February Coming Attractions

 

Today, I'm starting a new feature here at Booker T's Farm.  I am not a strict TBR reader, but I do like to have an idea of what I am reading for the month.  So, I thought I would use this space to give you a brief wrap-up of the prior month's reading and then a look at what you might see in the upcoming month.  This was the best title I could come up with, so I hope you enjoy this new feature!

The month of January, I only read seven books.  This is kind of low for a month that seemed to last forever, but check in Sunday for some more news on that.  I do have three carryovers which I am more I am hoping I can finish early, and which will add to the February stats.

I have a few February review books that I really have to, as well as want to, make time for this month. Sick Houses is a non-fiction which sounds really interesting, Hollow Ground is the start to a new series (and look - a dog!) and I've heard good things about Listen to Your Sister, a new horror being blurbed as for fans of Jordon Peele. 

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I have three buddy reads with Stormi this month.  White Night will be our 9th Dresden File book, Deep Midnight is the third book in the Alliance Vampires series, and Ghost Walk is the third book in the Harrison Investigations series.

And finally, I have two "twisted romances," My Funny Demon Valentine and Butcher and Blackbird because after all, it is February and a cannibal book, The Reddening, for my online horror book club.

Have you read any of these books?  I'm sure I won't get to them all but a girl can hope right?

Cold Weather Zombies?

 

TITLE: Winter People

AUTHOR: Jennifer McMahon

PUBLISHER: Doubleday

PUBLISHING DATE: February 11, 2014

PAGES: 336   

SOURCE: Own Library

FROM GOODREADS: West Hall, Vermont, has always been a town of strange disappearances and old legends. The most mysterious is that of Sara Harrison Shea, who, in 1908, was found dead in the field behind her house just months after the tragic death of her daughter. 

Now, in present day, nineteen-year-old Ruthie lives in Sara's farmhouse with her mother, Alice, and her younger sister. Alice has always insisted that they live off the grid, a decision that has weighty consequences when Ruthie wakes up one morning to find that Alice has vanished. In her search for clues, she is startled to find a copy of Sara Harrison Shea's diary hidden beneath the floorboards of her mother's bedroom. As Ruthie gets sucked into the historical mystery, she discovers that she's not the only person looking for someone that they've lost. But she may be the only one who can stop history from repeating itself.

MY THOUGHTS: I ended up reading this as it was the January selection for an on-line horror book club I participate in. I've had it on my shelves for years and was glad for the motivation to finally pick it up.  

The book features two distinct timelines which collide at the end.  In the early 1900s, we are following Sara and her family.  When Sara was a child, her mother died and she was raised by her father, and a mysterious woman who lived in the mountains known as Auntie.  Auntie was a practitioner of alternative healing and medicine although many people considered her a witch.  This is where the reader is introduced to the "sleepers."  Deceased individuals who have been ritualistically brought back to life.  

In the current day, we meet Ruthie, her mom and sister.  Ruthie has just graduated high school and wants nothing more than to leave West Hall. She returns home from partying one night to find her mom missing and her six-year-old sister Fawn home alone.  Ruthie now has more responsibility than she ever dreamed and she and her sister start looking for their mother.  What they find and learn along the way may lead back to Sara.  Throw in a bunch of other characters, a lot of drama, some eeriness and evil child who may be more victim than actual evil and you have an atmospheric read perfect for a January read.

I have to say this book kind of started off slowly and it wasn't until about 45% in that I felt it picked up.  I really enjoyed the dual timelines and eventually became really invested in the activities in both. I also felt there were too many characters thrown in at first but at least they all played a part in the end.  I was pleased with how everything wrapped up and have to admit that this was a good choice for a book club discussion.  If you are wanting a more atmospheric horror tale, and I honestly think it's a stretch to call it horror, then this definitely an option to consider.  I felt like my rating is a strong 3.5 but for Goodreads purposes, I'm rounding down to 3 instead of up because it just doesn't hang in comparison to some of my other 4-star read.

MY RATING: 3 PAWS

Buried by Books #6

 

It's time for another wacky edition of my series where I show you books I've recently put on hold at my library or through Libby.  I've expanded to books I've added to my Kindle Unlimited wish list as I'm trying to get the most out of my monthly subscription.  This will be another KU edition. 

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies: Catherine Mack - I know this is a rather popular book and I received an email a few weeks ago it is now available on KU so I added it to the list.  I also see this is now a series, so I apparently need to get cracking on book one. 

Helloween: Duncan Ralston - Halloween, dangerous entity, teens fighting for their lives (although I believe this is an adult book). I mean, what's not to like.  The one thing holding me back is apparently this book is 696 pages.  That's one long Halloween night.

St. Lucifer's School for Girls: A.M. Caplan - All I basically needed was the title to add this to the list of books I might read one day.  The cover doesn't hurt either. 

So, there you have it.  Have you read any of these by some chance?  Where would you start if these were on your list?

Feed Your TBR - 13 Months Haunted: A Novel

 

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 12, 2025

FROM GOODREADS: Piper Lowery, a public library clerk in charge of liaising with the local middle school, can tell right away there’s something strange about the new girl in eighth grade. Avery Wallace won’t touch any kind of technology, not even the computers at the library, and her mother comes to school with her every day, refusing to leave her side—not even when Avery uses the restroom.

And then there are the rumors, the whispers Piper hears from kids in the hallway and parents around Avery’s mother is a witch. Her sister and father were killed by something supernatural. A strange virus killed them.

Seeing how isolated and lonely Avery is, Piper befriends her but quickly realizes it might just be the worst decision she’s ever made. Because there’s something dark inside Avery Wallace, and it’s spreading . . .

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I still haven't read Dead Eleven but I do recall loving the concept so much I ran out and bought a physical copy.  I need to know what darkness is inside Avery and I love this this features a librarian.  

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

Beware the Duppy!

 

TITLE: Honeysuckle and Bone

AUTHOR: Trisha Tobias

PUBLISHER: Sweet July Books

PUBLISHING DATE: January 14,, 2025

PAGES: 320   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: On the run from her own dark secrets, a teen girl becomes the nanny for a prestigious family on their extravagant Jamaican estate—but things aren't quite as they seem, and she quickly discovers even paradise may be haunted. 

Carina Marshall is looking to reinvent herself, and what better place to do it than Jamaica, her mother’s alluring homeland where she conveniently has access to an au pair gig for the wealthy and politically powerful Hall family. After months of being the target of vicious rumors and hate online (which she just might deserve), the luxurious Blackbead House seems to hold everything she wants, a world of mango trees, tropical breezes, and glamorous parties—and a place to disappear. 

Once there, Carina joins up with her fellow junior staff members, the self-named Young Birds, and finds herself sinking right into her busy, but comfortable, new life. Yes, the Halls run a tight ship, and yes, there is some tension amongst the family, but she’s content flying under the radar, doing her job, and hanging out with her new friends—not least, the handsome and charming Aaron. 

But when inexplicable things start happening to her in the house, only getting worse each night, Carina realizes that someone—or something—is out to get her. Is it the house itself? The Halls? Or, worse, is it her own past catching up with her? With the help of Aaron, she must figure out what is haunting her, and fast, before she is forced out of Blackbead House for good. 

Eerie, propulsive, and full of intrigue, Honeysuckle and Bone is a deliciously atmospheric, young adult novel, following an imperfect yet courageous teen as she seeks to remake herself in the homeland she always idealized, only to discover that new beginnings don’t always come easy.

MY THOUGHTS: This book caught my attention when I saw it tagged as an atmospheric, Gothic horror.  Throw in the Jamaica setting and I knew it was one I needed to read.

Unbeknownst to Carina's parents, she has headed to Jamaica for the summer to work as a temporary au-pair for the Hall family, a prominent family tied up in Jamaican politics.  Carina is running from her past and obtained the job under fraudulent circumstances, but she quickly falls into routine and makes friends with the other young individuals employed by the Halls.  However, nothing can explain the mysterious things happening at the Hall residence.  Carina is haunted by a duppy whom she believes is trying to kill her.  But is the duppy someone from the past Carina is clearly running from, or someone completely different trying to send Carina a message?

