Psycho

It is September, which means it is officially time to start celebrating Halloween. But we don't want to overdo it with the horror just yet. So I figured I'd pick a nice little thriller to ease into it:

You by Caroline Kepnes

You begins when a gorgeous young woman walks into the East Village Bookstore where Joe Goldberg works. Immediately infatuated with her, he googles the name on her credit card and uses the information on her social media profiles to ease himself into her life and make her fall in love with him. 

When I first read the description my initial thought was: "Well this sounds a lot like another series I know and love." Then I looked up more information, and came across the news that a lifetime series starring none other than Penn Badgley – aka Lonely Boy himself – is in the works.  Figuring that it would be rather unlikely that one of the stars of the show would sign up for a Gossip Girl rip-off so shortly after its finale, I decided to give You a chance despite the similarities...and let me just say, I was in for a shock (the best kind).

While the premise is a little reminiscent of Gossip Girl, the writing is definitely not. Told from Joe's point of view, You takes readers on a dark journey into the mind of a completely deranged individual, which is a scary but also very fascinating place to be. In the tradition of great unreliable narrators like Lolita's Humbert, Joe also has a way of making the readers sympathize with him.  Because as insane at he is, he is also extremely intelligent, witty and incredibly charming.  

On top of that You is also a great commentary on social media, and will probably make you rethink the way you use Facebook and Twitter. You never know who might be reading your posts…

For fans of: 

American Psycho, Lolita, R.L. Stine's Eyecandy 

Peace, Love and Lobsters

Laura 

Bayport Noir

Something that a lot of people do not know about me is that I love graphic novels. I was never into comic books as a kid. It wasn't because I didn't like the concept, I just didn't have access to the kind of stories I enjoyed – as the whole superhero thing just wasn't for me. But today, some of my favorite books are in fact of the drawn variety as the graphic novel section in the bookstore is one of the best places to find interesting detective stories – and you all know how much I love detectives stories.

Now imagine my joy when I spotted my favorite teenage detectives on the cover of a new comic book series – The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew have gone noir.

I am a bit of a purist when it comes to the Hardys and Nancy. While I do love the 1970s TV show for all it's campy glory, I could never get into any of the book series that put them together. But I guess there's always an exception, and that exception is:

"Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys: The Big Lie"

    

In true noir fashion, this new series starts on a very dark note when the Hardys find themselves in the middle of a corruption scandal that hits its peak when the boys are accused of murdering their own father. And when the whole town of Bayport turns against them they team up with an old friend to clear their names and find the real culprit.

What I love about this series is that even though it is a very modern and gritty take on the books, the characters are still recognizable and none of the conflicts feel forced. There is for example a rift between Nancy and her father — something that would usually be unimaginable — that is handled really well, and feels completely natural. Writer Anthony Del Col (Assassin’s Creed, Kill Shakespeare) and artist Werther Dell’edera (Batman: Detective Comics, House of Mystery) did not just throw these beloved characters into a noir universe, they found an organic way to make them a part of that universe — and I cannot wait to see more of it!

Get the first 3 issues on Amazon

And grab issue #4 this Wednesday (June 21)

For fans of:

The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, 

Veronica Mars, Riverdale

…and fans of Stratemeyer's mystery books will also appreciate a couple of fun cameos (those Bobbseys sure like to party). 

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura 

Back in Time

It's been way too long, but who knew that moving (and remodeling) would be so much work? And I'm not even the one doing the work. But being stuck supervising the construction site I call home right now also means a lot of reading time. And most of that time was spend in the '80s:

The Boys of Summer by Richard Cox

Five boys, one deadly secret, and a mysterious summer – The Boys of Summer might be the best Stephen King book not written by King. It follows a group of boys who live through the monster tornado that hit Wichita Falls in 1977. A few years later the boys—now teenagers—are forever bound together by another horrific event that follows them into adulthood.

Richard Cox tells the story in multiple timelines and switches back and forth between the '70s, the '80s, and present day. The book is also rather hard to qualify. It is science fiction but not really. There are thriller elements but it's also a coming of age story. And those who are worried that it's just a Stephen King rip-off will be pleased to hear that it's also sprinkled with a good dose of Southern Gothic elements.

I found the book on a 10 things to read if you enjoyed Stranger Things list, and while the plot has little resemblance to the Netflix hit, it does get the vibe right. If you enjoy Stephen King, Stranger Things and anything '80s, then slick that hair back, put those wayfarers on and check out The Boys of Summer.

The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak

If The Boys of Summer is the literary equivalent to Stranger Things, then The Impossible Fortress is The Goldbergs. The year is 1987, the players are three teenage outcasts – Billy, Alf, and Clark – and the great prize is a copy of Playboy, the copy that features local celebrity and wheel of fortune host Vanna White to be specific.

The impossible Fortress reminds of an '80s sitcom in the best way possible. It's hilarious but touching. There are twists around every corner (especially one that shocked me more than the protagonist himself). And between the playboy heist plot, the love story, and a part that almost feels like a Goonies like adventure there's really something for everyone – even a playlist at the back of the book (all authors should do this!)

LifeMoves Pretty Fast: The Lessons We Learned From Eighties Movies (AndWhy We Don't Learn Them Any More) by Hadley Freeman

I know non-fiction is not for everyone but Freeman's essays on the lessons we learned from beloved classics, like Dirty Dancing, The Princess Bride, Pretty in Pink, When Harry Met Sally, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Steel Magnolias and Back to the Future are as witty and charming as those movies themselves. That said, I did not agree with everything Freeman addresses (particularly her understanding of current films felt a little off), but her arguments kept me interested. And, personally, I'm always intrigued by opinions that differ from my own. Overall, Life Moves Pretty Fast is a fun and quick read for anyone who is a fan of '80s movies, just remember that it's mostly based on Freeman's own opinions and experiences and not fact.

Do you have a favorite Eighties themed book?

Peace, Love and Lobsters

Laura  

Merry Ex–Mas

There are times when you just finished a great book and just can't figure out what to read next, so you go with the first thing Amazon recommends. In some cases you'll end up with something that makes you question the sanity of those Amazon elves, but in others you want to run to the kitchen, bake a fresh batch of cinnamon buns, and personally deliver them to those elves to thank them.

Kate Brian's Ex-Mas was such a cinnamon bun situation.  If you've been reading this blog for a while you know that romance isn't exactly my thing unless there's a mystery element to it — yet, I finished this book in two nights.  

Ex-Mas 

For 17-year-old Lila Beckwith popularity is everything, but when her plans to throw the biggest party of the season are ruined by her kid brother, Cooper, her revenge backfires in a way that puts more than just her social life into perspective. After Lila shows Cooper an article about global warming, the Christmas-obsessed kid and his best friend Tyler head up North to save Santa and the North Pole – which means they jump on a train to Seattle. And of course, Tyler just happens to be the younger brother of Lila's antisocial ex Beau. And so, the two exes are forced to embark on road trip to bring their brothers home before Lila's parents get back on Christmas Eve. Bah Humbug.  

There are a couple of reasons why I enjoyed this book as much as I did. For once I do love road trip stories, especially holiday road trip stories. And Brian captured that feeling so well that I almost felt like I was in the car with Lila and Beau. Then there was the Santa element with the runaway boys, that gave it that DCOM feel, I adore. And finally, something that would usually be considered a bad thing: the story's predictability.  I knew how this was going to play out after reading the summary, but it still kept my interest. Which also works well with the road trip theme, because sometimes it really is about the journey and not just the destination.  

So no matter if you're looking for something to read in front of the fireplace, or if you need something to get you through a long car or plane ride, Ex-Mas won't disappoint. 

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura 

Into The Woods

Suffering from post Halloween Depression? Then you came to the right place.

There are two types of scary scenarios that can occur in the woods: The first being anything involving witches, trolls, or other fairy tale villains, and the second being chased around by a chainsaw or (or machete) wielding killer. And whichever you prefer (or scares you more) I've got the perfect book for you:

Once Upon a Scream Edited by Dan Shaurette

This fairy tale anthology isn't for kids. Some of the creepy tales are new takes on old favorites (Rumpelstiltskin, Cinderella, Pinocchio, and even the Tooth Fairy) and others are original stories, but all of them are great. Ranging from humorous to downright disturbing, some will make you smirk and others will you shiver, and if you enjoy horror with a fantasy twist then you don't want to miss out on this collection.

