SKIP THIS BOOK!!

Invisible Friend

By: Stephen Chbosky

Genre:  Horror

Pages: 720

Published: 2019

Read:  October

2 out of 5 stars

We have all read – or at least heard about – Perks of Being a Wallflower. If you read it as a teen, I can almost guarantee you loved it. As an adult, it’s a toss-up. Either way, many people were excited about Chbosky’s 2nd novel after 20 years. It didn’t matter if this one was an adult horror versus his YA coming-of-age debut novel. I know because I felt that way.

Well let me tell you, Imaginary Friend, started out Fantastic. The premise was great, the story engaging. I felt I was reading a Stephen King – totally engrossed. I couldn’t put it down; all I wanted to do was read. Until about halfway through – when it should have ended – but he went on and on and on. There were so many tangents and nonsense story lines, that my interest was lost. There were so many points it could have ended, but it was as though he was determined to write a tome. It was just a tiresome train wreck.

Honestly, I would have a difficult time explaining the ending – I’m not sure what happened.

And can someone explain the underlining of words and random capital letters – “Don’t leave the street. tHey can’t get you if you don’t leave the street.” Did the “H” denote the imaginary friend? And what was with the mailbox people? Just a confusing, poorly edited, pointless read.

Great Narrator - Book not so much.

There’s Someone Inside Your House

By: Stephanie Perkins

Genre: YA/Mystery

Pages: 287

Published: 2017

Audiobook: 9 hours and 26 mins

Read:  June

2 out of 5 stars

I heard the audio on this one was great and really scary. Therefore, I expected that there would be a little spooky music perhaps? Not only could I not get into the story, kind of childish, it wasn't scary AT ALL. There are much better out there. I should have known since I also didn't care for Perkins book, Anna and the French Kiss, even though I know a lot of readers did.

On the fantastic side, the narrator is phenomenal - Bahni Turpin. She has narrated over 70 books, including The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. Both are great audio. I love her.

Cat Winter's does it again!!

The Steep and Thorny Way      

By: Cat Winters

Genre: YA historical fiction

Pages: 352

Published: 2016

Read: March

5 out of 5

I love when I find an author that continually writes amazing books. Cat Winters is one of them. In all three of her young adult novels, she grabs the reader immediately with her powerful writing and mysterious plots.  Taking place in Oregon during the 1920’s, The Steep and Thorny Way is a retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.  The main mystery is of the resurfacing of the ghost of Hank Denny, a black man, who desires to avenge his death, but that is not all. The KKK is active, mulattos and homosexuals are being chased out of town, and friends turn on each other.  Winters wrote yet another entertaining, intriguing and educational piece of work.

As a side note, she has written one adult novel, The Uninvited, in 2015. In my opinion, this book was not very good.  I am not sure what the difference was, but it definitely didn’t pique my interest or have the same twist and turns as her young adult books.

Very Disturbing Graphic Novel

A Friendly Game

By: Jose Pimienta

Genre:  Adult graphic novel

Pages: 200

Published: 2010

Read: November

3.5 out of 5

VERY disturbing! Two boys start out killing mice for competitive points in what was meant to be a friendly game. The competition went from mice to bigger and better creatures. I liked it because it was definitely unique from other graphic novels I have read.  I read some reviews that criticized the book because of it's gruesome disturbing plot and pictures. Excuse me , but that was the idea. They must criticize Stephen King as well. Others said there were gaps in the plot. The gaps were other sides of the story and minutiae details. Besides, I have always felt with graphic novels the readers always has to fill in some blanks because of style of book. This isn't a fantastic book, but better than the average graphic novel. Recommended to fans of gruesome, gory stories.

A collection of Horror Short Stories

The Restless Dead: Ten Original Stories of the Supernatural

Edited By: Deborah Noyes

Genre:  YA horror

Pages: 272

Published: 2007

Read: September

3 out of 5

These stories varied in content and interest level- a great quality for a collection of short stories. Because it is difficult to rate as a whole, I will review my favorite and least favorite stories. My favorite was Kissing Dead Boys by Annette Curtis Klause (author of Blood and Chocolate) who writes an incredible story on revenge for her sister’s death. In the author’s note, Klause explains how the plot of the story came about. My least favorite was No Visible Power by Deborah Noyes (the editor). The story had a good promising premise, but quickly became disjointed and difficult to follow. It was as though it was originally a longer story and sections were cut so it could be included in this collection of short stories.

A scary mystery for children

Doll Bones

By: Holly Black

Genre:  Juvenile fiction/horror

Pages: 247

Published: 2013

Audiobook: 5 discs (5 hours and 12 mins)

Read: September

3 out of 5

                  

I have been listening to and reading a lot of children’s scary stories lately and really enjoyed this one. The reader is taken on an adventure with the three 12 year old children and The Queen, a doll stuffed with the cremated ashes of a little girl.  This story reminds me of a scary version of The Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Koningsburg. The children leave on an adventure without telling their parents and little money, sneak into a closed library, and the parents don’t seem to even notice or care (until the end). This story isn’t that scary, but focuses on the adventure the children take to seek the graveyard in order for the little girl whose ashes are in the doll, so the girl can finally be at rest. I recommend this book for children 10-14, who can handle a slightly freaky mystery. 

