Based on his podcast of the same name, Aaron Mahnke has created a fabulous dive into some of the most interesting stories ever told. I listened to this on audiobook, which he also narrates, and found it to be so enjoyable. These stories are broken up into sections and each story is just a few minutes long, allowing the listener to jump in and out of it easily.

Poe is my favorite author, and I have been drawn to him since I first read "The Raven" in elementary school. I've gone out of my way to visit his haunts around the US, collect every book I can, and have a literal bookcase (bordering on a shrine) dedicated to his works and all of the pop culture ephemera he continues to inspire today. The best part of my passion for him is that I know I am not alone, and this digs into why Poe still calls to us.

This book is about sexual obsession, addiction, power, and toxic relationships. Fair warning: None of these characters are likable, making this novel so deliciously readable and so "WTF did I just read". So much drama, erotic and raw, Rosenfeld gives the reader the heat this fall when it hits shelves 11/19/2024.

This incredibly detailed and researched book describes how innocent people were victims of misguided religiosity, ignorance, bigotry, and misogyny. Even in modern times, powerful people use the fear of demonization and the unknown to exploit and control people. Today‘s social and political climate continues this persecution and the term "witch hunt" has been twisted by the rich and the powerful when their own actions are called into question.

What a way to close out my official "spooky reads" season! This book is eerie, creepy and a total Gothic mood, but with all good stories like this, the overarching theme is one that transcends the scary. This locked room mystery touches on topics of abuse, misogyny, gaslighting, and sexual assault, allowing the readers to understand not only what the main character is going through, but the women of the past who battled these same demons.

The idea of the "Indian Card" reveals mindsets and processes that are still rooted in racism and the idea of "Indian-ness." The attempted erasure of Native culture date back to the arrival of white settlers to America, and the effects of colonization are still being felt. As tribes move forward to keeping their culture and traditions from fading away, the idea of who gets to be Native in America is something they will continue to grapple with.

This is a horror book that will keep you up all night. It is horrifying, filled with terror and body horror, and is not for the tame of heart. It is disturbing, gross, and may bring you phobias you never knew you had...AND I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT. Think of it this way: this book is what would happen if The Fly and Jurassic Park had a squishy and disgusting baby. It's awesome.

Nancy Pelosi shattered the marble ceiling when she became the first and only female Speaker of the House. At 46, her run for Congress led to one of the most storied political careers in the history of the United States. In her new book, Pelosi takes us through her career, leadership, and roles in some of the most pivotal issues and events over her decades of service.

I love a folklore retelling. The story of Baba Yaga is fantastical and magical, and author GennaRose Nethercott imaginatively reworks this tale for modern times. The blend of family, Jewish folklore, magical realism, and Jewish-Russian-Ukrainian cultural history defies genre, and this novel stands on its own as a unique story filled with fun but also allows the reader to understand topics that may be difficult to discuss.

All good horror uses this mixture to create an allegory on a variety of topics, and author Lilliam Rivera uses the genre to shine a light on sexual assault, misogyny, exploitation of immigrants, and addiction. The psychological terror Rivera builds throughout the book is riveting, allowing the reader to follow the path of generational trauma that Samara and the other characters must reckon with.

While Las Vegas isn‘t considered a “literary” city, I think the Las Vegas Book Festival proves that wrong. This event featured authors of all kind, with headliners like John Waters (I met him and he signed my book!), Tracy Wolff and Nicola Yoon. From poetry to history, YA to lit fic, this event had something for everyone. Add in the great vendors, volunteers and amazing bookish swag, this was one of the most fun festivals I have ever attended.

This is a creepy story, but with all good horror, it takes real life and turns it into the monster we all fear. In this book, Malerman turns family dysfunction into a terrifying story. So often in life, we have a way of projecting who we want to be seen as into the world, but behind closed doors, our secrets turn us into something else. And that "other" side of ourselves can cause hurt, distrust, and trauma.

I love a good gothic, dark ghost story like this. Camilla Bruce uses alternating points of view between Clara, Violet, and Lily, which allows the reader to get inside the heads of each character. This weaves together witchcraft, folklore, and ghost stories, to create almost a fairytale-like story. The pacing allows the story to build, the girls to understand their powers, and the reader to see Clara for precisely who she is.

This is one of the most powerful memoirs I have ever read. As a woman and mother, I acutely felt the truth and love of Lisa Marie's life. Hearing the story from both mother and daughter made it even more impactful. I chose to listen to this audiobook and highly recommend it for readers to experience. This is ultimately a story about family, pain and grief, addiction and healing, that readers will empathize with and draw strength from.

If you know the career of John Waters, you know that his humor is raunchy, campy, and quite bizarre. Well readers, this novels checks all those boxes. Do I recommend this for people who have never experienced anything he has created? Absolutely not. For those of us who understand his level of debauchery, this novel is a big old hell yeah. It's disgusting, gross, vulgar, outlandish, and I loved every second of it.

This book is such a clever reimagining of P&P. Author Melinda Taub takes the source material and turns it into a regency witchy tale complete with a coven like no other, taking characters who we thought we knew and putting a paranormal slant on them. I mean Kitty is literally a kitty, Lydia's familiar who can be seen in human form. Taub really does a great job of capturing Lydia's voice, the story coming directly from her.

The journal format gives the reader a fly-on-the-wall view of what it takes to get a show into production in Hollywood. The meetings, the people who want to add their input, the madness of the streaming culture. I loved how Kaplan mixed in his "behind the scenes" life. When appliances go bad left and right, and you're trying to get Pete Davidson to attend a meeting simultaneously, life can feel like a sitcom you are starring in.

This new series is a gothic blend of dark academia, vampire lore, fantasy, and African lore. At its heart is Kidan, a complex and compelling main character. Her ruthless determination, unwavering devotion to her sister, and the conflict of being torn between two worlds make her a character you can't help but invest in. You will love the tension between her and Susenyos, set against the backdrop of the powerful family houses and the university.

This is simply one of the most terrifying novels King has ever written. King mixes religion, grief, family, aging, and the afterlife into a masterpiece of a slow-burn horror novel highlights his skill as a writer. It will remind you of the works of Poe and Lovecraft as King takes us through this five-decade-long story. The incredible character development allows the reader to get into the main characters' minds, making the story even more stark.

It's cozy reads season, and this series is perfect for this time of year. You've got small town, opposites attract, and he falls first, all combined for Hazel and Noah's story. The "mystery" is low stakes, allowing the couple to get to know each other as their relationship grows. Of course, you have some spicy love scenes and a HEA to make you smile. Plus, for us bookish women, who doesn't like seeing themselves reflected in a steamy romance.

Rich people and a murder mystery combined to keep me guessing until the end. I loved the ladies, and their backstories (and skeletons in the closet) made for a real romp. We get each one's POV, which really adds to the story, misdirecting the reader multiple times. Great banter, over-the-top characters, and a wedding in the middle made this an enjoyable and fast-paced mystery.

Korelitz writes an anti-hero in a delicious way. While the idea of building a perfect life is taken to the extreme in this series, this novel reflects how many of us try to fool others into thinking we are something we are not. Between social media and our day-to-day lives, we all try to highlight our best parts. While most of us are just putting minor tweaks to our reality, Anna is taking it to a different level, making this novel quite twisty.

This memoir is about relationships, pain, love, understanding, and acceptance. Orenda opens up about her journey and lets us see everything she experienced in an objective yet incredibly lyrical book. Many of us know the effects of mental illness, whether firsthand or through someone in our orbit, and the care and detail given to this struggle allow the reader to have a understanding of the toll it takes on the person and the people around them.

This autumnal book has some classic tropes: grumpy vs. sunshine, small town, and a HEA with plenty of spice. The main characters are adorable, the setting is cozy, and the townspeople are a lot of fun. If you love pumpkin spice lattes, fall vibes, and hot book boyfriends, you cannot go wrong by picking this book up. It is the first in a series, and I look forward to starting the next one, The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, featuring Hazel and Noah.

