
I’m excited to share one-sentence reviews for my top 25 reads of first quarter 2021!
(In alphabetical order by author or editor.)
Wings & Fire: A horror anthology compiled by Dan Alatorre. There is such a wide variety of stories here, from dystopian to vampires, from not-so-interesting to excellent stories, the latter category making the anthology worth the read. (KU)
Hard for Hope to Flourish by Bell et al. In this anthology of three horror stories, all three tales (dark fable, African cosmic, and disappearance mystery) are sophisticated literary stories, heavy on character and theme, that make for satisfying reads. (KU)
Perfect prose.
“The Erstwhile Groom” by Laura Benedict is a domestic suspense short story with prose so perfect that it disappears and you end up existing inside the plot. (KU)
“The Ice Dream of the Crow” by Willow Croft is in an anthology called The Phantom Games edited by John Paul Catton. In this winter Olympics story, Croft uses real-life venue details and a poetic description of ice skating . . . only to wind up with a delightfully horror-ific ending! (KU)
Mosaic of Seduction by Carrie Dalby is book 1.5 in Dalby’s Southern Gothic romance series called The Possession Chronicles, and I don’t recommend Mosaic by itself because it needs the context of the series, but I do recommend the whole series with its attention to period detail in the Edwardian Deep South. (Kindle freebie.)
Haunted indeed.
Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life by Ruth Franklin is a thoroughly researched and l-o-n-g biography of the famous author’s sometimes tragic life, but it’s a thoroughly interesting read, too. (Paperback Christmas gift.:-))
The Cheetah and the Dog by Patricia Furstenberg. OMGosh, this is the cutest, most interesting, rhyming children’s picture book about a real-life friendship between a South African cheetah and a dog. (KU)
Dead of Winter: Journeys 1, 2, and 3 by Teagan Geneviene are the first three installations of a fantasy serial novel set in Geneviene’s amazingly drawn fictional world with a restrictive religion, an oppressive patriarchal society, and a powerful spirit world. (Kindle purchase.)
“Bad Day at Black Canyon” by Lakota Grace is a prequel short story to her Pegasus Quincy mystery series, and just like the novels, this short story has a strong sense of place in its Arizona desert setting, and Pegasus is a likable, “real” character. You can only get the story by signing up for Grace’s newsletter at https://lakotagrace.com/
N00bs by Julian Grant is a YA dystopian science fiction thriller with entertaining teen banter set against a backdrop of serious ethical/societal issues. This is so out of my typical reading genre. I can’t believe I enjoyed it so much. (Kindle purchase.)
Starving Ghosts in Every Thread by Eric LaRocca is a horror novella with the most unique take on body horror ever, and despite the occasional, awkwardly worded sentences, I totally enjoyed this one. (Another paperback Christmas gift.:-))
I thought Kaplan’s book was so good that I reverse outlined it so I could study it.
It Will Just Be Us by Jo Kaplan is an expertly paced (though slow burn), modern Gothic haunted house story with lovely lyrical prose . . . oh, the isolation and winter chill and nail-biting suspense, and what is that lurching down the hallway?! (Library.)
The Ruin of Delicate Things by Beverley Lee. Lee creates 3D characters full of grief and guilt and places them in a contemporary Gothic novel with typical woodland creatures that have turned scary as heck! (KU)
Give your brain every chance to be tiptop in its old age.
Successful Aging by Daniel Levitin. A neuroscientist writes science-y stuff about the aging brain but makes it understandable and entertaining for those of us who aren’t neuroscientists. (Kindle purchase.)
Lockdown Innit by MJ Mallon is a poetry collection that made me alternately happy and sad for its truthful depiction of covid’s effects on everyday life. (KU)
Congrats to Martin! She just signed a contract with Monster Ivy Publishing for a sequel to Fake Nora.:-)
Fake Nora by Kelly Martin is a Middle Grade horror story that kept middle-aged me entertained (and a tad scared) when young Nora got trapped inside an antique mirror. (Kindle purchase.)
