Book Review: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

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Anxious People by Fredrik Backman  opens with the people at an apartment viewing being taken hostage after a bank robber fails at trying to rob a bank.  I was extremely excited to read Anxious People and got the ebook on sale. However, I never got around to reading the book   until one of my book clubs decided to discuss it for the month of June. I am saddened to say that I was extremely disappointed in the story as it wasn't what I was expecting. First and foremost, I found the book to be too long and thought it could have easily been shortened without it affecting the story. Additionally, I struggled with finishing it because it was painfully slow and boring. I found myself wondering if the author was ever going to get to the big reveal. It seriously felt like required reading for school, and if I wasn't reading Anxious People for book club, I wouldn't have finished the book. There was so much hype about this novel, and I'm not quite sure why. It just wasn't for m...
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Book Review: April Fools by Richie Tankersley Cusick

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young adult point horror book review april fools by richie tankersley cusick

April Fools by Richie Tankersley Cusick tells a story about three friends - Belinda, Hildy, and Frank - who attend an out of town party that none of them were supposed to be at. On their way home, they are involved in a horrific car accident. They leave the scene and vow never to speak of it again, but then, Belinda starts receiving disturbing pranks, and she is on a mission to find out who is the culprit.

This is another book I decided to read on my way rediscovery of my childhood. April Fools is one of the first books I read by Richie Tankersley Cusick and was one of the reasons she was my go to author for young adult horror novels. In rereading this novel as an adult, it has stood the test of time and should be a must read for any kid who loves books in the horror genre. The only references that they may not completely get is the mention of a tape deck in the car and a facsimile, or fax for short. And, although this book falls into the horror genre, it does have some romance elements to it. Don't worry though; it's all very chaste.

I know my middle school self didn't guess who was behind all the pranks and remember being blown away by the ending. Even though I remembered most of the storyline before I reread the novel as an adult, it still gave me the creepy crawlies, which goes to tell you how talented Richie Tankersley Cusick is as an author. I loved the fact that there were twists and turns throughout the book to keep the reader guessing.

The character development is what is to be expected for young adult books of the time better. Some of roles are more developed than others, but it doesn't take away from the story. I definitely could relate to some of the characters and became attached to some of them. Others, I couldn't stand.

I gave April Fools by Richie Tankersley Cusick five out five stars and definitely recommend it to all horror fans and is the perfect read for April Fool's Day. If you enjoyed this book, I'd recommend Temptation (Secret Diaries, #1) by Janice Harrell.

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