What's next on the Challenge List, You Ask? Well....

Our daughter's visit is winding down. Jenn is planning to take Anthony back to Kye Bay for a final walk along the seaside one more time. Yesterday she volunteered to work at the annual Florence Filberg festival and enjoyed herself. Anthony stayed with us. He seems to be getting used to it. We're all enjoying watching the Commonwealth Games and have hooked Jenn on 25 Words or Less. 😎 It's been a nice visit.

Today I thought I'd provide a list of the next books I plan to read as I work on my various challenges. I don't necessarily follow it religiously but it helps set a target.

1. 12 + 4 Challenge - Short Stories. So far, I've completed 9 books in this challenge. I'm currently reading Cobra Trap by Peter O'Donnell, a collection of Modesty Blaise adventures. Enjoying so far. Next in line is a collection by an author I've been exploring quite a bit, John Buchan. He wrote the John Hannay series, starting with The 39 Steps. The Strange Adventures of Mr. Andrew Hawthorn & Other Stories was initially published in 1932. It contains 18 stories by Buchan

2. 12 + 4 Challenge - Graphic Novels. I completed this challenge in April, graphic novels being usually nice quick reads. My favorite was Botticelli's Apprentice by Ursula Murray Husted, beautifully drawn and an excellent YA / Historical Fiction story.

3. 12 + 4 Challenge - Shiniest and Newest Books. These were the last 16 books that I added to my bookshelves before 31 Dec 2025. I've completed 8 books so far and am working on Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts by Margaret Atwood. I'm enjoying so very much. My next book in this challenge, oddly enough is a graphic novel, a new series for me; Killadelphia, Volume 1 by Rodney Barnes, a horror series.

4. 12 + 4 Challenge - Dustiest Books. The 16 books that were the earliest I added to my Goodreads TBR list. One of my slower challenges. I've completed 6 so far and am currently enjoying Tess of the d'Urbervilles by William Thackeray. My next book will be a murder mystery, Wycliffe and the Tangled Web by W.J. Burley (Wycliffe #15). It's one of my comfort mystery series... one of many.

5. 12 + 4 Challenge - Shorter Books. This was the challenge I added after completing my Graphic novels challenge. They are, for the most part, books of less then 200 pages, with just a couple of exceptions. I've completed 9 so far and am reading The Dream Master by Roger Zelazny (Sci Fi / 1966) It's different so far. Next book is one of a trilogy by one of the early Sci Fi authors, The Humanoid Touch by Jack Williamson (Humanoids #2 / 1980.)

The next three challenges are part of my individual reading challenge group and there is some overlap with the above ones. I generally choose the books via random number challenge. I basically divided my TBR by 3 and broke it down to 3 challenges.

6. Individual Reading Challenge - Dustiest Books (#17 - 416). I've read 8 books in this challenge although 2 were DNFs. I'm not reading anything yet as I'm reading more than one if another challenge. But my next book will be a George Eliot classic. I've read 3 or 4 of her books and she was such a great author. My next book will by Romola (1863). I think I've avoided it so far because I'm already reading a Classic and thought it might be hard to keep track of each story. 

7. Slightly Dusty Books (#417 - 832). I've read 5 so far with one being a DNF. I'm currently reading Sepulchre by James Herbert, one of my favorite horror authors. My next book will be American War by Omar el Akkad, a dystopian future, published in 2017.

8. Newest, Shiniest Books (#833 - Present). I find myself easily distracted by the newest books and this has been my most successful challenge. I have read 27 thus far and have 3 on the go; Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Fan), Inspector West Alone by John Creasey (Mys / Inspector West #9) & Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes (Sci Fi / YA). My next book in this challenge will be The Furies by Keith Roberts (Hor / 1966). I've read one other of Roberts' books and enjoyed very much.

So there you go. Back to normal programming in the coming days. Looking forward to my August reading. Enjoy your month.

Weekend Reading Update... well, it's almost the weekend.

Anthony making himself comfie in the backyard.

Jenn's been here for a week now with her dog Anthony and all is well. At the moment, Jenn is putting some flowers in a vase (which she received from a friend she met yesterday), Anthony is watching and Jo is relaxing with a game on her laptop. In my last entry I talked about horror books so it's time for a normal update. 

Just Finished

(4 books completed since I last did a reading update. It's been a bit of a slow month)

1. Talk Treaty to Me, Understanding the Basics of Treaties and Land in Canada by Crystal Gail Fraser & Sara Komarnisky (Non Fic / Can Lit / 2026).

"Over the past few years, I've been trying to educate myself on Canada's indigenous culture, history, issues. I started with some graphic novels; Katherena Vermette's A Girl Called Echo series, which talks about the history of the Metis in Manitoba, If I Go Missing by Brianna Jonnie, which is a heart breaking letter to the Winnipeg Chief of Police about missing indigenous girls and the lack of support from the police services; Five Little Indians by Michelle Good, a novel about the effects of Canada's residential schools on indigenous children; This Place: 150 Years Retold by Kateri Akiwenzie - Damm, telling the history of Canada (& a look at the future) from indigenous story - tellers; Sugar Falls, a Residential School story by by David A. Robertson, a graphic novel about residential schools; Borders by Thomas King; a graphic about an indigenous mother living in Canada with her son and her efforts to cross the Can / US border to visit her daughter living in the US. There have also been a number of Sci Fi / Dystopic stories written by indigenous authors, all interesting perspectives of the future.

