Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag 2026

We are half-way through the year already, time goes by way too fast. And so far, I have finished 27 books (out of the 60 book I try to read in 2026). I’m pretty certain I will meet my goal. But now is the perfect time to see how my reading has been going this year and to look back at the first six months of my reading year, by doing this tag.  I just simply answer some bookish questions about all the books I read in the first half of 2026.
 

Best book you’ve read so far in 2026?

Normally this is a difficult question, but this time I already know. “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt is my definite favorite. I loved this book so much, that it’s safe to say that this is my new favorite book of all-time. This book is everything to me now and people are actually telling me stop talking about it at this point. And I never will. 
 

Best sequel you've read so far in 2026?
I’m not a big series reader and I only read one sequel so far this year: Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler. I read the first book, “Parable of the Sower”, last year and absolutely loved it. Its sequel was also amazing. This duology is one everyone needs to read, it’s important literature.
 

New release you haven’t read yet, but want to?
I really want to read the newest Abby Jimenez, “The Night We Met”, which is the second book in the “Say You’ll Remember Me” series. Her romance novels are my favorites, because of the emotional load they carry. I’m currently in the middle of “Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke, which is all over Bookstagram right now. And “Molka” by Monika Kim is a book I bought earlier this year and I read a lot of great things about it as well.
 

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?
I haven’t given up on Riley Sager yet, even though I DNF’ed “With a Vengeance” last year and rated “Middle of the Night” 2 stars the year before. In August he will be releasing “The Unknown” and it’s about five woman who disappeared in 1926 from a remote island in Vermont. And now, one hundred years later, its happening again. Sager has written two of my all-time favorite thrillers. I still have faith that this will be another good one.
 

Biggest disappointment?
I was very disappointed in “Penpal” by Dathan Auerbach. I just found it very boring and confusing. The gaps in logic and  fragmented style left me dissatisfied. And “Fantasticland” by Mike Bockoven was a DNF for me, which was also, just like “Penpal”, a book that I had on my TBR for a long time and had high expectations for.
 

Biggest surprise?
I was surprised by how much I loved “Natural Beauty” by Ling Ling Huang. It’s a slow burn, which I usually struggle with, but it worked in its favor for this one. I also really loved “Best Offer Wins” by Marisa Kashino. I picked it up because  people kept recommending it on Instagram. This turned out to be a page turner that I just couldn’t put down.  
 

Favorite new author (debut or new to you)?
Authors I will definitely be reading more from, because I loved the first books I read by them this year: Shelby Van Pelt, Ling Ling Huang, Gerardo Sámano Córdova, Nat Cassidy and Kylie Lee Baker. I would also love to read more from T. Kingfisher, even though “What Moves the Dead” was not a book I loved, but just enjoyed. Her writing has so much potential.
 

Newest favorite character?
Tova and Marcellus from “Remarkably Bright Creatures”, obviously. Their friendship is everything to me. I really liked Jamie from “How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates”. I related to her movie knowledge a lot.
 

Book that made you cry?
“Monstrilio” by Gerardo Sámano Córdova had me sobbing at the end, that book was really emotional for me. Same goes for “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby van Pelt, but cried for different reasons.  “Life of Chuck” by Stephen King touched me and “Twee Prinsen” by Splinter Chabot also made me ugly cry.  
 

Book that made you happy?
“Remarkably Bright Creatures” again. That book did a lot with all of my emotions. It’s such a hopeful story, about new beginnings and unlikely friendships. 
 

Favorite book to movie adaptation?
I reread “The Body” by Stephen King this year and the movie “Stand By Me” is based on this novella. It’s a movie that has been in my top 10 for years, and I have rewatched it many times. Since I have seen this movie before and the book was also a reread, I will pick another. I loved the adaptations for “Hamnet” and “The Life of Chuck”, but I will again have to go for “Remarkably Bright Creatures”.  All these movie adaptations got it right and I just loved how they all stayed true to their source material. “Project Hail Mary” I absolutely loved and was better than the book in my opinion. I saw some great movie adaptation this year already.
 

Most beautiful book you’ve bought this year?
I got this really beautiful edition of “Animal Farm” by George Orwell. I have read this book before and I’m really looking forward to reading it again. I could not leave the bookstore without this gorgeous edition.
 

