It’s time for another roundup of my favorite reads of the last few months. The holidays get pretty busy, which meant not as much reading, but I still managed to find some good reads. You can always follow me on Goodreads to see everything I’ve read!
Middle grade reads:
The Experiment, by Rebecca Stead
I’m not sure if this book would be approved or disapproved by Marv for its alien-centric plot, but it’s a good one! Nathan has lived his entire life believing he is part of an alien race known as the Kast, who are explorers on Earth and trying to blend in by maintaining their human appearance. One day, he suddenly grows a tail, which sets of an entire chain of events that leads him to question everything he and his parents have always been taught. Are the villains aliens, humans, or both? Nathan’s journey of self-discovery moves at a fast pace with lots of twists and turns. I also really enjoyed the uniqueness of the aliens themselves.
Blood in the Water, by Tiffany D. Jackson
In this middle grade murder mystery, Kaylani is sent to spend the summer with rich family friends on Martha’s Vineyard. Desperately missing her dad, who is in jail for a crime she is convinced he didn’t commit, Kaylani struggles to fit in with the rich kids on the island. But social challenges become the least of her worries after a local teen is murdered. This story moves at a quick pace, though there were definitely times when it felt too focused on her social concerns rather than the mystery. Still, this was a solid mystery for middle grade readers with plenty of fun Jaws references.
For adults:
H.P. Lovecraft Tales of Horror
H.P. Lovecraft is one of the most iconic horror authors, and October felt like a great time to go back and re-read a lot of his stories. His cosmic horror is a distinct brand, and one that I enjoy quite a bit. Some of my favorite stories include The Colour Out of Space, The Shadow Over Inssmouth, The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, and The Whisperer in Darkness. It’s well worth picking up a collection of his work.