Engaging with Aging edited by Rachael McAlpine is a blog-to-book creation from a blogger in her late nineties, not about being that old but from the voice of someone that old. It’s practical, sweet, and interesting. And yes, I realize I just broke my one-sentence rule.:-) (KU)
I Left the Room Burning by Beth O’Brien is a skillfully penned, easy-to-read, dark poetry collection, loosely connected, that has an overall, haunting story centered around family, fire, and painful memories. (KU)
The Sleepless by Nuzo Onoh is a gripping supernatural and domestic horror story set in Nigeria during the devastating Nigerian-Biafran war of the 1960s, and it’s so convincing that I’m sure it’s partly Onoh’s real-life memoir. (KU)
You had me at “zombie poetry.”
White Noise by Rhonda Parrish is a fantastic, accessible, zombie poetry(!!) collection spanning emotions from humor to existential dread. (Kindle purchase.)
Reaper: Aftermath by Jonny Pongratz. In this YA science fiction fantasy novel, Pongratz builds a marvelous, colorful, creative, off-world setting and writes spectacular battle scenes (and throws in a little romance, too!). (ARC)
The Living Sand by Anthony Renfro. The monster in this YA horror novella is deliciously terrifying for a fun, fast-paced read. (Kindle purchase.)
I will never look at an ancient tree the same way again!
Wonderland by the talented Zoje Stage. In this slow-burn, modern Gothic novel, something’s wrong with the huge tree behind a family’s remote cabin, and the novel’s sense of aloneness is so palpable that I kept looking out my window to make sure cars and people were nearby. (Kindle purchase.)
Garden of Eden by K.M. Strange is a mosaic erotica novel within a mystery thriller plot when combined makes you feel indulged on so many different levels. (Be sure to read the book description for content warnings because this is NSFW!) (Kindle purchase.)
“Agoraphobia” by Rami Ungar is an atmospheric horror short story with a respectfully written detour into contemporary politics. (KU)
And in other news, April is National Poetry Month. Ugh, I should have saved the zombie poetry for April! Oh well. I am going to challenge myself once again to write a poem a day for 30 days. I think it helped my prose last year, so I’m happy to do it again.:-)
Feature image is by Geon George on Unsplash.
Reblogged this on Ed;s Site..
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Thanks, Ed.:-)
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A lovely selection of reviews, Priscilla. I think a one-sentence review is a good idea. I don’t know if I could ever manage it though. I always have so much to say about books.
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Funny how I’m a writer, and yet I’m a woman of few words. What the heck?:-) I’m glad you stopped by, Robbie!
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So many good books here, looks like you had a really good first quarter:-) I’m glad you enjoyed Wonderland, and I’m really interested in It Will Just Be Us:-)
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Both Wonderland and It Will Just Be Us have the same vibe. Loved them both! Thanks for stopping by, Tammy!
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I love the idea of a blast of reviews like this. And it seems like you had a whole group of winners. Thanks for sharing.
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It’s kinda fun trying to condense a review (from my normal Amazon-type review) down to one sentence! Thanks for popping by, Staci.:-)
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A gorgeous collection of books, Priscilla. I’ve missed your one liners, glad you decided to do some again.
Gosh, thank you for including my wee kiddies book. 🙂
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Your cheetah book is awesome, and even thought it’s for children, I learned a lot about cheetahs! Thanks for commenting, Patricia.:-)
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Thanks so much for the kind words on my book! I’m really excited that Kelly Martin is going to have a sequel to Fake Nora. I’ll definitely check that one out sooner than later.
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Your book is good It deserves kind words! Thanks for stopping by, Jonny!
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You made my day! 🙂
Of course! I always love hearing your opinions on things.
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You are the gothic mistress of the one-line book review. What is KU short for? Thanks for the reminder that tomorrow begins Poetry Month. Ugh….
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But you’re good at coming up with daily poems! KU is Kindle Unlimited. I was kind of iffy about it at first, but I got a subscription to KU last Christmas and have enjoyed reading lots of books free. Thanks for stopping by, Pat!
