Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a fun meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  For more information, or to join the fun yourself, check out their blog by clicking on the image above!

Top Ten Freak-You-Out Books

These might be straight-up scary or psychologically terrifying...  Ranked in order of my favorites/best writing, not in order of fright.

1. The Shining and Doctor Sleep by Stephen King.  Classic horror/thriller!  He very rarely does duologies or series, but this duology is very, very well done.  I got goosebumps listening to Doctor Sleep, and The Shining kept me up turning pages when I read it.

2. Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco.  I actually just read this one this month!  It was dark and creepy in a delightful way.  (I hope that doesn't make me sound too dark and creepy!)

3. The Madman's Daughter, Her Dark Curiosity, and A Cold Legacy by Megan Shepherd.  One of my fave YA trilogies!  They're based on The Island of Dr. Moreau, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Frankenstein, respectively, so you know they're nice and spooky!

4. The Cage by Megan Shepherd.  This one is more psychologically messed up, about a group of teens kidnapped by aliens and forced to live in a zoo of sorts.  (There's a sequel- The Hunt- but I haven't read it yet.)  (I just love Megan Shepherd's writing!)

5. The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant and The Wicked Awakening of Anne Merchant by Joanna Wiebe.  Set on an island off the coast of Maine where it seems to be perpetually foggy/rainy, and where the devil himself is running things.  (There's a third book, but it's only been released in Canada so far.)

6. Something Strange and Deadly, A Darkness Strange and Lovely, and Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard.  Steampunk with ZOMBIES.

7. The Diviners and Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray.  People being attacked by ghosts and/or attacked physically in their dreams.  What's more terrifying than not feeling safe while sleeping?!?  (Plus these books are set in 1920s NYC so you get lots of awesome jazz age lingo!)

8. Sanctum and Captive by Sarah Fine.  Girl is kidnapped in Hell and her best friend travels to Hell to rescue her.  Seriously.  Can't make that up.  Can't get much darker than that.  (There are two more books in the series, but I haven't read them yet.)

9. The Body Electric by Beth Revis.  This one is a mindbender!  I need to re-read this to really grasp the plot, but it involves the possibility of people being "alive" but not alive because of nanobots in their blood.

10. Summer House With Swimming Pool by Herman Koch.  Unlike most of the rest of this list, this one isn't YA.  It's a blunt murder mystery with the possibility of sexual assault on a minor and it's terrifying to me.

I couldn't work my favorites of all time, Anne of Green Gables or the Mitford series, into this list!  They'll be back next week, I'm sure.  ;)  What about you?  What creepy/scary books do your recommend for fall reading?  Leave a comment and I'll be sure to follow back!

Stacking the Shelves

Today I'm over at Tynga's Reviews, Stacking the Shelves.  Click on the image above to hear about my pumpkin spice obsession & what books I brought home!

PopSugar Reading Challenge Update!

Y'all!  I only have a few months left, and thirteen books left to read!  Yikes!  I need to get on that.  I hope to find some graphic novels to fill some of those checklist items.  

This week I read The Cage by Megan Shepherd, which is a romance set in the future.

Previously, I've read:
Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson, which is a book based on a fairy tale.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, which is a YA bestseller.

Journal of Major George Washington, 1754 by George Washington, which is a book translated to English.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, which is a book set in Europe.

The Fireflies Book by Brett Ortler, which is a book that's under 150 pages.

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith, which is a New York Times bestseller.

#scandal by Sarah Ockler is a book recommended by someone I just met.

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp is a self-improvement book.

Prohibition Bakery by Leslie Feinberg with Brooke Siem, which is a book I can finish in a day.

Situation Momedy: A First-Time Mom's Guide to Laughing Your Way Through Pregnancy & Year One by Jenna Von Oy, which is a book written by a celebrity.

Baby 411 by Ari Brown with Denise Fields, which is a book that's more than 600 pages.

Meridian by Josin L. McQuein, which is a science-fiction novel.

On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo with Robert Bucknam, which is a book recommended by a family member.

The Harlem Hellfighters by Max Brooks, which is a graphic novel.

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco, which is a book that is published in 2016.

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins, which is a book with a protagonist who has my occupation.

Circa Now by Amber McRee Turner, which is a book that takes place during Summer.

What We Lost in the Dark by Jacquelyn Mitchard, which is a murder mystery.

Near Enemy by Adam Sternbergh, which is a dystopian novel.

The Forever Girl by Alexander McCall Smith, which is a book with a blue cover.

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan, which is a book from the library.

I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had by Tony Danza, which is an autobiography.

The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith, which is a book about a culture I'm unfamiliar with.

Mama Tried by Emily Flake, which is a satirical book.

The Young Elites by Marie Lu, which is a book that takes place on an island.

Wild Ones by Jon Mooallem, which is a book that's guaranteed to bring me joy.

The Cage by Megan Shepherd | Book Review

Today I'm over at Tynga's Reviews, taking a second look at The Cage by Megan Shepherd.  Spoiler alert: I loved it!  Find out more by clicking on the cover image above!

*I received my copy of The Cage from the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.  Thank you!

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a fun meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  For more information, or to join the fun yourself, check out their blog!

Top Ten Five Book Characters I'd Name a Pet After

In no particular order.

1. I'd name some bunnies after the Hobbit part of the Fellowship- Frodo, Merry, Pippin, and/or Samwise Gamgee.  I just think that bunnies and hobbits have a lot in common.

2. I'd name an orange cat Aslan, from the Chronicles of Narnia.  Just because they have a similar appearance.

3. I'd name a redheaded dog, like a collie, after Anne of Green Gables.  I'd probably need a black cat named Diana to go with it.  ;)

4. I'd just completely steal Father Tim's idea and name a big old wolfhound Barnabus.

5. I'd name a gray crazy-hair guinea pig Gandalf.  Not sure why, exactly, but it does feel right.

And you?  What bookish names would you give to your pets or offspring?  Leave a comment below and I'll be sure to visit!

Stacking the Shelves

Today I'm over at Tynga's Reviews, stacking the shelves.  I've got George Washington, bacon, religion, serial killers, aliens, and Snoopy.  Click on the image above and find out more!

PopSugar Reading Challenge Update!

Y'all!  I only have a few months left, and fourteen books left to read!  Yikes!  I need to get on that.  I hope to find some graphic novels to fill some of those checklist items.  

This week I read Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco, which is a book that is published in 2016.

Previously, I've read:
Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson, which is a book based on a fairy tale.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, which is a YA bestseller.

Journal of Major George Washington, 1754 by George Washington, which is a book translated to English.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, which is a book set in Europe.

The Fireflies Book by Brett Ortler, which is a book that's under 150 pages.

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith, which is a New York Times bestseller.

#scandal by Sarah Ockler is a book recommended by someone I just met.

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp is a self-improvement book.

Prohibition Bakery by Leslie Feinberg with Brooke Siem, which is a book I can finish in a day.

Situation Momedy: A First-Time Mom's Guide to Laughing Your Way Through Pregnancy & Year One by Jenna Von Oy, which is a book written by a celebrity.

Baby 411 by Ari Brown with Denise Fields, which is a book that's more than 600 pages.

Meridian by Josin L. McQuein, which is a science-fiction novel.

On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo with Robert Bucknam, which is a book recommended by a family member.

The Harlem Hellfighters by Max Brooks, which is a graphic novel.

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins, which is a book with a protagonist who has my occupation.

Circa Now by Amber McRee Turner, which is a book that takes place during Summer.

What We Lost in the Dark by Jacquelyn Mitchard, which is a murder mystery.

Near Enemy by Adam Sternbergh, which is a dystopian novel.

The Forever Girl by Alexander McCall Smith, which is a book with a blue cover.

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan, which is a book from the library.

I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had by Tony Danza, which is an autobiography.

The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith, which is a book about a culture I'm unfamiliar with.

Mama Tried by Emily Flake, which is a satirical book.

The Young Elites by Marie Lu, which is a book that takes place on an island.

Wild Ones by Jon Mooallem, which is a book that's guaranteed to bring me joy.

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco | Book Review

Today I'm discussing this wonderfully chilling murder mystery over at Team Tynga's Reviews.  Click on the cover image above to find out more (including a giveaway)!

*I received my copy of Stalking Jack the Ripper from the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.  Thank you!