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
I still need to catch up on the “Thursday Murder Club” series and read last year’s “The Impossible Fortune” by Richard Osman. I want to read the last horror book by Thomas Olde Heuvelt that I haven’t read yet, “Orakel”. And the two Janice Hallet books, “A Box Full of Murders” and “The Killer Question”. I also want to try and read “The Odyssey” before the movie comes out, but that’s a big fat maybe.

20s Movie Review - Shelby Oaks

Director: Chris Stuckmann
Genre: Horror
Runtime: 91 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Camille Sullivan, Brendon Sextan III, Michael Beach, Sarah Durn, Keith David

Description: A woman's (Camille Sullivan) obsessive search for her missing sister (Sarah Durn) leads her into a terrifying mystery at the hands of an unknown evil.

Review: “Shelby Oaks” is a solid and atmospheric debut film, in which the well-known YouTube film critic Chris Stuckmann proves he’s more than capable of making the transition from reviewer to filmmaker. The film excels particularly in its intense atmosphere.

The film combines found footage with a traditional mystery thriller. We follow Mia on her obsessive search for her sister Riley. Riley disappeared without a trace twelve years earlier while filming for a paranormal YouTube channel, “Paranormal Paranoids”. When new video footage surfaces, Mia becomes entangled in a dark mystery filled with occult elements.

Stuckmann excels at creating an ominous, oppressive atmosphere. The excellent sound design keeps the viewer constantly on the edge of their seat. With the help of producer Mike Flanaga, the film looks cinematographically impressive despite the modest budget. The mix of grainy faux-documentary footage and sleek Hollywood shots works surprisingly well.

Camille Sullivan carries the film and is completely convincing as the protagonist driven by the grief and despair. She reminded me of Essie Davis in “The Babadook”.

Stuckmann’s love for the genre is palpable, but the film leans just a bit too heavily on its sources of inspiration, such as “The Blair Witch Project” and “Lake Mungo”. And the finale feels rushed, even though I really loved the ending. But it does leave to many questions unanswered.

“Shelby Oaks” is not a revolutionary masterpiece, but it is a very good horror movie. I seriously don’t understand the low rating on IMDb. Stuckmann proves he has an eye for suspense and effective jump scares (not the cheap ones that are often used in modern horror). The film is a must-see for hardcore horror fans.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Book Review - Echo by Thomas Olde Heuvelt

Title: Echo
Author: Thomas Olde Heuvelt
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Published: 2019

Description: Nick Grevers and his climbing partner Augustin are drawn to the Maudit, a remote mountain in the Swiss Alps. Documentation about the mountain is scarce, it is unusually quiet there, and as they enter the valley, they are overcome by the ominous feeling that they are not alone. Not long after, Augustin is dead and Nick awakens from a coma. He is maimed and his face is damaged. A difficult rehabilitation awaits, but Nick soon realizes that it is not just the trauma of the accident that haunts him. Something has been awakened within him…

Review: Following the international success of “Hex”, expectations for “Echo” were sky-high. With this book Thomas Olde Heuvelt proves again that he is a master at creating a suffocating, eerie atmosphere.
 
Nick Grevers wakes up mutilated and in a coma after a mysterious climbing accident in the Swiss Alps, his partner Sam is overjoyed that he is still alive. However, Nick has not returned from Mount Maudit alone. A dark, ancient presence lurks within him, slowly terrorizing those around him.
 
The way the Maudit is portrayed as a living, malevolent character is brilliant. The icy atmosphere and isolation get under you skin. The book has psychological depth. The story is largely told from the perspective of Sam. His struggle between his love for Nick and the sheer terror of what Nick has become is painfully palpable. Olde Heuvelt also manages to blend classic folk horror with modern elements, resulting in some terrifying scenes.
 
At over 600 pages, the book is simple too long. Some diary excerpt and repetitions completely slow down the pace of the story. And it takes a while for the story to really get going. This is not a fast-paced action story, you need a lot more patience.
 
“Echo” is a fascinating, literary horror novel that perfectly illustrates how trauma and possession go hand in hand. It’s psychologically more powerful than “Hex”, but lacks the same taut sense of suspense. For fans of slow-burn, atmospheric horror, this is definitely a must-read. Just keep in mind the substantial length. I never had the ambition to go mountain climbing, and because of this book I definitely never doing it.
 
