Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell

I ran across this weird and engaging book of short stories at a yard sale a few weekends back, and of course, the unusual title Vampires in the Lemon Grove caught my eye. Well, as a former Goth chick who loves all things dark, supernatural, creepy and eerie, anything with "vampire" in the title is likely … Continue reading Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell

The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis

In honor of Easter Sunday, I decided to reacquaint myself with The Last Temptation of Christ, a book that has a very soft spot in my heart. This is the book and movie for which I was kicked out of Catholic school back in 9th grade. I didn't get kicked out because I was a … Continue reading The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

One of my Christmas gifts, this book is one of the most compelling that I've read in ages. I'm a terrible literary snob, as I'm sure is no surprise to anyone who follows my blog, and I am very picky about what I read. So when I am compelled by a book, for me I … Continue reading Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

The Waiting Room by F.G. Cottam

F.G. Cottam is my new favorite author of horror, supernatural and paranormal fiction. He's published several works, and I'd previously blogged The House of Lost Souls, which was the first book I read by him and the one that hooked me into his elegant, spare and eerie style of writing. The Waiting Room is a … Continue reading The Waiting Room by F.G. Cottam

Sexy Sunday! Portnoy’s Complaint by Philip Roth

WARNING! Today's post contains explicit sexual language and profanity. Isn't that awesome? Today marks the first collaboration I've done with a fellow blogger, and I can't tell you how simultaneously excited and amused I am to be doing this. The genesis of Sexy Sunday came from a post that Nicole at The Bookworm Drinketh (and … Continue reading Sexy Sunday! Portnoy’s Complaint by Philip Roth

Beauty by Robin McKinley

As I've shared before, I am a sucker for fairy tales. Whether it's the Grimm Brothers, Hans Christian Andersen, Charles Perrault, Angela Carter, Italo Calvino, Neil Gaiman, Gregory Maguire, or Robin McKinley, the tales of kings, queens, princesses, trolls, talking animals, enchanted castles, and beasts have fascinated me since I was a little girl. But … Continue reading Beauty by Robin McKinley

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert

I fully admit that this would never have been a book I'd deliberately choose to read, falling as it does into my category of chick lit. And we all know how I feel about chick lit. However, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake (what a twee title!) was actually fairly decently written, though with a fair … Continue reading The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert

Jane Eyre: An Autobiography by Charlotte Bronte

I ain't gonna deny it, Mr. Rochester is SEXY! Oh my lord almighty. Dark, mysterious, distant and yet romantic, rides a horse, is sarcastic, dresses in black. I could bang Mr. Rochester like a screen door from here til August......though it may also have to do with the fact that my very first big-screen Mr. … Continue reading Jane Eyre: An Autobiography by Charlotte Bronte

Gwendy’s Button Box by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar

I am not normally into short stories, even by my favorite authors. Stephen King is the notable example, because he puts so much characterization into his short stories and novellas that they stand on their own. Case in point, my absolute favorite short story by King, "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption," is a beautiful, … Continue reading Gwendy’s Button Box by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Another fun book about family dysfunction! Woo hoo! Shirley Jackson was introduced into my life many years ago when I discovered The Haunting of Hill House, which is in my top 10 favorite books of all time and also which I blogged about awhile back - here's the link if you're interested. We Have Always Lived … Continue reading We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson