Hello and how are you guys? I hope you all are doing good I have had a very good day myself. I've been very busy because I had to work so I'm tired but, I want to get this post done. Doing my top ten books of the year this time has been very different because I didn't give 5 stars to more than 10 books this whole year so I couldn't really do versus battles to figure out my top ten because that would only kind of change the order not which ones are mentioned . So for this one I'm not even going to number them because they are kind of all interchangeable but, these have been my favorite reads of the year. With that being said lets get down to business and talk about the books!
Title: The Eyes of The Dragon
Author: Stephen King
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Rating: 5 stars
Synopsis: A kingdom is in turmoil as the old king dies, murdered by a strange and horrible poison . While the land of Delain mourns, the evil wizard Flagg, hatches an unscrupulous plot, which sees the King's eldest son Peter imprisoned for his father's murder, and the youngest son inherit the throne. Only Peter knows the truth about his innocence and Flaggs evil. Only Peter can save Delain from the horror that Flagg has in store.
My thoughts on the book: This book is to an extent one of Stephen King's lesser known books. I say that but, this book still has a huge following and that's for very good reasons . Even though it's not his most famous it's still a good book!
It might surprise people that this book is YA/Fantasy because Stephen King is normally known for horror but, him being able to write fantasy isn't really that surprising for me because he has often mentioned that his influences include people like J.R.R. Tolkien. Plus, some of his most well known work , The Dark Tower series, I would say is actually a fantasy series with horror elements but still fantasy. Speaking of all of that even though it's YA The Eye's of The Dragon also still connects to his Stephen King universe because for one example the wizard Flagg that's in this is the same Randal Flagg that's in The Stand and The Dark Tower series,
The Eyes of The Dragon is a very well told YA story . It was easy to get into and the characters were well developed. That's not surprising either because I happen to think character development is something Stephen King can be really good at . I would recommend this book as maybe like a teenagers first introduction to King or something like that. However, even if it's not your first King story I would still recommend it because it's a good story overall.
Author: Ira Levin
Genre: Horror
Rating: 5 stars
Synopsis: Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse , an ordinary young couple, settle into a
New York City apartment, unaware that the elderly neighbors and their bizarre group of friends have taken a disturbing interest in them .But, by the time Rosemary discovers the horrifying truth it may be far to late!
My thoughts on the book: Ok Rosemary's Baby is a horror classic but, after reading the story I can say it's a classic horror tale for good reasons. To me it reads like a fever dream because it's very strange but in a good creepy way. I can see how it influenced a lot of modern day horror tales.
There is a lot about this story that is genuinely creepy and unsettling. It's the strangeness of the story that will stick with you and in a good way. It's been one of the books I have thought about a good bit after reading it because of how odd and different it is even by today's standards I think. The book is a bunch of strange devilry and if you have any idea what the story is about you will get that pun.
All that being said it is a well told story and I would recommend it to anybody who likes horror or just a good weird creepy unsettling feeling. It's just a very odd read. However, if you like odd, different types of reads you might want to check this one out if you haven't.
Title: The Silence of The Lambs
Author: Thomas Harris
Genre: Horror
Rating: 5 stars
Synopsis: A young FBI trainee. An evil genius locked away for unspeakable crimes. A plunge into the darkest chambers of a psychopath's mind- in the deadly search for a serial killer.
My thoughts on the book: I loved this one ! I also wouldn't classify it as just horror either. I think it's possible that The Silence of The Lambs also influenced a lot of the modern day cop books which I also like.
That being said this book isn't for the faint of heart. The characters in this book do some very gruesome things but, it's all well developed and good story telling. I wouldn't say any of it was done to just shock the reader. No the story is to well told for all of that.
I like a lot of the characters in this book and I would say they are pretty well developed. As a female myself , I have to say I think Clarice Starling is a genuinely strong female lead character . It's hard to describe but, I don't think there is anything really fake about her character and at least when it comes to fictional book characters she seems decently realistic.
I would recommend this book if you like horror or cop dramas or even true crime because if you like true crime this story could still be your type of thing too. It's just a good story over all and it's a classic for a reason! I would really recommend this one!
Title: The Case Against Socialism
Author: Rand Paul
Genre: Non-fic
Rating: 5 stars
Synopsis: Socialism's return is only possible because many American's have forgotten the true dangers of the 20th century's deadliest ideology. Paul reveals the devastating truth : for every college student sporting a Che Guevara T-shirt there is a Venezuelan child dying of starvation. Desperate refugee's flee communist Cuba to escape oppressive censorship, rationed food, and squalid hospitals. Socialist dictatorships like the People's Republic of China crush freedom of speech and run massive surveillance states while masquerading as enlightened modern nations . Far from providing economic freedom , socialist governments enslave their citizens .They offer illusory promises of safety and equality while restricting personal liberty, tightening state power, sapping human enterprise and making citizens dependent on the dole.