Rating: 3,5/ 5

 

Movie Review - Masters of the Universe

Director: Travis Knight
Genre: Fantasy/ Science Fiction/ Adventure/ Action
Runtime: 140 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Idris Elba, Alison Brie, Jared Leto
 
Description: A young man (Nicholas Galitzine) on Earth discovers a fabulous secret legacy as the prince of an alien planet, and must recover a magic sword and return home to protect his kingdom.
 
Review: “Masters of the Universe”, a movie that every 80s (and early 90s) kid was looking forward too. And it has turned out to be a wonderfully nostalgic movie that the people who grew up with the cartoon will appreciate to the fullest, because it’s a love letter to the show.

It’s abundantly clear that director Travis Knight is a fan himself. He consciously chooses to take the mythology surrounding Eternia and He-Man seriously, rather than reducing it to a cynical parody. The iconic characters, the colorful costumes, and the epic Sword of Power have been brought to the live-action screen with immense love. I did miss some characters, because the TV show has so many iconic characters. And most side characters that were in this film, don’t get enough time to really shine.

This movie was made for the fans and probably not for today’s youth. Although the action scenes are spectacular, this isn’t a movie that will win over everyone. The film relies heavily on nostalgia. People who didn’t grow up with the original animated series from the 80s, may find the specific tone, the wacky creatures and the campy humor a bit harder to appreciate. To them it might sometimes feel like a somewhat absurd action movie. But for the children of the era, it’s a wonderful, emotional reunion.

The cast is really good. Nicholas Galtzine is a convincing He-Man, Camila Mendes shines as Teela and Alison Brie is delightfully overacting as Evil-Lyn. But all points go to Jared Leto as Skeletor.

What is probably the strongest part of the film, is its soundtrack by Daniel Pemberton and Brian may. It transforms this film from an entertaining trip down memory lane into an epic spectacle. It combines bombastic orchestrations with thick 80s synths and Queen-like melodies. With Brian May on the guitar, who co-wrote the score and weaves his iconic guitar solos throughout. The result is strongly reminiscent of the legendary sound of “Flash Gordon”, but with a modern, powerful dynamic. The music elevates the action scenes to a much higher level and guaranteed to give you goosebumps. I think this soundtrack is an absolute highlight of 2026

“Masters of the Universe”  is not a perfect movie for the average moviegoer, but definitely the ultimate dream for anyone who used to shout “I have the power!”

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - The Rip

Director: Joe Carnahan
Genre: Crime/ Action/ Thriller
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandano Moreno, Sasha Calle, Kyle Chandler
 
Description: A group of Miami cops discover a stash of millions in cash, leading to distrust as outsiders learn about the huge seizure, making them question who to rely on.
 
Review: The film follows a Miami police narcotics squad that stumbles upon a massive drug haul and millions of dollars in cash in an abandoned warehouse. What follows is a psychological game of cat and mouse: the officers must count the money on the spot, but the temptation, greed, and mutual distrust soon take hold. As the walls close in on them and dangerous outsiders get wins of the loot, loyalty within the team crumbles at record speed.

What makes this film so good is the chemistry between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who carry this film effortlessly. Their decades-long real-life friendship gives their characters a tangible history and depth. They way their mutual trust slowly begins to crack is a joy to watch. Strong performances across the board, with Steven Yeun and Sasha Calle in particular delivering memorable performances that keep the group’s dynamic constantly sharp.

There is constant underlying tension. Director Joe Carnahan creates an intense, claustrophobic atmosphere. And as soon as the situation spirals out of control, the film treats you to raw, explosive actions scenes with fantastic sound design.

The moral dilemma is built up brilliantly in the first half, the film leans a bit too heavily on familiar Hollywood action clichés as it approaches the finale. Although the plot twists are really good.

