True Crime & Serial Killers

The types of books I've taken to reading recently. 

Panzram : Butchering Humanity by Carl Panzram 

If you haven't read about Panzram, I highly suggest you do so, his story is fascinating and a lesson in nurture over nature. Also, I strongly recommend the podcast Morbid and their coverage of Panzram (episodes 184 & 185). 

Also about Carl Panzram: 

Kill 'Em All: A True Story of Abuse, Revenge and the Making of a Monster by Ryan Green

 

 

 Also by Ryan Green (whose books are on Kindle Unlimited):

All worth a read. Also worth reading is Starve Acre by Andrew Michael Hurley. Not a true crime, but a good read nonetheless, if you like slow burn and weird. 

Thanks to Morbid podcast's coverage of Robert William Pickton (episodes 210, 211, & 212), I bought On the Farm by Stevie Cameron. I haven't read it yet because of it's sheer size (700ish pages) but it's reportedly very good, and very detailed.

More Books

 So I finished Autumn Bleeds Into Winter and Sick House by Jeff Strand and give both ★★★★/5. This is one fucked up author.  I also finally finished The Last Star by Rick Yancey and gave it ★★★★★/5. 

I'm in the process of reading Escaping Salem: The Other Witch Hunt of 1692 by Richard Godbeer, but have stalled at 42%. Not because it's bad, just because it's not as exciting as others. 

And I just started Father of Lies by Sarah England and am hoping to finish the three book series before classes start on the 22nd and my life is effectively.. over.

Easier Said Than Done & 5 Star Books

I try to post twice a week. Yeah, I know I don't do that, thanks. But I try. On my days off. 

I'm still dealing with the Hypothyroidism & Insomnia, though. You know how it is. Or hopefully, you don't. 

I reread The 5th Wave and read book 2 of The 5th Wave series, The Infinite Sea, and I've been carrying The Last Star around in my bag ready to go. I get a lot of reading time at work during the night, so best to be prepared. 

The 5th Wave - I gave it 5/5 stars then, and I give it   ★★★★★ now.

The Infinite Sea - I give it  ★★★★★

As I said, I have Last Star ready to go, but I also have bid 45 books read this year on Goodreads and have only read 25 our of those 45. Therefore, I supplemented my reading with: 

The Dark Stuff by Paul Seiple, Pressure and Deathless (Pressure 2) by Jeff Strand.  I gave all three  ★★★★★

I'm partway though Autumn Bleeds Into Winter, also by Jeff Strand. I will then read The Infinite Sea.  

So, not a post with a lot of brain power on my part, but you're welcome anyway.

The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor :: ★★★★★/5

"An unconventional vicar moves to a remote corner of the English countryside, only to discover a community haunted by death and disappearances both past and present--and intent on keeping its dark secrets--in this explosive, unsettling thriller from acclaimed author C. J. Tudor."

Strange sightings, creepy ghosts and nobody to trust. Chapel Croft with it's secrets and sketchiness is worth a visit alongside Reverend Jack Brooks and 14 year old daughter Flo.

If you haven't given C.J. Tudor a read, I recommend starting here. ★★★★★

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw :: ★★★★★/5

"Cassandra Khaw's Nothing But Blackened Teeth is a gorgeously creepy haunted house tale, steeped in Japanese folklore and full of devastating twists."

A group of friends meet for a wedding in a haunted location where a bride is buried in the foundations and requires girls to keep her company. Don't let the ratings fool you - I loved this book. 

Between you and me, I know nothing about Japanese culture and spent a good time googling for definitions. 

Worth it.   ★★★★★

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey :: ★★★★★/5

I was originally loaned this book by a friend a few years ago. Not my typical type of book, but I enjoyed it immensely so I bought the next two, but for some reason never read them. I just ordered The 5th Wave and am planning to start the series again. I'll let you know how wonderful it is. 

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey :: Original Review  ★★★★★

Universal Harvister by John Darnielle :: ★★/5

This book isn't what it seems. I was very disappointed by that, despite the excellent writing. It just left me with questions. So, so many questions. 

Universal Harvester by John Darnielle

★★

 

 

(11/3/2018)

Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix :: ★★★/5

I read this book in one sitting. I'm honestly not sure what I expected so when I say that I found this book predictable and simple, I don't mean that negatively. I suppose that content keeps it out of the YA category, but it seemed to me that it would be far better suited there. This book was pretty good, I read it in one sitting, and I recommend it to anyone that doesn't have high expectations for a complex story. The book itself is probably worth 4 stars, but I give it 3 simply because I found it a little juvenile.

Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix ★★★

(11/3/2018)

 

Bird Box by Josh Malerman :: ★★★★/5

When I first got this book I was SO excited to read it. I opened it and immediately was put off by the present tense that it's written in. The reviews were good for this book though, so I forged on. After getting used to the style it was a quick read and I must admit I loved it. Initially I thought that the ending could have been better, but the more I thought about it, I realized there's really no other way it could have ended. If you're on the fence about Bird Box by Josh Malerman, don't be. Just read it.

★★★★

 

(11/3/2018)

Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman :: ★★★/5

Very quick, easy read. Has humor, suspense, and personality. My first book by Neal Shusterman, but certainly won't be my last. 

 ★★★

 

 

 

(10/19/2018)

Before I Let Go Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp :: ★★★/5

I understand this is a YA book and therefore strives to be "all inclusive". The references to Corey's "asexuality" and Kyra's "pansexuality" as well as two of the male characters being homosexual (Sam and Roshan) are pointless to the story since none of it is explored or even really mentioned beyond the initial "so and so is asexual/pansexual/homosexual". It simply didn't add anything to the story. I feel like I didn't know any of the characters other than Kyra, and she's not even an active character. Even the main character lacked depth, and the supporting characters were even more shallow. I didn't care about any of the characters but the dead one, and I still had no real idea how she felt in this book.

The play-script chapters were annoying.

I feel like so many things in this book should have been elaborated on. It just lacked detail and personalization of the characters. I didn't feel emotionally invested in any of them other than the fact that I also found it incredibly depressing.

The writing is very easy to read, flows nicely, is very descriptive. I liked the portrayal of bipolar disorder, how Kyra was humanized and Corey's response (or lack thereof) to Kyra after she moved was very realistic (out of sight, out of mind). The setting description at times, made me feel as if I were actually there.

Once I started it, I wanted to finish it. Unfortunately, unlike really good books I was happy just to see it to end.

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp ★★★

(10/6/2018)

The Animal Hour by Andrew Klavan :: ★★★★/5

I'm not sure what I just read. I didn't like any of the characters and I didn't like the writer's style. The beginning of the book was good, the ending of the book was good (I didn't see the ending coming!) but the middle just dragged on. Somehow this book made me feel.. dirty. I'm giving it 4 stars because honestly, despite all I've mentioned above, it was a surprisingly good book. I think.

The Animal Hour by Andrew Klavan  ★★★★

(9/18/2018)