Review: Dark Tales

4 stars. Proud of myself for finishing a book, although it probably took me twice as long as it normally would have to get through these wonderful stories. Nobody needs me to talk about why Shirley Jackson is an icon - truly, there isn't a single word out of place in any of these bangers - and now that I'm sort of used to her cadence, I'm going to miss being able to rely on her satisfying twists. 

There's an assortment of delights here, some focused on the spooky and supernatural, others dark fantasy, still others the disturbingly dark side of humanity. Some of these stories are predictable - telegraphed by the title - and others sneak up on you, landing with a heart-thumping jolt. Some will really stick with me. I woke up one morning thinking about Louisa, Please Come Home, and The Bus - my favorite - will probably dance around in my head for weeks. I'll defend the perfect end of The Summer People to anyone who asks.

As always, Shirley explores - I would maybe even say, turns upside down - themes such as family, memory, small towns, marriage, friendship, and seems to delight in painting for us the many faces of evil. Each story is like an episode of The Twilight Zone, with slightly different levels of noise and flavor and tone. Not all of them are accessible (The Honeymoon of Mrs. Smith is kind of opaque), but all of them are a joy to read. She's a master at distracting you - immersing you - before pulling out the rug.

Dark Tales is a classic that belongs as part of the horror curriculum. I look forward to slowly making my way through all of the Shirley classics, because it's nice to gulp down her crunchy prose, but also, it's fun to see how her legacy lives on in the horror it has inspired. Don't make my mistake - this is not meant for April/May. Read this in October.

Dark Tales on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Programming note: I took a little forced hiatus from reading due to some major life and health reasons, which really, really impacted my reading habits. More soon, when I can stomach it. Feeling rusty but let's get to it.

5 stars. In this beloved 1967 children's story/urban fairy tale, Claudia Kincaid and her younger brother Jamie run away and settle in at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Resourceful and delighted by their freedom, they quickly find ways to stay clean, fed, and "educated," for the most part. And even better - helpful, to the Met, as they try to help prove that its latest acquisition is actually a piece of work by Michaelangelo. 

Can you imagine this story had it been written today? In modern times? There's no way - it's an interesting thought exercise that only leads to depressing outcomes. Despite feeling very classic, and more classic every time I read it, many of the lessons and feelings it evokes still resonate. It's funny, too, looking back on this and wondering if it even partially inspired an interest in art history and museums. I didn't even know how to pronounce Michaelangelo when I read it the first time, but maybe it sparked something that still burns decades later.

It's really nice to see the kids' competence and intelligence on full display. They each have slightly different approaches to problem-solving, but they do fit together nicely. They are so witty, and smart, and capable, and driven by wonderfully relatable motives. I know this isn't considered a perfect piece of writing - complaints about the narrator's role, for example, and the plot structure - but I didn't spend a single minute considering any of that while reading. I was way too entertained.

Looking for more of this energy in 2024.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Gothic

3 stars. Horror about horror writers irks me a bit - Stephen King does it (and everything else) well, but think like... Kill Creek, or that one episode of Creepshow about the hat - eerily similar to this book, actually - these premises, they smell like... stale desperation, and maybe even a little resentment. I get it - writing is fucking hard!! the pressure!! the reality of it!! sounds pretty horrific!! - but I've read or encountered enough of these premises that I react almost like ... yeah, I get it. Writing is fucking hard, the pressure of it, the reality of it, yadda yadda yadda. Sure, why not, let's go meta with it. Fine. You were staring at a blank page, so you developed a concept around staring at a blank page. Girl, I guess so. 

This book is about an evil, murderous desk. Acquired by an aging, formerly best selling horror author - after being hunted down and chased by various evildoers and powerseekers over the centuries - the desk wreaks havoc on the author's life, career, and relationships. Previously some sort of sacrificial altar, the desk uses the author for its nefarious purposes and spreads its darkness and damage throughout society.

A few things that also really grated: the female characters, the try-hard humor in the inner monologuing of every character, the commentary on romantic relationships, the oddly-placed sexual references (as well as some of the other instances of, shall we say, low-brow jokes - not against them in general! Just when they give me the ick), and the excessive use of figurative language. There is also some pretty seriously awful fatphobia. Maybe this stuff was meant to be a throwback to the pulps from the 70s/80s, but it fell really flat for me. And structurally, I think this could've been better as a short novella, or a much longer, expanded, epic saga, with fleshed out characters and longer arcs.

