and walk away for a bit....ha ha. For those who have watched: [SHE SAID DON'T LEAVE THE BOAT!! and DID YOU JUST OPEN THAT DOOR????? WTF!] (That's my limit for out of context spoilers)

Awesome creepy story!

An aside: I'm glad I got my paperback copy of this book BEFORE it had a big red circle splotched onto the cover about the Netflix movie, or before editions were released with movie-related art. I really really really x 10 hate it when ads are on the covers of my books! Or when covers are altered to pictures of actors, or movie art. Slip a card inside the book....even put a blurb on the BACK cover....but don't alter/F-up the front cover of books to promote a movie, television series, etc. YUCK!