Welcome to Litsy!

Love this idea for #tlt #ListThreeThursday @dabbe 🎃🖤
I had a lot of fun reading Diavola this year - think family vacation from Hell in the Italian countryside, and I recommend Arden's middle grade horror quartet all the time, even to those squeamish about horror. However, Mira Grant/Seanan McGuire's creature feature novel was the first book to spring to mind for the prompt, so it gets the tag!

Here‘s two (very different) autumnal recommendations for #hauntedshelf 🎃 Into the Drowning Deep is a gorgeously written, spooky, individual horror novel set at sea which I‘ll be rereading this year I love it so much. Against the currant is the 1st in a cosy mystery series that I can‘t wait to read the sequel to - don‘t we all want to go to a Grenadian bakery in New York and solve some murders?? cute, funny and made me hungry

#skeletoncrew

Camping in the backyard!

Liking all the information I'm learning about.

The sequel to In the Rolling Deep, but this also works fine as a standalone. Mermaids. Or sirens. You don't want to meet them. I can't stress this enough. But again, people are going in search of them.

(2015) I had a long drive today, and this was my entertainment. It was fine, though for me the setup was too long and the mayhem too short.

Also, I'm curious about the origin of the ship's name. Apparently its name is "Atargatis" but listening to the audiobook I heard "Otter Goddess" and I kinda dig that more, so I want the first to be a disguised spelling of the second. Somebody please tell me this is true.

Another reread! I finished this book the night before New Years in Italy in 2019 and I still f*cking love it. The science is solid, the characters are wonderful, the writing is GORGEOUS. I immediately lent it to my coworker (who has a Master‘s in marine biology) so I‘ll add a pic when they give it back :)

#wintergames #wintergames2023 #wintergames23 #snowangels #teamsnowangels #Rushathon #YuletideReads #ScaryChristmasReadathon #20in4

Tori is determined to prove the existence of the murderous mermaids that killed the crew of the mockumentary ship her sister worked on. She may have bit off more than she could chew.

I enjoyed this just as much the 2nd time round! Beautifully diverse cast, lots of science, a typically benign folktale creature turned on its head, & moments of character between the action. I was a little more disappointed with the abrupt ending though. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

4⭐ #scarathlon I have realized I didn't know the difference between sirens and mermaids and had never thought about it.
I really like how Grant takes on action and gore (gory but not over the top and it felt necessary for the story). She also weaves in family dynamics and science in a way that I love. The science felt plausible and not over explained the sisters had a strong bond and added a depth and humanity to the story.

I finished this too early for #scarathlon, but it still works for the #scarathlonphotochallenge Day 1: #black.

I‘m super interested in deep sea science, so I loved the info about submersibles & creatures that live that deep. I wish there was more mermaid horror in the middle like at the beginning & end, and I‘m not a fan of insta love or scientists making dumb decisions, but I still recommend for an Oct read! #batbrigade #pop23 mythical creatures

Here we have our #LGBTbookclub pick for October. Discussions will be held around the 29th. Please tag me in your reviews and comments! As always, this is open to all, and content warnings can be found here:
https://booktriggerwarnings.com/Into_the_Drowning_Deep_by_Mira_Grant

As much pseudo-science/sci-fi as horror - really loving that mix, the well-layered points made, something I can usually find in speculative fiction, but I gotta say, the story beats... put it this way - if you think the original Jurassic Park film is horror, this is horror, if, like me, you experience Jurassic Park more as action adventure, I think that's the majority feel here. 1/?

Tiny crab cheerleader! 😄🦀

Petition to rename emojis/emoticons, hereon to be designated as "shades of meaning". ??

😏

Indentured servitude ≠ healthy working relationship 🙎🏼‍♂️🐬

This- THIS is how you make mermaids interesting to me. You turn Ariel into a cryptid and then tell me the first documentary crew went missing. Yes, please! 👏🏻

I‘m reading more now than I have in years because of Fable, I think because all the groups I‘ve joined have helped take the pressure off of what I decide to read next lol.

