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Live Love Breathe Literature, Castle Rock (2026)

22/11/2021

“Memories are contrary things; if you quit chasing them and turn your back, they often return on their own.”
—Stephen King

Blaze is the third Richard Bachman novel I have read, and I enjoyed this one. It’s not a horror story, but it’s a page turner. It’s a story about the roads we travel, the choices we make, and how the past can affect the choices we make in the present. Moreover, it’s a story of finding survival in a life of desolation and the memories that make us. This is the story of Clayton Blaisdell Jr. AKA BLaze. Deep in the wilderness of Maine, Blaze is a small time con who carries out the plan his partner made. The goal is to kidnap the infant of the town’s wealthiest family, collect a ransom and move forward. However, there’s one problem—George, the mastermind, passed away three months prior. Now with only hearing George’s voice echo in Blaze’s mind, the crime is committed. Unfortunately, with out the mastermind, Blaze finds himself in a chaotic situation. Will Blaze succeed in committing the crime of the century? Or, will everything end tragically? In my honest opinion, Blaze was well done. It’s a good page turner. The novel has important themes about life, facing the past, making responsible choices, and loyalty. I really enjoyed that we get the entire history of Blaze, which is a tragic past. The history reveals why and how he fell into a life a crime. Blaze is a criminal, but he has a heart and integrity. He understand himself but not fully aware of his limitations. He’s an unforgettable character who shows readers that the past affects the present, the choices we make will have an impact one way or another, and no matter what, Blaze may have turned to a life a crime, but he’s not a monster. He has much regret and sadness about the past but refuses to live angry. His motive for the kidnapping is to help George achieve his goal even in death. This history of Blaze’s childhood is well covered, and gives a thorough understanding of him. His character is developed well phenomenally. Blaze and The Long Walk are two of my favorite Bachman novels so far. I highly recommend Blaze.

11/11/2021

“All I knew was this: neither before that night nor since have I ever felt such stark fear completely paralyze my mind and body. And I’ve never again known with such certainty that I was in the presence of pure evil.”
—Richard Chizmar, Chasing the Boogeyman

Richard Chizmar’s Chasing the Boogyman is a chilling piece of metafiction about a horror that plagues the town of Edgewood, Maryland. For the narrator and the town, the fear and trauma escalate as the UNSUB taunts locals and law enforcement. In the summer of 1988, it begins with the disappearance and discovery of 15-year-old Natasha Gallagher, followed by three more teenage victims in a ten month period. During those ten months, a town lives in fear, few suspects are investigated, and the killer known as The Boogyman shows no signs of stopping and leaves a distinct signature with each victim. For three decades, locals and law enforcement have no closure with the case until 2019. The who, the why, and the how are always disturbing, and certainly the way this book is crafted and ends is no exception. I will say that that the crime scenes, the UNSUB’s MO, and the psychological trauma of the victims, their families and the town are graphic and disturbing, but the books is well done. Chizmar’s writing style is superb, but what I loved about this novel is how it’s presented literally like true crime. Although it is fiction, Chizmar creates a story that feels real. I actually had to remind myself that it is a work of fiction. In my honest opinion, it’s a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star read that will keep readers hooked. A fictional realistic vision of how one person can change the dynamics of families, a whole town, state, and even the nation. I highly recommend this novel and recommend reading the forward, introduction and author’s note for a complete understanding of why and how such a work like this was created. Stephen King also writes, “Chasing the Boogeyman does what true crime so often cannot: it offers both chills and a satisfying conclusion.” It’s truly an unforgettable work of fiction that feels like a nonfictional true crime read.

