What have you been reading this October?

[Mary]

Something of Myself by Rudyard Kipling

[Faith]

My review of Cold War: A NecroTek Novel by Jonathan Maberry

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[NekroRider]

Faith wrote: "My review of Cold War: A NecroTek Novel by Jonathan Maberry

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I keep hearing people talk about Maberry in the horror world these days, need to give something of his a try.

[Audrey]

Michelle wrote: "Audrey wrote: "Ghost Station was not bad but also a little slow. I've been re-reading The Crown Tower, which is always a guaranteed enjoyable experience."

I reread that series ever..."

I may or may not own three editions of the book.

[Audrey]

Yrret wrote: "I’m reading “Sarah” by Orson Scott Card. It’s a fictional account of the biblical matriarch. It’s actually a pretty good read."

That was really good -- I was impressed. Been waiting for book four for over 20 years, though. :(

[Audrey]

Audrey wrote: "I may or may not own three editions of the book."

And the audiobook.

[Michelle]

Audrey wrote: "Audrey wrote: "I may or may not own three editions of the book."

And the audiobook."

I own four editions counting my kindle versions, but not the audiobook. We're twins 😂

[Andrea]

H.P. Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu - I've been reading Gou Tanabe mangas of Lovecraft tales. He does a pretty good job of drawing the undrawable.

Starting on Bram Stoker's Dracula: A Documentary Journey into Vampire Country and the Dracula Phenomenon by Elizabeth Russell Miller which will fill my non-fiction slot. Non-fiction about a fictional vampire :)

[Mary]

The Perks of Being an S-Class Heroine, Vol. 1 by Grrr and the series, up to the current release of volume 5 over the last two months.

Some rather good treatment of the tropes, if a bit silly in places.

[Pierre]

I finished The Deep Man (1), and I liked it a lot. After my previous disappointments, this was a very enjoyable read. The plot is rather classical but with some good twists, and the characters are well defined, especially the main ones. Accordingly I have already started the second book in the series, The Silent Hand (2).

[Andrea]

Finished Undead and Unpopular, the series is growing on me, its silly but in a good way.

Now for some more serious vampire fare I'm reading Dracul by Dacre Stoker

[NekroRider]

I just finished Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi and loved it! It was a horror novel about demonic possession at an early 20th century Pennsylvania orphanage. It had its creepy moments but was especially good for its added depth and reflection on the subject matter. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it. Also, a random fact learned: had no idea people used to use corn cobs/husks as toilet paper. Weird but also makes sense?

Now I need to figure out something spooky for this last week of October. I've got The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories which is the Algernon Blackwood short story collection I've been holding on to. I was planning to read that next, but undecided whether I want to mix stories with a final novel as well. I was initially thinking either Pine by Francine Toon or Black Mouth by Ronald Malfi. I'm not sure which one would be spookiest. Might also look around to see what else we've got lying around. A reread of Wuthering Heights is another option. Or I could read Moon of the Falling Leaves which is atmospheric post-apocalyptic fiction rather than horror. I think either way, I might continue reading some of these into November instead of jumping back into fantasy right away.

[Andrea]

For a while I was reading an Algernon Blackwood tale every October. Won't be getting around to one this year though.

[Robin]

Just popped 'Dracul' on to my 'want to read' shelf Andrea, it sounds really intriguing. Be interested to see what you make if it.

[Andrea]

Dracul is on this GR mini-reading challenge. Its why I picked it out of all my available vampiric tales. I've read the other Dacre Stoker book but I recall I found it a bit odd, but I like that Dracul actually deals with Stoker himself rather than his characters - https://www.goodreads.com/readingchal...

[Robin]

I'm far too lazy for challenges LOL😁

[Michelle]

Robin wrote: "I'm far too lazy for challenges LOL😁"

Me, too

[Rachel]

i know this isn't the place for buzz kill posts but i have a serious question and this social media feels slightly more anonymous than the rest of my accounts because my family is on those.
how the F does one deal with funerals ? i spent the afternoon at my second funeral ever and it sucked. neighbors/ family friend for most of my life lost his mother suddenly while at a wedding for first child. known whole family for 20 years the matriarch was too sick to go to north carolina for the nuptials and passed while they were gone. did good during the mass with the occasional tar or sniffle. but when her husband said grace when food was served after i couldnt take it anymore. mom and grandma were simultaneously huggy supportive and dismissive like oh she's just emotional. then i went to give condolences later to the widower that just lost his soul mate and his sadness had me cracking again in front of my neighbor's entire family. I feel like such an idiot. But also why was i the only one sobbing at this man who lost his soul mate of almost 60 years? I don't feel like its an overreaction to cry at a wake but some of the older ladies unintentionally just made me feel childish for having too much empathy and not knowing how to help the family. what are you supposed to do afterwards? IDK

[Michelle]

Rachel, everyone grieves differently. I have always tried to keep my grief extremely private, while others are more demonstrative. I don't judge the outward display of attendees at funerals because I know how I can feel a hole within me the size of Texas, and yet I don't show it. Please try not to take this too personally. You weren't being idiotic for showing your feelings! As I said, we all handle grief differently. I'm sorry that you went through this!

