This is my second reading of Stephen King‘s Skeleton Crew, which serves as the June selection for our Constant Reader book club meetup. First published in 1985, this collection of short stories has stood the test of time. It boasts a diverse range of stories, varying in length, intensity, and horror gore. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection, just as much as I did during my first reading. 🐒

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The Shallows is comprised of short, suspenseful chapters that alternate between the past and present, keeping me engaged and eagerly turning the pages. characters were likable and easy to empathize with, although I kept a skeptical eye on some of the secondary characters. As the story drew to a close, so did its intensity. Loved it! 🌊

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Peter Heller captivated me with his beautiful and sophisticated writing style. Set in the breathtaking Yellowstone National Park, the story took various turns, but everything was purposeful and connected. The wild animals as central characters were amazing. The book‘s enchanting setting, coupled with its endearing characters, both human and animal, creates an unforgettable reading experience.

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Set in the Hamptons where three lifelong friends reunite for a long weekend. A random encounter with two strangers leads to a silly, drunken prank. Events quickly spiral out of control, resulting in a police investigation. Beyond the surface-level mystery, The Note delves into the profound impact of long-term friendships and the loyalty that binds them together. 👍 book 👎narration.

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I participated in an author event at The Back Room hosted by Hank Phillipi Ryan and Karen Dionne. Authors Liv Constantine, Tori Eldridge, Riley Sager, and Matthew Sullivan engaged in captivating conversations. I wrote about my experience on my blog.

abookandadog.com/author-events/the-back-room-june-2025

Falling is a gripping and suspenseful read, filled with unexpected twists and turns. I can‘t help but feel grateful that I wasn‘t reading this book while traveling by plane. The characters were well-developed, and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. I look forward to reading more books by T.J. Newman.

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An exceptional crime novel, and Horowitz‘s talent as a mystery writer is truly remarkable. A novel within a novel. I can only fathom the immense challenge of simultaneously crafting two novels and seamlessly weaving them together. Susan Ryeland‘s character is a strong, independent woman with realistic vulnerabilities, making her a compelling and relatable protagonist.

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The Chateau Marmont, a historic landmark nestled on Sunset Boulevard, a trendy area of Los Angeles that has been a haven for Hollywood‘s elite for almost a century, is the subject of this captivating book. I thoroughly enjoyed the chronological structure, which segments the narrative into different time periods to highlight prominent celebrities, owners, and significant societal changes.

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I‘m late to the party! I only recently discovered the connection between Deadmau5‘s “The Veldt” and Ray Bradbury‘s short story of the same name. My review of Bradbury‘s story provides further insight into Deadmau5‘s homage to Bradbury.

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*Not the tagged book* Jodi Picoult turns the tables in this Only From Audible short story, “Choice.” James, a man who had ended his relationship with his girlfriend due to his aversion to having children, found himself unexpectedly pregnant one morning. As he navigated his day, he faced the judgments and biases of his colleagues and strangers.

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A story of mystery, murder, and corruption on Martha‘s Vineyard. A young woman from London, arrives on the island to settle her father‘s estate. Tragically, her father, an investigative journalist, mysteriously met his end when he fell off a senator‘s yacht during a winter storm.

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A Walk in the Woods recounts Bill Bryson‘s courageous decision to embark on a hike along the Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine. At least that‘s how far the trail extends. Through his journey, Bill takes readers on a humorous adventure, sharing comedic anecdotes about life on the trail.

Full review abookandadog.com/blog/a-walk-in-the-woods

Ferry Tails by Ted Mulcahey is a murder mystery set on Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest. The story follows Deputy Sheriff Roger Wilkie as he investigates the murder of a woman that occurred on the island‘s ferry. The case becomes even more puzzling when it‘s revealed that the victim was carrying the name of a local resident who had never heard of her.

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*Not the tagged book* I haven‘t had the best luck with books by Owen King. He wrote a short story, Letter Slot, as part of The Shivers collection. Since it was a short story, I decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised and relieved to find that I enjoyed it. It was captivating and had a heartfelt theme that allowed me to empathize with the main characters.

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I‘ve been eagerly anticipating the release of Chris Pavone‘s new novel, The Doorman. Today, I received a beautiful signed copy of the book from The Poisoned Pen, an independent bookseller in Scottsdale, Arizona. I absolutely adore adding signed books to my collection.

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It‘s an exhilarating day when Dean Koontz‘s new book graces my mailbox the day before its release! I‘m a passionate collector of signed books, and it‘s these works of art that truly make the hobby even more special. The dust cover is a visual delight, and the hardcover is uniquely designed. I could easily lose myself in the intricate details of those gorgeous endpapers.

More info and pictures: abookandadog.com/blog/going-home-in-the-dark-signed

*Not the tagged book* Joe Hill‘s Jackknife is a captivating tale about a uniquely vengeful tree. During a nature walk, Dennis Lange encounters a magnificent sycamore tree with an old jackknife stuck in its trunk. Dennis, who has always wanted to own a jackknife since childhood, is unaware of the dire consequences he‘ll unleash when he removes it.

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Unlike other McFadden books I‘ve read, this had a slower pace. It delved deeply into MC‘s character development, which kept me engaged throughout the story. While I anticipated the twists, they didn‘t unfold as quickly as I had expected, but the wait was worth it. The twists were well-crafted and made for a fantastic read.

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May selection for the IRL Constant Readers Book Club. It‘s a re-read for me. I had forgotten quite a bit about the story, so I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting it. It boasts incredibly likable characters and a unique perspective on the concept of author pen names. It seamlessly weaves together classic horror elements that King is renowned for, while also enduring the test of time.

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The setting of a remote island with a mansion, lighthouse, and sailing boats is lovely. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists, making it difficult to predict the ending. The book is well-written with engaging and suspenseful scenes. I didn‘t connect with any of the characters, and I didn‘t find them likable. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I didn‘t love it.

Full review abookandadog.com/blog/no-one-will-know-carlyle

Streets of Laredo reminded me of McMurtry‘s exceptional writing skills. It‘s remarkable how he brings characters to life through his words. His vivid descriptions of the scenery and the way of life in the early 1890s effortlessly immersed me in the story. Despite its challenging nature, with its share of grief, hardship, and brutality, it‘s also a beautiful story.

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The Crash exceeded my expectations. As the story unfolded, it became increasingly suspenseful. I particularly enjoy Freida‘s writing style, which allows the reader to experience the story from each character‘s perspective. The ending was perfect—very sweet and tender. It wasn‘t what I‘ve come to expect from Freida, so I thoroughly enjoyed this unexpected twist to her creativity.

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Every time I pick up a novel by Gregg Hurwitz, I can‘t help but feel confident that it‘s going to be an excellent read. His first novel, “The Tower,” is a fast-paced and suspenseful story that perfectly captures the essence of the genre I love. It features a high-security prison, a sadistic serial killer, and an ex-FBI agent, all elements that make for a thrilling and engaging read.

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In this brief autobiography, Jane shares captivating stories about her experiences working with the chimpanzees, her educational journey, her marriages, and the birth of her son, Hugo. Jane also delves into critical issues such as climate change, illegal hunting, and the detrimental impact of industrialization on the chimpanzee population.

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I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading this without knowing more about the plot than the description, as it allowed me to immerse myself in the lives of these wonderful characters and follow their journeys. The narrative is heartfelt and filled with lovable characters. The conclusion of the story left me feeling peaceful for the characters, but also sad as I bid them farewell.

Full review abookandadog.com/blog/the-making-of-us

*Not the tagged book* It was fascinating to delve into Eddie Vedder‘s music career. He discussed Nirvana, the tragic incident that occurred at their concert in Denmark, and his solo album and soundtrack for the movie Into the Wild. I particularly enjoyed the acoustic performances interspersed throughout the audiobook.

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I discovered bell hooks through one of my favorite Buddhist meditation teachers, Sharon Salzberg. The most profound and yet simple point made by bell hooks is that love is often defined as a noun, and we would be more effective in applying it as a verb.

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A novella that clocks in at just 3.5 hours on audio, retains the same dark intensity that I‘ve come to expect from Lemaitre. In this book, Camille negotiates with John, who has concealed 7 bombs throughout Paris. After the first bomb detonates, John surrenders to the police, demanding that his mother be released from prison. If not, the remaining 6 bombs will detonate every 24 hours.

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I was captivated by the picturesque setting of Morannez, a charming village nestled on the sea. The story kept me enthralled by its cast of characters and the intriguing mysteries that unfolded. The ending provided a satisfying conclusion while leaving room for suspense in the next installment. 📕

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*Not the tagged book* Haggard House by Elisabeth Rhoads is an exceptional novel that I‘m grateful to have received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. (Pub date 7.15.25) A captivating blend of genres, including history, horror, suspense, and a coming-of-age story with forbidden love, left me with a profound emotional impact.

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While I‘ve enjoyed Chris Bohjalian‘s previous works, I must admit that I didn‘t enjoy this one, despite my anticipation of loving it. I found the narrative to be extremely slow, which made it difficult to get engrossed in the story. I often felt bored and anxious for the book to have some excitement.

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I‘ve finally made it to book #25 in the Jack Reacher series! The Sentinel marks the first book where Lee Child collaborates with his brother, Andrew Child, to take over the writing of the series. I thoroughly enjoyed Andrew Child‘s contribution to the series. Reacher remains the same character who finds himself entangled in familiar predicaments while assisting those in need.

Full review abookandadog.com/blog/the-sentinel

While I may not have been a huge fan of grunge or alternative rock, I couldn‘t help but appreciate the raw talent and unwavering determination displayed by musicians like Dave Grohl. Over time, I‘ve come to know him for his kindness and generosity. Therefore, when his autobiography, The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music, was released, I knew it was a book I had to read.

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I‘ve always thought giraffes were pretty amazing creatures, but I never fully appreciated their magnificence until I got to meet two of them up close.

This is a captivating tale that beautifully illustrates the extraordinary influence and transformative power of animals on our lives. Every aspect of this book enchanted me.

For the complete giraffe story and full review abookandadog.com/blog/west-with-giraffes

This is my first time reading Gillian McAllister. I had a strong feeling that I had read at least one of her books before, but my Goodreads account says otherwise. Regardless, Famous Last Words was an excellent starting point for me. A suspenseful hostage situation, marital secrets, and a puzzle to solve all made this a great book!

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This is my second time reading this. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of novellas just as much as I did the first time. However, this re-read revealed something about my preferences for re-reading books. This book review appears more like a personal journal entry as I‘ve come to understand my preferences for rereading books, particularly those that hold significant personal meaning.

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Wow! This is my first time reading William Kent Krueger, and I must say, I‘m thoroughly impressed with his storytelling. I absolutely adored this book! The unexpected turn of events in the story took me by surprise, revealing new insights into the characters that I had never anticipated.

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Ruth Franklin gained access to previously private letters and conducted interviews to compile this comprehensive biography of the renowned horror author, Shirley Jackson. This book chronicles Shirley‘s life, starting with her upbringing and her tumultuous relationship with her mother. She met her husband, Stanley Hyman, while in college. They raised four kids.

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Spring is coming, and with it, a flurry of exciting book releases! I had the pleasure of participating in The Back Room: Cocktails and Conversations with Your Favorite Authors, hosted by the talented authors Hank Phillippi Ryan and Karen Dionne. This unique event brought together authors with new books hitting the shelves this month!

I wrote about my experience on my blog abookandadog.com/author-events/the-back-room-march-2025

*Not the tagged book* Conscious Aging is a two-part recorded session featuring Ram Dass delivering a talk at the Omega Institute. At the time of the recording, Ram Dass was 60 years old. He begins the teaching by sharing humorous and relatable stories about aging, allowing him to laugh at himself while simultaneously offering a profound spiritual application for the listeners.

Full review at abookandadog.com/blog/conscious-aging

*Not the tagged book* I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, The House on the Water by Margot Hunt. She skillfully crafted her own unique twist into a classic locked-in murder mystery. Surprisingly, I managed to decipher the motive behind the murder and identify the murderer even before the reveal. This didn‘t diminish my appreciation for the captivating narrative.

Full review at abookandadog.com/blog/the-house-on-the-water

Recently, my husband and I discovered a captivating television show on National Geographic called UFOs: Investigating the Unknown. There, I added books to my TBR, including the tagged book. This biography about John Mack, a Harvard psychiatrist, who stumbled upon an opportunity to meet with individuals who claimed to have been abducted by aliens.

Full review at abookandadog.com/blog/the-believer-john-mack

Whitaker is a brilliant writer. His talent took me on an emotional journey with these captivating characters as they struggled with emotional and physical pain, loss, and heartbreak.

Full review at abookandadog.com/blog/all-the-colors-of-the-dark

Original painting pictured by artist, Patrick Riley, is available at https://patrickriley.art/original-artwork-pss/p/its-what-i-live-for

I enjoyed this. Initially, I was excited about the book but soon found myself growing disengaged as the pace was slow. I even considered giving up. However, when Mills finally introduced some action, I became committed to finishing the book. Now that I‘m done, I found the second half to be engaging and suspenseful, with a satisfying ending. Mills created characters who felt real and flawed.

Full review at abookandadog.com/blog/bitter-passage

This is another remarkable novel by Pam Jenoff. It was engrossing and fast-paced. Stories about WWII are always incredibly sad and astonishing. Pam crafted characters full of strength and determination to confront the challenges of war while also unraveling mysteries that ultimately reinforce the power of hope and love.

Full review at abookandadog.com/blog/last-twilight-in-paris

This is our February selection for the Constant Reader book club. I‘ve watched the original 1983 movie adaptation multiple times and first read the book in 2015 as an audiobook. This time, I decided to read my physical copy. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it again and liked it better the second time.

Full review at abookandadog.com/blog/the-dead-zone

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella and appreciated the references to well-known haunted houses. I found the protagonists to be likable characters and was rooting for their marriage. The narrative was well-crafted and effectively conveyed a sense of suspense.

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Freida McFadden has an ability to immerse me into the story so deeply that once I start a book, I want to shut out the world with my AirPods until the end. Book 3 has a lot of suspicious behaviors among the characters, which kept me wondering what was going on in this idyllic cul-de-sac. As the pieces began to come together, I started to anticipate some of the twists.

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*Not the tagged book* I thoroughly enjoyed Rachel Howzell Hall‘s novella, How It Ends. It is a thrilling mystery and suspense story. It incorporates several unexpected and ingenious twists.

Full review abookandadog.com/blog/how-it-ends

Fiona Davis is one of my favorite historical fiction novelists, and one author that I have read all of her books. I acknowledge that I am about to express an unpopular opinion: while The Stolen Queen was enjoyable, it did not fully resonate with me as some of her other novels have.

Full review and video of Fiona‘s author event at the Poisoned Pen Bookstore at abookandadog.com/blog/the-stolen-queen