“The Rip” is a must-watch for fans of intense crime thrillers in the style of “Heat” and “Training Day”. It’s one of the better and most ambitious action movies Netflix has released recently.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - Cold Storage

Director: Jonny Campbell
Genre: Horror/ Comedy
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell, Sosie Bacon, Liam Neeson, Vanessa Redgrave, Leslie Manville,
 
Description: When a highly dangerous fungus escapes from a secret laboratory, a former bioterrorism agent (Liam Neeson) is called back into action. Alongside two young employees (Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell), he must confront an invisible and out-of-control threat.
 
Review: With “Cold Storage”, director Jonny Campbell delivers a delightfully nostalgic yet spot-on genre blend that strikes a balance between gory body horror and deadpan comedy. The screenplay was written by David Koepp, who based it on his own novel of the same name. It doesn’t shine in terms of originality, but more than makes up for it with the pace and a healthy dose of self-aware humor.

The story starts simple and effectively: the young, somewhat laconic night guards Travis “Teacake” Meacham and Naomi Williams are expecting a dead-boring shift at a large-scale storage complex. What they don’t know, however, is that this complex was built right on top of a sealed-off, underground military base. Due to a sudden rise in temperature, a decades-old parasitic fungus escapes from its containment chamber. This microorganism multiplies at lightning speed, takes control of the human brain, and causes bodies to explode in spectacularly gruesome ways.

Two prevent the inevitable apocalypse, the two twenty-somethings are forced to team up with Robert Quinn, a seasoned and cynical former bioterrorism expert who tries to contain the situation. The film’s true strength lies in its outstanding cast. The chemistry between Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell practically jumps off the screen. They are the perfect level-headed counterparts to the chaos surrounding them.

But it’s Liam Neeson who steals the show portraying his familiar, tough persona with a delightful wink and deadpan comic timing. The visual effects and the over-the-top gore immediately bring to mind classic 1980 B-horror films, giving the movie a fun, tangible atmosphere that never gets too pretentious or terrifying. Still “Cold Storage” stumbles here and there.

“Cold Storage” is a slightly predictable yet extremely entertaining rollercoaster ride, that fully delivers on the promise of a wacky, bloody night at the movies. For fans of sci-fi and horror comedy, this film is definitely worth watching.

Rating: 3/ 5

Book Review - What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

Title: What Moves the Dead (Sworn Soldier # 1)
Author: T. Kingfisher
Genre: Horror/ Fantasy
Published: 2022
 
Description: When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruravia.
 
What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growth and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves.
 
Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of the Usher before it consumes them all.
 
Review: “What Moves the Dead” is an atmospheric and eerie retelling of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic “The Fall of the House of Usher”, which excels in world-building but ultimately falls just short of true depth.
 
From the very first page, author T. Kingfisher establishes a gloomy atmosphere that immediately gets under the reader’s skin. The greatest strength of this novella lies in the protagonist, Alex Easton, whose down-to-earth perspective serves as a fascinating guide through all the misery. Easton also brings a healthy dose of dry humor, allowing Kingfisher to perfectly break the dark tension through sharp, cynical dialogue. The addition of a bizarre natural phenomena and terrifying fungi gives the familiar basic story a unique and modern body horror twist.
 
At barely 170 pages, the build-up towards the end feels rushed. As a result, the supporting characters unfortunately remain one-dimensional and are given little chance to truly come to life for the reader. The plot was interesting, yet I was not as invested as I hoped I would be.
 
It’s a delightfully creepy book, that I enjoyed for the most part. But the lack of depth in most characters, due to the shorter format, made that I didn’t fall in love with this book. I am still interested in other work from T. Kingfisher, because her writer is beautiful.
 
Rating: 3/ 5

Book Review - The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones

Title: The Buffalo Hunter Hunter
Author: Stephen Graham Jones
Genre: Horror/ Historical Fiction
Published: 2025
 
Description: This chilling historical novel is set in the nascent days of the state of Montana, following a Blackfeet Indian named Good Stab as he haunts the fields of the Blackfeet Nation looking for justice.
 
It begins when a diary written in 1912 by a Lutheran pastor is discover within a wall in 2012. What is unveiled is a slow massacre, a nearly forgotten chain of events that goes back to 217 Blackfeet dead in the snow, told in the transcribed interviews with Good Stab, who shares the narrative of his peculiar and unnaturally long life over a series of confessional visits.
 
