Monique Snyman's Blog, page 8

Feeling Poetic? Here are 5 Horror Poetry Books I Love!

I may be a day late to celebrate World Poetry Day, but better late than never. I love poetry, though. Poetry usually makes me think about an array of things, makes me feel, inspires or makes me contemplate something deeper than whatever is on the surface. It’s art in word form���subjective. My favorite poem of all time isn’t in the horror genre, but rather makes one think about choices … The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost.

While I read broadly when it comes to poetry, I do love me some horror poems, and thought it was a great day to share some of my favorite horror poetry books. ����

5 Horror Poetry Books I Love!The Place of Broken Things by Linda D. Addison and Alessandro Manzetti

A horror duo made in heaven, in my opinion. Alessandro Manzetti has always captivated me with his unique perspective of the horror genre, while Linda D. Addison knows how to dig deep into the soul and cut it to pieces with her poetry. The Place of Broken Things (published by Crystal Lake Publishing) is a surreal collection that features death, darkness, and all the things that make horror aficionados happy.

If you’re looking for something poignant, deliciously dark, and you’re ready to have your insides clawed apart, then The Place of Broken Things is what you need in your life. You will not be disappointed.

The Apocalyptic Mannequin by Stephanie M. Wytovich

If you’re only now getting into horror poetry, I suggest you start off with anything by Stephanie M. Wytovich. I return to her work often when the mood hits, and I sincerely love her outlook of the world. The Apocalyptic Mannequin��(Raw Dog Screaming Press) is a dystopian horror collection of sorts, featuring poetry that will make your heart weep for the state of the world (and all the possible ways it could end).

The Apocalyptic Mannequin is for horror poetry lovers who love their stomachs churning, cringing at the brutality of it all, and feeling like they’re immersed in a whole other (completely possible) reality. It’s raw, visceral, and unputdownable. A must-read poetry collection if ever there was one.

The Complete Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe

No horror poetry list would be complete without Edgar Allan Poe making an appearance. The granddaddy of horror poetry has a soft spot in my heart, not only because he was before his time, but because his poetry is timeless. I mean,��everyone knows��The Raven, right? But there are so many other wonderful, deliciously creepy poems of his … I, personally, love Bridal Ballad, due to how the poem develops into something dark and supernatural.

Yes, I know it’s almost clich�� to add Edgar Allan Poe to the list, but hey, I can’t help liking what I like. *shrugs* So, if you’re looking for some classic horror poetry, look no further than The Complete Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe (Signet Classics).

Under Her Skin by Lindy Ryan

I’m not being biased when I say the inaugural all-women anthology, Under Her Skin (Black Spot Books), which is coming out April 5th, 2022, is awesome! Yes, okay, yours truly has a poem in there, but I’ve never regarded myself as a poet. Like, seriously, it took some convincing for me to even submit … In the end, I submitted a poem because I wanted to see if I could have my name published amongst some off the most exceptional women in horror today. And boy, oh, boy did these ladies bring their best.

I absolutely love this horror poetry anthology because it cuts deep, shows the world what women have to deal with on the daily, and bares our souls (and I’m so honored to be part of it). If you haven’t pre-ordered your copy yet, you absolutely have to. Under Her Skin is a poetry showcase you’ll revisit regularly.

The Devil’s Dreamland: Poetry Inspired by H.H. Holmes by Sara Tantlinger

Combining two of my favorite things: A prolific serial killer and poetry. ���� Sara Tantlinger made me a tad too giddy when The Devil’s Dreamland: Poetry Inspired by H.H. Holmes was released. It’s dark AF, but seriously good (and memorable!). What’s more, H.H. Holmes not only inspired fear in his lifetime (and a whole lot of speculation as to what happened to the corpses of his victims), but even now, there’s still so many unanswered questions. Sara Tantlinger taps into all that and more for this collection.

 

A Fabulous February 2022 Book Haul

I went on a tiny book-buying spree in February … Whoops! But there were so many wonderful books I wanted to get my hands on and I just couldn’t help myself, so I don’t feel too��bad about it. My fabulous February 2022 book haul includes some romance (*gasp* ����), cozy mysteries, historical fiction mysteries, some contemporary fiction, and a classic thriller (or so I’m told). I’m weirdly surprised by this month’s haul, because these aren’t usually the type of books I read, but they look��so��good!

Remember to check back for my book reviews or, alternatively, follow me on Goodreads.

So without further ado, here is my February 2022 book haul!

February 2022 Book Haul

Violeta by Isabel Allende

Violeta comes into the world on a stormy day in 1920, the first girl in a family of five boisterous sons. From the start, her life will be marked by extraordinary events, for the ripples of the Great War are still being felt, even as the Spanish flu arrives on the shores of her South American homeland almost at the moment of her birth.

Through her father’s prescience, the family will come through that crisis unscathed, only to face a new one as the Great Depression transforms the genteel city life she has known. Her family loses all and is forced to retreat to a wild and beautiful but remote part of the country. There, she will come of age, and her first suitor will come calling. . . .

She tells her story in the form of a letter to someone she loves above all others, recounting devastating heartbreak and passionate affairs, times of both poverty and wealth, terrible loss and immense joy. Her life will be shaped by some of the most important events of history: the fight for women’s rights, the rise and fall of tyrants, and, ultimately, not one but two pandemics.