SlasherCamp For Nerd Dorks by Christoph Paul

Jason Vorheesberg is your typical young adult  underdog hero: awkward, dorky, bad with girls, and suffering from a crippling case of slasher anxiety …wait what? Slasher Camp for Nerd Dorks is set in a dystopian society where the population is divided into “Slashers” and “Finals”, and Jason–a slasher–needs a little help. So his mom sends him to slasher camp where losers become killers. The book is as ridiculous as it sounds, but it's witty satire at it's best. It might not be for everyone but if you enjoy shows like Scream Queens, or the movie the Final Girls then you will love this clever story.

Peace, Love, and Lobsters 

Laura  

Slasher Girls & Monster Boys

October is just around the corner, which means it's only a couple of weeks until Halloween, and since it is never too early to get into the spirit it's the perfect time to get a head start on that Halloween reading list. And when it comes to horror, nothing beats a good anthology.

Slasher Girls and Monster Boys features 14 stories that all draw inspiration from a classic book, film, or song – not necessarily from the horror world – and use it to create something new …and terrifying. 

Even though I am a huge horror fan, I trend to be rather picky about the kind of horror I enjoy. So most anthologies end up being really hit or miss, but with this one I can honestly say that there wasn't one story that I felt like skipping. Every single one–even those with themes I usually don't care for–was so well written that it kept me interested (and chilled) throughout. Plus, my favorite part of it was probably to identify what each story is based on. Here are a couple of my personal highlights:

The Birds of Azalea Street by Nova Ren Suma

The first story of the collection, is about teenage girls, a creepy neighbor and birds (lots of birds). On the eerie instead of the scary side, it's perfectly situated at the beginning of the book, as it sets the mood without being too much.

Verse Chorus Verse by Leigh Bardugo

This one takes place in a rehab facility and deals with the pressures and sacrifices that come with being a teen idol. The theme definitely makes this one stand out a little, and without spoiling anything I have to say that the inspiration for this story is right up my alley.

The Flicker, The Fingers, The Beat, The Sight by April Genevieve Tucholke

Tucholke is the only one of the authors I was actually familiar with, so I expected to like this one. And I wasn't disappointed. The story mixes one of my all time favorite books with a famous urban legend. That said, it isn't anything new, but sometimes a feeling of familiarity can make things scarier than they actually are. So in a way this works in the story's favor.

Stitches by A.G. Howard

This might be the goriest out of the stories. The imagery is nothing for the faint hearted, but if you're not turned off by a little blood (and severed limbs) it's an excellent read with a very classic horror feel.

All in all, I was really impressed with this anthology and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good scare.

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura

Libraries & Poe-Ka Dots

Just when I though Out of Print already had everything a book lover could want, they put something new on the shelf. And their new collection of leighweight cotton and silk blend scarves might be my favorite addition yet:

I'm in love with the Pride and Prejudice design (and I'm not even a fan of the book).  You can't really tell that it is a book cover unless you unfold it, and a bit of mystery is always a plus …as are brilliant  puns "Poe-ka Dots" anyone?  I can't wait to see this collection grow (Nancy Drew scarf, please).

Which cover would you like to see on a scarf?

Peace, Love, and Lobsters
Laura

Endless Summer

This may be my final book summer post, but judging by the titles that are hitting the bookshelves this fall we get to hold on to that summer feeling a little longer:

   

The Cabin by Natasha Preston // September 6 

Teens, cabin, murder… yes you probably heard this a 100 times. But there's a reason the trope is so popular: it's fun! The Cabin centers around Mackenzie, a high school senior, who just wants to spend the weekend with her friends in a remote cabin. What could possibly go wrong?  The friends' first night at the cabin ends in tragedy when two of the teens are found dead. And since there are no signs of a forced entry or struggle, suspicion turns to the survivors…  The Cabin is escapist horror fun at it's best: a fast paced, easy read that'll keep you guessing – and sometimes that is all a good book needs to be.

For fans of: Gretchen McNeil's Ten; Fear Street

Pasadena by Sherri L. Smith // September 13

Some call it an accident, others believe it's a suicide, but only Jude knows that there is more to it when her best friend Maggie is found dead in a swimming pool …so she starts digging to get to the truth. But the closer she gets, the more she discovers about herself, as Maggie's friends and family are  not the only ones with buried secrets. The contrast between the sunny and glamorous southern California setting, and the gritty tone and dark nature of the story make it so much more than just another young adult mystery.  Pasadena is a brilliant  homage to the great noir stories of Los Angeles, and an equally stylish, chilling, and honest story that you won't regret picking up.

