In the Tall Grass by Stephen King & Joe Hill
5 stars
“The grass flows and you flow too. Think of it as becoming one with nature.”
This is a novella that clocks in at about 60 pages. It follows twins- a brother and his pregnant sister- as they take a road trip through the United States. They stop in Kansas next to a church called The Black Rock of the Redeemer and a tall grass field. This tall grass field offers the cries of a lost child trapped inside of the grass. As these two good Samaritans enter the grass, their fate is marked by what awaits inside and what it wants to turn you into. This is one of my new favorite horror stories. It’s absolutely brilliant. The characters are fleshed out and you want them to survive (even though you know those chances are low in a horror story) and you want them to be victorious over whatever lurks in the darkness of this grass that twists and turns and confuses those inside of it. The writing is intense and the dynamic between the alternating POVs is addictive. As the story progresses, one is hit by a series of revelations about a rock, the grass, and those who called them into it. This has one of the best endings I’ve read in a short story. It’s bleak and disgusting. This novel is also very graphic. Major trigger warnings for assault and the murder of a child / fetus. It’s a very harrowing scene, but I realize it can be traumatizing for those who have given birth to stillborn children or have lost a child. Also, lots of cannibalism, so if that will make you throw up, then this is definitely not for you. I would love a of full-length novel between these two because it would be absolutely amazing. I can’t recommend this one enough.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 5
Character Scale: 5
Villain Scale: 5
Plotastic Scale: 5
Cover Thoughts: I do lowkey love it because it’s ominous, but it’s not a favorite. It just fits the tone of the story so well.
5 stars
“The grass flows and you flow too. Think of it as becoming one with nature.”
This is a novella that clocks in at about 60 pages. It follows twins- a brother and his pregnant sister- as they take a road trip through the United States. They stop in Kansas next to a church called The Black Rock of the Redeemer and a tall grass field. This tall grass field offers the cries of a lost child trapped inside of the grass. As these two good Samaritans enter the grass, their fate is marked by what awaits inside and what it wants to turn you into. This is one of my new favorite horror stories. It’s absolutely brilliant. The characters are fleshed out and you want them to survive (even though you know those chances are low in a horror story) and you want them to be victorious over whatever lurks in the darkness of this grass that twists and turns and confuses those inside of it. The writing is intense and the dynamic between the alternating POVs is addictive. As the story progresses, one is hit by a series of revelations about a rock, the grass, and those who called them into it. This has one of the best endings I’ve read in a short story. It’s bleak and disgusting. This novel is also very graphic. Major trigger warnings for assault and the murder of a child / fetus. It’s a very harrowing scene, but I realize it can be traumatizing for those who have given birth to stillborn children or have lost a child. Also, lots of cannibalism, so if that will make you throw up, then this is definitely not for you. I would love a of full-length novel between these two because it would be absolutely amazing. I can’t recommend this one enough.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 5
Character Scale: 5
Villain Scale: 5
Plotastic Scale: 5
Cover Thoughts: I do lowkey love it because it’s ominous, but it’s not a favorite. It just fits the tone of the story so well.
For Every One by Jason Reynolds5 stars
This is a poem. I listened to Reynolds narrate it and it sounded like one amazing poem. The line breaks were hard hitting. The rhythms were gripping. There was so much hope, encouragement, and love behind these words. This is a poem that I want to give to my students that I teach. This is a poem that I want to give to everyone person who has given up on their dreams. This is a poem I want to give to the person who thinks their dream is too big, small, or weak. This is a poem I want everyone to read because like Jason Reynolds said, “This is a poem for everyone.” If you are not familiar with Reynolds’ poetry, I encourage you to check it out. This take less than an hour to listen to and it is a beautiful experience.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 5
Plotastic Scale: 5
Cover Thoughts: I like the color patterns, but it’s not a favorite.
Nineteen by Makenzie Campbell
3.25 stars
“I’ve been damaged and I use men as a bandage. But they always fall away the next morning leaving my wound exposed.”
This is a poetry collection that is reminiscent of a lot of the big poets the Andrews McMeel publishes. If you like amanda lovelace, Courtney Peppernell, or any 2020 poetry collection this year, then this will be right up your alley. I’ve read a lot of poetry this year. A lot of it was hit or miss, but I actually liked this collection. This collection is based off the poems that Campbell wrote when she was nineteen. This is a weird number for most people, especially Americans. You are an adult, allowed to vote and die for a country, but you can’t drink or buy cigarettes. Most people feel very stuck and confined by the age of nineteen. It is an uncomfortable number. I didn’t hate that year of my life, but it wasn’t a great or fantastic one. It was a year for me that brought a lot of change, so it’s nice to read a poetry collection that is dedicated to a year in someone’s life (even if that was a couple years ago). I liked this collection. It’s not a favorite, but it has some sweet poems and nice moments. I think it will appeal to a wide demographic- both young adults nearing this age and older young adults who are not yet thirty. Or poetry fans. Really this collection has mass market appeal for a lot of people. It’s not the best collection I’ve ever read, but I’ll recommend it.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 3.5
Plotastic Scale: 3.25
Cover Thoughts: I love this cover. Total sucker for it.
Thank you, Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing, for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
3.25 stars
“I’ve been damaged and I use men as a bandage. But they always fall away the next morning leaving my wound exposed.”
This is a poetry collection that is reminiscent of a lot of the big poets the Andrews McMeel publishes. If you like amanda lovelace, Courtney Peppernell, or any 2020 poetry collection this year, then this will be right up your alley. I’ve read a lot of poetry this year. A lot of it was hit or miss, but I actually liked this collection. This collection is based off the poems that Campbell wrote when she was nineteen. This is a weird number for most people, especially Americans. You are an adult, allowed to vote and die for a country, but you can’t drink or buy cigarettes. Most people feel very stuck and confined by the age of nineteen. It is an uncomfortable number. I didn’t hate that year of my life, but it wasn’t a great or fantastic one. It was a year for me that brought a lot of change, so it’s nice to read a poetry collection that is dedicated to a year in someone’s life (even if that was a couple years ago). I liked this collection. It’s not a favorite, but it has some sweet poems and nice moments. I think it will appeal to a wide demographic- both young adults nearing this age and older young adults who are not yet thirty. Or poetry fans. Really this collection has mass market appeal for a lot of people. It’s not the best collection I’ve ever read, but I’ll recommend it.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 3.5
Plotastic Scale: 3.25
Cover Thoughts: I love this cover. Total sucker for it.
Thank you, Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing, for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Selected Poems of Edith Wharton
1 star
Edith Wharton is a well-known writer and classic poet. She is someone who many people read, admire, love, and recommend. I don’t know why I requested this collection for review. I think I was under the impression that I liked poetry from this century which is confusing because I hate most romantic poets. I gave this collection a shot, but I loathed it. There was not a lot to love for me. I think at first, I loved this collection, but the more I read, the less I enjoyed. I gave Edith Wharton’s poetry a shot and I think I’ll pass on the rest. However, I am interested in reading The House of Mirth. Classic poetry is just not for me. Correction. Romantic class poetry is not for me.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 1.25
Plotastic Scale: 1
Cover Thoughts: I love this cover. I think it’s beautiful.
Thank you, Netgalley and Scribner, for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
1 star
Edith Wharton is a well-known writer and classic poet. She is someone who many people read, admire, love, and recommend. I don’t know why I requested this collection for review. I think I was under the impression that I liked poetry from this century which is confusing because I hate most romantic poets. I gave this collection a shot, but I loathed it. There was not a lot to love for me. I think at first, I loved this collection, but the more I read, the less I enjoyed. I gave Edith Wharton’s poetry a shot and I think I’ll pass on the rest. However, I am interested in reading The House of Mirth. Classic poetry is just not for me. Correction. Romantic class poetry is not for me.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 1.25
Plotastic Scale: 1
Cover Thoughts: I love this cover. I think it’s beautiful.
Thank you, Netgalley and Scribner, for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Have you read any of these books or poetry collections? Are you a fan of horror? What is some poetry that you adore? Let me know down below in the comments!
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