Sunday Book Review: The Monster's Corner

  Great Morning my loyal readers! I was hoping to wake up to find that, miraculously! Spring had broken this spell of extreme cold and snow drifts that we're stuck in, but alas. No go. Dammit.
  Alright, I'll stop bitching about the weather. Instead, let's focus on this collection of short stories that I finished a few minutes ago. If you're an Instagram follower (@kellyrwrites) you saw that I put the cover up a few days ago.

Monster's Corner is a collection of short stories from a list of great authors, including Kelley Armstrong, David Liss, Gary A. Braunbeck, and Sarah Pinborough. 
  I've never been much of a short story reader, I usually avoid them. I'm not sure why, I think I read some boring collection back in the day and it turned me off. This one had such a disturbing cover that I gave it a shot. I mean, come on, how could anyone not peek inside of something that looks like that? 
  This collection was awesome and just disturbing enough. The very first story, "The Awkward Age", by David Liss, peeked my interest, as it danced on the line between what's appropriate and taboo in a "friendship" between a married man and an underage girl. Yeah. That's what I was thinking too. Don't worry, it ends super gory and the age difference is thrown to the side in light of the disgusting habits of the main character. 
   There are all sorts of bizarre twists in this collection, and many a bloody, dissected body part gets gnawed on. Creatures from your childhood horror stories are given new life and their true origins are explained better than you've ever read. 
  I don't even know if I have a favorite, as so many of the stories were so amazing and original and well-written. There was so much gore and blood, and demented children, and bad people that it made my head spin. It was awesome! 
  Go and get your copy today. As you can see, I borrowed this one from my local library, but I suspect I will have to buy a copy and add it to my personal library. It's just so juicy and gross. 
  K 

In Celebration of NaNoWriMo

In honor of November 1st and the crazy month long writing fest known as NaNoWriMo, I did some research and pulled together three titles that were birthed out of the writing month. I personally have never been able to reach the 50K requirement, but someday.....

 These titles are awesome, and I was surprised at how many I was familiar with. Go WriMos! 

1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I actually know exactly where this book is on my library's shelves. I've had my eye on it, as I was reminded of such freakish circuses like those delivered by Ray Bradbury. I must definitely pick it up now that I know it was written by a WriMo.






2. Wool, by Hugh Howey

Maybe it's the fact that it takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting, or the fact that the survivors live in a giant silo (so jealous!). Whatever the reason, this book sounds amazing.








 3.  Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen 


Yes, I have a thing for circuses. This book is on my personal top ten- such a good story, tight narrative that successfully crosses generations, humor laced throughout, along with a dangerous love story.