For fans of: Veronica Mars

The Atlas of Cursed Places: Skeleton Tower by Vanessa Acton // October 1

When Jason's family moves to a historic lighthouse, it doesn't take long until strange things begin to happen. The sudden disappearance of the former caretakers, accidents that might not be so accidental,  and the discovery of a weird diary, all lead to the same conclusion: The lighthouse is cursed! At only a 104 pages, it isn't the most intricate story, but much like The Cabin it's simply fun. There is also a nostalgia factor to it, as the style is quite reminiscent of The Hardy Boys mysteries with some Goosebumps thrown in, and you can't really go wrong with that. 

For fans of: The Hardy Boys; Goosebumps

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura  

Advanced review copies provided by Net Galley

Summer Lovin'

If there's one thing I usually try to avoid it's young adult romance. Maybe I'm simply too old to care about teens falling in love–or maybe I just don't really care for romance in general. There are, however, a few exceptions and most of them come in the form of anthologies. 

I wasn't really familiar with most of the authors featured in Summer Days and Summer Nights, but I am a huge fan of Francesca Lia Block's Weetzie Bat (another exception), and seeing ner name on the cover was enough to make me curious.

Summer Daysand Summer Nights on Amazon

I admit, I read Block's story “Sick Pleasure” first, and it definitely is my favorite out of the twelve short stories featured in the collection. Block's autobiographical account is not a big fairy tale, or a thrilling romance. It is a simple story you probably heard a 100 times already, but her equally sweet and gloomy perspective, and the way she threats Los Angeles as a setting, make it stand out in the best way possible.

Others that stood out to me are “Last Stand at the Cinegore” by Libba Bray and “The Map of Tiny Perfect Things” by Lev Grossman. Bray's “Last Stand at the Cinegore” might not be the best out of the stories, but I am a sucker for campy horror, and this tale of a cursed movie was right up my alley. And “The Map of Tiny Perfect Things”, a clever take on Groundhog Day, is just one of those stories that really makes you stop and reminds you to enjoy the little things that make endless summer days so special.

Overall, I really enjoyed the anthology as a whole. There were two or three stories I just skimmed over, but I think that's going to be the case with any anthology–especially if it combines a wide range of styles. So if you haven't read it yet, check out Summer Days and Summer Nights. It's the perfect book for those last few lazy summer days.

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura

Book Shopping

Book Summer would not be complete without a post on Out Of Print, 'cause no matter if you're back-to-school shopping (they do have amazing  totes and pencil pouches!), on a mission to show the world your favorite book, or just want to do some good (every purchase sends a book to a community in need)  …Out of Print is the place to go.  

Here's a look at their new "Miss Peregrine's Home for Perculiar Children" collection and some of my all time favorites (how cute is that Nancy Drew sweater?):

Which one is your favorite?  

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura  

The Killer in Me

While most 17 year old girls have nightmares about showing up unprepared for a test or being stood up at their prom, the things Nina Barrows sees when she closes her eyes at night are a little more substantial …and a lot more terrifying. 

Ever since she was a little girl Nina's dreams have been haunted by "The Thief", a sociopath serial killer who stalks and kills at random, and then disposes his victims' bodies in an abandoned

mine in the deepest, most desolate part of the desert. Yet, no one except Nina has ever heard of him.  Joined by her former best friend Warren, who is not sure what to make of her obsession (or maybe delusions?), Nina decides to hunt the Thief down.  But once they get to the to the deserts of New Mexico – the Thief's hunting grounds –  the man who awaits them there seems to be the exact opposite of the brutal killer Nina had come to know through her dreams, and she soon begins to doubt everything that she had once been so sure of.  

While the gripping and brilliantly twisted plot of  Margot Harrison's debut novel make it a book that you can't put down,  it is the atmosphere that really sets it apart from other thrillers.  The setting – a captivating  mix of eerie and beautiful – is so vivid that it almost competes with the characters themselves. Yet, the story never gets lost in descriptions that slow down the plot. The writing is always sharp, on point, and at times even "noir-ish".  And even though I pride myself  in my deductive skills I found myself questioning them a little more with every chapter  – just like Nina herself.  