Magical worlds will always hold on me no matter how old I get, and Impossible Creatures was one I could not pass up. Books like this help us escape the outside world and sometimes find our inner child that feels like it has been lost forever. This book is beautifully illustrated, the characters are unforgettable, and the author has a section at the end that lets you know the magical creatures better.

This was a delightful read, especially for me, as the heat of summer still lingers here in Vegas. This is exactly the proper holiday cozy romance that I adore. I listened to this on audio, and the production was fantastic. The narration allowed me to sink into the story, the setting, and the characters as the narrator read the book. For fans of Hallmark holiday movies, New England Christmases, and foodies (the descriptions are absolute yum!).

You have to love a grumpy vs. sunshine romance! Pair that with the incredible descriptions of Việt Nam (both the sights and the food), fun side characters that add to the mix, and meddling aunties, you have a romance that checks all the HEA boxe. Adam and Evie have good (and spicy) chemistry with each other, and I enjoyed how their characters and relationship grew throughout the book.

I decided to read this immediately after I finished Walter Isaacson's biography of Elon Musk to compare and contrast two men with very different images. Both have created monumental changes in the world of technology. Both men have very similar characteristics: unending drive, big thinking, challenging the status quo. But readers should also be paying close attention to their negative aspects, mutual fallibilities and personal failures.

Artists like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Harry Styles all have fan bases who feel they know these artists through their music and lyrics. Emily Layden takes the nuances of pop culture and gives the reader an atmospheric mystery that feels like it could happen in real life. This novel is fast-paced and has a good plot that provides us with an inside look at the music industry. It also explores emotions like guilt and imposter syndrome.

While Elon Musk is a figure that many have strong opinions about, myself included, you cannot discount his incredible success. His determination and dedication to hitting his goals are unlike anyone I have ever read about. While I do not agree with all his methods or his personal touch, there were many things I could take from him for my career. Love or hate him, Musk dares to see how risk can lead to great reward.

I tore through this novel! Author Cebo Campbell has written one of the most unique novels I have ever read. Campbell takes the breadth of issues that this delves into and deftly weaves it into an incredible narrative. He does not shy away from making the reader uncomfortable, which shows the power of his writing. This book challenges the reader in many ways, bringing to light our biases, even when we think they don't exist.

This book is a master class in story (and tension) building. Richard Chizmar can take nostalgia, the lore of Pennsylvania, and friendship and blend it all to create one of the best horror stories I have read in a very long time. As a native Pennsylvanian (from Pittsburgh specifically), I loved being put into a setting I know well. The three main characters were perfectly developed and immediately drew me into the story.

The Stranger at the Wedding is an overall satisfying thriller/mystery. You start out getting to know the characters and as you learn about them, the questions begin. This slow burn really takes off in the last quarter of the book as the reader begins to piece together what happened to Mark's first wife. I found this to be a very suspenseful story, well told from varying POVs, and a good read to kick off your fall thriller stack.

This was a sweet and smart romance. It‘s a twist on the fish out a water story, the author taking a scientist and planting her into the world of astrology. Add a little grumpy vs. sunshine romance into the mix, and you have an opposites attract storyline that will make you want to head outside and stargaze with someone you love.

This one is a mix of environmentalism, spy thriller, and satire, but it also delves into anthropology and philosophy, which I found extremely interesting. The political intrigue also kept the plot moving nicely. This is a creative novel, and I can see why it landed on many award lists.

For someone like me who wants to cook well, this cookbook is a welcome addition to my kitchen. By breaking recipes down into salt, fat, acid and heat, chef and author Samin Nosrat brings professional ideas into the home. These recipes and techniques go a long way in helping me understand good cooking philosophy and how to put it into practice. It is also beautifully illustrated by Wendy MacNaughton, adding visuals to your cooking journey.

This YA novel is a welcome read as we head into fall. I love books like this that create a perfect atmosphere within the story: the leaves, the coffee, the food, and the fun. I am a fall girlie, so this was a lovely kickoff to my fall reading stack. Grab your PSL (or drink of choice) and cuddle up for this delightful story.

