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.   3.       I am not your Final Girl by Claire C. Holland

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.       Originally published in Beneath from Ghost Orchid Press on May 5, 2021  

Years ago, I attempted to read all of Stephen King's books in order and blog about them. I eventually gave up because there are just too many. Below is one of the posts I wrote.    Original Review written in 2014: Rage was technically written before Carrie and is King's actual first novel, but was published years later under King's pseudonym, Richard Bachman. This makes Rage not the next step on King's developing talent, but a look back to where he began and I did not really like what I saw. Rage is flat, rushed, and unpleasant to read. Charlie Decker shoots two teachers and then holds a classroom hostage until Stockholm Syndrome sets in and they not only relate to him, but then turn on the one member of the class who resists Charlie's spell of dark, self-deprecating, and embarrassing stories. The writing is simplistic and lacks King's usual depth and captivation. The characters are hollow and I found their behaviour unrealistic. I'm no psychological exp