[NekroRider]

Rachel wrote: "i know this isn't the place for buzz kill posts but i have a serious question and this social media feels slightly more anonymous than the rest of my accounts because my family is on those.
how the..."

As Michelle said, people deal differently with grief. I remember when my cousin passed away I felt totally shell-shocked. He was a year older than me and we'd been very close. I remember feeling angry at the fact that only my mother, my uncle and I seemed genuinely grieving and upset at the wake. His siblings, mother and other family and friends were chit chatting, being social etc. But at the end of the day different people process grief differently, show grief differently, or perhaps have accepted or come to terms with the death of a loved one in the way they need to. Or at least in the moment to avoid breaking down in front of others. For others, the reality of the death might not hit them until the funeral or after the funeral when they're suddenly confronted with life returning to normal but without their loved one.

[Barbara]

Saratoga Woods by Elizabeth George

A 14-year-old psychic girl goes on the run to escape from her criminal stepfather.

YA novel with interesting characters. 3 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Isabella]

Rachel wrote: "i know this isn't the place for buzz kill posts but i have a serious question and this social media feels slightly more anonymous than the rest of my accounts because my family is on those.
how the..."

Rachel, I hope I'm not being too personal here but when our daughter died nearly seven years ago, it came as a total shock to all of us, one minute she was apparently fine and the next, she was gone. Speaking for myself, there have been times in the ensuing years when I've shown little outward sign of grief but there are others when I simply can't hold in the tears, even now, even as I'm typing this. (Meltdown in the supermarket, anyone?)

There's no 'right way', there's no 'right reaction'. People will judge, whatever you do. Don't be ashamed of your feelings, some people have more 'control', some simply aren't able to show their feelings and, sadly, some people don't have much feeling to show. When my sister died, I lost it after the ceremony but no-one else did, which doesn't mean they didn't feel anything, just that they managed to hold it in. My brother in law practically collapsed on a long haul flight, a year after my sister died. Grief is a hard master and it doesn't stick to any rules.

[Gary]

I read The Shattering Peace by John Scalzi (Book #7 of the Old Man’s War) More fun with the Old Man’s War milieu with alternate realities and advanced civilization. I also read The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown (Book #6 of the Robert Langdon series). This was more fun with Robert Langdon, puzzles, and conspiracies set in Prague, Check Republic. I am reading Ship of Magic (Book #1 of the Liveship Traders) by Robin Hobb. Then I plan to read The Female Man by Joanna Russ, which was released in 1975, fifty years ago.

[Rachel]

Isabella wrote: "Rachel wrote: "i know this isn't the place for buzz kill posts but i have a serious question and this social media feels slightly more anonymous than the rest of my accounts because my family is on..."
im sorry i caused a random supermarket meltdown :( and sorry for your loss ,i don't have kids yet but that sounds heartbreaking but thank you for the moral support . so used to certain people in my life defaulting to "your over reacting" even when i'm not that bursting out in tears yesterday was extra awkward. Thanks

[Rachel]

NekroRider wrote: "Rachel wrote: "i know this isn't the place for buzz kill posts but i have a serious question and this social media feels slightly more anonymous than the rest of my accounts because my family is on..."

thank you :)

[Rachel]

Michelle wrote: "Rachel, everyone grieves differently. I have always tried to keep my grief extremely private, while others are more demonstrative. I don't judge the outward display of attendees at funerals because..."
thank you :)

[Georgann]

Rachel, I think you've gotten a lot of support here! We are glad you asked! And may I say, "Shame on those ladies!" I would say crying and being demonstrative at a funeral is a good thing!

[Audrey]

Andrea wrote: "Finished Undead and Unpopular, the series is growing on me, its silly but in a good way."

I've read the second and third of the series; really should do the first.

[Audrey]

Grief can be really weird. I find I am usually okay if it's a funeral for someone who lived a long life. For my grandmother's, I did most of the crying before the funeral, and the funeral lunch was a big family reunion, which in itself was really nice, so feelings were mixed.

Last year I went to a funeral for a teenager, and even though I didn't know him well, it was brutal because it felt so much more tragic.

A lot of people are afraid to say the wrong thing to the family and avoid saying anything, but they really just want to be told that it's okay to be sad, and if you pause your life to grieve with them, it means a lot. I always wanted to hear people's memories of my recently passed loved ones.

[Tony]

Rachel wrote: "im sorry i caused a random supermarket meltdown :( and sorry for your loss ,i don't have kids yet but that sounds heartbreaking but thank you for the moral support . so used to certain people in my life defaulting to "your over reacting" even when i'm not that bursting out in tears yesterday was extra awkward."

