The Graveyard Apartment By: Mariko Koike Review

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ebook copy of The Graveyard Apartment By: Mariko Koike in exchange for an honest review. 

Short Review Summary: 

Atmospheric, good tension, and slow building. 

 The first thing that drew me to The Graveyard Apartment is the cover, but the other thing that really caught my attention is that it was originally published (in 1986, the year I was born) in Japan. I enjoy Japanese horror and I feel like it's something that I haven't read/watched enough of. Boy, am I glad I gave this one a try because I really enjoyed it! 

#CoverLove

The Graveyard Apartment is an extremely atmospheric book. Due to the atmosphere, the mystery, the supernatural aspects, and the slow build I found it to be a bit gothic. I love stories that are a bit gothic and have a great slow building story, so this definitely was a big plus for me! However, this book is also psychological and pretty intense at times. The tension is really magnificently done in this novel.  I'm a sucker for atmosphere and tension. I don't really have a lot to say about the characters though. I felt for Teppei, Misao, and their daughter Tamao in their situation, but I didn't really like any of them. It's not that I disliked them, but I definitely feel like this is a more of a setting/plot driven novel. 

#AtmosphereAndTensionAreAWinningCombo

There are a few classic tropes, but they are very well done. Also, because it was first published in the 80s that is to be expected. I really enjoyed the tropes that were used and it didn't take away from the intensity of the novel. One part was so intense and then I had to go to sleep right after (since I couldn't keep my eyes open lol) and I really wanted to keep reading. It's funny because I dreamed about that intense part in my dreams that night. I couldn't wait to get back to it and finish the book the next day. I think that part will stick with me for a while. I love that. 

#IDreamAboutBooks

Overall The Graveyard Apartment is a FANTASTIC horror novel and I loved it. I even love the ending that is equal parts awesomeness and frustrating. You'll have to read for yourself to see what exactly I mean by that though. I'm so glad I read this one. It's exactly what I've been in the mood for this Fall. 

#OctoberReads

I recommend The Graveyard Apartment for fans of Shirley Jackson, The Ring, atmospheric/tense horror stories. 

#CallingAllHorrorFans

MINI REVIEWS!! The Birds & Other Stories By: Daphne Du Maurier & Feel Me Break By: Tara R.

Sorry, no memes this week! 

My overall rating for The Birds & Other Stories is 4 stars, but since it is a collection of stories I decided to also rate the stories individually. 

The Birds

5 Stars

I LOVED this one. I grew up watching the Alfred Hitchcock movie for The Birds, but I never knew it was a story first until a few years ago. Since then I've been meaning to read it and I finally got around to it! As much as I loved it I can't say it's better than the movie. I really enjoyed the movie and story equally. 

#BirdsScareMe

Monte Verita

2 Stars

This one was a little bit meh for me. It was kind of slow and just an okay story. It wasn't bad, but not great either. It was also very long so it did drag on and on. 

#OnAndOnAndOn

The Apple Tree

4.5 Stars

I originally was going to give this one 4 stars without the other half star, but after some time went by I kept thinking about it. This a story that is good while reading it, but ends up great because it stays in your mind.

#StillThinkingAboutIt

The Little Photographer 

3 Stars

This one was like Monte Verita for me. It wasn't bad, but not terrific either. I did like it better than Monte Verita, but it wasn't as long either. 

#JustOkay

Kiss Me Again, Stranger

4 Stars

How could I not like this one? The line, "Kiss Me Again, Stranger" alone is just magnificent. 

#LoveThatLine

The Old Man

4 Stars

This story started off a little blah, but then I did like the ending. Even though it was pretty odd. It was a bit out of nowhere and it reminded me of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. Which I LOVE, so I ended up really enjoying this one. 

#ThatEndingGotMeLikeWHAT?!

Overall The Birds & Other Stories is a pretty great set of gothic stories. The Birds is my favorite story in the book of course, but there are other good ones too that make this worth a read. As always with collections of stories there are always a few that you just don't care for as much as others. 

#ILoveGothicStories

I recommend The Birds & Other Stories for fans of Shirley Jackson, Poe, and Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca. This is a perfect book for fans of gothic reads.

#HellYesIRecommendIt

Thank you to the author for providing an ebook copy of Feel Me Break in exchange for an honest review! 

As you all may know by now I am not really a novella reader. However the summary of Feel Me Break really stood out to me and so I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed it. There is a whole lot of emotions packed into this novella! 

#EMOTIONAL

The author did let me know that this is a prequel novella (with cliffhanger) and that there will be a full length novel coming out. I am so HAPPY that there will be a full length novel because after reading this I really need it. My favorite thing about this novella is Chloe and Nick's characters. Gosh, they just had such good chemistry and I like both of them. Also, the writing is just beautiful and drew me in from page one. Which let's face it is a must for such a short read!

#BeauifulWritingAndGreatChemistry

Overall Feel Me Break is a fantastic novella. I can't wait for the full length novel, Watch Me Rise. I need to know what happens to Chloe and Nick! I feel like it left off right as it was getting to all of the really GOOD stuff. Feel Me Break certainly left me wanting more that's for sure. 

#TheEndingOMGTheEnding

I recommend Feel Me Break for all New Adult fans. This is such a fast read and it's only $0.99 on Amazon right now! If you love New Adult books then I say why not try this one before Watch Me Rise comes out.

#CallingAllNewAdultReaders!

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Waiting on Wednesday- The Architect of Song By: A.G. Howard

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature/meme hosted here at Breaking the Spine. The idea behind it is to share upcoming releases that we can't wait to get our hands on!

My pick for this week is The Architect of Song By: A.G. Howard. OMG this book looks so perfect. It sounds very gothic and beautiful. I haven't read any of A.G. Howard's other books yet, but I have Splintered and I need to read it. Honestly, this book sounds more up my alley though. I just can't wait to read it and see what happens! Luckily, it's coming out not too far from now!! 

Expected Publication Date: August 15, 2016 

What do you think, does Architect of Song sound intriguing to you as well? Can we talk about that cover for a minute? This is one of the most gorgeous covers I have seen. Have you read any of A.G. Howard's other novels? What are you waiting on this Wednesday? 

The Picture of Dorian Gray By: Oscar Wilde Review (MY ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK)

This is not the first time that I have read The Picture of Dorian Gray. It's not even the second time I've read it. As many of you may know from following my blog The Picture of Dorian Gray is my all time favorite novel. Which oddly makes it the hardest to review. I've been trying to decide what to say about this one for a while now. Mostly this review is rambling and fangirling, but how do you review your favorite novel without giving away the best parts of it? Which is the WHOLE book. Plus I think I put too much pressure on myself for this review because I wanted it to really express my love of the book accurately. Not sure if I've succeeded, but here it is finally!

#ReviewingCanBeHard

First of all I just love that feeling when I pick up a favorite book and I can't wait to dive back into the familiar story that I already know is fantastic. This one is particularly special to me and I have this lovely leather bound edition (see picture above) that makes it even more enjoyable. Yeah, I'm a total booknerd and I'm not sorry.  Anyway I try to read this one once a year, but sadly I didn't have the chance last year. So I was really overdue for a re-read! 

#I'mABooknerdAndI'mNotSorry

I just had so much fun with my re-read of The Picture of Dorian Gray.  Oscar Wilde is a genius and there is so much to enjoy in this novel. There are so many parts that make you think, really THINK. Especially in regards to good, evil, morals, ID (Sigmund Freud ID), influence, and manipulation. I could dissect this book so much, but you just have to read the book and see for yourself what you think about it. Dorian is my favorite literary character and in my opinion the most fascinating. All three of the main characters Dorian, Lord Henry, and Basil are quite an interesting trio though. 

#OscarWildeIsMyHomeboy

Another thing I really love about the book is the QUOTES. We all know Oscar is the king of quotes and man there are so many good ones packed into this novel. One of my favorites: 

“Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault. Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope. They are the elect to whom beautiful things mean only Beauty. There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.” 

― Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

#QuotesMaster

Overall The Picture of Dorian Gray is a masterpiece meant to be devoured and then re-read many times. I get more from it each time I read it and I love that it makes you think. Also, this novel has one of my favorite book endings of all time. A little off topic, but have you ever played that game what five people dead or alive would you want to have dinner with? Oscar Wilde is my number one choice for sure! In case you're curious my others are Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, Sylvia Plath, and Sigmund Freud. That would be such an entertaining dinner party!! HA! What would your choices be?

#What5PeopleDeadOrAliveWouldYouWantToHaveDinnerWith

I recommend The Picture of Dorian Gray for everyone. Okay, not really. I know this isn't a book for everyone, but a definite must for gothic and victorian novel fans. I also recommend looking up facts about Oscar's life as well. It's fascinating and you can really see where this novel stemmed from. 

#GiveItAWhirl

*In the end I had so much fun writing this review. Even though it took a lot of time to organize my thoughts a bit. Sorry for the delay getting this review out!*

Top Ten Tuesday- Top Ten Books I Want To Re-Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature/meme hosted here at The Broke and the Bookish. The topic for this week is Top Ten Books I Really Love, But Feel Like I Haven't Talked About Enough.

Since I couldn't really think of any books for that topic (I talk about books I really love a lot haha), I decided to chose from the list of old topics. So I am doing Top Ten Books I Want To Re-Read.


1. The Picture of Dorian Gray By: Oscar Wilde

This is my all time favorite book and I like to re-read it once a year. I missed last year, so I really hope I get to read it this year!

2. The Bell Jar By: Sylvia Plath

The Bell Jar really made an impact on me when I first read it about a year and a half ago. I haven't had a chance to re-read it yet and I would really love to soon.

3. The Shining By: Stephen King

I haven't read The Shining in ages!! This one is way over due for a re-read.

4. The Troop By: Nick Cutter

Here is another one that I read not too terribly long ago, but I'm already ready to read it again.

5. 11/22/63 By: Stephen King

With the Hulu show that just came out with James Franco(which is AWESOME by the way) I have really been in the mood to read this one again.

6. House of Leaves By: Mark Z. Danielewski

House of Leaves is one of my all time favorite books and I've only read it once. I am so overdo for a re-read on this one.

7. Jane Eyre By: Charlotte Bronte

Here's another one of my all time favorite books that I've only read one time. I definitely want to read this one again and soon!!!!!

8. Battle Royale By: Koushun Takami

I feel like I just read Battle Royale not long ago, but it was actually 2011 when I read it. So I definitely need to read this one again.

9. The Dresden Files By: Jim Butcher

While waiting AGES (feels that way anyway) for Peace Talks I've decided that I would love to start this whole series over again. I don't know when I will have the time for that, but I sure would love to!

10. Charlotte's Web By: E.B. White

I loved this one as a kid and I bought it a little while back to read with my kids.  They don't seem as intersted in reading it anymore, but I want to re-read it on my own then.

Honorable Mention:

11. The Lord of the Rings By: J.R.R. Tolkien

I really want to re-read this epicness, but I think I need to get myself geared up for it first.

So that's my list of books that I would like to re-read again and I'm sure there are a lot more too. What books do you want to re-read? Do you think you will get to any of them this year?