If you enjoy a gritty mystery, with dark and disturbing revelations, and a hint of romance, then mark July 12 in your calendars or preorder "The Killer in Me" now. You definitely won't regret it …except for the increase in your electrical bill because it may want to make you sleep with the lights on (if you dare to sleep at all, that is).

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura  

Advanced review copy provided by Net Galley 

Tic Toc Nic…

Even though there is a ferris wheel on the cover, All The Missing Girls  is more reminiscent  of a roller coaster ride – and just like a roller coaster ride it's impossible to get off once you're on it.

Ten years ago Nicolette's (Nic) best friend Corinne disappeared from Cooley Ridge, their small North Carolina  hometown. Now, Nic is back in Cooley Ridge to help her brother fix up their old family home – and it does not take long until her past catches up with her and old wounds that she thought had long been healed start to itch again …especially when Annaleise, Nic's neighbor, disappears, in the middle of the night– just like Corinne did ten years ago.  

Small towns and missing girls are hardly an original premise – but it's the way this story is told that  makes it one of the most original books I've read in years, because author Megan Miranda  is telling it backwards. That's right, after the set up the story jumps ahead 15 days and then counts down – day by day, until we reach the night in question and find out what really happened to All The Missing Girls.

My first thought was that this sounds like a really confusing concept, but Miranda uses this to her advantage, and the result is an extremely immersive reading experience that messes with  the readers' minds in the best possible way:  The confusion – and most importantly the distrust – that is haunting the narrators flies of the pages and makes you feel like you're actually right there in Cooley Ridge, trying to solve the case yourself instead of just reading about it.  

Preorder "All The Missing Girls"

All The Missing Girls hits the shelves on June 28, and is guaranteed to keep you up during those long summer nights – sleep is overrated anyway.

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura  

Advanced review copy provided by Net Galley 

Coast to Coast

There's no better summer read than a good mystery series, especially one that's set at the beach. But – much like the detectives that investigate on them – every beach is different, and not every beach is right for everyone.  So I put together a little quiz that will lead you right to the literary beach that's  perfect for you.

Simply pick what's more your style, and buy a plane ticket hit the bookstore:

If you answered mostly A, then the sunny beaches of Neptune, California, are your destination:

As a follow up to the popular TV show The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line brings girl sleuth extraordinaire Veronica Mars from the screen to the page:  A grown up Veronica is back in Neptune, and struggling to keep her father's PI business afloat while she waits for her first big case. But it soon becomes a case of "be careful what you wish for" when a missing person's investigation hits a little too close to home.  Even though the book serves as a continuation of the TV show, you don't have to be familiar with it to enjoy it.  Sure, it might take a little longer to get into it, but once you're there it's "Sunshine Noir" at it's best. And by book 2, it'll be like you've lived in Neptune for years.   

And if you answered mostly B, then it's off to Cape Cod to solve a case with Asey Mayo: 

When author Dale Sanborn is found dead in his Cape Cod refuge, it is up to hobby sleuth Asey Mayo (also known as the "Codfish Sherlock") to find the killer.  A task that's easier said than done – as almost everyone on the island had a bone to pick with the victim.  First published in 1931, full of quirky characters, and oozing with local color and charm, reading  The Cape Cod Mystery is almost like jumping into a time machine and visiting the the Cape yourself …and the actual mystery is pretty great, too.

Markus Lupfer Tee / Sperry Canvas Sneakers 

 Le Specs Sunglasses  / Urban Decay Bronzer 

Enjoy the trip! 

Peace, Love, and Lobsters
Laura

Book Summer

The other day I was brainstorming ideas for new posts, and all of them lead to two things: summer and books  – so why not combine them, make it a series and call it a "Book Summer"?

Now, I'm not saying that my content for the next three months will exclusively consist of "summer read reviews" …but you will find a a book – in one form or another – in every post.

So pack your beach bag, find a quiet spot by the water – and don't forget that sunscreen, because we're gonna be out there until September.