All that being said: sometimes you just really need a bloody, angsty, feudal, vengeful, crazy, twisted, disgusting, basically classic piece of horror. Just the usual stuff - soaked in a delicious type of inky evil that's fun if not fresh. A fun horror beach read, if, like me, you enjoy reading the dark stuff in the sun.

Gothic on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Lone Women

4 stars. I love a good mystery box - in this case, a literal mystery box - and I love when it's utilized in unique ways. In this book it's blended nicely with horror and lends itself to a nearly perfect premise; it certainly kept me engaged for the first half of the book. The big reveal was interesting and fascinating. Lone Women is bound to make you think.

It follows Adelaide Henry on her move from California to Montana in the early 1900s. She carries an impossibly heavy steamer trunk, and is looking to disappear. Big Sandy welcomes her at first, providing a sense of community in the town's quest to survive the harsh landscape. But Adelaide can't settle, nor can the town be at peace; her trunk holds a very dangerous secret, and they all must learn to survive it.

A must-read for horror fans, especially ones looking to scratch an itch for something Western. It's compelling, unique, and intense. I docked a star because it felt a little like the author... pantsed it, for lack of a better word - no outline, no plotting in advance, just writing as the narrative came to him - and I think the characters suffer slightly for it. This isn't necessarily a complaint, but certain elements felt very... random.

Still, it's so much fun. Definitely unpredictable (except for one certain character's "twist"). Maybe a little cheesy. The opportunity to explore this time and place is very welcome. I'm a little unclear on a few things, but that's fine. What I gleaned and learned and chewed on reading this book made it entirely worthwhile.

Lone Women on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Love, Pamela

5 stars. I admire Pamela Anderson a lot. I grew up in the 90s, so I know her as an icon - perhaps one of the biggest icons - on an international level, from a pop culture perspective... in a way that helps me navigate being female in this world. She almost, in fact, defines the word "icon," like Marilyn maybe does. She's incredible. Incredibly intelligent, witty, passionate, well-read, caring, kind, special, hilarious, and yes, beautiful. She has earned every bit of peace allowed for her - she has earned the choice, the options, and the right to decide for herself how, and where, she is seen and heard. 

So, yes, I'm a fan. After watching the Netflix documentary for the first time, I started it over again, because (I'm aware how cheesy and stupid and uncharacteristic this sounds) I wanted to spend more time with her. I inhaled Pam & Tommy, feeling icky and amazed and compliant and compelled all at once. This means that I went into this book with some awareness, and some context, around what to expect. And the experience of reading it turned out to be deeply transporting - fun and funny and heartbreaking and full of wisdom and wonderful quotes. 

"But, I argued, I am who I am, which is a combination of all I know, and I've always believed that striving to be a sensual person, or being sexy, should not conflict with intelligence. Women have fought hard so that we do not need to limit ourselves. And this confirmed for me that I had to use all I had even more to get attention for what was right. If the cartoon image of me was what got me through the door, so be it. And so I continued the work the only way I knew how. It was too late to turn back now, I thought - it would take time and effort to try to change people's opinion of me."

From her scrappy childhood to parties at Playboy to animal advocacy in Russia to wandering the streets of France to a stage on Broadway, Love, Pamela documents Anderson's life in her own words. She references books and art and influential figures, muses about philosophy and culture, honors those who have helped her, and those who have hurt her. She is charming and concise, with a bit of an unconventional style that in no way impedes a smooth, lovely flow.

"When
you have nothing to live up to--
you can't disappoint--"

If you've seen the documentary, there may be little to surprise here, but it's still an absolute joy to relish in Pamela's presence. We have a lot to learn from her, and maybe also from the mistakes we made in looking at her; perceiving her; dismissing her; limiting her; selling her; exploiting her; trying to define her. She's really something, and I'm happy for what she's found, and for where she is now. And wherever she goes from here, I have a feeling she'll conquer, heart first.

Lobe, Pamela on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: I Remember You

3 stars. I really treasure Scandinavian noir - especially mysteries/thrillers set in Iceland. I've been twice and - at the risk of offending any locals - feel very at home there. And yes, it really does present a perfect backdrop to explore the dark side of humanity. Unfortunately, this one didn't really capture me the way I was hoping it would - I'll get into why, but it doesn't mean I don't recommend it - it's obviously a successful contribution to the genre. 

I Remember You weaves together two tales: 1) that of a married couple who travel to an isolated village with their widowed friend to fix up an old house, and 2) that of a psychiatrist investigating the vandalism of a school that is seemingly connected to the disappearance of his young son. The main players in both stories have disturbing supernatural experiences that unravel clues and push revelations with devastating consequences for everyone involved.

