Why Zombie Stories Aren’t About Zombies

(AKA: Nicole’s New Obsession with The Walking Dead)

Guys, this post is a little late today and it’s totally my fault. Nicole from Feed Your Fiction Addiction was completely on time–ahead of schedule, even!–so my apologies to her and you all for dropping the ball. I promise, it has NOTHING to do with the fact that I just can’t with zombies, and that’s what Nicole is talking about today. Specifically, the zombies from The Walking Dead. EEEEEP!

I have a new obsession. And I know I’m about six years late to the game here, but I didn’t know. I didn’t understand what all the hullabaloo was about. But now I do. And I have been converted to a full-fledged fan of The Walking Dead.

Now, if you’re the type of person who’s thought about shopping for one of these, I’m preaching to the choir here. But maybe you’re more like me. I’ve never been a fan of horror – whether we’re talking movies or books, horror has never really been my thing. I’m not the type of person who loves to be scared (don’t even get me started on haunted houses – um, no). So, the idea of zombies never appealed to me. I just assumed that a zombie book (or movie or TV show) would be all about the chills and thrills. With maybe some gore thrown in for good measure.

What I didn’t realize is that the best zombie books aren’t actually about zombies – they’re about survival. They’re about humanity and who we become when the world is at its darkest. Some people live up to the challenge and become a better version of themselves – and some people turn into monsters themselves. These books make us contemplate who we would turn out to be under similar circumstances. They make us examine ourselves and the rest of humanity – with both encouraging and frightening results.

The Walking Dead is a prime example of that. Sure, there’s a lot of gore and there are some truly heart-stopping moments (I often watch while on the elliptical – hey, it’s a great way to help get that heart rate up!), but the real reason I love the show is because of the portrayal of humanity’s struggles – and because of the characters’ journeys.

Want some book recommendations for character-driven zombie (or similar) stories? I have some!

(Click on the links to see my full reviews.)

Allison Hewitt is Trapped by Madeleine Roux – The fun thing about this book is that it’s supposed to be a woman’s blog as she experiences the zombie apocalypse and tries to reach out to other survivors. It even includes comments!

Warm Bodies and The New Hunger by Isaac Marion – Actually, I liked the Warm Bodies movie better than the book in this case, but it was still an enjoyable read. And I really enjoyed the prequel (The New Hunger)!

The Ash and Ruin trilogy by Shauna Granger – In this book, the creatures are called Pestas, but they’re pretty zombie-like! This series is very dark, but also incredibly addictive!

The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle – The creatures in this one were actually vampires, I discovered, but they seemed really zombie-ish to me. This series is unique because of the Amish setting!

The Mad World series by Kate L. Mary – Hands down, this is my favorite zombie series ever, but be warned that it’s geared toward the 18+ crowd. The thing that sets this series apart is the characters. If you’re a fan of The Walking Dead, imagine if Darryl was the main character and the other main character was an ex-stripper – these aren’t the type of people who necessarily thrive or get a lot of respect in our society today, but they take on the world in an apocalypse! For the under 18 crowd, try out Mary’s When We Were Human, which is very similar, but involves aliens. I actually didn’t like it quite as much as her Mad World series (probably because I had a hard time not comparing the series in my head), but I’m clearly in the minority since it was the Silver Medalist in the 2015 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards for YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi Fiction.

Some zombie books I haven’t read yet, but I’ve heard great things about:

(I definitely plan to read these!)

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan – There’s going to be a movie of this one, and Carrie Ryan says she really wants to get a bunch of YA authors to play zombies in it! We can only dream …

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter –  Alice in Wonderland and zombies? Why haven’t I read this yet?

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard – This series is a combination of zombies and steampunk. I’m intrigued!

So, are you a fan of The Walking Dead? Have any great zombie books you’d like to recommend? Leave them in the comments – I want to know!

True Ghost Story

What is Halloween without ghost stories? Do we know? No. It’s nothing. I don’t know too many good ones, so it’s a good thing that Jess from Literary, etc. is good at writing them! Thanks, Jess!

Firstly, special thank you to Amy, Alyssa, and Brittany for letting me participate in their A Fortnight of Fright feature. I’ve always had an interest in the paranormal and therefore it seems fitting that I’m here to tell you a true life ghost story and share a few thoughts regarding orbs.

I spent my childhood in a town outside El Paso, Texas: Anthony.  We lived at the end of Fifth and Franklin where Franklin was the boundary between Texas and New Mexico.  In this house, I grew up hearing tales from neighbors about how right outside our living room window there used to be a huge tree where public hangings would occur.   I always left the room when they’d start talking about various sightings.  I’m not sure if the house itself was haunted, but based on a few things that happened in that house, I’d have to say yes it was. 