Rachel, you don't need to apologise for reaching out for help with something you're struggling with. This group, perhaps because SFF readers are exposed to so many differing viewpoints, seems to be more empathetic and supportive than the majority of social media these days. And, as others have commented, open displays of grief are often a healthier way of dealing with loss than repressing your emotions. Something that older men, in particular, often struggle with - having been raised with a real men don't cry mindset.

[Isabella]

Rachel wrote: "Isabella wrote: "Rachel wrote: "i know this isn't the place for buzz kill posts but i have a serious question and this social media feels slightly more anonymous than the rest of my accounts becaus..."

One of the things we were told by others who had lost a child was "Don't be sorry for showing your grief." It's hard not to apologise in our culture but something I've learnt the hard way, is that, for me, hiding grief is a denial of our lost ones. They deserve to be remembered, so I talk of Helen when it's appropriate but not, I hope, obsessively. Sometimes a new acquaintance asks if we have children. I always respond "Not now," and take it from there, although of course, it can be awkward. Some disapprove of my openness but I can't and won't, deny Helen's part in our lives. Be yourself. I hope this has helped a little.

[Georgann]

Isabella, may your memories of Helen be a blessing. Continue your journey with openness and truth.

[Isabella]

Georgann wrote: "Isabella, may your memories of Helen be a blessing. Continue your journey with openness and truth."

Thank you x

[Michelle]

I'm so sorry about Helen, Isabella- I can't imagine losing one of my children, and I can't imagine how you must feel after such a loss. I find myself talking about my sister Anne all of the time, (now that I'm able to), since her unexpected death in 2019. She's ever in my thoughts, so that might be why I speak of her so often now. She's the one that left that giant hole within me that I mentioned.

[Isabella]

Michelle wrote: "I'm so sorry about Helen, Isabella- I can't imagine losing one of my children, and I can't imagine how you must feel after such a loss. I find myself talking about my sister Anne all of the time, (..."

And I’m so sorry about your sister. We miss them all…

[Michelle]

Yes

[Tony]

I have finished The Daughter of The Ice. This was a good fantasy novel with some strong characters and good world-building.

[Faith]

My review of Extremity by Nicholas Binge

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Robin]

OK, finished 'The Tainted Cup' which was outstanding. I have, as they say, 'no notes' couldn't fault it. I would have liked to have followed on with the sequel but it is pricy at the moment, even the e-book is £14.99. So, it will have to wait for a special offer, a deal, or whatever.

Not sure what's next yet, still thinking... Watch this space.🙂

Oh yes, and Happy Halloween 🕷️🦇🎃

[Tony]

I have started Bunny and the Bear which, from the title and the first few pages, appears to be a shifter romance. It will fill the Urban Fantasy slot in my Bingo.

[Andrea]

Tony wrote: "I have started Bunny and the Bear which, from the title and the first few pages, appears to be a shifter romance. It will fill the Urban Fantasy slot in my Bingo."

I love the warning on the Goodreads summary:

Warning: A sense of humor is required for this tongue in cheek, paranormal romance. It contains coarse language and explicit sexual situation meant for open minded adults. Please note, that while no bunnies were permanently harmed in the making of this story, the prognosis isn't so good for the pie.

I was also checking out the other combos...Ostrich and 'Roo? :) I've never read any shapeshifter story that had Australian critters, that sounds sorta fun too. Hmmm...maybe next year we'll need a "Set in Australia" BINGO slot. Been working our way through the various continents after all...

[NekroRider]

Robin wrote: "OK, finished 'The Tainted Cup' which was outstanding. I have, as they say, 'no notes' couldn't fault it. I would have liked to have followed on with the sequel but it is pricy at the moment, even t..."

I am doing the same with the sequel and am waiting for it to come out in paperback here (apparently at end of January). The first has become a fast favourite for me!

[Andrea]

Didn't make much progress in Dracul, but I did have some nostalgic fun with the last book in the Bunnicula series Bunnicula Meets Edgar Allan Crow by James Howe

[Joanna]

Currently I’m finishing dead man’s walk (lonesome dove series), the poisoned king (follow up to impossible creatures) and book five of the riyria revelations. I think my favorite read of October has to be the will of the many :)

[Audrey]

The Rose and the Thorn
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer
Nightwatching
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast

[Tony]

Andrea wrote: "I love the warning on the Goodreads summary:

Warning: A sense of humor is required for this tongue in cheek, paranormal romance. It contains coarse language and explicit sexual situation meant for open minded adults. Please note, that while no bunnies were permanently harmed in the making of this story, the prognosis isn't so good for the pie."

It's an easy read and I'm almost halfway through - it's also only just over 160 pages. The warning is correct, it's definitely tongue-in-cheek, and the sex is pretty explicit - although there has been no actual boinking so far.

[Michelle]

Lol. Your last sentence gave me the giggles