Can't-Wait Wednesday: North is the Night by & The Way by Cary Kroner

       

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! 

North is the Night by Emily Rath
Publication: December 17th, 2024
Erewhon
Hardcover. 592 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"In the Finnish wilderness, more than wolves roam the dark forests. For Siiri and Aina, summer’s fading light is a harbinger of unwelcome change. Land-hungry Swedes venture north, threatening the peace; a zealous Christian priest denounces the old ways; and young women have begun to disappear.

Siiri vows to protect Aina from danger. But even Siiri cannot stop a death goddess from dragging her friend to Tuonela, the mythical underworld. Determined to save Aina, Siiri braves a dangerous journey north to seek the greatest shaman of legend, the only person to venture to the realm of death and return alive.

In Tuonela, the cruel Witch Queen turns Aina’s every waking moment into a living nightmare. But armed with compassion and cleverness, Aina learns the truth of her capture: the king of the underworld himself has plans for her. To return home, Aina must bargain her heart—as Siiri plots a daring rescue of the woman she loves the most.

In this sweeping fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Katherine Arden, Naomi Novik, and H.M. Long, hope and love can conquer even death itself."

Comparisons to Katherine Arden and Naomi Novik are very bold, but I'm excited to check this one out!

The Way by Cary Croner
Publication: December 3rd, 2024
Spiegel & Grau
Hardcover. 304 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"A postapocalyptic road trip and a quest for redemption.

The world has been ravaged by a lethal virus and, with few exceptions, only the young have survived. Cities and infrastructures have been destroyed, and the natural world has reclaimed the landscape in surprising ways, with herds of wild camels roaming the American West and crocodiles that glow neon green lurking in the rivers.

Against this perilous backdrop, Will Collins, the de facto caretaker of a Buddhist monastery in Colorado, receives an urgent and mysterious request: to deliver a potential cure to a scientist in what was once California. So Will sets out, haunted by dreams of the woman he once loved, in a rusted-out pickup pulled by two mules. A menacing thug is on his tail. Armed militias patrol the roads. And the only way he’ll make it is with the help of a clever raven, an opinionated cat, and a tough teenage girl who has learned to survive on her own.

A highly original contribution to the canon of dystopian literature, The Way is a thrilling and imaginative novel, full of warmth, wisdom, and surprises that reflect our world in unsettling, uncanny, and even hopeful ways."

I am so intrigued by this premise and think it sounds so promising!

Review: Darkly by Marisha Pessl

Darkly by Marisha Pessl

Delacorte Press

Publication Date: November 26th, 2024

Hardcover. 416 pages.

About Darkly:

"Arcadia “Dia” Gannon has been obsessed with Louisiana Veda, the game designer whose obsessive creations and company, Darkly, have gained a cultlike following. Dia is shocked when she’s chosen for a highly-coveted internship, along with six other teenagers from around the world. Why her? Dia has never won anything in her life.

Darkly, once a game-making empire renowned for its ingenious and utterly terrifying toys and games, now lies dormant after Veda’s mysterious death. The remaining games are priced like rare works of art, with some fetching millions of dollars at auction.

As Dia and her fellow interns delve into the heart of Darkly, they discover hidden symbols, buried clues, and a web of intrigue. Who are these other teens, and what secrets do they keep? Why were any of them really chosen? The answers lie within the twisted labyrinth of Darkly—a chilling and addictive read by Marisha Pessl.

This summer will be the most twisted Darkly game of all."

I was so excited for a new book from Marisha Pessl! I loved Special Topics in Calamity Physics back when I read it what feels like ages ago, and I subsequently loved Night Film and its unique storytelling format. Darkly is just as layered and intricate as Pessl's previous work and I really loved diving back into her storytelling. 

In Darkly, we are immersed in the world of Darkly Games, a mysterious brand created by the enigmatic Louisiana Veda. Seven teenagers from around the globe are selected for an exclusive internship—an opportunity that delivers far more than any of them anticipated. I was completely hooked by this twisty, unpredictable story.

The protagonist, Dia Gannon, is a devoted fan of Louisiana’s games and knows far more than the average player, making this internship a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity she can’t pass up. Raised in her family’s antique shop by her eccentric mother, Dia’s life has always been a bit unconventional. Her obsession with Louisiana’s games and disappearance drives her, and as the story unfolds, she comes face-to-face with answers to questions the world has long asked about Louisiana—answers she may not be ready for.

There are six other interns we get to know, and I enjoyed getting to know each character and where they fit into this particular Darkly puzzle. Admittedly, however, I did sometimes have difficulties remembering who was who among some of the other characters, as I felt their individual personalities were not developed past some more general characteristics. I felt like the author put a focus on a few characters, such as Poe, but then others just seemed there as plot devices and lacked anything overly memorable about them. 

Darkly's dark and mysterious atmosphere made it hard to put down and easy to become immersed in.  I loved never knowing where the story would go next, and the sheer number of secrets waiting to be unearthed was thrilling. The games themselves were utterly fascinating, leaving me wishing they existed in the real world—though I’m certain I’d be terrible at them, haha. Pessl’s hallmark complexity shines in how the games are seamlessly woven into the narrative, which blurred the line between game and reality in a way that was both unsettling and exciting at the same time. 

The ending also offered a satisfying conclusion to the many mysteries presented throughout the story. There were moments when the ending seemed the slightest bit rushed, as if Pessl wanted to wrap up as many threads as possible in a limited amount of time. However, I also feel like once certain things are discovered and everything comes to light things do tend to happen quickly anyway, so it didn't feel too abrupt. 

Overall, I highly recommend Darkly to anyone who enjoys a good twisty story that has layers and layers of secrets to unearth. If  you've enjoyed Marisha Pessl's books in the past, I think you'll also be pleased with this one. 

*I received a copy of Darkly in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Can't-Wait Wednesday: What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould & Wind and Truth (The Stormlight Archives #5) by Brandon Sanderson

       

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! 

What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould
Publication: December 10th, 2024
Wednesday Books
Hardcover. 336 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"Yellowjackets meets Girl, Interrupted when a group of troubled teens in a wilderness therapy program find themselves stranded in a forest full of monsters eager to take their place. 

Devin Green wakes in the middle of the night to find two men in her bedroom. No stranger to a fight, she calls to her foster parents for help, but it soon becomes clear this is a planned abduction—one everyone but Devin signed up for. She’s shoved in a van and driven deep into the Idaho woods, where she’s dropped off with a cohort of equally confused teens. Finally, two camp counselors inform them that they've all been enrolled in an experimental therapy program. If the campers can learn to change their self-destructive ways—and survive a fifty-days hike through the wilderness—they’ll come out the other side as better versions of themselves. Or so the counselors say.

Devin is immediately determined to escape. She’s also determined to ignore Sheridan, the cruel-mouthed, lavender-haired bully who mocks every group exercise. But there’s something strange about these woods—inhuman faces appearing between the trees, visions of people who shouldn't be there flashing in the leaves—and when the campers wake up to find both counselors missing, therapy becomes the least of their problems. Stranded and left to fend for themselves, the teens quickly realize they’ll have to trust each other if they want to survive. But what lies in the woods may not be as dangerous as what the campers are hiding from each other—and if the monsters have their way, no one will leave the woods alive.

Atmospheric and sharp, What the Woods Took is a poignant story of transformation that explores the price of becoming someone—or something—new."

I am very intrigued by this premise, as I always enjoy a good survival story that also relies heavily on human relationships and interactions. Hopefully it's a little bit spooky, also!

Wind and Truth (The Stormlight Archives #5) by Brandon Sanderson
Publication: December 6th, 2024
Tor Books
Hardcover. 1344 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"The long-awaited explosive climax to the first arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive―the iconic epic fantasy masterpiece that has sold more than 10 million copies, from acclaimed bestselling author Brandon Sanderson.

Dalinar Kholin challenged the evil god Odium to a contest of champions with the future of Roshar on the line. The Knights Radiant have only ten days to prepare―and the sudden ascension of the crafty and ruthless Taravangian to take Odium’s place has thrown everything into disarray.

Desperate fighting continues simultaneously worldwide―Adolin in Azimir, Sigzil and Venli at the Shattered Plains, and Jasnah at Thaylen City. The former assassin, Szeth, must cleanse his homeland of Shinovar from the dark influence of the Unmade. He is accompanied by Kaladin, who faces a new battle helping Szeth fight his own demons . . . and who must do the same for the insane Herald of the Almighty, Ishar.

At the same time, Shallan, Renarin, and Rlain work to unravel the mystery behind the Unmade Ba-Ado-Mishram and her involvement in the enslavement of the singer race and in the ancient Knights Radiants killing their spren. And Dalinar and Navani seek an edge against Odium’s champion that can be found only in the Spiritual Realm, where memory and possibility combine in chaos. The fate of the entire Cosmere hangs in the balance."

I'm sure many people are anxiously awaiting this release! I am honestly in quite a desperate need for a recap of the first four books, though, as a re-read is a bit out of the question given the size of these dang books and my memory is a bit hazy on some things, haha.

Month in Review: October 2024

Note: This was scheduled to be posted during the first week of November, but I have just now realized it never did because I've been out of town and didn't notice! So this is a very lately month in review, but better late than never... right? :)

 I love October and I'm honestly a bit disappointed that it's over, haha. It was a great month! How was everyone's Halloween? I always love having candy for the kids trick or treating, but I have to say we didn't have quite as many this year as we usually do, which was a little disappointing, but still very fun to see everyone who did come by. What do you do (if anything) to celebrate?

In personal news, I participated in a teacher training program for aerial silks which was exhausting but also so rewarding and I'm pleased to say that I am now officially certified as a level one aerial silks instructor (to be clear, there's no official governing board for aerial arts so no certifications are required, but there are some reputable companies that offer training certifications, which is where I did mine!)! I don't plan to start teaching right away, but hopefully next year I can start. I was a bit nervous to start the training and was worried I wasn't prepared for it, but it ended up being an amazing experience and I learned so much.

In reading news, I am very pleased to report that this was a great reading month! I managed to get through a pretty good array of horror books, which is exactly what I wanted to do. I somehow still didn't manage to get to half of the ones I wanted to, but I'm not going to complain, haha. That just means there's still more to read, right? I also didn't read nearly as many ARCs as I should have, but it's largely because I was prioritizing horror this month. A few standouts from my October reads were The Black Hunger and Coup de Grâce.  

How was your October?  Let me know how your month was below and what you've been reading!

   

# books read: 14

The Black Hunger by Nicholas Pullen ★★★★★

Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC

Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram ★★★★★

Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover

Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne ★★★★

Source: Library | Format: Hardcover

The Dollmakers by Lynn Buchanan ★★★★

Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC

The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim ★★★★

Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover

The Haar by David Sodergren ★★★★

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook

Pyramidia by Stephanie Sanders-Jacob ★★★★

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook

Small Horrors: A Collection of Fifty Creepy Stories by Darcy Coates ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook

The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin ★★★★

Source: Library | Format: 

The Vessel by Adam L.G. Nevill ★★★

Source: Library | Format: 

A Season of Monstrous Conceptions by Lina Rather ★★★.75

Source: Library | Format: 

Crypt of the Moon Spider by Nathan Ballingrud ★★★

Source: Owned | Format: Paperback

And What Can We Offer You Tonight by Premee Mohamed ★★★★

Source: Library | Format: 

The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night by Steven Banbury ★★★★

Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC

DNF/To-Be-Finished:

This Cursed House by Del Sandeen
I wanted to like this one so much, but it just severely lacked in atmosphere and feeling even remotely scary. This story had os much potential, but I was just started to feel so bored that I decided to set it down. I may revisit it someday, but no current plans to. 

