The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen Greek Gods choose a new king of the Gods every 100 via a Hunger Games style gauntlet- each with their own tribute. Lyra’s entrance stuns as Hades chooses her for his first entry. She is cursed never be loved, but maybe that curse doesn’t apply to gods. #booksky

The Living Blood (African Immortals 2) by @tananarivedue.bsky.social This book follows Jessica as she uses her healing blood to save children with her sister. This decision soon puts everyone in danger as the story builds to an impressive good vs evil that feels akin to The Stand. #booksky

@Sarahdoesbookstuff speaking truth over on Instagram If you are ok with any of this - you missed the point #booksky

Amanda Gorman wrote this poem for Renee Good and that’s it for me tonight.

The Whistler by Nick Medina This is a follow up from Indian Burial Ground which focuses on supernatural events within the Takoda Reservation in Louisiana. This time we follow Henry’s journey with the spirits as he comes to terms with Roddy’s death (1st book) and his own paralyzation. #bluesky

First read of the new year was Manacled by SenLinYu. It’s fan fiction based on a dark alternate universe ending of the books that shall not be named (HP) that crosses the Handmaids Tale with an enemies to lovers trope. It’s been my best friend’s favorite fan fiction for years. #booksky

Friendly reminders: - reading fan fiction does count as reading - reading graphic novels/manga does count as reading - rereading things you love does count as reading - reading only fiction/non-fiction does count as reading - listening to audio books and storytelling podcasts are reading #booksky

New year, new reading goals. This year will be the year of the sequels. I have started several series over the last few years, so this year I will read them as far as they are published. I will also start the many series I have purchased and not read yet. #booksky #readinggoals #newyearsresolution

A Year in Reading: 95 books (all listed in my post history) Not featured in the collage: A Moonlit Bargain by B.L. Talley Goals not met: I did not get 4 books by Tananarive Due read (only 3), I did not catch up on Something is Killing the Children and House of Slaughter. #booksky #readinggoals

Spread Me by @sarahgailey.bsky.social It’s a horny homage to John Carpenter’s Thing. A mysterious infection ravages a remote base in the desert, but our protagonist Kinsey just happens to have a virus kink. I’ve never rooted for a virus to win until now. Mysterious, creepy, and hot 🥵 #booksky

My Soul to Keep (African Immortals Series Book 1) by @tananarivedue.bsky.social David, an immortal, has found love with a mortal family. As he moves to protect his secrets, he betrays his family and endangers their lives. Eventually he comes clean only to be hunted by his brethren. #booksky

House of Leaves by @markzdanielewski.bsky.social is a masterclass of the unreliable narrator. You will feel bad about every literary analysis you have ever done whilst questioning reality, sanity, and God. The physical presentation of this novel was 10/10. Go experience this book. #booksky

Currently trying to decipher all of the footnotes and storylines in House of Leaves by @markzdanielewski.bsky.social #booksky

Serial Killers of the ‘70s: Stories Behind a Notorious Decade of Death by Jane Fritsch It’s a brief overview of 17 serial killers active in the 1970s (including Kemper, Gacy, Bundy, & others that were new to me) It’s a great primer that’s well researched and easy to read in small doses. #booksky

Everything is Tuberculosis by @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social This is a super accessible book about TB - both its history and its modern scourge. Reading it after Paul Farmer’s account of Ebola was especially prescient as both discuss the ways in which the world fails its poorest people 1/ #booksky

Ghost Summer: Stories by @tananarivedue.bsky.social Another collection of short stories that blew me away! I read this for more Nayima stories and was excited to get more Gracetown too! Ghost Summer, Herd Immunity, Patient Zero and Danger Word were my favorites, but they were all great. #booksky

If you have not read any of @nkjemisin.bsky.social you are missing out! This is well deserved.

Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz Alex survives the ending of the last book and while in the hospital saves his neighbor from kidnapping. As thanks, Alex is invited to recover with the family and see a rocket launch, but Alex keeps finding himself in danger time and time again. #booksky #kidsbooks

Fiend by @almakatsu.bsky.social If you loved @mikeflanaganfilm.com Fall of the House of Usher, this book is for you. The Berisha Family is one of the wealthiest dating back centuries. They’ve been blessed. But, as accidents start hitting close to home, maybe it’s more of a curse. #booksky

Fevers, Feuds, and Diamonds: Ebola and the Ravages of History by Paul Farmer Farmer discusses his first hand experiences in the 2014 Ebola epidemic in West Africa before linking the health system to the history of slavery, colonialism, and post-colonialism in the area. #booksky #nonfiction

Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce Something is terribly wrong with Alice. Mina, a child psychologist, is requested to assess her, but something is not right - not with Alice, not with the town. Mina fights to uncover the truth of the haunting before the town devours its own. #booksky

The Wishing Pool and Other Stories by @tananarivedue.bsky.social A collection of stories that range from apocalyptic to horror to afrofuturism. The stories connect via recurring characters or places, such as Nayima (featured in several stories) and Gracetown (setting of The Reformatory.) #booksky

Lore Olympus Vol 8 by @rachelsmythe.bsky.social I have loved this twist on the Hades and Persephone myth thus far. This entire volume speaks on atonement, healing, love, and understanding while touching on r*pe, infidelity, power struggles, and difficult familial relationships. #booksky

Bochica by @carolinaflorezc.bsky.social I went in expecting a gothic haunted house tale and got so much more! This debut novel has Indigenous Colombian lore, an Agatha Christie vibe, and a strong feminist MC that resists the evil forces in her life - supernatural or patriarchal. #booksky

Scorpia by Anthony Horowitz Alex Rider investigates the allegations that his father was an assassin and finds himself joining the ranks of the world’s most deadly faction: Scorpia. Alex will have to live up to his father’s reputation, or die trying. This is book five. #booksky #kidsbooks

Coming Back by @hugbox.bsky.social In a world of shifters and shapers, Valissa can do neither. When Valissa volunteers for a dangerous mission, her wife, Preet, breaks the community’s rules and is banished. Can they find their way back to each other? To themselves? #booksky #graphicnovel #yabooks

Loving, Ohio by @matthewerman.bsky.social In Loving, Ohio, most of the townsfolk are members of the cult, Chorus. In Loving, kids go missing. But are the two connected? Sloane begins to think so when she and her friends are hunted by the Man in the Afternoon. #booksky #graphicnovels #yabooks

Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ko Hyung-Ju, and @ryanestrada.com This book follows a group of students protesting against the authoritarian government in Korea (1980s) for the right to free elections and again in 2017 against the daughter of said ruler. #booksky #YAbooks #graphicnovels

Sweet Tooth: Compendium by @jefflemire171.bsky.social When the world is ravaged by plague and human/animal hybrids are born, one hybrid may hold the key to the answers. He’s currently being hunted by a sociopath who would dissect him, but would that even stop the sickness? #booksky #comics

The Drifting Classroom by Kazuo Umezz This series follows Takamatsu, a 6th year student, present at an explosion that destroys the entire primary school. The students, however, find themselves teleported to a strange new world. Lord of the Flies meets Time Machine. #booksky #manga

Ring Shout by @pdjeliclark.bsky.social This was on several recommended reading lists for fans of the movie Sinners, and it has a strong Lovecraft Country vibe to it. Set in 1920s Georgia, Maryse hunts down Klu Kluxes who would use the hate of the Klan to call forth a world-ending horror. #booksky

The End of the World as We Know It: New Tales of Stephen King’s The Stand edited by Christopher Golden and Brian Keene This book was a fantastic collection of stories related to The Stand. Standout stories for me personally are noted below ⬇️ #booksky

Sleep Tight by JH Markert Though it’s marketed as horror, it’s definitely more of a psychological thriller á la Silence of the Lambs. A serial killer’s execution should bring relief, but soon Tess’s daughter is kidnapped and a cult goes on a killing spree in the name of “Father Silence.” #booksky

I challenged my middle schooler to a read off. He is ~1/3 through Catching Fire. I told him if he could finish through Mockingjay before I finish my physical tbr plus a reread of the Hunger Games originals, he’ll get a gift card of his choice. May the odds be ever in his favor. #booksky #motivation