Next up, something a bit different for me. A mockumentary set in the Mariana Trench. I‘m intrigued by anything deep sea related so this should be fun!

Ohhhhh man I really liked this book. I need to just accept that I‘m a mermaid person and stop trying to fight it.

If you read this, highly recommend searching “Ghost Ship Mystery” on YouTube! That really set the mood for my reading.

"It was beautiful, in its own terrible way.
So many monsters are."

This is a good book to read if you have Thalassophobia, which I do.
A large group of scientists go to the Marianas Trench to prove the existence of man-eating mermaids.
Very creepy! Lots of different character points of view.
This one ends very abruptly. It looks like there is a second one, so that's probably why.

#horror #blackcover

Started this in October, but my hold ran out. Picked up the book on audio. This was a great monster book with so much going on. They‘re basically hunting for mermaids and trying to prove they‘re real. And boy do they find them.

A crew of scientists go to the Marianas Trench to investigate sightings of mermaids in the area, and the disappearance of a previous expedition. The trip was funded by an entertainment conglomerate hoping to get some good footage out of this. You get the needs of the company vs the needs of the scientists vs the safety of everyone. It reminded me of the Alien movies, where the Company wanted to capture an alien, and all the crew was expendable.

#StoryGraph: fiction horror lgbtqia+ science fiction adventurous medium-paced

This is not a cute little mermaid story. This book scared the bejesus out of me. I only like horror when it is well-written and this book definitely was. Terrifying, yes, but I also enjoyed the science. 5⭐️

This novel takes us to a new world of ancient mysteries and mythological dangers come to life.

The ocean is home to many myths,

But some are deadly. . .

I've heard this book described as diet Michael Crichton, and I would agree with that assessment. It tries to get there, but it's not as satisfying or interesting as actual Michael Crichton books. It's a “meh“ from me.

#OminousOctober

I started this audiobook for #Scarathlon2022 #TeamMonsterMash but found out I should read/listen to the novella tagged below first. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Either way, the mermaids in this one are definitely a #Monster with very sharp teeth—all the better for eating humans with. 😱🧜🏽‍♀️🧜🏽‍♀️🧜🏽

I initially read this physically but I listened via audiobook as I was struggling to read physically, this was an interesting book.

3.75/5

Read for prompts for:

#PopSugarReadingChallenge2022

I will confess that I did struggle a bit with the pacing early on. There were many aspects of the slow, methodical build that I could appreciate, but I did begin to grow impatient as I waited for the actual horror, which didn‘t surface until over a quarter of the story played out. Once the focal point came into view, I was satisfied with both the unsettling intensity and the emotional pull, which quickened the pace immensely.

I‘m a big horror fan and this is a new all time favourite. It felt very old school and the writing was incredible - great build up, great characters and setting, amazing creeping sense of dread, so exciting my heart was in my mouth and I LOVE this version of mermaids. And a bisexual sonar specialist standing against the murderous mermaids boarding the research vessel? Yes please.

#newyearwhodis @Kangaj1 @monalyisha
This was my last choice in the first round of books…
A little too science fiction for me but was well done!

Promising concept and not a good execution in my opinion. Stale characterization and somewhat predictable. I did like the science parts but overall the story dragged on and on.

I FINALLY finished!! It was really good but was just so long and science heavy that I tended to only be able to read it for so long before having to take a break to read something else. Loved the characters, though, and really appreciated what a wide range of characters the author utilized. This would make an epic movie as I spent a large amount of time running through it in my head. Interested to see what else the author has written. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is the last book I picked for #newyearwhodis and hoping to start it today or tomorrow.
I really enjoyed my other 3 pics with What Comes After being my fav so far!
@Kangaj1 @monalyisha

My easiest pick for #12Booksin2021 my #October favorite is my new favorite horror read.

#sundayfunday

1. Tagged is fantastic, my new favorite horror novel
2. T.J. Klune! 🥰
3. Nope, I read my favorite genres only. I am planning on trying book journaling in 2022 though!

Who knew I needed mermaid horror in my life??? All you littens that recommended it, that‘s who! Loved this, and what a great time to read this during Halloween. It gave me some wicked dreams, and I hope I forget about it when I‘m in a boat on the ocean next week 😂. Highly recommend, and definitely recommend the prequel first (audiobook is great-3 hours and found it on hoopla). All the starfish for this book! 🧜🏽‍♀️

The single horror read I managed this month. Not what I was expecting (based of Seanan McGuire stuff) but interesting nonetheless. It was a very slow lead up, but established the characters well, with a strong environmental message throughout. The end was a little too abrupt, I just wanted to see the continuation of the main relationship to a fuller capacity.

This was 💯a #BlameitonLitsy read. Y‘all were right, this was fantastic. Probably my favorite horror read ever and I want a movie now, but not because they would probably mess it up. Scientists go to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a boat crew and mermaids happen. This is no Disney movie, but there is a small romance. One of favorite reads of the year 5⭐️
+15 + 1 - 16pts for #teamhendrix
#20in4 #scarathlon2021

#WonderousWednesday
🎃Listening to tagged - and it‘s so good a #blameitonlitsy book, also reading Witches Get Stitches-which I think I‘ll finish today & Empire of the Vampire both are very enjoyable too.
🎃Read, watch some movies at home, give out candy
🎃Getting my COVID booster on Friday!

Finished this earlier and forgot to post it. I will never take a cruise. #Scarathlon #TeamHendrix #Screamathon #Wickedathon #SpookOWeen #ReadWithUs

#21DaysofHorror Day 16. A couple of years ago I was in an international horror postal group and this was one of those gems that came my way. We think of mermaids as beautiful creatures and Mira Grant says Funk that. Cause in here they are poisonous, disgusting, murderous, monsters!!! There is a lot to love in here, crazy scientists, queer people with agendas, different points of views including those of animals, people behaving stupidly in the👇🏼

Meant to post this days ago (I‘m always playing catch-up lately 🙈) I really enjoyed these books. Mermaid horror! Now I want more mythological horror stories to read!

The Andromeda Strain … but … wetter.

I‘m listening to the tagged book (and loving it, btw) while I drink coffee out of my new mug, and work on making some polymer clay mushrooms for some craft projects. Love this time of year! 🔥🖤🎃👻🍄🍁🍂 #AudioCrafting
#MugsOfLitsy

Seeking festive book recs: autumnal and/or spooky! Not looking to lose my grip on reality or fall into a deep dark pit of depression, but I can handle (and appreciate) some scares. If there is abuse, sexual violence, or suicide-related content, I may still choose to read them, but please warn a girl! I always appreciate recs whether I end up reading and loving them or not. 🍂👻🎃

Finished this book at the beach a few weeks ago. Perfect place to read mermaid horror! The beginning dragged a bit, once we got to the action, it was interesting, but the end felt abrupt. Overall 3.5 ⭐️ for me. #horror #fiction #sciencefiction #mermaidhorror

This book was a lot of fun. It was suspenseful throughout. I loved the characters and the mermaids.

This is my second read of this book and it was just as amazing as the first time. To me, this is a perfect summer read! So well written and flushed out, it is like an action thriller movie. The characters are really well created and individual. I could rave about this book for days to be honest!

Came across this book about killer mermaids when trying to find something for the fairy tale retelling challenge...this doesn't quite fit the prompt but it looks pretty awesome. I'm only about 50 pages in but the newspaper/interview excerpts, multiple viewpoints, and the “just scienc-ey enough to make you almost believe it“ style is giving me definite Max Brooks vibes. 🧜‍♀️⛴☠️

Killer mermaids! A scary story that takes Tory to the Marianas Trench to try to discover what happened to her sister 6 years ago in the same location. Science based and scary bc none of us know what lurks in the deepest parts of the ocean. Bravery was mine as I read this in my pool! Loved this and will read more from this author, well written.

Finished Sous Chef. I love a behind the scenes look at stuff, especially restaurants. Reliving my college waitressing days. Going in on mermaid horror, based on a strong recommendation from Meredith of Currently Reading Podcast. #readinggoals