I was about ten years old and my dad was out of town.  My sister and I were in the living room watching TV while my mom was putting away laundry.  I heard what sounded like someone jumping on her bed.  I dismissed it at that moment thinking she might have placed things on her bed causing it sound like someone was jumping.  Here’s the thing-my parents didn’t have a squeaky mattress or bed.  A few minutes later, I heard it again but this time heard some giggling.  My little sister was sitting next to me and she was coloring so I knew it wasn’t her and my mom was now in the kitchen washing dishes.  I started to feel uncomfortable and whatever was jumping on my parents’ bed was not stopping.  Then my sister heard it and we both began to freak out.  We told my mom who thought we were crazy and ordered us back to the living room.  I heard the giggling again and went to look in her room.  I didn’t see anything in the dark and when I turned on the lights nothing was there.  I went back into the living room where it started it up again and I knew my mom couldn’t deny what my sister and I heard because she ordered me to go to the neighbor next door and ask Mrs. Balcorta to come over with her bible while my sister called my grandparents to come over.  What exactly happened afterwards is a blur to me.  All I remember is my grandmother coming to the door (she was a religious woman) and my grandpa taking my sister and me to their house in El Paso (a 15 minute ride).  The next day, my mom told me it was a cricket they found her bed.  Sure.

It’s pretty easy to discount what my sister and I heard that night as nothing.  Franklin Street was in a way a main street in Anthony and maybe it was traffic or the wind.  I don’t buy it and here’s why.  About two years prior to the bed incident, my mom was out of town dealing with a family emergency and my dad went to bed shortly after checking on me and my sister.  The next morning I overheard him telling my mom about what had happened to him.  He had just gotten into bed and was drifting to sleep when he felt someone sit on the bed and lay down next to him.  Nothing scares my dad, but he clearly was shaken up and to this day, when he tells the tale his voice shakes.  He said whatever it was that laid down next to him he moved closer to the side of the bed and just huddled tight in his corner. 

There wasn’t something right with the house.  My mom says that when her and my dad were getting ready to move into the house, my grandmother held prayer gatherings on the property and my mom said she felt a force or something that wanted to prevent them from getting in the house.  As a teen, I heard tales of devil worshipers living in the house prior to us and there was rumbling of a pentagram being found in the house (something I’ve never been able to confirm).  I remember my name being called on several occasions and it sounded like my mom, but when I’d check with her, she didn’t call me.  The bedroom next to the garage was always the coldest.  I hated going into that room after the sunset and if I needed to get something I’d make sure my sister was with me.  Even in daylight, it felt like someone was watching me in that room.  I often think about the people who lived in that house after us.  Have they experienced anything?

What about you?  Have you ever experienced anything?  Do you believe in the paranormal?  I like to go on ghost tours if I’m visiting a city for the first time.  While I didn’t go on the nightly tour of St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, I did take some pictures when my sister and I visited it on our own.  Now, I’m not sure if the orbs that appear are spirits, but I do it find it interesting that at one person’s effigy and monument there are no orbs, but in another you see them. 

No orbs in this picture of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose tomb.

And yet, in this picture of Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll’s monument you can see a few orbs.  I’ve circled them so you can spot them.  What I find interesting is that Campbell is often remembered as the arch enemy of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose.  Maybe their spirits are dueling it out near Campbell’s monument?

I’m not sure what I think about orbs.  Most people believe they are dust particles and while I can go with that definition, a part of me likes to think they are spirits.  Here are three pictures taken again in St. Giles Cathedral where various orbs appear.

What are your thoughts about orbs?  Do you believe they are spirits or are they dust particles?  I’d love to hear your thoughts on the paranormal!

Book Review | The Diviners | Libba Bray

So…I’ve never read THE DIVINERS. Whoops! But I’m glad I get to share Rachel’s review with you today! Thanks Rachel!

Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City—and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries he’ll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened.

Whew, finishing this feels like an accomplishment. I’ve been promising to read this one for three years and I finally did it. I have reached a goal in my blogging life and was it worth it? Ehh, not really. Don’t get me wrong, I can see where the hype comes from and why people love it so much. I just didn’t. Unfortunately, The Diviners was only okay for me.

THE DIVINERS is set in 1920’s New York and tells the story of Evie O’Neill. She’s sent to her Uncle in New York, who has an unhealthy obsession for the occult. What he doesn’t know is that Evie is hiding a supernatural ability that has only brought her trouble so far. When her uncle is asked to help investigate a murder, Evie’s ability might help them find the killer and so Evie jumps head first into this dangerous adventure in the city that never sleeps.

