2023 in Reading

— Y E A R I N R E V I E W —

What can I say? 2023 flew by. As always, I made some discoveries (noise cancelling headphones, Chat GPT, spicy mayo), grew up a little, regressed a little, established some good habits and didn’t shake some bad ones. Read some books in between. Let’s get to it:

Classic and Lovely: O Caledonia
Subtle, Scary, Satisfying: A History of Fear
The Main Character did WHAT: Waif
Plot Twist Party: The Pale Blue Eye IYKYK
Stranger Than Fiction: The Wager
Fuck Yeah Feminism: Maggie’s Grave
Biggest Disappointment: Exiles
Best Discovery: Preston & Child
Biggest Mindfuck: Penpal
Most Satisfying Reread: TIE - The Fisherman + Night Film
Tried Too Hard: Hidden Pictures
Quintessentially Kelly: Winterset Hollow - horror for lifelong readers
No Regrets: Hex

NEW CATEGORY OF RECOGNITION: Most Memorable

Sometimes books really stick and others fly out of my head the instant I finish them. I never know until months later, or at the end of the year when I’m looking at everything as a whole. Memorable doesn’t mean technically the best, or technically a favorite. Here are the stickiest from 2023:

• Company of Liars - maybe because this book is so long, and I spent so much time with the characters, but I think about it constantly… especially the ending.

• The Last Days of Jack Sparks - there are a couple of really insane, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it full circle moments in this story that I’m still not over.

• No One Gets Out Alive - this book includes several mindblowing sequences, and I found it to be incredibly unpredictable, which I think is why I keep coming back to it… the “reveal” of the Big Bad OMG *shudders*

TOP 5: 

5) Wounds by Nathan Ballingrud is in here mainly due to The Butcher’s Table, which blew me away. Very excited to venture into this author’s other stuff early next year.

4) Stolen Tongues by Felix Blacktongue truly scared me (so rare these days but I keep chasing the feeling). Is it perfect? Absolutely not, but it is an absolute banger of a book and a must-read for horror fans.

3) Krampus by Brom is basically perfect. From premise to plotting to setting to execution to subverting and including the very best tropes, it’s just really fucking fun.

2) Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon - from my review: “This is by far one of the best books I've ever read. Most well-written, most enjoyable, most entertaining, most impressive, most well-plotted... it really tops the lists for all of those categories. It'll be in my best of the year list, and also my forever favorites.” And here we are.

1) A Lush and Seething Hell by John Hornor Jacobs takes the top spot! For imagery and themes and trust me when I say this book has style. 

Listen, It’s an angsty, topsy-turvy time. Very heavy. Crushing, sometimes. I really love fresh starts, and I want to believe 2024 will bring good things. But truly the only certain thing is that books will keep providing escape, and I’m grateful for that.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Review: The Great Alone

Unrated, because honestly, I essentially skimmed the entire second half. I can't give what is clearly a well-written, well-researched, interesting and resonant book a low rating knowing I didn't actually give it a full, clean chance. I didn't connect with it, on multiple levels, but it's giving season - I feel like being generous. (Full disclosure: I read a full chapter-by-chapter summary so I do know how things unfold, and how it ends.)

It has a fascinating premise. The Allbright family, consisting of Cora, veteran Ernt, and young daughter Leni, travel to Alaska for a fresh start. Ernt suffers from PTSD and abuses Cora frequently, unable to settle or provide properly for his family. Alaska - harsh, isolated, promising death at every corner - gives them a chance for happiness, he feels. The community welcomes them, helps them, teaches them, and prepares them for survival. But winter is coming, and the tension that rattles Ernt never fully fades.

The story dragged, for me. I kept thinking I had read the climax and then realized I still had most of the book to go. I also found the young people - Leni and especially Matthew - to be written without any sense of realism. It's really rare to find an author who can write pre-teen and teenage boys even semi-realistically, so maybe I should be more gentle, but both struck me as way too... articulate, open, in touch with their emotions and able to express them. I'm also not a huge lover of the true love of it all, and the unfolding of that just solidified my incredulity about the two.

I commend the author, though, for painting such a harsh and true portrait of domestic violence. Almost a little too textbook, honestly, though I realize that makes me seem hypocritical. My favorite parts were the passages about Alaska itself, the homestead lifestyle, the community, their initial discovery of their new home and their determination to inhabit it. Alaska was the  most fascinating character, to me, and I would love to travel there to get even a taste of what the author describes so vividly. 

I can see why this book is so popular. I'm not NOT recommending it. Frankly, there's enough going on in my life right now that I suspect my reaction is timely and not book-specific. This is a very dark, disturbing story, and my heart was in my throat most of the time while reading it. The themes are incredibly important and are worth a good, long chew before swallowing. But yeah, truthfully, I wasn't feeling it. 

The Great Alone on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Old Bones (Nora Kelly #1)

3 stars. Nora Kelly has grown from her Utah days, and so did these authors. This one is much shorter, punchier, and to the point than the previous two NK books, but it also, IMO, lacks a lot of the warmth and soul as well. It's very procedure-y (from both a detective/mystery standpoint and an archeological one), and somehow makes the fascinating legends surrounding a truly crazy, horrific true story dry as a bone (lol).

Nora returns to her Institute in Santa Fe after the loss of her husband. She's approached by a historian who wants her to lead an expedition to find the Lost Camp of the ill-fated Donner Party. Everything - the trip out, the initial excavation, the discovery of the camp and the bones left there - is straightforward. Until, of course, it isn't, and new bodies start turning up. Also - there's treasure!

It should have hooked me. All the ingredients are there. The Donner Party is one of my favorite rabbit holes. I enjoy a crunchy, contained crime spree with insane motivations. I love treasure. But this just wasn't my favorite. I never became emotionally invested in any of the characters - not Corrie Swanson (I have a hard enough time proving myself in the workplace IRL), not Clive Benton, not Peel or Maggie or the other hollow members of the team, not Nora Kelly. It felt rushed. It felt a little like reading Dan Brown. The heart just wasn't there.

Still - I basically couldn't put it down. This style of writing here is so, so refreshing to me. Straightforward, intentional, precise. I really loved that aspect and I look forward to continuing on with the series. The plot drives you onward as needed and there are even a few appearances by beloved characters from past encounters. If you're a fan, go for it. Slightly disappointed but I have zero regrets. 

Old Bones on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The Cabinet of Curiosities

4 stars. I am INTO THESE BOOKS. Surprise of the year and I couldn't be happier about it. I'm about to buy the rest in the Nora Kelly series and see where I land after that in the giant Pendergast Universe. So glad there are so many to choose from! I loved how different this was from Thunderhead, with similar history-mystery-mysterious-museum-archeological vibes. (These books remind me of the National Treasure movies, my favorite of all time, so keep in mind I am someone who would be super into them. Right up my alley.)

This one takes place in New York, after a giant pit of bones turns up at a construction site. FBI Special Agent Pendergast takes a special interest in the case, and involves Nora Kelly and her journalist boyfriend, Bill Smithback. Kelly is now working at the New York Museum of Natural History and becomes embroiled in a tangled web of politics, that very specific NY-style of greed, jurisdiction fights, workplace pitfalls and - unfortunately, the biggest threat of all: MURDER. 

Okay - that's a terrible summary. But these books actually go really deep. They're complex! There are multiple characters with multiple motivations and POVs. There are a lot of conflicting themes and clues and avenues for our heroes to investigate, and somehow - though they are racing against the clock - it feels like they take their time. It's a hearty narrative, one you can really sink your teeth into. And no part of it felt sloppy or lazy or worth skipping.

I was a little disappointed with the final "twist" (there were a few too many "reveals," I think) but I was totally glued to the page as the action ramped up and the stakes got REALLY high. I can only double down on my admiration of these authors and I'm so excited to have something that's perfect to read on a plane, on a train, on the beach, while brushing my teeth because I can't look away... 

The Cabinet of Curiosities on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Hidden Pictures

3 stars. Hmmmm hahahaha. This kept my attention - I read it in less than 24 hours; I'd definitely describe it as a crisply-written thriller - but it didn't blow me away at all. I'm kind of surprised, actually, about all the hype. 

Mallory Quinn is a young athlete in recovery who takes a job as a babysitter for a seemingly perfect, well-off family to watch their 5-year-old son, Teddy. She settles in and the summer is enjoyable - until Teddy starts presenting her with some mysterious drawings. Drawings that are way too advanced for a 5-year-old, depicting some very dark, mysterious images. Between a psychic neighbor, odd noises, and some strange behavior from Teddy's parents, Mallory begins to realize the genuine danger she faces, and resolves to get to the bottom of things and save Teddy if she can.

Regarding the controversy around the depiction of gender: I am fortunate enough to not be easily-triggered by this sort of thing. If you are sensitive to such issues, avoid. I could give the whole spiel - depiction does not equal endorsement, etc. and agonize over what is harmful and what is not... but there are folks far more informed and articulate than I who can speak on that, and I highly encourage you to seek them out. (I will say the references to Harry Potter made me extremely suspicious.)

So here's what I'd say: read it if you're in the mood for a compelling page turner with supernatural elements and a few twists. I would barely describe it as horror. I would even put a YA label on it - it gave me those vibes more than once. I think it kind of frustrated me that the first chapter was a real banger, and had me totally hooked before things kind of took a few... odd turns. 5-star opening chapter, 3 star book as a whole. I didn't totally find Mallory plausible, nor did I fully believe Ted's ultimate inclinations. Adrian was too good to be true... so yeah. 3 stars. 

Hidden Pictures on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Wakenhyrst

4 stars. Absolutely wonderful! This is a super refreshing piece of horror that takes a ton of familiar and beloved Gothic elements and weaves a beautiful, textured, spooky tapestry. It's sort of three stories in one, with Big Themes such as guilt, oppression, religion, secrets, coming-of-age, patriarchy, and rage. There's a bit of a mystery but this book is definitely more about the journey - the slow build, the creeping dread, the eerie setting, the rising tension - than the answers. I loved it.

A young girl, Maud, lives with her parents in a large manor house in Suffolk. Her mother is constantly with child, and her father is rigid, repressive and strict. After her mother passes, Maud is left lonely and finds comfort in the nature and beauty of the nearby Fens. But something stirs in the reedy green depths... something old but not forgotten, something that will trigger a reckoning, changing the lives of Maud and her father forever.

There's a whole lot wriggling around and among the many layers of this story. It reminded me of O Caledonia a bit. Maud's father seemed a bit cartoonish to me at times, but I think that's because I can't quite grasp that that's sincerely how men treated women back then. It made his comeuppance all the more satisfying. And I really, really loved the character of Maud. As a stubborn grudge-holder myself, I couldn't help but admire the way she sharpened her resentment into the nastiest of blades. I felt for her and rooted for her. 

It may not be the scariest of horror novels, but it's very atmospheric, and it scratched the itch for me. (And I'll admit, I jumped a few times seeing shadows walking the dog at night after reading.) I couldn't put it down, and like I said - refreshing! A very unique tale. It felt well-researched, and I loved the bits about history and art history and the glimpses of the town and the superstitions and folklore. I recommend it.

Wakenhyrst on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: All the Sinners Bleed

5 stars. Damn. This book is incredible. Cosby is back with a nail-biting, stomach-churning, electric thriller that will undoubtedly burrow under your skin and make a home there. 

I mentioned this in my review of Razorblade Tears, but as a Virginian born-and-raised, it's odd - rare, even - to get to take in such an accurate portrait of my state; all of its pockets and contradictions and extremes and microsocieties rendered without the inevitable attempt to balance the scales. Virginia granted me many things - a secure childhood, breathtakingly beautiful surroundings, four wonderful seasons, the best college experience anyone could hope for - but that shouldn't count towards forgiveness of any of its stubborn atrocities. Virginia is what it is. Many things can be true at once. I hope it gets better. I appreciate Cosby's frankness around this.

But I digress. This book is thought-provoking like that. It’s about a Black sheriff in a small town doing the best he can despite rural resources and rising racial tensions. After a horrifying school shooting, he is catapulted into a crazy investigation that only aggravates the town's passionate residents. On the hunt for a serial killer, the sheriff ends up racing against the clock to catch a serial killer and save the town he loves. A town that often, on many days, maybe even on most days, does not love him back.

Titus - the sheriff, with a great name - is a terrific character. The way Cosby weaves in his personal and professional relationships is truly impressive. Again he tackles so much: racism, masculinity, trauma, change, family, love, tradition, fear. Grief:

"That he went about these tasks so adroitly after staring into the depths of the abyss that was what passed for the souls of those three sociopaths made him feel unclean. He knew better than most that the wheel of life would keep spinning, with little regard to the families who had lost their children or the children who had lost their lives. Waiting for the world to shed tears for your pain was like waiting for a statue to speak. So you filed the reports, you answered the emails. You carried on as best you could."

He isn't heavy-handed. It's just... true. And this time he does it through a religious lens, which is truly fascinating and creates an enormously compelling mystery. It isn't perfect. There's clumsy dialogue, loose ends, a bit of a rushed ending, and some disruptive exposition. But whatever points it may have lost for that it earned right back when it got my heart pounding - racing - on the train. 

Cosby has become a must read for me, and I'm glad many others feel the same. His success is well-deserved.

All the Sinners Bleed on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: A History of Fear

4 stars. What a fascinating novel! This debut comes with a really, really interesting premise, eerie, atmospheric writing and some genuinely fascinating scary moments. Perfect timing, as I'm heading to Scotland for a few days next month, and also great for spooky season. Very, very excited to see what this author has coming up next.

Presented in an epistolary format, A History of Fear is a collection of documents (interview transcripts, text messages, email chains and a manuscript) pertaining to an infamous murder case in Scotland - the murder of a student by a young man who claims the devil made him do it. Guilt is not at question, but the more we get to dive into the details and background of this case, the more interesting certain aspects become: motive, for example. Social context. Religious context. The roles of family, upbringing, sexuality, etc. 

