We’re talking books, albums and concerts. I still only listen to the This is Important and The Always Sunny podcasts, so nothing new there. They’re still great, so listen to them!
Books
It was a lower tally this year, but a lot more were impressive to me!
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix – As a person who has found dolls terrifying their entire life, this book really, really freaked me out. I’m just so-so on the supernatural genre, but Hendrix’s novels have been a delight, so I knew I was going to read this as soon as it hit the shelves. Louise heads back to her small town after her parents pass to get the house ready to sell. She encounters roadblocks with both her brother and some seriously evil entity that’s been living their her entire life. I could vividly picture everything that happened in this novel and I am terrified what Legendary Pictures is going to do with it.
Exiles by Jane Harper – Thank goodness Aaron Falk is back in action! This time around, he’s headed to his now good friend’s small town for his daughters christening. What he stumbles upon instead are two mysteries. A year earlier, Kim Gillespie went missing. Now, her shoe has been found and her daughter wants more answers. Also up for figuring is a car accident that happened five years prior. These two tragedies seem to haunt the locals more than they let on the surface, and Harper does an excellent job dropping in some deeply satisfying twists.
The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes – This book was bananas! I can’t believe this is something I’ve never heard about given how close to home it occurred. Billy Milligan was arrested for the kidnapping and rape of several Ohio State University women in the late 70s. In what was looking like a pretty cut and dry case soon turned for the bizarre when it was clear that Billy wasn’t just Billy. In fact, he had 24 different personalities residing in him, and the story laid out in this book was so intriguing.
One of Us is Back by Karen M. McManus – Karen M. McManus does it again! I hope this isn’t the end of the Bayview Four – she just writes them so well! This time around, it’s Addy who is being tormented the most this time around, but of course all of our main players feel the heat. The game seems like it’s back, Jake is out of prison on probation, and Phoebe goes missing! Just like the other novels in this series, there are plenty of juicy twists and turns which makes this book, and all of her others, really hard to put down!
None Shall Sleep by Ellie Marney – This was a bargain bin buy based only on the cover art. Boy what a fun surprise this book turned out to be! I got heavy Red Dragon vibes throughout this whole story, but it was set with much younger characters. If we’re living in the world of Hannibal Lecter, then Emma in Clarice, but instead she’s an OSU student who gets called in to help interrogate young serial killers since she escaped one herself. Simon Gutmunsson is for sure the Hannibal of this story, but all of that is balanced out with Emma’s partner, Travis. It was so good I found and read the sequel almost immediately. Another one better be on the way!
Albums
So much new music and so much of it was good!
White Reaper “Asking for a Ride” – I mean the fact that I saw these guys in concert five times this year is a testament to how much I loved this album. It was quick, punchy, and just so freaking catchy. Every song is a hit.
Fall Out Boy “So Much (For) Stardust” – I had my reservations after Mania, but this was certainly more of a return to form. While no one old album seemed to be the muse for this one, I found it nostalgic nevertheless and loved it.
Queens of the Stone Age “In Times New Roman…” – 2023 was finally the year I jumped fully onto the QOTSA train. I had the privilege of seeing them twice, too! This album is very heavy in both its sound and its content, and very, very good.
Royal Blood “Back to the Water Below” – It is crazy to me how these guys keep elevating their sound. There’s only so much you can do with drums and a bass guitar, but they keep it fresh, exciting, and high quality. “Shiner in the Dark” might be my favorite song from this year, too.
The Pink Spiders “FREAKAZOID” – Teenage Graffiti was an album I was obsessed with back in high school. Then I saw their sticker at the Grog Shop last year and figured it must be fate that they released new music this year. It’s just as catchy as all the other stuff and I’m so glad they’re back in my life again.
Concerts
This was also a lower concert count this year, but still a fulfilling one. I attended twenty-one concerts and three music festivals, so there were plenty of excellent sets my ears were graced with.
White Reaper – Again, five times in five months means that they were good.
Don Broco – Finally, after a torrid love affair late last year, I reached groupie status and saw these guys in two different states and a different country!
Queens of the Stone Age – My first time seeing these rock legends means I had to do it more than once this year. And they brought Phantogram with them?! Double win.
Death From Above 1979 – I’ve been listening to these guys for a hot minute, and since COVID ruined my chance to see them last year, you know I jumped at the chance to see them this year!
Royal Blood – These guys are incredible and continue to be so. Obviously they are a top performer for the year.