May 2024 Group Read #2: Nestlings

[WendyB]

Nestlings by Nat Cassidy is the second choice for the May group reads. Another very scary read for this month.

Remember to use spoiler tags where needed.
Have a scary good time.

[Char]

I am super psyched for people to read this one. I loved it so much!

[Casey]

I’m in the middle of this one right now!

[Kimberly]

I read this one recently--loved it!!!!

[Janet]

I read this book and loved it .

[Emma]

Read this when it came out last year. Again, I can't wait to re read this with you guys along with Mary.

[Sarah ♡ (let’s interact!)]

Going to have to join in with this group read! Am definitely up for another book by Nat Cassidy:)

[Amanda]

Started this morning! Creepy kids, bad kid, killer kids, is a sub genre that is a personal guilty pleasure of mine. That’s the vibe this gives. I hope I’m not disappointed! 🤞🏼

[Diane (catching up!)]

I just got this from my library! Excited to get started

[Wyrd]

Got it. Now I just need to read it.

[°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Kat Reads °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･]

I’m number 5 in line for the ebook at my library. The physical copy was due on April 12th so someone still hasn’t turned it in.

[Diane (catching up!)]

... and I'm out. Within the first 5- 10 minutes a woman ate a cockroach, a process described in detail. I've got a strong stomach for quite a few things, but that isn't one of them. I'll look forward to another group read, maybe next month.

[Chandler]

I read this one in November and liked it! I'll be lurking in the comments to see what you guys think :)

[͙⁺˚*･༓☾ final girl]

i'm waiting for it at the library ♡

[Rex]

Halfway through and just enjoying the narration. Creeping, urban dread is in point. Can’t wait to see more of Mrs. Jacobs and to find out what really is going on with Charlie. Heck I’m wondering if I see the drunk hipster again.

[Janet]

Loved this book . Was so creepy and could not put book down. Want to read everything this author writes . I love this book

[Kimberly]

Janet wrote: "Loved this book . Was so creepy and could not put book down. Want to read everything this author writes . I love this book"

I thought this one was great--original!

[Netanella]

Diane wrote: "... and I'm out. Within the first 5- 10 minutes a woman ate a cockroach, a process described in detail. I've got a strong stomach for quite a few things, but that isn't one of them. I'll look forwa..."

Yeah, I wasn't a fan of the cockroach eating scene. But, needs must, as I say. I'm continuing on.

As long as the baby doesn't eat cockroaches. The real estate lady seemed to really get into the baby.

[Rebel]

I just started. I am immediately hooked!

[Ashleigh]

I am hoping to finish this one today/tonight, have about 60 pages left!

[Monica]

I started this last night as an ebook and already enjoying it. I think it's gonna go quickly. Pretty creepy so far. I'm also listening a bit to the audiobook.

[Rebel]

This is like reading "Rosemary's Baby" and "Salem's Lot" all in one. I am loving it

[Ki]

There was a 12 week wait at my library for this book... so I just went out and bought a copy. Starting it tonight, I'm excited!

[°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Kat Reads °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･]

Ki wrote: "There was a 12 week wait at my library for this book... so I just went out and bought a copy. Starting it tonight, I'm excited!"

That may be what I have to do. There is an 8 week wait at my library. I just can't tell my husband I am buying yet another book haha.

[Erika]

I just started it this afternoon. I'm loving this!! Perfect type of horror novel for Mother's Day weekend, haha!

I'm at the part where (view spoiler)[Ana just went over to her neighbor and was surprised by the figure running who actually turned out to be a woman with a crying baby (hide spoiler)] It felt pretty scary and gave me memories of this movie scene from one of the Annabelle films...I can't ever forget this lol

[Netanella]

I am nearly finished.

The drink box analogy in a very vivid scene in the neighbor's apartment is blowing my mind.

[Monica]

I'm almost done with it. I didn't expect that exactly but Rebel is kinda right. There are some pretty gross scenes as well.

[°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Kat Reads °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･]

Just finished this, and I honestly have mixed feelings about it. At first, I really found the book hard to get into. I wasn’t as invested in reading it because it just didn’t “hook” me in. For the last 20-25% or so I really enjoyed it. I think the wrap up at the end was executed well and I love how Ana grew as a character.

[Monica]

In my case I think I preferred the first half of the book. Still j think it's a solid horror book, full of tension and pretty gross parts. The characters are well done and the writing good. I liked also how the book talked about New York. And found the afterword pretty interesting too. I will check out more.

