Kate Kenyon

Reading this book reminds me of beer (or wine) tastings. When you finish sampling one and wish to try another, it is recommended that you cleanse your palate with some water. Your resetting your taste buds so that your new taste experience won't be unduly influenced by the previous sample. This book is like that. When switching from one novel to another, this book would serve as a great literary palate cleanser. It's refreshes your brain and has the bonus side effect of entertaining it as show more well.

Most of the stories have a twist at the end. But as I think about it, how else can one neatly wrap up a story that's only one hundred words long? The author quickly sets up the premise and then (bam!) there's the ending. I found that 93% of the stories worked (I kept track), and most of them relied on that format. It didn't matter if the twist was spooky, ironic, or humorous. That's what worked. Those that didn't just trailed off.

The stories cover the gamut from quirky sci-fi, suspense & horror, bizarre fantasy, and conversational satire. Santa Claus, vampires, clowns, ghosts, interdimensional travel, and alien invasions all make appearances. With a few exceptions, the stories remain light-hearted.

If you've just finished some 500-page behemoth and you're not ready to start the next one, but you need to read something, then consider 100 by 100. It's light and refreshing, and you'll be done with it in no time.

This review initially appeared at the New Podler Review of Books. show less

I must have been a little kid when I first saw some books in the Junior High series, which was published back in the '80s. Although my curiosity was nudged by the book covers, my unspoken impression at the time was "I'm not there yet," as "junior high" meant "practically high school" in my semi-subconscious estimation. Then once I was an old enough kid for it, the series must have already fallen off my radar, since I don't recall noticing any of the books again until last year.

Well. The show more sight of them did some more nudging—this time at what is now the nostalgic side of my curiosity. And I'm plenty old enough for the books now.

So, hey! Why not?

I must say that I'd expected Book One to be a much sillier or, I don't know, wackier read. That's likely due to the book cover image of a duo of laughing girls holding their schoolbooks high, apparently ready to give the boy between them some whacks over the head, but that isn't something that happens in the novel or that totally matches the story's vibe.

This read has got an adolescent sitcom feel that includes some silliness without majoring on it. I actually started eating this novel up, but that was after some weird early stuff.

That is, yeah, I'm sure pretty much all schoolkids have had some unkind or otherwise unlikeable teachers along the way, but it's weird that all of the school staff and teachers Denise encounters during her first days at the school are unhelpful or uncaring or outright mean and insulting, so bothered that a new girl is struggling to find her way around. I mean, Mr. Teacher, is it that much of a disruption to your life when a new student accidentally goes to the wrong classroom on the first or second day of school? Get a grip and just help the poor girl out, for goodness' sake!

Also, there's a scene where a girl has locked herself in a bathroom stall to be alone and cry, and while I understand that two other girls who hear her are trying to help—hey. They could have just talked to her from outside of the stall. She'd locked the door for a reason. Boundaries, people.

As for a scene where two boys are trying to flirt with a new girl at the same time, they tag along with her down the hallway, coming to crowd her on either side while she's showing zero interest and walking so fast that the boys are having an awkward time trying to keep up with her, but they keep trying. I, inwardly cringing, was like, "Dudes. Don't gang up on her like that. She's practically running away from you, so leave her alone. Don't be creeps."

Again, though, those weird parts are early in the novel. And yes, after that, I ate up this story of the main characters' joys and pains of getting started in the eighth grade.

Plus, of course, my nostalgic side found plenty of little things to snack on, like the fact that these kids call each other on home phones (telephones, specifically), they listen to music on records, and they bring up TV shows like Dallas and Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous in everyday conversation. Heeheehee, I even got a kick out of the tiny detail of a girl snapping a suitcase closed rather than zipping it up. I just knew she was using a real-deal suitcase like the ones they show being made on that iconic segment on an episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

So! Despite that the novel's ending seems like a small, pretty indirect patch-up rather than a resolution that really gets to the heart of the related conflict, I'd like to continue this series sometime. If/when I do, I'll be skipping ahead to Book Three.

Note:
• an animal dissection scene in science lab class may have too much detail for some readers show less

This is definitely a non-traditional story for a vampire. The format its presented to the audience is a bit different, present tense first person. He doesn't really describe himself as tall, dark, handsome, rich, exotic, worldly...none of the things we normally associate with the modern vampire. This guy could be anyone. He could be your neighbor from down the street. I felt this lent a relatability to the story that made it a little more realistic. I can easily feel the vampire's voice show more narrating this whole story, as he's driving down the I-90 on his roadtrip. He's snarky and sarcastic, and he's a little bored, in my opinion. I really enjoyed his wit and dry sense of humor. Then someone finds him and tries to kill him. The hunt is on.

The cast of characters in this novella are all quite unique and interesting. I had a couple favorites, and lets just say I will never look at a Rocket Pop popsicle in quite the same manner.

The thing about a novella is that there are always a couple unanswered questions, that really would benefit from being explored further in a full length book. But all in all, I felt this was a really good story. I would recommend it, definitely. At times it did feel like it wasn't exactly a vampire story, but just a story about a guy who is on the search for some answers. And he's a little tougher than your average guy. A little smarter. And a bit more creative. But heck, who says a vampire has to be a sparkly guy with a European flair, and enough money to make Bill Gates envious? It was nice to read something different. show less

Thanksgiving for Werewolves and Other Monstrous Tales by ML Kennedy

A fantastic collections of short stories. Well written, captivating delightful stories of monsters and other creatures. Each story had me eagerly anticipating the outcome and the next story. I truly enjoyed this great read.

I liked them all for various reasons, but I would have to say my top three favorites were: Sally Says, Tried to be the pied Piper, ended up a bridge Troll and I'll be right back. I highly recommend show more Thanksgiving for Werewolves and Other Monstrous Tales to those who love unique (short stories) of werewolves, monsters and such. show less