Review: The book begins in the year 2012. An academic finds an old diary hidden in a wall. This diary was written in 1912 by a minister named Arthur Beaucarne. The diary contains interviews with Good Stab, a Native American man from the Blackfeet tribe. He is also a vampire who cannot die. He hunts the men who killed the buffalo and his people. The story revolves around a real, horrific event in history: the Marias Massacre of 1870.
 
I love vampire stories, especially when they are a bit unusual. This one is original, wild, raw and connected to nature. But the real horror isn’t the blood-sucking, but the grim history of colonization. Stephan Graham Jones writes about this with great respect and cultural sensitivity.
 
Be prepared that this is a very bloody, gory book, with lots of violence and death. Jones does not shy away from it, but it somehow is necessary to depict the real horror of these events.
 
“The Buffalo Hunter Hunter” does require a lot of patience though. It’s a very slow book and given the almost 500 pages it takes some time to get through it. But trust me, it’s absolutely worth it. Once you get through the first 100 pages, you will thank me.
 
This is a heavy and dark book. It’s not a lighthearted story to read or one you pick up just for fun. If you love deep horror and history, you should definitely read this book. It’s a bloody but beautiful history lesson with strong horror elements. My favorite Stephen Graham Jones so far.
 
Rating: 4/ 5
 

Movie Review - The Mandalorian and Grogu

Director: Jon Favreau
Genre: Science Fiction/ Adventure/ Action
Runtime: 132 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Jeremy Allan White, Sigourney Weaver, Martin Scorcese, Steve Blum
 
Description: Once a lone bounty hunter, Mandalorian Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his apprentice Grogu embark on an exciting new Star Wars adventure.
 
Review: It’s always a dangerous thing to say, but when you have a most anticipated film of the year, it often doesn’t meet your expectations. Luckily “The Mandalorian and Grogu” did not disappoint and was the epic space adventure I was hoping for.
The film’s atmosphere is spot-on from the very first minute. Director Jon Favreau knows exactly what the fans want to see. You get stunning planets, epic battles, lots of action and many cute Grogu moments that will make you go “aaaw” constantly. The film is pure fun and entertainment for all ages. You don’t even need to have seen the series to follow the story.

The bond between Din Djarin and little Grogu is still the beating heart of the story. Grogu is cuter than ever. Thankfully, he still feels like a real character. His funny moments and his bond with Mando constantly put a smile on your face.

The action really pops off the big screen. The film really comes into its own, especially in an IMAX theater. Ludwig Göransson’s soundtrack is an absolute banger (not me immediately ordering the vinyl).  The music really amps up the energy during every action scene.

The film is great and everything I could have hoped for, but as a story, it sometimes feels more like a series of separate side missions than a cohesive story.

For fans of the “Star Wars” franchise and specifically the show “The Mandalorian”, this movie is a feast for the eyes. And I will definitely be rewatching this many times. Loved it!

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Book Review - Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies by Catherine Mack

Title: Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies (Vacation Mysteries #1)
Author: Catherine Mack
Genre: Mystery/ Fiction
Published: 2024
 
Description: All that bestselling author Eleanor Dash wants is to get through her book tour in Italy and kill off her main character, Connor Smith, in the Vacation Mysteries series. Is that too much to ask?
 
Clearly, because when an attempt is made on the real Connor’s life, the handsome but infuriating con man she got mixed up with then years ago and now can’t get out of her life, Eleanor’s enlisted to help solve the case.
 
Contending with literary rivals, rabid fans, a stalker and even her ex Oliver, theories are bandied about, and rivalries, rifts, and broken hearts are revealed. But who’s really trying to get away with murder?
 
Review: “Every Time We Go On Vacation Someone Dies” is a fresh, humorous whodunit set against the beautiful backdrop of Italy. We follow Eleanor Dash, a murder mystery novelist who is stuck with her arrogant ex-boyfriend Connor (and the main character of her books) during a book tour. When an actual assassination attempt is made on him, Eleanor must use her own detective skills to find the culprit.
 
The biggest strength of this book is its pace. Author Catherine Mack writes fluidly, the chapters are short, and the Italian atmosphere practically jumps off the pages. The concept is cleverly conceived: a murder mystery packaged as a satirical look at the book world and influencer culture. As the narrator, Eleanor regularly speaks directly to the reader through footnotes, which creates a very fun and unique dynamic.
 