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura

Spring Previews

There are a lot of great books coming out this Spring, but I decided to narrow it down to one for each month.  And yes, there might be a little theme going on…

Old Records Never Die by Eric Spitznagel // April 12

Have you ever gotten rid of something and regretted it later?  That's how journalist Eric Spitznagel feels about his record collection after selling it in a financial pinch. So, he sets out on a journey to track down his lost records, but not just copies. No, he's looking for the exact same records he sold, and with them the memories that are attached to them. Old Records Never Die is a beautiful memoir about the magic of music, that brings back the thrill and adrenalin of spending hours in a record store and finding that one album you've been looking for.  Which might be exactly what we need in a time where nearly every song ever recorded is available on a smartphone.  

For fans of: High Fidelity 

Devil and the Bluebird by Jennifer Mason-Black // May 17

Armed with nothing but her dead mother's guitar,  a knapsack of cherished mementos, and a pair of enchanted boots, Blue Riley makes a deal with the Devil to find her runaway sister Cass. But as it goes when the Devil is involved, the agreement has a few catches – the biggest one being that he takes away her voice.  During her journey, she meets a number of colorful characters (some helpful, some the opposite), and finds answers she didn't even know she was looking for. It is never perfectly clear where the journey (and the story itself) is headed,  but that is what makes Devil and the Bluebird so good. It is a lot like life itself …only more magical.  

For fans of: Weetzie Bat 

The Girls by Emma Cline // June 14 

Northern California in the late 1960s, change is in the air, and all 14 year old Evie wants is to break out of her boring life. Her prayers are answered when a group of girls she meets at the park, invite her to their run down ranch, where she is introduced to their charismatic leader. Naive, innocent, and desperate to be accepted, Evie spends more and more time with her mesmerizing new friends, and soon finds herself in the middle of one of the most notorious cults of all time. The Girls isn't a story about Charles Manson (in fact he's named Russel here), it is a story about obsession. The darkness of the subject matter, and the inevitably horrible outcome that is looming over the story from the very first page on,  make a wonderful contrast to the almost palpable air of innocence that surrounds Evie, and all in all it is simply an incredibly haunting tale, that'll keep you thinking long after you put it down.  

For fans of: The Virgin Suicides 

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura  

Advanced review copies provided by Net Galley 

Lucky Me

With only one more stop to go until award show season is officially over, you might soon feel a little lack of Hollywood drama in your life. But don't worry because Saba Kapur's debut novel Lucky Me is guaranteed to fill that void.  

High School senior Gia Winters seems to have everything a girl could want, a hot boyfriend, a killer wardrobe, and – thanks to her famous parents – she's first in line to be the next next Miss Golden Globe. Most would consider her to be pretty lucky, if it only weren't for a pesky stalker and an even more annoying bodyguard. Or scratch that, because the bodyguard isn't all that annoying after all (even though Gia would rather be seen in last season's Louboutins than admit that). 

In Lucky Me classic screwball comedy meets Hollywood Glitterati, and the result is one of the funniest books I've read in a long time.  If you are looking for a light read, and enjoy campy drama (think White Girl Problems, or Celebutantes), then Lucky Me won't disappoint. Yes, the main characters, Gia and bodyguard Jack, come across as a little immature at times, but for me that only added to the charm.  They don't take themselves too seriously, which makes for a great contrast to the otherwise rather grim subject of a dangerous stalker, who likes to get creative with his methods (poisoned dumplings,  anyone?).

Preorder Lucky Me

Lucky Me is available from April 5
…just in time to ease that Hollywood withdrawal.

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura  

Advanced copy provided by Net Galley 

A Study in Charlotte

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little apprehensive about A Study in Charlotte. Holmes and Watson at boarding school, in Connecticut? Please…

Whether they came in the form of an actual teenaged Holmes, a descendant, or a younger sibling, I've read a fair share of …lets call call them rather adventurous young adult books based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories. And they all had one thing in common, I only enjoyed them because I do enjoy almost anything Sherlock Holmes, which I can't say about  Brittany Cavallaro's A Study in Charlotte …because I quickly realized that it's more than just another reinterpretation of the classic. But let's start from the beginning… 

When Jamie Watson ends up at the same American boarding school as the infamous Charlotte Holmes, it seems like the two teens are destined to be anything but friends, even though Jamie spent the greater part of his life dreaming about going on adventures with the descendant of his great-great-great-grandfather's best friend. In old "be careful what you wish for" fashion, these dreams come true when another student – who happens to be a mutual enemy of the two – is murdered and everything points towards Jamie and Charlotte. 

