Listened to the excellent audiobook of this collection. Four different readers tell Shirley Jackson's almost mundane horror stories.

Georgia Peaches can be frustrating, as the main character makes unnecessary bad choice after unnecessary bad choice. But that's a fairly honest portrayal of teen behavior. It also feels like the type of book that could mean everything to the right reader picking it up at the right time. The subject of queerness and faith isn't one tackled that often, at least in a positive light, so the somewhat fluffy story feels revelatory rather than trite.

Just as weird, if not even more so, as Michael DeForge's previous work (as Lego Wall-E here is proudly displaying). But also a very poignant story about growing up, losing and regaining your sense of identity, and how hurt can turn into a weapon.

A slow burner for sure, but always with a hint (or more) of menace in the background. And with a great ending the pays off all the waiting.

Literary trash at its finest (and that's about the best complement possible from me, as I'm a connoisseur of good trash).

Perhaps a bit weird for the sake of being weird at times, but that's kind of the point, so it's not a negative. And the book does turn that weirdness into a very entertaining metaphor for growing up and accepting change (without getting too obvious or preachy).

And always remember, talking to angels is illegal. Also, angels do not exist. DO NO TALK WITH THEM!

One of the greatest books I have ever read. More twisted than you could believe, but with more heart than you could imagine. The Binewskis will stay with me for a good long time.

(Listened to audiobook) Fantastic narration in this golden age superhero creation story. The think I like the most about Chabon is that even though he's an "important" and "literary" author, he truly values pulp and trash as well, and that love shines through.

Dayglo noir featuring an interesting mix of 80s technology, neon, voodoo, and Lovecraft.

Poignant and funny stories from a great storyteller, with engrossing narration by the author. (Listened to audiobook)

A fun memoir made better due to the great narration by the author. (Listened to audiobook)

A heartbreaking book (that I realize I'm years late to the party on) about one autistic boy's quest to identify a dog murderer, regain his ideal home life, and get an A grade on his A-Level maths exam.

Definitely Libba Bray's strangest book (which is saying something), but also her most heartfelt.

Interesting memoir from NYTimes/Salon/etc. columnist D. Watkins about his time getting into and out of the drug game in East Baltimore. It ends too soon (I'd love more on his time at U of Baltimore), but what's here is fascinating.

Gave in and read The Girls because I knew everyone else was going to this summer, and I'm glad I did. It's a beautifully bittersweet story of longing, loss, and awakening.

A fascinating horror/crime mashup that juggles seemingly disparate plots (very well), before bashing them together in a very creepy way.

One of the great crime stories, whether in book or graphic adaptation.

A very different book than Joe Hill's previous works, (in a genre I was initially unsure of after liking his more "magical" horror so much in the past), but with the same great character work that made NOS4A2, Locke and Key, and the rest the so enjoyable.

Some of the best cartooning ever drawn.

Skipping number three for the time being.

Book number two!

The Darwyn Cooke reread has begun!

Steven T. Seagle's return to comics is a great mix of his more adult comic work, with his kids TV stuff.

Still the best.

In the past, two adoptive siblings learn to channel the dead, and fall under the sway of a strange man. In the present, one of them reappears to take her niece on a cross state trek. How one story leads to the other is sad, dark, and unexpected.

Definitely a bit odd for the sake of being odd at points, but Jodorowsky's story of sex, family, and magical realism sucks you in.

A sequel that doesn't need to exist, but that justifies it's existence by offering a moving view on depression and anxiety in the aftermath of the first book's tragedy.

Heartbreaking coming of age story by one of the best YA authors working.

A huge improvement over the first Diviners book (which was already pretty good, if a bit of a let down after Beauty Queens). Creepy, fun, and full of Libba Bray's great dialogue.

Phenomenal genre allegory, using eldritch horror to examine America's history of racism.

Perhaps not Vonnegut's greatest (which would be Sirens of Titan), but even his "lesser" books are better than anything else.

One of the rare books I've read multiple times while attempting to decipher it's depths.

Super interesting follow up to the Wayward Pines trilogy. He takes a very similar plot synopsis, and spins it in a completely different direction.

Realistic portrayal of a family coping with grief, crossed with hints of dark fantasy. A great follow up to last year's (also great) Head Full of Ghosts.