[Erika]

At the end, I like how Ana saw (view spoiler)[her husband as the doorman at a new building, where she knew her daughter was the queen (hide spoiler)]. The afterward by the author was nice, and I totally see how the story was sort of a metaphor(?) inspired by grief, loss, and acceptance of that which you cannot control

I enjoyed the overall feel about the building, and atmosphere, but it was no Rosemary's Baby! To be fair, I'm partial--as that's a top fave book of mine

[Sarah ♡ (let’s interact!)]

Hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did! ☺️ review is up now https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... 🖤

[Wyrd]

Real talk: I'm tired of reviews for this book talking about character likability. Fuck character likability. This book is dealing with postpartum disability and depression and the struggles of life post-pandemic. The emotions being felt here are human. There are times in life where literally no one is likable, and this is one of them. Are we supposed to rank a book as lesser because it deals with characters being less than perky and marketable?

[Monica]

Sarah wrote: "Hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did! ☺️ review is up now https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... 🖤"

Well said! I said in my review 'not always likable but humans'!

[Erika]

Wyrd wrote: "Real talk: I'm tired of reviews for this book talking about character likability. Fuck character likability. This book is dealing with postpartum disability and depression and the struggles of life..."

Hear hear. I wholeheartedly agree. I don't think I've ever based reviews or ratings on likeability of characters--because as you say, there are many dark stories and scenarios where the realness requires a range of expression and behavior that isn't when one is "at their best". (Edit: Actually, had to correct myself, I'm sure there have been some times it went into my rating though, if I couldn't relate to any characters and didn't feel any emotions/care about them ultimately)

So, even if I don't like a character's attitude per say, I can still appreciate a great story and empathize with where they are at in their given situation and look at the why behind their behavior, as long as the story is carved out to show it. Hope I'm making sense. It's kind of hard to explain right now. My brain isn't firing clearly lol

[Erika]

Wyrd wrote: "Real talk: I'm tired of reviews for this book talking about character likability. Fuck character likability. This book is dealing with postpartum disability and depression and the struggles of life..."

Btw, I haven't noticed any reviews yet that point this out for Nestlings but I understand your feelings on this, in principle. There are many classic novels with really ugly characters but they are essential parts of the story. I do think it's okay for people not to click with characters and not have personal emotions invoked, because as we know, not every book is for every person. Emotions won't be tapped in the exact same for any of us. One of the many beauties of books..

[Adrienne L]

Erika wrote: "Wyrd wrote: "Real talk: I'm tired of reviews for this book talking about character likability. Fuck character likability. This book is dealing with postpartum disability and depression and the stru..."

I didn't read it as part of the group read, but have to admit that I took off a star because I hated the main characters, and my review says that. I think likeability is relative to each story. There are some books I've enjoyed that have hateful main characters. But in this case, any suspense or concern I might have felt over what happened to Reed and Anna was removed by the fact that they were assholes. And the fact that I didn't care, meant I didn't enjoy it as much as I might have. And my review talks about it.

[Christine]

I too read this book before the group read. I loved it. Cassidy has a writing style that I just really enjoy his writing style. The authors note, I felt, really gave the story a final buff which ultimately had me giving the read a 5/5.

[Erika]

Adriennelee wrote: "I didn't read it as part of the group read, but have to admit that I took off a star because I hated the main characters, and my review says that. I think likeability is relative to each story. There are some books I've enjoyed that have hateful main characters ."

"I think likeability is relative to each story." Great point, and very true. It is a case by case thing.

While I appreciate what Wyrd says, I did knee jerk reply without thoroughly thinking though all aspects. In hindsight, there has to have been some books I knocked stars off for annoying stupid characters. At times I can really be a mood reader, so certain reactions to books may vary depending on what's going on or how I feel etc. I assume many of us can be like that too(?)

[Adrienne L]

Erika wrote: "Adriennelee wrote: "I didn't read it as part of the group read, but have to admit that I took off a star because I hated the main characters, and my review says that. I think likeability is relativ..."

Absolutely. And if someone has an issue with likeability being a factor in reviews, I can certainly understand it when people are perceived to be nitpicking about books you really liked. I just know that, in this case, it did impact my experience with the book. I am very much a mood reader, more than an analytical one.

