No Tomorrow, by Tom Wood

Title:  No Tomorrow

Author: Tom Wood

Borrowed from Queen Anne's County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 12/5/2023

Finished: 12/7/2023

Another fun entry in the Victor the Assassin series.

The Secret, by Lee & Andrew Child

Title: The Secret

Author: Lee & Andrew Child

Purchased hardcopy

Started: 11/18/2023

Finished: 11/29/2023

Pretty weak Reacher novel.  

Kill for Me, by Tom Wood

Title: Kill for Me

Author: Tom Wood

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 11/27/2023

Finished: 11/29/2023

Another entertaining Victor the Assassin book.  

The Final Hour, by Tom Wood

Title: The Final Hour

Author: Tom Wood

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 11/16/2023

Finished: 11/19/2023

Decent entry in the Victor the Assassin series. 

What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us, by Laura Van Den Berg

Title: What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us

Author: Laura Van Den Berg

Borrowed from DC Public Library Kindle Edition

Started: 10/25/2023

Finished: 11/10/2023

My literary crush on Van Den Berg continues, I think I've read all of her published works.  Haven't felt this connected to an author since I discovered Denis Johnson years ago.  

A Time to Die, by Tom Wood

Title: A Time to Die

Author: Tom Wood

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 11/7/2023

Finished: 11/8/2023

A pretty good entry in the Victor the Assassin series, much better than the last one. 

The Stranger Upstairs, by Lisa M Matlin

Title: The Stranger Upstairs

Author: Lisa M Matlin 

Borrowed from DC Public Library Audiobook

Started: 11/6/2023

DNF

This book is terrible, made it about half way before stopping. Only recording it here so I can search it later if I forget I already gave it a shot.  One of the very rare DNF for me, but it was just painfully bad.  

Universal Harvester, by John Darnielle

Title: Universal Harvester

Author: John Darnielle

Borrowed from DC Public Library Audiobook

Started: 10/31/2023

Finished: 11/5/2023

I liked this book but struggled to really get absorbed by it.  Feel like this was me, not the book. Reading it may have been a better way for me than the audiobook version.  

The Empty House and Other Stories, by Algernon Blackwood

Title: The Empty House and Other Stories

Author: Algernon Blackwood

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 10/27/2023

Finished: 10/30/2023

Decent collection of horror short stories. 

Our Wives Under the Sea, by Julia Armfield

Title: Our Wives Under the Sea

Author: Julia Armfield

Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Kindle Edition 

Started: 10/17/2023

Finished: 10/25/2023

Great book covering heartbreaking loss in an intriguing way.  Really enjoyed this one. 

Find Me, by Laura Van Den Berg

Title: Find Me

Author: Laura Van Den Berg

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 10/22/2023

Finished: 10/23/2023

My obsession with Van Den Berg continues -- this was my least favorite of her works so far, but I don't mean to imply I didn't like it.  Find Me just didn't speak to me like the other two I read. Still enjoyable, Van Den Berg includes a lot of FLA in her books which I enjoy, bring born and raised in central FLA.  

Anyway, this is one author I'll be following. 

The Wendigo, by Algernon Blackwood

Title: The Wendigo

Author: Algernon Blackwood

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 10/21/2023

Finished: 10/22/2023

Decently entertaining. 

I Hold a Wolf by the Ear, by Laura Van Den Berg

Title: I Hold a Wolf by the Ear

Author: Laura Van Den Berg

Borrowed from DC Public Library Audiobook

Started: 10/16/2023

Finished: 10/20/2023

Started this one as an audiobook, switch to Kindle because I was enjoying it so much and wanted to read it that way instead.  But had another loan come available and went back to audio.  

That's not really important I guess, what is important is how much I'm enjoying the works by Van Den Berg.  Can't really explain why, but the way she writes and the stories she's telling are extremely compelling.  