The humor is very present and sometimes teeters on the edge of being too cynical. As the main character, Eleanor is quite sarcastic (which I loved about her) and self-centered (which I hated about her). While that is part of the book’s charm, it sometimes makes it hard to really empathize with her. The central murder case gets a bit buried under the constant bickering between the characters and the many subplots, causing the tension to drop half-way through.
 
“Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies” is a delightful, unpretentious beach read for fans of whodunits with humor and a healthy dose of sarcasm and slightly chaotic characters.  
 
Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - Project Hail Mary

Director: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Genre: Science Fiction/ Adventure/ Action
Runtime: 156 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller
 
Description: A science teacher (Ryan Gosling) wakes up alone on a spaceship. As his memory returns, he uncovers a mission to stop a mysterious substance killing Earth’s sun, and realizes that an unexpected friendship may be the key.
 
Review: “Project Hail Mary is an absolute triumph for modern science fiction cinema. Directors Phil Lord and Christoper Miller succeed in transforming Andy Weir’s complex, scientific source material into a visually stunning cinematic spectacle that excels in both scale and pure humanity. The film strikes a fabulous balance between the cosmic grandeur of “Interstellar” and the optimistic humor of “The Martian” (which was also based on a book by Andy Weir). Maybe an unpopular opinion and a very rare statement, but I think the film is better than the book.

Ryan Gosling plays the cynical yet resourceful scientist Ryland Grace. He effortlessly carries the film and he is at his best in “Project Hail Mary”. He manages to make the existential loneliness of space palpable, while simultaneously retaining his irresistible, dryly humorous charm.

The introduction of the alien Rocky elevates the film to a masterful level. The interaction and communication through musical tones is exceptionally creative. It results in one of the most heartwarming, believable, and memorable friendship in film history.

Greig Fraser’s cinematography makes space feel as terrifying as it is beautiful. The mix of physical effects and CGI ensures that Rocky never feels artificial.

The flashbacks on Earth provide the film with the necessary context. Sandra Hüller shines as the cool, pragmatic Eva Stratt, which serves as a perfect contrast to the more relaxed, emotional tone in space.
In the final fifteen minutes, the film leans a bit to heavily on feel-good sugar coating. A bit too Hollywood for me and the only reason I couldn’t give it a full 5-stars.

“Project Hail Mary” is the ultimate science fiction experience of 2026. It redefines the classic space film by wrapping a pitch-black scenario in a hopeful, moving, and at times hilarious adventure about universal connection. An absolute must-see for every sci-fi.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Book Review - Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler

Title: Parable of the Talents (Earthseed # 2)
Author: Octavia E. Butler
Genre: Science Fiction/ Fiction
Published: 1998
 
Description: It continues the story of Olamina in socially and economically depressed California in the 2030s. Convinced that her community should colonize the stars, Lauren and her followers make preparations. But the collapse of society and rise of fanatics result in Lauren’s followers being enslaved, and her daughter stolen from her. Now, Lauren must fight back to save the new world order.
 
Review: “Parable of the Talents” is the sequel to Octavia E. Butler’s “Parable of the Sower”. That was one of the most compelling dystopian novels in modern literary history. The first book emphasized the journey and survival in a collapsed America, this second book focuses on the daunting task of reconstruction, the preservation of humanity, and the destructive power of ideological blindness.
 
The story picks up in the early 2030s. Lauren Olamina has founded a thriving and peaceful community in Northern California called Acorn. Here, she puts into practice the principles of her self-developed philosophy and religion, Earthseed: the belief that God is change, and that humanity must seek its ultimate destiny among the stars. However, the fragile peace is brutally disrupted by political shift in the country. The new, populist president, Andrew Steele Jarrett, is gaining popularity with the promise to restore order and purge America of sin. His followers, organized into violent Christian fundamentalist militias, begin hunting down anyone who doesn’t fit their mold. Acorn becomes a target, with catastrophic consequences for Lauren and her loved ones.
 
Butler’s depiction of a polarized America, including the literal campaign slogan “Make America Great Again” of the dictatorial President Jarrett, demonstrates her unparalleled sociological insight. This book was written in 1998. She predicted the rise of populist nationalism and religious extremism twenty years before it dominated the world news.
 
