Tag: book recommendations

The best books I read in 2025

2025 wasn’t a great year. It was, in fact, a damn hard year. But you know what? We’re not going to focus on that today. Because there was one thing 2025 was good for, and it was books.

The books that I read this year were, let me tell you, fantastic. Normally, when I do my top ten list for the year, at least some of them are old books that are just new to me. This year, every book on my list either came out this year or in 2024. So well done, everyone, keep up the good work.

I did review most of these books earlier in the year, so I won’t go into a lot of details here. I’ll leave links to the full reviews if you’d like to check them out.

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman

Told entirely from the point of view of a little girl named Bella, this is the horrific tale of a demonic possession that rips a family apart.

Sunrise on The Reaping by Suzanne Collins

This might be the final book in the Hunger Games series. And it was fantastic. If you’ve somehow not read this, do it now. Haymitch’s story is heartbreaking at every turn.

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

This book was so cool. There’s witchcraft, lesbians, and Mexican ambiance. Everything one could want in a horror story. I almost wish I’d saved it for a more wintery month, as it feels like a winter horror book. So if you’re looking for something to read while the snow falls, this might be the book for you.

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

This book was fascinating. I learned so much that I didn’t really want to know about how terrible tuberculosis is, and how it really doesn’t have to be. We are choosing to let it be because, you guessed it, money and racism.

The Dead Husband’s Cookbook by Danielle Valentine

This book was fantastic. The tension was thick, the recipes were great. The subterfuge was well-layered. The cooking puns abounded.

Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

Alright, I lied. This one actually came out in 2014. But it was a great story.

I love a good haunted house. But I don’t think we consider that other buildings and places can be haunted. Like, for instance, a big furniture store.

This book kept me entertained while I spent a lot of time traveling back and forth to different hospitals for The Darling Husband. So for that, I owe it a great debt.

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

This was one of the last books I reviewed for Haunted MTL before it closed. This book also broke my damned heart.

You all know I’m a bit obsessed with fundie families, and the Ruby Franke case in particular. I was raised in the Mormon church, the same as Ruby and Shari. And it is so good to see Shari reclaiming her voice.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

For someone who isn’t a woman, isn’t a witch, and isn’t a pregnant teenager in the middle of the Summer in fucking Florida, Hendrix has somehow managed to capture the feeling of all of these things. I read this book in the dead of winter and felt too hot. I felt a lot of things reading this book.

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

This book was fantastic. Charlie and Eve are in the middle of renovating their new home when a mysterious family shows up. It seems like a simple visit down memory lane, until their daughter vanishes into the house.

At no point did I know what the hell was going on in this book. Though I will say that I’m glad I can recognize Moris Code.

This was a debut novel, and I am incredibly jealous. I can’t wait to see what else this author has in store for us.

The Conjuring of America by Lindsey Stewart

This was hands down the best book I read this year.

Look, I consider myself to be a fairly ‘woke’ person. I try. I want to understand racism and what I can do to combat it. But I did not realize exactly how much of my daily life I owe to Black women. Like blue jeans, Vicks VapoRub, and pancakes. I’m also newly angry at every racist person who was mad about the Little Mermaid being Black.

I learned so much from this book. If you have any interest in American history, I highly recommend it.

So now it’s your turn. What was the best book you read this year? What books are you most looking forward to next year? Let us know in the comments.

Also, this will be my last post of the year. I’m taking next week off for some much-needed rest and family time. I hope you all have a fantastic holiday. And I’ll see you in January for another year of writing and reading.

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My winter reading list 2025/2026

Winter is almost here. Inside of me, there is still a little class kissass who loved getting a reading list. (There’s still also some strep. So if you notice any grammar issues in this post, mind your business.)

I’m especially excited about this Winter’s reading list. I’ve asked for some exciting books for Yule. And, I found two new Christmas books that might well end up on a new ‘Christmas books that aren’t romance’ post once I’ve collected enough. You can find links to those posts here, here, and here.

In the meantime, here’s what I intend to read as the weather gets cold and hopefully I recover. They’re in no specific order. Some are witchy, some are fiction. Some are new, and some are just new to me. I hope you enjoy.

A Christmas Story, by Jean Shepherd

I don’t know how I managed to miss this one for so long, especially in the annual search for Christmas books that aren’t about a meet-cute at a ski rink.

I think everyone knows this story. A middle-class family fights and loves through the holiday season, while the main character only wants a gun for Christmas. Let’s see if the book holds up to the warm fuzzy reputation of the film.

Fear Not by Anne Holt

This is a dark murder mystery about a serial killer before Christmas. Feels like a pretty common setup. But it sure is catnip to me.

You weren’t meant to be human by Andrew Joseph White

The cover caught my attention at my local library. It’s about a dark alien invasion in West Virginia. I can’t wait to dig into it.

Can you sign my tentacle by Brandon O’Brian

I was lucky enough to hear the author read some of his poetry during the recent SFWA Quasar. It’s fantastic. I had to order it right away.

The End of the World As We Know it by various authors

Someday, I hope to be a well-known enough author to be invited to something like this.

This is a collection of stories in the world of The Stand. I’ll be honest, I’ve already partially read it before I put it aside for more festive fare. What I’ve read so far is fantastic.

Star Spangled Jesus by April Ajoy

I’m still looking for other people who survived high-control religions. April is hilarious if you’re not following her already on Instagram. I can’t wait to dig into this one.

Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes and Du Mez

In the same vein as the last book. I’m finding myself increasingly angry about how America has corrupted Christianity. I’d like to know more about this.

Your favorite scary movie by Ashley Cullins

My favorite horror movie franchise is actually Paranormal Activity. But Scream is a real close second. It’s a horror series for horror fans. And, being the big old nerd that I am, I’d like to learn more about it.

The Green Witch’s Guide to Herbal Magic by Annabel Margaret

I’m not a very green witch myself. But I do love making tonics, teas, and desserts that double as spells. And that’s exactly what this book has.

I also follow Annabel on YouTube. If you want to get started in green witchcraft, her channel is the place for you.

The Bible Says So by Daniel McClellan

As I heal from my upbringing, I find myself more and more wanting to be a good Christian. Part of that is trying to understand the Bible for what it really is. So it seems like the book written by a Biblical scholar who also happens to be the most liberal Mormon I know is a great place to start.

Marie Laveau Voodoo Grimoire by Denise Alvarado

Alvarado’s first book about Mother Marie was fantastic. When I saw this book on the shelf of my local witchy shop, it was an instant buy for me. I’m very excited to read it. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Discovering Christian Witchcraft by Sara Raztresen

Again, I want to be a better Christian. For me, that means being a better Christian witch. I also think Raztresen is starting an online church in January. Stay tuned, I’ll let you know when I know.

So now it’s your turn. What are you reading this Winter? Have you read any of the books on my list? Let us know in the comments below.

By the way, Smashwords is having an end of year sale. Most of my books are half off. This one is free.

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What I’m reading, Fall 2025

Fall is upon us, finally. Yes, technically, Fall doesn’t start until September 22nd. But I’ve been drinking pumpkin spice for weeks already.

Fall is easily my favorite season. And part of that is because it’s the best time of the year for reading. Warm drinks taste better. Candles burn brighter. And no one wants to be baking anything in the Summer.

I’m behind on my reading goal for the year still, but I have some fantastic books on my Fall Reading list. Some are new. Some are just new to me. We’ve got a blend of fiction and non-fiction. Hopefully, you’ll find something to interest you on this list. If you do, let me know.

And as always, you can follow along with my reading journey on Goodreads.

Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury

Got to get this one out of the way first. It’s a yearly October read. Yes, it’s a children’s book. No, I don’t care.

Halloween Tree is the story of a magical, terrifying Halloween night. It’s the story of a group of boys flying through history to save their friend Pip. The story is wonderful, the artwork is a delight. All around a trick and treat.

House of Quiet by Kiersten White

This one was on my Summer reading list. But I still haven’t gotten my hands on it.

This is a very busy season in my life.

House of Quiet kind of feels like a cross between Ms Perrigrin’s Home for Peculiar Children and Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. Rest assured, we’ll be talking about it here as soon as I read it.

Banana Rose by Natalie Goldberg

My hero has written exactly one fiction book. And can you believe I’ve never read it?

It’s about a marriage in which two people become very different and eventually drift apart. It’s about her marriage. It’s probably also about Zen. Because everything she writes is, at its core, about writing and Zen.

They don’t seem that different.

The Great Failure by Natalie Goldberg

For some reason, I thought this book was coming out this month. Turns out it was published in 2004. Well, it’s still a Natalie Goldberg book, and I still want to read it.

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

This book was a recommendation from my library. Shout out to my local library. It’s about a deity called Father going missing, and his children battling to claim his power.

This seems like wild dark fantasy and a great fun book.

Rehab, an American Scandal by Shoshana Walter

Because clearly, I needed another reason to be angry.

How we treat, or neglect, people with addictions is a particular sore spot with me. I lost two people I cared deeply about to addiction. It shouldn’t happen. And the places we depend on to help our loved ones sometimes do more harm than good.

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen

This one seemed like a chilly good tale for spooky season. It’s a psychological thriller about a woman locked in a psychiatric ward and her sister who attempts to save her. I’m currently on a rather long wait list at my library for this book, so I’m assuming it’s going to be a good one.

Jesusland by Joelle Kidd

If you’re a fan of Fundie Friday (and if you’re not, you should be), you recently got to see a long interview with this author. It was fascinating. And as a former Mormon, I am fascinated by Christian culture. The Silver Ring Thing. The music that makes it sound like God is our boyfriend. The magazines that exemplify a ‘pure’ life.

It’s all a little crazy when seen from the outside. I’m partway through this book already, and I am loving seeing this weird Jesus Freak culture from someone else who grew up with it and escaped.

Banned by Weston Brown

This is another one that I learned about from Fundy Friday. But it’s certainly darker. It’s about a young man who escaped his deeply fundamental family, struggled with discovering the world, and eventually went to battle against his own mother in the world of book banning. I am sure this one’s going to upset me. I’m still going to read it.

Don’t Blow Yourself Up by Homer Hickam

I read Rocket Boys years ago. It was fantastic. And now, Hickam’s written a book about his adult life. It’s about his writing, his career, his journey to working for NASA. I am very excited about this book.

Poetry as spellcasting by Tamiko Beyer, Destiny Hemphill and Lisbeth White

This book has been on my TBR list forever. I swear, I’m getting to it. I clearly have to read this book; it was tailor-made for a writing witch who’s super into social change. I will read this book this season. I just need to get to it.

Broke Millennial Takes on Investing by Erin Lowry

I loved the first Broke Millennial book. It taught me so much about money. And with the rise of ‘trad wives’, I’m really becoming an advocate for women’s financial literacy. So expect me to talk about this book after I read it.

Look, writers don’t always make a lot of money. If you’re going to have a small income and a long career, you need to be good with money. You need to learn about investing. So, that’s the plan.

Mary Magdalene Revealed by Meggan Watterson

I have been feeling called to learn more about Mary Magdalene for a while now. This probably won’t be the last book I read about her. But it sure seems like a great place to start.

Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay

I got this book purely because I found it randomly for five dollars at Dollar General. There was no way I was passing that up. And I’ve yet to read a Paul Tremblay book I didn’t adore. Also, this book is about something I am legitimately terrified of. A rabies-like illness. No joke, rabies scares the hell out of me. So this book will likely upset me in a very deep way.

I’m stoked.

Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now by Maya Angelou

I don’t talk enough about how much I love Maya Angelou. She is amazing. Her life is amazing. She’s taught me so much. I got this book because it was on special for just two dollars. I am very excited to read it.

As always, I might not get to all of these books. But I will almost certainly enjoy every one I get to. Assuming I don’t accidentally pack them, like I did with my can opener. (I didn’t pack the corkscrew, just the can opener. Which should tell you where my priorities are.)

Now I’m excited to hear from you. What are you reading this Fall? Let us know in the comments.

Paper Beats World is a labor of love. If you love what I do here, please consider liking and sharing this post and leaving a comment. You can also support me financially on Ko-fi.

Spooky season is coming, and it’s time for some creepy reads. Check out my horror novel Quiet Apocalypse, about a witch trapped in her apartment during a dark winter storm with a demon devoted to ending the world.

Or check out my horror short, The Man In The Woods. A man tries desperately to protect his granddaughter from the mysterious man in the woods. But his fear only grows when a new housing complex is built too close to the woods.

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My 2025 Summer Reading List

It’s officially Summer. My life is starting to settle into a new normal, and I’m feeling pretty good.

This post might even be on time for a change.

While others are excited about Summer blockbusters or trips to the beach, I have a different view of what my months of warmth will look like. They include long puppy walks, trips to the park and the pool, and lots of reading.

As luck would have it, four of my favorite authors either have new books out or are releasing new books. And, I went on a bit of a buying spree a few months ago. So I’ve got a stack of new books awaiting me.

Shoutout to Thriftbooks.

Here’s what I’ll be reading this Summer. As always, some of these are re-reads. Some are new, and some are old. Some have been on my list before, but I didn’t get to them so I’m trying again. Some are for horror fans, some for writers, and some for witches. Whoever you are, I hope you find something in here to spark your interest.

Never Flinch by Stephen King

Anyone who follows me on Instagram should know this was coming. Hell, anyone who knows me should know this was coming.

But come on. A book about Holly and Detective Izzy solving cryptic murders and protecting an egotistical feminist icon? Yes, please.

The Bewitching by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia

The latest Moreno-Garcia book is always one of my Summer highlights. And, I mean, anything about witches is going to catch my attention.

I’m vain.

This book is about secrets and witchcraft that reach from Mexico to Massachusetts. And I love Mexican witchcraft almost as much as I love Salem witchcraft. And after reading Silver Nitrate, I know Moreno-Garcia will more than do the magic justice.

It comes out on July 15th. I am counting the days.

Dead Husband’s Cookbook by Danielle Valentine

Coming out in August, Valentine’s latest book is about a celebrity chef who might or might not have killed her husband and indulged in cannibalism. But having read all of her other works, I’m assuming it’s going to be much deeper than that.

I cannot wait to find out.

The House of Quiet by Kiersten White

This one comes out on September 9th. Which is technically still Summer, even though I’ll have already decked out my house in pumpkins by this time. And honestly, it seems like the best sort of book for this liminal time between Summer and Fall.

It’s about a woman who infiltrates a house that claims to be for children undergoing ‘the procedure’. But it turns out to be a place for people with strange powers. Honestly, it sounds like a cross between X-Men and Witchcraft for Wayward Girls and I am here for it.

Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia

I’ve been meaning to re-read this one since I originally listened to it as an audiobook. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just a different experience. And I’m already more than halfway through. I love this book and I’ve talked about it at length. Suffice to say that if you’ve never read a book by this author, start here. You’ll never look back.

Apostate’s Guide to Witchcraft by Moss Matthey

I’m already about halfway through this one as well. But it’s helping me work through some lingering damage from my childhood in a high-control religion. If you’ve suffered something similar, even if you’re not a witch, consider giving this one a read.

Sisters in Hate by Seyward Darby

I’ve been meaning to read this for ages. But I couldn’t find a copy anywhere. So I went ahead and bought one. It’s about white women and the poisonous work we’ve done for white nationalism. I don’t expect it to be a comfortable read.

The Witching Year by Diana Helmuth

Another re-read. But this time I have my own copy, so I can go to town with the highlighter. If witchcraft has been calling to you, read this book.

City Witchery by Lisa Marie Basile

Again, I have read this one before. But there’s so much good content in here that it certainly bears a re-read.

While you might associate witchcraft with something best practiced in forests or by the sea, not all of us live in those environments. Some of us can’t (A house in the woods? In this economy?) Some of us don’t want to. And if you’re in either of those camps, this book will help you feel more spiritual while walking your city streets.

Long Quiet Highway by Natalie Goldberg

I can’t get enough of Goldberg’s writing. Whenever I’m feeling uninspired, I turn to her. And a memoir about America, when I’m feeling this level of concern for our country’s future, is exactly what I need. Don’t worry, there will be a review of this one as soon as I finish it.

Let the Whole Thundering World Come Home by Natalie Goldberg

One of the many things I love about Goldberg’s writing is that each book tells the story of a different chapter of her life. This one is about her and her partner suffering from life-threatening cancer. With the health issues the Darling Husband has been facing, this one’s likely to leave me in tears.

The Magical Writing Grimoire by Lisa Marie Basile

Are we sensing a theme yet? I want to dive deeper into my writing, cutting to the bone and writing about things that truly, deeply matter to me. I did that in Quiet Apocalypse, which is about a haunted apartment building but is also about my deep-seated fear of dying alone. To this date, that is my favorite book I’ve written. I want to reach that height again.

Lucy Undying by Kiersten White

I am rereading this, and I am doing it soon. But it was such a fantastic story. It was the lesbian retelling of Dracula that we all need right now.

Writing on Empty by Natalie Goldberg

As I mentioned, each one of Goldberg’s books is about a chapter in her life. This one is about how she felt isolated during the Covid pandemic, and how it seemed to deprive her of her writing. Which is, let me assure you, its own special kind of hell. I need to know how my mentor dealt with that.

Velvet Was The Night by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia

Why am I re-reading this one? Because I found it at Dollar General of all places and had to rescue a copy. I also straight-up bullied a friend of mine until she bought one as well.

Also, the story is just great. A woman so bored with her life that she steals silly things from her neighbors accidentally finds herself involved in a massive political espionage plot. How is that not the perfect Summer read?

Broke Millennial by Erin Lowry

Finally, Broke Millennial is a book I feel like I need to read. As a writer, I’m probably never going to be overburdened with cash. So I need to manage what little of it I have responsibly if I want to keep eating, having a roof over my head, and occasionally indulging in a glass of damn good wine. And while I have read this one before, it was years ago. I need a refresher.

If you can believe it, that’s not everything on my massive TBR pile. But they’re all the books I think I’ll reasonably have time to read before September 22nd.

So now it’s your turn. What’s on your Summer reading list? Let us know in the comments. And if you want to follow along with my reading journey, you can do so on Goodreads.

Paper Beats World is a labor of love. If you love what I do and want to support the site, you can like or share this post. Or, you can give monetary support on Ko-fi.

Missing Stitches is going wide on June 27th! Check out all the places it will be available here.

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Let’s talk about spicy content

Spicy books have been having a moment on social media right now. And if you don’t know what I mean by that, ask your parent.

It’s been everywhere. People talk about the spice level of books, comparing scenes, and giving suggestions based on how much of that sort of content is in there. And all I can say about it is that I’m glad people are having fun.

Readers of my books will notice that spice isn’t something I include. This is for several reasons. One, I don’t enjoy romantic stories. I might enjoy a romantic subplot, especially in fantasy. There are certainly a few in Woven. But by and large, I am not here for the lovey stuff. I’m here for the dragons, spaceships and ghosts. I want a haunted house, not a house of love.

One exception to this is Laini Taylor’s Strange The Dreamer series. That was largely fantasy but with a really strong romantic subplot and I ate up every word. And of course, there’s a love triangle in Hunger Games. But these are exceptions.

I think in my career, I’ve written one spicy scene. And the point was not to be sexy or hot. It was to have a terrifying and visceral reaction from any male reader. If you read Nova, you know exactly what scene I’m talking about.

Sorry, guys.

The point is, spicy content isn’t my thing. That’s fine. A lot of readers do like it, which is also fine.

What I want to talk about today is not this ‘sudden increase in spicy books’. It’s how some people are reacting to it. Because while I don’t enjoy it myself, I will be damned if I’m going to let anyone feel bad for reading it.

Adult content is for adults. It’s okay to be an adult.

I have always hated the argument that censorship protects children. First of all, because it doesn’t. Secondly, we can protect children without expecting all of us to adhere to puritanical standards.

Most of the people reading spicy books are, after all, not children. They are adults, enjoying an adult story. The same can be said for the horror content that I enjoy. And that’s alright. Healthy, even.

We should let kids be kids. But we should also let adults be adults and make their own decisions about the type of content they want to experience. Being an adult is freaking hard enough. If I’m going to have to pay bills, keep my house clean and go to work, let me enjoy a book where people have pins pushed through their eyes by a demonic doll. (Shout out in the comments if you know what book I’m talking about.)

There are places and times where adult content is perfectly fine. Stop telling people it’s something to be ashamed of.

Spicy content in books is nothing new

Something that amuses me about this recent moral panic is the suggestion that spicy books are something new.

My dude, have you never read Shakespeare?

There has been spicy content for as long as there has been content. The first printed book might have been the Guttenberg bible. But I bet the second was a detailed sexual romp romcom. All of us millennials found at least one bodice ripper sitting on our mom’s bedside table from time to time.

This is nothing new, and society has gotten along just fine with its existence forever. We aren’t going to see a rise in sexual deviancy because of Sarah J. Maas.

Any form of censorship is a no from me

I am not down for telling people what they can or cannot read. Especially once they’ve reached the age of adulthood. Especially during a time when fascism seems to be making a comeback. Because morality is a sliding scale. What one person finds perfectly vanilla, another considers criminal.

And, of course, we cannot talk about this without talking about the LGBTQ+ community. Because for some reason, any romantic act from a same-sex couple seems to count double in the eyes of censors. A kiss between two women is treated with more outrage than a handjob by a straight couple. Often a gay couple simply existing is enough for something to be marked as adult content.

Censorship grows like a weed. Don’t let it get its roots in.

I’m a little sick of anything popular with women being demonized

Something I’ve noticed about people speaking against spicy content is that they all seem to be focused on the ladies’ reading habits.

Funny, no one is complaining about men playing sexually suggestive video games.

It seems like anything women enjoy is seen, by some, as rather frivolous. Rather silly. Starbucks, Ugg boots, that sort of thing. It’s a silly little thing that silly women enjoy, but serious people (men) don’t have time for.

And that’s not okay. Just because something is popular doesn’t mean that it’s somehow foolish or that the people who enjoy that thing are somehow less than the people who don’t. This never seems to happen with things men enjoy. Have you ever heard of a football fan called Basic? So let’s maybe consider this before we start making fun of the girls for their little hobbies.

Reading books is the damned goal.

Finally, I’d like to remind everyone that I want people to read books. I don’t care what sort of books they read.

Reading is supposed to be fun. It’s not supposed to be this very serious thing. It’s not another task to check off our neverending list of things we’re supposed to do. It’s fun. And if a spicy book is the one that makes someone realize that reading is fun, that’s awesome.

Once someone’s a reader, they’re going to keep on reading. When people stop seeing reading as something you’re forced to do, then judged by how well you understood the material, it’s a good thing. I want more people to read for pleasure. Even if it starts as reading for that specific sort of pleasure.

I guess what I’m saying is this. Don’t judge other people for what they read. Leave them alone, let them enjoy life. You don’t have to understand it or approve of it. And if the people on social media gushing about spicy books bother you, maybe you’re spending too much time on social media and need to go read a book yourself.

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My 2024/2025 Winter reading list

It’s cold outside, I don’t want to go anywhere, and there’s nothing I want to do more right now than read. This mood isn’t likely to change through most of Winter.

Which, when you think about it, is what Winter is for.

So, here’s what I plan to read during the winter of 2024, 2025. If you’ve read my planned reading lists before, you might notice this list is shorter. I have more information to come regarding this. You might also see some repeats from my last list. This is because Maggie Smith died and I had to read all of the Harry Potter books again. These things happen.

As always, this is a reading list that encompasses my many hats. I’m a writer, a witch, a horror critic, and sometimes I like to read something for fun. Hopefully, you’ll discover something here that you didn’t know about or had forgotten. If you plan to read any of these, or if you have already, let me know in the comments.

Appalachian Folklore Unveiled by Darkness Prevails

I’m all about folklore and legends. And, of course, I live in Northern Appalachia. So this book looks right up my alley.

Also, I discovered this book exists because it was featured on my local library’s website. Get involved with your local library, my friends. The benefits are endless.

Writing on Empty by Natalie Goldberg

I recently discovered a treasure trove (like, four) of Natalie Goldberg books I’ve never read. And through a series of events, most of which sucked, I’ve only read one of them so far. But this one is about her struggles with writer’s block during Covid lockdowns. I can’t imagine Natalie Goldberg having writer’s block, so this one is near the top of my list.

The Morrigan by Courtney Weber

I’ve already read a book by this author about Hekate. It was fantastic, faith-affirming, and packed with information I did not have.

I’ve been fascinated by The Morrigan since reading Mists of Avalon as a child. I know, that’s pretty basic but there it is. So I can’t wait to learn more about Her.

Long Quiet Highway by Natalie Goldberg

This was originally published in 1993, and it’s about Goldberg’s journey as a student of Zen Buddism. It also feels like it’s going to be about America. I’ll let you know after I read it.

Poetry as spell casting byTamiko Beyer, Destiny Hemphill, Lisbeth White

Honestly, the title says it all. Art is witchcraft and vice versa for me. So using poetry as spell casting is right up my witchy little ally.

This book is also about bringing about good changes in the world. Which I think we could use right now.

An Apostate’s Guide to Witchcraft by Moss Matthey

Any of my very Christian readers might worry about this one. But it’s about a topic that I need some help with, healing religious wounds and trauma. Because Jesus loves me, but the church of my childhood did not. Or, at least it wasn’t a healthy love.

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

I actually don’t know a lot about this book except that it’s a dark, cold wintery haunted house story. And it must be damn well popular because I have been on the waiting list at my library for it forever. Watch Haunted MTL, I’ll be reviewing it as soon as I can get my hands on it.

Who holds the devil by Michael Dittman

I had the pleasure of meeting Michael at a local author’s event. He seems like a dear. And when he talked about this book, I had just one question for him. Is the witch the good guy? When he said yes, I had to read it.

Also, it’s about a tree that was holding back an ancient evil in my hometown. I also wrote about trees holding back an ancient evil. Obviously, I had to read it. Again, watch Haunted MTL for the review.

Fairy Heards and Mythscapes by Kerry E.B. Black

I also met Kerry at the same author’s event, and we swapped books. I always love someone else who understands that fairy’s are dangerous and should be treated with respect and caution. Can’t wait to crack into this one.

Witchcraft for wayward girls by Grady Hendrix

Two of my favorite writers are putting out books this year about witchcraft. I know it isn’t just for me, but I like to think it’s a little bit for me.

This is a story about a pregnant teenager sent to a school for girls in that situation, who learns witchcraft as a way to take back control of her life. Relatable.

We’ll prescribe you a cat by Syou Ishida and Madison Shimoda

This one is way different than anything else on this list, as it is not horror and still fiction. Essentially it’s a story about lonely people who are, for many reasons, given a cat. I have two, and a dog, and I can tell you they’ve saved me during some dark times.

Never underestimate the power of pets.

This one’s probably going to make me ugly cry on public transportation.

Don’t let the forest in by C.G. Drews

Finally, I put this book on my to-read list because Bookstagram will not shut up about it. Then, of course, there’s the cover.

This seems to be a story about a writer and artist who accidentally birth monsters. Which, you know, sounds like catnip to me.

And, again, have you seen the cover?

So that’s the plan. I hope to get through all of these books and find that they lived up to the hype.

Now it’s your turn. What are you reading this winter? Let us know in the comments.

You can find all of these books, and follow along with everything I’m reading on Goodreads.

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Stories Save Us

This is a speech I gave during the Stories We Share Event at the Butler Library event on December 27th. Several lovely people suggested that I publish it. So, here you are.

Hi there. My name is Nicole. I write stories about dragons, ghosts and spaceships. Sometimes I write about the ghosts of dragons on spaceships. And, like most people who are at least mildly funny, I have been through some hard life events.

Don’t worry, this isn’t all depressing, I promise.

I was raised by a mother with a lot of chronic health issues. This meant I spent more time in my childhood than I should have in waiting rooms, doctor’s offices, or just keeping myself occupied quietly so my mom could rest.

I passed the time by reading. Chronicles of Narnia, Goosebumps, Laura Ingells, Babysitter’s Club. These stories kept me company in dark places. I escaped into Secret Gardens and attic rooms enhabited by Little Princesses.

As an adult, I fell in love with and married a man who also has chronic health issues. Because of course, right? And again, books have come to my rescue. Stephen King, Philippa Gregory, Tamora Pierce, Kiersten White and Grady Hendrix keep me company through scary days.

Now I do more than read these stories, I write my own. And in the past few years, while almost everyone has fallen on hard times, it’s sometimes felt foolish to keep writing fiction. Indulgent, and insensitive even. A writer I’m very fond of named Matt Wallace, who wrote the Savage Rebellion series, said that marketing right now feels like standing outside of a burning building and yelling at the people coming out, “Hey, you wanna buy a book?”

But the answer is yes, yes I actually do want to buy a book and read it. I want stories.

Stories can save us. And they do this in two ways. The first is of course that they’re entertaining. It’s fun to read. And while you can’t run away from your problems, you can take a break from them. Maybe you need some time in Narnia, or a haunted house, or a world where sewing is magic. Because after we take that time, take that break in a book, we come out a little bit stronger. Maybe that gives us the clearer eyes we need to look for the helpers that Mr. Rodgers told us about. Maybe it even gives us the strength and courage to be the helpers.

Here’s the other thing that stories do for us. They tell us that we are not alone. Fear can make us feel like we’re the only ones suffering. That no one else understands the pain we’re going through. But that’s not true. We’ve all had those seasons in life where we’ve gotten a scary diagnosis, tried to leave a dangerous relationship, fought an addiction, moved far away from everything familiar, or worried about how we’re going to pay rent and get groceries, and keep the electric on. We’ve all said goodbye to people we never wanted to say goodbye to, or had something violent and terrible happen to us that we neither deserved or saw coming.

Neil Gaiman said this about writing Coraline. “Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” But we knew this before Gaiman. The author of Beowulf knew this and wrote about monsters and dragons that the great hero faced. These stories comforted and guided our first ancestors. They helped them cope, heal, and find the courage they needed.

We are not going to fight literal dragons. We aren’t going to face Voldemort, or a sentient haunted house, or a series of unfortunate events orchestrated by a school friend of our dead parents. But we are going to fight our own dragons. And a lot of the time we win, and live to see brighter days.

What worries me, is how many people can’t remember the last time they read something for pleasure. Most of us spend a lot more time doom-scrolling than resting our hearts in fiction. If that’s you, find a book you want to read today. We are standing in a library right now. Find a book to take home with you. Take half an hour, ten minutes, hell five minutes, and read a story you love. Maybe it’s something you read as a child, or maybe it’s a new book. Maybe it’s wildly out of your age range. Look, when I’m stressed I reach right for Beverly Cleary so I’m not going to judge.

Make the space for you to have joy, no matter how bad your day is going. Because we all need to remember that dragons can be beaten.

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The books that inspired me to write Woven

Writers are readers first. I have been honored to know and befriend many writers, and I have never met one who didn’t have a passion for books. Ask any of us about what we’re reading, or what our favorite books from childhood are, and watch our faces light up.

(I am currently reading Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury. Tis the season.)

What we read shapes what we write. Because of course, we want to tell the sort of stories that we love to read.

There are exceptions, of course. I love some good historical fiction, memoirs and biographies of interesting people. But I have no desire to write one of those.

As a child, I loved fantasy, science fiction and horror. As an adult, that’s what I write. And there are three series in particular that inspired my fantasy series, Woven.

Likely, you’ve read these before. If you have, maybe you can see the inspiration already. If you haven’t read them, I cannot recommend them enough. Here now are the three series, what they taught me, and how they inspired me to write Woven.

Dragon Riders of Pern taught me to love dragons and see a place for myself in writing fantasy.

This might surprise you, but Dragon Riders of Pern was my first introduction to dragons. It shouldn’t surprise you, because this introduction took place when I was about five, being read to by my aunt. I immediately fell in love with the relationships between humans and dragons. And when I discovered dragons who were just as smart, if not smarter, than humans in the film Dragonheart, I was hooked.

Dragon Riders of Pern was also the first time I remember seeing a woman’s name on the cover of a book. At least, a fantasy book. I was fully aware that The Babysitter’s Club and Sweet Vally High were written by women. And I was already hooked on Ramona. I mean no offense to Francine Pascal, Ann M. Martin, and certainly not Beverly Cleary. They wrote great books that I loved as a child. But they always wrote about, well, children and teenagers. They wrote about the real world, and all the problems girls and boys got into. The people who wrote about robots and dragons and ghosts were, well, men. Stephen King, J.R Tolkien, R.L Stine, C.S Lewis. I loved them, but I had a hard time seeing myself among them. Anne McCaffrey showed me that I could belong in that world first.

Chronicles of Narnia taught me to write about faith.

Speaking of C.S. Lewis, I love him. I love the Chronicles of Narnia.

The story is fantastic, I cannot stress this enough. But it’s also faith-affirming.

Gently. And that is the important part here.

Chronicles of Narnia is not judgemental. It’s not the Left Behind series. It’s not one of the many books I read as an LDS child. It is a gentle story that teaches real morals about being a good person.

While Woven doesn’t have a strong religious component, it is a little bit about faith. Lenore specifically learns about celebrating your faith when it doesn’t celebrate you. She deconstructs and removes herself from the Church, but not the Creator.

Gee, wonder why I wrote about that.

Chronicles of Narnia gave me the inspiration to write about faith, as I experienced it, without worrying that I was going to be judgemental towards others.

Circle of Magic taught me to write about tactile magic

Finally, Tamora Pierce’s Circle of Magic was the biggest inspiration for Woven.

Pierce once said that she was inspired by her mother and sisters doing handcrafts. She saw magic in creating cloth from string. This is something I agree with. I knit and crochet, and that’s always felt like a very attainable magic.

Great, grand magic is loads of fun. It’s fun to read about people who wave a sword and bring lighting down from the sky. So I wrote that. But it’s also somehow comforting to imagine magic coming from such a simple act and powerful act.

Now it’s your turn. What books inspired your current WIP? Let us know in the comments.

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Starting Chains is available now on Amazon. Check it out.

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The best books I’ve read in 2024 (so far)

June is nearly done, and we’re heading into the second half of 2024. Somehow I’m not as excited about the latter months as I normally am. It’s almost like something is lurking in November that’s going to suck a whole lot of emotional energy out of my life and cause a bunch of stress.

Strange.

But we don’t have to talk about that today. Today, I want to shine a spotlight on the best books I’ve read this year so far. Sadly, I haven’t read as much as I would have liked. But what I’ve lacked in quantity I have made up for in quality. I have read some very, very good books so far in 2024.

As always, this list is set up from number ten to number one. Some are fiction, some are nonfiction. All were well worth a read.

You Like It Darker by Stephen King

You know this is going to be a good list when the last one, the one that barely got in, is the Stephen King book.

I did a whole review of this book on Haunted MTL so I won’t rehash that here. Suffice it to say, this short collection was great. My favorite story was Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream. It was fantastic.

Ghost Hunters by Ed and Lorraine Warren

This was a fascinating read. The Warrens discuss some of their best-known cases clinically and insightfully. I learned a lot.

The Mighty Goddess by Sally Pomme Clayton and Sophie Herxheimer

This book told some fantastic stories about goddesses. Some I’d heard of before. Some I am very familiar with. Some I’d never heard of before. If mythology and deities are a passion for you, this book is a must-read.

Undoctored by Adam Kay

This is a follow-up to a book we’ll be talking about later in this post. If you haven’t heard of him, and you haven’t read my Christmas Books That Aren’t Romance series, Adam Kay was a doctor in the UK. Now he writes about why he is no longer a doctor in the UK, among other things. This book is a collection of stories about his life as a doctor, and his life after leaving. It is funny, but it’s also incredibly dark. Be warned.

Art Magick by Molly Roberts

This isn’t the sort of book you read cover to cover. It’s a collection of art spells, most of which I’ve completed.

If you are a witch, or just artsy, get this book. The crafts are accessible and fun. The art in the book is so colorful and fantastic. I love everything about this book.

Rift by Cait West

Escaping from a high-demand religion is something I understand. But I had it easy. Cait had it far worse. Her father was a pastor, and she was forced into a special form of purgatory known as being a stay-at-home daughter. Everything in Cait’s life was controlled by her father. This book was harrowing, but it was also inspiring. It seems to say that you can get out. You can live how you want to live. I loved that.

This is going to hurt by Adam Kay

See, I told you we’d get there. This is Going to Hurt is the first book by Adam Kay. It’s a sometimes lighthearted, sometimes dark, always funny look at being a doctor in the UK. I learned some things I didn’t want to know. I heard some stories that stuck with me. I also heard some stories of things being stuck in the human body that should never have been there.

Bone by Jeff Smith

I’ve read Bone before, but it’s been a while. If it’s been a while for you, please go and read it today. It’s a good thing to read in the summer.

Bone, if you haven’t read it, is a wonderful story of an unlikely hero, a hidden princess and dragons. It’s everything you want in a good story. The artwork is funny to look at, and beautiful at the same time.

The Hacienda by Isabel Canas

This book was sold as a cross between Rebecca and Mexican Gothic. This was catnip to me. Realizing one of the main characters was a Catholic priest and a witch was just homemade buttercream icing on the cake.

I did a whole post about why this book works, so I won’t take a lot of time here. But it was a fantastic book that blended a great haunted house story with a sweepingly beautiful picture of Mexico. If you haven’t read it, go read it.

Mister Magic by Kiersten White

This is, by far, the best book I read this year. And it kind of wrecked me for like a month after I read it.

I reviewed this book on Haunted MTL, so again I don’t want to rehash that here. But the clear analogy, like smack you in the face clear, to the religion I was raised in, was almost too much. I bawled while reading this book. If you are healing from the LDS church specifically, but any high control group in general, this book might help you heal. Or it might point out how much healing you have left to do. For me, it did both.

But it’s also a fantastic story. The tale of a group of child stars coming back together for a reunion and recovering not just their scars but also their deep and pure friendships is touching and terrifying. Overall, this is the kind of book I want to be writing. It was perfect.

So that’s it for today. These are the books I have enjoyed the most this year. Will any of them be on my end-of-the-year roundup? Only time will tell.

What is your favorite book that you’ve read this year? Let us know in the comments.

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Man in The Woods is now available for preorder on Smashwords!

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The best books of 2023

Christmas is over. 2023 is basically over. And it has been a hell of a year. There have been some wonderful moments. Book launches, conventions, birthdays and holidays. But there have been some not-so-great things as well. Mostly the world is still on fire.

But that’s not what we’re here to talk about. Today, we’re here to talk about the best books I’ve read this year.

And it’s been a good year for books, let me tell you. I’ve discovered several new authors that I am in love with. And I can’t wait to share my list with you.

Some of these books I reviewed on Haunted MTL. If you’re interested in reading them, I’ll include links.

Dread Nation/Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

I talked about these books in my mid-year check-in, and I’m still just not over how good they are. If you like historical fiction, zombies, or just great storytelling, you should read these books.

Cord Magic by Brandy Williams

This is the only nonfiction book to make it onto my list. But it deserves the position. I learned so much from this book about magic. It is wonderful.

Silver Nitrate By Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Moreno-Garcia is one of my favorite authors, but I wasn’t as thrilled with her last book, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau. So the fact that Silver Nitrate was such a fantastic book was honestly a relief.

It’s also got sort of a Christmas vibe. So if you’re not done with egg nog and fruit cake yet, it’s not a bad time to read it.

Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

This book was so much fun. Again, I did a whole review on Haunted MTL. As a fan of slasher flicks who also understands that they’re a bit shallow and exploitative, this book felt tailor-made for me.

Holly by Stephen King

I was looking forward to this book before it was even written, I’m pretty sure. Holly is such a pure, wonderful character. And this book was super fun.

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

If you loved Frankenstein, but always felt like Victor’s story was a little suspicious, this is the story for you. It’s dark, it’s thought-provoking, and it’s terrific.

Hide by Kiersten White

I picked up this book because I wanted a fun, scary romp through an abandoned amusement park. And I got that. But I also got a deep look at the terrors of inheritance and the lengths people will go to for privilege. This book is a wild ride, is what I’m saying.

Kind of like an amusement park ride.

Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine

I did not shut up about this book on Haunted MTL. I talked about it when I reviewed it. I talked about it when I was looking forward to the next season of American Horror Story. I talked about it the whole time I was reviewing American Horror Story. And I’ll probably still be talking about it when I review the second part of the latest American Horror Story season.

Go read this book, it’s awesome.

How to sell a haunted house by Grady Hendrix

I read this book in one day. It was amazing and sent me seeking every other book I could get my hands on by this author.

Again, I thought this book was going to be funny. I thought it was going to be a light romp through a haunted house while a haggard person tried to sell it. I was not expecting an introspective look at how we can pass down emotional trauma in a family while never even talking about it.

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

I told my therapist about this book because I was literally crying over this book and kind of being mean to my husband about it. I was angry at the male gender reading this book. But it was fantastic.

I loved this book more than most books I’ve read in the last five years. It was funny. It was sad. It hit every one of my real-world fear buttons before we even got to the vampire antagonist. This book was, in short, perfect.

So that’s the top ten best books I read in 2023. Now I want to hear what you think. What were your favorite reads this year? What are you looking forward to reading next year? Let us know in the comments. And I’ll see you next year.

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