Nineteen Claws and a Black bird by Agustina Bazterrica

176 Pages

Short Story/ Horror

4.5/5*

Formats available: Book, Libby eAudiobook

“A collection of nineteen dark, wildly imaginative short stories from the author of the award-winning TikTok sensation Tender Is the Flesh.

From celebrated author Agustina Bazterrica, this collection of nineteen brutal, darkly funny short stories takes into our deepest fears and through our most disturbing fantasies. Through stories about violence, alienation, and dystopia, Bazterrica’s vision of the human experience emerges in complex, unexpected ways—often unsettling, sometimes thrilling, and always profound. In “Roberto,” a girl claims to have a rabbit between her legs. A woman’s neighbor jumps to his death in “A Light, Swift, and Monstrous Sound,” and in “Candy Pink,” a woman fails to contend with a difficult breakup in five easy steps.

Written in Bazterrica’s signature clever, vivid style, these stories question love, friendship, family relationships, and unspeakable desires.”

I always wonder what goes through the mind of a horror writer on a day-to-day basis; what compels them to pen words that seem normal to them and make shiver the rest of the population. Nineteen Claws and a Blackbird gave me a window into the soul of a horror writer, uncovering the way that they see the world and its droning day to day. Does Bazterrica see the world uncovered for what it truly is while we see it through tinted glasses? Most definitely, yes. I find I enjoy the way that Bazterrica uses the macabre and the shock of things to address humanity and its ailments; they do so in a tasteful and thought-provoking way without stunning their audience simply to stun them. I don’t enjoy it when ugly is presented without showing the beauty in the ugly as well. I always feel like there should be a point to all this and with this compilation there are millions of tiny world-exposing points. There is purpose in the horror here. It is also evident that this was written with a deep cultural intent and that alone makes this darker and more stunning. It is fierce, and I enjoyed even the unsettling revelations of humanity. The horror here is that Bazterrica takes your real human emotion and reaction and turns it into the monster in your closet, ready to devour you. I recommend this book in all its pieces and its entirety. If you are looking to step foot into this world, read one or two and make your way through the list; savor each story and process the way Bazterrica makes you feel. If you simply love the genre, this is a book you must pick up and consume as it consumes you back. 

You can find Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird in our physical library as Hardback and on Libby as an eBook and an eAudiobook for checkout. For more book recommendations please tune in to Off the Books with B&S Podcast on any of your preferred podcasting platforms; new episodes air every other Thursday. 

Bethann

A Psalm for the Wild-Built (A Monk and Robot Book 1) by Becky Chambers

151 pages/4 hours and 8 minutes

Sci-Fi/Cozy/Realism

4.8/5

Formats available: Book, Libby eAudiobook, Libby eBook

“It's been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend.

One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of "what do people need?" is answered.

But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how.

They're going to need to ask it a lot.”

I cannot remember where I came across this book as a recommendation for myself and I did not anticipate going into this novella that it would be, in a way, soul shaking or something that I would desire to read again and enjoy like my favorite meal or carry with me like a comfort item. The beautiful thing about this book, for me, is that this story has something for everyone. Yes, this is the most cliché thing I could say but it is the most correct and concise way to present you this book. Becky Chambers did something masterful writing this book and accomplished something that I feel that very few authors have; she wrote to an audience and also to every individual in it. Being a novella one would assume that the world building would be mediocre and leave you unfilled yet with this mini epic I found myself knowing this world and the characters in it without needing to be drowned in details; I became a part of this place instantly and felt peaceful in it, as if I had always known it. I have recommended this book repeatedly to different people that share different lifestyles than myself and we each have found things in this book to share with one another and we all have an appreciation for the discussion that it has created. I highly recommend this book as one of my favorite reads this year. If you are a sci-fi fantasy lover and love a little slice of life done right, this is the book you shouldn’t hesitate to pick up next.

You can find A Psalm for the Wild-Built in our physical library as a Hardback, on Libby as an eBook and an eAudiobook, and Hoopla as an eAudiobook for checkout. For more book recommendations please tune in to Off the Books with B&S on any of your preferred podcasting platforms; new episodes air every other Thursday. 