04/11/2021

“All time is all time. It does not change. It does not lend itself to warning or explanations. It simply is. […] There isn’t any particular relationship between all the messages, except that the author has chosen them carefully, so that, when seen all at once, they produce an image of life that is beautiful and surprising and deep. There is no beginning, no middle, no end, no suspense, no moral, no cause, no effects. What we love in our books are the depths of many marvelous moments seen all at one time.”
— Kurt Vonnegut

This is the first novel that I have read by Kurt Vonnegut, and I really enjoyed this one. I had no idea that this was a post WWII novel. When it comes to anti-war novels, satire and postmodern views, Vonnegut does a fine job. This is a story that centers around Billy Pilgrim. While the narrator discusses other characters, Billy is the protagonist. The events and setting are in no way chronological, but the consistent shifts in time and place is part of many postmodern and post WWII authors’ writing style. It works well with the book because Vonnegut shows readers the destructiveness of war. The narrator, Billy Pilgram was a prisoner of war during the bombing of Dresden, Germany. The narrator explores life after the war with snippets of the war. Through Billy, we see a fragmented character who consistently shifts between past and present. Through the shifting of time and place, there’s a sense of instability and a depiction of fragmentation, which are results of the war and any war for that matter. Throughout the story, we see how Billy was successful after the war, but he’s also fragmented and his success is from his family. He believes that he was abducted by aliens known as the Tralfamadorians whose views about time and death shape the writing style of the novel. In the end, surviving the war is one thing, but Vonnegut cleverly shows how another internal war waits, which is a war of finding a coherence and wholeness. Yet, because of the war, Vonnegut subtly conveys the challenges of searching for meaning in post war life. It’s a brilliant classic, which I highly recommend.

31/10/2021

Happy Halloween Everyone! 🎃

Who is your favorite spooky character(s)/ villain(s)🧟‍♂️

I choose the following King characters: Pennywise, Annie Wilkes, Leland Gaunt, and a few others. Not saying that I’d want to meet them.

Outside of King, I’d say Iago from William Shakespeare’s Othello and Little Rhoda from William March’s The Bad Seed. Both are certainly complex characters. 😳

Choose a spooky character(s)/villain(s)or a few from any books and authors!

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween! 👻🎃📚

30/10/2021

“The Overlook was having one hell of a good time. There was a little boy to terrorize, a man and his woman to set one against the other, and if it played its cards right they could end up flitting through the Overlook’s halls like insubstantial shades in a Shirley Jackson novel, whatever walked in Hill House walked alone, but you wouldn’t be alone in the Overlook, oh no, there would be plenty of company here.”
—Stephen King

Rereading King’s classic The Shining was like reading it for the first time. It’s been years and perfect timing for a reread. In my opinion, The Shining is brilliant, and I had forgotten how in-depth the novel goes. Yes, the story has unforgettable horror. For the most part, the novel is a slow burn but such a good read. The eerie reading experience is smoothly paced, and the final 100 pages are intense. Yes, this is the story of the tragedy that befell the Torrance family over a period of winter isolation at The Overlook Hotel. After losing his teaching position due to alcoholism and losing his temper with a student and after the hell he puts his wife Wendy and son Danny through, Jack Torrance is offered the caretaking position at the Overlook Hotel’s off season. What was meant to be a perfect opportunity for Jack to start over with his family becomes a nightmare. The hotel has a history and ghosts of its own. It consumes Jack, mirroring his violent behavior of his drinking days. Wendy and Danny must fend for themselves to survive. What I really enjoyed about this book the second time around was how much attention the story gives to Jack and his past. King does a phenomenal job in his discussions of alcoholism, defining it, portraying how it affects loved ones, showing the long term affects of it, and the recovery process. The Overlook and the horror that exists there and everything Danny and Wendy experience definitely can be seen as a deeper metaphor for that theme. Having said that, it’s really awesome how Danny’s gift of “Shining” is mentored by Dick Halloran. Halloran is perhaps one of my favorite characters and is an important one who helps Danny realize that in all tragedy, there’s room for healing. Perfect October Reading 🎃📖!