But this was a three star for me. I really still like Nat Cassidy's writing. Mary was actually my favorite book that I read last year. And I'm glad you guys really liked Nestlings.😊

[Joey's deathly tomes of death]

Nestlings was so good! I ready Mary when it first came out but wasn't super into it. There were parts that were excellent, but overall, it's not my fav.
I have to say, though, Nestlings was amazing. The whole apartment building aspect really pulled me in. I was reminded a little of another of my favorite novels, Dead Fall Hotel.
I still need to write a review, but I think the book is well worth a read. It also reminded me of a bit of Southern Book Clubs Guide to Slaying Vampires without saying too much. Props to Nat for name dropping Certain Dark Things in the afterword!

[Wyrd]

To be fair, I dnf'd Nestlings, but it wasn't because of not liking the characters or the characters being a problem. In fact, I thought the characters were realistically portrayed.

I dnf'd because I got to a point in the story I was like, "This is going to end like this, isn't it?"

And then I skipped ahead.

And yeah, it basically comes down to what I predicted.

[destiny ♡]

Wyrd wrote: "To be fair, I dnf'd Nestlings, but it wasn't because of not liking the characters or the characters being a problem. In fact, I thought the characters were realistically portrayed.

I dnf'd becaus..."

That's basically exactly what happened with me, too. I actually liked the characters, but I got to a point with the plot where I decided to DNF it. I'd definitely read another book by this author, though.

[FranWeird]

Unfortunately, this wasn't for me. I saw gargoyles and really wanted to like it, but sadly, I didn't. I did like the writing style though. It just didn't hook me in

[Wyrd]

destiny ♡ wrote: "Wyrd wrote: "To be fair, I dnf'd Nestlings, but it wasn't because of not liking the characters or the characters being a problem. In fact, I thought the characters were realistically portrayed.

I..."

Yeah, a specific character shows up in the first third that basically spoils the plot, and I'm like, "Okay, what the fuck's the point of reading the rest now?"

[Erika]

Adriennelee wrote: "I can certainly understand it when people are perceived to be nitpicking about books you really liked. I just know that, in this case, it did impact my experience with the book. I am very much a mood reader, more than an analytical one."

Likewise, and well said. :)

Since you have great reading taste and I often like similar books that you have nominated here, that's a high bar! I will have to eventually try Mary again as the physical book only, since maybe the audio (despite a good narrator) negatively impacted me. I was loving it...then, something went south. Lol It very well could've been my mood, things going on that week, and impatience with how darn long and a slow burn it was. Anyway, I'm glad you loved Mary :D

[Erika]

Wyrd wrote: "a specific character shows up in the first third that basically spoils the plot, and I'm like, "Okay, what the fuck's the point of reading the rest now?"

Ooof I'm so curious to know who this character was?! You definitely caught onto something earlier than I did

[Wyrd]

(view spoiler)[ Mrs. Jacobs. She practically screams the plot. "That's not my baby anymore!" "She's killing me!" "That's why we're here: the babies." "You'll see! You'll soon see!" "They won't let me leave the building!" *shows off all the welts where it's obvious the vampirized baby is drinking her dry* (hide spoiler)]

[Wyrd]

(view spoiler)[ Mrs. Jacobs. She practically screams the plot. "That's not my baby anymore!" "She's killing me!" "That's why we're here: the babies." "You'll see! You'll soon see!" "They won't let me leave the building!" *shows off all the welts where it's obvious the vampirized baby is drinking her dry* (hide spoiler)]

[Erika]

Wyrd wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

Ahhh yes, I remember! I actually started to get creeped a little at that part because of my overactive imagination making it look like Annabelle scenes combined with reading in a quiet house, alone, in a quasi dark room with candle and storm coming in...

I see what you mean though that it gave a lot away right then. (view spoiler)[We knew something/someone in the building was coming for the babe!! (hide spoiler)]

[Wyrd]

Erika wrote: "Wyrd wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

Ahhh yes, I remember! I actually started to get creeped a little at that part because of my overactive imagination making it look like Annabelle scenes combined wi..."

No, but I immediately guessed several things from that interaction like (view spoiler)[literally I said in my brain, "Okay, the gargoyles are vampiric somehow, they're turning the baby into one of them, and that realtor said that Ana's disability makes her perfect because she's less likely to leave when they need her to be Charlie's blood bag. Oh, and her husband will one hundred percent turn on her at some point because he's starting to think she's losing it and he literally resents her for being disabled...for having his child." (hide spoiler)]