Where to start with this monster of a book? Yes, it’s a monster. Have you seen the hardback? I can knock someone unconscious with the thing! Reading this book is exhausting in more ways than one. My arms, wrists and fingers are sore from holding it up. I’m not big on historical fiction, at all, so this one was very challenging to me because of that. And that’s just the thing here. The fairly slow pacing made it feel so very loooooong. And while I can see how they connect to the story, I felt that some extra POV’s, like Memphis’s chapters, weren’t necessary. They could’ve been left out in my opinion. There was so much build up for hundreds of pages and they dragged on and on and then the big finale… it was over so fast! It felt really rushed all of a sudden.

It didn’t help that I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. There’s not one character that I genuinely loved. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not bad characters. I just didn’t care about them. I didn’t like Evie at all, really. At times she was very annoying and just a very bad friend in general. That combined with the snail’s pace… it was a chore to get through this. Oh yes, I get the hype. The story is interesting, the writing is good and the world­building was fantastic, don’t get me wrong. It’s just really not my thing.

Overall, THE DIVINERS is the perfect read for fans of historical fiction mixed with a paranormal murder mystery. And of course for people looking for a great work out for their arms. If you’re not either of these, I’d say: you can skip it, but you shouldn’t. Am I going to read the sequel? I don’t think so. It’s just simply not my cup of tea.

What did you guys think of The Diviners?

Pecan Bars Recipe

I’m so excited for this recipe! I love Pecans and I love dessert, so thanks to Kathleen we get not only a delicious fall snack recipe, but also a sweet story and a reminder of the emotional importance of food. YAY! Thanks for sharing, Kathleen.

Hi, my name is Kathleen and I decided to do a fall themed recipe, Pecan Bars. Now I know a bunch of recipes and wanted to do something cute, or that I made up all on my own, but I decided to go with a classic that has a backstory.

First off I should say this recipe isn’t mine. It belongs to a family friend, Louise. Now for the backstory. About ten years ago my mom became friends with Louise’s daughter (the one that doesn’t work with us). As time went on my mom and Louise became good friends, and every Spring and Fall my mom would help her open and close her shore house. Louise was a character and always so nice to everyone. I really enjoyed seeing her every summer when we stayed at her house. Well, my mom tried her famous pecan bars and brought one home for me. I was in love. They weren’t dry or too gooey, just right. So my mom asked her for the recipe and over and over Louise said no. She doesn’t share her recipes. My mom didn’t give up though and traded her Caesar salad dressing recipe for Louise’s pecan bars. I don’t think I waited even a week to make them. I also gave them to Louise to try and she approved.

The recipe is simple, but I think the love she put in them definitely showed. I chose this recipe over all the others because of what it means to me. Louise passed away about two months ago. I’ll always have my memories of her and staying at the shore, but when I make these pecan bars it feel like she’s smiling down on me. I hope you have fun making them and enjoy!

Book Review | The Forest of Hands and Teeth | Carrie Ryan

ZOMBIESSSSSS. I don’t normally do the resurrected dead, so thanks to Debbie from Silk & Serif, we’ve got a book review of exactly that! Thanks for doing us all this solid, Debbie!

In Mary’s world there are simple truths.
The Sisterhood always knows best.
The Guardians will protect and serve.
The Unconsecrated will never relent.
And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.
But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power. And, when the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness.
Now, she must choose between her village and her future, between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

So, for the Fortnight of Fright I am choosing a rather contentious title. THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH is a novel people either love or hate, but still delivers a decent zombie horror with a general aura of creepiness!

THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH was extremely depressing. Once I finished reading this novel I wanted to crawl into the corner with a bottle of vodka and cry. I’m not sure what made this so depressing, the narrative voice, all the deaths or the ambiance of a world that’s been completely taken over the “Unconsecrated” and ran by a super-secret sect of fanatical nuns? I don’t know, maybe?  I just know there were plenty of moments where I cried and felt like life was not worth living.

My only complaint? Mary is an extremely weak individual who lets people push her around, treat her like garbage or abuse her and then she forgives them. I don’t know, but I’d be definitely not taking any of the crap her brother and “betrothed” threw at her. I wouldn’t constantly be allowing people to make me feel selfish for being strong and decisive. Yet, there were moments where Mary was incredibly stupid, reckless and selfish which no one called her out on. Instead of self-regulating her behaviour, Mary needed people to point out how her actions hurt other people or she wouldn’t identify her actions as wrong. Her moral compass is completely reliant on other’s chastising her.

However, if you’re looking for a novel with plenty of horror, frightening creatures, and gore, THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH is definitely the book to read. This novel develops a dark world where all hope is lost, humans have lost all technology and are held captive by the Unconsecrated that live beyond the fences lusting for human flesh. A large portion of the human element of this novel are evil or have ill intent, while the non-human creatures just want to eat you. Ryan writes some great horror and definitely knows how to write realistic emotion into the mix even if the narration is a bit off key. Our female main character that, I’ve got a suspicion, went completely off her rocker by the end of the book. I found this really quite realistic since I’m not sure I’d come out of Mary’s ordeal intact.