22/10/2021

“Look, I don’t know about all these theories and stuff, but I’ll tell you something, Father: you show me Regan’s identical twin—same face, same voice, same smell, same everything down to the way she dots her i’s—and still I’d know in a second that it wasn’t really her! I’d just know, I’d know it in my gut, and I’m telling you that thing upstairs is not my daughter!”
—William Peter Blatty

The Exorcist is considered Blatty’s magnum opus and a literary landmark; I agree. I saw the film years ago, and this is the first time reading the novel. I recommend it and recommend listening to the audiobook while reading; it’s read by William Peter Blatty, and his performance is phenomenal. Furthermore, his fictional prose are hypnotically stunning. While reading, I realized that the book is much more than just a horror story about eleven-year-old Regan MacNeil who discovers an Ouija board, becomes possessed by the sinister demon known as Captain Howdy and the emotional nightmare her mother, Chris MacNeil, faces. Yes, the story is horrifying, powerful, shocking, and unforgettable; however, in a work of horror, Blatty captivates a story about the conflicts of faith often faced when guilt, fear, despair, anxiety, depression, anger, etc. are prevalent, as seen with Father Damien Karras and other characters. Blatty also does a superb job portraying the theme of a parent’s unconditional love and desperation to save the life of their child, as Chris MacNeil demonstrates. Also, who could ever forget Father Merrin and his undying strength and faith? Having said that, it’s understandable that this literary work made an everlasting impression in the literary canon and film industry. Although the deeper metaphorical meaning of the demon who holds Regan captive is there and how the mind sometimes becomes the worse prison, it is what the demon does and how it psychologically torments the characters that adds an unforgettably haunting depth. I will say that there are several scenes that are disturbing, but the research that went into this novel about psychological theories and theological cases are remarkable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5! Georgetown University in Washington D.C. setting too—awesome.

17/10/2021

Only two weeks til Halloween—Yes! 🎃

How has everyone’s weekend been?

What’s everyone currently reading, watching or doing this weekend?

This weekend has been pretty chill. Took a weekend off reading (don’t worry—still a ). I’m starting William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist this upcoming week.

I ended up binging some movies and shows. The new Halloween was pretty good. I liked the 2018 one better, but if you like the Halloween films, then definitely give it a go. YOU season 3 is crazy of course but entertaining nonetheless. One of Us is Lying is off to a pretty good start. And of course Chucky— YES 👍.

The best part is being outdoors in awesome weather. I figured it was time for a

It’s been awhile since I did one. Since it’s October, I figured I balance mostly and some other fun reads.

Everyone is invited to join this challenge. Balance as many books as you want. All authors-all genres-are welcomed 💯📚.

Do try to refrain from first editions and collectibles of course 😂

QOTD: Whether you have done one or have been wanting to do one, what has been one of your favorite book challenges?

14/10/2021

What was your last DNF?

Ever experienced the reading slump? What did you do about it?

I’ve come to a realization bookstagram. No matter what, I think it’s inevitable or close to inevitable that there’s going to be at least a few DNFs every so often. Heck, I think every bookworm may even experience a reading at some point or another. Both of the above are okay too! We’re human and it happens. Don’t sweat the small things. Right?

Sometimes we begin a book but can’t get into it. It doesn’t mean it’s a horrible book; it just may not be a book that is your cup of tea or other reasons.

Sometimes we don’t care too much for a book, but we still keep going because what was started should always be finished. I have that mindset, but I also feel that if a book just isn’t keeping my attention after 100 plus pages, then I’ll go ahead and DNF it. Although I feel bad because I like to finish what I started.

Unfortunately, this is the first DNF of 2021. I was hoping to push through, but I can’t get into it. Please do not mistake that for me thinking it’s a horrible book. That’s not the case at all. In fact, it’s very well written. It’s not the plot, themes, characters, etc. For me, I think it’s the pace or I’m hitting a reading slump.

I hope it’s not the latter; I can’t remember the last time I was in a reading slump.

11/10/2021

“In the end a hunch was a hunch, and either you believed in your hunches and played them or you didn’t. […] None of this was real, after all. It was just a refuge in [the] mind.”
—Stephen King (Richard Bachman)

The Regulators is an awesomely spooky and crazy ride. This is the second book that I read by King while writing as Richard Bachman. I had no idea that this book was connected with King’s novel Desperation until I started reading. Now, I want to reread Desperation. The Regulators takes place in the peaceful suburbia of Wentworth, Ohio on Poplar Street. After a peaceful summer day turns into a horrifying nightmare, the survivors must not only fight for survival but also figure out what’s going on in their town and neighborhood. Everything has become surreal and a shadow of what the landscape used to be, and it’s all coming from the active imagination the young Seth Garin. Yet, Seth’s mind is not his own. While traveling with his family years ago through the eerie Desperation, Nevada, Seth was possessed by an evil force known as Tak. Tak’s objectives are to possess minds and cause complete chaos and destruction. The only hope for the survivors of Wentworth is to discover the truth, figure a way to end the evil that’s dominant and restore the land before it’s too late. The book is spooky and gets pretty brutal, but it’s such a finely crafted novel. Though the plot gets a little tricky, everything comes together piece by piece. There’s been a few books that I’ve read regarding King’s multiverse theme, and his creativity hasn’t disappointed yet. If your a King fan and haven’t read this one, I definitely recommend it. However, I’m my honest opinion, if you haven’t read a King novel yet, then I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this one to be the first, especially if your not a fan of the whole multiverse/parallel universe setting. It’s definitely worth checking out at some point though. The deeper meaning about the strengths and vulnerabilities of the human mind and how the mind affects each and everyone of us is exemplarily creative. I give this one a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

06/10/2021

“It was a repeating pattern. No, not a pattern, it was a circle. That’s what this was, everything winding up, coming full circle. The end was the beginning. […] Break the circle. The end was the beginning and this was both, the origin. Finish it where it had all begun.”
—Holly Jackson

There are many incredible trilogies, and sometimes the third and final one doesn’t go out with bang. Does that mean that the whole trilogy is ruined? For me, not necessarily. When it comes to As Good As Dead—The third and final installment in AGGGTM series, it wasn’t what I was hoping for when it comes to concluding a series. This review is in no way meant to persuade readers to not read the series. The first two books are incredible and have awesome twists; however, without giving plot spoilers, this third one fell flat for me on several levels. Where do I begin? The book does well in connecting details from part one and two together. It’s not uncommon for the past or an overlooked detail from part one and two to come back in trilogies. That occurs in this book; however, I personally did not care for how it was constructed. I love when trilogies have plot and character progression that come full circle. Unfortunately, I felt that the plot and characters in this one showed regression more than progression. For example, Pip has dangerous stalker who has unfinished business, but her choices and the way they are handled are way out of character. Other characters from one and two seem stagnant. The plot was also very lengthy. There’s nothing wrong with lengthy books, but when it becomes repetitive, spends too much time and too many chapters just for one incident, then it becomes less of an enjoyable read. For a finale, there was so much potential for everything to come full circle. Yet, rather than coming full circle, it was more circling around things before reaching certain points and a foreseeable twist. How it all plays out just seemed thrown together. I felt more resolution in the whole situation was needed, especially in the final scenes. It ends and just ends. Although I give the entire series an overall 3.5 to 4 ⭐️, I honestly cannot give book three more than ⭐️⭐️/5.

01/10/2021

There was the first; there was the second. Now there’s the third💥 🎉.

Holly Jackson’s conclusion to the awesome GGGTM series, As Good As Dead. Totally looking forward to starting the third one tomorrow. 📖

It’s good way to start October. Holly Jackson’s writing style is incredible ✍️ . The first two are fun mysteries with great thrills and twists that kept me turning the pages. Plus, the main character, Pippa Fitz-Amobi (Pip), is badass. 💯

QOTD: If you could pick only one favorite trilogy in thirty seconds or less, what would it be?

AOTD: In 30 seconds, I say Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes Trilogy.💥

Of course there’s many more favorite trilogies 😂. But just have fun!

Your Thirty seconds begins now.🕰

#️⃣ 🏷

Live Love Breathe Literature

22/11/2021

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