I run two book clubs at the library I work at and this is one of our April reads. While I think this will lead to an interesting discussion, it wasn't a pick for me. I loved the historical parts of the story, but the modern day storyline bored me.

I can understand why others like this one so much. It is unique, with a mix of genres you don't normally see, but it just wasn't for me.

Just looking at this cover again makes my skin crawl. Horror + insects= nightmare inducing!

This book delivers on the creepy and will have you not wanting to step outside for fear of any flying bugs. It is fast-paced and intense, but the ending feels a little abrupt.

Overall, though, if you want a book that leaves you unsettled and on edge, give this one a try.

Because I loved Tender is the Flesh so much I went in with high expectations for this one, and I think that messed with my reading experience.

This is a bleak story full of things I normally like in a dystopian read. Plus, the addition of a creepy, religious cult just made me even more interested when I started this one. However, for such a short book, it took me forever to read this one, and I was just never fully invested.

Loved this one! It will be on my list as one of my favorite reads this year.

I truly did not know how the author was going to combine the two storylines in this book. I'm a sucker for a book within a book premise, and the mix of sci-fi with realworld everyday issues felt new and unexplored.

When I finished this, I just sat for a while contemplating it, and the more I think about it, the more I love it. 💚

#NetGalley

Ronald Malfi is a horror author that I feel doesn't get enough recognition. In his newest book, that was released yesterday, he combines what reads like a true crime story with a new twist on the age-old tale of bloodsuckers.

This book was intense, packed with dark suspense and tension, and such a great read. All of the subplots weave together so well in the end. Senseless is probably my favorite read by this author.

This is such a great MG series! 💚

Amari is this generation's Harry Potter, and I love reading about her adventures with her brother and her friends as they fight the forces of evil.

If you enjoyed HP or Rick Riordan's books, you should definitely try this series.

I really loved this book. I had not heard of Lizzie McDuffie before, but she is someone people definitely should know about.

She reminded me why we fight for the rights for all, even on those days when all hope seems lost.

Great historical fiction, especially for what we're going through today.

I couldn't wait to get back to Ilvernath after finishing the first book. In this sequel, we pick up the story right where we ended, which I liked, and I'm glad I read this one shortly after finishing the first book, or I might have been confused.

In this book, the authors take some liberties with the rules they established for the magic system, and this book was a lot more "telling" than "showing." It was still a good conclusion, though.

This one is hard to describe. It is marketed as horror, but the horror elements aren't as strong as I expected. Old Soul definitely creates a creepy, almost hypnotic atmosphere that will leave you feeling haunted by the story and the characters.

The story goes back and forth between different characters as the mystery unfolds. Although the book is slower paced, the unraveling of this story will keep you interested and unsettled until the end.

Another YA read this month, but this one is a survival thriller instead of fantasy.

It has a bit of a slow start, but it picks up in the second half. The character Claire was my favorite. She constantly thinks the worst is about to happen, and that's something I can relate to.

The read has suspense, some supernatural aspects, and a believable friendship bond between the girls. And I did appreciate the twist at the end.

I've been on a YA fantasy binge lately. Although this one is a low pick for me, I still enjoyed it enough to read the second one.

It uses familiar tropes, which annoyed me at times. Also, I would have liked the characters to have been more developed.

Overall, quick, typical read in the YA fantasy genre that I hope the author really expands on in Book 2.

Junji Ito has created such a unique horror experience with this story. He is definitely the King of horror manga. 🖤

This collection follows different individuals in a town plagued by spirals that drive people mad. The artwork is nightmare inducing and adds so much to the story.

Loved this one!

Great thriller that worked well as an audiobook.

It wasn't until I started reading that I realized it was part of a series, but Swanson gives the reader enough background so that this book works on its own.

I haven't read a book by this author for years, but now I want to go back and read more.

I run a book club at my library here in Texas, and most of the group is retired teachers. I thought this pick would give them lots to talk about. However, what I didn't realize was just how much I would love this one.

This book really is more of a character study, and each of these characters felt relatable and well fleshed out.

Mathieu delivers a poignant, heartfelt, humorous story that I think everyone should read. 💚

This dark YA fantasy was just the read I was looking for. It has been described as Hunger Games with magic, but there's so much more to it.

The world, the magic, and the characters are all very well done. Lots of action, betrayals, and twists keep this book moving along quickly.

I'm excited to read the second one now.