The end is perfectly grim, tying up a novel that makes you frightened, horrified, frustrated and depressed while simultaneously keeping you hooked. So, if you are looking for a great Fortnight of Fright read that is filled with a lot of dark elements, THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH is recommended.

Salem, Massachusetts

It’s a very true story that I am OBSESSED with witches, especially the Salem witches. Have been since high school, when I read The Crucible and studied the Salem Witch Trials. I wrote papers on them in college, and am completely fascinated by everything related to them to this day. So to say that I desperately want to visit Salem is an understatement. Thankfully, Nicole from Nicole’s Novel Reads has provided the definitive “What to do in Salem, MA” list! Thanks Nicole!

Source: www.historywitch.com

Thank you Alyssa, Amy and Brittany for having me for A Fortnight of Fright feature! I am super excited to participate this year. Fall is my favorite season and October is my favorite month and it’s a no-brainer for me to spend my October days and nights in Salem, Massachusetts! I am very fortunate to live in the North Shore area for many years and I can participate in all of the spooky fun!

Salem, Massachusetts is one of the oldest towns in the United States. It’s well known because of the Salem Witch Trials. However, did you know that most of the Salem Witch Trials took place in Danvers, MA? Salem Village is located in present day Danvers.

Everyone should visit Salem at least once in their life. If you feel brave, venture out to Salem in October. Salem brings in more than 250,000 of people during October every year. Every October there is a celebration called Haunted Happenings where there are a lot of activities for people to engage in whether it be the Grand Parade, the Haunted Biz Bazaar Street Fair or even going on a ghost tour. Salem is rich in history and culture outside of the Salem Witch Trials.

Check out my list of attractions, events, tours and more if you decide to visit Salem!

Attractions and Events

• The Salem Chamber of Commerce hosts a Haunted Happenings Grand Parade that takes place during the first Thursday of October and different organizations participate in the parade. I have been fortunate enough to experience being in the parade for three years. It’s always nice to see the joy on everyone’s faces during this magical time of year. The parade starts near the wharf and ends at the Salem Common.

• Peabody Essex Museum is definitely a museum you do not want to miss. Rich in culture, this museum is one of the oldest continuously operating museums in the United States. The museum is known for it’s maritime pieces as well as its extensive collection of Asian art. Make sure to check out the Yin Yu Tang house which is a house that was transported all the way from China to the United States.

• The House of the Seven Gables is a museum inspired by American literature and the settlement house movement of the 19th century. Who wouldn’t want to explore the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion and learn more Nathaniel Hawthorne in the 19th century? Please allow 35 minutes for this tour.

• Salem Maritime Museum is historic site where you can visit a replica of the Friendship of Salem ship and tour the U.S. Custom House.

• Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery is Salem’s cinematic monster museum. If you’re a big horror movie fan, this is the museum for you! Visitors will recognize characters from well-known horror films and from cult classics.

• Gallows Hill Museum hosts a plethora of events. The main attraction is The Witchcraft and Ghost Experience. There are two walking tours you can attend in the daytime as well as two nighttime tours.  Definitely check out the website for more attractions.

• Old Burying Point Cemetery is a great place to learn more about the history of Salem. It is the oldest burying ground in Salem and the second oldest cemetery in the United States. It contains the graves of a Mayflower pilgrim and a witchcraft trial judge, John Hathorne. The headstones are full of history and it is a nice cemetery to visit.

• Old Burial Hill Cemetery is not in Salem but it’s located in neighboring Marblehead. This is the cemetery that is featured in the film Hocus Pocus. Many victims of the Salem Witch Trials are buried here. For more information about Hocus Pocus film locations in Salem, check out it out here. I have been to a bunch of these locations including Old Burial Hill and it’s fantastic! You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity!

• Salem in 1630: Pioneer Village is a recreation of 1630 Salem and is located in Forest River Park. Hocus Pocus was partially filmed at this very same location. Around the block or so on Ocean Avenue, you can also visit Max and Dani’s house.

Bookish Halloween Costumes

Guys, I have to admit, I’m not a big Halloween dresser upper. I KNOW I KNOW. I feel like I could really get involved if I ever had a reason to dress up, though. I might just take one of these ideas from Tamara! Who among us doesn’t appreciate a bookish costume?!

Costume #1: Scarlet Benoit from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Costume #2: Cammie Morgan from the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter

Costume #3: Celaena Sardothien from the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas 

Thanks, Tamara! What are you guys dressing up as this year?