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Janelle September 12, 2017 Leave a Comment

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Better late than never - that’s what I say. Time

Better late than never - that’s what I say. Time is just getting away from me. I’m not sleeping much, but I am reading, so thank goodness for that.

I’ve read seven of the books pictured here and am looking forward to the rest. I think I might pick up THE DEATH OF VIVEK OJI next. What book would you pick?!

Thank you to the tagged publishers for the #gifted books. Such a beautiful sight ✨

I have to move in three weeks so BOOKS ARE EVERYWH

I have to move in three weeks so BOOKS ARE EVERYWHERE. Marcus and I keep checking if the house sale is still pending - like is this really happening?! *knocks on wood* *salt over shoulder* *summoning ladybugs* *find a penny, pick it up* *crossing fingers*

How is your Monday?!

Thank you to the tagged publishers for these #gifted books. I’ve read every book in this stack except PALE and THIS IS CHANCE - this stack is solid gold!

On another note, I’ve got some great horror reviews coming your way: UNBOXED, BAD PEOPLE, THE LIVING DEAD, CURSE OF THE PIGMAN, and THE BUCK STOPS HERE #watchthisspace 🐞🤞🏻🧂🚪👀

How could I miss out on #NationalBookLoversDay?!

How could I miss out on #NationalBookLoversDay?!

This is my typewriter cart, that I’m posting for obvious reasons. I think the next one I’ll get is red. I really like the idea of pink, but there aren’t many true pinks out there.

See any books you love?! I’m super excited to get the last UK hardcover in Ali Smith’s Seasonal Quartet series! ✨

Look at me participating in all the photo challeng

Look at me participating in all the photo challenges and hashtags for the day! It’s #InternationalCatDay so here’s my #Caturday photo, compliments of Ms. Abby 🐱👑 #catsofhorror

Also, I’m reading Dan Simmons’ #SummerOfNight for @jobis89’s #ReadWithJohann #readalong and LOVING IT.

Which brings me to my next #photochallenge! @bookishmommy and @pageandparlor have a #SummerScaries challenge going on during August (my birthday month 🥳) for #comingofage stories or #summervacation vibes - my favorite horror subgenre to read!

What are you reading today?!!

Today’s #FaceFriday is brought to you by @chuckp

Today’s #FaceFriday is brought to you by @chuckpalahniuk! Actually this is my first time participating in @holo.reader’s #photochallenge but I liked that intro 🤣 But seriously folks, I’m a big #ChuckPalahniuk fan! The last book I read was ADJUSTMENT DAY with my pal @jenabrownwrites and the last book of his I purchased was CONSIDERED THIS which I accidentally left out of this photo. His style is super weird, and often offensive, but I love him. He’s an original! And he creates some damn good cult classics!

THE INVENTION OF SOUND is set to come out September 8th so mark your calendar! 🍉🥂 It comes highly recommended by yours truly💋 Also, if you can’t tell I am obsessed with @vintagebooks - the designs always have a cool artistic, and yes, vintage look.

What are you up to this weekend? I’ve never been so excited to take a walk in my life 😂

THE BRIGHT LANDS by @john.fram

Firstly, if you’re not following @john.fram I don’t even understand what you’re doing with your life. He is the sweetest person, and he wrote a wildly fantastic debut. It’s perfect for summer reading and will take your mind off the world around us.

There is a full cast of characters to follow, and the book itself is nearly 500 pages, but don’t let that intimidate you. The story moves along quickly, and there is never a dull moment. THE BRIGHT LANDS utilizes a slew of fantastic components such as horror, noir, suspense, and thriller, while also incorporating social commentary, strong and intriguing characters, and many of the all too important *gasp* worthy moments. Can you tell how much I love this book?! My advice is to go in blind, but I’ll leave you with a brief description.

In the small rural Texas town of Bentley, the star quarterback on the high school football team, Dylan Whitely, goes missing. Shortly before, Dylan’s older brother, Joel, receives several alarming texts from his brother, so he reluctantly decides to return home to help him. Joel left town ten years ago after a traumatic experience of being outed in high school. He lives a satisfying life in New York City with a successful career, but he cannot ignore his brother’s distress call for help. Football is no joke in Texas, so when the star quarterback goes missing, it shakes the town up.

As you can imagine, homophobia, racism, and misogyny run rampant, so I love how John writes his characters. The female Sheriff’s Deputy, Starsha Clark, is working the case and handles herself like a pro in a town full of toxic masculinity. I have a soft spot for Joel, but I loved every primary character in this book. Mind you, it’s not because they are magically perfect; it’s because they are sympathetic characters filled with complexity and depth.