Even though the suspenseful mystery is filled with (really clever!) references to the original stories,  the characters – especially Jamie …I mean Watson, whose narration is compelling, witty, and sometimes awkward in the best possible way –  are strong enough to stand on their own. Yes, they are Holmes and Watson, but they aren't just Holmes and Watson, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to someone who has never read a Sherlock Holmes story in their life.  Granted, I have a soft  spot for boarding school mysteries, and basically dedicated my entire academic career to teenage detectives, but it's not often that a book keeps me up until 4 in the morning because the cliffhanger endings make it impossible to put it down. So no matter if you're a fan of Conan Doyle's famous detective, or if you just in the mood for a clever and edgy mystery -  A Study in Charlotte won't disappoint.

PREORDER "A STUDY IN CHARLOTTE"

…and even the Connecticut thing makes perfect sense, I promise! 

A Study in Charlotte is the first installment of a Trilogy, and available from March, 1.

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura  

Holiday Reads

Looking for something other than Dickens' Christmas Carol to put on your holiday reading list? 

I've got you covered:   

     

Let It Snow by John Green, Lauren Myracle & Maureen Johnson:  I'm not gonna lie, especially the first story in this collection of young adult holiday romances that are all connected through a blizzard, reads like something I've seen on Hallmark at least 20 times... but in a good way! I mean, there's a reason the stuck in a snowstorm trope is so popular, and mixed with the authors' quirky characters it's the perfect book to snuggle up with on Christmas Eve.

The Silent Night Trilogy by R.L. Stine: I already  wrote a post about the series last year, but I just had to include it. The books about mean girl Reva Dalby, and her not so pleasant Christmas surprises (psycho stalkers, kidnappers, you name it) are hands down my favorite holiday escape. If you are a fan of Scream Queens, Pretty Little Liars, or "bubble-gum horror" in general, you won't be able to put these books down.

The Fat Man: A Tale of North Pole Noir by  Ken Harmon: There's usually no place for Christmas Cheer in a Noir universe... unless an elf gets framed for murder.  Harmon's hilarious satire is filled with brilliant pop-culture references (the murder weapon is a Red Rider BB gun!), and shows  how gritty the North Pole really is once the Christmas lights go out.

Do you have a go-to holiday read?

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura

Wrapped up in books

Just in time for the holidays, Out Of Print  has released two new items that are sure to make it on every bibliophile's  Christmas List: 

SHOP MUGS

Literary mugs…

SHOP SCARVES

…and library card scarves.  

The mugs are available with the banned books design, the library card design, and two novel designs (Breakfast of Champions and Alice in Wonderland), and the super soft scarves come in three different colors (gray, blue, and yellow).

I think both the mug and the scarf would make great Christmas presents, or you could even use the scarf as part of the wrapping if you are giving someone a book. Just wrap the book in nice paper and tie the scarf around it like a big bow. And, as with every Out of Print product, the purchase sends a book to a community in need, so you're technically buying two presents.  

But if it is the scarf you want, you have to act fast because they will not be restocked this year, and I imagine that they are going to sell out rather quickly.  

Peace, Love, and Lobsters 

Laura  

5 October Things

October is my favorite  month of the year, and these are my favorite things about October:

Team Nightmare's Halloween Routine
I don't really follow Dancing With the Stars, but I never miss the Halloween Special. This year the group numbers were my favorite part, and while I also really enjoyed Team Who You Gonna Call's take on the Ghostbusters, Team Nightmare was outstanding!

via

The Lost Girl  

Woah...  that's what I thought after reading the first few Chapters of R.L.Stine's newest Fear Street novel. I read too much "grown up" horror to actually be frightened by anything that could happen on Fear Street, but that's why I love them, I read them to relax. But he really amped up the horror in this one...and I just couldn't put it down.  It's the good old Fear Streat…just a little scarier.

The Final Girls 
In The Final Girls the daughter of a 1980s Scream Queen gets pulled into her late mother's most famous movie,  lots of "how to survive a slasher flick" hilarity ensues.  Campy horror at it's best.  

Butternut Squash 
I was never big on pumpkins (shocking I know), but lately I've been crazy about squash. It has become my go to dinner. I usually just cut one up, throw it in the air fryer, and put some chili salt on it …but if there's time I also like to make a nice pasta.  

Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds

Someone needs to take them away from me…

Have a Great Halloween!

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura