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The Graveyard Apartment
The Graveyard Apartment: A Novel | Mariko Koike
One of the most popular writers working in Japan today, Mariko Koike is a recognized master of detective fiction and horror writing. Known in particular for her hybrid works that blend these styles with elements of romance, The Graveyard Apartment is arguably Koikes masterpiece. Originally published in Japan in 1986, Koikes novel is the suspenseful tale of a young family that believes it has found the perfect home to grow into, only to realize that the apartments idyllic setting harbors the specter of evil and that longer they stay, the more trapped they become. This tale of a young married couple who harbor a dark secret is packed with dread and terror, as they and their daughter move into a brand new apartment building built next to a graveyard. As strange and terrifying occurrences begin to pile up, people in the building start to move out one by one, until the young family is left alone with someone... or something... lurking in the basement. The psychological horror builds moment after moment, scene after scene, culminating with a conclusion that will make you think twice before ever going into a basement again.
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Yuki_Onna
Graveyard Apartment | Mariko Koike
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Eggs Whoa!!! 6mo
Yuki_Onna @Eggs That's exactly what I thought when I first learned about this book... 😂 6mo
18 likes2 comments
review
Robotswithpersonality
Graveyard Apartment | Mariko Koike
This post contains spoilers
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Panpan

Poor urban planning: the real evil. Lack of satisfying ending which doesn't feel crafted enough to be a true 'leaving it open' planned end. Very hard to empathize with characters. Warning for suicide, which given the amount of references really should have had a wronged ghost feature prominently. Female horror author/perspective, yay, bad book, boo. Reading haunted apartment books, might actually be therapeutic for me in resolving rental anxiety?!

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Robotswithpersonality
Graveyard Apartment | Mariko Koike
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AKA: What it's like working under a capitalist system. 😬

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Robotswithpersonality
Graveyard Apartment | Mariko Koike
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Okaayyy...speaking of translated from the Japanese...suppose that comes across as 'unique' a description in the original language as it does in English?

1 like1 stack add
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CharlesSwann
Mehso-so

Interesting, think it lost something in translation? Definitely some creepy, unsettling chapters. Bad things happen when a Japanese family moves into an apartment building by an old Buddhist cemetery.

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IamIamIam
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Bailedbailed

This didn't have great reviews to begin with. After reading 4 pages about an underground shopping area to have the same information summarized into a paragraph and then summarized AGAIN into a single sentence, I'm done. This was slow and the characters are unlikeable anyway. Slumping along to the next book... 👎👎👎

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IamIamIam
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Lazy morning as the kids have dentist appointments. This book is interesting in a slow burn Japanese style but I'm struck by how nonchalant the characters are about people committing suicide. I wasn't aware that it's so prevalent in Japan. 🤷‍♀️

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TheRiehlDeal
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Day 28: The Grudge

#horrorseason
@Klou

Klou I picked this one too! Omg! What is happening?! 😂 4y
TheRiehlDeal @Klou 😂 Great minds think alike. 4y
21 likes2 comments
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ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled
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Panpan

This was lame.
Heavy foreshadowing, often without follow-through.
And the “scary” part wasn‘t even included. We just know that something scary happened down in the basement and everyone was afraid.
And I‘m responsible for picking this for bookclub 😬

readordierachel Oh bummer, I was curious about this one. 5y
LeahBergen Sometimes the lamest book generates the best discussion in my book club (as we mercilessly rip it to shreds 😂😂). 5y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled @LeahBergen That‘s true! 😆 my notes are snarky, so this should be fun 5y
44 likes3 comments
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KimmyM
Pickpick

This was a really interesting one. At first I loved it, then my feelings waned as the story went on. It starts slow then the creepiness intensifies, but it didn't cross the line to truly scary for me. But that ending! I wasn't sure I liked it at first, but now that I've had some time to think about it, I definitely did. 3.5 / 5 ⭐

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KimmyM
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Home sick with what feels like my zillionth cold of the year, but at least it means I get to read some more.
I'm about halfway through this book and so far, I really like it!

ShyBookOwl Yikes! Maybe your body is shutting down periodically JUST to get in some distraction-free reading time 😏 5y
11 likes2 comments
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Timidmagick
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Mehso-so

It begins with their pet bird dying. Maybe it loses something in translation but I‘ve lived near a graveyard (on the 13th floor which they called the penthouse level...) so I guess I‘m not that weirded out as they are.

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wtimblin
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Pickpick

Found this book a nice, slow burn creep fest. Not many surprises, quite formulaic Japanese horror. But a great story. Essentially a young family move into an apartment building surrounded on three sides by a graveyard and Buddhist temple, as well as a crematorium. Strange things go bump in the night, but horrifyingly, during daylight too! Nice Halloween read

43 likes4 stack adds
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RealLifeReading
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Graveyard Apartment is rather slow-moving as horror fiction goes. It opens with a young family settling into their new place.
It was originally published in 1986 and perhaps the pacing of the storyline reflects that.
But when it got going, it did get pretty creepy for me - I am a big chicken when it comes to horror fiction - and found myself wishing I weren‘t alone in my quiet house.
Would you live near a cemetery? I wouldn‘t. #ripxiii

Lcsmcat When my niece and nephew were children they lived in church-owned housing (my brother-in-law is clergy) and they played Ghost in the Graveyard in the cemetery. They thought it was cool. 6y
BucklingBookshelves I‘d be ok living by a cemetery — for some reason, I‘ve always felt they were very peaceful places. Then again I don‘t really read (or watch) horror — or I might feel otherwise! 6y
mcipher I used to live across the street from a cemetery! I cut through it when I went out running. I have had cemetery picnics too. And I go to see them on vacation - New Orleans, Key West, the Azores. I guess I am weird! 😂 6y
Clare-Dragonfly My husband and I would love to live by a cemetery. We always point them out to each other when driving! 6y
TEArificbooks It would make for quiet neighbors, lol. And I love Halloween. But if the zombies arise I would be a goner. My family home that my sister lives in now is was an old clergy house. The church burnt down decades before we moved in. And it is haunted by friendly ghosts. 6y
114 likes1 stack add5 comments
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RealLifeReading
Graveyard Apartment | Mariko Koike
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Starting a new creepy read for #ripxiii at breakfast - it‘s stealcut oatmeal with raisins, maple syrup and yogurt. And Yorkshire Gold with milk.

all_4_kb How was it 6y
RealLifeReading @KBlackScan it was slow moving at first but maybe because it was originally published in 1986. It did get weird and creepy eventually! 6y
all_4_kb 👌🏽 6y
141 likes6 stack adds3 comments
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RealLifeReading
Graveyard Apartment | Mariko Koike
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I put up my #ripxiii list of books today and can‘t wait to get the reading started. Are you taking part in Readers Imbibing in Peril?

https://reallifereading.com/2018/08/26/rip-xiii/

BiblioNyan Last Winter, We Parted is awesome. Very psychological in multiple ways. 6y
RealLifeReading @BiblioNyan ooh sounds good! 6y
102 likes2 comments
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mhillis
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I‘m not a fan of scary books but this looks good! #cemetery #augustisatrip #womenintranslation #japan

Megara Added to my #tbr stack! 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks It does sound good!! 😱👻 6y
Jinjer 😱stacked😱 6y
vkois88 Yikes... 😱😱😱😱 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Japanese horror books and films are wicked! 😱🙈 6y
70 likes4 stack adds5 comments
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lianea777
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Loving this scary, creepy book so far!

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swynn
Graveyard Apartment | Mariko Koike
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Mehso-so

A young family moves into a new apartment building: good news is the price is low due to its location next to a graveyard. Bad news is its location next to a graveyard. I quite liked the story, a slow creepy build to a proper horror ending; I was less thrilled about the prose which is full of cliches and random idioms, some quite dated ("rubberneckers"? "What's the scoop"?). I expect most of the awkward language is due to the translation.

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I.readalot
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Pickpick

Wow! What a creepy and scary book! If you like Japanese horror, or any horror whatsoever, I highly recommend this! It builds slowly, so be patient. This truly is "a terrifying tale of a young family who move into an apartment building next to a graveyard and the horrors that are unleashed upon them."

2 likes2 stack adds
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MaleficentBookDragon
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The usual waiting room supplies. A book and yarn. I‘m going to have to start a business. It will be called Waiting Room Fingerless Gloves Inc. 🤣
I‘m making another pair, like the ones I made my sister last month, for @Jennick2004 while waiting for mom to get out of surgery.

EvieBee Looks like you‘ve got a good setup! Hope your mom gets to feeling better after surgery. Xx 7y
GlassAsDiamonds One of my favorite memories of my Grandfather was him periodically checking on my teenaged self reading through the Mists of Avalon in a hospital as we all waited for my Grandmother to come out of a long surgery many years ago. Hope your Mum‘s goes as well as hers did ❤️ 7y
74 likes2 comments
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MaleficentBookDragon
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A little light reading while waiting for take off. I‘m off to Florida for my Mom‘s cancer surgery in Tampa tomorrow‘s.
The person in front of me is wearing way too much perfume and keeps bouncing in their seat. Oh how I love flying.😐

MidnightBookGirl I hate flying too. Wishing your mom a super successful surgery!❤ 7y
AmyG Hope your Mom does well. 7y
mabell ❤️ to you and your mom 7y
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cobwebmoth Sending positive thoughts and hugs to you! 7y
TheWordJar Thinking of you and your mom! ❤️ 7y
jfalkens Hope your mom has a successful surgery and feels better soon xXxX 7y
RebelReader Hugs to you and your Mom! 7y
Bklover Well wishes for your mother! And perfume should be prohibited on airplanes. (And a lot of other places I can think of) 7y
JessClark78 Hope the surgery goes well. ❤️ 7y
Avanders 💖💖to you and your mom! And hope the flight is tolerable ✈️ 7y
MicheleinPhilly Sending positive thoughts and healing energy to your mama. ❤️ 7y
[DELETED] 3803335244 Prayers for your mom. Hugs for you. Perfume sucks, sorry. (edited) 7y
GlassAsDiamonds I love flying but some people really make it hard to feed the love!!! All the best for your Mums surgery. ❤️ 7y
minkyb Best of luck to your Mom! 7y
63 likes14 comments
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MaleficentBookDragon
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Afternoon tea break at work with my new tea infuser/pot.
#Bookantea

tricours I‘m looking forward to reading this book! How is it so far? 7y
Kendra.Diane Have to read this one! 7y
MaleficentBookDragon @tricours It is a bit of a slow burn. While reading it I am often feeling meh, but then I went down in my basement and was creeped out, so it must be working. I‘m halfway and it is picking up. 7y
88 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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MaleficentBookDragon
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Won‘t end well.
#smalltalk

77 likes1 comment
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MaleficentBookDragon
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I haven‘t felt especially creeped out by this book so far. But....I went into my basement last night and actually got a little nervous. So it was either this book, or the fact I was watching Slasher on Netflix last night when I blew a fuse. Hmmmm 🤔

BookBabe 😱 7y
Avanders Fun!! 7y
97 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Brie
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Bailedbailed

Maybe it‘s the translation, but the writing & especially dialogue is just really bad in this one. Couldn‘t continue.

Liberty Oh no! I‘ve always wondered about this one. 7y
DGRachel I couldn't finish it either. 7y
55 likes1 stack add2 comments
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karasu13
Mehso-so

The elements for a truly creepy story were there (an ominous basement, an underground road, mysterious handprints on windows), but it never really came together in a satisfyingly scary way.

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Demanda
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Mehso-so

I really wanted to like this book, but I think something got lost in translation. The characters were unlikable and flat, and by the end I was ready for everyone (except the kid and the dog) to meet their doom. There were a few really creepy bits in the last few pages, but I can't say I'll recommend this in the future.

MrBook Honesty is the best policy 👍🏻. 8y
Demanda @MrBook I'm a tough sell when it comes to horror! 8y
MrBook As it should be. Our time is valuable. Have you read Bird Box? It's fantastic. 8y
Demanda @MrBook I have! It's great! 8y
30 likes4 comments
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RealLifeReading
Graveyard Apartment | Mariko Koike
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Checking out the English language books at Kinokuniya in San Jose is a good way to find some new to me Japanese writers

StacksNShelves My little brother goes to school out there. I'll be checking this place out next time I visit! Thanks for the info! 8y
Smrloomis My Kinokuniya doesn't have Pachinko (not from a Japanese writer I know, but I wish I had a copy). Have you read Six Four? I'm thinking about diving in, but it's massive. 8y
Leftcoastzen Miss Kinokuniya! Visited SF store and LA little Tokyo often, I am a Cat on my TBR 8y
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RealLifeReading @StacksNShelves nice! It's located within the same building as the Mitsuwa supermarket so you can have some good ramen there too! 8y
RealLifeReading @Smrloomis I've not read it yet. Also because of the size! 8y
RealLifeReading @Leftcoastzen I've not been to the SF store before! I'm originally from Singapore and there is a HUGE kino there. 8y
130 likes1 stack add6 comments
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karasu13
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In the mood for something creepy on this wonderfully dreary day! 🌧

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Emilyrjones22
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This one is going to keep me up tonight - so good and soooo scary 😱!! I've been waiting for a long time for a book to creep me out this much! (Yes, I like being scared 💁🏼)

redphoto3 Omg I have wanted to read this since you told me about it!!! I love have the shit scared out of me! 😱 8y
Emilyrjones22 Me too!! (My mother thinks I'm so weird for this!) When I finished last night I had to turn lots of lights on in the house! 8y
6 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Reagan
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Pickpick

I have been plodding through this, just not impressed. I was 100% sure I knew the super predictable ending, honestly, almost dnf. Then I read the last 50 pages. Now I'm suffering a severe book hangover. So good! Read it right meow!

30 likes2 stack adds
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Reagan
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This year I won't read all the library books. This year I will clear my tbr. I will not get overexcited and... oooooh, look at those new library books!

Maike 😄😄 totally relatable 8y
LiteraryinPA That's my problem too! 8y
Hooked_on_books Yes! I have to avoid the library altogether as a preventative. 8y
See All 7 Comments
Amanda.T Currently having the same problem! 8y
Zelma I think I said the same thing last month. And have been to two different libraries in two days for more books. 😳 8y
Zelma @Hooked_on_books Inconceivable! It's my treat for having to get in the car and run an errand. 😂 8y
Reagan I'm glad I'm not alone! @Zelma that is a great way of looking at things, and exactly what I am going to tell myself today when I go get another one. 8y
36 likes7 comments
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Reagan
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Mom! Mom! Pay attention to me!!

britt_brooke 💚💚💚 8y
30 likes1 comment
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Ashley31
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Mehso-so

I had high expectations for this book given the early reviews and the fact that I actually live next to a cemetery, I thought I would be scared out of my pants. The plot evolved pretty slowly and although the ending was pretty creepy, the book was just meh for me. It's a quick read so worth picking up, but I think I'll stick to Stephen King when I want the chills. Still grateful to @sprainedbrain for gifting this to me!

sprainedbrain Shoot. I was really hoping this would be a scary book! 8y
Ashley31 I know! Still a decent read though. My LGP secret Santa gave me Ghostland so still some hope for the creeps 😱 8y
sprainedbrain @Ashley31 that one has been on my list too. I really want to find something scary before October rolls around. 8y
Ashley31 For sure. I will let you know what I think after I read it. 8y
18 likes4 comments
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DeeLew
Graveyard Apartment | Mariko Koike
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Pickpick

This was such a creepy book....in the best way! I actually love this kind of horror. The tension builds slowly into a horrifying conclusion. I loved it! 😈😱

TheLondonBookworm Don't know this one- sounds like my kind of book! 8y
MyNamesParadise Glad to hear it was good!! 8y
DeeLew @TheLondonBookworm @MyNamesParadise It was much better than I thought it was going to be! 8y
Gissy It sounds creepy? I'm a chicken with most horror books! 😟 8y
58 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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DeeLew
Graveyard Apartment | Mariko Koike
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Trying not to worry about all of the stresses that keep coming my way. Book + cat + cozy bed is just what I need. 💜😽

Jenshootsweddings ❤️❤️ 8y
Bookzombie 💕🐱 8y
EloisaJames Hug! 8y
See All 6 Comments
Nebklvr That looks creepy. ...Hope the story and love made you feel better 8y
MyNamesParadise Pretty kitty! 8y
MyNamesParadise A book and a cat sounds like a perfect combo to me! 8y
63 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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HiddenGemBooks
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This tale of a young married couple who are harboring a dark secret is packed with dread and terror, as they and their daughter move into a brand new apartment building built next to a graveyard. As strange and terrifying occurrences begin to pile up, people in the building begin to move out one by one, until the young family is left alone with someone... or something... lurking in the basement.

#TBR 😱📚

LeahBergen Oooooo! 😱 8y
tpixie Yikes!!!! 8y
MichelleRoss I really liked this one! 8y
RebeccasReading We lived with our daughter in an apartment building next to a cemetery once... no hauntings though! 8y
94 likes30 stack adds4 comments
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warndt
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Starting this book. Anyone else read this one?

RaimeyGallant Not yet. And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
1 like1 comment
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HarleyQuinn
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DGRachel
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Bailedbailed

I'm not going to finish this before it's due back to the library, and sadly, that doesn't bother me. Maybe it's new migraine preventative medication playing with my head or maybe it's the translation, who knows? All I can say is that after 80 pages, neither the characters nor the story have captured my imagination. Also, do they really make buildings with basements that are accessible only by elevator-no stairs? How is that legal?

Megabooks 80 pages is a good stab. Go with your gut. And I hope your migraine med works!! 8y
33 likes1 comment
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HarleyQuinn
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My book!

4 likes2 stack adds
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BookBabe
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I'm probably going to be all spooked out after reading so many creepy books for October...but this one caught my attention. Has anyone read it? Is it good?

Redwritinghood Not yet but on my TBR for Nov. 8y
Suzze Sure looks creepy. 8y
DGRachel It's next on my TBR list because it's due back to the library Saturday 😱 8y
See All 11 Comments
SiriGuruDevSingh It looks awesome!!! 8y
DeeLew I'm ordering this one next! 😊💀 8y
kylienoele I'll miss your Halloween pictures, they were great!!! 8y
Godmotherx5 Nope, haven't read it yet. 8y
BookBabe @kylienoele aww, thanks so much! This makes me happy. 😊 8y
MyNamesParadise I believe I've heard good things about this book! 8y
MrBook 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 8y
LitsyGoesPostal 😎👍🏻 8y
121 likes20 stack adds11 comments
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DGRachel
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If Japanese horror novels are as scary as I've heard Japanese horror movies are, I'm going to be sleeping with all the lights on for a while. #AllHallowsRead #ScaryReads #scaryreadintranslation

Zelma I'll keep an eye on your review. This sounds really intriguing but I am a total scaredy cat. 8y
DogMomIrene I'll read vicariously through your posts. Cannot handle the scary😱 8y
39 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Godmotherx5
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Another Book from my TBR for the daily challenges. I thank Litsy readers for previously recommending it. #scaryreadintranslation #allhallowsread @Litsy @LibrarianRyan #octphotochallenge #creepycrawlies

31 likes3 stack adds
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Alicepondpoe
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I honestly don't know where to start!
(yes those are all library books 😀 the ladies behind the desk all know me by name, I love it ❤)

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BekahB
Graveyard Apartment | Mariko Koike
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I haven't done a great job sticking to my #TBR this month, but this is what I hope to read during the rest of October. I also have Graveyard Apartment, Scratch, and The Women in the Walls on my Kindle. I'm excited to read all of these books! 👻

#AllHallowsRead

Bette ❤️creature 😊👍 8y
55 likes1 stack add1 comment
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annemi
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Bedtime festivities. #AllHallowsRead @Litsy