Bethann

Heartland TV Series

Heartland Series Season 1 of 16

TV Series (Seasons 1-14)

Drama

5/5*

Formats available: DVD

This sprawling family saga takes place where an unfortunate tragedy has glued a family together to pull them through life's thick and thin moments. Follow young Amy Fleming as she slowly discovers she possesses her now-deceased mother's ability to aid injured horses as well as maintaining good relationships with those who are trying to get by one day at a time. The family pursues forgotten dreams and challenges as their strength is tested against personal struggles.

I have been a fan of Heartland since season 1, so when the television series was purchased for our library, I was ecstatic. People watch trailers or previews for this show and think “Oh, that is that show about horses,” but Heartland is so much more than that. Heartland is one of the longest running Canadian TV series and takes places on a ranch in rural Alberta, Canada near the fictional town of Hudson. Although the town may be fictional, the place is very much real and is known as the town of High River. The series focuses on Amy Fleming, the Bartlett/Fleming/Morris families, and their growth throughout almost sixteen seasons and running, fourteen of which we have at the library. The character development throughout the series is incredible. You may start out hating a character and end up loving them and vice versa. The show not only features horses, but also incorporates drama, heartbreak, death, and real family struggles while remaining family friendly and appropriate for all age groups. This is what some people would call a “good, clean show”. The coolest part about this series is that it was actually developed from the book series Heartland by Lauren Brooke. I do indeed consider myself a Heartland super fan, and I try to promote this series to anyone I can! Not only does the show take you on an emotional rollercoaster, but also it makes you feel like you are a part of the Bartlett/Fleming/Morris family!

Heartland, seasons 1-14 are available to checkout on DVD here at KHCPL.

Samantha

A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

233 pages/7 hours

Horror Suspense

4/5*

Formats available: Book, Libby eAudiobook, Libby ebook

"Mom seems off."

“Her brother's words echo in Sam Montgomery's ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone.

She brushes the thought away as she climbs the front steps. Sam's excited for this rare extended visit, and looking forward to nights with just the two of them, drinking boxed wine, watching murder mystery shows, and guessing who the killer is long before the characters figure it out.

But stepping inside, she quickly realizes home isn’t what it used to be. Gone is the warm, cluttered charm her mom is known for; now the walls are painted a sterile white. Her mom jumps at the smallest noises and looks over her shoulder even when she’s the only person in the room. And when Sam steps out back to clear her head, she finds a jar of teeth hidden beneath the magazine-worthy rose bushes, and vultures are circling the garden from above.

To find out what’s got her mom so frightened in her own home, Sam will go digging for the truth. But some secrets are better left buried.”

It is well known around here that I love the author T. Kingfisher. She is an extraordinary writer who dabbles in both Fantasy and Horror ; both of these genres are my favorite. Kingfisher recently dropped her newest book A House with Good Bones and I was on it as soon as my hold came through on Libby. (If you would like to read with Libby too, use your library card and pin number to access this database online or through your app store for free! Libby has thousands of eBooks and audiobooks for you to borrow through your device and they don't accrue fines or fees. Libby is also Amazon Kindle compatible. If you have questions, contact us at KHCPL). I went into this book blind: not reading the synopsis or any pre-reviews and was not disappointed. A House with Good Bones is about a thirty-something young entomologist/archeologist named Sam who goes to visit her mother while her current job is on hold. Sam realizes quickly her mother seems to have picked up a lot of paranoia and has dropped a lot of weight. One after another weird events within the home happen and Sam realizes that either her poor mother is ailing in her mind or the house has gone bad; neither seems to be the better option. Did I mention that there is also a kettle of vultures watching over the house?

What I loved most about this story is that I laughed throughout the entire book, even when chills were climbing up my spine. This haunted house telling is much different than anything I have read before and definitely is a great relief from the gothic upswing that books seem to be taking nowadays. Kingfisher also has great taste in creating main characters; in my experience it's difficult to find books written to my personal age demographic and body type. Sam, the main character, is in her thirties, chubby, nerdy, and career-driven; Sam sounded a lot like me! Apart from being an enjoyable nightmare, this book was a refreshing take on the haunted house trope we all know and love. I am giving this a 4/5 stars.

You can find A House with Good Bones in our physical library as a Hardback and on Libby as an EBook and an audiobook for checkout. For more book recommendations please tune in to Off the Books with B&S on any of your preferred podcasting platforms; new episodes air every other Thursday. 

Bethann