This was an incredibly in-depth look at John F. Kennedy, Jr. We get a better understanding of his childhood, schooling, and young adulthood, along with his ambitions, starting with the publication of his magazine, George. What I found the most interesting was that he might have one day run for office, and you have to wonder if the world would have been a different place if he had found his way into the political realm.

Just as full of adventure and snappy banter as the first book in this series, Apprentice is a wonderful continuation of this cozy fantasy series. I loved revisiting the characters we met in the first book while getting to know some of the newer ones. I particularly love the "found family" aspect, as it is one of my all-time favorite tropes, and this is a family like no other. The romance still sizzles between Evie and the Villain of course.

Actor Kristian Nairn, who played Hodor on Game of Thrones, tells his story about the role, the show, and his life. His personal story, raised by a single mother in Ireland and living his truth as a gay man is a journey of perseverance and strength. He performed as a drag queen and a DJ at a nightclub. His creative drive is what truly lead him to his success and place in the entertainment world.

This is simply one of the best psychological thrillers I have ever read. This book has twisted characters and a complex crime story, but author Liz Nugent injects much-needed dashes of humor and humanity throughout. It gave me "Jane Eyre" feels, plenty of gasp-out-loud moments, and a plot unlike anything I have ever read. This is the perfect book to kick off your fall thriller reading.

This is a stunning portrayal of youth, courage and friendship, all set against the turbulent decades in Iranian history. This is the second novel I have read by Kamali and I am a huge fan of her writing style. I have been swept up by both stories, and this one particularly resonated with me. Her study of female friendships in this narrative is remarkable. I felt the love and the joy along with the sadness and uncertainty as this story unfolded.

This was such a fun book! I love horror, especially the slasher genre, and Stephen Graham Jones takes it and makes it his own. It's a supernatural mystery horror book all rolled into one. I loved the characters, the play on all the slasher tropes, and the unique way it was told from the killer's POV. I especially loved the final girl aspect of it that wrapped the story up perfectly.

This was one of my most anticipated sequels! This was as good as the first one, filled with just as much adventure and fun banter. Wren and Theo are a great couple, and I loved how author Kara McDowell made their love and emotions feel real. Wren and Theo are young, just finding their way in the world, which is well reflected in their relationship and plot. Sometimes, a happily ever after is what we want it to be on our terms.

While the title suggests that this is a book merely about Elvis, this is actually a comprehensive history of Sin City itself. From its humble railroad beginnings to the entertainment capital of the world, author Richard Zoglin takes us through the story of this desert oasis. This is an in depth look at the entertainers that set the stage for a performer like Elvis, people like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr.

The late 90's and early 2000's stand out as a time where women in the spotlight were both celebrated and vilified, often in the same breath. Carolyn was one of the people in the press's crosshairs at that time, and her treatment by them is absolutely shameful. I really enjoyed getting to know her drive and work ethic. She was not the pampered princess she was made out to be, but a woman who stood on her own two feet.

This novel is such a warm hug. A character driven story filled with humor, emotion and fun banter, so much so that you think you are walking side by side with the characters. This is a romance that I appreciate as some who is a bit older, and it seemed very realistic in the way it was portrayed. This is a perfect study of loneliness, marriage and separation, and the connections we all want, but can be afraid to open ourselves up to.

Rainbow Rowell is such an amazing writer, and I have loved everything she has ever written, but this one was another level of appreciation and adoration for me. I married my first love and my best friend, my high school sweetheart, after my first marriage ended. Because of this, Slow Dance hit very close to home. There were passages in this story that I felt with all my heart and soul, as if they were lifted from our own love story.

The thing that I love most about Rumaan Alam's books is that he can explore issues of class, race, and privilege in the most intriguing ways, and "Entitlement" is another excellent example of this. Alam is never afraid to make the reader uncomfortable with his writing and there were quite a few sections that made me question my own understanding and biases. Who is deserving in this world? What is independence when strings are often attached?

This is an incredible story of lost love set in an uncertain time in Iran in the 1950s. I was completely swept into this story, feeling every bit of the first love that Roya and Bahman felt for each other, the heartache they go through, and their bittersweet reunion decades later. I love books like this that can take a romance and set it in historic times, allowing us to see what was happening through the story of the young lovers.