First of all, let me say I found it totally fascinating learning more about Jamaican folklore and traditions.  I had no idea what a duppy is (fyi - it's a word of African origin for a ghost or spirit and in Jamaica, often in the form of something which howls through the night). While this was a YA book, it read a bit older to me but if you pick it up, still prepare yourself for some usual teenage angst.  However, that didn't take away from the mysterious horror which we all know was what I really signed up for. I ending did provide me with a twist and even though I think it took a heck of a coincidence for it to happen, it was still quite entertaining.

If you are looking for a book featuring something different, then consider picking this one up.  I love horror of all kinds, and this was a great atmospheric read.

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Farm News - January 19, 2025

 

Well, it's another snowy weekend here at the farm. It seems like it is all we had since the new year began.  I'm always wanting some snow during the winter, and to be honest, the past few years we haven't had much.  Now we are hunkering down for a frigid arctic air snap until at least Wednesday so even though in some ways I'm wishing my life away, please just get to Wednesday.  At least Mr. Barb and I both have holidays tomorrow and we can chill and watch movies and play video games all day.  Oh, and READ!  I can't forget reading.  After all, it's why most of us are here right?

Last Saturday we had a decent snow for once, it wasn't too cold for the pups to play outside so all went outside, played and built snowmen.  Here are a few pics of the snow pups! And I had to include a picture of Sam the Snowman, whom the boys kept knocking down.  Poor Sam!

My reading slowed down a bit this week, but I am committed to getting a lot done on my day of Monday.  Here are the three books which I need to get finished before January is over.  I'd love to squeeze in a fourth as well.  

Winter People - Jennifer McMahon: This is for a book club the last Sunday of the month.

Proven Guilty (Dresden Files #8) - Jim Butcher: I am buddy reading this with Stormi.

A Grin Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer - Maxie Dara: I am about 75 pages into this one and loving it, but it keeps getting pushed aside for review books.

Finally, I got some real exciting review books this week.  Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers!

When the Wolf Comes Home - Nat Cassidy
Beasts of Carnaval- Rosalia Rodrigo
Whistle - Linwood Barclay

House of Monstrous Women - Daphne Fama
Direct Descendant - Tanya Huff
Deadstream - Mar Romasco-Moore

I hope everyone stays safe this coming week if you are in the path of bad weather and I hope the fires in California finally cease.  

Thanks for visiting Booker T's Farm!

2025 Reading Plans/Challenges

 

Once again similar to last year, I have taken some time to really figure out what challenges I want to do in 2025.  I pretty much do them for my own enjoyment, but I want to make sure they are something I could realistically achieve.  I scoured the web and found a few which I not only wanted to share with you but also wanted to document for my own tracking purposes.  

As always, I will still be doing several buddy read with Stormi each month and I also participate in an Facebook book club called "Scream with Mel" where we read and discuss what is usually a backlisted horror book each month.  

What an Animal 2025 - Hosted by Socrates' Book Reviews

This challenge consists of reading book where an animal is prominently featured.  The animal could also be a supernatural "animal" such as a dragon, werewolf, vampire, etc.  You get the drift. I am going for the highest level, LEVEL 4 which is 21 or more books.

LIBRARY LOVE CHALLENGE - Hosted by Books of My Heart

This challenge has three different semesters when you commit to reading 12 library books each 4-month semester.  There are lots of giveaways and stuff so if you use your library, including Libby or Hoopla, then I highly suggest you check this out.

Taylor Swift Challenge/Horror Edition

I found this in a Facebook horror group I am in, and it looked fun.  I'm not a HUGE Swifty but did really enjoy her Folklore and Dead Poet's Society albums.

2025 Books of Horror Reading Challenge

This came from the same Facebook group.  I tried to do the same one last year and hit 20 of 24 prompts. 

TBR and Beyond 2025 Reading Challenge

This is the same group I do the "Scream with Mel" book club and I didn't do this last year but saw it and thought I'd give it a go.  I can't seem to get the picture uploaded but it basically has  different prompts.

So there you have it.  I definitely allow books to double up across challenges, just not within the same challenge.  And the last three are really the only ones where I have to make books fit prompts, so I figure it's doable.  And if not, that's why they are called challenges right?