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The Problem Drinker, while intoxicating in its opening, loses its shimmer about halfway through. The novelty of a problem drinker dealing with his emotions through literature and alcohol reeled me in but outstayed its welcome in quick measure. The gonzo aesthetic and literary leaning didn't quite land, and the one-page chapters often grazed brilliance, falling just shy of poignance. The romanticization of alcoholism also left a sour taste, and maybe that's on me for not "getting" the appeal or desire to fill the alcoholic writer role.

As a writer, I appreciated Kouri's perspective on endless rejections and self doubt. But it was hard to read those sections separated from the subtext. Kouri is privileged (his mother has ties in film and the stage, he went to Sarah Lawrence, and he can afford to drink to excess in classy bars). He's friends with celebrities from many walks of life (his best friend's dad is Kevin Bacon, he parties with Chuck Tingle, and chills with actors like Kyle Gallner). His constant name dropping felt like virtue signalling, telling the reader (and the universe) that he also belongs in the world of artistic success because everyone around him has "made it". Needless to say the tone didn't win me over.

I give Kouri props for putting this memoir into the world, but this one wasn't for me.

By now, I should know better. While Catriona Ward has great ideas, she's never once landed for me. I'll admit to getting less than halfway through the first chapter. The kids are in a bad situation, but Riley's insistence that they leave NOW isn't brought on by an inciting incident. Unless the supposed inciting incident is a Peter Pan-esque figure coming to their window to deliver a map to Nowhere (which isn't enough of a break in status quo when I've hardly had time to sit with the characters beforehand). Not once did I feel mounting pressure. Neither did the opening pages and characters intrigue me. This is a classic case of "not for me". I'm not the target audience for Ward's work.

While I love Auri as a side character, I couldn't power through a novella where all she does is move objects around and name new sections of the Underthing. DNF at 20%.

Accumulation won't be to everyone's taste. It's more tense than scary and leans heavily on domestic drama.

The novel follows Tenn, Ward, and their two kids (Anders and Aisling) after they move into Tenn's dream house. The house's foundation is cracking, a creepy doll moves of its own accord, shadows gather just outside Tenn's line of sight, and soon enough she finds herself in a mundane time loop. The story centers on Tenn's struggles with the anxieties and drudgery of child rearing, home maintenance, and countless appointments while Ward uses work as an excuse to leave her to deal with everything. As their marriage deteriorates, so does the house.

This novel might be scary to some; if you're a mother and wife, you'll likely find it relatable and a tad suspenseful. While there are literal ghosts and paranormal experiences that accumulate, the story is much more focused on the lives of this family and how tension, grievances, and distance can accumulate within the confines of a home if left unchecked.

I recommend this to fans of The September House.

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC.

Stephen Graham Jones delivers with Night of the Mannequins. The narrator, Sawyer Grimes, weaves a twisty tale of horror, delusion, and madness. While the story is simple in its prose and progression, it gripped me from the opening paragraph. The voice is raw and full of angst. It didn't feel like I was reading a SGJ novel; instead, Sawyer's teenage narrative sucked me into the setting and dragged me along like an inanimate mannequin—no resistance whatsoever.

I recommend this to anyone seeking a quick read that subverts genre tropes and follows an unlikable (and unreliable) protagonist.

Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the reprint ARC.

Atomic Habits is all about creating positive habits one small step at a time. If you're struggling to stay motivated, want to quit a bad habit, or reach your full potential by making targeted progress, you should give this a go.