Love in a Dry Season, by Shelby Foote

Title: Love in a Dry Season

Author: Shelby Foote

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 10/11/2023

Finished: 10/16/2023

I like these Shelby Foote southern dramas, characters driven by various desires.  But I also tire of them about two thirds of the way through.  As I've said before with audiobooks narrated by Grover Gardner -- he really is the best.  Not sure I'd have stuck with this book in print, but having Gardner narrate it makes all the difference. 

You Should Have Left, by Daniel Kehlmann

Title: You Should Have Left

Author: Daniel Kehlmann

Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Kindle Edition

Started: 10/16/2023

Finished: 10/16/2023

Intriguing novella with similar themes to House of Leaves.  Disturbing and enjoyable.  

The Third Hotel, by Laura Van Den Berg

Title: The Third Hotel

Author: Laura Van Den Berg

Borrowed from DC Public Library Kindle Edition

Started: 10/10/2023

Finished: 10/14/2023

This book spoke to me.  Right from the start I felt a connection to this book and was entranced.  I would have a hard time explaining why, but I absolutely loved this book.  I felt a connection to the protagonist and her story in a way that transcended my normal connection as a reader.  This one was special to me. 

The Darkest Day, by Tom Wood

Title:  The Darkest Day

Author: Tom Wood

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 10/8/2023

Finished: 10/10/2023

This next entry in the Victor the Assassin series was terrible.  Big step back from the previous entry, which was the best. 

The Game, by Tom Wood

Title: The Game

Author: Tom Wood

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 10/5/2023

Finished: 10/7/2023

Third book in the Victor the Assassin series.  Best of the bunch so far. 

The Enemy, by Tom Wood

Title: The Enemy

Author Tom Wood

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 10/2/2023

Finished: 10/4/2023

These loner assassin/tough guy books (Reacher, Grey Man) are terrible but also stupidly enjoyable, and this Victor the Assassin series is more of the same.  And I'll read them all.

Things We Lost in the Fire, by Mariana Enriquez

Title:  Things We Lost in the Fire

Author:  Mariana Enriquez

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 10/1/2023

Finished: 10/1/2023

Been battling a cold the last couple of weeks and I've had a lot of time for audiobooks at all hours where coughs have been keeping me awake.  Powered through this one in a single day of listening that way.  Enjoyable horror short stories.

The Killer, by Tom Wood

Title: The Killer

Author: Tom Wood

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 9/20/2023

Finished: 10/1/2023

A so-so hitman book, first in a long series.  I kept it going between other books but not sure I'll continue with the rest in line. 

Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell

Title: Gone with the Wind

Author: Margaret Mitchell

Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 9/22/2023

Finished: 9/30/2023

While I'd seen the movie a few times I hadn't read the book until now.  What an epic novel, very glad to have finally taken the time to read it. 

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, by John Berendt

Title: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Author: John Berendt

Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 9/10/2023

Finished: 9/16/2023

Put off reading this one since it's publication but having visited Savannah a dozen times or so over the years I finally caved.  It's as good, if not better, than everyone said it was.  

The Amulet, by Michael McDowell

Title: The Amulet

Author: Michael McDowell

Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Kindle Edition

Started: 9/1/2023

Finished: 9/9/2023

Decent pulp horror novel. 

The Exorcist, by William Peter Blatty

Title: The Exorcist

Author: William Peter Blatty

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 9/4/2023

Finished: 9/6/2023

Annual re-reading of this classic, I'm not usually a fan of author read audiobooks but reviews swore Blatty was excellent and they were right.  Very enjoyable.  

Something in the Water, by Katherine Steadman

Title: Something in the Water

Author: Katherine Steadman

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Kindle Edition

Started: 8/30/2023

Finished: 9/4/2023

A page turner thriller, not great, but an easy read if you can stand the anxiety of a protagonist who continues to make inane decisions.  