Throw in a dash of academia and a spoonful of the supernatural and you'll be totally set for all 300+ pages. I personally couldn't put it down - at times because it was so compelling, at other times because I was sort of frustratedly driven to get some answers - but I highly, highly recommend this... as sort of a literary effort that blends true crime and horror and personal history. While the themes may be a bit predictable, or dated, or perhaps I should say unsuited for a story that's supposed to have taken place very recently, it is still a thought-provoking project full of conflict and pain that feels relevant. 

I know some other reviews described this as overwritten, or occasionally cheesy, and yes, it sort of meanders and maybe could have benefitted from stricter editing. Couldn't we all? Sometimes I wondered if that was intentional. Thankfully there was always a crisply unsettling moment to bring my attention back and move things along nicely.

Overall: complex, interesting, and very smart. Will be thinking about this one for a while.

A History of Fear on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Thunderhead

4 stars. Jump scare! Turns out my spooky season is literally every season except actual spooky season, which is when I pivot for a second and read a fucking archeological thriller by the popular duo Preston & Child!? Trust me, no one is more surprised than I. I have no idea what compelled me to check this out from the library (I'm pretty sure it was Reddit) but it really is so out of character... in a good way. It's a good lesson: I need to stop discriminating against books like this. It was pretty great. I actually kind of loved it.

Thunderhead follows archeologist Nora Kelly, who, after a terrifying encounter with mysterious, violent, animal-like figures in her childhood home, discovers a letter sent by her father, who went missing years ago on an expedition to find a sort of lost city of gold situation in the American southwest. This letter contains enough information about a possible location that she's able to assemble a team and explore the area, hoping to find answers about her father, knowledge about the Anasazi, the location of the mysterious city, and gold. Not necessarily in that order.

But it's never that easy!! A straightforward archeological treasure hunt filled with damaged, emotionally invested personalities with conflicting agendas? In an isolated, rural, uninhabited area of the country with no service and flash floods? For gold?! NEVER! Nora and her team really go through it in this book (speaking of which, TW re: the horses - I knew to skip ahead, I suggest you do as well), almost to the point of obstacle fatigue, but everyone describes this as a page turner for a reason.

Okay, a couple of things around why I docked a star: one) I had trouble keeping the team members straight. It was like one person too many or something... the authors did a delightful job making them each distinct from each other, but I couldn't bring myself to care about any of them because, sort of like a slasher, there were simply too many for the group to survive. Two) an unbelievable romance. Sexual tension is hard to write, man. Believe me, that's why when you find a well-written example you tend to return to it again and again because it's magical. This was not a well-written example. Three) which brings me to my third point: the way the women are described. Sure, this book was written in 1999. But let me just tell you that the phrase "shapely rear" is now a joke in my house and not likely to be forgotten any time soon. Four) the aforementioned horses. 

Things to commend: one) the authors did their research. It's so fun!! My favorite movie is National Treasure and this gave me all of those vibes. Two) while certain elements are obviously foreshadowed, for the most part the story - with all its twists and turns - is ultimately fairly unpredictable! Three) excellent villains. I loved that it had both monsters as well as the conflict/interpersonal drama within the group. Four) so much great, nerdy, yummy, archeological... stuff. Glyphs. Ruins. Pottery. Bones. Ancient boobytraps. Treasure.

Anyway, did this pack the biggest emotional wallop ever? Not for me - and I do think the authors sort of meant it to. But that's okay! I really enjoyed myself. I actually want to read some more books by them, maybe more in this series? I'm new to armchair archeology but I'm really into it. So... yeah. Cheers to taking unexpected turns and making discoveries.

Thunderhead on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Waif

5 stars. I love books like this - stories that are so different, and unexpected, and full of so many twists all you can do is hang on for the ride and let the narrative wash over you without feeling like you have to work out a puzzle or solve an equation to identify the killer (this isn't a murder mystery, but you get the idea). I raced through it - because it really is that refreshing.

Waif opens with a woman, Angela, upset over the state of her toxic marriage. She encounters a man in the grocery store, which sparks... some crazy behavior, by both herself and her husband, which in turn sparks some even crazier events... I'm being intentionally vague; go in blind. By the end you'll have followed Angela into an entirely new life - a new identity, a new sense of self, new priorities - maybe even a new reality entirely.

"Women's wrongs" could potentially be an entire genre of books at this point. I love it. Angie wields her dissatisfaction in extremely disturbing ways, but it doesn't really feel wrong. She's a little bit... delightfully insane. It's a challenging book, and will be unsettling for certain readers - check TWs.  The author doesn't shy away from tackling themes such as body dysmorphia, abuse, control, desire, shame, insecurity, sexuality. That's the tip of the iceberg. I personally can't get over that ending, in a good way - as sharp as it gets. So sharp it hurts.

Read this if you're in the mood for something that is both incredibly horrifying and incredibly thought-provoking. 

Waif on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads