Happy 2020 book ghoulies!!
It is the beginning of a new year and a new month, which means along comes a whole new TBR! I normally tend to keep my TBR small, but this month I am a little ambitious in the group reads that I am taking a part of. There is one book that I am still waiting on from the library that I have a hold one, so unfortunately I was unable to snap a photo of it for this month's TBR photo, but I will explain it in my write up shortly.
Fall on Your Knees by Anne-Marie MacDonald
Historical Fiction
566 pages
Synopsis:
Following the curves of history in the first half of the twentieth century, Fall On Your Knees takes us from haunted Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, through the battle fields of World War One, to the emerging jazz scene of New York city and into the lives of four unforgettable sisters. The mythically charged Piper family--James, a father of intelligence and immense ambition, Materia, his Lebanese child-bride, and their daughters: Kathleen, a budding opera Diva; Frances, the incorrigible liar and hell-bent bad girl; Mercedes, obsessive Catholic and protector of the flock; and Lily, the adored invalid who takes us on a quest for truth and redemption--is supported by a richly textured cast of characters. Together they weave a tale of inescapable family bonds, of terrible secrets, of miracles, racial strife, attempted murder, birth and death, and forbidden love. Moving and finely written, Fall On Your Knees is by turns dark and hilariously funny, a story--and a world--that resonate long after the last page is turned.
Why it's on my TBR:
This book was given to me at Christmas by my grandpa. It is one of his favourite books. I promised him I would drop all other books and read it immediately so we could discuss it the next time we spoke. I had picked up this book around Christmas time and unfortunately was unable to complete the book before the New Year, therefore making this my first read of 2020.
I have since completed the book and have a lot to say about it! I have written a mini review on Goodreads so far, but will be capturing my thoughts soon when I compose a full review blog post.
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield
Historical Fiction
464 pages
Synopsis:
On a dark midwinter’s night in an ancient inn on the river Thames, an extraordinary event takes place. The regulars are telling stories to while away the dark hours, when the door bursts open on a grievously wounded stranger. In his arms is the lifeless body of a small child. Hours later, the girl stirs, takes a breath and returns to life. Is it a miracle? Is it magic? Or can science provide an explanation? These questions have many answers, some of them quite dark indeed.
Those who dwell on the river bank apply all their ingenuity to solving the puzzle of the girl who died and lived again, yet as the days pass the mystery only deepens. The child herself is mute and unable to answer the essential questions: Who is she? Where did she come from? And to whom does she belong? But answers proliferate nonetheless.
Three families are keen to claim her. A wealthy young mother knows the girl is her kidnapped daughter, missing for two years. A farming family reeling from the discovery of their son’s secret liaison, stand ready to welcome their granddaughter. The parson’s housekeeper, humble and isolated, sees in the child the image of her younger sister. But the return of a lost child is not without complications and no matter how heartbreaking the past losses, no matter how precious the child herself, this girl cannot be everyone’s. Each family has mysteries of its own, and many secrets must be revealed before the girl’s identity can be known.
Once Upon a River is a glorious tapestry of a book that combines folklore and science, magic and myth. Suspenseful, romantic, and richly atmospheric, the beginning of this novel will sweep you away on a powerful current of storytelling, transporting you through worlds both real and imagined, to the triumphant conclusion whose depths will continue to give up their treasures long after the last page is turned.
Why it's on my TBR:
This book was selected by the fantasy book club/group chat that I have recently joined called Book Knights. They have been active on instagram for a while, but this will only be my second read that I am joining them on. I have been eyeballing this one for almost a year actually, though. It was been on my to buy list for a year, but I keep pushing it aside for some reason, so I am glad to finally be making time for it. This one, I am waiting for my library hold to come through on it so I can snap some pictures but I was fortunate enough to get an epub of it, so I am already about 25% done. I am already hooked on the story line and don't want to put the book down. Early predictions are guessing that this may be my first 5 star read of 2020.
Carrie by Stephen King
Horror
253 pages
Synopsis:
A modern classic, Carrie introduced a distinctive new voice in American fiction -- Stephen King. The story of misunderstood high school girl Carrie White, her extraordinary telekinetic powers, and her violent rampage of revenge, remains one of the most barrier-breaking and shocking novels of all time.
Make a date with terror and live the nightmare that is...Carrie
Why it's on my TBR:
I have never ever read a Stephen King book before! But, I have heard that he weaves all his books together and some characters appear in other books. So, basically, he has created a whole King universe! When I discovered this, I did research on the best way to immerse myself on understanding the King universe, and the way is to read his books chronologically. This is how I am starting, with Carrie! I am also buddy reading this with the lovely, Isabelle (@miss.misty). I am excited to open up the world of horror with Stephen King this year.
In the House in the Dark of the Woods by Laird Hunt
Horror
218 pages
Synopsis:
In this horror story set in colonial New England, a law-abiding Puritan woman goes missing. Or perhaps she has fled or abandoned her family. Or perhaps she's been kidnapped, and set loose to wander in the dense woods of the north. Alone and possibly lost, she meets another woman in the forest. Then everything changes.
On a journey that will take her through dark woods full of almost-human wolves, through a deep well wet with the screams of men, and on a living ship made of human bones, our heroine may find that the evil she flees has been inside her all along. The eerie, disturbing story of one of our perennial fascinations--witchcraft in colonial America--In the House in the Dark of the Woods is a novel of psychological horror and suspense told in Laird Hunt's characteristically lyrical prose style. It is the story of a bewitching, a betrayal, a master huntress and her quarry. It is a story of anger, of evil, of hatred and of redemption. It is the story of a haunting, a story that makes up the bedrock of American mythology, but told in a vivid way you will never forget.
Why it's on my TBR:
This book slithered it's way onto my books to buy amazon wish-list when it appeared on one of the book spooks instagram pages. The cover instantly sold me. I didn't even read the synopsis, I just stuck it on the wish-list and waited until I was ready to buy it. Then, the bookghouls instagram horror group had a poll for our January group read and this bad boy won. It was meant to be! Unfortunately, I won't be seeing my own copy until February so off to my local library to snag this copy. Thank goodness that our chain of libraries had a copy, otherwise I would've cried. Honest.
Life is Short and Then You Die by Kelley Armstrong
Young Adult Mystery Short Stories
320 pages
Synopsis:
Adolescence is a time of “firsts.” First kiss. First love. First loss. First job. The first taste of adult responsibilities, and the first look at an independent life away from both the restrictions and the security of home.
And in this case, a very different type of “first”: murder.
This short story collection of murder mysteries adds a sinister spin to the joy and pain of firsts that have always been a major part of life, whether it be high school cliques who take the term “backstabbing” too seriously, stumbling upon a body on the way home from school, or receiving a Snapchat message that promises something deadly.
Why it's on my TBR:
As I was at the library picking up my Laird Hunt book, compulsion brought me to the new releases shelf where I noticed this little number. First thing that captured my attention, the word "murder". Naturally, I am drawn to things that are macabre. I was thrown off by the short stories because that's not normally my thing, but hey, 2020 is a new year so why not try something different. So, this is still in my comfort zone but also out of my comfort zone, we will see how this pans out.
What makes you pick books up for your TBR? I would love to chat about it! Drop a comment!