Melody Writes

 Top 5 books I read in 2021 – with links to the reviews Reviewing my Goodreads Reading Challenge, this year I have read 37 of a planned 40 books so far. You can see the full list here if you’re interested. That doesn't even count the beta reading I've been doing on the side. As you can see my tastes are varied so it’s hard to compare these books, but I am going to look back at the five that I enjoyed the most this year. This list is in no particular order and based entirely on my personal opinion.   1.       Wendy, Darling by A. C. Wise A dark retelling of Peter Pan that made me hunger for more Peter Pan fiction. Check out my review.   2.       How to get a Blackbelt in Writing by Aiki Flinthart This book tied together my love of martial arts and my love of writing neatly. I'm currently reading her other work: How to Fight Like a Girl and will be writing my thoughts on these in detail in the new year.  ...

Billy's Special Blanket             Billy tightened the blanket his mother made him around his head. She promised no monsters could hurt him through his special blanket.        The closet door creaked open and all of the monster’s legs spilled out. It crawled across the floor and up onto the bed. A multitude of legs prodded Billy. The monster roared when it could not breach the blanket’s power. In fury, the monster flailed about, destroying Billy’s room.        His parents charged down the hall and through the door. Then screamed in terror when the creature attacked.        Billy was safe under the blanket, but his parents were not.     Photo by Steinar Engeland on Unsplash       Originally published in Beneath from Ghost Orchid Press on May 5, 2021  Included in Thin Slices: A Collection of Horror Flash Fiction coming January 12, 2025 ...