 

A Rose by Any Other Name by Mary McMyne
The City in Glass by Nghi Vo
The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night by Steven Banbury
The Black Hunger by Nicholas Pullen
The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim
Pyramidia by Stephanie Sanders-Jacob
The Haar by David Sodergren
Small Horrors by Darcy Coates

 Posts:

October Anticipated Releases
Month in Review: September 2024
November Anticipated Releases

Blog Memes:

Can't-Wait Wednesday:
10/2: The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami & The Last Hour Between Worlds by Melissa Caruso
10/9: We Shall Be Monsters by Alyssa Sees & Daughters of Bronze by A.D. Rhine
10/16: Darkly by Marisha Pessl & The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, & Karen White
10/23: The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson & Eleanore of Avignon by Elizabeth DeLozier
10/30: Dead Girls Don't Dream by Nino Cipri & The Estate by Sarah Jost

The Friday Face-Off:
Current Read #32

Review: We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida, trans. by E. Madison Shimoda

We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida, trans. by E. Madison Shimoda

Berkley

Publication Date: September 3rd, 2024

Hardcover. 297 pages.

About We'll Prescribe You a Cat:

"A cat a day keeps the doctor away….

Discover this utterly charming, vibrant celebration of the healing power of cats in the award-winning, bestselling Japanese novel that has become an international sensation.

Tucked away on the fifth floor of an old building at the end of a narrow alley in Kyoto, the Nakagyō Kokoro Clinic for the Soul can be found only by people who are struggling in their lives and who genuinely need help. The mysterious clinic offers a unique treatment to those who find their way there: it prescribes cats as medication. Patients are often puzzled by this unconventional prescription, but when they “take” their cat for the recommended duration, they witness profound transformations in their lives, guided by the playful, empathetic, and occasionally challenging yet endearing cats.

Throughout these pages, the power of the human-animal bond is revealed as a disheartened businessman finds unexpected joy in physical labor, a middle-aged man struggles to stay relevant at work and home, a young girl navigates the complexities of elementary school cliques, a hardened handbag designer seeks emotional balance, and a geisha learns to move on from the memory of her lost cat. As the clinic’s patients grapple with their inner turmoil and seek resolution, their feline companions lead them toward healing, self-discovery, and newfound hope."

We'll Prescribe You a Cat is a lovely little collection of interconnected stories set in Kyoto, Japan. My husband and I just recently visited Japan and stayed in Kyoto (an explanation for my lack of posting last week), so I decided to save this one because I thought that this would be the perfect book to read while there–and it was! This was a delightful read that has a perfect balance of light and 'cozy' vibes mixed with some explorations of more meaningful and thoughtful themes. 

The Nakagyō Kokoro Clinic for the Soul is located in a hard to find, narrow alley within Kyoto,and typically only appears to those who are in need of its assistance. Within the walls of this clinic are an aloof receptionist and somewhat eccentric doctor who does not seem to do anything 'by the book' of a traditional doctor. Still, patients that enter this clinic are typically desperate enough to go along with things and try out what's advised–which just happens to be that of a prescription cat meant to help them solve their problems. 

There are five short stories within this book, all focusing on a different patient and the cat prescribed to them. As we follow along each patient's journey, we slowly learn a bit more about this mysterious clinic and the doctor and receptionist who work there, though sometimes the things we learn only add to the mystery. With each new story, we are taken into the lives of new characters and learn about their daily lives the variety of things that are plaguing them, as well as how they find their way to the clinic. I loved this concept of patients being prescribed cats (I mean, who doesn't?) and really enjoyed the execution of it as well, as I felt the author used a lot of creative techniques and storytelling ideas to show the effectiveness of the cats in a variety of different ways. 

After the first story, I was a little worried that this concept and general setup would become a bit repetitive as the stories went along, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the author actually develops each story in ways that advances an overall story and understanding of the clinic, so you're really getting some new and interesting things added to the story as you go along. I was consistently impressed by the ways in which the author brought the stories together, and was immensely pleased by the culmination of the fifth story by what was learned about the clinic by then.

I also appreciated the thoughtfulness behind the author's exploration of each character and the various troubles they have; there's a lot of quiet consideration for why people are unhappy with various aspects of their lives, as well as what can be done. Some people even discover problems they didn't realize they had and learn to overcome them through the bond developed with an animal that relies on them. 

Overall, I've given We'll Prescribe You a Cat four stars! I don't know that this book will be for everyone, but if you're looking for something easy to read, a bit cozy for the upcoming holiday and winter season, has thoughtful discussions and in-depth character explorations, and that features a plentiful amount of cats, then this is the book for you. This is one of those books that will likely leave you feeling a bit more hopeful about things–and perhaps it'll even convince you to adopt a cat!

*I received a copy of We'll Prescribe You a Cat in exchange for an honest review. This has no affect on my rating.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Resurrectionist by A. Rae Dunlap & The Party by Natasha Preston

      

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! 

The Resurrectionist by A. Rae Dunlap
Publication: December 24th, 2024
Kensington
Hardcover. 336 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"In the tradition of The Alienist and A Love Story, a decadently macabre, dark and twisty gothic debut set in 19th century Scotland – when real-life serial killers Burke and Hare terrorized the streets of Edinburgh – as a young medical student is lured into the illicit underworld of body snatching.

Historical fiction, true crime, and dark academia intertwine in a harrowing tale of murder, greed, and the grisly origins of modern medicine for readers of Lydia Kang, ML Rio, Sarah Perry, and C.E. McGill.

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1828. Naïve but determined James Willoughby has abandoned his posh, sheltered life at Oxford to pursue a lifelong dream of studying surgery in Edinburgh. A shining beacon of medical discovery in the age of New Enlightenment, the city’s university offers everything James desires—except the chance to work on a human cadaver. For that, he needs to join one of the private schools in Surgeon’s Square, at a cost he cannot afford. In desperation, he strikes a deal with Aneurin “Nye” MacKinnon, a dashing young dissectionist with an artist’s eye for anatomy and a reckless passion for knowledge. Nye promises to help him gain the surgical experience he craves—but it doesn’t take long for James to realize he’s made a devil’s bargain . . .   Nye is a body snatcher. And James has unwittingly become his accomplice.

Intoxicated by Nye and his noble mission, James rapidly descends into the underground ranks of the Resurrectionists—the body snatchers infamous for stealing fresh corpses from churchyards to be used as anatomical specimens. Before he knows it, James is caught up in a life-or-death scheme as rival gangs of snatchers compete in a morbid race for power and prestige. James and Nye soon find themselves in the crosshairs of a shady pair of unscrupulous opportunists known as Burke and Hare, who are dead set on cornering the market, no matter the cost. These unsavory characters will do anything to beat the competition for bodies. Even if it’s cold-blooded murder . . .

Exquisitely macabre and delightfully entertaining, The Resurrectionist combines fact and fiction in a rollicking tale of the risks and rewards of scientific pursuit, the passions of its boldest pioneers, and the anatomy of human desire."

A historical fiction/horror centered around real life body snatchers... I'm in!

The Party by Natasha Preston
Publication: December 3rd, 2024
Delacorte Press
Paperback. 352 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"Are you invited?

In the heart of the English countryside, Bessie and her closest friends gather at a remote castle for a secret party destined to make this the best spring break ever. But when the first of them dies, the party takes a lethal turn.

As the body count continues to rise, Bessie and her friends must contend with a deadly storm and growing internal suspicion, all while trapped inside with a killer.

Set against the backdrop of a sprawling English estate, Natasha Preston's latest thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat until the party’s over…"

Natasha Preston always writes some fun thrillers, and I'm always up for a classic premise like this.

Horror Mini Reviews Pt. II: The Haar by David Sodergren & Small Horrors by Darcy Coates

Happy Halloween! Today I have two more mini horror reviews for you all to celebrate the holiday: The Haar by David Sodergren and Small Horrors by Darcy Coates!

The Haar by David Sodergren

Paperbacks and Pugs
Publication: May 17th, 2022

Paperback. 212 pages.

About The Haar:

"'I don’t fear death... but they do.'

Muriel McAuley has lived in the Scottish fishing village of Witchaven all her life. She was born there, and she intends to die there.

But when an overseas property developer threatens to evict the residents from their homes and raze Witchaven to the ground in the name of progress, all seems lost… until the day a mysterious fog bank creeps inland.

The Haar.

To some it brings redemption… to others, it brings only madness and death. What macabre secrets lie within… The Haar.

Romantic and deranged, The Haar is a gore-soaked folk horror fairy tale from David Sodergren, author of The Forgotten Island and Maggie’s Grave."

In a small town in Scotland, a large American company has begun buying out inhabitants in order to build their own private endeavor. Muriel has lived in this town her entire life and refuses to give in to this horrible, which makes her a huge problem for the company. One day, amidst rising drama pertaining to the company and various buyouts, Muriel happens upon something that has the potential to change the course of her life... and perhaps the lives of a few others. 

The blurb for The Haar describes it as "a gore-soaked folk horror fairy tale," and I'm not sure I could describe it any better than that. However, it's also a book with some really carefully written explorations of grief and loneliness that made this much sadder and more touching I expected. Muriel is living alone in her small town, her husband having died years prior, and this book really focuses in on much of her grief and her desire to simply be with her husband and have love in her life again. This is honestly a surprisingly sentimental horror and is one that really made me feel for our protagonist, who is also an incredibly bold, witty, and full of attitude, which means she refuses to let anyone tell her what to do.

I really did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did, but I'm so glad I happened across it on my library's online app and had a chance to read it. I listened to the audiobook version of this one and thought it was incredibly well done with a fantastic narrator. If you're looking for something delightfully gory, with a great protagonist, and with some incredible otherworldly folktale elements, then be sure to give The Haar a read. Overall, this ended up being a four star read!

Small Horrors: A Collection of Fifty Creepy Stories by Darcy Coates

Poisoned Pen press
Publication: April 5th, 2022

Paperback. 272 pages.

About Small Horrors:

"Push past the curtains of your rational, safe world and explore the un-nameable horrors living in the darkest corners of our consciousness. This is the realm of monsters and shifting shadows, where a single wrong step can plunge you into a terrifying fight for your life, where...

Something mimics human voices as it lures you into the woods.
A corpse had gone missing from its drawer in the morgue.
A friend's eyes are unnaturally bright as they approach you in the dark.

Whatever your choice, these fifty small bites of horror are sure to leave you haunted."

If you like your scary stories short, ominous, and to the point, then this is the collection for you. Small Horrors has fifty (fifty!) unique short stories and range across all types of horror, from murder to the supernatural to the alien and monstrous and everything in between. With fifty stories in just 272 pages, these are all fairly short and don't have a lot of time to set up a scene, but they were able to pack a lot into each story. Some were a bit hit or miss, but I didn't honestly expect to love all fifty, and I think I enjoyed far more than I didn't, so it felt like a very worthwhile read. I had a lot of fun with these and really enjoyed getting such a variety of scary stories to pass the time with--it very much felt like a nice sampler of horror and it made it incredibly entertaining to read.

A lot of these stories had a very flash fiction feel to them where the story ends in a very open-ended manner and leaves you to imagine all sorts of horrible things that could happen, though most were just slightly longer than traditional flash fiction. My only criticism I have for some of these is that I often felt like I'd read a similar story or they just felt as though the author was really trying to hit that fifty mark and was creating stories that didn't really work. I would really love to see some of these stories drawn out in a larger story or book, and I do appreciate when a story leaves me excited for more (although perhaps also a bit disappointed that there's not more when there's so much potential). Overall, this is a really solid collection of horror stories that I think is perfect for when you want to pick something up that can give you a short and sweet scary story fix.