Tag: reading list

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.

If you want to support Paper Beats World, you can do so on Ko-fi.

0

The books I’m reading this winter

Winter starts next week. So it’s time for my quarterly reading goals.

I wear a lot of hats in my life. I’m a writer, blogger, critic, and witch. What do all these things have in common? They demand lots and lots of reading. As such, every year my Goodreads goal gets bigger. And I would like to read something now and again just because it’s fun.

I can’t remember the last time I did a why it works post here.

In the hopes of being more intentional, which is my word of the year, I’m trying to make sure I’m hitting all my bases. So here are the twelve books I intend to read before spring. If you’re a writer, maybe you want to read some of these with me. If you’re a witch (or witch curious) you might find some fun books here. And if you just love reading, I’m sure there are some suggestions here.

Art Magick by Molly Roberts

Molly Roberts is such a wonderful, uplifting soul. I’ve been wanting to read this since it came out. It’s a collection of art magic spells, and I can’t wait to try some out.

The Witching Year by Diana Helmuth

I’m kind of cheating here because I already started this one before Christmas started and I began reading all Christmas books all the time. But so far it’s an incredible journey through the first year of witchcraft. And it feels very much like my first year of witchcraft.

This is going to hurt by Adam Kay

Every year I read Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas. And every year I say I’m going to read the proceeding book. And every year I forget. Well this year, I’m going to be intentional (see that word of the year in there?) and read it early.

Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty

I fell in love with Mur Lafferty listening to her podcast Ditch Diggers. And I’ve been meaning to read her book forever. I’m finally getting around to it this year, so help me.

Let the whole Thundering world come down by Natalie Goldberg

We know I love Natalie Goldberg. So when I found a memoir of hers that I hadn’t read yet, I had to add it to my list.

Where the gods left off by Sara Razteresen

Razteresen is a fellow Christian witch, and I’m fascinated to hear what she has to say about it. This book appears to be about other deities and their relationships with Christian witchcraft.

The Hacienda by Isabel Canas

Someone on Instagram described this book as Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca. And honestly, that’s all I needed. Oh, and there’s a witch priest.

New Moon Magic by Risa Dickens and Amy Torok

This cover grabbed my attention, and I love moon magic. So this was as well a no-brainer.

Welcome to Nightvale by Joseph Fink

While I’ve never listened to Welcome to Nightvale, I did listen to Alice Isn’t Dead. Then I read the book Alice Isn’t Dead because I loved it that much. I know that Welcome to Nightvale is his better-known podcast. So I’m excited to explore it.

Self Publishers Legal Handbook by Helen Sedwick

I know nothing about the legal aspects of self-publishing. I’ve self-published six novels. I should maybe learn about the legal side of self-publishing.

Save The Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody

Look, I don’t know what to tell you. I thought I should have read this one before now too. It’s a well-loved writing manual, and it’s past time I knew what the hell it has to say.

A Tea Witch’s Grimoire by S.M Harlow

I don’t want to say that tea is a gateway to witchcraft. But it was sure my gateway to herbs, and witchcraft.

I already have a few personal recipes for magical tea. But I could sure learn a ton more. It’s an incredibly complex subject.

So, that’s my winter reading list. Now, I want to hear from you. What are you planning to read this winter? Have you picked out your word for 2024, if you do words of the year? Let us know in the comments.

And I do want to let you know that I won’t be posting next week, as I’m taking some time off for the holiday. I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas, Yule, Hannukah (last night), or anything else that you’re celebrating. I’ll see you back here on the 29th.

If you want to support Paper Beats World, you can do so on Ko-fi.

0

My Fall reading list

I used to do this every season, posting a list of books I planned to read. I got away from it because I’m as fickle as the wind and more rebellious against myself than anyone else. Putting a book on a reading list seemed to be a sure sign that I’d be reading anything except that book including the backs of Monster drink cans. 

But I really want to give it a try again. Maybe because Fall feels like back to school, and I love a good reading list. 

Also, there are some events in Fall that will dictate my reading to a point. Banned Books Week is in October, so I want to read certain things for that. Then there’s Halloween and Nanowrimo. As such, much of what I read for the rest of the year will be horror and writing related.

Oh darn, my two favorite things. 

So here’s what I plan to read this Fall. The list might be a bit aspirational, since we just got a new family member who’s taking up an awful lot of my time and attention.

I’m not including my holiday books, because that’s just five books I read every year. Some of these books are new, some are new to me. Some are old favorites. And of course, if something comes out or I get offered an ARC this might get adjusted. But as of right now, here’s the plan for Fall reading.

The Roots Grow Into The Earth by Bert S. Lechner 

I should already have finished this book by the time you’re reading this. I should in fact have a review of it up on Haunted MTL. It’s a pretty chilling read so far. 

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

This is a no-brainer. I might not have loved Daughter of Dr. Moreau, but I have adored every other one of her books I’ve gotten my hands on. 

Holly by Stephen King

Dad wrote another book, of course I’m gonna read it. And, it’s about my favorite character from the Mr. Mercedes trilogy and The Outsider. It’s like this book was made for me. 

The ruin of all witches by Malcom Gaskill

This is a nonfiction book about a witch hunt in Springfield Massachusetts in 1651. I don’t think I need to explain why I want to read this one.

Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places by Colin Dickey

I just thought this would be a really fun book to read for Halloween. I’m a sucker for a good historical ghost story. 

Gather Together in My Name by Maya Angelou

I really love reading a Maya Angelou book for Banned Books Week. Which is in October this year, by the way. No idea why they moved it, except the current state of banned books in America is scary. 

The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury

I read this every year for Halloween. It’s cute, the artwork is delightful, and it doesn’t feel like Halloween without it. If you’ve never read it yourself, I cannot suggest it enough. 

Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

I am a sucker for a good horror comedy. This book is basically about a haunted Ikea. I am stoked to read this one by the fireplace with some apple cider. 

Wild Mind and Thunder and Lighting by Natalie Goldberg

In November I crave inspiration from my favorite writers. Rereading some of my favorite Natalie Goldberg books will help me get inspired for Nanowrimo. 

The Magical Writing Grimoire by Lisa Marie Basile

Lisa Marie Basile is easily my favorite witchy writer. And this book has so many great practices for writers and witches. I plan to work through it in November and December. 

Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

We’ll finish up November with Christmas and Yule, which means I’ll be starting with my favorite Christmas book of all time. 

If you don’t already read this book every holiday season, I cannot suggest it enough. It’s the best way for a literary lover to get into the holiday spirit. 

So that’s it. I’ll be checking back in December to see how many of these books I actually read. And now it’s your turn! What do you plan to read this Fall? Let us know in the comments below. 

My Preptober planner is available now! And it’s full of new pages for character creation and world building. Check it out in my Ko-fi store.

 

0

A WordPress.com Website.

Up ↑