Warlock, by Oakley Hall

Title: Warlock

Author: Oakley Hall

Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 8/20/2023

Finished: 9/4/2023

What a fantastic book.  Sometimes I stumble upon these books and can't believe I've gone so long without ever knowing about them.  The perfect Western.  

The Cellar, by Minette Walters

Title: The Cellar

Author: Minette Walters 

Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Kindle Edition

Started: 8/24/2023

Finished: 8/26/2023

Recommendation from a reddit post, really enjoyed this creepy and unsettling novel.  

Hidden Pictures, by Jason Rekulak

• Title: Hidden Pictures
• Author: Jason Rekulak
• Borrowed from DC Public Library
• Started: 8/20/2023
• Finished: 8/21/2023

Enjoyable short novel that was reasonably creepy, if not actually scary.  End is wrapped up very nicely and sweetly, 

The Fallen, by David Baldacci

Title: The Fallen

Author: David Baldacci

Gift from neighbor in paperback

Started: 8/12/2023

Finished: 8/20/2023

Another Amos Decker/Memory Man book. Decent.  

The Fix, by David Baldacci

Title: The Fix

Author: David Baldacci

Gift from neighbor in paperback

Started: late July 2023

Finished: 8/10/2023

Best of the Amos Decker series so far.  Still not great, but decent enough. 

Augustus, by John Williams

Title: Augustus

Author: John Williams

Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 7/16/2023

Finished: 7/21/2023

After really enjoying William's Butcher's Crossing, I looked into other works by the man. Augustus sounded interesting and somehow it was even better than BC.  

A great companion to I Claudius in some ways.  Really enjoyable. 

Butcher's Crossing, by John Williams

Title: Butcher's Crossing

Author: John Williams

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Kindle Edition

Started: 7/9/2023

Finished: 7/14/2023

I absolutely loved this book.  Had I the time I wouldn't have out it down.  But even breaking it up over several days I found myself looking forward to getting an hour or so devoted to it.  

The Grand Banks Cafe, by Georges Simenon

Title: The Grand Banks Cafe

Author: Georges Simenon

Borrowed from DC Public Library Kindle Edition

Started: 7/3/2023

Finished 7/6/2023

Enjoyable mystery featuring Inspector Maigret. 

The Last Mile, by David Baldacci

Title: The Last Mile

Author: David Baldacci

Gift from neighbor, paperback

Started: 6/22023

Finished: 6/29/2023

Second in the Amos Decker/Memory Man series.  This one was terrible, a real slog, even though all plot points were obvious.  Neighbor gave me several more in the series so I'll read them, but I'm not expecting much.  

Memory Man, by David Baldacci

Title: Memory Man

Author: David Baldacci

Gift from a neighbor in paperback

Started: 6/18/2023

Finished: 6/20/2023

Neighbor gave me several books to read while convalescing after shoulder surgery.  This was one of thoe, but he also gave me the next three books in the Memory Man series as  well.  So expect to see a few more entries here as I work through them. 

Decent, easy thrillers.  This first one lays the ground work, so curious to see if the next in the series are better mysteries.  

Dont Fear the Reaper, by Stephen Graham Jones

Title: Don't Fear the Reaper

Author: Stephen Graham Jones

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook and Kindle Edition

Started: 5/24/2023

Finished: 5/17/2023

The follow up to My Heart is a Chainsaw, I listened to the first two thirds on audiobook slowly over time as I convalesced after shoulder surgery when it was too painful to hold a book up.  Pain and fatigue made it hard to listed for long periods of time.  As I've gotten better, I switched to the Kindle Edition and knocked the final third out in a day. 

Overall I liked this one, but not as much as the first one.  

Game of Snipers, by Stephen Hunter

Title: Game of Snipers

Author: Stephen Hunter

Borrowed from a neighbor in hardback

Started: 5/24/2023

Finished: 6/11/2023

Started this one the day I had shoulder surgery, too hard to read a hardback in my recovery, so took me a few weeks to pick it back up. 

Slow start but the book was otherwise a slow, easy, enjoyable read.  

