The Year in Books, Floods, and Christmases

Goodreads tells me I read 211 books (58,941 pages) in 2024. As a New Year’s resolution, I set a goal for myself of 150 books even though I normally read about 200 per year. I wanted to slow down and read with more care— less mindless mood reading and more deliberate exploration of the world of books. I don’t know how well I did with that. I bought a lot of books, got a lot more from the library, and also lost a lot of books.

When a flood took out my apartment at the end of summer, among all the books that drowned, I lost my childhood copies of the Chronicles of Narnia. Imagine Christmas 1988 or ‘89 and there I am picking the heaviest gift under the tree to open first. My little girl math told me the heavier, the better the gift. But… books?! I was so disappointed to get books! (Times have really changed.) I started The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe very reluctantly only to quickly find myself lost in the magic and charm of the story. You know that feeling when you’re reading a great book and the rest of the world just drops away? That Christmas was the first time I felt that. 

This Christmas, to replace what I lost, I bought a new box set with the original illustrations. Even all this time later, I remember them. It’s not the same, but it’s good.

I was going to start this adventure in January but I got so excited to talk books with you that I just had to publish sooner. For this inaugural newsletter, I want you to know that the money (this newsletter is free) or the fame (I have tens of followers) are not going to change me. Maybe I could score a free book here or there? I mean, I love a free book. Don’t worry though, I’m gonna stay humble.

So, let’s start with some lists of the books I’m looking forward to the most. Will I actually read any of these books anytime soon?? God only knows.

To the Books!

I’m in my gothic/horror/dark fantasy phase.

Books I Have Pre-ordered

• Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix: I have loved almost every book Hendrix has written, with some exceptions (I really tried with the Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires but just couldn’t). And this one is about WITCHES? I bought it before it even had a cover design.

Books Added to My Wishlist

• Dark Sisters by Kristi DeMeester: A generational curse? Dark, forgotten powers? And Rachel Harrison called it “brilliant.” Let’s gooo!

• Hungerstone by Kat Dunn: You had me at Carmilla retelling. Basically, I am here for every Carmilla retelling I can get my grubby little hands on. Some questions for you, dear reader: 

  • Have you read Carmen Maria Machado’s edit of Carmilla? You should. It has one perfect footnote.

  • Have you ever seen the Vampire Lovers (1970)? It’s not good, but Ingrid Pitt is so luminous and beautiful, I immediately fell in love. 

  • Were you around in 2016 for the Carmilla web series?? What a time that was!

Books on Hold at My Library

• Dead Girls Don’t Dream by Nino Cipri: Cipri wrote some great sci-fi books about wormholes in an Ikea-like megastore that I loved, so I am quite excited for this fantasy horror mashup. 

• Graveyard Shift by ML Rio: Someone on the horror internet recommended this and when I saw it was a novella, I was like, “sold!” Let’s be honest, sometimes a short book is exactly what you need. 

• Old Soul by Susan Barker: The description says “literary horror novel”, which always makes me pause. How lit fic is too lit fic? I don’t have an answer, but I am a very plot-centered reader so there has to be a good story to get me. The tagline references The Historian which is an all-time fav. 

• Old Wounds by Logan-Ashley Kisner: Transgender teens fighting against a town that wants to sacrifice them to the monster in the woods. I love a monster in the woods.

• Perfect Girl by Tracy Bangheart: Sleepover slasher novel! After my success last year with I was a Teenage Slasher (5 stars), I’m so on board for slasher fiction. 

• The Really Dead Wives of New Jersey by Astrid Dahl: Like BravoTV but with ACTUAL MURDER. 

• She’s Always Hungry by Eliza Clark: Short stories end right when I am getting into the groove. And then you turn the page and it’s a whole new thing you have to learn? Sigh. I’m trying to be a short story reader but it’s not going well. Maybe this book will turn it around.

• Somna By Becky Cloonan and Tula Lotay: “Set amidst the terrifying backdrop of the witch hunts in a quiet 1600s English village, SOMNA follows one woman's descent into an erotic escape from the confines of her puritanical world.” Hello, my name is Marcella and I am interested in you.

Did you notice the list is alphabetized by title? I’m a librarian!

Cat Pic of the Month

This is Pumpkin sneaking around the Christmas tree, trying not to get caught playing with ornaments or maybe even chewing on some wires. She lives life on the edge.

Show Me Your Noods!

The best noodle dish I ate this past month was a bowl of miso ramen with pork chashu. There was also a bowl of udon soup in the mix, which was pretty good, but not great. Generally speaking, I prefer udon to ramen because it is so much more chewy and hearty of a noodle. But this time the udon soup broth was unfortunately too fishy and I don’t enjoy the taste of the ocean. Also, I didn’t take a picture of either, so you’re just gonna have to use your imagination.

Also, also, is a tortellini a noodle or a dumpling? Is it a dumpling made from noodles? Now, I don’t want to dilute the noodle talk, but Trader Joe’s vegan spinach and cashew cheese tortellini are delicious. I’m not vegan (see pork chashu above), but as a lactose intolerant girlie, I’m always on the lookout for great cheese substitutes.

In Conclusion

Well, that was quite a ride. Stick around because next month I’ll be talking about books I’ve actually read.

And Happy New Year!

Love,
Marcella