Told through the eyes of a woman whose unforgettable passion, determination, and sense of humor will carry her through a lifetime of upheaval, Isabel Allende once more brings us an epic that is both fiercely inspiring and deeply emotional.

A Slim Green Silence by Beverly Rycroft

Constance West is dead. She is floating above her hometown of Scheepersdorp, unsure how long it has been since she died, since the cancer took her. Beneath her are all the people she ever loved: her younger sister Sylvia, her domestic worker Princess, her good friend Alwyn, Bart, her neighbour, Harry, her guardian, her former lover Ivor, and her child, Marianne. Connie doesn���t know why she is back in Scheepersdorp in this spirit form. ���All I can tell you,��� says the Boatman, who transports her there, ���is you will know this thing when you see it. And you must be finished by half past six.���

A Slim, Green Silence is a journey through Connie���s past as she tries to understand why she is back home, and for what purpose. Not just a story about death, this is a tale about living and loving, about friendship and motherhood, loss and hope. Most of all, it is about ordinary people, and their attempts to make sense of a sometimes nonsensical world.

Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall

At seventeen, Norah has accepted that the four walls of her house delineate her life. She��knows��that fearing everything from inland tsunamis to odd numbers is irrational, but her mind insists the world outside is too big, too dangerous. So she stays safe inside, watching others��� lives through her windows and social media feed.

But when Luke arrives on her doorstep, he doesn���t see a girl defined by medical terms and mental health. Instead, he sees a girl who is funny, smart, and brave. And Norah likes what he sees.

Their friendship turns deeper, but Norah knows Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can walk beneath the open sky. One who is unafraid of kissing. One who isn���t so screwed up. Can she let him go for his own good���or can Norah learn to see herself through Luke���s eyes?

White Male Heart by Ruaridh Nicoll

In the magnificent wilderness that is the Scottish Highlands, Aaron and Hugh have been friends for as long as they can remember, bound by a shared affinity for their surroundings and an increasing sense of alienation from the remote, close-knit community that is their home.

But when a young woman – fleeing life in the city and a broken love affair – moves to the area, the ties that bind the boys are slowly, irrevocably stretched to near-breaking point. And as the strain on Aaron and Hugh’s friendship builds, so the violence that is endemic in the land begins to infect them both. Driven to the very edge of reason, they turn on their world to vent their frustration and anger and hurt in the only way they know, embarking on a spree of quite horrific destruction…

Hush Now, Don’t You Cry by Rhys Bowen

In the latest in Rhys Bowen’s award-winning historical series, Molly Murphy is supposed to give up sleuthing now that she’s married, but the murder of an alderman puts her on the trail of a killer.

Molly Murphy, now Molly Sullivan, and her husband Daniel, a captain in the New York Police department, have been invited to spend their honeymoon on the Newport, RI, estate of Alderman Brian Hannan in the spring of 1904. Molly doesn’t entirely trust the offer. Hannan–an ambitious man–has his eye on a senate seat and intentions of taking Tammany Hall to get it. When Hannan is found dead at the base of the cliffs that overlook the Atlantic, Molly’s suspicions are quickly justified, and as much as she wants to keep her promise to Daniel that she won’t do any more sleuthing now, there isn’t much she can do once the chase is on.

When the Curtain Falls by Carrie Hope Fletcher

In 1952 two young lovers meet, in secret, at the beautiful Southern C ross theatre in the very heart of London’s West End. Their relationship is made up of clandestine meetings and stolen moments because there is someone who will make them suffer if he discovers she is no longer ‘his’. But life in the theatre doesn’t always go according to plan and tragedy and heartache are waiting in the wings for all the players . . .

Almost seventy years later, a new production of When the Curtain Falls arrives at the theatre, bringing with it Oscar Bright and Olive Green and their budding romance. Very soon, though, strange things begin to happen and they learn about the ghost that’s haunted the theatre since 1952, a ghost who can only be seen on one night of the year. Except the ghost is appearing more often and seems hell bent on sabotaging Oscar and Olive. The young couple realise they need to right that wrong from years gone by, but can they save themselves before history repeats itself and tragedy strikes once more?

In Strangers’ Houses by Elizabeth Mundy

When you clean strangers’ houses you learn their dirty secrets…

Lena Szarka, a Hungarian cleaner working in London, knows that all too well. So when her friend Timea disappears, she suspects one of her clients is to blame. The police don’t share her suspicions and it is left to Lena to turn sleuth and find her friend.

Searching through their houses as she scrubs their floors, Lena desperately tries to find out what has happened. But only Cartwright, a police constable new to the job, believes that this will lead to the truth. Together they uncover more of Islington’s seedy underbelly than they bargained for.

But Lena soon discovers it’s not just her clients who have secrets. And as she begins to unravel Timea’s past, exposing long hidden truths, she starts to wonder if she really knew her friend at all.

Recipes for Love and Murder by Sally Andrew

Meet Tannie Maria: A woman who likes to cook a lot and write a little. Tannie Maria writes recipes for a column in her local paper, the Klein Karoo Gazette.

One Sunday morning, as Maria savours the breeze through the kitchen window whilst making apricot jam, she hears the screech and bump that announces the arrival of her good friend and editor Harriet. What Maria doesn’t realise is that Harriet is about to deliver the first ingredient in two new recipes (recipes for love and murder) and a whole basketful of challenges.

