Welcome to Litsy!

This was fun! Could it be scarier? Sure! Could it make more sense? Sure! But none of that matters if you take it for what it is: a silly little holiday horror that pokes some fun at both the publishing industry and horror genre tropes.

Book One:
This is a fun Christmas horror by the author of the Bernie Sanders and the Obama/Biden cozy mystery series.
I also love his Mothman Cryptid comics.
#threelistthursday

This was ok. Maybe a bit creepy, but I didn‘t think all that much. It just wasn‘t really all too exciting for me. I didn‘t find the characters all that interesting, either. It was definitely 80s, though! There was a little bit of humour at the start, but I didn‘t find the funny lasted throughout the book – at least it didn‘t seem to for me.

To me it wasn't much of a comedy or a horror but it did start to get good in chapter 25.

Ever since Lussi Meyer lost her job in a restructuring of the publishing house where she worked, she has been desperate to find another. Last hope is prestigious, yet decidedly staid, Blackwood-Patterson. Still beggars can't be choosers & Lussi vows to knock them dead. Literally as it turns out, when old Mr Blackwood keels over during the interview. Still at least Lussi manages to get a job out of the tragic situation (continued)

Ooh I loved this one! Set in a 1980s publishing house this was a comic horror that kept me smirking the whole way through. Witty and creepy with a Christmasy edge, What a combo! Not that many words for #wintergames #wgwordsearch but a lot of fun none the less! Currently free with audible plus.

I wasn't sure what to expect, it wasn't bad. Hit the spot for a holiday read, but not as creepy or gory as I would have liked.

#WinterGames Photo Challenge Day 3 prompt: Santa

This is a very funny Christmas horror book!
Team #SnowAngels
@emilymdxn @kwmg40 @texreader @5feet.of.fury @sblbooks @msradiosilence @cogsofencouragement

From my TBR list this Christmas, Day 3 of the #WinterGamesDailyPhotoChallenge is Secret Santa, a comedy/horror read. #Santa

#WinterGames #HollyJollyReaders @Laughterhp

Starting a little early with Christmas reads this year because I have so many I want to get too! Even though it means I will miss out on #wintergames points for them. I‘m covering a lot of genres this Christmas. Starting with horror!

Read for our January horror book club. The cover is so good (and satisfyingly true to the book) that it seems impossible for the actual book to be good, but I was pleasantly surprised. Lussi is a tough and likable MC, the plot is engaging, and it is at times laugh-out-loud funny. A fun Christmas horror novel about publishing in the 80s + an evil German doll. What‘s not to like? 🎁

Recently read with my boyfriend. I‘d been saving it for the holiday season. I liked it but it still didn‘t quite hit the spot for what I think I was looking for.

Horror is the only kind of Christmas book I like. This is a humorous homage to the 80s horror genre. It is very funny and clever. I really felt like I was in 1986.

Such a fun book! Strange things start happening at an old publishing house after Lussi ends up with a senior editor position. It felt a little like Critters but lots of fun, especially revisiting 1980s NYC and I always appreciate a Long Island nod, of which I had a few. 😁🎄🐀😈

I had a lot of fun with this one. Short and sweet. Only knock I had was the epilogue. I‘m not sure how I feel about it. But everything before then was perfect.

Mysterious injuries, death, and book publishing? Sign me up!

I'm not going to lie, this one was a little weird - not that that's a bad thing! Overall, it kept my attention and I enjoyed it.

Bought this last spring and I‘ve been waiting until December to read it! Enjoying the snow falling at work and cozying up to this. Pretty good so far; definitely quirky.

#ScarathlonDailyPrompts Oct 15 #Secret

This is such a fun little horror book, good for spooky season or winter holiday time!

#Scarathlon2022 #TeamMonsterMash

Some recent (over numerous trips) Goodwill finds.

#usedbooks #goodwill #goodwillbooks

I‘m a holiday reading #rebel. Reading schmaltzy books doesn‘t do it for me. But this little horror novella gave me the holiday vibes along with plenty of weird and creepy elements. Also includes some commentary on the 1980s greed culture and publishing in general.

Perfect palate cleanser!!

Full review https://www.TheBibliophage.com
#thebibliophage2021

Here's my Youtube book review for "Secret Santa!"

https://youtu.be/IwmnNyO7tj4

I don‘t know what possessed me, but I had enough Kobo points to get the ebook for free and made it my Christmas Eve read. Not a good idea to read right before bed - it‘s kind of campy, with some fun 80s references, but just enough to distract you and let the horror really seep under your skin. I will have nightmares.

Fun holiday themed horror-comedy about a powerful entity and an 80‘s woman trying to succeed in New York publishing. Lots of irreverent humor and thrills.

This was a ton of fun, holiday horror. Great audiobook, voiced by the always excellent Andi Arndt. Another #averymerrybingo 20 points
590 points #wgwordsearch
25 holiday read
#mistletoemaniacs #wintergames2021

It is suppose to be an horror novel but it is not, at least not for me, no scared at all. It has some mild gory scenes with absurd scenes, and morbid, sarcastic, funny humor. I enjoyed it. It mentions some references about known books, music and movies in a funny way. 3⭐️
December 2021 #BookSpin @ TheAromaOfBooks
#AnyWayYouReadathon @kimmypete1 @Eggbeater @MidnightBookGirl

Finished this one today. A very different tale for Christmas. Not the best tale of horror, but I appreciate that it's not another holiday romance. I found 59 words for 590 points #WGWordsearch.

#WinterGames2021 #TeamGameSleighers @StayCurious

Very silly but fun! I enjoyed the main character and the time period.

26pts holiday read #wintergames #teamgamesleighers @StayCurious
500 pts #wgwordsearch

This was just plain fun. It reminded me of the old Tales from the Cryptkeeper stories.

5hrs
#HolidayRead :25pts
#WGWordSearch : 590pts

Total points: 965

AVeryMerryBingo @Jadams1776
Bookspinbingo @Thearomaofbooks
Winter cozy @Puddlejumper
AVeryMerryReadathon @Thespineview
Adventathon @Ozma.of.oz
Wrapitupreadathon @keys_on_fire
Littenlisten @aperfectmjk

#WinterGames2021 #MistletoeManiacs @Clwojick

Going to decorate the tree tonight, and after finishing such a heavy book and being midway through Betty, I decided to get festive and start Secret Santa. One thing I love is Christmas based horror 🎅 🩸

Any recommendations in this kind of specific genre haha?

Book 133🎧
Pete the cat is short and cute!🎄
Secret Santa was good - heavy on the German lore which was cool! Weird little doll from war times starts creating chaos around the office.. but why now!?😱

#WinterGames #MistletoeManiacs
@Clwojick @aperfectmjk #LittensListen #Readathon

Todays Points: 126 + 5 pts (Alaskan bush people🎄)

Total Points: 277

All non continental US matches have been sent for the #jolabokaflodswap.
I hope to have all the US ones sent by Monday. Thank you for you patience.
We have almost 200 participants this year!!!! I'm so happy you all love this swap as much as I do (I signed up for 5 matches).

Thank you TONS @bookish_wookish for this #littlechristmasswap package! Not only did you put your time and effort into hosting, but you stepped up and filled in voids from others on your own too! You‘re an amazing person! 💕

Anyway I love love love all of this! ❤️🤗

#lcs

3 ⭐ I liked the idea of a haunted or cursed publisher who must appease a doll or dry trying was interesting, but not what I was expecting. I expected a bit more Christmas or holiday to be honest. You could take this book and set it at a birthday or a staff training day and still get the same story. . There was so much chugging along, and then the end was ramrodded in. Overall i did like this book, but I‘ll never read it again.

This was a fun, quick read! (It‘s just over 200 pages). In the 80s, Lussi gets a new job at a publisher. But when she gets a secret Santa gift that from seemingly no one, and people start dying, she has to figure out what‘s going on. Super fun, love the 80s references!

I love everything about my #creepychristmas package! Thank you so much @BookishTrish . You spoiled me❤️ A millions times thank you for stuff for my son , that was so thoughtful and he loves it! He already has put his money in the monster pouch!

Thank you @teebe for organizing this swap!

This was delightfully sinister, hilarious and pure evil- and that's just the takedown of the publishing industry! Add in a creepy building, secret society, possessed dolls, and career climbing, throw in some Christmas, and you have a quirky, demented classic! #WinterGames2020 #MerryReaders @Clwojick

Secret Santa by Andrew Shaffer is a twisted tale about the dark secrets that are being covered up in a failing publishing house.

If you‘re looking for a spooky tale set in an office around Christmas that will keep you on your toes, then this is the book for you!

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-review-secret-santa-by-andrew-shaffer/

Really enjoyed this. It is out of Quirk Books, second book I've read from them...I like how they think😊

#WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer #CrushTheRush #ReadYourWay #WinterSolstice @StayCurious @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @TheSpineView @Bookgoil

Merry Xmas everyone! This year it doesn‘t really feel Xmas-y since we didn‘t get to see my family, and seeing my niece and new nephew enjoying Christmas would‘ve been amazing, so it helped a bit to read this holiday horror comedy.

This was a fun and creepy Christmas story.

Not much reading time, but it's worth it to spend some time with my "bubble"!
#WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer #CrushTheRush #ReadYourWay #WinterSolstice @StayCurious @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @TheSpineView @Bookgoil

Lots of great reads yesterday! Secret Santa was demonically funny (and set in the publishing world!), It's A Wonderful Wife was a great take on It's a Wonderful Life, and I LOVED Eight Winter Nights. Happy Christmas Eve to all! #WinterGames2020 #MerryReaders @Clwojick 881 pts

Watching a fun Simpsons holiday episode. Will get some reading in today.
 @CaffeineAndCandy plan to start Rose Madder next week #LosersClub

#WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer #CrushTheRush #ReadYourWay #WinterSolstice @StayCurious @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @TheSpineView @Bookgoil

I didn‘t think my hold would come available in time, but I‘m very excited to read this holiday horror before the big day. Sorry TBR pile this just leapt to the front of the list.

Points for #WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer @staycurious
TBR (2)= 30
#teambuddyread=50
Participation= 8
#christmasornamenthunt = 50
Holiday shows (5)=25
#teammovie=25
Readathons #CrushTheRush #ReadYourWay @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @TheSpineView
25 hours= 500
Total week 3 688
Total so far 1526
🌲⛄

Although there is not much that is actually Christmas related about this book, it was an interesting story that hooked me from the beginning.