Pros: the setting - omg - I just love it. Such a unique type of remoteness out there in Iceland, especially in winter. Some of the spooky moments are very well done, invoking imagery just begging for adaptation. The ending, as well, really took things to a place I admire. That final page almost had me forgiving some of the things I didn't enjoy.

Cons: predictable. Unlikeable characters - and not the crunchy, interesting kind - the bland, annoying kind. Perhaps one too many narrative elements/connections, many of which had me sort of scratching my head trying to piece things together. I practically skimmed a lot of it... I just wasn't hooked. I couldn't concentrate on it.

I would recommend this as a bridge between Scandi noir/crime thrillers and horror. It's gateway scary - maybe a little amateurish. But that doesn't mean it's bad; only that I'm maybe not the right audience. Still, I found myself wishing for a lot more here. 

I Remember You on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Fantasticland

3 stars. I have a LOT to say, so let's dive right in.

Fantasticland tells the story of a group of young amusement park employees who, after being trapped in the park by a hurricane, divide into "tribes" and essentially go to war with each other until they are rescued. It's a brutal, outlandish, fantastic premise. Think: heads on spikes. Violence for the sake of it. Tribe "rules"; a twisted Fight Club sense of honor. Girls being taken. Scarcity mindset despite ample resources. Archers. Stabbings. Bystander apathy. Groupthink. 

It's also an epistolary novel - each chapter transcribes an interview with a survivor. So it's vaguely found footage-y and gives us multiple angles from which to examine the tragedy. We hear from park personnel, park guests who escaped in time, the rescuers, the park owner, and ultimately members of each "tribe." Each chapter is a fascinating snack.

I really did enjoy it. It's a must-read for horror fans as it comes across as pretty refreshing and quirky and fucking fun. Some of the details are truly outstanding and make the whole book worthwhile. The ideas behind each "tribe" are super effective, and the nods to pop culture and social media and other famous theme parks are interesting.

I think, though, that this is a case of iffy execution. It sort of felt like the author wrote his central thesis - Lord of the Flies in Disneyworld. Then he did a writing exercise: anticipate every hole a reader could poke in the plausibility of this thesis. Then he spent the entire book attempting - not always successfully - to fill those holes. Some of the details he included, I swear, it was like I could hear a beta reader or an editor asking "but what about phones" and "why would there be tunnels," resulting in explanations that often felt tedious or worth editing. Sometimes you just have to trust that a reader will suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride. So to speak. 

I would also point out that a lot of the character voices were indistinguishable to me. If you're going to write multiple POVs, you'd better lock down - and practice utilizing - clear and distinct features for each one, because throwing in a few slang words, abbreviations, jokes, or curse words won't really cut it. Many of the young people - I really hate to say. this- just didn't sound that young to me.

Finally, I did have to do a lot of referencing back. I dunno if my memory is shot and tired right now or something, but I could not keep track of the names. Many times I felt like I was being thrown an Easter Egg, but I couldn't quite recognize it or piece things together.

I think a lot of this just indicates that it's a story begging for a rework, maybe even an adaptation. The whole thing read like it was sort of ... almost there, adjacent to the real story, but not quite what it could have been. Gaps, weak perspectives, a bland ending, etc. But it really is - truly - a bloody fun time. I would love to see it in film format. Or a miniseries. Or a Last of Us type thing with a different character focus each episode. 

ANYWAY. 

Yes, thank you for asking, I would join the Circus Freaks. Those are my people, without a doubt.

Fantasticland on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Silver Nitrate

3 stars. It took me forever to get through this - I should've been absolutely clawing at my Kindle to read just one more chapter, but ultimately the style never really pulled me in. I agree with the reviews that call this a rough draft, even if that was the author's intention - the whole thing felt very sketchy, and repetitive, and frankly very odd at times. The "scary" moments are few and far between, I could barely grasp the "rules" of the magic system/some of the worldbuilding, and honestly sometimes I had trouble paying attention - especially toward the end, when the random instances of lengthy exposition got more frequent. 

I also agree with the reviews that praise this book's premise. It truly is an inspired, wonderful concept/idea, with layers and layers of delicious lore to explore. It's what got me interested in the first place; and, having read and loved Mexican Gothic, I was pretty excited to dive into something from the same author. It's about two best friends, Montserrat and Tristan, who are recruited by the latter's mysterious neighbor - a former horror director - to help him complete a film, thus closing the loop of a magic spell he opened back during the initial filming. Cue unexpected consequences, side effects, a crash course in rune magic, nefarious characters, and an undead Nazi cult leader.

