Memento Nerdy is temporarily closed to new review submissions as I work to clear out a backlog of reviews. I apologize for any inconvenience, but this is a necessary step in order for me to catch up on everything.
Memento Nerdy has always been a one-woman-show and will continue to be so in the future. I don't like closing to new submissions, but it's not forever.
I hope to reopen for submissions June 1.
Thank you for understanding and for your support of Memento Nerdy.
Jeannie
Authors: Lee Murray, Geneve Flynn, Nadia Bulkin, Ehline Cuyegkeng, Rin Chupeco, Grace Chan, Angela Yuriko Smith, Gabriela Lee, Rena Mason, Christina Sng, Nancy Holder, Alma Katsu
Genre: Anthology - Horror
Publisher: Raw Dog Screaming Press - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: March 23, 2023
ISBN: 9781947879560
Read: March 26 - April 12, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis from Publisher: *Winner of the Bram Stoker & Shirley Jackson Awards*
Almond-eyed celestial, the filial daughter, the perfect wife.
Quiet, submissive, demure.
In Black Cranes, Southeast Asian writers of horror both embrace and reject these traditional roles in a unique collection of stories which dissect their experiences of 'otherness, ' be it in the colour of their skin, the angle of their cheekbones, the things they dare to write, or the places they have made for themselves in the world. Black Cranes is a dark and intimate exploration of what it is to be a perpetual outsider.
NEW EDITION This Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Award-winning anthology in which Southeast Asian authors explore what it's like to feel otherness, took the literary horror communities and readers by storm in 2020 when it was first released. Now, Raw Dog Screaming Press is proud to re-release it in hardcover and paperback. The hardcover edition has new cover art by Greg Chapman, synching artistically to other books within the Black Cranes universe. The interior has been redesigned by book guru Todd Keisling who has incorporated images and textures for a lush reading experience. A new afterword by Nancy Holder, six-time Bram Stoker Award winner and New York Times best-selling author has been added to this edition.
Many of the stories included have been recognized individually. Grace Chan's Aurealis-nominated story "The Mark," was shortlisted for Australia's Norma K. Hemming Award, which recognizes excellence in the exploration of themes of race, gender, sexuality, class, or disability in a published speculative fiction work. The Eugie Foster was also awarded for Elaine Cuyegkeng's story "The Genetic Alchemist's Daughter." Black Cranes was an Aurealis Award Finalist, Australian Shadows Award Finalist, British Fantasy Award Finalist, and was Locus Award Recommended
Review: Black Cranes: Tales of Unquiet Women features fourteen outstanding short stories from women that beautifully capture what it means to be both a woman and Asian.* Each author brings her own voice, perspective, experiences, and cultural history to the anthology, which gives it a robust and dynamic appeal. Whether the stories are based in science fiction, folklore, or the seemingly mundane world, each addresses the central themes in a unique way.
Here is my breakdown and thoughts on each story:
1. The Genetic Alchemist's Daughter (Elaine Cuyegkeng): A twisted tale about the pursuit of "perfection" and who defines it.
My thoughts: Wow. A fantastic way to start the anthology with hints of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and The Stepford Wives. I'd love to see this worked into a full-length novel.
2. Kapre: A Love Story (Rin Chupeco): Mythological creatures from the Philippines take center stage in an unconventional love story.
My thoughts: I'm a sucker for mythology and folklore, so this story satisfied on multiple levels. I loved the inclusion of different creatures that have wildly contrasting views on humanity and the relationship their kind should have with humanity.
3. A Pet Is For Life (Geneve Flynn): Featuring the kuchisake-onna (slit-mouthed woman) from Japanese urban legends, Flynn delivers a dark twist on predator and prey.
My thoughts: I freaking loved this story! Intensely visual and dark. I can absolutely see this as a horror movie.
4. Phoenix Claws (Lee Murray): Rooted in cultural bias and racism with a unique spin on the hungry ghost trope.
My thoughts: So twisted, and yet, despite the supernatural element, I can totally see the events of this story playing out as written.
