Review: Irregular Creatures by Chuck Wendig

Genre: Horror/Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Dark Humor
Format: Kindle e-book
Find It: [Kindle] [PDF Via Author] [Author's Site]
Summary (≤10 words): Nine stories starring, or co-starring, awesomely odd characters.
Review (≤10 words): Rich in authorial voice, well worth the time and money.

I came across Chuck Wendig on Twitter. I can't quite remember how, I just remember that my first exposure to him was a linked article on his blog, Terrible Minds. The specific article eludes me, but it doesn't matter, because all of his posts are pure, unadulterated, uncut, fantastically raw awesome. When he announced that he was self-publishing an anthology of his short stories, I didn't hesitate to snag a copy and consume it in less than 24 hours.

Normally I'd write a more in-depth summary at this point, but...it's nine short stories. A couple of them aren't any more than a "page" or two on my Kindle screen, so summarizing them would, I think, not do them justice. Besides, if you click through to the Kindle link above, the author does a pretty good job of summarizing some of the draws. So instead I'm going to jump into my opinion of the whole thing.

These stories were, largely, engaging, engrossing, and appealing even despite (or maybe because of?) the more grotesque elements. Some of the stories (I'm looking at you, Product Placement and Mister Mhu's Pussy Show) inspired a physical reaction, though I'm not going to detail the specifics; suffice to say I don't recommend eating candy while reading Product Placement. Others evoked more emotional reactions, like the first story in the anthology, Dog-Man and Cat-Bird (A Flying Cat Story). This is a great tale to lead with--and is consequently the longest one--as it sets the mood and tone for the rest of the stories. It is at once creepy and touching, scary and amusing, sad and slightly joyful. Wendig's voice screams out of these stories. I happen to dig his style, so I had an awesome time reading his book. I was not at all disappointed (except when I got to the end and realized there was no more).

Final Word: Check out Wendig's blog--if you like his posts, you'll like his shorts.

Photo © Amy Houser

Review: The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

Genre: Mystery
Format: Paperback
Find It: [Amazon] [Kindle] [Borders] [Kobo] [B&N] [Nook] [Author's Site]
Summary (≤10 words): Crazy Spellman family loses the littlest Spellman.
Review (≤10 words): I'm looking forward to more Spellman shenanigans.

This book was given to me by one of my aunts, who said that she couldn't get into it, but maybe I'd enjoy it. Since I've never really read a mystery before, I was a bit skeptical that I would like it, but as it was convenient and this was one stop on a week long trip, I figured there was no harm in giving it a shot. I'm glad I did.

The story is told from the perspective of Isabel Spellman, the imperfect middle daughter of the Spellman family. Her every flaw is only highlighted all the more by her perfect older brother, David (the only family member not part of the family business, who is instead a lawyer that keeps the family business on retainer). The book is multiple stories encased within the frame of an interrogation. After about 30 pages or so of getting to know Isabel, there's little surprise that she would find herself in this position. The interrogation is actually concerning Isabel's missing younger sister, Rae, a teen with a penchant for familial blackmail, recreational surveillance, and anything resembling sugar. The meat of the story, however, is getting to know Isabel, with the actual framed plot taking a backseat to her life and her voice as we figure out exactly how crazy her family is.

I walked away from this book absolutely in love with the Spellmans. They are insane and chaotic in a way that makes them feel vibrant and real. They have personality; Isabel's voice, especially, is strong and tangible, and exploding with her personality. Lutz has crafted a very solid character in her protagonist, and given her just enough balance to make her both flawed and good in believable ways. She's shaped by her family and her actions shape them, and the effect that both systems have on one another is clearly seen within the stories she tells. I'd wager that about 90% of the book is flashback of her life, but I wouldn't count that as a strike against this book. Being the first in the series, Lutz seems more intent on making these characters concrete for her readers, and she does an excellent job.

This author had a great writing style, and the language of the book was pitch perfect. I found myself chuckling in many spots and then laughing out loud in others. I really, really enjoyed Isabel's voice and her commentary on her family, not to mention all of the crazy stunts they pull. This is a family that thinks nothing of following Isabel around 24/7 just to see if she has a boyfriend (you and I might think it would just be easier to tell them about the guy you're seeing, but for Isabel the fact that she invades other people's privacy only makes her value her own all the more). The entire cast of characters creates an environment ripe for hilarity and the author delivers consistently. That and Isabel, to me, are the big draws, and because of that I found it difficult to put the book down.

This is a series I'll be looking to continue, even knowing that it's unlikely the remaining books in the series will be similar character studies. I want more Isabel Spellman, and more Spellman family in general. Considering how massive my TBR pile is, I'll probably end up rereading this book prior to starting the following books, but I enjoyed it enough that this doesn't bother me at all.

Final Word: Bring on the spying!

Fact...or hyperbole?

Excessive exaggeration is a habit of mine, though this sense that I'll never make it through the backlog of books slowly taking over my shelves, like paperback kudzu, has been growing in the past few months. I'll scan my TBR bookshelf (yes...an entire bookshelf) and then flick on my Kindle and scroll through the pages and pages of books I've yet to read, and thus have yet to put into collections. (I mistakenly thought that by only allowing myself to organize the books I have read, my mild OCD would compel me to finish the books. Never once considered that maybe it would simply make me crazy...er...than I already am.) And thus my time is wasted, as I gaze at the numerous options before me, unable to make a decision, overwhelmed by my choices.

Not that I'm complaining. Mostly.

But it does inspire that certain emotion. Readers know it. That emotion stuck somewhere between a bubbling joy and a sinking sense of dread, which leaves you kind of buoyed in the middle with no idea what you should be thinking. And it was this emotion coupled with a deep understanding of my own limitations that made me think I should start a blog.

Why not, I thought. I love reading books, and blogs about books, so maintaining one of my own is possible (note that I am not saying easy, because, ha, I know better). It'll make me accountable, and hopefully open up opportunities for discussion, which is sometimes the best part of a book. And so here I am, starting up a blog.

Right now my goal is to put up a review a week. The majority of the books will be romance, old-school and more recently published, with some YA, fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery thrown in there. And lots of stuff in between, I'm sure. (I do have some non-fiction books in my pile, mostly psychology books about clinical cases and so on, but I don't plan on reviewing those.) I'll probably also link to other awesome blogs or articles I find, though always with some relation to books or reading. Beyond that, I'm flying blind and bracing for the inevitable rough patches.