A delicious blend of intrigue, milk tart and friendship, join Tannie Maria in her first investigation. Consider your appetite whetted for a whole new series of mysteries . . .

The Satanic Mechanic by Sally Andrew

Meet Tannie Maria – recipe writer turned crime fighter – and before she has time to take her Venus Chocolate Cake out of the oven, our glorious heroine finds herself embroiled in another mystery.

In this wonderful sequel to Recipes for Love and Murder, Slimkat the bushman finds his life under threat and Tannie Maria is determined to find out who wants to kill him.

But her boyfriend is keen to keep Tannie out of danger, and she’s pretty sure he’s hiding something so Tannie has mysteries of her own solve . . .

Blending a perfect whodunnit with lovable characters, Sally Andrew really does have the perfect recipe for a crime series.

Death on the Limpopo by Sally Andrew

Tannie Maria might be the Karoo���s favourite agony aunt, but when it comes to matters of her own heart, she doesn���t have all the answers. Why is she having trouble telling her beau ��� the dashing Detective Henk Kannemeyer with the chestnut moustache ��� that she loves him?

There are other, more pressing problems too. A tall, dark stranger zooms in on her Ducati motorbike: she is Zabanguni Kani, a journalist renowned for her political expos��s, who, after receiving threats, moves in with Tannie Maria for safety.

And who could tell that a trip to the country���s northern parts was on the cards? The journey plunges Maria and her friends into pools of danger, amid water maidens, murders, and Harley Davidsons.

Ladismith���s famous crime fighter is back ��� with a tin of buttermilk rusks in hand ��� to restore peace from the Klein Karoo to the great Limpopo River.

February 2022 Round-Up: Super Confused About Time

My grandmother used to tell me that the older you get, the faster time goes by … Well, I think February 2022 was seriously doping with something, because that mofo just about blasted by. *shakes head* Alas, we’re already in March and I’m only now getting to my February 2022 round-up post. Apologies for the delay. ����

There was quite a few things that happened in February, which is probably why it felt like it passed so quickly. So, let’s get down to business before time catches up to us again. ����

February 2022 Round-UpHighlights of the Month

February is the month of love, and Husband and I saw it fitting to visit Casa Toscana for a romantic weekend getaway. What a blast we had! First, we ate like royalty (who knew chocolate chili steaks were the food of kings?), we went to the spa, we saw a live performance, and lounged around like there was no tomorrow. It was really a lovely weekend, but I wish we had a couple of more days to unwind. I missed my little gremlin too much, though.

Here I am with the Mister. ����

We’re currently obsessed with Dr. Death, the show about Christopher Duntsch who was just as much a doctor as I am. Basically, he butchered his patients due to incompetence … Not something to watch if you have a medical procedure in the upcoming weeks, but a definite must-watch if you like shows based on true-crime. The all-star cast does a magnificent job in reeling in the viewer, and the suspense … OH MY! It’s really an excellent show.

 

I’m not really listening to any podcasts at the moment, but I am listening to the audiobook version of The Clanlands Almanac by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish. It’s wonderful to hear the banter between these two actors, and because I’m apparently basic, I��love��their Scottish accents. What’s more, it’s quite educational!

Blogging and Reviewing

I was a busy little blogger and reviewer this month. Of course, I had to jump on the Valentine’s Day stuff, but because I’m a bit unconventional and dark, I decided to treat readers to an Anti-Valentine’s Day List. ���� Why? Well, because OBVIOUSLY not everyone’s into the gooey stuff. If you haven’t seen it yet, here you go:

10 Valentine’s Day Reads for Darker Hearts

I also reviewed some books. I’d hoped to have read more in February, but I think I’ve covered as to why that wasn’t going to happen. LOL! In my defense, one of these books is��huge.

Sins of the Fathers by Herbert J. Stern and Alan A. Winter*The Baby-Eater by Chad Robert Morgan*Tender is the Flesh by Agustina BazterricaAnnouncements

I’m pleased to announce that the Black Mariah Series is a finalist in the CIBA awards! I loved working on this project, exploring stories that are set in different places and yet tie-in together. The authors were also all so wonderful to work with. All in all, I’m so excited that this series made it to the finals!

Then, lastly for this month’s round-up, yours truly signed a contract for a brand new novel! That’s right, there’s a new novel coming out and it’s of the horror variety, slated (at this point) for 2023. Now, I can’t say too much yet because I’m sure my publisher has a grand plan up her sleeve to reveal all the details, but I can tell you that this one is for adults and will, hopefully, scare you silly. YAY!

Looking Forward to March 2022

I have a boatload of new books that I’m so excited to read! My plans, however, tend to go awry most of the time, so I’ve decided to be more conservative with how many books I intend to read. If I’m lucky, there may be more.

I really do hope I can get them all read before the month is over. Keep an eye out for my reviews!

That’s all I have for the month of February. ���� Hopefully, March will give me some time to, at least, get used to it before whooshing by.

Have a fabulous month, everyone!

Monique

Taboo Explored in Horrifying Dystopian Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

I���ve been putting off reading Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica since it was first released in English in 2020. Why? Well, firstly, this is one of those books you need to be in the right mindset for. You do not want to read this book if you���re squeamish. Secondly, the book needed to be imported into South Africa���I waited a month for it to be delivered. Lastly, I may have been a smidge skeptical because of the hype surrounding the book. Alas, I have since come to learn that Tender is the Flesh deserves all the hype.

