Hello. This was July—a month in which I did little personal reading because life lately has been nothing but relentless. Let’s not dwell on that, though. 

“The Destroyer” by Tara Isabella Burton. This short story about mothers, daughters, the future and fascism was, like life, utterly relentless. But my god was it beautifully, devastatingly written. I loved everything about this, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it ends up being my favorite short story read this year. 

I also listened to the LeVar Burton Reads episode on it, and it was, of course, excellent. Recommended.

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith. Oh, that Tom Ripley—what an anxious little weirdo. The only novel I managed to read recreationally this past month, but it was my main summer book, so I’m glad I got to it. I actually just recently watched the 1999 film adaptation for the first time last year, and my notes for it mostly consist of me regretting that it took me so damn long, since its mid-century murder vibes are so up my alley. I ended up feeling the same way about the book—even enjoying it slightly more than the movie, mostly because we got to bask in its opulent Mediterranean atmosphere for much longer. Highsmith was a great character writer, and Tom Ripley is one of the most fascinating fictional figures I’ve ever come across. I finished this wanting not only to check out the Ripley sequels, but Highsmith’s other works as well (Strangers on a Train, in particular). Excellent stuff. 

And that was July. We’re barely a week into August, but it’s already dealt some devastating blows that have left me not only drained but well and truly broken, so apologies if this write-up is a little lacking. We carry on, though. Until next time.

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BOOKS BOUGHT—HALLOWEEN LOOMS:

• The Work of Art: How Something Comes from Nothing by Adam Moss
• Double or Nothing by Kim Sherwood
• Poe’s Children edited by Peter Straub
• Terror in Tiny Town by A.G. Cascone
• The Girl Who Cried Monster by R.L. Stine
• The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb by R.L. Stine
• Cycle of the Werewolf by Stephen King
• Classic Monsters Unleashed edited by James Aquilone
• Bride of the Castle by John DeChancie
• Anno Dracula by Kim Newman