Beth

Wow. Read this book. It's not about a fringe-y survivalist family. It's about the family dynamics that converge from mental illness, religion, close-knit groups, and gender power imbalances. It's about how people still love the family members who are toxic to them, and desire a place within their family and community. It's about finding the education that provides a new lens to see your entire life, just by giving it context.

3.5 rounded to 4 for the number of times this book made me laugh. Not pretty laughs, but everything ranging from cackling-hear-me-in-the-next-room to “that was totally relatable and I'm snorting at the suddenness of its truth.” I don't agree with everything Moran has to say about feminism, but she's usually thoughtful about her opinions and frequently provides nuance. The world is complicated and she artfully embraces the idea that we can reject soul-sucking strip clubs while also praising burlesque shows for healthy sexual expression. I'd love to follow her and see what else she has to say.

This was macabre, lovely, and endearing. I read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children a year or so ago, with really high hopes for a story like this one. I found it really disappointing though, where Every Heart a Doorway is well-written and concise. It also takes familiar fantasy worlds and ties them together in a truly brilliant way. I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves fairy tales (the glittery, sweet kind, as well as the dark).

I think this was Joe Hill's debut collection of short stories, and it shows. Some feel unfinished. You can see what he's working toward though, considering the depth and breadth of human experience he writes (Pop Art is an amazing story for instance). I would start with Full Throttle if you're just discovering Hill's stories though.