5. Of Hunger and Fury (Grace Chan): Another spin on the hungry ghost myth, Chan creates a vibrant landscape filled with mystery and complex relationships.
My thoughts: A visceral entry that made me question reality. I'm still thinking about this one.
6. Skin Dowdy (Angela Yuriko Smith): One of the shortest stories in the anthology, this is a dark tale of technology, love, and revenge.
My thoughts: Although short, this is another story I can see making a great movie or a full-length novel. So many elements to explore and yet presented a complete, satisfying package.
7. Truth Is Order and Order Is Truth (Nadia Bulkin): A delightfully dark tale of Nyai Roro Kidul (Indonesian mermaid).
My thoughts: A little confusing at times, but overall, a dark twist on mermaids and the folklore that surrounds them in different cultures.
8. Rites of Passage (Gabriela Lee): A tale featuring the Philippine tiyanak (vampiric creature that takes on the form of an infant/toddler) and engkanto (mythic elemental forest spirits) that gives new life to the monstrous birth horror trope.
My thoughts: Dark, disturbing, and wildly imaginative. I loved this twisted-timeline story and again, would love to see it worked into a novel or even a movie.
9. The Ninth Tale (Rena Mason): Never try to outsmart a huli jing (Japanese fox spirit) or you just may end up reaping what you sow.
My thoughts: Another entry rooted in folklore and so beautifully written I was sad to see it end.
10. Vanilla Rice (Angela Yuriko Smith): Smith's second entry is no less powerful than her first. With a focus on identity and what makes us who we are, Vanilla Rice is a take of DNA manipulation gone awry.
My thoughts: We all have something we'd like to change about ourselves, but what if the choice of making that change was taken from us? Are we truly who we're meant to be? Short and though-provoking, and definitely one of my favorite.
11. Fury (Christina Sng): Set in the future on another planet, Fury is one of the longer stories and explores what it means to be human.
My thoughts: A solid science fiction story that has a few of my favorite elements: a strong female protagonist, a unique spin on zombies, and best of all, a cat!
12. The Mark (Grace Chan): Chan's second offering is no less disturbing than her first. A woman discovers a strange mark on her husband's torso and begins to question everything.
My thoughts: Vivid writing once again builds a complex relationship that will have you questioning if this is a tale of body snatchers or a woman mad with grief.
13. Frangipani Wishes (Lee Murray): Murray pulls off a rare second person point-of-view story about the lengths one will go to in order to better themselves with the flair of a classic Twilight Zone episode.
My thoughts: This started out a little confusing because of the second person POV, but I soon got into the meat of the story and was not expecting the twisted ending.
14. Little Worm (Geneve Flynn): Playing with the myth of the kwee kia, this story makes you wonder if the characters are actually faced with a "ghost child" or are they simply dealing with generational trauma.
My thoughts: Flynn's second story was my favorite of the anthology. I really wanted this to be longer because I didn't want it to end, and yet the ending was so perfect, I couldn't have asked for a better way to wrap up this wonderful anthology.
Overall, I loved Black Cranes and will definitely be seeking out more stories from these authors. They each have strong, powerfully unique voices that must be heard in all their glory, and this anthology is a fantastic way to discover them.
*For the record, I'm not Asian but have been close friends with women who are, including daughters of Asian immigrants--specifically, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, and the Philippines--for years and have witnessed their struggles. However, I do not make any claim to fully understand those struggles as I am, after all, only an outsider to their respective cultures and families despite years long friendships.
Author: Aimee Erickson
Genre: Nonfiction - Art - Painting
Publisher: Rockport Publishers - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 9780760379356
Read: March 20, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis from Publisher: Take your plein air artwork to the next level through easy-to-understand workshop-style lessons and skill-building exercises.
In Plein Air Techniques for Artists, award-winning artist and respected workshop instructor Aimee Erickson demystifies how to capture a variety of light effects and guides you in strengthening your plein air skills through practice. This accessible book covers:
Featuring exceptional still lifes, figures, and landscapes by other noted artists working in a range of mediums, Plein Air Techniques for Artists gives artists at all levels of experience the guidance they need to grow as a plein air artist.
Review: "Plein air" is just a fancy way of saying "painting outside." It normally is referring to painting during daylight hours, but Aimee Erickson doesn't limit the techniques demonstrated in this book to strictly daytime. Plein Air Techniques for Artists covers the range from morning, noon, and even twilight and nocturnal. (Personally, I think nocturnes are far more interesting than daylight paintings and don't receive nearly enough attention.)
Erickson covers the basics from materials and gear to various forms of lighting--indirect, back, front, sunlight and shadow, and nocturnes--to special effects and even includes a glossary and quick reference guide. As part of the materials and gear section, I appreciated the explanation of the various mediums and their pros/cons such as oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc. Erickson also provides information on composition and value, perspective, color, and so much more.
Plein Air Techniques for Artists is perfect for the beginner as well as the more experienced artist who may be looking to expand their knowledge.
Author: Bobika
Genre: Nonfiction - Health - Comic
Publisher: Europe Comics - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: December 21, 2022
ISBN: 9791032813737
Read: March 20, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Trigger Warnings: This is a "graphic novel"-style nonfiction tale of one man's journey into the world of male contraceptives. As such, it contains both textual and artistic representations of male genitalia, contraceptives, intercourse, and cis heterosexual men. Therefore, the subject matter may be disturbing or offensive to some readers and is not suitable for very young audiences.
Synopsis from Publisher: Bobika is a man who has been practicing birth control since 2016. This is the sometimes moving, and often enlightening, story of his journey as he explores the methods of contraception available to him. Full of nutty anecdotes and accounts of his meetings and discussions with sociologists, doctors, and feminists, Balls Up is a reminder that, in addition to a personal choice, (male) contraception is above all a social issue.
Review: I am by no means an expert on contraceptives, especially male contraceptive techniques. (After all, I am female.) However, I do know that for the majority of time it has fallen to women (yes, I'm aware this is a cis-heterosexual-centric view point but I can only speak from my personal experience) to bear the brunt of contraceptive responsibility. It's unfair, really, since human reproduction does take two participants. Bobika, the author of Balls Up, agrees with the unfairness. Hence...this book.
Now, unless you've been living under a rock here in the United States, you are surely aware that women's reproductive rights are very much in the news. With the reversal of Roe v. Wade, options for women--regardless of personal beliefs/views on the subject--to take control of their own bodies are dwindling. Rather than being a personal choice, reproduction has become a political and social matter, which is one reason I find Balls Up and the idea of male contraceptive practices to be timely.
Bobika addresses the issue from historical, medical, social, and personal views. The book is informative, but also shouldn't replace sound medical advice from a licensed physician. (Men, if you're interested in the topic, do your research and have a frank discussion with your doctor before trying any of the techniques mentioned in this book.) At times humorous, Balls Up is candid look at the subject, and as the author writes, "...We [cis-heterosexual men] have a debt to pay, and it would be super dope of use to move our lazy butts and take the initiative, without waiting for women to rouse us out of our dormancy (p. 101)."
So, how about it, guys? Are you ready to go Balls Up?
Author: Chad Miller
Genre: Horror - Historical Mystery - Thriller
Publisher: Hear Our Voice, LLC - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: January 26, 2023
ISBN: 9781947913360
Read: April 4-8, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a review copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
Trigger Warnings: Graphic depictions of medical procedures, domestic abuse, insanity, depression, and alcohol consumption.