Without babbling any further, here is my book review. ����

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Tender is the Flesh starts off by dropping the reader into a fictional world where animals are said to carry a virus that can kill humans. It doesn���t sound too farfetched for anyone who’s been living on this planet lately. Heck, the concept of a plague affecting dogs and cats was, after all, explored in both Escape from Planet of the Apes and Conquest of the Planet of the Apes.

Cattle and swine are highly susceptible to foot-and-mouth-disease (FMP), and outbreaks occur often. One mutation, and BAM! No more meat … Now add to this mess the question of: what if the world is over-populated, the economies are crumbling, and the government has the power to brainwash the masses? It���s hardly an implausible scenario.

Just take a moment to imagine what happens when, while all of that’s going on, the CDC, WHO, the UN, scientists and whoever’s in control of the world start saying that people aren’t getting enough protein in their diets. That “plant-based” and supplements aren’t as good as the real deal.

Imagine a World not Unlike our Own …

Yup, I���m pretty sure you guessed what happens next: Cannibalism. Legalized, government sanctioned breeding and killing of humans to feed other humans. What���s more, it���s a ���mostly��� civilized global industry.

This is where our protagonist, Marcos Tejo, comes in. He works at a Processing Plant, where “head” (that’s what the humans for consumption are called) are … well, processed. Marcos isn’t really into his job, but he does it because it pays well and he needs the money to take care of his ailing father. What’s more, he’s actually good at what he does: Procuring head, selling head, and keeping the clients happy by making sure the head that the company sells are top notch quality. Marcos, however, is also grieving the loss of his child, has an estranged wife, and frankly, in my opinion, he’s having a bit of a midlife crisis.

Then, Marcos receives a gift���a FGP (First Grade Pure) head.

It’s NOT A Farfetched Tale

I can’t get into more detail than that without getting too spoiler-y, but I will say this book and the entire concept is not as farfetched as most might believe it to be. Cannibalism is real. It happens. And although it may seem to lurk on the fringes of society, the cannibals are moving ever closer to our doorsteps. Don’t believe me? Remember BiteLabs? I bet you don’t. It is (was?) a company in L.A. that proposed growing human meat (particularly from celebrity DNA) in labs for consumption purposes.

Cannibalism trends have also been steadily rising lately. While I have no statistics to prove what I’ve personally seen in the news (Armie Hammer’s cannibalism fetish is just the beginning), I’ve seen more and more serial killers in the USA partake in this taboo.

What’s more, do you honestly think you’d say: “I’m not��going to eat human flesh,” if there’s a global market, it’s government-sanctioned, and you have a hankering for a steak? What if the church condones it, twists the Bible’s words a bit?��“Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me.��� – 1 Corinthians 11:24

In Conclusion

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica is, in my opinion, essential reading. It is a combination of all those beloved classic dystopians we’ve systematically seen coming true���1984, The Handmaid’s Tale, Brave New World, you name it. The book is written in such a fantastic way as to make you feel both sympathetic, yet detached.

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica is absolutely brilliant, albeit unsettling as all hell. Not to mention, it’s a pretty graphic book.

A must-read if you love dystopians, horror, or if you’re wondering what madness we can expect in the future.

About Agustina Bazterrica

Agustina Bazterrica is an Argentinian novelist and short story writer. She is a central figure in the Buenos Aires literary scene. She has received several awards for her writing, most notably the prestigious Premio Clarin Novela for her second novel, TENDER IS THE FLESH.

January 2022 Round-Up: A Great Start to the New Year!

I thought it would be a good idea to do a January 2022 Round-Up post, because phew! It’s been one helluva month. Also,��how��is it possible that we’re already heading into February? I swear the clocks are speeding up. Anyway, I’ve been a busy little writer and reader the past 31 days, which is always good. ���� It means I’m staying out of trouble. LOL! I did some book reviews on my blog as well as on BookTrib.com (denominated with a *), I wrote a few articles, got some pimping done on social media, and even saw some hype for The Night Weaver. Like I said, it’s been B-U-S-Y.

 

This post is for if you perhaps missed something I talked about over the past month and you might want to read/see it. Hopefully, there’s something for every taste. ����

There’s also some personal things I haven’t shared anywhere else, just to keep things fresh for everyone who already saw ALL the other stuff.

January 2022 Round-UpHighlights of the Month

First off, I bought myself a custom-made living room suite and it’s EXACTLY what I wanted. I know it’s probably not the most exciting thing in the world for others, because we all hate adulting, but we��needed��a new living room suite for a while now. The old one was, quite literally, falling apart after 6 years of use. It was time. *nods* Ooh, and here’s a photo of what the new L-Shape living room suite looks like:

We also��finally��watched a few movies I’ve been dying to see. My favorite film of the month was a thought-provoking, memorable piece that kept me glued to my seat. The premise was interesting, and I kept wondering whether it was a supernatural story, a la Stephen King, or something else. I won’t give away what the twist is, but I enjoyed Old immensely.

To fans of M. Night Shyamalan: Do you think this movie ties into the same universe as the Unbreakable Trilogy, is a companion piece to The Visit, or is a standalone? I’m leaning towards it being an origin-type of tale for The Visit for some weird reason.

The podcast I’m currently obsessed with is none other than True Crime South Africa, hosted by Nicole Engelbrecht. I’ve been listening to it every chance I get for about two months now, and I can’t recommend it enough to other true crime junkies. It’s well-researched, the host is sensitive, and the crimes are mind-boggling.