One of my favorite reads this year!

It's a short little horror read that is gruesome and funny all at the same time. The writing is perfect for this story, and the creepy atmosphere left me unhinged, which I love because it makes the read more intense.

There are lots of triggers in this one, though, so it's definitely not for everyone. But for my fellow horror loving, slightly demented readers, you should read this one. 😁🖤

I'm torn on this book. On the one hand, I liked and appreciated the message of community and survival that the author conveyed in this slow-burn dystopian novel. However, the writing felt a bit repetitive in areas, and the details describing this new water world felt poorly researched.

#NetGalley #ARC Release Date: May 6, 2025

Loved it! 😍 I normally bail on a long series after about 5 books, but Connolly never disappoints me and keeps me interested, even after 22 books.

This book leans more into the supernatural as Charlie Parker fights to locate missing children with the help of his daughters. The book is dark and gritty and filled with all the things I love about these books.

Loved this book! ? And it had a map and a beautiful diagram in it, which made me love it more.

This dark academia has a unique magic system with a female MC who is determined to prove she belongs in what has always been a "man's world."

It is a standalone fantasy with very little romance. The MC takes on the established powers when she uncovers a shocking secret about their society. Great pace and great characters. Highly recommend!

As soon as we got this at the library, I brought it home and stayed up all night reading it so I could get it back on the shelves for other patrons.

I'm still enjoying the series. It's fast-paced with the intense battle scenes we've come to expect. I did feel like the people were more the focus and we had less dragon time, and to be honest, I'm really just here for the dragons. 😁

Still a fun fantasy read with her signature cliffhanger ending.

I read Oscar Wilde for the first time 2 years ago and fell in love with his writing. When I saw this historic fiction book based on his marriage and relationships, I was instantly intrigued. The book is slow going, but I really enjoyed it. It felt well-researched, and I thought the struggle for Oscar between his love for his family and his desire to be true to himself was written in such a beautiful, bittersweet way.

I'm a big fan of Chuck Wendig. He combines horror and supernatural elements together in such a unique way that every book of his I read takes me on a new unforgettable journey.

The decent into madness in this story by one of the characters was truly terrifying. 😱

Great read for horror fans! #NetGalley

I'm really torn on this one. The writing was beautiful and created such a haunting atmosphere as the novel progressed, but the pace was so slow for such a short read. I found myself wanting to read it but dreading it at the same time.

I am still giving it a pick because Han Kang has such a way with words.

My expectations were let down a bit by this book, but it's still a low pick for me. It's really hard to categorize this one. I did go in thinking it would be more spooky, but what the author weaves together in this genre defying book is more cerebral and psychological than spooky.

I am still confused about some parts, but I'm a fan of this author and the message she was trying to put out there

Ta-Nehisi Coates has such a beautiful way with words. Getting lost in his view of the world opens my mind and my heart and gives me hope, which is something that is hard to find in our current world.

I will definitely be purchasing myself a copy of this one so that I can revisit it.

This book lived up to the hype for me. I thought Senna did such a great job with the mix of dark humor and just real world life experiences. I was completely engaged from the beginning and kept rushing back to read this book whenever I got the chance. It's been a long time since a book has kept me on my toes, made me reconsider things, and also made me feel.

I really loved Mcguire's newest addition to the Wayward Children series. I absolutely adored Nadya's character when we first met her in Book 3 of this series. Getting to learn more about her background, and her first journey to Belyyreka was everything I wanted it to be, and more. 😍 This book also did an excellent job of dealing with themes of adoption and disabilities.

I can't wait for the next book in this series.

I've missed being part of this amazing community. Life has kept me from being as active here as I once was. I'm hoping this most recent book haul will help me get out of my reading slump, too.

Happy Reading Everyone! 💚

All of the books, ebooks, and audiobooks I currently have checked out to read for #ToB25. We'll see how many I can get through before the shortlist.

One of the perks of working at the library is that we get to buy books before they are put out in our book sales. 38 leather bound, signed first editions were donated, and I got these for myself for only $20. 😍

#HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks #HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper

My grand total is 13,798 points.

Thank you to everyone for putting this on. I had fun and read a lot of books. 🤎🖤🤎

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

Still really loving this series! Only two books in and this sequel series is proving to be just as well done as the original. I love that the story from the first series is being continued, but at the same time, there are also new characters and things happening.