The Late Monsieur Gallet, by Georges Simenon

Title: The Late Monsieur Gallet

Author: Georges Simenon

Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Kindle Edition

Started: 6/5/2023

Finished: 6/6/2023

A tweet from Nathan Ballingrud turned me into this French detective series.  A very short, enjoyable read. 

Mapping the Interior, by Stephen Graham Jones

Title: Mapping the Interior

Author: Stephen Graham Jones

Borrowed from DC Public Library Kindle Edition

Started: 6/2/2023

Finished: 6/5/2023

A melancholy novella, well written and haunting. 

Ill Will, by Dan Chaon

Title: Ill Will

Author: Dan Chaon

Borrowed from DC Public Library Kindle Edition

Started: 5/24/2023

Finished: 5/29/2023

I thought this was well written, but I wasn't in the right head space to really enjoy it. 

Night of the Mannequins, by Stephen Graham Jones

Title: Night of the Mannequins

Author: Stephen Graham Jones

Borrowed from Queen Anne County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 5/22/2023

Finished: 5/26/2023

Decent novella., Not my favorite. 

Targeted, by Stephen Hunter

Title: Targeted

Author: Stephen Hunter

Borrowed from neighbor hardback

Started: 5/20/2023

Finished: 5/23/2023

Easy page turner. Neighbor loves these books and other similar authors, expect I'll be reading a lot of them in the bear future.  

My Heart is a Chainsaw, by Stephen Graham Jones

Title: My Heart is a Chainsaw

Author: Stephen Graham Jones

Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 5/13/2023

Finished: 5/18/2023

After finishing The Only Good Indians (and loving it) I wanted to try another SGJ book.  My Heart is a Chainsaw was also great, I understand now the hype around SGJ.  Guy is a hell of a writer.  

The Only Good Indians, by Stephen Graham Jones

Title: The Only Good Indians

Author: Stephen Graham Jones

Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Audiobook

Started: 5/9/2023

Finished: 5/13/2023

Have had this one on my list for a while, wondering if it could live up to the hype.  Happy to say it exceeded my expectations, this was a spectacular book.  Going to be thinking about this one for a while. 

The Last Town, by Blake Crouch

• Title:  The Last Town
• Author: Blake Crouch
• Borrowed from DC Public Library Kindle Edition
• Started: 5/9/2023
• Finished: 5/10/2023

Book 3 of the Wayward Pines trilogy, more of a novella than a full length book.  I'm torn on this one -- it was exciting and I didn't want to put it down, but it all became so coincidental and focused on Ethan & his family.  So exciting and I couldn't put it down, but I liked Ethan a lot less in this book, and became somewhat bored by the dynamic between him, his wife, ex-lover, and her ex-lover.  

The Donut Legion, by Joe R Lansdale

Title: The Donut Legion

Author: Joe R Lansdale

Borrowed from DC Public Library Kindle Edition

Started: 5/4/2023

Finished: 5/9/2023

Enjoyable Lansdale standalone novel. 

Isolation - The Horror Anthology, by Dan Coxon

Title: Isolation - The Horror Anthology

Editor: Dan Coxon

Borrowed from Fairfax County Public Library Kindle Edition

Started: 5/1/2023

Finished: 5/5/2023

Strong selection of stories of isolation, many focused on the pandemic/post pandemic world.  Good stuff. 

Episode 13, by Craig DiLouie

Title: Episode 13

Author: Craig DiLouie

Borrowed from DC Public Library Kindle Edition 

Started: 4/27/2023

Finished: 5/1/2023

Pretty good found footage-ish horror novel.  

Burner, by Mark Greaney

Title: Burner

Author: Mark Greaney

Borrowed from

Started: 4/17/2023

Finished: 4/25/2023

Latest in the Grey Man novel series, one of the best of the bunch.  Hats off to Greaney for knowing what his readers wanted and giving it to us.  Very enjoyable.