A horror Graphic Novel

Through the Woods

By: Emily Carroll

Genre:  YA Horror Graphic Novel

Pages: 208

Published: 2014

Read: August

3 0ut of 5

This graphic novel is divided into seven short horror stories. Some of them are good, others are just okay. However, all the pictures are great. They were definitely my favorite part. I think I have a hard time getting scared by reading a book. I was hoping the stories would be more terrifying, but they were at least interesting. I recommend this book to teens who enjoy graphic novels and some blood and guts. I will be purchasing this graphic novel to add to the library collection.

Is it scary enough?

Darkness Creeping: Tales to Trouble Your Sleep

By: Neal Shusterman

Genre:  YA Scary Short Stories

Pages: 126

Published: 1993

Read: August

3 0ut of 5

I have been a fan of Shusterman's since reading Unwind. I guess I just can't a story to scary me, however these stories were better and scarier than Schwartz.  He definitely completed each story and I felt the writing was better.  I enjoyed the illustrations more as well.  This book is not published in audio, however I think it would be a great choice, especially with a narrator that can create a creepy scary voice. This would be a good read for older junior high and high school teens.  There is also a sequel titled Darkness Creeping II: More Tales to Trouble Your Sleep.  Check them out if you dare.

Not Scary...

Scary Stories: The Complete 3-Book Audio Collection

By: Alvin Schwartz

Genre:  Juvenile Short Stories

Published: 1991

Audiobook: 3 discs ( 3 hours 3o mins)

Read: August

2 0ut of 5

I expected much better. Schwartz is very well known for his Scary Stories Collection, but I am not sure why they are so popular. I realize they are written for younger children, however often I felt he would get to the climax of story and it would just end. “And the dead man walked down the stairs…” The End…WHAT?? You can’t even tell it’s the end except the next story begins.  There were a few good stories, but they were funny rather than even the slightest bit scary. Schwartz does include some great campfire and other haunted games and I thought those were the only worthwhile stories.  I much preferred Neil Gaiman’s audio book collection, which were more unique weird adventures than scary.

YA from R.L. Stine - he should stick with the younger audience

A Midnight Night's Scream

By: R.L. Stine

Genre:  YA Horror

Pages: 250

Published: 2013

Audiobook: 4 discs (5 hours)

Read: August

2.5 out of 5

I am sure it was a coincidence, but as I was listening to this and driving to Chicago I continuous saw flashes of car accidents in front of me. It was so horrific I almost felt the need to turn around and stay home for the day. Keep in mind, there isn’t a single car accident in the book. My point being the story may have freaked me out a little, however I still believe it was too juvenile for YA. Stine is better known for his upper elementary/middle horror chapter books. I felt the only reason this could be classified as a YA novel is because the characters are high schoolers and there is a little drinking. As far as the actual horrific events, middle schoolers could handle it and I would think older teens may find it cheesy.

What is a Horror...

Help for the Hunted

By: John Searles

Genre:  Adult Horror

Pages: 368

Published: 2013

Read: July

1.5 out of 5

I haven’t read a great horror book, since I used to read Stephen King novels years ago. Not that you should compare other horror novels to the great prolific Stephen King, but this one failed miserably. It wasn’t suspenseful, horrifying or any other word to describe a good horror story.  All events and circumstances that seemed to be important in this novel NEVER went anywhere or developed. The ending came out of left field. I like being surprised or discover a twist ending, but not a new person or twist that wasn’t foreshadowed at all. This author took a seemed to write an ending to a completely different novel and my only thought was “What a cop-out”.  I continued to read the novel only because it had such good promise, even if not a horror and it just died. I did not hate this book, but do not recommend it either.  

A horrifying graphic novel

The Walking Dead, Book One

By: Robert Kirkman

Genre:  Graphic Novel

Pages: 304

Published: 2010

Read: July

4 out of 5

As far as graphic novels go, this was a great intriguing horrific roller coaster of a ride. The book was jammed packed with action, but also included friendships, families and even a sideline love affair. The artistry was extreme and a very graphic zombie story. You could even envision the zombies moving across the page as stiff as a board.  I loved it!  I remained fascinated throughout the story. I have never read a graphic novel where I felt the characters were so well developed. My rating for this book is relative to other graphic novels and while I enjoyed it, I still prefer nonfiction/biographical graphic novels.  As this is a series, I am still unsure if I will continue reading them.  I got a taste (no pun intended) and there are so many books to read.