Blogging and Reviewing

I’ve been actively blogging again! It’s not as often as I’d like, but things are finally happening on that front. ���� Please, browse around if you feel so inclined. I’m also writing articles for other websites from time to time just to get back in the groove of things. Writing is like a muscle, after all���if you don’t exercise, those muscles get lazy. Here’s a article I wrote for BookTrib.com in honor of Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday:

Edgar Allan Poe: Influencing Literature from the Grave*

My social media activity has also seen an uptick this month as I got back to pimping some of my own stuff. As a result, I was pleasantly surprised when this happened:

The Night Weaver was mentioned in the 7 YA Fantasy Novels that Invent Captivating New Creatures��list.

In other news, I’m so happy about getting back to my roots! I’ve started reading and reviewing books again if you haven’t noticed, and let me tell you, it was like coming home. I��loved��reviewing books, but I stopped when I realized I wasn’t reading for myself anymore. I mean, what’s the reason for me to read a book about fixing cars when: 1.) I’m never going to fix a car, 2.) it’s really not something I want to read, and 3.) there are millions of other books I��really��would rather read? So, I’m reading for me again and reviewing only what I want to review, whether it’s good or bad.

Here’s my Book Review Round-Up for January 2022:

The Chalk Man by C.J. TudorTreachery Times Two by Robert McCaw*The Hunted by Gabriel BergmoserThings I Should Have Said by Jamie Lynn SpearsDark was the Night by Tania Lorena Rivera*Looking Forward to February 2022

February is the month of love, right? Well, Husband scheduled a little getaway for us and I plan on relaxing for the first time since 2019. I’m super excited about that.

I have all the books I’m planning to read ready and waiting for February (whoohoo!) and some of them look excellent! Hopefully, I’ll be lucky and they won’t disappoint me. Keep an eye out for those reviews. ����

And that’s all she wrote. ����

What did you do in January and what are you looking forward to in February?

Comment below to let me know!

Things I Should Have Said by Jamie Lynn Spears: Just Damage Control?

Full Disclaimer: I bought Things I Should Have Said by Jamie Lynn Spears even though I’m a staunch supporter of the #FreeBritney movement. What Britney Spears was subjected to during the conservatorship is absolutely horrendous, and the fact that Britney’s family didn’t step in to help her out of that situation boggles the mind. Of course, there are usually more than one side to a story, which is why I decided to play the devil’s advocate and see how Jamie Lynn Spears was going to explain her side of things. Here is my book review of Things I Should Have Said:

Things I Should Have Said by Jamie Lynn Spears

Once in a while, I may pick up a memoir to read. This doesn’t occur often, but usually I quite enjoy those “untold” stories by celebs. I’m well-aware that their tales could be complete fiction, written to sell books and make even more money. That’s fine. Like I said, it doesn’t happen often, so I don’t feel bad about spending my hard-earned cash on them.

In the case of��Things I Should Have Said, however, I feel somewhat annoyed with myself for buying the book.

Not necessarily because I don’t believe her���there are parts that ring true, especially when she speaks about motherhood and the pressures she faced as a teen starlet and teen mom. I have no doubt in my mind that her parents were completely��pissed��when she got knocked up. I completely believe that her upbringing was a tumultuous time, that her father was (still is) a greedy bastard (my words, not hers), and her mother has no spine (again, my words, not Jamie Lynn’s).

What annoys me about this book is how, at times, Jamie Lynn used her truth to try and win sympathy from me, the reader. Don’t get me wrong, I feel for her. She faced some big hurdles and overcame them, but using those struggles to explain why she didn’t fight harder for her sister … Sorry, it just doesn’t work for me.

What Jamie Lynn Doesn’t Say

Perhaps it’s the timing of this book’s release that has me wondering how truthful the memoir is. I mean, sure, it could be a total coincidence that Things I Should Have Said released a few months after Britney Spears’ conservatorship ended and her saying she’ll expose everyone who wronged her. Then again, it could simply be damage control. *shrugs* I don’t know. What I do know is that the book reads like a rush job. There’s very little flow, choppy sentences, and frankly, as an editor, I rose my eyebrow a few times.

Now, I don’t want to bash the book, because Things I Should Have Said is, for all intent and purposes, Jamie Lynn’s truth. Who am I to tell her it’s not, you know? And I understand that maybe Jamie Lynn’s publisher wanted to cash in on the whole debacle (publishers can be sneaky that way), but things simply don’t add up.

Maybe I’m Just Biased?

I grew up listening to Britney Spears, watched her every move as most people my age did, was shocked when she had such a public breakdown … You name it, I was there. I’ve remained an avid fan of her music, though, and eventually realized the conservatorship was a legalized form of abuse.

I have no doubt that all of this influenced my opinion on Jamie Lynn’s memoir. So, I should mention that I’m probably not as unbiased as I usually am when reading and reviewing a book.��In other words, I’m certain that other readers who are not Britney fans may have a completely different opinion about Things I Should Have Said. And that’s fine. I don’t mind opposing views. ����

In Conclusion

Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend��Things I Should Have Said to die-hard Britney fans���it’s just going to get on your nerves. The writing isn’t good enough to carry the book, either. Basically, give this one a miss unless you want to make an informed decision on the “she said, she said” Instagram war between the Spears sisters.

