Hello dear readers,  my birthday month has ended. I read 7 of the 11 books that I put on my TBR. I had a great reading start, but did not finish strong. I was able to read another 5 star book in the horror genre and my favorite hoor of this year. I read a 4.5 book that was awfully close to a 5. Two 4 stars, one 3.5 star, and two 3 stars. I read a variety of genres, horror being the most with 3, then 2 mysteries, 1 fantasy, and 1 nonfiction.

I was able to go to two signings this month.

I was able to attend a signing event at Parnassus Books where both V.E. Schwab and Cat Clarke were interviewed by J.T. Ellison. They announced they are working on another book together, which I’m excited for. I was able to get two additional signed books The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and A Darker Shade of Magic.

I went to a small signing in Alabama. The reason I went to Alabama is Robert McCammon, my favorite living author. I went to a book signing with Robert McCammon two years ago. It was my first signing. I brought a book from home and bought 3 new books. I told him how big a fan I was and how much I loved his books.  I saw people with big boxes full of his work and he encouraged me to bring them all, he would gladly sign them and he did. I now have the entire 10 book Matthew Corbett series signed, and some of my favorites Boy’s Life and Mine.

While I was at the signing I did get two books from independent horror writers Blood Night by Jonathan Daniel and Easy Bake Covenant by Jessica Gleason. Support Indie writers.

Video breakdown of my monthly wrap up, Thanks you everyone who has watched, and encouraged me, if you have a booktube channel please reach out!

Lowest to highest ranking:

3 Stars:

The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss is a YA mystery set around a televised escape room competition, with a murder tied to a previous season.

The escape room elements are easily the highlight: clever puzzles, fun themes, and moments where you can try to solve along with the characters.

But the mystery and emotional core didn’t fully land for me. The central relationship lacked depth, and I found myself more interested in the games than the behind-the-scenes drama.

That said, the characters improve over time, and the ending delivers a satisfying reveal with a solid twist.

If you love escape rooms and interactive-style stories, this might still be worth checking out.

I, Medusa by Ayana Gray is a tragic origin story that reimagines Medusa as a mortal girl caught in a power struggle between gods.

The novel explores themes of power, control, and consent through a modern lens, with a strong focus on Medusa’s early life and relationships. While the buildup is slow and some elements feel a bit too predictable, the story becomes far more compelling once Medusa fully transforms.

The family dynamics and representation stand out, adding emotional depth and new layers to the myth.

The final stretch delivers, but I wish more of that intensity had been present throughout.

3.5 Stars

Salem’s Lot by Stephen King is a classic vampire story that helped shape modern horror, focusing on a full-town takeover rather than a single monster.

It’s heavy on atmosphere, with some iconic moments, even if the scares don’t always hit as hard today.

Inspired by Dracula, King brings the story into small-town America, showing how quickly evil can spread when it slips in unnoticed. The idea of an entire community slowly turning adds a layer of dread that still works, and you can see its influence on later vampire stories.

While the pacing is steady and the world-building is strong, some of the confrontations feel a bit too easy, which takes away from the tension. Still, as an early entry in King’s career and a cornerstone of vampire horror, it’s absolutely worth reading.

4 Stars

The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke (V.E. Schwab & Cat Clarke) is a murder mystery set on a secluded island where seven writers compete to finish an unfinished book—but things quickly spiral.

Instead of a traditional mystery, this leans into dark comedy and satire, poking fun at the publishing world and the egos that come with it. The humor really surprised me, especially one reveal that genuinely made me laugh out loud.

Each character writes in a different genre, and the writing subtly shifts depending on the POV, which was a really nice touch and made the cast easy to follow.

The twists are fun and play with genre tropes, but the book isn’t perfect. Some characters overstay their welcome, and the pacing drags in places. The ending works thematically and ties nicely into the title, but it feels rushed, and one key moment is oddly left to a bonus chapter.

Still, if you want a murder mystery that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this is a fun one to check out.

Monsters in the Archives by Caroline Bicks is a nonfiction deep dive into early Stephen King novels, using drafts, notes, and unpublished materials to reveal how his stories evolved.

With access to King’s private archive, Bicks shows everything from handwritten notes to publisher feedback, giving a rare look at how iconic lines and characters changed over time.

The most fascinating parts are King’s notes to himself, where you can see his instincts as a writer, cutting, refining, and shaping ideas into something memorable.

While the Shakespeare analysis can feel a bit heavy at times, the insight into books like The Shining, Salem’s Lot, and Pet Sematary makes this a must-read for King fans.

Even if you already know a lot about King, there are still some surprising discoveries here.

4.5 Stars

Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones is a unique werewolf coming-of-age story about a boy growing up within a pack of werewolves, and wanting to become one himself.

Blending horror with humor and identity-driven storytelling, the novel explores themes of belonging, assimilation, and what it means to be part of a pack.

The story is more character-driven than plot-heavy, focusing on small moments of growing up rather than traditional horror beats. While the pacing can feel slow at times, the characters and dialogue carry the book.

Jones’ writing style is immersive but intentionally disorienting, which may not work for everyone, but it fits the strange, lived-in world of the story.

Overall, the ending delivers a satisfying emotional payoff about identity and acceptance rather than traditional horror spectacle.

5 Stars:

Sarafina by Philip Fracassi is a historical horror set during the Civil War that blends brutal realism with supernatural dread.

It follows three deserters who stumble upon a supposed sanctuary in the woods, only to find something far more terrifying waiting for them.

The first part builds strong characters and atmosphere, then shifts into intense, bloody horror with disturbing body horror and biblical undertones.

With short, bingeable chapters, unforgettable tension, and a shocking but earned ending, this is one of the most gripping horror reads I’ve picked up.