Unlike the first book, which consisted purely of Lauren’s diaries, this book introduces multiple perspectives. The most significant addition is that of her daughter, Larkin (Asha Vere). Her bitter, retrospective comments cast a critical light on Lauren’s actions. This creates a moral conflict: was Lauren a visionary savior of humanity, or an obsessed mother who abandoned her own child for a higher cause?
 
Butler spares neither her characters, nor the reader, at any moment. The chapters describing the occupation and systematic abuse in Acorn are extremely raw, graphic, and depressing. This heavy tone means the book at times pushes the limits of what is bearable. It’s not an easy read. But it’s absolutely essential.
 
Rating: 4,5/ 5

Book Review - The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

Title: The Last House on Needless Street
Author: Catriona Ward
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Published: 2021
 
Description: This is the story of a serial killer. A stolen child. Revenge. Death. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street.
 
All these things are true. And yet they are all lies…
 
You think you know what’s inside the last house on Needless Street. You think you’ve read this story before. That’s where you’re wrong.
 
In the dark forest at the end of Needless Street, lies something buried. But it’s not what you think…

Review: “The Last House on Needless Street” is an intriguing, yet at times frustrating , psychological thriller. The book excels in atmosphere but loses momentum due to an overabundance of plot twists.
 
We meet Ted, a lonely man who lives in a boarded-up house at the edge of a wild forest with his daughter, Lauren, and his talking cat, Olivia. Dee, a woman driven by vengeance, moves in next door. Dee is convinced that Ted is responsible for the disappearance of her younger sister, who vanished from a nearby lake eleven years earlier. 
 
The story’s strength lies in its unique narrative structure and its gloomy atmosphere. Catriona Ward creates an oppressive world surrounding the protagonist Ted, his daughter Lauren and the talking cat Olivia. The characters are untrustworthy, which creates constand underlying tension and a sense of disorientation for the reader. The gothic, dark setting, centered around the dilapidated house at the end of the street, on the edge of the forest, is beautifully described.
 
However, the structure is also the novel’s weakness. The book relies so heavily on mysteries and deception that the plot begins to drag halfway through. The constant shifting of perspective and the surrealistic elements make the story unnecessarily confusing at times. Although the final resolution ingeniously puts all the pieces of the puzzles in place, the build-up to it feels like an emotional battle of attrition that doesn’t remain equally engaging throughout.
 
It’s a daring and original horror story, at the end you will be wondering what the hell you just read. It’s a psychological puzzle, but the pace in the middle section and the overkill of plot twists keeps it at a solid three stars.
 
Rating: 3/ 5

Book Review - The Body by Stephen King

Title: The Body
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Fiction/ Thriller
Published: 1982
 
Description: It’s 1960 Castle Rock. Ray Brower, a boy from a nearby town, has disappeared, and twelve-year-old Gordie Lachance and his three friends set out on a quest to find his body along the railroad tracks. During the course of their journey, Gordie, Chris Chambers, Teddy Duchamp and Vern Tessio come to terms with death and the harsh truth of growing up in a small factory town that doesn’t offer much in the way of the future.
 
Review: I have read Stephen King’s “The Body” before, but this time I decided to listen to the audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton. One of my favorite movies, “Stand By Me”, is based on this novella and Wheaton plays Gordie Lachance.
 
Although Stephen King is known as the “King of Horror”, but he proves with this novella that he is the absolute master at capturing the human soul and the bittersweet transition from childhood to adulthood.
 
Four boys go looking for a dead body along the railroad tracks. It sounds simple, but it’s a deep, emotional journey filled with friendship, fear, and the realization that the worlds isn’t as safe as you hope it is as a child. The raw, honest way King describes the dynamics between the boys remains unmatched.
 
Wil Wheaton is the perfect choice as a narrator. He brings a vulnerability and sincerity to the text that perfectly matches the book’s melancholic tone. If anyone aside from King himself, knows this story, it’s Wheaton.
 
This book is an ode to friendship. Whether you’re familiar with the film or not, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves compelling characters development and atmospheric storytelling. A timeless classic that will stay with you long after you’ve closed the book.
 
Rating: 5/ 5