whatcha-reading-today

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Exquisite Corpse | Poppy Z. Brite

Some of the most beautifully written gore I've read. I first heard about this story as Dahmer and Nilsen meet cute and murder some folks. While that might be true, there's more of a theme of disease and the pervasive fear of AIDS. Brite's writing is visceral and vile but so lovingly so. I found myself so deeply engaged, that I'd surface from reading in a fugue state of disgust and horror. But I loved it. Absolutely fantastic and disturbing read. I also read the 20th anniversary edition, which I suggest since it includes a new intro by the author reflecting on what what the story has meant to them over the years.

I can see why this is on so many horror best of lists.

Format: Physical copy

Read in: July 2025

Favorites 2025

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The Ghost of Flight 401 | John G. Fuller

Look I thought this was fictional ghost plane and didn't realize this was a journalist's deep dive into the paranormal surrounding a horrific real life plane crash. And yes, the pixelated cover does say 'an extraordinary true story' but I just assumed that like The Conjuring or something it referenced some real life event but was wholly fictionalized. My mistake.

While this was written during the 70s obsession with psychic phenomenon and ghosts, coming off in equal parts fond and comical, this is still a book that pushes the idea that ghosts are definitely real. This was also the period where that doctor guy took acid, lay in a deprivation chamber, and assumed that he could psychically connect with dolphins to teach them English. And the US government SUBSIDIZED this as 'research'. See Atrocity Guide's video, it's wild.

So, I'd say this is a window into the weird side of the 70s (as if it had a normal side?), where a collective group of people convinced that ghosts were trying to communicate with them. Fuller's writing style is solid, but I think this so easily could be remixed into a straight up horror/possession/ghost novel.

Format: Physical copy

Read in: July 2025

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Kill Creatures | Rory Power

Let's gush about the cover, oh my gosh. This is GORGEOUS. The book is ok and feels like baby's first thriller. The premise is our main character murdered her friends and a year later one of them just shows up and is totally fine. I liked the twist and won't ruin it in this review. I was hoping for more magical realism than what was presented but I still enjoyed it. My bigger issue is that this was a weird length. It was a bit too long to be a novella, and a bit too short to be a full novel. The hardcover clocks in at 281 pages (according to GoodReads) and I just think a bit more fleshing out could have strengthened the book.

I earlier referred to this as 'baby's first thriller', which is apt because whenever something horrifying starts to happen, Power pulls away at the last second without landing that final punch. This could be because this is a YA thriller and is therefore a little less horrifying. But for me it just could have been a bit harder, a bit more intense.

Format: Physical copy

Read in: July 2025

[whatcha-reading-today]

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation--novel, manhwa, and donghua

So I decided to read Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation/Diabolism and accidently ordered the manhwa first. I then ordered the novel and watched the first few episodes of the series on Crunchyroll.

If you have access to it, I would recommend reading the book first before the manhwa or donghua. I have not seen the live action series, 'The Untamed' yet and will after I finish reading the entire series.

Why read the book first?

Well, because it's the book in which all these different media are based. It has the most detail and great characterization of all the characters. The first three volumes align with volume one of the novel. The donghua also runs in a different order (for example, I'm almost done with the donghua and a major event in book 2 is now JUST happening. And there's like 5 episodes to go.) Don't spoil the story for yourself but boy definitely watch the show. Season 3 in particularly beautifully animated. All of the seasons have such wonderfully animated scenes with music. This is such a great way to make things like LZ's music interludes really hit.

Which MXTX series should you read first?

This is the second MXTX series that I've read after Heaven Official's Blessing. Both are incredibly fun with excellent romantic elements, I do find MZDS more fun because I love Wei Wuxian as a lead. As this is told in dual timelines--WW and LZ as youths, WW's ascent into demonic cultivation and present day when WW is reincarnated, we get to see tremendous growth in both characters. I also liked the mystery and travelogue elements of the story. I don't think it really matters which one you read first, but I think MZDS is a bit easier to process if this is your first foray into the lore.

Read in: July-August 2025, watched August 2025

Suggested order:

Novel Vol 1 -> Manhwa 1-3 -> Season 1

All read as physical copies

Favorite series 2025

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The Guest List | Lucy Foley

This is one of those big thrillers and I enjoyed it. Like it was a good time, amazing? Not really. Offensive? No way. Fun and fast with short chapters and lots of fun perspectives. I didn't think the mystery was super intense but this is a super fun read for a beach or plane.

Format: Physical copy

Read in: July 2025

[whatcha-reading-today]

Overgrowth | Mia Grant

Grant is a really really solid writer and I enjoyed the Day of the Triffids angle here. This was however a little long but still fun. I'd also recommend the audiobook, the narration is strong and a great distractor during long drive times.

Format: audiobook

Read in: July 2025

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Let's Go Play at the Adams' | Mendal W. Johnson

This is extreme horror where our babysitter main character is tied up, raped, tortured and murdered by the kids she's supposed to take care of. That's not a spoiler even though it's a full summary of the book because we're told this upfront. I read the Paperbacks from Hell version with Grady Hendrix's intro which also tells you the plot. So why read this? Well, because I'm looking for the most horrifying, disturbing book I can. Why do this? Because I've read a lot of fucked up stuff and am finding that some of these books aren't really so bad.

That's not true for 'Adams'. This book is vile and unsettling. I wanted to read Jack Ketchum's 'The Girl Next Door' which has a similar premise but is based on a true event (which is even more disturbing).

I cannot in good conscience recommend 'Adams'. It's deeply uncomfortable reading from the perspective of young children torturing another young person. But if you're looking for something unsettling and uncomfortable, this is an option.

Format: e-book

Read in: July 2025

[whatcha-reading-today]

The Wedding People | Alison Espach

I got a lucky day loan from my library and read this on a recent flight. Overall, I thought it was easy to read, paced well and overall pretty fun. I didn't personally find it hysterical and I think the set up--that our FMC flies to a glitzy resort to kill herself after her divorce may unsettle some folks. But if you can get past that and then dig into the story--FMC can't kill herself because it'll ruin a wedding, then I think you'll have a good time. I do want to see what Espach writes next.

Format: e-book

Read in: August 2025

[whatcha-reading-today]

Double Feature: Scott Smith

By far the biggest negative related to Smith's writings is that there's only TWO of them. Both stories can be tidily summed up as people in a bad situation make increasingly stupider decisions at the cost of their own survival. Both books have movie adaptations but I do not recommend The Ruins. This story works as a book and even then I wouldn't say its representation of women has aged particularly well.

A Simple Plan

Men find a crashed plane filled with money and decide to keep it for themselves. That's it. The premise sounds frankly pretty dumb but the execution is just so good. High recommend the movie either in the dead of winter (when it takes place) for the absolutely chilling vibes or in the dead of summer.

The Ruins

A group of teens run afoul on a vacation to some Mexican ruins. Shit just goes from bad to worse. I won't give Smith's writing of women any credit here. The women are horny (despite the horrors) and frankly seen as mostly really dumb. But again there's something about how Smith writes that's really compelling. Do not watch the movie, it's so bad and has some horrific CGI. I would recommend The Descent for that horrific claustrophobic feeling and also, the cast is all women.

[whatcha-reading-today]

The Remarried Empress Vol 6-7 | Alphatart, Sumpul, Herelee

This series is so fun. So at a high-level, this story follows Navier, the empress of a prosperous country. At the beginning, she finds out that her husband, the emperor, has cheated and impregnated a younger woman. He also wants to divorce Navier and marry this new woman. While a little silly (but let's be honest, this reads like a K-drama so it's got that level of silliness) the political machinations from all of the characters is so much fun.

I recommend The Remarried Empress if you're looking for a political intrigue story with some magical realism stuff. The art is beautiful and in vol 7, Heniery takes his shirt off a lot, which is lovingly drawn.

Format: Physical copy

Read in: June 2025

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The Charlie Method | Elle Kennedy

This follows Charlie, a high strung college student as she navigates dating two dudes who are absolutely into screwing the same girl at the same time. Charlie was a solid heroine and I found the throuple concept but was absolutely bummed that the two dudes weren't into each other. It felt gay so like, just make it gay??

I listened to the audiobook which is a great way to read this book. Teddy Hamilton was one of the narrators and he was, as usual, fantastic.

However, at 528 pages this book was way too long. If this was sub 400 this would be more fun. It's a little hard to recommend such a long long book.

Format: audiobook

Read in: June 2025

[whatcha-reading-today]

My year of rereads: A Simple Plan | Scott Smith

The set up here is so simple, a group of men find a crashed plane with a bag full of money and even with their simple plan, things go to shit so fast.

I have read both of Smith's books and there's a common throughline: a simple set up where things go to absolute shit. His writing is straightforward but is incredibly engaging. I think I enjoy The Ruins more than A Simple Plan but both are stellar. My biggest complaint? Please write another book.

Format: Physical copy

Read in: May 2025

Favorites of all time

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The Phoenix Keeper | S.A. Maclean

Cute and breezy, this follows a zoo keeper at a magic zoo and her attempts at helping the phoenixes have some babies. Cool! Fun! I did find that plot idea a bit thin and feel that it could have been a bit shorter and tighter. Second, I found the romance fine but uneven.

Tldr; cute but a little long.

Format: Physical copy

Read in: June 2025

[whatcha-reading-today]

Relic | Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

The cover of the copy I have says, 'it's Alien meets Jaws' and that's VERY accurate. This is a thriller where a monster stalks and eats people in the Museum of Natural History. Of course the Boss won't close the upcoming special exhibit even though it's the site of several grisly murders. The scientists have to science on a word processor, there's ancient PCR, and I just love all of that.

Fun, you'll read it in a few hours.

I have heard there is a movie version and haven't watched it yet.

Format: Physical copy

Read in: June 2025

[whatcha-reading-today]

Ultramarine | Mariette Navarro

Our unnamed lady captain lets her crew swim in the ocean but the crew seems to come back wrong following the swim. I liked the concept and set up but I found the translation a bit bizarre. Because of the lyrical way in which this was originally written, and that this was translated from French, I just didn't think it captured the full depth of what Navarro was trying to say.

I can't read French but it could be interesting to read this in its original language. As it stands, it's an interesting idea that falls apart in its execution due to its translation.

Format: physical copy

Read in: May 2025

[whatcha-reading-today]

My year of rereads: Fullmetal Alchemist Vol 1-3

I've read FMA all the way through once about a decade ago and am reading the series again. Reviews will be in groups of 3.

As a major comment, I remember reading these when I was a teenager when they were first coming out every two months. As a product of that, I remember things taking much longer, and being much more impactful. Now, reading these in my 30s I'm shocked at how fast everything's moving. Maybe it's just age on my end, or that I've read the story and remember some of the major story beats? Not sure. FMA is still incredible and you can see how it's inspired tons of other works.

Volume 1 through 3 really set up the series. The Nina part is horrible but I think the original anime fleshed it out in such a way that caused a generation of trauma which doesn't totally land in the original manga.

But to be clear, FMA is still one of the best manga ever written. If you haven't read it, I absolutely recommend it.

Format: Physical copy

Read in: June 2025

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Transmuted | Eve Harms

The Substance's trans sister.

This details Isa's desire to have gender affirming surgery, and once the money raised by her subscribers vanishes she turns to a questionable doctor. There's a lot of disgusting descriptions as Isa's body changes in ways that she most certainly does not want.

However, I do want to mention that there's two competing stories here, one on Isa's gender identity, and one on Isa's relationship to her family. I didn't feel that these two stories really gelled the way they could have to have a deeper impact. But I'd still strongly recommend Harm's writing.

Format: audiobook (high recommend, I thought the narration was really good)

Read in: June 2025