My thoughts on the book: I loved this one. I just found it very interesting . It was full true history stuff I actually didn't know. It was stuff involving socialism's connection to dictatorships. I also learned things about other countries I didn't know like how in China they will pay for your college but, in return the government gets to pick what you major in you don't get to pick it yourself.
I also think Rand Paul did a good job of writing the book . He told the stories of a lot of people that left socialist countries in a really good way I think. Those parts were some of the most interesting parts of the book!
I would recommend this book if you like non-fiction recent events type of books. It's far from boring he did a really good job of writing it . If you do decide to check this one out I don't think you will regret it!
Title: Preacher
Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Steve Dillion
Rating: 5 stars
Synopsis: At first glance, the Reverend Jesse Custer doesn't look like anyone special- just another small town minister slowly losing his flock and his faith. But he is about to come face-to-face with proof that God does indeed exist. Merging with a bizarre spiritual force called Genesis, Jesse now has the power of "the Word," an ability to make people do whatever he utters. He begins a violent and riotous journey across the country in search of answers from the elusive deity.
My thoughts on the book: I love this comic book series . It's one of my all time favorites. I would say even if you don't like comics you should check this one our.
This comic series is one wild road trip across America. It's very vivid and crazy ! I would say it's one of the wildest stories I have ever read.
The characters are all really good too! They cover almost all the bases. Jesse Custer is a very stoic classic hero type. Then there is Tulip who is a very well developed character and I think she possibly represents humanity in this adventure. Then there is Cassidy who is an Irish vampire and can be really crazy and fun.
Even the minor characters are very strange and unique . Herr Starr is strange from the start and he descends into pure madness overtime. Another hilarious character is Arseface .
That's another thing, I think the story is very hilarious with an awesome since of humor but, if you get easily offended it may not be for you. If you don't let it offend you though it's hilarious!
Title: We Have Always Lived In The Castle
Author: Shirley Jackson
Genre: YA
Rating: 5 stars
Synopsis: My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am 18 years old, and I live with my sister Constance. I have often thought that with any luck at all I could have been born a werewolf, because the two middle fingers on both my hands are the same length, but I have had to be content with what I had. I dislike washing myself, and dogs, and noise, I like my sister Constance, and Richard Plantagnet, and Amanita Phalloides, the death-cap mushroom. Everyone else in my family is dead
My thoughts on the book: If you want to read something that is purely bizarre I would recommend this book. It's a very very strange story . There is no other way to describe it. It's just pure strangeness.
This is also a very claustrophobic story. I have heard that Shirley Jackson was going through an agoraphobia breakdown while writing this and you can really tell I think. She passes that feeling on to the reader. The whole story just feels very shut in. However, that feeling is one of the things that contribute to the overall strangeness of the story.
Plus, the story is very open to interpretation, there is more than one way you can think this story went. Maybe Constance really is the guilty person or maybe she is covering for her sister Mary which is what I tend to think. That unknown is part of what makes a good story.
If you love bizarre strange stories, you should check this one out. It also kinda gave me a Lizzie Borden feel. I still think about this one a good bit.
Title: A Child Called It
Author: Dave Pelzer
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Synopsis: This book chronicles the unforgettable account of one of the most sever child abuse cases in California history . It's the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games- games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mothers games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an "it". Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dog would refuse to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his nightmare . He had nothing or no one to turn to, but his dreams kept him alive- dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.
My thoughts on the book: While this is one of my best reads of the year as a mom , this book sickens me. The shit his mom got away with for so long is disgusting. No mom should treat her son that way. Like the synopsis says this is about one of the most sever cases of child abuse.
A huge up side is that it's a tale of survival. It's the kid telling their story and how they survived all the shit their mom did to them. So, that's the bright side of the story. By telling his story Dave Pelzer put a spotlight on child abuse and it might have helped stop even worse cases of child abuse by putting a spotlight on child abuse.
If you are looking for a pleasant read I wouldn't pick this one because it's not pleasant at all . However, if you are not afraid to read a non-fiction book about a very serious real world issue this one is a good one. Prepare to be disgusted though but, at least it's over all a tale of survival.
Title: Billy Summers
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Horror
Rating: 5 stars
Synopsis: Billy Summers is a man in a room with a gun. He's a killer for hire and the best in the business . But he'll only do the job if the target is truly a bad guy. And now Billy wants out . But first there is one last hit. Billy is among the best snipers in the world , a decorated Iraq vet, a Houdini when it comes to vanishing after the job is done. So what could possibly go wrong ? How about everything?
My thoughts on the book: This is another one I really liked . While I don't appreciate the Trump bashing I think it's so good. I have to say I think Billy Summers is a grey character when it comes to being good or bad but, dam it in the end I really started to feel for the character and that made me realize I liked the book more than I thought I did.
This story is about a character that is very much in the morally grey area I would say at least in the fictional world. I think that kind of helps with the feelings I have about the story because it left me conflicted but, in a good way. In the end though I ended up loving Billy which made it very sad.
If you like movie like the Boondock Saints you might love this story. It is a very good Stephen King story and will leave you feeling conflicted I think but that's why it's good. I would high;y recommend this one !
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Horror
Rating: 5 stars
Synopsis: Billy Summers is a man in a room with a gun. He's a killer for hire and the best in the business . But he'll only do the job if the target is truly a bad guy. And now Billy wants out . But first there is one last hit. Billy is among the best snipers in the world , a decorated Iraq vet, a Houdini when it comes to vanishing after the job is done. So what could possibly go wrong ? How about everything?
My thoughts on the book: This is another one I really liked . While I don't appreciate the Trump bashing I think it's so good. I have to say I think Billy Summers is a grey character when it comes to being good or bad but, dam it in the end I really started to feel for the character and that made me realize I liked the book more than I thought I did.
This story is about a character that is very much in the morally grey area I would say at least in the fictional world. I think that kind of helps with the feelings I have about the story because it left me conflicted but, in a good way. In the end though I ended up loving Billy which made it very sad.
If you like movie like the Boondock Saints you might love this story. It is a very good Stephen King story and will leave you feeling conflicted I think but that's why it's good. I would high;y recommend this one !
Title: Gwendy's Button Box
Authors : Stephen King and Richard Chizmar
Genre: YA
Rating: 5 stars
Synopsis: The little town of Castle Rock Maine has witnessed some strange events and unusual visitors over the years, but there is one story that's never been told ... until now!
There are three ways up to Castle View from the town of Castle Rock: Route 117, Pleasant Road, and the Suicide Stairs. Every day in the summer of 1974 twelve year old Gwendy Peterson has taken the stairs, which are held by strong iron bolts and zig zag up the cliff side.
One day a stranger calls to Gwendy: "Hey girl . Come on over here for a bit. We ought to palaver you and me ."
On a bench in the shade sits a man in black jeans , a black coat like for a suit, and a white shirt unbuttoned at the top. On his head is a small neat black top hat. The time will come when Gwendy will have nightmares about that hat.
My thoughts on the book: I really liked this one! Stephen King and Richard Chizmar did a good job with the writing and the pace of the story. It's pretty detailed so it's easy to picture but, they didn't go over board on the details which is also good.
You follow Gwendy from the time she is 12 until she is about 18 or so. I like that because you get to watch the character grow up in the book! It's really nice!
She gets given a mysterious button box. What it's for or even what it fully actually does isn't totally told in this book. However, it's got me intrigued and now I want to read the other two books in the series!
If you like YA stories I would recommend this one! It's a fast read and it's really good. This story would also be a good first Stephen King book for a teenager.
Title: Naruto
Writer: Masashi Kishimoto
Genre: Manga
Rating: 5 stars!
Synopsis: Twelve years ago the Village Hidden in the Leaves was attacked by a fearsome threat. A nine-tailed fox spirit claimed the life of the village leader, the Hokage, and many others. Today, the village is at peace and a trouble making kid named Naruto is struggling to graduate from the Ninja Academy. His goal may be to become the next Hokage, but his true destiny will be much more complicated.
My thoughts on the book: This is a re-read for me. I loved the Naruto manga series but, I have never finished it. I hope to finish it this time!
You follow a young boy on his path to become Hokage. It's a grand adventure and Naruto has a very difficult journey ahead of him. It's a really good story!
You meet some interesting and scary characters along the way . One of my favorites is Kakashi . He is an elite ninja warrior and a pretty mysterious person.
Even though this is YA some parts of the story are very graphic. One example is there is a villain you meet named Zabuza. To become a ninja he killed most of his classmates . Yup the guy is crazy and he is one of the first really bad guys our group of characters comes across.
Naruto is a very good read for a person of any age ! It's an amazing journey to go on . You follow these characters from the time they are little kids all the way into adulthood. You see them both struggle and achieve some awesome things! I would really recommend this one!
That's the end of 2021's top 10! Now it's 2022 and it's a new reading year which I hope is a good one. I hope you all had a good New Year's Eve and an awesome New Years Day! If you like my content please give my blog a follow. That's it for now I will be back later with another book review and my January TBR. Goodbye for now!
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