Some cool twists and reveals in this volume!

##HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

This one was a low pick for me. While I really love Kushner's writing, there were parts of this plot that felt out of place to me. In the end, it mostly came together for me, and there are sections in this book that I just absolutely loved.

This author is definitely not for everyone, but I am a fan and will continue to read her books.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

This might not be my favorite book by Rivers Solomon, but I am still a fan. They have such a unique writing style that always impresses and surprises me while reading. I'll admit, I don't always connect all the dots right away, but their books leave me contemplating things for a long time after I've read the last page, and that for me will continue to bring me back to their writing.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

I'm so happy to be back in this world again. This spin-off series focuses on the Ghoul Squad, which has several familiar faces.

This opening volume gives just enough background to explain what happened in Tokyo Ghoul without giving away too much. I'm excited to see what happens with both the new characters and the characters from the original series.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

Interesting premise with great graphics, but the story writing was too sparse to make me want to read more. I love the action, but without a solid story to back it up, I lost interest.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

A book that is definitely needed right now!

Amanda Jones refused to back down when she found herself caught up in book censorship dispute in Louisiana. I truly appreciate her for sharing her story and not shying away from the emotional toil it took on her and her family.

The writing does get repetitive, but this is a book that needs to be read and talked about.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

I had so much fun with this read! I loved all the Easter eggs, and the writing had just enough Hitchock feel, mixed with a modern take to make it feel fresh.

I did the audio version, and the narrator did an excellent job.

One of my favorite mystery/spooky reads this month.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

Perhaps my expectations were too high. 🫤 I had heard good things about this one, and being a fan of genre-bending, weird novels, I was excited. Unfortunately, though, it just didn't work for me. While I can appreciate the narrative about grief the author was trying to convey, the style of writing kept taking me away from the story instead of letting me become fully immersed.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

It was a low pick for me, but it was still a good spooky read. The town of Edenville has some dark secrets, and although things go a little off the rails in the end, I still thought the suspenseful buildup and the mix of messed up characters were perfect for a horror story involving a cursed town.

This is definitely an author I'll look out for in the future.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

I have always found the psychology behind catfishing fascinating. In this book, three women decide to join forces and go after the person online who was pretending to be "Ethan." I liked that we got each woman's story of how they started dating Ethan, and then also when they started becoming suspicious.

Well-researched, fast read, that gives a voice to catfishing victims.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

What an ending! Some stuff I expected, others came as a complete surprise. Lots of action, the story gets a good wrap-up, leaving just enough to the imagination to satisfy me.

Now to start Tokyo Ghoul:re and see where the story goes.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

This is not my favorite book by Marrs, but it was still a great thriller. The dysfunctional family in this book was an extra special brand of crazy. I like how Marrs is able to make you feel for characters even when you dislike them and their actions.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks #BookRecommendations

Some great #Standalone books to read.
1. Swan Song- one of my top 5 favorite reads ever.
2. We Used to Live Here- a newly released haunted house book that is really well done.
3. The Other- great horror classic.
4. Certain Dark Things- an intense vampire read that puts a new spin on the creature of the night.
5. Tender is the Flesh- so disturbing, yet so good.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks #BookScavengerHunt

One of my favorites since I bought it at a scholastic book fair as a kid. There's a #Grave over in the corner.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks #BookScavengerHunt #Figure

I used to think being secluded in a cabin surrounded by forest and snow would be relaxing and a perfect getaway... then I read this book and decided maybe not. 🤣

This is a great scary read, though.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

So much was brought up in this volume, and lots of new characters were introduced, humans and ghouls both. More connections between the past and present are revealed, and the battle for who will survive begins.

I will be sad when this series is over. It is such a great story.

I wanted to read this one before watching the movie. It's been on my TBR for a while.

This was a great atmospheric read that really put me in the woods feeling like I was the one who was trapped. I loved the narrator for the audiobook, too! It was a perfect read for this time of year.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks #BookRecommendations #Critters

1. The Hatchling- I felt things crawling on me for days after reading this one. So creepy!
2. Devolution- who doesn't enjoy a good Sasquatch book.
3. Infested- this novella will make you never want to leave your house for fear of being bitten by insects.
4. Stinger- great critter tale about a being from another planet causing trouble in a small Texas town.

#HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks #BookScavengerHunt #Purple

This sequel in a YA duology was so good! Loved the characters and the world building.