Category Archives: Reviews

The Shunned House (from The Other Gods and More Unearthly Tales) by H. P. Lovecraft

Do you ever have one of those days where you’re overwhelmed and upset and nothing goes right? I knew by 8:30 am that today would be that day. So when I read Just Book Reading’s favorable review of The Shunned House this morning, I knew that if I got the opportunity to do so, IContinue reading “The Shunned House (from The Other Gods and More Unearthly Tales) by H. P. Lovecraft”

The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh

We are all possessors of secrets. They may vary in nature and value, but we keep them all the same. A secret shared between two people, despite their best intentions, rarely stays so. Secret liaisons, secret murders, secret selves – they’re all revealed eventually – in literature and in life. I’m not hiding any ofContinue reading “The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh”

The True Test of Friendship: A Top Ten List

I would like to both thank and apologize to anyone who stops by FSR (I’m determined to make the acronym stick) today. Thank you for reading and sorry for recommending, yet again, that you go pick up John Irving, Stephen King, and Richard Russo (though I’m not really sorry if you’ve not taken my adviceContinue reading “The True Test of Friendship: A Top Ten List”

The Trouble with Harry by Jack Trevor Story

Every child is different. That is what we say, right? When in reality, it goes something like this: every child is different, but some are more different than others (paying homage to a classic there). No one says the latter portion aloud and, of course, as a child I fell squarely in the ‘more different’Continue reading “The Trouble with Harry by Jack Trevor Story”

Double Feature by Owen King

According to Wesley Latsch, famous internet blogger in Owen King’s Double Feature, there are 74 75 things that cause unnecessary fatigue. Number one is rushing, number 75 is hugging a mummy, and number 27 is the library. Well said Wesley Latsch, I theoretically agree – hugging a mummy is fatiguing, though I’ve not had theContinue reading “Double Feature by Owen King”

Shameless Hoarding: A Top Ten List

I have long since reached the conclusion that I’ll never get to read everything I would like. Can it be ‘long since’ anything if I’m not yet 30? I say it can. Regardless, it is a well-known fact that most bookish people buy more books than they can read. I am no exception. I wouldContinue reading “Shameless Hoarding: A Top Ten List”

Wherever you see a head, hit it: Donnybrook by Frank Bill

I can change a flat tire and complete an oil change. I can construct and refinish furniture, perform minor electrical work, and grow my own food. I can bait a hook, wield an axe, and I’m proficient in all manner of water activities (swimming, diving, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, etc.). I can gut a fish, climbContinue reading “Wherever you see a head, hit it: Donnybrook by Frank Bill”

Mixtape | American Gods

I will save you what would likely be a redundant review of American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Yes, it’s as amazing as everyone says it is. Yes, it’s intensely imaginative, epic in scope, and emotionally subdued. And yes, I am looking forward to HBO’s adaptation, tentatively scheduled to premiere late 2013. It’s almost enough toContinue reading “Mixtape | American Gods”

Worst Fiction To Film Adaptations: A Top Ten List

Occasionally, films are better than the fiction they are based on. More commonly, the books are better. This top ten list, the opposite of last week’s, is where the novels are significantly better than the movies they were made into. The list is, of course, limited to the books that I’ve read. And certainly thereContinue reading “Worst Fiction To Film Adaptations: A Top Ten List”