Frankenstein's Monster by J. S. Barnes

(Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

“He was soon borne away by the waves, and lost in darkness and distance.”

There are those who would swear that Victor Frankenstein is dead. Those who would swear that his Creature died also.

They are wrong.

1. Folklorist Nathaniel Greene escapes to the country to finish his latest book, along with his wife, Alice. Yearning for a family, and yet finding herself without, Alice watches as Greene grows ever more distant with her, fraying their already tense bonds. When a mysterious stranger arrives on their doorstep, bedraggled and delirious, Alice welcomes him in, finding herself seduced by the promises he makes.

2. In Newgate prison, Nathaniel Greene stands accused of murder. Philanthropist Jesse Malone and psychic Hubert Crowe are determined to understand what happened, but the story Greene has to tell is almost unbelievable: one of monstrous, impossible creations made in an outhouse laboratory.

To uncover the truth behind Greene’s bizarre claims, the two investigators must delve into a terrifying world where the men play God once more, and the ghosts of the past appear to be alive and vengeful.

In this visionary sequel to Mary Shelley’s peerless classic, old experiments resume, new mysteries arise, and the true question of mankind’s morality is tested once more.

my thoughts:

A sequel to Frankenstein! How awesome does that sound? The idea that Victor and his monster still live - I mean, that is definitely the way to Frankenstein fans' hearts. Plus, it's always fun to read someone else's reimagining of a story, well, at least when it's done right. And let me just say, J. S. Barnes has written a terrific Gothic tale with his sequel, Frankenstein's Monster. I absolutely loved it! 

Barnes' story is dark and moody, suspenseful, a bit creepy, and chock full of fantastic storytelling. He carries on from the original book that inspired him seamlessly.  I really enjoyed how he was able to take such a beloved classic and make it his own. He writes with enthusiasm and transports his reader to a world with new and old characters that make this horror story unputdownable. You can't help but get caught up in the dual timelines, letters, and questions about humanity. This book is a literary treat! I would happily recommend it to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read. Of course, I would definitely recommend it to fans of Frankenstein - you won't want to miss out on this must-read sequel. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP.

Happy reading!

Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

Monday Musings...

Rabbit, rabbit...a new month is here - hurrah! Fall is just around the corner and that means we are going to be even more inundated with Halloween decor and movies. Oh, and all things pumpkin-flavored are coming out of the woodwork as I type this. Plus, planner season is ramping up its push for pre-orders on 2026 planners. And, I'm not sure how I feel about all of this. Hmm...

I don't want to rush the seasons or the holidays, so I'm just going to go at my own pace. I want to be more present and actually enjoy what is right in front of me, instead of worry about what's next. So, I'm going to keep on reading and writing it all out. Or at least, that's the plan.

After reading Toews' latest book, I needed something light. So I chose this:

I really enjoyed the first two in the series and had this one since it came out a couple of years ago, but I never got around to reading it. And, I wanted something set in England, especially after watching The Thursday Murders Club film on Netflix. By the way, I loved the movie, but have to admit there were some changes from the book that I wasn't keen on. Although I cracked up when Doctor Who showed up on screen - I had no clue Tennant was in the film. Anyhow, I'm reading the Griffiths book and enjoying it so far. I bought the fourth one in the series last month. So, my reading is sorted for the time being. As for what I'm watching, I'm making my way through A Different World - a rewatch of sorts. And, I'll be watching the second half of season 2 of Wednesday later this week. I'm trying to keep it fun and light - no more toxic TV shows for me.  Adios, Bravo TV!

Alright, well, I'm off to make a coffee and get some writing done. Wishing you all a lovely week. Oh, and isn't cool when the first day of the month falls on a Monday? I always think it's neat when it happens. Happy reading! 

My Friday Five...

1. Chatted with an old friend about books, anxiety, and life in general. Felt great to catch up. Definitely brightened my day.

2. I went to sleep and woke up with shoulder pain. How did I pull something in my sleep? Yikes! 

3. I watched the first episode of season two of The Marlow Murder Club - I loved it! So fun to be back with familiar characters and a new case to solve. 

4. I think I am going to quit watching Bravo TV shows - they are just way too toxic. On OC, they are all acting like 'mean girls' against one of the women in an attempt to oust her from the show. It's awful. So, yeah, no more negative TV shows.

5. I finished the new Miriam Toews book, A Truce That Is Not Peace. I loved it. I wrote down so many quotes from the book - I had to find the perfect notebook to use. I just love her work so much. I think it's because I normally feel disconnected and when I read her writing I feel a connection. She writes so honestly about depression and suicide that it tugs so hard at my heart and soul - that is the connection. Plus, her dark humor cracks me up. 

And now, I'm off to figure out what my weekend will look like. Wishing you all lovely holiday weekend (here in the US). Happy reading!

Jaws: Memories From Mather's Vineyard: Revised And Updated Edition by Matt Taylor

(Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

Wow! What a beauty! This large coffee table book will be released from Titan Books on September 2nd and it is the absolute BEST read about one of America's favorite summertime films: Jaws. Plus, it is the 50th anniversary of the movie - how cool is that?! 

So, what's in Jaws: Memories From Martha's Vineyard: Revised And Updated Edition by Matt Taylor? 

(summary from Titan Books)

The filming of Jaws was a landmark event in the history of both movies and the quaint New England island of Martha’s Vineyard, where the geographic isolation necessitated hiring 100s of locals to work as cast and unseen crew. Among them were many professional and amateur photographers with full access to the production. 

Memories compiles their photos and stories for the 1st time into a unique compendium. Movie buffs, SFX enthusiasts, and fans of Jaws will thrill in this definitive volume’s special features:

• Updated edition includes +100 new photos, most previously unseen and many in colour, new interview material with local cast and crew, and an Afterword by Wendy Benchley, wife of Jaws author Peter Benchley.
• Foreword by Steven Spielberg.
• 100s of previously unpublished photos taken by local participants and bystanders, and a detailed account of how the filmmakers chose Martha’s Vineyard as their shooting location.
• Recollections of local crew and cast, including Lee Fierro (Mrs. Kintner), Chris Crawford, real-life captain of the Orca, and Craig Kingsbury, the inspiration for Robert Shaw’s portrayal of maniacal shark hunter Quint.
• Newly illustrated schematics by Jaws Production Designer Joe Alves, explaining the intricacies of the revolutionary sea sled fin mechanism, and his original 1974 storyboards.
• Insight on adapting Jaws from page to screen from Screenwriter Carl Gottlieb, Location Casting Director Shari Rhodes, and more.

How awesome does that sound? A beautiful coffee-table sized book chock full of amazing photographs, personal anecdotes from cast and crew, behind the scenes details about shooting the movie, fascinating information about the famous shark fin, and so much more - who wouldn't want to read about the creation of one of America's favorite summertime films?  I know that I really enjoyed flipping through this book and reading all about Jaws. It was such a thrilling treat. After all,  Jaws is a must-see film, which makes this book a definite must-read.  So, make sure to check it out! 

Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

Monday Musings...

Rain, rain go away. Or at least the awful thunderstorms that are knocking down trees and fences. Ugh! It's exhausting. 

I bought a new book to read at TJ Maxx - I had no idea they carried books now. How fun! This is the one I bought:

2026 planners. They are popping up everywhere now. Or at least they are online and it is overwhelming. What is with the rush? We still have several months left in 2025 - can't 2026 wait?

Now that I am feeling loads better - good riddance Covid - I'm getting back to decluttering. I've let the piles of books, papers, magazines, and stationery grow way too much - it's beyond overwhelming. So, now is the time to tackle it all. Wish me luck!

The Thursday Murder Club film premieres this week on Netflix - I can't wait! I love the book series, so I'm excited to see the movie version of it - hurrah! Oh, and The Marlow Murder Club finally premiered on Sunday over on PBS. I love that show! The books are cozy reads and the series is such a treat to watch. 

And now, I'm off to read over my to-do list. It seems to get longer every day. Yikes!

Hope you all have a terrific week. Happy reading!