The purpose for listing those books and graphics and novels wasn't to pat myself on the back but to get on to my look at two of my most recent books. The Bad Indians Book Club by Patty Krawec was a fascinating discussion of books in all genres that Patty and her Book Club podcast recommended as they also talked about issues indigenous peoples are facing. 

And finally, the subject of this review; Talk Treaty to Me: Understanding the Basics of Treaties and Land in Canada by Crystal Gail Fraser & Sara Komarnisky. This is a non fiction book released in 2026, which goes through Canada's history up until the current day and examines the issues faced by indigenous peoples because of the treaties negotiated with them, first by early settlers, the English, French, Dutch, etc. and then, when Canada became a nation, the treaties negotiated with the Canadian, provincial and territorial governments. I'll say it's a fascinating book, providing me with much information that I didn't know. But at the same time, it's a depressing book as I realize the scope of the treatment that our indigenous peoples, our neighbours, our friends were put through as they tried to learn to deal with and live in harmony with this 'settler class' that was forcing its values and ways down their throats.

The books also covers the pre-colonization / settler era, showing how North America's indigenous peoples made treaties between each other, what a treaty meant to them; a sharing of the land, living harmoniously between each other. That was not always (ever?) the case with settlers arrived. Treaties were negotiated. The understanding of what a treaty meant between the various negotiators varied. To the indigenous peoples, the concept of treaty 'focused on diplomacy and concepts of peace, friendship and non-interference'. The original Dutch settlers considered the relationship to be a paternalistic one, the Dutch as fathers, the indigenous as children. The Haudenosaunee nation rejected this. To them a treaty meant they were Brothers, 'two paths or two vessels traveling down a river together.'

The reason I mentioned all of the other books at first is because this book is kind of the center of a circle and as you branch out, you find the topics discussed in those other books, highlighted here. Residential schools, the Pass Card system meant to keep indigenous people on their reservations, in their country, non recognition of Metis and Inuit as being indigenous and therefore not requiring treaties.

As I say, it's a depressing book, but the more people try to understand the purpose of the book, the history of Canada's treatment of its indigenous population, maybe this relationship can become a more harmonious one. Optimistically, as one of the settler class, I hope small steps have been made and that we can take two steps forward to the one we probably still take back. Canada is a better country if we live harmoniously with everyone else who live here. It makes it a better place. 

OK, I'll leave it there. Read the book. (4.0 stars)"

2. Ring Shout by P. Djeli Clark (Hor / His Fic / 2020)

"Wow! Do I need to say anything else about Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark? Oh... I do? OK. Well, Ring Shout is historical fiction along with alternate history and  horror, all packed up in less than 200 pages. It's about Maryse Boudreaux and her two friends and fellow freedom fighters, Sadie, of the sharp shooting skill and Chef, also known by Cordelia, ex WWI veteran and an expert with bombs. It's 1915 in Macon, Ga. Maryse has a magical sword that channels the anger, guilt, rage of dead slaves, slave traders, etc. These three,  along with Nana Jean, a Gullah woman, a kind of witch are fighting for their lives against the Klan. 

This more than your average Klan. There are human Klan members but many have been converted to Ku Kluxers, demons who have taken over the bodies of the humans. D W Griffiths The Birth of a Nation. This film is demonized and has brought about a 2nd Klan revival and the demons are hungry. The trio  are fighting to get rid of them, to send them back to hell.

But..... But.... the three face an even stronger enemy, led by someone called Butcher Clyde. He wants, needs Maryse to help with his own invasion. Ans he's evil!!! Oh, right, Maryse also has three more mentors, three ladies who live in another time slip (let's call it that), three aunties who chose Maryse after her family was destroyed by Klan monsters. They gave her the sword.

I'll leave the plot there. It's a fascinating story. For a relatively short story, the characters are well fleshed out. The plot moves along quickly. You quickly develop strong feelings for the three women. They are all individuals and fascinating characters. There are secrets. There is lots of action. There is a lot of emotion. You may cry. Clark has grabbed you quickly, got you involved immediately and led you on a breathless race to the end. One of the best books I've read this year. (5.0 stars)"

3. Pump Six and Other Stories by Paolo Bacigalupi (Short Stories / 2008)

"Pump Six and Other Stories is the 2nd work by Paolo Bacigalupi that I've enjoyed. The first was The Windup Girl which was a unique dystopian look at the future. At least two of the stories in this collection of 10 are precursors to Windup Girl; The Calorie Man and Yellow Card Man, which features Tranh, who I think becomes Hok Sen in Wind up Girl. 