About Jamie Lynn SpearsJamie Lynn Spears
Source: Erica Gerard

Jamie Lynn Spears��is an actress and musician who began her entertainment career at an early age. The Louisiana native made her way into acting with some national commercials before landing her first big debut on television, appearing on Nickelodeon���s��All That��and then starring as the title character on��Zoey 101, for which she won the Nickelodeon Kids��� Choice Award for Best Actress in 2006. When she became a mother at sixteen, her pregnancy made headlines. She returned to the entertainment business as a singer/songwriter who has collaborated with artists such as Jana Kramer and has won several awards (NSAI, BMI) as a songwriter for writing the platinum-selling song ���I Got the Boy.����� She released the new version of the��Zoey 101��theme song ���Follow Me��� with Chantel Jefferies ahead of the upcoming highly anticipated��Zoey 101��reboot. She will also be back to play the beloved character Noreen for season 2 on Netflix���s��Sweet Magnolias��in 2022.

Yay! A Fierce January 2022 Book Haul!

With January winding down, I thought it was time to share my January 2022 book haul with the world! ���� I have some great titles waiting for me on my TBR cart���some YA, horror, a classic, a bit of mythology, and even a bit of nonfiction. All in all, it’s a well-rounded book haul, perfect for every mood. Well, that’s my opinion. ����

There’s no telling when I’ll have a moment to read these books, but I’m hopeful that 2022 will see me reading more. I’m still waiting on a few titles (they had to be imported), but I’ve already started on with one … *crosses fingers*

If you want to follow my reading journey with me, check out my Goodreads (I keep it pretty updated). Alternatively, you can always visit me here, where I post some (not all) of my book reviews.

January 2022 Book Haul

All These Bodies by Kendare Blake

Sixteen bloodless bodies. Two teenagers. One impossible explanation.

Summer 1958���a string of murders plagues the Midwest. The victims are found in their cars and in their homes���even in their beds���their bodies drained, but with no blood anywhere.

September 19- the Carlson family is slaughtered in their Minnesota farmhouse, and the case gets its first lead: 15-year-old Marie Catherine Hale is found at the scene. She is covered in blood from head to toe, and at first she���s mistaken for a survivor. But not a drop of the blood is hers.

Michael Jensen, son of the local sheriff, yearns to become a journalist and escape his small-town. He never imagined that the biggest story in the country would fall into his lap, or that he would be pulled into the investigation, when Marie decides that he is the only one she will confess to.

As Marie recounts her version of the story, it falls to Michael to find the truth: What really happened the night that the Carlsons were killed? And how did one girl wind up in the middle of all these bodies?

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

The Owens sisters confront the challenges of life and love in this bewitching novel from��New York Times��bestselling author Alice Hoffman.

For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape.

One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back���almost as if by magic…

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales.

In��Norse Mythology, Gaiman fashions primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds; delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants; and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people. Gaiman stays true to the myths while vividly reincarnating Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin���s son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki, the son of giants, a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator.

From Gaiman���s deft and witty prose emerges the gods with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to dupe others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again.

Clanlands Almanac: Season Stories from Scotland by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish

A seasonal meander through the wilds of Scotland.

If��Clanlands��was a gentle road trip through Scotland, this almanac is a top down, pedal to the metal up and down odyssey through the many byways of a Scottish year. An invitation to anyone who picks up the book to join us on a crazy camper van exploration over 12 glorious, whisky fueled months. Mountains, battles, famous (and infamous) Scots, the alarming competitiveness of��Men in Kilts, clans, feuds, flora, fauna, with a healthy sprinkling of embarrassing personal reminiscences thrown in. Much is explored, all is shared. It is a camper van cornucopia of all things Alba.

From First Footing to Samhain, Fringe Festival follies to whisky lore, Sam & Graham guide readers through a year of Scottish legends, traditions, historical and contemporary events, sharing personal stories and tips as only these two chalk-and-cheese friends can.

As entertaining as it is practical,��The Clanlands Almanac��is a light-hearted education in Scottish history and culture, told through the eyes of two passionate Scotsmen. The perfect escapist guide,��The Clanlands Almanac��is intended as a starting point for your own Scottish discoveries.

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

This is the story of a serial killer. A stolen child. Revenge. Death. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street.

All these things are true. And yet they are all lies…

You think you know what’s inside the last house on Needless Street. You think you’ve read this story before. That’s where you’re wrong.

In the dark forest at the end of Needless Street, lies something buried. But it’s not what you think…

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz

A gothic tale full of mystery and romance about a willful female surgeon, a resurrection man who sells bodies for a living, and the buried secrets they must uncover together.

Edinburgh, 1817.

Hazel Sinnett is a lady who wants to be a surgeon more than she wants to marry.

Jack Currer is a resurrection man who���s just trying to survive in a city where it���s too easy to die.

When the two of them have a chance encounter outside the Edinburgh Anatomist���s Society, Hazel thinks nothing of it at first. But after she gets kicked out of renowned surgeon Dr. Beecham���s lectures for being the wrong gender, she realizes that her new acquaintance might be more helpful than she first thought. Because Hazel has made a deal with Dr. Beecham: if she can pass the medical examination on her own, the university will allow her to enroll. Without official lessons, though, Hazel will need more than just her books ��� she���ll need bodies to study, corpses to dissect.

Lucky that she���s made the acquaintance of someone who digs them up for a living, then.

But Jack has his own problems: strange men have been seen skulking around cemeteries, his friends are disappearing off the streets. Hazel and Jack work together to uncover the secrets buried not just in unmarked graves, but in the very heart of Edinburgh society.

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Working at the local processing plant, Marcos is in the business of slaughtering humans ���though no one calls them that anymore.

His wife has left him, his father is sinking into dementia, and Marcos tries not to think too hard about how he makes a living. After all, it happened so quickly. First, it was reported that an infectious virus has made all animal meat poisonous to humans. Then governments initiated the ���Transition.��� Now, eating human meat������special meat������is legal. Marcos tries to stick to numbers, consignments, processing.

Then one day he���s given a gift: a live specimen of the finest quality. Though he���s aware that any form of personal contact is forbidden on pain of death, little by little he starts to treat her like a human being. And soon, he becomes tortured by what has been lost���and what might still be saved.

Gigi by Colette

‘He must know by now, I should think, that I can give as good as I get!’

This is the story of Gigi, educated as a future courtesan in Paris, her days are filled with cigars, lobster, lace and superstitions. Bored and unconvinced by what she’s taught, Gigi surprises everyone with her earnest approach to love.

In this classic turn-of-the-century novella, Colette unveils Gigi’s journey into womanhood in rich and supple prose.

The Hunted by Gabriel Bergmoser: A Wild Ride in the Australian Outback

I bought The Hunted by Gabriel Bergmoser on a whim during Readers’ Warehouse’s Black Friday sale last year because I love the minimalist cover and when I saw it’s something akin to: “Deliverance meets Battle Royale,” I was sold. I mean, neither Deliverance or Battle Royale are movies for sissies, and I quite enjoyed both films, so I had no other option than to see whether Gabriel Bergmoser did it justice. Here is my book review. ����

The Hunted by Gabriel Bergmoser

The story starts off with Simon, a dreamer and avid Jack Kerouac reader, who’s tired of city-living. He wants to experience Australia for real, away from the cities and their watered-down culture. As a result, he’s set off on the open road, determined to find whatever it is that makes Australia … well, Australia.

Then, there’s Frank, who owns a service station in the middle of nowhere. He’s a bit of a hermit, estranged from his son, but perfectly happy for the most part. When his granddaughter, Allie, is sent to stay with him for the summer, however, his life is quickly changed.

Maggie, on the other hand, is an enigmatic, slightly eccentric woman with a dark past that will bring Simon, Frank, and Allie together. She’s a mystery, clearly has something she’s hiding, but more importantly, wherever she goes, trouble follows.

Terror with a Capital ‘T’

The Hunted sinks its teeth into you from the first page and doesn’t let go until it’s taken its pound of flesh from the reader. It starts off slightly slow, but this technique works considering the book begins as a journey. When things begin to pick up, though, it’s a freight train with malfunctioning brakes. The reader is thrust into a situation where every page brings you closer to a reveal you instinctively know will be memorable.

The characters aren’t here to play nice for the audience. Sure, there are a variety of them���men, women, a teenager … Some are strong and others are weak. But this is a story of survival in the most dire of circumstances, and either you stand up and do what you have to or you’re maggot food. Simple. What makes it all the worse is the fact that not only do they have nature to contend with (Australia is not known to be a walk in the park in the summer), but there are hillbillies out there with a taste for torture and death.

A Testament to Good Writing

Gabriel Bergmoser crafted his characters with purpose, though. Every single thing���the plot, the pacing, the personalities of each character���was meticulously mapped out before his pen ever touched paper. Each emotion you have whilst reading this book was planned by the author. It’s simply wonderful to see such craftmanship in horror, and I honestly feel The Hunted��should be on every reader’s list if they want to see a nightmare come to life while a talented young writer shows you the sights.

In Conclusion

This suspenseful novel, set in the Australian outback, is a nerve-wracking read that will see your stomach do somersaults in certain spots���well, it did for me���but it was a damn good read nonetheless. If you’re squeamish, I suggest maybe skipping lunch. If you’re not bothered by taboos, then throw a steak on the barbie, mate, because you’re gonna need the energy to keep up with this fabulous book.

I loved every second of reading this book!

To all the horror lovers out there, you absolutely must, must,��must put The Hunted on your to-read list.

About Gabriel Bergmoser

Gabriel Bergmoser is an award-winning Melbourne-based author and playwright. He won the prestigious Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award in 2015, was nominated for the 2017 Kenneth Branagh Award for New Drama Writing and went on to win several awards at the 2017 VDL One Act Play Festival circuit. In 2016 his first young adult novel,��Boone Shepard, was shortlisted for the Readings Young Adult Prize. His first novel for adults,��The Hunted��(HarperCollins, 2020) is a bestseller and a film adaptation of��The Hunted��is currently being developed in a joint production between Stampede Ventures and Vertigo entertainment in Los Angeles.

10 Motivational Horror Quotes for 2022

We may be in the early days of 2022, but it’s been a wild ride for a lot of folks to get here, and I thought I’d share 10 Motivational Horror Quotes to get us into the groove of things. ���� Now, full disclaimer, my idea of “motivation” doesn’t necessarily look like those happy-go-lucky motivational quotes you’ll find your aunt posting on Facebook.

Every year, I add some horror quotes to the ol’ blog. Usually, this happens a little later in the year, but I think we all need it, so here you go.

10 Motivational Horror Quotes for 2022

Norman Bates isn’t wrong. We all say things we don’t mean, do things we probably shouldn’t. *shrugs* Apologize (and mean it), brush yourself off, and move on!

EXACTLY! What’s the use of crying over things we can’t control? Watch the Hellraiser franchise for more sage advice from Pinhead. *nods*

There is beauty to be found all around you, even in the dark. Close your eyes and revel in the wonders that surround us all. Thank you, Bram Stoker, for this motivational quote!

Don’t change just because society wants you to fit into some box. Screw “normal”. You are perfect just the way you are … even if your weirdness annoys those around you. ����

I know what you’re thinking: How can this quote be motivational at all? Well, think about it this way, whatever you’re going through now could be��so��much worse. And if you ever find yourself falling down that trapdoor … there’s only one way out: up. ���� Stay positive!

Marcus Sedgwick probably means that no matter what happens, use your voice! Don’t be afraid to tell your story, and don’t be scared to listen. The truth will out eventually …

We have something to look forward to, at least. And let’s be honest, very little would surprise any of us these days, so Shakespeare’s idea of “wicked” could very well be our idea of “fun”.

We don’t always need to understand��everything to know something is happening … In 2022 let’s focus on whatever’s working inside of us as being something good.

In other words, the tides will eventually turn. So, if you find yourself in a bad place, remember it’s only temporary.

Thank you, Alice Cooper, for reminding us to stay confident no matter what!

And there you have it, 10 motivational horror quotes that will see you through 2022. ���� Stay positive, see the good in everything, and don’t forget that horror is healthy!

If you need more horror quotes, check out my other posts:

10 Horror Quotes I Love10 Inspirational Horror Quotes

Have a great week, everyone!

Monique

The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor: A Thrilling Novel Worthy of the Hype

The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor is a debut thriller that’s gotten a lot of attention since its initial publication in 2018. Usually, I’d have been on this book like a bad rash the moment I heard about it, but seeing as I found myself in a bit in a reading slump, I never purchased a copy … That is, until recently. ���� What’s more, this book actually inspired me to go back to my roots and bring back Book Reviews��on my website!

So, here’s the first of (hopefully) many reviews:

The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor

In the summer of 1986, twelve-year-old Eddie Adams and his friends spend their days like most kids of the time���they bike around the sleepy English village they live in, play in the wooded area near a development, and devise secret codes to communicate and draw them with chalk on the street. This, however, soon becomes a killer’s calling card, taunting the friends as bodies pile up.

Fast forward to 2016 (thirty years later), and Eddie is a disenchanted English schoolteacher, living in his childhood home with Chloe���a young, pretty, lodger who also happens to be his companion. Things go on as usual, until he receives a letter in the mail with a chalk figure inside. He’s not the only one who got one, though, and things quickly spiral as new bodies are found.

A Debut Thriller Worth the Hype

This debut novel is filled with a gripping suspense that keeps you turning the pages: Who is the killer? Why use chalk men? Is Eddie, perhaps, also developing Alzheimer’s? Or was it Mr. Halloran behind all the deaths? These questions continuously pop into your mind as you read, and the inherent need to know the truth keeps you glued to your seat. I love this about any thriller, but C.J. Tudor truly went out of her way to keep me from figuring out the mystery until the very end.

I also quite enjoyed the characterization, which���in some ways���felt reminiscent of Stephen King’s It. The characters have their own unique personalities, but I became invested in them because of how real they were. We’ve all known an Eddie or Sean Cooper or Fat Gav or Nicky at some point. Yes, in The Chalk Man, these characters were thrown into the deep end, but they are the tragic, completely ordinary, utterly realistic people that in some way have shaped who we’ve become in our own lives.

Twists and Turns

A good thriller knows how to keep a reader enthralled from the first page to the last, but a great thriller … Well, a great thriller throws in some twists and turns that the reader never saw coming. As a writer and editor, I annoy myself (and everyone around me) by being able to figure out the plot way��too fast. This was not the case with��The Chalk Man. I had my theories, of course, but I can honestly say I did not see that ending coming. I also didn’t figure out who the killer was until the ending, which really doesn’t happen often with me.

What’s more is the way that the author showed the imperfections of these characters���we all have secrets, we all have flaws.

The subtle subplots really did make the book a memorable, thought-provoking tale, though. It’s expertly crafted, playing on very human fears. Forgetfulness, mental illness, our mortality is all touched upon and shows that we’re all fallible. The scariest part? It’s not just in the big cities where these things happen���even in a small, sleepy town where everyone knows everyone, we aren’t safe.

Conclusion

This is a must-read novel for anyone who loves getting comfy with a thriller or horror. I cannot recommend The Chalk Man enough, and I certainly can’t wait to delve into the next book by C.J. Tudor.

Bravo on making me a new die-hard fan of your work!

About C.J. TudorPhoto: �� Bill Waters

C. J. Tudor��is the author of��The Burning Girls,��The Other People,��The Hiding Place, and��The Chalk Man, which won the International Thriller Writers Award for Best First Novel and the Strand Magazine Award for Best Debut Novel. Over the years she has worked as a copywriter, television presenter, voice-over artist, and dog walker. She is now thrilled to be able to write full-time, and doesn���t miss chasing wet dogs through muddy fields all that much. She lives in England with her partner and daughter.