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You’ve got sooo many interesting ones on here. Zombie poetry – who knew? I’ve got Teagan’s and Jonny’s books waiting for me.
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I think you’ll enjoy both Teagan’s and Jonny’s books, fun reads! Thanks for commenting, Teri!
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Lots of interesting books here I’ll be sure to look for. Thanks for the reviews!
Best of luck on the April Poetry Challenge! 🙂
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I did have a good reading quarter, lots of good books.:-) Thanks for the good poetry wishes, Barbara!
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Love your one-sentence reviews and will grab a couple new ones for my kindle! Thanks, Priscilla. Sharing!
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Thank you, Bette.:-) I know you’re a children’s book author yourself. I think you would enjoy Furstenberg’s book in particular. I’m glad you stopped by.:-)
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Just added to my kindle! 🙂
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Thanks for the shout-out for The Erstwhile Groom, Priscilla. I’m delighted that you enjoyed it. It’s set in my grandparents’ house, and I still dream of that basement. (Though the secret rooms are only in my dreams!)
I’m not surprised you enjoyed Wonderland. Have you read Baby Teeth? Talk about disturbing in the best ways.
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I just got goosebumps . . . there’s an actual house with a basement like that?! (Cool!) I LOVED your story! I haven’t read Baby Teeth yet. It’s on my TBR as is Stage’s Getaway. Thanks for commenting, Laura.:-)
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Thanks for the mention, Iseult! I always appreciate your support.
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Heehee, you got Iseult and me mixed up. I’m flattered because Iseult is cool!
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Oops! Sorry Priscilla. Her post was next on my reading list and I wrote her name while thinking about it. Either that, or my vaccination really has made me loopy.
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No need to apologize. I totally get it. (And Iseult truly is a cool person!)
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You can say that again.
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Reblogged this on The Official Blog of Horror and Fantasy Writer Lionel Ray Green and commented:
Here’s a roundup that I always look forward to every quarter.
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Aw, thanks, Lionel!
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Oooo… may have to try a few of these — especially Kaplan (after that stellar compliment to the author!)
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Yeah the Kaplan book is brilliant. Thanks for stopping by, KC!
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A lovely selection of (telegraphic) reviews, dear Priscilla, as usual🌹🌹🌹
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Thank you, Luisa! I hope you’re having a good week.:-)
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🙏 Thank you
I wish you the same ❤🥰
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Since I’m not teaching, I almost forgot April was poetry month. I can’t wait to read yours!
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Thanks, Crystal.:-) Maybe I’ll have some interesting poems by the end of the month!
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I have no doubt you will.
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Thanks for the mention. Glad you enjoyed it.
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You’re welcome, Anthony.:-) Thanks for stopping by!
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I always enjoy your one sentence reviews, Priscilla (it’s a gift to be able to do that!). There are several on this list I’ll be checking out in further detail.
And all the best with your poetry writing. That’s a great way to flex creative muscle!
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Thanks, Mae.:-) I think since you are so good at conveying family dynamics on the written page that you would like either Laura Benedict’s story or Beverley Lee’s novel. I’m glad you popped by!
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Thanks for the recs, Priscilla. I had a few others on my list, too. And I appreciate the compliment! 🙂
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Once again, I am thoroughly impressed with the volume of reading you accomplish! Yowzas!
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Thanks, Fawn, but it was over three whole months, so . . .
I’m glad you dropped by!
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A great quarter and I love these snappy reviews, Priscilla. I’m reading Wings & Fire right now, but the rest of the books are new to me. You’ve intrigued me with a few of them. Happy April and enjoy another quarter of fabulous reads. 🙂
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Wings & Fire, yes! I didn’t like all the stories, but I enjoyed quite a few of them. I still remember the elderly people conspiratorially chatting in one of Bakkers’ stories. And the atmosphere in Park’s “Mary” still haunts me. Thanks for commenting, Diana.:-)
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I’m only about four stories in, so much to enjoy yet. 🙂
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