At any rate, overall I enjoyed the stories very much. I think my favorites were Pocketful of Dharma, about a young Asian boy who is paid to deliver a package, discovers its something important... Liked it very much. The Fluted Girl is about two genetically manipulated young girls who are turned into musical instruments and play each other... Weird but fascinating. Calorie Man had many themes that are explored in Windup Girl and while it was a bit, let's say technical in jargon, it was very interesting.  Yellow Card Man tells the story of Tranh, a once rich exporter, a Chinese man living in Malay, who is destroyed and is now trying to survive in the Kingdom of Thailand. Great character study.

While some weren't as good as others, and that might have been the themes, all of the stories were different and interesting. Baciogalupi creates interesting situations and characters. I enjoyed exploring this collection as it gave a perspective of the range of his story telling. I have two more of his books on my shelf. Looking forward to checking them out. (3.5 stars)"

4. How to Survive the End of the World, a Graphic Exploration of How to (Maybe) Avoid Extinction by Katy Doughty (Graphic / Non Fic / 2026)

"I saw How to Survive the End of the World: A Graphic Exploration of How to (Maybe) Avoid Extinction by Katy Doughty when I was wandering through my local book store and it looked interesting enough to check out. And I hadn't purchased a new book in a little while so what the hey.

Kate Doughty is a cartoonist and public health researcher and this book seems right up her alley. It examines possible world extinction events using history, science, analysis by experts and also great art work. The book is divided into various possible activities / events that might end civilization; plagues (viruses), nuclear explosions / volcanoes, climate activity, AI, asteroids / meteors and cosmic collapse (the Big Bang in reverse, aka Gnab Gib).

So, as a subject matter, it's kind of depressing subject but Doughty manages to also inject positivity in the story. But that doesn't mean that the subject shouldn't be taken seriously, especially the chapters on Climate Meltdown and Pandemics. Something has to be reversed in our way of treating the planet.

Because it's in a graphic novel format, the subjects are somewhat glossed over, but there is still lots of interesting facts and information. And Doughty does not play down the information, it's very thoughtful and quite scientific at times. Interesting book for dangerous times. (3.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Cobra Trap by Peter O'Donnell (Short Stories / Thriller / 1996)

"Created in a 1950s comic strip that is still in syndication in more than 40 countries today, the stories of Modesty Blaise have spawned a cult following around the world. These are the first new Modesty stories in 11 years, and they span her career, from the early days of running the Network, to her shadowy work for British Intelligence. From Tangier, to the Pyrenees, to a South American jungle—Modesty and her trusted lieutenant Willie Garvin dispatch an old nemesis, upset a particularly wicked gang of kidnappers, and risk their lives to rescue old friends from certain death. The skill and nerve that Modesty and her accomplices display in combat and under pressure will delight Modesty fans, both new and old."

2. Inspector West Alone by John Creasey (Insp West #9 / 1950).

"The Inspector has been framed for murder! He is found by the police in an empty house with the body of a dead girl near him, battered with an axe bearing West's fingerprints, and the identification in his wallet is not his own! He risks his career, life and the safety of everyone close to him as he untangles this set-up."

3. A Cat Story by Ursula Murray Husted (Graphic / YA / 2020). I enjoyed Botticelli's Apprentice very much.

"A graphic novel about two irresistible cat friends on a journey to find their forever home—a journey inspired by the magic of art and storytelling.

Cilla and Betto are two friends who need a place to call home. The docks in Valletta are too wet, and the scraps of food too scarce. The city’s streets are too busy, and the humans too unreliable.

But what about the quiet garden from old kitten tales—a place where all cats are welcome, and the humans are always kind? Could the stories really be true?

As Cilla and Betto embark on a grand adventure to find out, they begin to spin a tale of their own—one that will take them through the art and stories of many journeyers who came before, and that will bring them to a surprising destination."

Newest Arrivals

It never fails that no books arrive for awhile and then I buy one and all of a sudden they all arrive.. LOL!

1. Red by Jack Ketchum (Horror / 1996). I've read one book by Ketchum and it was very scary.

"Jack Ketchum’s previous novel, The Lost , caught readers’ attention like a well-timed gunshot. Fans and critics alike hailed it for its power, its thrills, and its gripping style, and recognized Ketchum as a master of suspense. Now, Jack Ketchum is back to frighten us again with… Red ! It all started with a simple act of brutality. Three boys shot and killed an old man’s dog. No reason, just plain meanness. But the dog was the best thing in the old man’s world, and he wasn’t about to let it pass. He wanted justice, and he’d make sure the kids paid for what they did, even if it cost him his life. They picked the wrong old man to mess with. And as the fury and violence escalate, they’re about to learn that…the hard way."

2. One Message Remains by Premee Mohamed (Short Stories / Fan / 2025). I keep buying books by Mohamed. This was nominated for the Ursula K. Le Guin Award for 2026.

"Pageantry, pomp, pretense, and peril—"The General's Turn,” originally published in The Deadlands, drew readers into the dark world of a ceremony where Death herself might choose to join the audience... or step onto the stage.

Award-winning author Premee Mohamed presents three brand new stories set in this morally ambiguous world of war and magic. In “One Message Remains,” Major Lyell Tzajos leads his team on a charity mission through the post-armistice world of East Seudast, exhuming the bones and souls of dead foes for repatriation. But the buried fighters may have one more fight left in them—and they have chosen their weapons well.

In “The Weight of What is Hollow,” Taya is the latest apprentice of a long-honored tradition: building the bone-gallows for prisoners of war. But her very first commission will pit her skills against both her family and her oppressor.

Finally, in “Forsaking All Others,” ex-soldier Rostyn must travel the little-known ways by night to avoid his pursuers, for desertion is punishable by death. As he flees to the hoped-for sanctuary of his grandmother's village, he is joined by a fellow deserter—and, it seems, the truth of a myth older than the land itself.

“Premee Mohamed is one of Canada's most exciting thinkers and writers of speculative fiction. Her stories bravely go where few dare to, each employing a deftness of language and surety of form that offers a fresh experience each time. One Message Remains and the stories within are no exception, each tale different from the other, yet all very much quintessential Premee stories. Readers of her works, long and short both, will find much to love here.” — Suyi Davies Okungbowa, author of Son of the Storm and Lost Ark Dreaming"

3. Sunward by William Alexander (Sci Fi / 2025). This was another nominee. I ordered a few of them.

"A cozy debut science fiction novel by National Book Award–winning writer William Alexander, this story of found family follows a planetary courier training adolescent androids in a solar system grappling with interplanetary conflict after a devastating explosion on Earth’s moon.

Captain Tova Lir chose a life as a courier rather than get involved in her family’s illustrious business in politics. Set in humanity’s far future, hiring a planetary courier is essential for delivering private messages across the stars.

Encouraged by friends, Tova begins mentoring baby bots, juvenile AI who are developmentally in their teens, and trains them how to interact within society essentially becoming their foster mom. Her latest charge, Agatha Panza von Sparkles, named herself on their first run from Luna to Phoebe station. But on their return, they encounter a derelict spaceship and a lurking assassin, igniting a thrilling chase across the solar system.

Tova and Agatha’s daring actions leave Agatha’s mind vulnerable, relying on Tova’s former AI pupils for help. As Tova starts gathering her scattered family around her, she is chased through the solar system by forces who want her captured and her family erased. This debut science fiction novel by National Book Award–winning author William Alexander is a must-read for fans of Becky Chambers and Ursula K. Le Guin. Lovers of poignant science fiction, where the bonds of found family, the evolution of AI, and the building distrust of centuries of bias, come together in this visionary look at humanity’s future."

4. Jade City by Fonda Lee (The Green Bone Saga #1 / 2017) Fonda Lee is a Canadian author of Fantasy & Sci Fi and I checked her out when I discovered she was one of the judges for the 2026 Awards.. I believe one of her books was also listed on the CBC Arts site.

"JADE CITY is a gripping Godfather-esque saga of intergenerational blood feuds, vicious politics, magic, and Kungfu.

The Kaul family is one of two crime syndicates that control the island of Kekon. It's the only place in the world that produces rare magical jade, which grants those with the right training and heritage superhuman abilities.

The Green Bone clans of honorable jade-wearing warriors once protected the island from foreign invasion--but nowadays, in a bustling post-war metropolis full of fast cars and foreign money, Green Bone families like the Kauls are primarily involved in commerce, construction, and the everyday upkeep of the districts under their protection.

When the simmering tension between the Kauls and their greatest rivals erupts into open violence in the streets, the outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones and the future of Kekon itself."

5. Villain Hitting for Vicious Little Nobodies by Lindsay Wong (Hor / 2026). I've been checking out the CBC webpage as they regularly recommend Canadian authors and books to check out. This was one and it sounded interesting.

"A young woman signs her life away in the ancient Chinese tradition of corpse marriage in this wickedly hilarious novel about class, ambition, and the burden of being an impoverished model minority.

Poor, vicious Locinda Lo is a nobody with a powerful witch for a grandmother and an undead corpse-kid-sister as her only friend. A broke MFA dropout living in Vancouver with six roommates and zero job prospects, she’s buried so deep in debt she might as well be six feet under—and her family is in danger of being buried along with her.

Desperate to escape her financial woes and save her grandmother and sister, Locinda signs a contract with a nefarious company, Joyful Coffin & Co. Matchmaking Services, to be auctioned off as a corpse bride to the highest bidder. Next thing she knows, she’s being smuggled underground into the damp caves where her training coffin awaits.

As Locinda prepares for a rich, dying dearly beloved to claim her as his bride-to-be in the Afterlife, her past becomes twisted with that of her grandmother, Baozhai. A feared and revered Villain Hitter, or witchy curse-monger, Baozhai’s legacy stretches from 1920s China to the Battle of Hong Kong in the 40s to New York City thereafter. Across the generational divide, one thing becomes achingly clear to them you can’t outrun your ghosts.

Villain Hitting for Vicious Little Nobodies is a daring, genre-bending meditation on life, death, and the murderous cost of living in between. It lays bare the societal and cultural expectations placed on Chinese women and the devastating price of enduring them. This chilling masterclass in fiction cements Lindsay Wong as one of the most provocative Canadian horror writers of our time."

6. Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese (Indigenous / CanLit / 2014). I've been trying to expand my library of Indigenous fiction and non fiction. A person I follow on Hey Cafe has been listing books and this one caught my attention.

""One of the finest novels of the year." ( Vancouver Sun ) By the celebrated author of Canada Reads finalist Indian Horse , this is an unforgettable journey of a father and son, set in dramatic landscape of the BC Interior. For male and female readers equally, for readers of Joseph Boyden, Cormac McCarthy, Thomas King, Russell Banks and general literary fiction.

Franklin Starlight is called to visit his father, Eldon. He's sixteen years old and has had the most fleeting of relationships with the man. The rare moments they've shared haunt and trouble Frank, but he answers the call, a son's duty to a father. What ensues is a journey through the rugged and beautiful backcountry, and a journey into the past, as the two men push forward to Eldon's end. From a poverty-stricken childhood, to the Korean War, and later the derelict houses of mill towns, Eldon relates both the desolate moments of his life and a time of redemption and love, and in doing so offers Frank a history he has never known, the father he has never had, and a connection to himself he never expected.

     A novel about love, friendship, courage, and the idea that the land has within it powers of healing, Medicine Walk reveals the ultimate goodness of its characters and offers a deeply moving and redemptive conclusion. Wagamese's writing soars and his insight and compassion are matched by his gift of communicating these to the reader."

7. Slow Gods by Claire North (Sci Fi / 2025). Another of the books nominated for the Le Guin award.

"My name is Mawukana na-Vdnaze, and I am a very poor copy of myself.

Slow Gods is the galaxy-spanning tale ​of one man's impossible life charted against the fate of humanity amongst the stars—a powerfully imaginative space opera from multi-award-winning author Claire North. 

In telling my story, there are certain things I should perhaps lie about. I should make myself a hero. Pretend I was not used by strangers and gods, did not leave people behind.
 
Here is one out there in deep space, in the pilot's chair, I died. And then, I was reborn. I became something not quite human, something that could speak to the infinite dark. And I vowed to become the scourge of the world that wronged me. 

This is the story of the supernova event that burned planets and felled civilizations. This is also the story of the many lives I've lived since I died for the first time.  
 
Are you listening?"

I have two other award nominees on order, plus a few others. They'll be added in a future BLog. Enjoy your weekend. Read a good book.

It's a Horror!!!

I've discovered in the past few days that my daughter is the incarnation of Typhoid Mary. Do you want proof? As she drove across Canada to come for a visit, she left behind a trail of smoke, forest fires, extreme heat in Winnipeg that caused the roads to buckle, hordes of mosquitoes in Calgary (mind you, that could be normal and they did feast off her and her dog, but Hey!) and once she got on the island and made her way here, suddenly we've got thunder storms, flooded streets in Courtenay. Even worse!  I got awakened this morning by peals of thunder!! The horror! (I apologize if it seems I've been making fun of those suffering from these disasters, because I definitely am not. It's truly awful for all those Canadians. I'm just making a bit of a joke at my daughter's expense. And she appreciates it.. Oh oh, I feel boils starting to pop out all over my body and I think I see locusts in the back yard!)

Ok, enough of that. I think I carried on much too long. So while my daughter and her dog are off for a long walk and while Jo is having a nap, let's talk a bit about horror. I'd normally list the books I've read and such but I haven't really completed that many or received that many new ones since my last update. But this year, I've begun buying a variety of horror novels, influenced by a book I read recently, 101 Horror Books to Read before you're Murdered by Sadie Hartmann. There was another that I read in September of last year, Why I Love Horror by Becky Spratford Siegel, which also gave me some excellent reading ideas.

So what I thought I'd do, even though I have previously provided a list of my top 15 favourite horror books, what I think I'll do here is list the 5 Horror books that I've given 5 - star ratings. They've all been read since I started on Goodreads. As well, some of the books that I'm planning to read maybe for my October Horror month.

5-Star Selections

1. Necronomicon: The Best Weird Tales by H.P. Lovecraft (2008). I bought this book at a neat bookstore in Kinston, Ontario. I've since sold it so someone else can enjoy it.

"An excellent collection of the stories of H.P. Lovecraft, from Dagon, originally published in 1919 to The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath, 1943. There are themes throughout, the Old Ones, the area of Arkham, Mass, the Miskatonic University, the Cthulhu, etc. The stories are creepy, moreso than outright terrifying, but still, leave you feeling nervous and chilled. Some are excellent; the Mountains of Madness, The Dunwich Horror, the Haunter of the Dark, the Thing on the Doorstep. Excellent to be provided the opportunity to explore Lovecraft's worlds and stories under one book."

2. Boy's Life by Robert McCammon (1991). I have a few other McCammon books on my shelves at the moment. Looking forward to continuing to explore his work.

"Boy's Life by Robert McCammon ranks up there with books by other authors; To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. All great coming of age books that draw you in, tug at your heart, leave you emotionally drained.

This is the story of Cory Mackenson, a young boy growing up in Zephyr, Alabama. It's basically a year in the life, commencing when he and his father (a milk delivery man) see a car drive into Saxon Lake. Jake's dad jumps into the 'bottomless' lake to try and save the driver and discovers that the man is not only dead but handcuffed to the steering wheel and had been beaten up.

This incident with haunt both Cory and his father throughout the book. Cory will try to discover who murdered the man. His father will be haunted by dreams of the man. We follow Cory and his friends, Johnny, Ben, and Davy Ray as they go to school, get involved in boyhood adventures and deal with many traumas.

It's a fascinating, rich, tense, excellent story. McCammon draws you into Cory's life and grabs your heart strings and also keeps it pumping when things get tense. There are normal events that many of us experience growing up but it is also a very gritty story, with violence and ratcheted tension that will strain Cory, his friends and his family. Lovely characters make the story even richer, with my personal favorite being The Lady. There is too much going on to get into any real detail. Just know that you will fall into the life of Cory and be somewhat bereft when the story ends. But still glad that you got to experience it. (5.0 stars)"

3. Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz (Odd Thomas #1 / 2003). I've enjoyed Koontz's work but sometimes have thought he's just Stephen King - lite, but Odd Thomas and the others in this series that I've read so far have been excellent.

"I've read a couple of other Dean Koontz books before, quite a few years ago actually and I enjoyed them but at the time my favourite horror author was Stephen King. Recently I started hearing good things about the Odd Thomas series so I decided to try the first book, Odd Thomas. 

What an excellent book! I love the character of Odd Thomas, the short order cook who can see dead people and gets involved trying to help them. I also liked the characters who make up his unique and interesting friends; lovely Stormy Llewellyn (his soul mate), Little Oswald, his friend who encourages Odd to write this story; Chief Porter, who is a father figure and who believes in Odd's talents and uses them while protecting Odd; and Terri Stambaugh, his boss and Elvis Presley afficionado. 

Odd meets a stranger to town and gets a weird vibe off him. Demonish creatures, bodachs, start to swarm around the town and Odd gets a feeling that something bad is going to happen. The story moves along at a nice pace as Odd investigates the stranger to find out what evil he is plotting. There is a skillfully crafted tension that grows and grows. I found icy fingers crawling up and down my back in certain scenes. Such an excellent story and a surprising ending that left me feeling quite bereft. I'm so glad that I finally started this series. I look forward with anticipation to continuing a journey with Odd Thomas."

4. Red X by David Demchuk (2021). This was such a fantastic story. I have his other book on my shelf now.

"I woke up last night & couldn't get back to sleep. So I turned on the bed side lamp and decided to read for a bit to help me relax. Mistake. I ended up finishing Red X by David Demchuk & then laying in bed for another hour thinking about the book; its richness, the great characters, the great writing ... It was worth it.

Before I get into my thoughts, I provide the author's warning -

"Red X is a tale of terror. It includes graphic violence, implied sexual assault, animal violence, family violence, strong sexual themes, and discussions of racism, ableism, anxiety disorders, homophobia, and suicide. It is intended for mature readers."

In some ways, this book reminds me of House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski. Why? House of Leaves had stories layered upon other stories, a story about the narrator who's investigating a dead friends effects, that friend's own investigation and then the main story of the House. Red X was similar. The main story is set in Toronto's gay community, from the 80s through to the present day. 

Gay men are disappearing. Friends of the main characters just disappear. Their clothes are sometimes found but they are nowhere to be found. Shadowy figures are seen in back yards,  at clubs. When you are able to sense them (it), as some of the characters can, they appear just out of your vision, but when you look directly, they are gone. The main characters are Trevor, Sergio, Salem and Robyn (and a dog, Samson). But a number of other characters appear and disappear.

Another story line is set in very early Toronto, when it was still York and in Scotland. It follows a group of wealthy Torontonians, especially Wood, who engage in sexual activities in the northern woods of the city. One is sent back to Scotland where he joins another 'men's club' which engages in similar practices. This is where we meet Nicholas, a barghest (you have to read the book) who he will bring back to Toronto.... 

Interspersed with these story lines is the author's story. Demchuk talks about his life as a gay man, how gays are portrayed in horror (victims / villains). He even plays a part in the main story as he communicates with Salem... He provides a world weary, sometimes humorous outlet. Demchuk is with his ailing mother in Winnipeg.  I liked a conversation he had with a hospital worker;

' I remember the night nurse soon after she was admitted to find out how she was doing. He quietly asked me if I'd noticed any unusual behaviour from her. When I asked for an example of 'unusual' he said she had told her assigned doctor that she didn't want him near her, that she thought he was a fake. I asked if the doctor was by any chance a person of colour, for example, 'brown' and the nurse laughed and admitted that yes the doctor in question was South Asian. ... I advised the nurse that unfortunately this was not unusual for her (I believe I referred to her as 'an inveterate racist').....' 

Anyway, I digress. The story moves between this fiction / horror story and almost historical non-fiction, blending both into each other beautifully. There is almost too much to mention in a simple review. We move from Toronto and easily into the fae world. The main characters are wonderful, sympathetic, caring for each other. There are very poignant moments throughout. At the end there is a dinner party of those who had experienced the loss of loved ones and I don't want to ruin it for you, but it was emotional in such a simple way. The horror is also well presented; at times shadowy and times graphically.

Excellent book, one of the best I've read this year. (5 stars)"

5. Ring Shout by P. Djèli Clark (2020). This was my most recent read and it was a page turner that I couldn't put down.

"Wow! Do I need to say anything else about Ring Shout by P. Djèli Clark? Oh... I do? OK. Well, Ring Shout is historical fiction along with alternate history and  horror, all packed up in less than 200 pages. It's about Maryse Boudreaux and her two friends and fellow freedom fighters, Sadie, of the sharp shooting skill and Chef, also known by Cordelia, ex WWI veteran and an expert with bombs. It's 1915 in Macon, Ga. Maryse has a magical sword that channels the anger, guilt, rage of dead slaves, slave traders, etc. These three,  along with Nana Jean, a Gullah woman, a kind of witch are fighting for their lives against the Klan. 

This more than your average Klan. There are human Klan members but many have been converted to Ku Kluxers, demons who have taken over the bodies of the humans. D W Griffiths The Birth of a Nation. This film is demonized and has brought about a 2nd Klan revival and the demons are hungry. The trio  are fighting to get rid of them, to send them back to hell.

But..... But.... the three face an even stronger enemy, led by someone called Butcher Clyde. He wants, needs Maryse to help with his own invasion. Ans he's evil!!! Oh, right, Maryse also has three more mentors, three ladies who live in another time slip (let's call it that), three aunties who chose Maryse after her family was destroyed by Klan monsters. They gave her the sword.

I'll leave the plot there. It's a fascinating story. For a relatively short story, the characters are well fleshed out. The plot moves along quickly. You quickly develop strong feelings for the three women. They are all individuals and fascinating characters. There are secrets. There is lots of action. There is a lot of emotion. You may cry. Clark has grabbed you quickly, got you involved immediately and led you on a breathless race to the end. One of the best books I've read this year. (5.0 stars)"

I hope you can see from this brief selection of books the fantastic variety within the Horror genre. If you decide to check out the two non-fiction books I mentioned at the beginning, you will get an even better picture. So.. what about my possible reads of the future. I do have quite a collection now, many bought in the past year or so. I'll start with one that is next on one of my challenge lists then maybe throw in another 9 or so, to give you ten books you might like to check out.

Future Reads

1. The Furies by Keith Roberts (1966) I have recently read a Sci Fi novel by Roberts, Pavane, which was excellent. This was the next book I thought I'd try.

"The rule of the wasps. It all started with a nuclear test that went wrong. The test cracked the bed of the sea, raised a volcano the height of Vesuvius where before there had been a five-mile Deep...

Then the Furies struck - monstrous and deadly wasps nearly the size of man.
Their nests sprang up all over the world. They descended and slaughtered humanity at will. Breeding in their nests by the billions, they began enslaving the earth..."

2. Sepulchre by James Herbert (1987). I forgot that I'm currently reading this book. I discovered Herbert a few years back and have enjoyed his take on horror, often very graphic and disturbing; The Rats trilogy, The Fog, etc. This one has a bit of a fantasy vibe to it so far but we'll see where it goes.

"There is a house called Neath that holds a dark and terrible secret.

In that house, there is a psychic called Kline who is part of its secret.

The Keeper is guardian of the house, of the psychic, and of the secret.

But now an outsider must protect them from a terrible danger. Halloran will combat men who thrive on physical corruptions; he will find love of a perverse nature; he will confront his soul's own darkness. And, eventually, he will discover the horrific and awesome secret of the Sepulchre."

3. The Lair of the White Worm / The Lady in the Shroud by Bram Stoker (2010) A couple of classics to try. I've read a few of Stoker's books, just not Dracula.. LOL

"Here are two great, neglected horror novels by Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, together in one volume for the first time. It is a double treat for lovers of blood-curdling fantasy fiction.

The Lady of the Shroud, published here in its full and unabridged form, is a fascinating and engrossing concoction of a vampire tale, Ruritanian adventure story and science fiction romance. The novel fully demonstrates the breadth and ingenuity of Stoker's imagination.

The spine-chilling The Lair of the White Worm features a monstrous worm secreted for thousands of years in a bottomless well and able to metamorphose into a seductive woman of a reptilian beauty who survives on her victim's life blood. The novel contains some of Stoker's most graphic and grisly moments of horror."

4. Off Season by Jack Ketchum (Dead River #1 / 1980). The Girl Next Door was a powerful, terrifying story. I've been adding to my Ketchum collection since then.

"September. A beautiful New York editor retreats to a lonely cabin on a hill in the quiet Maine beach town of Dead River—off season—awaiting her sister and friends. Nearby, a savage human family with a taste for flesh lurks in the darkening woods, watching, waiting for the moon to rise and night to fall...

And before too many hours pass, five civilized, sophisticated people and one tired old country sheriff will learn just how primitive we all are beneath the surface...and that there are no limits at all to the will to survive."

5. Dead Water by C.A. Fletcher (2022). A new author for me.

"In a chilling blend of folk horror and twisting suspense, this modern masterpiece depicts isolation and dread within a small island community.

There's something in the water...

On the edge of the Northern Atlantic lies a remote island. The islanders are an outwardly harmonious community—but all have their own secrets, some much darker than others. And when a strange disorder begins to infect them all, those secrets come to light.

Ferry service fails and contact with the mainland is lost. Rumors begin to swirl as a temporary inconvenience grows into nightmarish ordeal. The fabric of the once tight-knit island is unnervingly torn apart—and whatever the cause, the question soon stops being how or why it happened, but who, if anyone, will survive."

6. The Census-Taker by China Mieville (2016). I've enjoyed Mieville's Sci Fi. This one sounded interesting.

"In a remote house on a hilltop, a lonely boy witnesses a traumatic event. He tries - and fails - to flee. Left alone with his increasingly deranged parent, he dreams of safety, of joining the other children in the town below, of escape.

When at last a stranger knocks at his door, the boy senses that his days of isolation might be over.

But by what authority does this man keep the meticulous records he carries? What is the purpose behind his questions? Is he friend? Enemy? Or something else altogether?

A novella filled with beauty, terror and strangeness, This Census-Taker is a poignant and riveting exploration of memory and identity."

7. The Ferryman by Justin Cronin (2023). I should finish Cronin's Passage trilogy but I might try this first.

"Founded by a mysterious genius, the archipelago of Prospera lies hidden from the horrors of a deteriorating outside world. In this island paradise, Prospera's lucky citizens enjoy long, fulfilling lives until the monitors embedded in their forearms, meant to measure their physical health and psychological well-being, fall below 10 percent. Then they retire themselves, embarking on a ferry ride to the island known as the Nursery, where their failing bodies are renewed, their memories are wiped clean, and they are readied to restart life afresh.

Proctor Bennett, of the Department of Social Contracts, has a satisfying career as a ferryman, gently shepherding people through the retirement process--and, when necessary, enforcing it. But all is not well with Proctor. For one thing, he's been dreaming--which is supposed to be impossible in Prospera. For another, his monitor percentage has begun to drop alarmingly fast. And then comes the day he is summoned to retire his own father, who gives him a disturbing and cryptic message before being wrestled onto the ferry.

Meanwhile, something is stirring. The Support Staff, ordinary men and women who provide the labor to keep Prospera running, have begun to question their place in the social order. Unrest is building, and there are rumors spreading of a resistance group--known as "Arrivalists"--who may be fomenting revolution.

Soon Proctor finds himself questioning everything he once believed, entangled with a much bigger cause than he realized--and on a desperate mission to uncover the truth."

8. The Queen by Nick Cutter (2024). Cutter's The Troop was terrifying.

"“It’s impossible to know another person, isn’t it? To step past that locked door of their secretive inner self. . . . But honestly, do you even want to know?”

One sunny morning in June, Margaret Carpenter wakes up to find a new iPhone on her doorstep. She switches it on and is greeted by a text from her best friend, Charity Atwater. The problem is, Charity’s been missing for over a month. Most people in town – even the police – think she’s dead.

Margaret and Charity have been lifelong friends. They share everything, know the most intimate details about each other . . . except for the destructive secret hidden from them both. A secret that will trigger a chain of events ending in tragedy, bloodshed, and death. And now Charity wants Margaret to know her story – the real story.

In a narrative that takes place over one feverish day, Margaret follows a series of increasingly disquieting breadcrumbs as she forges deeper into the mystery of her best friend – a person she never truly knew at all. . . ."

9. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (Dread Nation #1 / 2018).

"Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania—derailing the War Between the States and changing the nation forever.

In this new America, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Education Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead.

But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It's a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations.

But that’s not a life Jane wants. Almost finished with her education at Miss Preston's School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home and doesn’t pay much mind to the politics of the eastern cities, with their talk of returning America to the glory of its days before the dead rose.

But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies. 

And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems."

10. I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones (2024).

"Lamesa, Texas, July 1989

It’s the summer before senior year for best friends Tolly Driver and Amber Dennison. They’re not in the marching band, they’re not in the FFA – they don’t really count. Amber’s the only Native student in town, and Tolly’s only on the radar due to his father’s recent death.

This is all about to change.

Bodies are going to be dropping fast in this small West Texas town. For a few unbearably hot days that will resonate through the decades and even get made into a TV movie, Tolly and Amber will be famous. Notorious even. Finally, everyone will know their names.

This is Stephen Graham Jones x-raying the slasher genre, interrogating its motivations over the shoulder and in the voice of the killer itself – from a town he did some growing up in, in a year he was also seventeen.

The kills will be poignant, the jokes will hurt, and the violence will be endearing. Everything’s turned around for Tolly, for Amber – for all of Lamesa, Texas.

Be happy you weren’t there.

Be happy you’re only reading about it."

A small sampling for you. I might do another few as we get closer to October. What thinkest though?