Volume 14, Issue 11 – Pithead Chapel
COVER ART BY SUSAN POLLET FICTION CABBAGE SOUP WEEK BY NINA Y. MORAGON ONE OF GOD’S FAVORITES BY HAL WRIGHT CREEPS BY MELISSA BENTON BARKER THE NEED IN HER EYES BY RACHEL EPHRAIM &nbs…| Pithead Chapel
COVER ART BY SUSAN POLLET FICTION CABBAGE SOUP WEEK BY NINA Y. MORAGON ONE OF GOD’S FAVORITES BY HAL WRIGHT CREEPS BY MELISSA BENTON BARKER THE NEED IN HER EYES BY RACHEL EPHRAIM &nbs…| Pithead Chapel
Spooky tales around Halloween have made their way into listeners' ears across the country since, almost, the birth of radio. In the spirit of this long tradition, we bring you, “Emily and the Haunting of the Orpheum Theater.” Here’s WPR's A. Emily Ralph as a curious radio reporter. == EMILY: It's a Friday night in| Wisconsin Life
Lyon is France’s second city, renowned as the capital of the rest of the country while Paris is the metropole. And OctoGônes is its biggest annual fantasy, gaming and independent weird publis…| teleread.org
“Richmal Crompton, I salute you.” That is the final sentence of Kate Atkinson’s afterword to her novel A God in Ruins. (2015). She is acknowledging, of course, her debt to Crompton’s William stories. Atkinson’s novel follows the life of Teddy Todd – would-be poet, bomber pilot, husband, father, and grandfather – as he navigates the turbulence of the twentieth century.…Continue Reading→| Rattlebag and Rhubarb
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami, if described in concrete terms of characters and setting, seems rather uninteresting. A coming-of-age story set in Japan during the late 1960s, from the perspective of a university student navigating love, loss, and a chaotic social landscape. The novel’s protagonist, Toru Watanabe, finds himself torn between two seemingly opposite women […] The post Norwegian Wood: Book Review first appeared on The Badger.| The Badger
For once on a time Is the first few words of a fairytale The start of a story to come Though the pages that travel That you translate based On your life and the emotion You currently have running through you Alex| Mybookworld24
Thank you to Shadow Dragon Press for providing me with this review copy. My opinions are completely my own. One Night at Kedasi is available now. *I am a Bookshop.org affiliate. Should you make a purchase using a link in this post, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. One … Continue reading Book Review: One Night at Kedasi by Ashton Macaulay→| Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub
Thank you to Orbit Books and Oliver Wehner for providing me with a review copy of this book. I’ll Make a Spectacle of You will be available on November 18, 2025. I don’t read a ton of horror. In fact, I’m hard pressed to think of the last time I read a book that sits … Continue reading Book Review: I’ll Make a Spectacle of You by Beatrice Winifred Iker→| Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub
Thank you to Orbit Books and Oliver Wehner for providing me with this review copy. My opinions are completely my own. I enjoyed Georgia Summer’s previous book, The City of Stardust, so I was excited for The Bookshop Below. While I could see the author’s fingerprints in the writing style and hints of wonder, the … Continue reading Book Review: The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers→| Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub
I’m not huge on Halloween, to be honest. I have nothing against it, it’s just not my bag. However, there’s something to be said for curling up with a good spooky (or spooky adjace…| Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub
Wandering into an antiquarian bookshop, the author discovers a 1623 dictionary facsimile and a poignant bookplate, prompting reflections on the value of the past and its wisdom, contrasted with the fleeting nature of digital reading.| Atkins Bookshelf
In 2025, The Great Gatsby marks its centenary, showcasing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s exploration of the American Dream. The novel’s enduring impact is partly due to Francis Cugat’s ico…| Atkins Bookshelf
CASEY WALKER For the farewell trip, Elle and I arrived at the house to find Matthew and John already unpacking in their bedrooms. I stood for a moment in my mother’s study. It was still filled with her legal books and paperback mysteries. Someone would have to sort those books, discard them, and probably the job would be mine.| The Common
ELSA LYONS Then I understood. Ellen was translucent. It wasn’t just her skin; all of her was less solid, almost ghostly. One day she might be totally transparent. And then what? How could Dr. Lopez have missed this? And Andrew? Well, it was still very slight. Maybe only a mother could notice something so subtle.| The Common
Every Friday Book Beginnings on Friday is hosted by Gillion at Rose City Reader where you can share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading. You can also share from a book you want to highlight… More| BooksPlease
The summary on Goodreads: A wickedly clever satire uses comic inversions to offer telling insights into the nature of man and society. Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.… More| BooksPlease
The spin number in The Classics Club Spin is number … which for me is Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault The rules of the Spin are that this is the book for me to read by 21 December …| BooksPlease
Our theme of Fictions started with a HGN | IWM panel at the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Curious Festival. You can read more about the event on the Historical Games Network blog and you can watch the panel via this link. We now have an open call for your contributions! The general idea that historical narrative […]| Historical Games Network
You did not understand the words but that didn't matter. God hears his creations in all the dialects of their yearning. You remember weeks of the storms on the ship sailing the Caribbean Sea where God was a thin thread you hanged on for dear life...| The Good Life Review
Come with me to the apple orchard. Let's see how the light hits the apples and hear the crunching of the leaves beneath our feet.| Bridgette Tales
If your friends are there, then everything’s all right ~ Elton John, Friends| My little corner of the world
The Greatest Mystery at the End of the Galaxy| Nick Yoder
Next up is The Rest of our Lives. You can read our short reviews here: The Rest of our Lives. The novel made it onto 0 of our predictions lists. The Booker judges had this to say about the book ‘When Tom Layward’s wife cheated on him, he stayed for the children but promised to […]| The Reader's Room
Next up is Audition by Katie Kitamura. You can read our short reviews here: Audition. The novel made it onto 4 of our predictions lists with all by Lisa predicting it will make the shortlist. The Booker judges had this to say about the book… ‘This novel begins with an actress meeting a young man […]| The Reader's Room
Now that the shortlist has been announced, our panel will be providing some additional thoughts on each of the shortlist nominees. First up is Flesh by David Szalay. You can read our short reviews …| The Reader's Room
Review by Annabel A crime novel set in Moscow, 1934 – a year in which the Moscow subway is being built under the city – sounded irresistible. Merridale is the...| Shiny New Books
Review by Rob Spence When I started reading this quirkily entertaining novel, I was reminded of a remarkable Turkish film I saw some years ago. The film, 10 to 11,...| Shiny New Books
Review by David Harris When I was a young woman, there were still witches . . . In The Bewitching, Silvia Moreno-Garcia deftly blends three timelines to produce a clever and suspenseful| Shiny New Books
From the very first issue of Dark Mountain, we bring you Nick Hunt's short story about the slaying of a mythical Welsh monster The post To the Bone appeared first on Dark Mountain.| Dark Mountain
I can’t believe what I saw. Charlie and I sat in his living room. Toto, Charlie‘s dog, a rescue who seemed a mix of German Shepherd and poodle, sat quietly by Charlie’s side. I knew that Toto‘s pre…| roughwighting
Small Rain by Garth Greenwell is one of the most creative books I’ve read this year. Not creative in that it plays with style or structure, but simply for its somehow wholly engaging focus on the micro detail (and in doing so, tells a macro story). What a strange thing a body is, I thought, … Continue reading →| booksaremyfavouriteandbest
Sample Saturday is when I wade through the eleventy billion samples I have downloaded on my Kindle. I’m slowly chipping away and deciding whether it’s buy or bye.| booksaremyfavouriteandbest
Free epub ebook download of the Standard Ebooks edition of The Pit: A couple in turn-of-the-century Chicago navigates the murky waters of greed, ambition, and loss against the backdrop of the Board of Trade’s wheat speculation pits.| standardebooks.org
Hi friends, happy Monday, I hope you’re all doing well! Today I’m posting my review of Erin Sterling’s novel, The Ex Hex. The Ex Hex by: Erin Sterling: Vivi was taught not to mix magic with vodka, but one night after a terrible break up, she puts a hex on her ex and doesn’t think… Continue reading Review: The Ex Hex| Meghan's Whimsical Explorations & Reviews
Hi friends, happy Wednesday! I hope you’re all doing well. Today I’m posting my review of Grady Hendrix’s novel, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by: Grady Hendrix: In 1970, Neva finds herself pregnant at 15, and so her father sends her away to Miss Wellwood’s Home for unwed mothers to be hidden… Continue reading Review: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls| Meghan's Whimsical Explorations & Reviews
Hi friends, happy Wednesday! I hope you’re all doing well. Today I’m blogging by the seat of my pants again and have whipped up this review to post, which is Mia P. Manansala’s novel Arsenic and Adobo. Arsenic and Adobo by: Mia P. Manansala: After three years away at school in Chicago, with no degree… Continue reading Review: Arsenic and Adobo| Meghan's Whimsical Explorations & Reviews
Hi friends, happy Monday and if you’re Canadian, Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you’re all doing well! Today I’m posting my review of Sarah Hawley’s novel, A Witch’s Guide…| Meghan's Whimsical Explorations & Reviews
Despite its modest 300 pages, this book covers a huge scope, covering three hundred years over two continents: Africa and America. It opens in Ghana in the mid 18th century, with two half-sisters who are unknown to each other. One … Continue reading →| The Resident Judge of Port Phillip
2025, 227 p. I feel a bit as if I’ve come half-way into a conversation with this book, because this memoir by Mandy Sayer is in fact her fourth (no fear of an unexamined life, here). But alth…| The Resident Judge of Port Phillip
Alfreda Marion Peel of Salem was among the most intrepid of the roving folklorists who scoured the Appalachians on behalf of the Virginia Folklore Society in the early twentieth century, collecting old ballads from England and Scotland. In 1917, she transcribed “Barbara Allen” as sung by Texas Gladden, who would go on to regional fame as a folk singer. Read more about: The Witch in the Mill and other Appalachian Haunts| Encyclopedia Virginia
Alan Gutierrez’s cover for the 1985 edition 4.5/5 (Very Good) Octavia E. Butler’s Clay’s Ark (1984) is the final published volume of her Patternist sequence (1976-1984).1 It is th…| Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations
Sure the organization that ran National Novel Writing Month has shut down, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dedicate the month of November to starting/finishing that book that’s be…| Mindy Carlson
Linking to: It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? at BookDate; Sunday Post @ Caffeinated Reviewer; and the Sunday Salon @ ReaderBuzz ==================== Life… Weather is always a hot topic in these posts. It’s mid Spring in Australia but on Wednesday the temperature in my town reached 42C° (that’s 108F), the hottest October day here in 65 years. Thankfully temperatures have dropped to the … Continue reading It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #SundayPost #SundaySalon| Book’d Out
Every third Sunday of the month (or so) I share my Bookshelf Bounty – what’s been added to my TBR tile recently for review from publishers, purchases or gifts. Click on the cover images to view at Goodreads For Review (My thanks to the respective publishers) Every third Sunday of the month (or so) I … Continue reading Bookshelf Bounty| Book’d Out
Title: Lost and Found Author: Liz Byrski Published: 28th October 2025, PanMacmillan Aus Status: Read October 2025 courtesy PanMacmillan Aus ++++++++ My Thoughts: Two years after she woke from an urgent dream, Rose Walters is finally returning to England to confront her biggest loss. It’s been thirty years since Tom Stutchbury broke her heart but … Continue reading Review: Lost and Found by Liz Byrski| Book’d Out
Title: Tusk Love Author: Thea Guanzon Published: 1st July 2025, Random House UK Status: Read September 2025 courtesy PenguinUK/Netgalley ++++++++ My Thoughts: Tusk Love started life as a joke during campaign two aka The Mighty Nein, of Critical Role, a popular Dungeons and Dragons group who live stream their weekly games. Jester Lavorre (played by … Continue reading Review: Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon| Book’d Out
Linking to: It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? at BookDate; Sunday Post @ Caffeinated Reviewer; and the Sunday Salon @ ReaderBuzz ==================== Life… The week has just slipped away from me, between the late night/early morning rides to work for my son, and a particularly bad bout of insomnia coupled with peri-menopausal night sweats, I’m exhausted. I used to be able … Continue reading It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #SundayPost #Sunday Salon| Book’d Out
Title: The Society of Unknowable Objects Author: Gareth Brown Published: 30th July 2025, Random House UK Status: Read September 2025 courtesy PenguinUK/Netgalley ++++++++ My Thoughts: “All unknowable objects did something: ordinary, everyday items that could enable those who possessed them to do unusual and extraordinary things. ” Set in the same world as The Books of … Continue reading Review: The Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown| Book’d Out
Title: Metal Slinger {Fire & Metal #1} Author: Rachel Schneider Published: 24th June 2025, Gollancz Status: Read October 2025 courtesy Hachette AUS ++++++++ My Thoughts: With a twist you likely won’t see coming, Metal Slinger is the first promising instalment of the Fire & Metal fantasy romance series by Rachel Schneider. Brynn lives in Alaha, … Continue reading Review: Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider| Book’d Out
You Belong Here by Megan Miranda is a psychological thriller that explores the weight of past trauma, the...| books that slay
Wrath of the Dragons by Olivia Rose Darling is a captivating fantasy novel that immerses readers into a...| books that slay
Wrangled Love by Ann Einerson is a heartwarming tale that revolves around Jensen Harding, a successful CEO who...| books that slay
The World’s Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully is a suspenseful mystery that follows...| books that slay
Woman on the Verge by Kim Hooper explores the complexities of motherhood, identity, and personal fulfillment. The novel...| books that slay
With Dagger and Song by Helen Scheuerer is a compelling fantasy novel that immerses readers in a world...| books that slay
Where You’re Planted by Melanie Sweeney is a story of resilience, personal growth, and the transformative power of...| books that slay
When You Disappeared by John Marrs is a gripping tale about the unraveling of a family’s life after...| books that slay
We Won’t All Survive by Kate Alice Marshall is a thrilling survival story that explores the psychological and...| books that slay
Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs is a historical fiction novel that explores the lives of women impacted by...| books that slay
Watch Your Back by Tate James is a gripping, emotional story of betrayal, trauma, and the complicated dynamics...| books that slay
War of Mist by Helen Scheuerer is a captivating fantasy novel that takes readers on a journey through a fractured realm on the brink of war. The story| BooksThatSlay
German author Daniela Krien who was born in the former G.D.R. published her first novel We Will Tell Each Other Everything (Wir werden uns alles erzählen) in 2011. Long before Kairos she told the story of a passionate love story between a very young woman and a much older man during the final months of … … Continue reading →| Beauty is a Sleeping Cat
Free epub ebook download of the Standard Ebooks edition of Short Fiction: A collection of short stories by Saki, ordered by date of publication.| standardebooks.org
I can’t believe that in a little over a week’s time Smugglers and Secrets the fourth book in my fiction series, Witches of the New Forest, will be out! It’s been an incredible year, with tons of ha…| Down the Forest Path
If you’d like to be included in this slot, please get in touch: estherchilton@gmail.com. Poems can be up to 60 lines and prose 2000 words. If you’d like to add a short bio and photo, then great. All I ask is that there’s nothing offensive. This week’s guest is writer who has a fantastic imagination. […]| Esther Chilton
It had been the one thing she’d ever admitted wanting- besides him. Back when they first got together, before the shadows set in, they’d lain on the hood of his old pickup, watching the stars. That was when she said it for the first time, hiding her crooked smile behind her hand. “A ’55 Bel […]| Thru Violet's Lentz