A Crooked Mark by Linda Kao Second Sweep is a cult following that burns the lone survivors of accidents they deem marked by Lucifer. Matt, now on his first solo assignment, has the decision: to burn, or not to burn? But this is just a test, and failure is not an option. #booksky #yabooks

By the Fire We Carry: The Generations-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land by @rebeccanagle.bsky.social I have followed this story since finding the This Land podcast. This book is an approachable history of the Five Tribes and SCOTUS from the Trail of Tears through the McGirt decision. #booksky

A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by @asiamackay.bsky.social This book perfectly sums up being in the parenting trenches with a small child & feeling like your life & your marriage & yourself have all been put on hold, but with the bonus of being serial killers spiraling out of control. #booksky

Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy I have dnf’ed this book several times, so it was a goal of mine read it all the way this year. It was infuriating - a true lesson in the dangers of patriarchal religion and the double standards afforded to women in those societies. #justiceforTess #booksky

Dick Fight Island 1&2 by Reibun Ike <This is an adults only manga> A small island nation elects its new ruler by The Great Wyrm Tournament in which participants must be the last to ejaculate in a battle of wills. Book 2 follows their stories after the tournament. #booksky #adultmanga

Phantasma by @kaylsmoon.bsky.social Ophelia has dealt with her OCD inner demons her entire life, & now that her life is turning upside down, she must enter Phantasma & deal with real demons to save her sister. The only rules - stay alive & don’t fall in love. Both are very hard to do. #booksky

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by @silviamg.bsky.social The Island of Doctor Moreau by HG Wells is reimagined within the context of the Caste War of the Yucatán in Mexico in the late 1800s. Carlota Moreau is such a beautiful character but Edward Izalde gives serious George Wickham vibes. #booksky

The Babysitter Lives by @sgj.bsky.social It’s very Coraline meets Twilight Zone meets House (movie-1985). Charlotte babysits for a family, but their house has a twisted past, and it soon becomes clear the past isn’t always in the past. (It’s a short read. The audio book is 7.5 hrs) #booksky

In honor of finishing the Indian Lake Trilogy by @sgj.bsky.social I have complied a watch list based on the novels. AKA I fed my adhd and catalogued all the movies and shows listed by Jade Daniels, the other characters, and by @sgj.bsky.social in the chapter titles.... #booksky #horrormovies

Angel of Indian Lake (Indian Lake Trilogy #3) by @sgj.bsky.social It’s Jade Daniels’ Swan Song - a fitting end for Jade that highlights the severe PTSD she’s developed over two previous slasher encounters and a stint in prison. This time Proofrock has to face its past - literally #booksky #horror

The Summer I Ate the Rich by @maikamoulite.bsky.social and @maritzamoulite.bsky.social This is such a fresh take on zombie lore that blends Haitian and American culture seamlessly. It explores class differences, opioid dependence, systemic racism, etc. in unexpected ways. #booksky #yabooks

Dead Stream by @marromasco.bsky.social Teresa begins streaming after an accident leaves her with crippling anxiety about the outside world, but now her online world is in danger from a shadowy presence that’s spreading à la The Ring. #booksky #yabooks

Beasts by Ingvild Bjerkeland Translated by Rosie Hedger This Norwegian novella follows Abdi, a thirteen year old boy, and Alva, his five (and 1/2) year old sister, as they flee to the sea while evading Beasts and men alike. It’s a quick read, but well worth it! #booksky #horror

Earthdivers Omnibus by @sgj.bsky.social The omnibus covers three arcs: Kill Columbus, Ice Age, & 1776 The world has ended, and everyone who could fled to the stars. A group of natives find a time-travel cave and go back to kill Columbus to prevent America. Time paradox ensues. #booksky #comics

Night of the Mannequins by @sgj.bsky.social Sawyer and his friends dress up a mannequin and take it to the theater as a prank. But the mannequin walks out of the theater and soon people are dying. Sawyer, hoping to save lives, starts killing the mannequin’s targets. #booksky #horror

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Stories of Water and Flame by Ryoji Hirano and Koyoharu Gotouge This is two side arcs (Tomioka’s and Rengoku’s) separate from the main storyline and a lot of extra art done for the anime. My kid requested this read, because Rengoku’s his favorite. 🔥 #booksky #manga