John is not only a talented writer, but he wrote an emotional story with unique twists and original characters. I’ve never read a story with queer characters written in this way - he executed it perfectly. It’s a novel that keeps on giving - I think about this book constantly, and it keeps getting better with every thought.

Happy Thursday, folks! Today’s book feature is @

Happy Thursday, folks! Today’s book feature is @cherie.dimaline’s EMPIRE OF WILD!

As always, I’m drawn to beautiful cover art but when I saw blurbs from Margaret Atwood and Tommy Orange I knew with absolute certainty that I needed to read this!

“Empire of Wild is doing everything I love in a contemporary novel and more. It is tough, funny, beautiful, honest and propulsive—all the while telling a story that needs to be told by a person who needs to be telling it.”—Tommy Orange

“Deftly written, gripping and informative. Empire of Wild is a rip-roaring read!”— @therealmargaretatwood

Quick Blurb: Bold and brilliant new indigenous voice in contemporary literature makes her American debut with this kinetic, imaginative, and sensuous fable inspired by the traditional Canadian Métis legend of the Rogarou—a werewolf-like creature that haunts the roads and woods of native people’s communities.”

Are there certain author’s who’s blurbs on a book that you always trust?!

Thank you to @tlcbooktours and @williammorrowbooks for this #gifted copy. *full synopsis in the comments*

Hey all! Happy Wednesday! The only book I’ve rea

Hey all! Happy Wednesday! The only book I’ve read in this #bookpic is HOW MUCH OF THESE HILLS IS GOLD (psst...READ IT). Tell me, which book or books should I read this weekend?!

#bookrecommendations #tbr #bookstagram #booklover #currentlyreading #amreading #bookaholic #fiction #newrelease #booknerd #shereadswithcats

Happy #BookBirthday to HARROW THE NINTH by Tamsyn

Happy #BookBirthday to HARROW THE NINTH by Tamsyn Muir 💀
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Y’all this is THE book I’ve been waiting for! Of course I couldn’t wait so I read my advance copy many many months ago. BUT I am here to say, it’s even better than the first! GIDEON THE NINTH is one of my favorite books from last year, so that is saying a lot. Everything from the concept, to the dialogue, to the characters, make this series so cool. PLUS, have you noticed the pretty, pretty cover art?! *swoon* 💀
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Q?: What’s your new favorite obsession?!!
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I have to especially thank @tordotcompub @torbooks for being so kind sending me this #gifted copy AND Liberty over at @franzencomesalive for shoving this trilogy down our throats! I am forever grateful to both of you. 💀
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Also really kicking myself for missing out in the @subpress special edition 💀 #HarrowtheNinth #GideontheNinth #TorBooks

#BookReview LUSTER by @raven_leilani “It's that

#BookReview LUSTER by @raven_leilani

“It's that there are gray, anonymous hours like this. Hours when I am desperate, when I am ravenous, when I know how a star becomes a void.”

A young Black woman, Edie, an aspiring artist just fired from a publishing job, is living day-to-day, and now she’s lost her apartment too. She meets Eric online, a white man who is much older than her, successful, and happens to have an open marriage. After not hearing from Eric for awhile, Edie goes to the couple’s home and enters without permission. She pokes around, but accidentally runs into the wife, Rebecca, who bizarrely invites her to stay. Intriguing right? The couple eventually asks Edie to move in with them with the stipulation that she help out with their adopted teenage daughter, Akila. Edie is infatuated with this entire family so she agrees to stay. Akila doesn’t know any other Black women in the community so she immediately bonds with Edie. It’s an interesting premise and one I’ve never encountered in a book before.

LUSTER not only has a gorgeous cover, it’s an enthralling, intoxicating debut. I couldn’t tear myself away until I finished the last page. Reading Edie’s narrative is evocative, eye opening, and mesmerizing. Her keen observations do not go unnoticed and the relationship between the two women is brilliant. Leilani’s writing is sharp, lyrical, dark in nature, sexy, and beautiful. Trust me, you will mark up your book, calling out all of the exceptional passages.

No matter where you turn you can learn something from this book - LUSTER is just plain extraordinary.

✨ BELLETRIST AUGUST SELECTION ✨
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Thank you to @fsgbooks for my copy ✨
#BelletristBabe #Luster #Belletrist #NewRelease @belletrist

Happy Pub Day to THE LIVING DEAD by George A. Rome

Happy Pub Day to THE LIVING DEAD by George A. Romero and @kraus_author!

I read this book about a month ago and absolutely loved it! It’s a hefty tome with lots of detail and I enjoyed every minute of it. George A. Romero passed away in 2017 before he finished the book. It’s impressive that @kraus_author was able to finish complete Romero’s work with so much success. I’m writing up a full review now which will be featured on @scifiandscary very soon #watchthisspace. Thanks again to @torbooks and @tornightfire for my copy!

Do you enjoy zombie or apocalyptic stories?! I love to read and watch them 🧟‍♀️🔥
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See this article on @cemeterydancepub for detail: https://www.cemeterydance.com/extras/reviews/

(#sponsored) HAPPY MONDAY Y’ALL! Tomorrow is one

(#sponsored) HAPPY MONDAY Y’ALL! Tomorrow is one of the biggest publication days of the year. Here is a list of the books I’m most excited for...

Harrow the Ninth
The Living Dead
The Death of Vivek Oji
True Story
Luster
Caste
The First Time I Lie
A Furious Sky
Tender is the Flesh
What Happens at Night
Eliot Ness and the Mad Butcher
Imperfect Women
The Black Kids
Behind the Red Door
The Eighth Detective
The Hollow Ones
The Space Between Worlds
In Case of Emergency
The Night Swim
Midnight Sun

Which #book or #books did you preorder?!!

Also, SPECIAL THANKS TO @outofprint FOR MY NEW FAVORITE SHIRT. If you can’t tell it looks exactly like my first edition of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary which happens to be my favorite book, well next to IT of course. Scroll ⇦ for the full view! They also have The Stand, IT, and The Shining which of course I’m going to purchase. I’m wearing a size small in women’s relaxed fit which is super soft and comfortable. Highly recommended! Gold stars and #booknerd approved!

P.S. please excuse the Mylar cover which I refuse to remove 🤓

Check it out folks, I’m a @pageonebooks ambassad

Check it out folks, I’m a @pageonebooks ambassador!

So the thoughtful people behind @pageonebooks chose @seananmcguire’s EVERY HEART A DOORWAY for my first rep package! How cool is that?! This is the first book in the #WaywardChildren series put out by @torbooks (a Janelle favorite 💁🏼‍♀️).

You might be thinking...”hmm, why does she have the entire series already?” Well folks, I bought the whole series earlier this year when @torbooks sent me an ARC for the latest release. Plus @holo.reader can’t stop raving about it. I KNOW I KNOW...I already have the book but LOOK, LISTEN...I’ve never posted these books on #Bookstagram and I own a million #books so I’m not your normal customer. PLUS @pageonebooks will happily send out a replacement book - EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE, am I right?! Let’s just think about this a moment: @pageonebooks was actually spot on with their pick. This is the most recent #series I’ve purchased and out of all the books, they chose this one. That’s some wizardry right there!

If you are interested in trying this @pageonebooks out, you’ll find the #linkinbio. All you need to do is fill out a questionnaire as detailed as you like and VOILÀ you are on your way to another #bookish adventure! I’d love to see how you all do with this experiment - let’s put them to the test!

QOTD: I’ve eaten everything and need food inspiration - what has been your go-to meal or snack?!

“All that is gold does not glitter, Not all tho

“All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost.”
— J.R.R. Tolkien

This shelf holds the majority of my special editions. It’s hard to see how beautiful they all are from this photo, but they give me all the warm and fuzzies. It started with collecting Stephen King, Joe Hill, Shirley Jackson and all the beautiful @foliosociety editions and just kept growing from there. BUT as soon as I discovered some of my now favorite publishers (thank you @mother.horror) it just blew up. The covers and artwork of these editions are just simply stunning. My copies of Frankenstein, Dracula, NOS4A2, Brother, The Shining, Horns, and Sleeping Beauties take my breath away. However to be honest anything from @cemeterydancepub, @darkregionspress, @suntupeditions, @pspublishinguk, @sstpublications, #ThunderstormBooks, @flametreepress @letterpresspublications, @subpress , and @idwpublishing are phenomenal. #ThisIsMyHappyPlace

Do you collect anything? I also collect mugs, pins, and bookmarks like any #booknerd 😉

🐈✨ Happy #Caturday! Today’s feature is abo

🐈✨ Happy #Caturday!

Today’s feature is about my #readingbuddy, best friend, and baby, ABBY. This little creature is my world and I am not ashamed to admit it. She definitely owns both Marcus and me - she’s queen 👑.

We have our routines: I say “ready for beds?” and she pops up meerkat style, meows at least 3 times and runs off the couch; then I get my phone, turn out the lights, etc. but if I lollygag she returns to escort me out of the room. THEN, I wash my face and when I return she’s perked up in the spot where I sleep. I get into bed then she leaves all feline-style, but eventually returns to jump across my face (of course 😼😹) I lift the covers, she circles around, lays down, and then scoots up to my neck and falls asleep while purring super loudly #purrbox. Marcus always looks at us and says “this can’t be healthy”. - Of course he’s putty in her paws too 😻 #catobsessed

Anyway, what are you reading this weekend?!! I am #currentlyreading @danielletrussoni’s THE ANCESTOR (psst...it’s so good) 🐈✨

Two BOOK REVIEWS for the price of one post. Read ‘em both and tell me which one tickles your fancy ⁉️
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THE AUCTIONEER by Joan Samson -

The cool thing about this cult classic is it’s been reintroduced back into the mainstream by @valancourtbooks. Originally written in 1975, it’s now in a snazzy paperback with an introduction by one of my favorite authors, Grady Hendrix (@paperbacksfromhell). Set in Harlowe, New Hampshire in a farm community, we meet an intriguing kind of evil. Perly Dunsmore is the town’s auctioneer and recently inquired an old mansion to set up shop. The auctions are funded by the residents’ donations and are meant to benefit the community, but instead he bleeds them dry. Things really take a turn in this atmospheric, dreadful, suspenseful tale.

AWAKE by @lrera -

At first I was drawn to the cover and so I immediately said “hell yes” when the author offered up a copy. Plus he’s a writer in @thehorrorwritersassociation which is solid gold in my book. What we have here is a stellar collection of stories. They are all sharply written, chilling, and downright clever. There’s not a dull one in the mix and I never found myself getting distracted. Visitation Rights, The Facts in the Case of Dr. Blackwell, Awake, Clown on a Segway, The Cemetery, Reunion, Artist in Residence, and Scarecrow are my favorite stories but honestly, you can’t go wrong. I especially enjoyed Rera’s The Facts in the Case of Dr. Backwell because it always fun to read a reimagined Poe story. His stories play around with murder, obsession, paranoia, supernaturalism, and revenge. Sounds amazing, right? Perfect score!

#bookreview #reviews #read #readersofinstagram #shelfie #horrorobsessed #bookstagram #bookshelf #library #currentlyreading #shereadswithcats

In the words of the lovely Lin-Manuel Miranda “G

In the words of the lovely Lin-Manuel Miranda “Gmorning” or “Gnight” depending on where you are in your day. This month basically flew by and I’m trying to catch my breath! How are you all doing this week?

I took a quick photo of this fancy finished copy of @riley.sager’s HOME BEFORE DARK. Courtesy of the kind people at @duttonbooks ahem, Katie. Scroll ← to see it glow ✨✨

✨ BOOK MAIL ✨ Thank you to the tagged publishe

✨ BOOK MAIL ✨ Thank you to the tagged publishers for the #gifted copies. Which book should I read next?!

Full disclosure, I’ve read THE ONLY GOOD INDIANS (review, 5⭐️). Also, I just finished AWAKE and BAD PEOPLE - watch this space for reviews!

Not gonna lie... I screamed when @torbooks sent me @veschwab’s THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE (most anticipated book). Also, I love love love Lisa Jewell so obviously I need to read INVISIBLE GIRL very soon. But really though, which book should I read next?!

Also, thank you to @jen4444 for sending me a copy of SURVIVAL INSTINCTS (I’ve heard it’s a page-turner). And from what I understand there are some necessary revisions to be made for future copies of the book. See @thereadingchemist’s review for details ✨

This is the third and final drunk #selfie as you c

This is the third and final drunk #selfie as you can tell from the dress I’m wearing. Let’s just say it was a fun day LMAO.

✨ SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ✨ The lovely and gracious @emilyliebert has agreed to do an interview with me regarding her new book PERFECTLY FAMOUS. She recorded her answers to make it fun for y’all so tune in this week when it drops right here!

PERFECTLY FAMOUS is a page-turner with a controversial ending! Oh did I mention it’s a book where the main character is a writer?! Who doesn’t love that?! #watchthisspace

Now onto my favorite question to ask #Bookstagram - what are YOU reading this week?! ✨✨

THE HOUSE THAT FELL FROM THE SKY by @patrickrdelan

THE HOUSE THAT FELL FROM THE SKY by @patrickrdelaney is another party with the @night_worms crew #NightWormsBookParty

Isn’t this cover so cool?! It comes out September 1st! Check out my review on Goodreads #linkinbio - 👀 at the synopsis is in the comments.

How was your weekend?! Do anything relaxing?

Thank you to the author and @gowsy33 for this #gifted copy 🔥🔥

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