In a darkened corner of the library, their eyes met over shared paragraphs and whispered secrets. He was a boy with a heart full of poetry, and she was a girl with dreams woven into her smile. They found solace in the pages of books and comfort in each other’s presence. Love blossomed like a […]| Thru Violet's Lentz
Amma hadn’t loved Amir, the older gentleman her father had chosen as her husband. Yet, with her father’s health fragile and Amir’s promise to see to the upbringing of her four much younger sisters, she allowed duty to outweigh desire and made it work. Amir, a man of wealth and quiet demeanor, accepted his new […]| Thru Violet's Lentz
For the past several weeks, on Thursdays, I have been reposting pieces originally written for a now defunct writing prompt called 50 Word Thursdays. The prompt required that we submit our response in 50 word increments- not to exceed 250 words- and that they contained the literary quote provided. I decided to challenge anyone that […]| Thru Violet's Lentz
Theo awoke in darkness, the faint sound of water lapping against stone echoing in the quiet Venetian morning. He turned, expecting to see Ziva, his wife, nestled beside him. Instead, the bed was cold and empty. Panic gripped his chest. Ziva was a sleepwalker. At home, he kept their doors locked, alarms set. Here, in […]| Thru Violet's Lentz
The champagne was still fizzing when the headlines hit- “Regulators Probe Sudden Crypto Surge.” They sat in the glass-walled penthouse, city lights glittering like the money they’d conjured from code and whispers, laughing too loud, too long. Their phones buzzed with congratulatory texts and encrypted warnings, but every ping sounded like a countdown. They told […]| Thru Violet's Lentz
Photo Courtesy of Crispina Kemp Eli crouched beside the web, notebook balanced on his knees, whispering to himself.He sketched furiously, oblivious to the autumn chill. Then- fwump. A moth, large a…| Thru Violet's Lentz
"Mom used to say all our furniture had soul..."| Tsundoku Diving
It is hard to believe it is a month since I last did a book post, but then time seems … More| Thistles and Kiwis
We live in a world that glorifies the spotlight. Loud launches, big stages, bright lights, viral posts, they make success look like something that happens out there, where everyone can see it. But the truth is quieter. Real strength is forged in the shadows. In the places where no one is clapping. In the long…| rochemamabolo
They packed their suitcase, dreaming of a new life – a new city, a new home. They imagined the city would offer fresh experiences, a vibrant world to discover, and memories waiting to be made…| And Miles to go before I sleep...
“No one tells a hard-boiled tale like Jim Nelson.” – Instant CityNelson is a tried and tested author. – The Drifting PaigeA damn good writer. – FanFiAddict Jim Nelson's novels include Bridge Daughter (Kindle Press, 2016), Man in the Middle, and In My Memory Locked.| Jim Nelson
During the International Man Booker Prize Long List (so February – March 2025), I put this on the my reservation list and it finally came through a few weeks ago. Having almost finished ‘The Measure’ I popped the copy into my backpack to accompany me on my up and back flight to Sydney last Thursday. […]| Yarra Book Club
So did you tune in? I am not sure how I feel about the list – but like any list that is subject to votes, it will have a lot of ‘different’ books. I have read 34 of these, and there are definitely a bunch I would like to read. Hats off to those that […]| Yarra Book Club
This intriguing book was picked for our Yarra Book Club by Nina. Review: During one evening, on a single night, wherever you were in the world you will, if you are 22 years or older, you will awake to a little wooden box on your doorstep. On this box, in whatever language you speak, it […]| Yarra Book Club
This is my fourth Classic Spin. The idea is that you choose 20 Classic Books, number them 1-20, post them on your blog and then for whatever number is announced, you read that book by the 19th October. You can read more information about it on the Classics Club Blog. The Classics Club Blog number will […]| Yarra Book Club
I have been wanting to read David Mitchell for a long time. Phil wants me to read ‘Utopia Avenue’, but because I could get The Bone Clocks from the library as an audio book this is where I started. Review: The Bone Clocks tells the story of Holly Sykes. We are first introduced to her […]| Yarra Book Club
After waiting over 8 months for my turn to borrow this book from the library, I was not going to miss my turn. I had been 126th and who knows there may be another 120 people behind me. I was going …| Yarra Book Club
Today, we have the third part of Emma @WordsandPeace and my discussion on The Hopkins Manuscript by R. C. Sherriff, a scifi novel dealing with a cataclysm and its aftermath which have completely changed what the earth looks and works like. We talk about chapters 10-14 (Find our chat on the Foreword-Chapter 4 here and…| Literary Potpourri
It’s midmonth and time for Emma@WordsandPeace and I to pick up our buddy-read for the month. For October 2025, we’re stepping away from one of our Tove Jansson reads to instead pick up a common boo…| Literary Potpourri
January 1941, London, and Detective Inspector John Jago is one of those remaining at Scotland Yard to police the streets during the blitz. A time when the country should be banding together is still seen as an opportunity for some to take advantage of the chaos for personal gain – and for murder. Rosemary Webster […]| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
“Pay attention, 007…” For decades, Major Boothroyd – Q – had been head of the research and development arm of MI6 – Q Branch – arming their agents for their missions to put the world to rights, no matter what method they used. In particular, arming the Double 0 agents. In particular, agent 007. You […]| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
1301 and while a peace – a very fragile peace – exists between England and France, all is not well in the English court. A promise has been made that the future Edward II will marry Philip IV of France’s daughter Isabella, but the existence of Edward’s former mistress, Lady Belmont, is something of a […]| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Anthony Mallaby’s life has led him to Little Wokeham. A doctor in the declining years of his career for a number of reasons, he has taken the role of a GP in the village. He soon becomes close to t…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
I have been waiting for a package to arrive from UPS for weeks. They just sent me my third delivery notice with the third different delivery date. Will I finally get it? I idly thought of spells that might do the trick while at work Thursday, then wrote this story at Pack Rat Gaming while my boyfriend played Malifaux. Not one word was AI generated.| Chasing Dings!
Deek reconnects with Lubna, hires a young accountant, and shares a lunch with Marco that results in a stunning surprise. The post Moonshot [Part 26] – Beneath The Flight Path appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.| MuslimMatters.org
Deek shops for a house, and has a bizarre experience in a local gym. The post Moonshot [Part 25] – Save The World Or Burn It Down appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.| MuslimMatters.org
Today I’m visiting fellow Story Empire author Beem Weeks to introduce you to another poor farm resident, Carmi Delude. A big thank you to Beem for hosting the final day of the blog tour for The Weight of Snow and Regret. I hope you can take a few minutes and pop over to Beem’s place … Continue reading The Weight of Snow and Regret Blog Tour: Character Spotlight on Carmi Delude| Elizabeth Gauffreau
Blog Tour: Character Spotlight on Sterlin’ D. Weed Today I’m visiting the multi-talented Resa McConaghy at her Graffiti Lux and More blog to introduce a cameo appearance by New England&…| Elizabeth Gauffreau
Unbury the Dead by Laurel Hanlon I reviewed this book in my capacity as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team. If you would like your book reviewed, you can contact Rosie Amber here: http://rosieamber.wordpress.com/. I always enjoy a good vampire novel, especially during Halloween month. Unbury the Dead, debut novel by Laurel Hanlon introduces the … Continue reading Roberta Writes – Book reviews: Unbury the Dead and A Bold Bargain #fiction #bookreviews #readingcommunity→|
I don’t have the words for how good 'Red City' by Marie Lu is... but here’s my attempt.| heavenlybookish
'A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping' by Sangu Mandanna is a cozy but confusing fantasy that charms with its vibes more than its plot.| heavenlybookish
‘The Rose Bargain’ by Sasha Peyton Smith is a fast-paced fae fantasy with charm, diversity, and untapped potential.| heavenlybookish
October is the month I was born and the month my mother died. Sweetness and sadness rolled into one. It …Continue reading →| Deborah J. Brasket, Author
