The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes Novel by Suzanne Collins

I read this book back in May of 2020. I didn't quite like it but I decided to reread and I am glad that I did. 

I went in with a different perspective and while I still don't like who Snow becomes - a perspective on him as a young adult and how the Hunger Games changed and developed based on ideas Snow and the other students adds a lot to the entire series. It is quite brilliant and a little frightening. I enjoyed reading about the students as mentors for the tributes and how the dealt with being put in that position.

The characters are well developed and some are reminiscent of other characters from The Hunger Games series. I am actually now interested and excited to see the movie. This book left me hungry for more. I want to know how new areas came about, how games were further developed and I want to know how about other Hunger Games and how they played out. 

Suburban Hell by Maureen Kilmer

Suburban Hell is NOTHING like I thought it was going to be. I either misread or misunderstood the book detail.  I somehow got it in my head that is was going to be all around, full fledged chaos in the entire neighborhood with loads of people turning evil. It was not. Rather it's about one person turning evil and her friends trying to figure out what is going on with her and save her. 

I was expecting horror-comedy but it didn't quite happen. It fell short but .... I give it high praises for the bonds on friendship and doing what it takes to help a friend.  

The end is actually the best part of the book. Not because it is the end but because the details given regarding the possession are rather intriguing. 

This is a fluff book with a good ending. If you have some time on your hands and want something to read that is easy and fast this book if for you. 

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

 Holy Shit! This is a great book. Love me some, Stephen King!  The characters are phenomenal, well developed and memorable.  Radar and Charlie will stay with me forever. 

Be warned. This is a heafy book, weighting
in at over 600 pages but reading it is a breeze. The story is well written,  easy to visualize and flows with ease. 

Fairy Tale put me through a mix of emotions. I am not normally a huge fan of fairy tales and fantasy but this book pulled me into,  Kings world. 

Charlie is just a regular High School kid. That is until he meets Mr. Bowditch and his beloved dog, Radar. Mr. Bowditch and Charlie form a friendship. The death of Mr. Bowditch and his undying love for Radar leads Charlie into another world. A world full of strange yet wonderful lovely people. A world full of dangerous people. A world, Charlie has to navigate in an attempt to fulfill his goal. 

The Butcher and the Wren Book by Alaina Urquhart

 The Butcher and the Wren is written by the podcast host of Morbid. I have tried to listen to Morbid multiple times but I never cared much for it. It never held my interest and they talk way too much for my liking. I've never listened to more than one full episode but I figured I would take a chance on this book and I am glad I did. 

The story is told from the perspective of Wren, the killer and the victims. The killer's stories are much more interesting to read. You get a view of how he works and thinks. The insight into the victims and what they are going through is thrilling, frightening and a bit sick. 

Wren Muller is a forensic pathologist and up until recently there hasn't been a case that couldn't be solved. Wren and the detectives are at a loss. They have a serial killer in their midst and missing people.  Wren is determined to close the case and catch the guy but at what cost?

This book is a decent read. It has unexpected twist but ends abruptly. 

Twist (Wren was the student) don't post that 

Kurt Cobain: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations (The Last Interview Series)

 

Expected publication November 22, 2022

I remember the day Kurt Cobain died. My friend and fellow Nirvana fan was the one to tell me. She was beyond heartbroken and in tears. I was in complete shock. In the following weeks we played Nirvana music over and over again in an attempt to heal.

Kurt Cobain and Nirvana brings back memories of good music, fun times and youth. When given an opportunity to review Kurt Cobain: The Last interview, I jumped at the chance.

The introduction gives background information and is rather interesting. The rest of the book has interviews given by Cobain over the years. This gives you the feeling of Cobain speaking to the readers. It is very documentary like. 

Cobain was always misunderstood by the media, friends, family and fans. Reading is words gives you an inside look into how the thought and felt. 

My only complaint is there are no photos. I feel that it would have added to a more personal feel. 

* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Stephen King Ultimate Companion: A Complete Exploration of His Work, Life, and Influences by Bev Vincent

The Stephen King Ultimate Companion explores, Stephen Kings nearly 50 year career. As a constant reader of his I was beyond thrilled to be able to see and read this companion. It beautifully explores his works both written and on screen.  

There are photographs incorporated in the book that add to the "magic" of King's work. The book is well researched and flows together. I learned quite a few things about King and although I have been a fan since I was a 12/13, I found out something new information about King including his inspiration behind some of his novels.

After reading this, I have a newfound interest in books I have long forgotten about or haven't read. I know I will be revisiting old friends (some much scarier than others) and making new friends in older books I haven't read. 

This is a to go book from King's fans and something you will want to add to your collection. 

* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Shadows of Foxworth by V.C Andrews

Marlena and Yvon live a quiet life in France. Marlena has a wonderful relationship with her brother and her parents. Life is idyllic. She is growing into a beautiful young woman and becoming more aware. She starts to question her parent's life before the moved to France but before she can get answers they are tragically killed in a car accident. 

To much their surprise, Marlena and Yvon are sent to live in the United States with family they did not know existed.  Her father's sister has taken them in but they are expected to learn and became employees in the family company. Yvon takes to it rather quickly but Marlena struggles. She feels trapped and wants to make friends instead of learning work skills.  

Marlena has a chance encounter with Malcolm Foxworth and ...

Secrets are revealed in this book, questions are answered and you're left wanting to know more. 

The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias

This is one of the most dark and disturbing novels I have ever read. It is full of violence and it has many graphic scenes. I often had to put this novel down and recoup before picking it up again. Don't let this sway you because Iglesias writing is phenomenal. You can feel his words as they pour of the page. He doesn't shy away from topics such as poverty, racism, grief, anger, guilt and death. The emotional weight his characters have make the book feel heavier as you read further and further into, The Devil Takes You Home.

Mario's life can be set into two sections.  His life before his young daughters leukemia diagnosis and his life after. His life before wasn't perfect but he was happy. His daughter's diagnosis and the debt piling up from her treatment and care leads him into making a choice that results in a avalanche of bad choices. 

Expect grit, supernatural moments and some really f*$&#d up scenes that will leave you haunted.