Don't Reserve a Room Here

 

TITLE: Horror Hotel

AUTHOR: Victoria Fulton and Faith McClaren

PUBLISHER: Underlined

PUBLISHING DATE: February 1, 2022

PAGES: 224   

SOURCE: Own Library

FROM GOODREADS: When the YouTube-famous Ghost Gang—Chrissy, Chase, Emma, and Kiki—visit a haunted LA hotel notorious for tragedy to secretly film after dark, they expect it to be just like their previous paranormal huntings. Spooky enough to attract subscribers—and ultimately harmless. 

But when they stumble upon something unexpected in the former room of a gruesome serial killer, they quickly realize that they’re in over their heads. 

Sometimes, it’s the dead who need our help—and the living we should fear.

MY THOUGHTS: This was one of the first books I picked up for my month of spooky reading challenges because I thought it would be nice and quick.  I will openly admit that this is one YA that felt VERY YA and I recognize I am not the target audience.  Younger me would have eaten it up but present-day me is a tad disappointed.

The book features a Youtube gang of four paranormal investigators called The Ghost Gang.  Several of their members actually have paranormal capabilities and skills and one has the money and film school experience to run the operation.  They are all best of friends and all have a history.  In order to finally hit one million subscribers, they book an overnight stay at an infamous hotel in LA where a serial killer once roamed and where many others have died.  Upon their arrival, Chrissy, who is able to see the dead, becomes overwhelmed with all the visions and contacts and it is clear they are over their head.  Soon they start to find dead bodies hidden in rooms and ice machines and they need to figure out what is going on before one of them is next.

This had your typical teen dynamics running amuck all over the place.  There was your miscommunication, insta-lust, stupid decisions and all the other things I'm sure we all suffered from at that age.  The book was told from different perspectives of all 4 team members and was easy enough to follow.  

Overall, there were a few really gross scenes but if you are looking for a recommendation for a younger teen in your life who wants to venture into horror, this is a pretty safe bet. There was also a plot twist at the end that I didn't completely see coming so I liked that too.  A decent enough read but not my favorite and there were several times it seemed like 224 pages were never going to end.

MY RATING: 3 PAWS

Farm News - October 1, 2023

 Well, I can't say that this week was completely uneventful like that last few have been.  I ended up getting both the new covid and flu vaccines Tuesday after work.  I'm not getting into a vaccine debate but it's something we chose to do.  I felt fine all Tuesday evening, but come Wednesday morning, I felt sick and achy all day.  I took the day off from work and ended up Netflixing and Chilling all day.  Even reading made me slightly nauseous.  My arm welted up pretty badly and even though that stuck around for about 5 days, I pretty much was feeling a lot better by Thursday. I think it was more the flu shot that got me the most as I don't have the best experience with them over the years.

Also, we almost bought a boxer puppy, but it was on a whim when we saw one available.  Let's just say she would have been a MAJOR investment, but in the end, we decided one, we really aren't ready yet and two, we are also leaning more toward rescuing a one- or two-year-old pup from one of our local humane societies.  With both of us having to travel out of town for work obligations in October, and Apollo possibly having to have a small procedure (we will know more October 13th but could use good thoughts and prayers), it just isn't the right time to add to the family.

It's the start of October so that means new books on the old TBR (which I don't really follow anymore).  I made it through over half of It in September so of course, I am still reading on it.  I am starting  Horror Hotel today and hope to pick up Hex Education soon.  I also plan on knocking out Scritch Scratch sooner rather than later.  Hopefully I can make good progress on some or all this coming week.  I also have two more Creature Feature stories to read before I complete the collection so look for my review series of the last four to continue this week.  

I also snagged a few arcs from Netgalley.  The Night of the Storm looks like an extremely atmospheric thriller which releases in January 2024 (can't believe I just typed 2024). Since I am looking forward to my team retreat coming up soon (NOT!) I think Zero Days Since Last Incident is VERY fitting and even though it comes out at the end of October, and I may not squeeze it in until November, I want to make sure to make time for it. And finally, The Vacation from John Marrs, which I actually think is a reissue, releases in January 2024 as well.  I really didn't intentionally plan the blue theme but it is rather pleasing to look at right?

So I hope everyone had a great week.  I want to thank everyone who visits Booker T Farms and even though my schedule doesn't allow time to reply to all my comments, I read each and every one and always try to stop by your blogs and reply or at least return the visit and catch up.  And in closing, here is Apollo's version of Netflix and Chill.  Happy Reading!

Glad This Thing Isn't in My Backyard

 

TITLE: The Ghost Tree

AUTHOR: Christina Henry

PUBLISHER: Berkley

PUBLISHING DATE: September 8, 2020

PAGES: 426   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: When people go missing in the sleepy town of Smith’s Hollow, the only clue to their fate comes when a teenager starts having terrifying visions, in a chilling horror novel from national bestselling author Christina Henry. 

When the bodies of two girls are found torn apart in the town of Smiths Hollow, Lauren is surprised, but she also expects that the police won't find the killer. After all, the year before her father's body was found with his heart missing, and since then everyone has moved on. Even her best friend, Miranda, has become more interested in boys than in spending time at the old ghost tree, the way they used to when they were kids. 

So when Lauren has a vision of a monster dragging the remains of the girls through the woods, she knows she can't just do nothing. Not like the rest of her town. But as she draws closer to answers, she realizes that the foundation of her seemingly normal town might be rotten at the center. And that if nobody else stands for the missing, she will.

MY THOUGHTS: I have been meaning to read this book since it first came up, so I was thrilled to see it was the pick for an on-line horror book club I participate in on Facebook.  I won't lie, I was a bit worried as Henry is a hit-or-miss author for me, but I am proud to report The Ghost Tree was a hit.

Lauren lives with her mother and little brother following the death of her father the previous year. She is extremely resentful of her mother, who seems glad that her husband is gone, and they two get along as well as oil and water.  Lauren is struggling with her early teen years and trying to figure out if the relationship with her best friend is going to last - or if she even wants it to.  She has always found comfort in the woods, despite them being the scene of her father's demise, but when she starts getting visions depicting the murders of two girls who were just found brutally mutilated, and when her brother, who is only four, seems to know things that are about to happen, Lauren doesn't know who to turn to.  What exactly is going on in her town, what does it have to do with her and the death of her father, and can it be stopped before she loses more people she cares about?

I liked Lauren and enjoyed pretty much every aspect of the tale.  There is a pretty stereotypical racist old lady who hates anyone that doesn't look like her who is somewhat annoying, but she is supposed to be so Henry hit her mark.  I was able to figure out the "bad guy" pretty early on, but it didn't negate any positive experience of reading the book.  And finally, it was nice to see there were a few underlying issues fueling the animosity between Lauren and her mother and it was nice to see some of them resolved by the end.

The Ghost Tree is a great read for the spooky season, and I am glad I was able to knock it off of my backlist of books. I believe this is categorized as a YA book, but it read more like an adult book with YA characters so if that is holding anyone off from picking it up, it really shouldn't.  Glad I can add another Henry "hit" to my "books I've read" list.  

RATING: 4 PAWS

 

Do You Love Creature Features???

CREATURE FEATURES!

 So earlier this week, Amazon released six short stories by notable horror authors which they have dubbed "Creature Features."  There are free if you have Kindle Unlimited and I think even if you just have a Prime membership.  You can also buy them for $0.99 each.  I am trying to read one a night to gear up for spooky season so below you will find reviews on the first two I read.  Because they are short stories, don't expect a lot because I don't want to spoil them for you!

TITLE: The Pram)

AUTHOR: Joe Hill

PUBLISHER: Amazon Original Stories

PUBLISHING DATE: September 26, 2023

PAGES: 58   

SOURCE: Kindle Unlimited

FROM GOODREADS: A husband’s obsessive desire for a child leads to an unexpected manifestation of his yearning in a nightmarish short story about fatherhood dreams by New York Times bestselling author Joe Hill. Willy and Marianne’s farmhouse in Maine has acres of meadow and fresh air, and a lonesome bridle path in the forest along which Willy daydreams and ambles. When he’s loaned a decrepit old baby stroller to cart his groceries home, the rickety squeak of the wheels comforts him. So do the sweet coos of a baby Willy knows can’t be real. Can it? In this twisted thicket, wishes come true—with a price.

MY THOUGHTS: If you love Joe Hill, you don't want to miss his installment in the collection.  This one involves loss and grief and how sometimes the resentments we hold become monsters all on their own.  Plus, there is a creepy baby stroller and a rabid raccoon.  This would make an awesome movie!

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

 

TITLE: Ankle Snatcher

AUTHOR: Grady Hendrix

PUBLISHER: Amazon Original Stories

PUBLISHING DATE: September 26, 2023

PAGES: 29   

SOURCE: Kindle Unlimited

FROM GOODREADS: Obey the rules. It’s the only way to survive the night in a short story about what hides in the dark by the New York Times bestselling author of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires. Marcus grew up believing his father killed his mother—then blamed it on the boogeyman under the bed. Always leave the lights on, his father warned, or the boogeyman will get you. Marcus still heeds the superstition, especially when he invites his new girlfriend over. Is Marcus haunted by a creature or has he just inherited his father’s murderous delusions? The night will tell.

MY THOUGHTS: So far this collection is batting two for two.  If as a child you were ever afraid of what might be hiding under your bed, then this is the tale for you.  I loved seeing Hendrix's take on The Boogeyman and this one definitely gave me chills.

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

 

For some reason that I'm still not sure of, I have committed to doing three readathons during the month of October.  I will admit though that I worked hard to work in the books I actually wanted to read during the month anyway.  So, to keep myself accountable, I want to share a post with the readathons as well as what might/should get read.  Graphics are courtesy of the hosts and I will link to the readathon announcement when I can and also link the books to Goodreads so you can check them out.  I'm too lazy to add all the pics right now.

Hallowtween (MG Books) - Hosted by Storm Reads

Purple on the cover: The Vanquishers #2 - Secret of the Reaping - Kaylynn Bayron

Green on the cover: Slime Doesn't Pay! - R.L.Stein
Orange & Black on the Cover: Scritch Scratch - Lindsay Currie

Witches Need Love Too - Hosted by The Bookish Knitter

 

Witch or Hex in the Title AND Published in 2023: Hex Education - Maureen Kilmer

Purple on the Cover AND Not a Witch!: Not the Witch You Wed - April Asher

TBR and Beyond Trick-or-Treat Book Bash

Team Little Monsters!

Dark Fantasy/Retelling: ???

MG Horror or Mystery: Slime Doesn't Pay! - R.L.Stein

1st Book in a Series: Horror Hotel - Victoria Fulton

Book With a Setting That Scares You: Scritch Scratch - Lindsay Currie

Horror/Thriller/Mystery by BIPOC Author: The Vanquishers #2 - Kaylynn Bayron

Weapon on the Cover: ???

Characters That Use Magic: Beastly Bones (Jackaby #2) - William Ritter

Red, Orange or Black on the Cover: Hex Education - Maureen Kilmer

Read While Listening to Spooky Music: There's No Way I'd Die First - Lisa Springer

Takes Place in Space or in Water: ???

Read a Book With Vampires, Witches or Werewolves: Not the Witch You Wed - April Asher

So, there you have it.  On this last one, you get points for your team and there are 4 extra activity prompts as well.  I don't know that I can read a book for each category but if you have suggestions for the ones I've left blank, please let me know in the comments.

Happy Spooky Reading!!!!

Farm News - September 24, 2023

 

Well fall is officially here, and I can't believe how fast the year is flying now.  I have always said once Halloween comes and goes, the rest of the year passes in a blink.  I'm going to start some Fall decorating this afternoon hopefully.  The weather has been cooler, and it drizzled some last night.  All three of our favorite college teams won yesterday and Mr. Barb's pro team plays tonight so we will watch it and I will get some good reading time in while doing so. 

A kid (and by kid, I mean he was 30 and teaching at the local community college) that goes to the same gym as Mr. Barb and who lives in our neighborhood was killed in tragic accident Friday night.  He was riding his motorcycle and was hit by an 18-year-old in a huge Ford F-150 type truck.  The truck went through an empty storefront causing the entire building to almost collapse and while the motorcycle landed in the front parking lot, the kid on it flew over the building and landed face down in an alley behind it.  I can't imagine what his family is going through and feel so badly for all who have been touched by this awful situation.  Definitely makes me appreciate each day a bit more.

On to cheerier thoughts.  I finished Ghost Tree yesterday evening. It's for an on-line book club with the discussion being next weekend.  I never read it when it was released although I always meant to, and I actually enjoyed it quite a bit.  I need to read about 120 more pages of It in order to be at the halfway point by the end of the month.  This is a buddy read with Stormi and the second time for me, although it's been over 30 years since I first read it.  I'm also about 100 pages in Schrader's Chord and enjoying it a lot as well.  

I had a few holds come in this week from my library and I need to work them ALL in somewhere because I'm excited about all of them.  Well, I take that back.  I'm actually a bit hesitant about Delicate Condition but we started watching the new season of American Horror Story, which is based on this book this year, so I feel the need to read it before too many episodes release.  So far, it's only one. This season stars Kim Kardashian and I will admit I'm hesitant about that too!  I also was able to grab Good Bad Girl and The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic which is one of my most anticipated books for the year. 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend and thanks for visiting Booker T's Farm!

What Did I Just Read???

 

TITLE: Looking Glass Sound

AUTHOR: Catriona Ward

PUBLISHER: Tor Nightfire

PUBLISHING DATE: August 8, 2023

PAGES: 342   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: In a lonely cottage overlooking the windswept Maine coast, Wilder Harlow begins the last book he will ever write. It is the story of his childhood summer companions and the killer that stalked the small New England town. Of the body they found, and the horror of that discovery echoing down the decades. And of Sky, Wilder’s one-time best friend, who stole his unfinished memoir and turned it into a lurid bestselling novel, Looking Glass Sound. 

But as Wilder writes, the lines between memory and fiction blur. He fears he’s losing his grip on reality when he finds notes hidden around the cottage written in Sky’s signature green ink. 

Catriona Ward delivers another mind-bending and cleverly crafted tale about one man’s struggle to come to terms with the terrors of his past… before it’s too late.

MY THOUGHTS: I'm going to be honest here, it took me awhile to even review this book.  I've actually had to sit on it for some time and my final rating has gone back and forth between two and three stars so many times I have whiplash. This is the third book I've read from this author.  The Last House on Needless Street absolutely didn't work for me and yes, I know I'm in the minority.  On the other hand, I loved Sundial. I can respect Ward's writing style and will probably continue to read her books, but I don't have a strong opinion either way.

I'm not going to talk much about the plot.  Part of me thinks it is best to go into this book blindly, but the other part of me is afraid I will only make things more confusing.  I will say the book takes the whole "book within a book" trope to new levels with peculiar characters that you are either going to love or hate. I never truly connected with them, and they are all haunted in their own ways. 

The ending of this book delivered a final shock which I think fans of the author have come to expect.  I finally decided to go with a 3/5 rating because the book has stayed with me over time, and I have come to appreciate it more as time passes.  However, it's not one I could easily recommend unless you love the author or are in the mood for one confusing fever dream. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Tor Nightfire for the e-galley.

RATING: 3 PAWS