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The Sunday Post is a chance to recap the past week, talk about next week, tell you what I’m reading, and share news. It’s hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer, Readerbuzz, and Book Date.
The Sunday Post
On The Blog Recently
- The Oldest Books On My TBR
- Books Under 130 Pages
- Books I'm Reading In Fall
- Books About Book Nerds
- Quarter Year Reading Check In
In My Reading Life
I read two excellent books last week. The first was Accountable: The True Story Of A Racist Social Media Account And The Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed by Dashka Slater. It's a true crime book about a cyberbullying case that became several court cases. Reading this book stressed me out because I was severely bullied in school. I guess that means the author did her research. She perfectly captures the fear of being forced to attend school with people who want to injure and humiliate you. I put the book down a few times because it's stressful!
The author also did an amazing job examining the bullies' motives and the culture of teenage boys. Every boy wanted to be the funniest, the wildest, the most outrageous kid in the friend group. It's easy to see how bullying can get out of control when teenagers are always encouraging each other to push boundaries.
I don't think this book needs to be 480 pages. There's a little too much fluff for my tases. However, the book does explore a surprisingly complex topic. I learned a lot about human behavior.
Then I read a vastly different book. It was The Afterlife Of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand. It's a young adult retelling of A Christmas Carol, which is one of my favorite stories ever. Usually, I don't like retellings, but I couldn't resist this one. It's extremely imaginative.
Seventeen-year-old Holly is a terrible human. Then, she dies. She gets to spend her afterlife working for a company called Project Scrooge. Her main duty is to play the Ghost of Christmas Past. Every year on Christmas Eve, she visits a "Scrooge" and tries to convince them to be less awful. Then she meets a hot, young "Scrooge" and starts breaking all the rules of the company.
It's a unique spin on the classic story. Holly starts out as an insufferable person, but she changes slowly and believably over the course of the novel. I like the tension that's created by Holly sneaking around with the Scrooge. Her boss is going to find out. I wanted to know what would happen when the Ghost of Christmas Past is caught dating the Scrooge. The book's ending is a bit cheesy and over-the-top, but the ending of the original story is also a bit cheesy and over-the-top, so it makes sense.
I had a good time with this one. Put it on your holiday reading list. (It would also make a great Christmas gift for the bookworm in your life.)
In The Rest Of My Life
Five things that made me happy recently:
- Candy! Halloween is coming, so there's candy everywhere.
- I actually have blog posts scheduled. Usually I'm scrambling to get them done the night before they're posted.
- Did anyone watch Monster: The Ed Gein Story on Netflix? That show is messed up. I kind of loved it.
- Elk are hanging out in the park where I work. They're pretty cool. And very loud. They're loud enough that campers make noise complaints about them. Unfortunately, park rangers can't do anything about elk being elk. Sometimes, the elk just scream.
- The power went out in my neighborhood for a few hours. I was off work, and I couldn't do anything, so I went for a walk and read a book. It was relaxing.
It's Spooky Season! Watch All The Horror! Eat All The Sugar!
I have wanted to watch the Ed Gein Monsters season. If you want an in depth look into his life check out Morbid podcast, they do a great job and even more crazy.
ReplyDeleteCan't stop elk from being elk! lol
Have a great week, AJ! Happy Reading!
The Afterlife Of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand sounds fun and fascinating. I added it to my holiday TBR. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of The Afterlife of Holly Chase.
ReplyDeleteWhat do they expect you to do about screaming elk? Ask them nicely to stop?
Wishing you a happy reading week
Lol! That quote/meme cracked me up!
ReplyDeleteWe've camped in a couple of spots that have resident herds of elk. Personally, I love to hear them buggle during rut season. I guess it can sound like a scream. Or maybe that's the sound the females make when calling to their young. I've heard both, but can't imagine complaining about the noise.
Slater's book sounds very good, but intense. I wasn't bullied as a teenager, but I certainly was teased in elementary school. We moved a lot and I was always "the new kid." Kids can be so cruel!
That Cynthia Hand book has been on my TBR for a long time, I need to try to read it if you liked it so much! My mom watched the Ed Gein show and said it was really good. I saw an ad for a show about John Wayne Gacy on Peacock too. I hope you have a good week!
ReplyDeletehttps://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2025/10/12/weekly-wrap-up-245-october-12th-2025/
Boo for the power going out when you weren't working. That was rude. I loved Holly Chase. I thought it was a great twist on that tale.
ReplyDeleteOMG people complain about elk in a park??? WTH? They are invading the animal's territory, not the other way around.
ReplyDeleteSounds like I need to add The Afterlife of Holly Chase to my TBR. I am also watching Monster: Ed Gein on Netflix, not sure how I feel about it yet.
ReplyDeleteI loved The Afterlife of Holly Chase!
ReplyDeleteAnd lol at the elk and the tourists!!