Sounds pretty wild, right? Yes, all the elements of this story are wild and interesting and out there and full of amazing, Old Hollywood vibes. Montserrat and Tristan are easy to root for and classic horror references abound. But somehow, when all of these elements come together, the mixture reads incredibly dry, dusty, and bland. I don't know how to put my finger on it - it just doesn't deliver on the writing front. It snags and catches where it should flow and glisten.

I think this story would've been better-suited for a tv series, or even just one single episode of X-Files or The Twilight Zone or something. Maybe it would've been a great short story, part of an anthology. As a book, it really needs some editing, or reworking, or something. I'll say, though, that I really admire this author for the idea, and for going for it. It's ballsy, with a wonderful setting and a few great sequences - and I was even pretty charmed by the end. Can't wait to read more of her work. 

Silver Nitrate on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Blacktop Wasteland

4 stars. Heart needs to slow down! So glad I read this insane, fast-paced crime thriller - S.A. Cosby is one of the few authors who can attract me away from my usual horror/sci-fi/fantasy. I've read three of his amazing books, and while this was my least favorite, it was an incredibly satisfying, thought-provoking, crunchy reading experience that I'll hype to anyone willing to listen.

The premise here is really simple: an ex-con family man went straight, only to have to navigate a system that is, essentially, rigged against him. Isn't that just so... American? He needs money, so he decides to do "one last job" as a getaway driver, though he has a brain for planning heists as well. Things go horribly wrong, and, like every other review of this book, I'll stop it right there.

It really starts off with a bang, and kind of continues that crazy pace through the end. There are stunning, anxiety-inducing action sequences; suitably disgusting villains you love to hate; brutal instances of tension and violence; and a well-intentioned anti-hero at the heart of it all, struggling to shake his trauma, protect his family, and find peace.

And, as always, Cosby injects the direct, dry flavor of reality into things - even if the specifics are a bit fantastical. He takes Virginia down here, no sympathies or begrudging respect to be had. But it feels less Virginian than his other books, and more focused on society as a whole. It's also a bit simpler than the other two - at least in terms of narrative, not in terms of the thorny issues around masculinity, justice, revenge, and violence it explores. 

I have to be honest - I wasn't expecting that ending. It was abrupt in a really good way. Earned a bunch of points from me. Overall, Blacktop Wasteland is kind of a harsh, stark book, but it has warmth and light and hope at the center of it. And justice. Bloody justice.

Blacktop Wasteland on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Where the Chill Waits

4 stars! I spent 75% of this absolutely terrified for the dogs, even skimming certain parts, until I finally caved and looked it up (thanks, Reddit!). So, so relieved - overjoyed, even - that I don't have to dock a star for this one. It would've been almost forgivable considering that sort of thing was maybe less of a trope when the book was published, but I wouldn't have budged. A rule is a rule.

Three men are invited by their boss on a fishing trip, a sort of corporate tradition he utilizes to measure up a man's worth. It's all very toxic CEO of him, and the men are worried about repercussions if they refuse. It gets even worse when he spontaneously switches their destination and declares it a hunting trip instead - in a remote part of Canada he bought sight unseen to connect with nature. Or something. The men are met by a local guide and venture into the woods. It's not long before things start to go wrong. 

I'm a huge fan of forest horror, and wendigo horror, and Where the Chill Waits exquisitely checks both of those boxes. It's a classic and should be more widely-read. Reminded me of King at times, with its deep characterization and amusing details. And, also like some of King's older works, it betrays its age with an annoying female character, and some questionable culture-clashing. But it earns top grades for premise, pacing, and entertainment factor.

I would honestly love to do a deep analysis of how the plot escalates episodically. I just want to talk with someone about some of the scarier moments and insane imagery and the individual character arcs. The book is begging for that type of exchange: "how brutal was it when XYZ..." "can you believe he did this or that..." "OMG when so-and-so turned into the so-and-so..." "the part with the arm..." "the END!!!" 

Truly some of the best writing I've encountered. Crisp and fast-paced, the author really succeeds at driving the story along lightly - incorporating some lovely nature writing, too! I mentioned the female character - I personally can't stand worriers, and Janet is a particularly self-righteous one - to a distracting degree. The Native American lore would earn some major hand-wringing today, but I think it's still worth reading with a discerning eye.

I can't wait to revisit this on a road trip, or a camping trip, or a hike. Around a campfire, or on a couch in a cabin in the woods. It's easily up there on my favorites list. Spread the word!

"Hell, he thought, here even the stars take you off-guard. If you can stand and stare skyward with your jaw hung in wonder, how can you dismiss anything?"

Where the Chill Waits on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads