Watch Out for Falling Buckets

 

TITLE: The Silenced

AUTHOR: Diana Rodriguez Wallach

PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press

PUBLISHING DATE: September 16, 2025

PAGES: 384   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: Hazel Perez thought her school project on the abandoned Oakwell Farms School for Girls—or "The Farm" as it’s known to locals—would be just another assignment. But when a late-night research trip ends with her falling unconscious, she reawakens with a desire for revenge that isn't her own. Desperate to free herself from these sudden violent urges, Hazel begins to investigate. 

As she delves deeper into Oakwell Farms' past, Hazel discovers the harrowing experiences of the girls who were once forced to live within its walls—under the eyes of sinister men—and the spirits who still linger. 

With the help of some unlikely allies, Hazel must navigate a treacherous path of corruption, history, and the supernatural to bring peace to the restless spirits and uncover the truth about her family's involvement. 

The Silenced delves into the Trouble Teen Industry through a riveting exploration of a reform school's haunted past colliding with the traumatized present.

MY THOUGHTS: I had seen this book on a few sites and the cover immediately drew me in so when I saw it at my local library, I had to snatch it up.  

Hazel Perez is pretty much a loner at school.  She used to be part of the "in" crowd until her sister died and her best friend ghosted her.  However, her other sister, Maddie, is her best friend and the two support each other no matter what.  Hazel ends up being paired up with her ex-bestie and her clique on a class project which takes them to the abandoned Oakwell Farms.  The Farms used to be a home for troubled girls and is owned by her ex-bestie's family.  While there one night, Hazel has an accident which not only has people questioning her health but has Hazel questioning her sanity.  Not only does Hazel feel like someone is always following her and doing things which are totally out of character, who is the scary young woman who she sees attached to her back whenever she sees her reflection.

I really enjoyed this book a lot more than I anticipated.  I really enjoyed how Wallach opened up the history of girls' reformatory schools and how misrun they were throughout history.  I also think it really addressed sexuality and choices as the ghost haunting Hazel was sent to The Farms after falling in love with another girl.  I loved the character arc of the ex-bestie and the family drama around who Deidre, the ghost haunting Hazel, really is.  

Told from Hazel's POV with interspersed chapters from "The Farm" and Deidre, the book is fast-paced and although YA, still quite terrifying.  Of course, it's no secret that real life is often more terrifying than fiction and people are often the real monsters. If you want a YA horror with some meat to it, then definitely consider this one.  

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

My Year in Books (2025)

I saw this over at Lark Writes blog and thought it looked like fun.  She credited it for originating with Anne over at My Head is Full of Books.  Make sure you check out their posts as well. They state you may end up with some serious as well as some silly answers.  Yep, I sure did! 

In high school I was: Done and Dusted (Lyda Sage)

People might be surprised: I'll Make a Spectacle of You (Beatrice Winifred Iker)

I will never be: (a) Victorian Psycho (Virginia Fieto)

My fantasy job is: Death in the Dark (Bryce Moore)

At the end of a long day I need: (a) Roadtrip with a Vampire

I hate: The Unholy (Heather Graham)

Wish I had: Christmas at the Ranch (Julia McKay)

My family reunions are: Another Fine Mess (Lindy Ryan)

At a party you’d find me: Proven Guilty (Jim Butcher)

I’ve never been (on a): Dead Stream (Mar Romasco-Moore)

A happy day includes: Fang Fiction (Kate Stayman-London)

Motto I live by: Life's Too Short (Darius Rucker)

On my bucket list is: The Blond Dies First (Joelle Wellington)

 [

In my next life, I want to have: A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer (Maxie Dara)

Hope you enjoyed this fun little tag.  Look for a review of a recent read tomorrow!

Feed Your TBR - Fitcher's Bird

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

October 6,2026

FROM GOODREADS: When sisters Chloe, Zoe and Dido were children, their father died and their mother could no longer care for them, so they were sent to live with the local doctor’s family: mother, father and three sons. Soon after, however, Ashwood Farm burned to the ground, and only the three young girls survived.

Years later, the sisters live very separate lives, each dealing with their painful past in different ways. But when first Chloe, and then Zoe disappears, it’s left to Dido to rake through their history and find out if her sisters are still in the world or paying the price for what happened that long ago summer night.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  Simple - the cover. Well and the Gothic vibes aren't hurting its chances to be picked up either.

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

I Finally Figured It Out, I'm a Genre Junkie

 

TITLE: Booking for Trouble (Library Lovers #16)

AUTHOR: Jenn McKinlay

PUBLISHER: Berkley

PUBLISHING DATE: February 24, 2026

PAGES: 304   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Just off the shores of the coastal Connecticut town of Briar Creek are two small islands, which library director Lindsey Norris visits with her new book-boat, inspired by the bookmobiles she’s seen traveling across the country. Nothing, not even the infamous feud between the families who own the Split Islands, can stop Lindsey from getting books into the hands of readers. But when Lindsey and her boat captain husband, Mike Sullivan, discover a body on the rocky outcropping of one of the islands, Lindsey’s new library venture quickly becomes a murder investigation. 

At news of the crime, hostilities between the two families are reignited. Long buried secrets are revealed, tensions spark, and suspects abound. As Lindsey navigates treacherous waters (both literal and metaphorical), she must use her research skills and community ties to solve the murder and bring peace to the islands before her book-boat dreams are sunk.

MY THOUGHTS: I honestly can't believe this is the 16th installment in one of my favorite series. I have heard some rumors that this might be the last one from the author and while I will miss reading a new one each year, I can see why she might want to hang it up and move on.  

This time around, the murder mystery focuses on the islands surrounding Briar Creek. Hoping to garner more support for library funding, Lindsey and the gang create a mobile boat library which will go around all the small islands and make it easier for patrons to access all the reading material their hearts desire. They are able to do so because of special funding provided by some elusive island club which ended up sponsoring them.  However, as usually is the case, Lindsey stumbles upon not just one dead body but two in a matter of a week.  Afraid of bad publicity, the club wants to pull their funding, but Lindsey is determined to make sure the mystery is solved and find the killer as well. 

This was a fun little read and while I enjoyed that the mystery branched out to the surrounding islands, I have to admit I miss some of my old faves.  This series just hasn't been the same since "The Lemon" library became mayor and became less bitter and one of the gang. Yet McKinlay still manages to make The Lemon one of my favorite characters. The mystery kept me guessing and I was very pleased with the resolution.

I find cozies great palette cleansers when I need something lighter between all my darker reads.  This one was no exception. There were even scenes with dear Heathcliff, who not only manages to dominate the cover again but manages to make it my favorite cover yet. Oh, and my blog title?  In the book, Linsey references a patron who reads all kinds of genres both current and backlisted as a "genre junkie."  I also refer to myself as an eclectic reader but from now on, I am claiming this title.  Anyone care to join me?

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

A Barbie Movie I Could Get Behind

 

TITLE: Dollface

AUTHOR: Lindy Ryan

PUBLISHER: Minotaur Books

PUBLISHING DATE: February 24, 2026

PAGES: 304   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Horror author Jill has just moved to suburban New Jersey, hoping to fit in with the new PTA moms and maybe not weird everyone out with her Final Girl coffee mug. You know. Make some real friends. 

But then a plastic face-masked serial killer begins slashing their way through town, one overly made-up mom at a time. The police are incredulous. The moms are indignant. And Jill is slowly wrapped into a killer’s murderous spree, until she might just be the last woman standing. 

A delightfully murderous novel that is equal parts scathing and salacious, Dollface will win you over with its gossip and gore, one body at a time.

MY THOUGHTS: I was worried because this book started out a little off for me.  I don't know how to explain it other than it didn't pull me in the way I expected.  However, it almost had to be me because by the time I hit the third chapter, we were off and running and I was hopeful this would be one I loved!

Jill has recently moved to New Jersey with her young son and husband after he was just transferred to a new military post.  Jill continually describes the house as creaky-not-creepy which threw me off a bit because it sounds like she lives in an upscale suburb but oh well, it was fun. See, Jill is a bestselling horror author who has writer's block and is behind on the development of her second book.  Soon after her move, Jill is befriended by a neighbor, Darla, who is also on the PTA and before Jill knows it, she is the newest PTA member, something she definitely didn't want, and is having brunch with the PTA mean girls. 

The next day, Lindy finds out that the barista who had insulted one of the PTA members at lunch was found dead behind the restaurant. And she is just the first in a string of murders/assaults which makes Jill question if she just might be the next target and hmm, might this be a great concept for her next book.

I loved Jill as a character. She has an affinity for all things horror and loves dressing in black and throwback horror tees.  When she was young, she and her sister experienced a childhood trauma which set the tone for their adulthoods, and this is a big influence on the plot. Darla is a blast and quickly becomes Jill's close friend, but as they get closer, her sister gets more and more peeved. Jill clearly balances a lot of different dynamics throughout the story, and I was really investigated in what was happening.

I only had a few issues with Dollface.  As expected, there were a few twists and reveals at the end and one I had pegged pretty early on. Also, other than this technically featuring a slasher, I fear it is being mismarketed as a horror and totally missing the thriller population who I feel would enjoy this just as much. Being the fourth book, I've read by this author in the past few years, I would definitely give anything she releases a try and she is quickly on the way to becoming a favorite.

Oh, and I forgot, there is an awesome dog named Lugosi who I adored and spoiler alert - who lives and is never in danger!  Props to the author.

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Feed Your TBR - The House that Eats the Dead

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

August 18, 2026

FROM GOODREADS: The new house is a fresh start for Claire and her family. It's a move away from the cityscape of a declining San Francisco and towards the quiet suburban life she has craved since her turbulent childhood; a step up the corporate ladder for her husband, Tom; and a safe haven for their two children.

Yet as they unpack their boxes, she senses something is wrong. Fresh flowers dry up, store-bought eggs are inexplicably hollow, and her daughter's favorite toy disappears. Claire soon confronts a series of impossible the house is hungry. It's devouring anything that was once alive. And only Claire and Tom, the owners of the house, will remember that this "food" ever existed.

When Claire exploits the house's power in a moment of weakness, she and the house forge a fragile bond. But as its hunger intensifies and Claire loses control, she fears who else might be drawn to her home—and what sinister appetites they’ll bring.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I have always enjoyed haunted house stories and this one sounds great.  Plus the cover is really working for me.

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

Feed Your TBR - Only Spell Deep

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

March 17, 2025

FROM GOODREADS: Judeth Cole has always had certain uncanny abilities. But when she arrived at Solidago - her grandfather’s estate by the sea - she was forced to keep them secret. There she lived a harsh life under his rule and the haunting legacy of her late grandmother, Aurelia. Until the fateful day she ignited a fire with her magic. It was the last time she saw her family alive.

Seventeen years later, she’s living in Seattle as Jude Clark, and failing at life, when she makes a last detour through her favorite bookstore, selecting a book to read as she waits to die. But when she pulls it from the shelf, an invitation to her for a clandestine midnight meeting slips out.

Jude is quickly swept up into a world of secrets and magic, discovering a circle of powerful new companions led by the mysterious, enigmatic Arla. The source of their magic, Arla tells her, is a goddess, trapped and bound, that they call The Fathom. But Jude swiftly realizes Arla wants this power all to herself, and that she’s willing to kill for it.

Terrified, Jude turns to Levi Orman, the handsome bookseller who’s seen her at her worst. With his help, she begins a research journey that leads her from the crystal waters of the Mediterranean to the icy waves of the Greenland Sea and back to Solidago, the house she swore to never return to. With the Fathom threatening to break free and Arla on the hunt, Jude must finally face her past to save her future.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  While the synopsis does sound good and this book has been compared to Rebecca meets The Craft, I won't lie.  It is the tentacles on the cover which landed this one on my wish list.

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???