Tag: novella

Last, Current, Next: Jessie’s June Reading Shelf

“Last, Current, Next” is where Jessie shares what she’s been reading and what’s next on her reading list. If you’re looking for something different to read or if you’re just curious, check out this month’s three selections.

Last: The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir 

Format: Audiobook via Libby 

Genre: Fiction, Horror, Thriller, Novella 

In three hours, you follow the main character as she seeks medical treatment for her symptoms only to be told there’s nothing wrong with her because her blood work has come back fine. But now there’s strange things being noticed when she wakes up, like injuries she didn’t have the day before. Each day brings something a little bit stranger than the last. I normally don’t like thrillers as audiobooks, I prefer them in a physical or digital format, but the narration kept me on my toes the entire time. The ending left me wanting more, and I would have loved having this as a full novel. 

Current: Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Márquez 

 Format: Physical via Interlibrary Loan 

Genre: Classics, Spanish Literature, Fiction, Magical Realism 

I first read Gabriel Garcia Márquez’s “Of Love and Other Demons” in a college history class and it’s been one of my favorite books since. I decided I wanted to try working through all Márquez’s backlist of books and landed on this one first. In this work, a man returns to town to find the truth about a murder that happened nearly three decades ago. Everyone knew it was going to happen, but no one stopped it. The whole town is being questioned. I’m about halfway through and I’m enjoying piecing together the truth from various rumors from past and present time. 

Did you know? A book like “Chronicle of a Death Foretold” that is not in our library consortium can still be checked out from Derby Public Library by utilizing our Interlibrary Loan service. Check out our website page for more information! 

Next: M is for Monster by Talia Dutton 

Format: Physical 

Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Science Fiction, LGBTQ 

A quick glance through looking at the artwork of this graphic novel is what initially caught my attention. But also, I really love a Frankenstein-esque moment! A scientist sister brings her sister back to life, or at least she thought she did. When M starts pushing back on expectations of not only the scientist but themself, a challenge arises – whose expectations are we trying to meet? I’m looking forward to reading this as I think it hits on some great conversation and reflection points such as self-discovery, individuality and grief.   

Monica’s Musings: What Feasts at Night

What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher

“The silence didn’t feel peaceful. It felt thick.”
― T. Kingfisher, What Feasts at Night

Summary: The follow-up to T. Kingfisher’s bestselling gothic novella, What Moves the Dead.

After their terrifying ordeal at the Usher Manor, Alex Easton feels as if they just survived another war. All they crave is rest, routine, and sunshine, but instead, as a favor to Angus and Miss Potter, they find themself heading to their family hunting lodge, deep in the cold, damp forests of their home country, Gallacia.

In theory, one can find relaxation in even the coldest and dampest of Gallacian autumns, but when Easton arrives, they find the caretaker dead, the lodge in disarray, and the grounds troubled by a strange, uncanny silence. The villagers whisper that a breath-stealing monster from folklore has taken up residence in Easton’s home. Easton knows better than to put too much stock in local superstitions, but they can tell that something is not quite right in their home…or in their dreams.

My thoughts: After reading the first book of the Sworn Soldier series, What Moves the Dead, I was beyond excited to start this one! Like the first book, I loved how the atmosphere was described. I could visualize everything thanks to Kingfisher’s impressive vivid details.

I enjoyed this book well enough, but I think my expectations were a smidge too high. The first book kept me clinging to every page, while this one had me skimming a few sections that I felt dragged out a bit too much. However, it is still a very fast read, with only 160 pages. I was surprised there was not a more climactic race to the end. It was okay, but did not send a chill down my spine, although it is a horror story.

If I did not have What Moves the Dead to compare this to, I am not sure I would have liked the story as much. I do enjoy the characters and their personalities. I hope that this series continues, as it was a decent read. This one was just not as scary or impactful as I had hoped it would be.

For my review of What Moves the Dead, click here!

Kristy’s Reviews: The Deal of a Lifetime

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman

First Line: Hi. It’s your dad. You’ll be waking up soon, it’s Christmas Eve morning in Helsingborg, and I’ve killed a person.

Summary: A father and a son are seeing each other for the first time in years. The father has a story to share before it’s too late. He tells his son about a courageous little girl lying in a hospital bed a few miles away. She’s a smart kid—smart enough to know that she won’t beat cancer by drawing with crayons all day, but it seems to make the adults happy, so she keeps doing it. (www.amazon.com)

My Thoughts:   Intriguing quick light read. What would you do? What would anyone do when you have cancer and know you’re gonna die? What would you do? For one man that lived a decent life, the end was an easy choice. Looking thru the windows at the hospital said it all. He knew from the first moment he saw this little girl what he would do in the end. And for him it was an easy choice to save the life of a little girl he barely knew. So he traded his life for hers with the help of the lady in the grey sweater and clipboard.