June was a pretty productive month for my reading goals as I finished a few shorter books, helping bump up my total amount.
Here’s how it went:
- 6 books completed
- 100% fiction
- 83% physical books
- 17% digital books
And here’s how I rated them…
Undead Folk by Katherine Silva
Beyond the smoke-choked skies of an apocalyptic United States, a woman travels the desolate railroad tracks of a small town in search of revenge and a quiet place to settle. Her only companion is an undead fox: animated with backwoods herbal magic and the soul of a middle-aged father who died before the world fell into darkness.
Undead Folk is a short, harrowing tale of sacrifice, loss, and damnation.
A necromancer and her reanimated animal companion travel through the post-apocalyptic wastelands in a not-too-distant future.
Filled with tension, gritty action scenes and bittersweet reflections of a world that has been lost, but our main character’s world is actually just one very special person. Magical, mysterious, angry and surprisingly hilarious at times.
A short and sweet read that packed a punch and explores the depths of grief, from feeling hopeless through to burning with rage.
4 out of 5 stars
With This Kiss by Carrie Hope Fletcher
From the outside, Lorelai is an ordinary young woman with a normal life. She loves reading, she works at the local cinema and she adores living with her best friend. But she carries a painful burden, something she’s kept hidden for years; whenever she kisses someone on the lips, she sees how they are going to die. But she’s never known if she’s seeing what was always meant to be, or if her kiss is the thing that decides their destiny. And so, she hasn’t kissed anyone since she was sixteen.
Then she meets Grayson. Sweet, clever, funny Grayson. And for the first time in years she yearns for a man’s kiss. But she can’t… or can she? And if she does, should she try to intervene and change what she sees?
What if every time you kissed someone, you had a vision of their death? I thought the concept was great as it contains a perfect blend of morbid and whimsy. This sets things up for some strong conflict between what the heart wants and what the heart can handle.
Our main character works in a cinema and starts up a book club for films that have been adapted from books where they have a read-along and a watch-along. What a fantastic idea! The main character’s interest in her work and creative pursuits was probably the strongest part of her story. Unfortunately, she’s kind of annoying. Actually, really annoying. She doesn’t open up to people about what she is going through and projects all of her problems onto them. She treats the people in her life really badly and then plays the victim when things don’t go her way. Her love interest is a saint and she treats him terribly! I was cheering for him standing up for himself!
The relationship between the main character and her family members was touching, and I would have loved to see more of her grandma in the story. Actually, I probably would have preferred this book if it focused on the grandma’s story instead! She came across as warm, passionate and mysterious, and her sections were full of life and emotion that I really connected to.
Overall, I’d say it’s fine. The idea was better than the delivery, and I think it would be enjoyable for a more frequent romance reader.
3 out of 5 stars
Interference by Brad Parks
Quantum physicist Matt Bronik is suffering from strange, violent seizures that medical science seems powerless to explain—much to the consternation of his wife, Brigid.
Matt doesn’t think these fits could be related to his research, which he has always described as benign and esoteric. That, it turns out, is not quite Matt has been prodding the mysteries of the quantum universe, with terrible repercussions for his health. And perhaps even for humanity as a whole.
Then, in the midst of another seizure, Matt disappears. When foul play is feared, there is no shortage of suspects. Matt’s research had gained the attention of Chinese competitors, an unscrupulous billionaire, and the Department of Defense, among others.
With Matt’s life in clear danger, Brigid sets out to find him. Will Matt be killed before she reaches him, or could the physics that endangered him actually be used to save his life?
We see several POVs throughout the book and it starts off strong with Brigid, the wife of said physicist and mother of their child. Her emotional responses are believable and I loved that her experience as a deaf woman was highlighted throughout the encounters that she has, and how it affects her.
The story is set in an American University and manages to capture all of the bureaucracy, competitiveness and highly strung personalities in this environment. There were some sections where it felt like the author was just info-dumping quantum theory, but I get why that is necessary to make it accessible to a general audience.
Overall, I loved the development of the supporting characters and the author really nails the academic setting. Things fell apart a little in the final act, but it was a fun read and I’m happy this was one of my picks from the Amazon Prime First Reads program.
4 out of 5 stars
Starve Acre by Andrew Michael Hurley
The worst thing possible has happened. Richard and Juliette Willoughby’s son, Ewan, has died suddenly at the age of five. Starve Acre, their house by the moors, was to be full of life, but is now a haunted place. Convinced Ewan still lives there in some form, Juliette seeks the help of the Beacons, a seemingly benevolent group of occultists. Richard, to try and keep the boy out of his mind, has turned his attention to the field opposite the house, where he patiently digs the barren dirt in search of a legendary oak tree. But as they delve further into their grief, both uncover more than they set out to.
Starve Acre is a devastating new novel by the author of the prize-winning bestseller The Loney. It is a novel about the way in which grief splits the world in two and how, in searching for hope, we can so easily unearth horror.
A young child dies suddenly, causing his mother and father to explore their grief in mysterious and personal ways.
The freezing, infertile moor is the perfect location for this unsettling tale. I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I did the environment that is described with such great care.
Strange events occur as a result of the grieving couple and the paths they take towards desperation, obsession and hope. It’s odd, unpredictable and keeps you guessing as to everyone’s intentions.
Dreamy, feverish and bleak.
I have my hands on a beautiful paperback copy of this book, featuring embossing and sprayed edges. Definitely a cover buy, but it was worth it!
4 out of 5 stars
Gwendy’s Button Box by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar
The little town of Castle Rock, Maine has witnessed some strange events and unusual visitors over the years, but there is one story that has never been told… until now.
There are three ways up to Castle View from the town of Castle Rock: Route 117, Pleasant Road, and the Suicide Stairs. Every day in the summer of 1974 twelve-year-old Gwendy Peterson has taken the stairs, which are held by strong (if time-rusted) iron bolts and zig-zag up the cliffside.
At the top of the stairs, Gwendy catches her breath and listens to the shouts of the kids on the playground. From a bit farther away comes the chink of an aluminum bat hitting a baseball as the Senior League kids practice for the Labor Day charity game.
One day, a stranger calls to Gwendy: “Hey, girl. Come on over here for a bit. We ought to palaver, you and me.”
On a bench in the shade sits a man in black jeans, a black coat like for a suit, and a white shirt unbuttoned at the top. On his head is a small neat black hat. The time will come when Gwendy has nightmares about that hat…
Gwendy has an odd encounter with a mysterious stranger who gifts her a magical box with untold powers. She is guardian of the box and must use it as she feels is right, discovering how it works along the way. This story really captures the magic of what it feels like to be young and endlessly curious. Gwendy is experiencing normal childhood rights of passage, exploring her place in the world and the effects that she can have upon it, but with all the added complexities that the box brings with it.
The story is quite philosophical in nature, with a magical realism setting and only a small dose of horror. That doesn’t stop the tension though, and there were some intense moments where I was really scared for Gwendy. She was a very endearing character and I look forward to reading about her further adventures.
There is something about reading Stephen King that just instantly feels like coming home. This novella was a perfect short summer read, and I will definitely continue with the rest of the series.
5 out of 5 stars
I Do Not Apologize for My Position on Men by Rae Wilde
A collection of violently emotional short stories that delivered some swift punches to the gut.
The three stages of the book took me on a range of different adventures, and I could not contain my excitement at the inclusion of a Choose-Your-Own-Ending tale set on the high seas!
I was drawn into the darkness and swept away into magical worlds with a sense of flickering unease. The horror was often subtle and mysterious, often raw and visceral. The taste of love turned sour lingered bitterly on my tongue.
Wilde does not waste a single word in this beautifully crafted collection. Would recommend for fans of folk and cosmic horror, who want to read disturbing stories featuring intense sapphic relationships and plenty of “good for her” moments.
ARC kindly provided by the author with no strings attached!
5 out of 5 stars
Currently reading…
I always like to have a couple of books on the go, in various formats so that I can always have something ready to pick up and read whenever the fancy takes me.
Currently reading:
- Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough.
Louise is a single mom, a secretary, stuck in a modern-day rut. On a rare night out, she meets a man in a bar and sparks fly. Though he leaves after they kiss, she’s thrilled she finally connected with someone.
When Louise arrives at work on Monday, she meets her new boss, David. The man from the bar. The very married man from the bar…who says the kiss was a terrible mistake but who still can’t keep his eyes off Louise.
And then Louise bumps into Adele, who’s new to town and in need of a friend, but she also just happens to be married to David. David and Adele look like the picture-perfect husband and wife, but then why is David so controlling, and why is Adele so scared of him?
As Louise is drawn into David and Adele’s orbit, she uncovers more puzzling questions than answers. The only thing that is crystal clear is that something in this marriage is very, very wrong, but Louise can’t guess how wrong―and how far a person might go to protect their marriage’s secrets.
- Straight Acting: The Many Queer Lives of William Shakespeare by Will Tosh.
Was Shakespeare gay? The answer is both simpler and more complex than you might think . . .
Shakespeare’s work was profoundly influenced by the queer culture of his time – much of it totally integrated into mainstream society. From a relentless schooling in Latin and Greek homoeroticism, to a less formal education on the streets and in smoky taverns, from the gender-bending of the early comedies to the astonishingly queer literary scene that nurtured Shakespeare’s sonnets, this is a story of artistic development and of personal crisis.
Straight Acting is a surprising portrait of Shakespeare’s queer lives – his own and those in his plays and poems. It is a journey back in time and through Shakespeare’s England, revealing a culture that both endorsed and supressed same-sex desire. It is a call to stop making Shakespeare act straight and to recognise how queerness powerfully shaped the life and career of the world’s most famous playwright.
- Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear.
No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving—every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you’ll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.
Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.
Learn how to:
– Make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);
– Overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;
– Design your environment to make success easier;
– Get back on track when you fall off course;
…and much more.
Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits–whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.
Bookish socials
You can find me on the following platforms, posting about my reading goals and writing projects.
Goodreads @heartofhorrors
Instagram @heart_of_horrors
Storygraph @heartofhorrors
And all the rest via linktree @heartofhorrors
Let me know in the comments:
What is your most recent read?
What is on your TBR?
Have you read any of the books in my latest wrap-up?