Synopsis from Publisher: Fear and mystery follow me like an unwanted shadow. As the case of my missing friend, Dr. Charles Thorton, has horrifically concluded, a new mystery emerges! My miserable colleague, Thomas Braham and I discovered that Cordelia had been transformed into an abominable monster, and now we are now off on a discovery to find the root of her evil. We are whisked off on many twists and turns as our adventures lead us to lunatic asylums and underground surgical arenas. Our new apprentice, Scarlett, also joins our endeavors as I pray she only acts as our silent observer and resists sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong.
And still, our anonymous prisoner remains. They sit there waiting to be rescued and survive the torment and torture that awaits them. I’m confident they will be discovered, but I worry that the empty cell will be quickly filled by another poor soul.
I say with the greatest of confidence that Thomas, Scarlett, and I will uncover the truth. My fear and anxiety still remain. Sometimes it’s better to let things lie peacefully in ignorance. What sordid and cruel vermin will slither to the surface once we start turning up stones and digging holes? But my curiosity and need for discovery tamps down any trepidation I may have, and besides, I owe it to Dr. Thorton. Pray for us.
To life and light,
John Doyle
Review: As with the first installment in the Braham and Doyle books, The Prisoner of Fear, Chad Miller's A Paroxysm of Fear is written in an epistolary style, which lends the overall historical effect of the story. And, as with the first book, Miller's penchant for the dark, disturbing, and macabre are on full display.
What can I say? I'm hooked. I need more Braham and Doyle. They're like Sherlock and Watson crossed with Lovecraft or Poe. Mystery. Darkness. Terror. Suspense. Otherworldliness. Madness. Braham and Doyle encounter it all and yet remain grounded in logic and science that would be appropriate for the time period in which they inhabit.
But be warned, dear reader, A Paroxysm of Fear is not for the faint of heart. The story delves into the rudimentary field of psychology, as it was understood during the 19th century, and explores the treatment of those deemed "insane," which often consisted of locking them away in asylums, performing horrific experiments, and trying pseudo-science "cures." The brain is still one of the greatest mysteries facing humankind, and although our understanding of its structure, function, and even psychology have greatly increased in the past century-plus, the sad truth is that our early attempts to unlock its secrets often resulted in more harm and help.
Another area Miller explores is the ages-old pursuit of immortality. I can't say much to this aspect of the story as it would be giving away spoilers, but I will say this: Miller has written one of the most beautifully horrific deaths of a beloved character I've ever had the pleasure to read. I'm so conflicted by this death. At once, I'm outraged Miller had the audacity to write this character's death, and yet, it's so poignant and necessary for the plot--not to mention to well-written--that I have no choice but to offer my praise for the brazenness of it. Well-played, sir. Well-played, indeed.
Overall, if you like dark fiction with a healthy dose of mystery, I highly recommend the Braham and Doyle books. I don't know if there will be a third installment, but I sincerely hope there will be because there are still so many unanswered questions. (Not to mention a certain character's death to avenge.) If there is to be a third book, I will repeat my plea from the review of the first book: write faster.
Author: Olive Yong
Genre: Art - Drawing - Kawaii - Animals
Publisher: Rock Point - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 9780760379851
Read: March 20, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis from Publisher: Learn to draw all kinds of cute dogs doing all sorts of silly things through 75 step-by-step tutorials.
Whether you are “team dog” or “team cat,” dogs have idiosyncrasies that we all find entertaining! In Kawaii Doggies, the follow-up and perfect companion to Kawaii Kitties, popular Instagram artist Olive Yong (@bichimao) perfectly captures these moments, including playing, sleeping, eating, digging, chasing their tails, being good buddies, wearing cute costumes, and more, along with how to draw your favorite breeds and puppies.
In addition to the easy-to-follow tutorials, Olive shares:
So, get ready to perfect your drawing skills, as well as be inspired to create your own dog characters or illustrate the daily activities of your favorite pet.
Review: Dogs are full of personality, goofy, lovable, and Olive Yong has made them even more adorable in Kawaii Doggies. But this book is far more than a how-to manual for drawing your favorite drool-machine.
In addition to step-by-step instructions for drawing your own cute doggies, Yong takes the reader on a basic tutorial of kawaii-style drawing: what is it, tools of the trade, and how to get the most out of the book's tips and tricks. After mastering the basics, Yong teaches facial expressions, poses and moods, capturing daily activities and dress-up, favorite breeds and puppies, and so much more.
Overall, Kawaii Doggies is a great addition to the Kawaii Doodles book series and perfect for anyone interested in the art of kawaii or someone looking to try something a little different with their art.
Author: Jem Vanston
Genre: Fiction - Animals - Cats
Publisher: Two Fat Cats Publishing - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: March 1, 2023
ISBN: 9781399944238
Read: March 19, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Trigger Warnings: This book contains references to war, death, suffering, and animal abuse.
Synopsis from Publisher: One cat, nine lives and a quest to find a way home
Summer is a cat living happily with ten-year-old girl Sami and her family in Syria. Then the war comes. Sami and her parents are forced to make the heart-wrenching decision to flee as refugees, leaving Summer behind. On her journey through nine lives in a dozen countries, Summer discovers her purpose – to find Sami again. The quest leads Summer all over the world, meeting diverse people from a vast array of cultures and backgrounds, through exciting adventures and heart-break, desperate struggle and survival. But she never ever gives up hoping and searching.
Will Summer ever find Sami, and be reunited with her family in her furever home once again?
Review: If you're a regular reader of Memento Nerdy Reviews, you know I love animals, especially cats. I've been fortunate to share much of my life with these furry, funny, fabulous creatures so I was excited to read The Nine Lives of Summer by Jem Vanston, but my heart was not ready to face the heartache contained within these pages, and yet I'm happy I read the book for it's wondrous tale of a love that transcends lifetimes.
Vanston's depictions of war-torn Syria are gut-wrenching, as are the trials faced by Summer (the cat) and her family. The emotional parting between Summer and her beloved Sami struck a deep chord within me because I've had to make the hard decision to leave a beloved furbaby behind in order to move to a new place. (Granted, I wasn't in a war-torn area and was eventually reunited with my furry companion because I was able to leave him with family, but it still dredged up some painful memories.) However, Sami leaving Summer behind is only the beginning of the emotional rollercoaster ride Vanston has created.
Through years and multiple lives, Summer is always looking to be reunited with Sami. Some of the lives are long and comfortable. Some are short and filled with struggle. All of these combine to create an incredible journey that is both life-affirming and guaranteed to hit you right in the feels...hard. At times poignant, humorous, sad, and harrowing, the end result is a tale that makes me hug my own kitties a little tighter in appreciation for their companionship and endless love.
Overall, The Nine Lives of Summer is perfect for anyone who likes animal stories, but be warned--this book will make you ugly-cry. Also, it may not be suitable for young kids as it does contain a couple of graphic scenes as told from a cat's point of view.
Author: Cassandra Reeder
Genre: Cookbook - Geek Culture
Publisher: becker & mayer! books - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 9780760377567
Read: March 18, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis from Publisher: With 50 food and drink recipes, The Unofficial Princess Bride Cookbook is perfect for fans who want to get a taste of the action along with some fun and interesting trivia.
There are few movies that can be easily identified by a single word or quote, let alone close to forty. From “As You Wish” and “Inconceivable” to “Have Fun Storming the Castle” and “My Name is Inigo Montoya,” The Princess Bride left an everlasting mark on pop culture.
In celebration of the movie’s 35th anniversary in 2022, The Unofficial Princess Bride Cookbook is the perfect book for fans of all its beloved characters, and the indelible quotes that have made it one of the most quoted movies of all time.
Some of the iconic recipes include:
Try out these iconic and fan-favorite recipes and relate to your favorite Princess Bride characters and story through food and trivia with The Unofficial Princess Bride Cookbook!
Review: I'm a huge fan of The Princess Bride, and like any good fan, I can practically quote the entire movie. So, naturally, when I learned that The Geeky Chef, Cassandra Reeder, was penning an "unofficial" cookbook in honor of one of the most iconic movies of all times, my first thought was "Inconceivable!" but then I wondered just how many recipes could one pull from said movie. After reading through Reeder's take on the movie's food moments, I ask myself how I ever doubted.
Filled with trivia from the film and an array of mouth-watering recipes, Reeder manages to tie in far more recipes than were mentioned in the movie. (If you aren't drooling after simply looking at the pictures, something's amiss.) Covering everything from drinks and cocktails to appetizers to main courses to desserts, you'll marvel at creativity behind each recipe.
And have no fear fellow vegan Princess Bride fans--Reeder includes suggestions for vegan, vegetarian, and kosher substitutions! (Inclusivity for the win!) A section for planning the perfect Princess Bride party is also included so you can take movie night to a whole new level of geekiness! Why am I using so many exclamation points?! I have no idea!
Overall, if you're a fan of the film or know someone who is, The Unofficial Princess Bride Cookbook will be a welcomed edition to the kitchen. Now, don't forget your holocaust cloaks and have fun storming the castle!
Author: Terry Sargent
Genre: Cookbook - Barbecue - Vegan
Publisher: Harvard Common Press - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: April 11, 2023
ISBN: 9780760377895
Read: March 18, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis from Publisher: Learn how to slow-smoke all sorts of veggies, fruits, vegan meats, and vegan cheeses in this beautifully photographed book that features 100 soul-satisfying recipes filled with flavor and spice.
At last! Now vegans and vegetarians, plus the millions of omnivores and carnivores who are eating more plant-based meals, are invited to join the authentic smoke-cooked BBQ party! Barbecue is famous, of course, as a way to cook meat—but meat is not the only thing you can cook in a smoker. Cooking low and slow over natural wood embers, the core method of genuine ’Q, infuses produce and other plant-based foods, like tofu and tempeh, with rich depths of rustic flavor that you won’t get from a stovetop skillet or steamer.
Author Terry Sargent is the face of vegan barbecue. Southern Living magazine’s “Cook of the Year” for 2021, Terry has perfected the art of vegan barbecue at his renowned Grass Vegan BBQ Joint outside Atlanta. In this definitive book on the subject, he serves up easy-to-prepare recipes for amazing dishes like:
You can master these and nearly a hundred more healthy, plant-based, smoky, and vibrant recipes with Terry’s masterful and fun book as your guide. From sides and desserts to dozens of meat-free main courses, from skewers and kebabs to burgers and tacos, this is a book that takes vegan cooking—and BBQ itself!—in an incredibly exciting new direction.
Review: Being vegan in the South isn't easy, and one of the hardest examples of "going vegan" is the ubiquitous BBQ-culture. After all, barbecue is comfort food around here, and well, Terry Sargent has given Southern vegan a reason to rejoice and fire up the grill just in time for summer!
There are so many recipes in this book that I hardly know where to begin. Sargent takes you on a culinary journey through the South, but everything is vegan so you can enjoy your barbecue without feeling guilty. Not to mention the recipes are so hearty and mouth-watering that even the most die-hard carnivore will be asking for a bite. Covering everything from spices, rubs, and sauces to sandwiches and "meaty" main courses to sweets and drinks, Vegan Barbecue has something for everyone--even the little ones! (Carrot "hotdogs"...mmm, sooo good!)
Whether you're an established vegan, a newbie, or just looking to try a few meatless dishes to see what all the fuss is about, Vegan Barbecue is sure to please. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a grill to light.
Author: Marco Visconti
Genre: Thelema - Magic - Witchcraft
Publisher: Watkins Publishing - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: February 14, 2023
ISBN: 9781786787361
Read: March 1-18, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis from Publisher: Marco Visconti has taught Aleister Crowley's Magick to hundreds of aspirants, proving to himself and others its transmutative powers. This book brings together the effective techniques and practices from those lessons. We all live very busy lives in increasingly small spaces, but this book shows that to practice magick you don’t need fancy tools or robes or marbles halls. Magick is truly for everyone, because all you need to practice it is a will set in stone.
Each chapter in this manual is a lesson, which will add a new tool to your magical arsenal:
The benefits gained from bringing Magick into your life are manifold. You will gain a deeper understanding of your role in the universe, the ability to communicate with the Other, and the wisdom that comes from such relationships. Overall these practices offer a new and deeper sense of awareness of your own role in the universe.
Review: I freely admit my understanding of Thelema as a philosophy and spiritual path are limited, as is my overall knowledge of Aleister Crowley. After reading Marco Visconti's book, however, I don't feel as though either has increased all that much.
While Visconti seems to know his subjects rather well, his explanations of Thelema are rudimentary and lack true depth in what is an otherwise complex area of study. I've read other Thelema and magick-based books, some of which are reviewed here and accessible via the archives, and Visconti covers nothing that isn't already available in other books and with more clarity. Also, it's difficult to take an author who claims to have years of experience and accumulated knowledge seriously when they quote Wikipedia as their primary research source. Sorry, but Wikipedia doesn't even pass muster in the most basic of English composition courses. Either provide actual scholarly works or resources that are considered "sacred" to your particular philosophy/spiritual path as a backup or don't include the information at all.
Perhaps the only true reason to read this book is for the list of other books and websites on the subjects of Thelema and Crowley included at the back. However, even these can be found with a quick Google search so...yeah....
Author: Grady Hendrix
Genre: Horror - Supernatural Thriller - Ghosts
Publisher: Berkley - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: January 17, 2023
ISBN: 9780593201268
Read: March 28-30, 2023
Disclaimer: I purchased a hardcover copy via Amazon. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis from Publisher: When Louise finds out her parents have died, she dreads going home. She doesn’t want to leave her daughter with her ex and fly to Charleston. She doesn’t want to deal with her family home, stuffed to the rafters with the remnants of her father’s academic career and her mother’s lifelong obsession with puppets and dolls. She doesn’t want to learn how to live without the two people who knew and loved her best in the world.
Most of all, she doesn’t want to deal with her brother, Mark, who never left their hometown, gets fired from one job after another, and resents her success. Unfortunately, she’ll need his help to get the house ready for sale because it’ll take more than some new paint on the walls and clearing out a lifetime of memories to get this place on the market.
But some houses don’t want to be sold, and their home has other plans for both of them…
Review: Dear Grady Hendrix... Get out of my freakin' head!
As a born-and-raised Southerner, How To Sell A Haunted House hits just a liiiiiittttllllle too close to home. (No pun intended.) Why do I say this? Well, let's see...
Book: Protagonist suddenly loses both parent.
Me: Lost both parents suddenly but years apart.
Book: Protagonist must contend with colorful family members.
Me: I mentioned I'm from the South, right? Colorful family members are the only family members we have down here.
Me: Was a part of a puppet troupe in high school and knows the ins and outs of such all too well.
Book: Creepy dolls galore.
Me: Loves creepy dolls...except clowns. Clowns are creepy in general.
Therefore, I must kindly ask Mr. Hendrix to please refrain from getting into my head when searching for material for his next book. (Naturally, I jest. I have no relationship with Mr. Hendrix--personal, professional, puppet-based, or otherwise in this realm of existence or any other.)
Needless to say, I loved this book. Even though the arguments between Louise and her brother, Mark, became a little tedious because they kept stomping over the same patch of ground, they were still believable as siblings. It's in the nature of Southern siblings to drag up every hurt and slight ever committed against one another. If there's one things Southern family are good at it's holding grudges. The other is keeping secrets, and there are plenty of both in How To Sell A Haunted House. There are also plenty of creepy dolls. So many creepy dolls.
Overall, if you're looking for a modern-day Gothic ghost story, check out How To Sell A Haunted House. You'll never look at dolls, or your family, the same way again.
