Review: Vitro by Jessica Khoury

Vitro
Jessica Khoury
Series: Origin (Companion)
Released: January 14th, 2014
Publisher: Razorbill
Rating: 4 stars
Word Rating: Fun fun fun
Reviewed by: Blythe

On a remote island in the Pacific, Corpus scientists have taken test tube embryos and given them life. These beings—the Vitros—have knowledge and abilities most humans can only dream of. But they also have one enormous flaw.

Sophie Crue is determined to get to Skin Island and find her mother, a scientist who left Sophie behind years ago. She enlists hunky charter pilot Jim Julien to take her there. But once on the island, Sophie and Jim encounter more than they bargained for, including a charming, brilliant Vitro named Nicholas and an innocent, newly awoken one named Lux.

In a race for their lives, Sophie and Jim are about to discover what happens when science stretches too far beyond its reach.

Review: The (False) Promise of Amazing

The Promise of Amazing
Robin Constantine
Series: None
Release: Tomorrow
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Rating: 2 stars
Word Rating: The Promise of Insta-Love *gags*
Reviewed by: Mel (and Blythe agrees wholeheartedly)

Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who's always done what she's supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.

Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how. 

One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.

Review: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Code Name Verity
Elizabeth Wein
Series: Code Name Verity, #1
Released: May 15th, 2012
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Rating: 4 stars
Word Rating: *inhuman sobbing*
Reviewed by: Mel

Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.

When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy? 

A Michael L. Printz Award Honor book that was called "a fiendishly-plotted mind game of a novel" in The New York Times, Code Name Verity is a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other.

Coming Attractions: Split Second by Kasie West

Coming Attractions is inspired by The Perpetual Page Turner's Save The Date. Coming Attractions showcases a book that is not released for a while that I've read, and gives you a sneak peek (like a pre-review, if you will) as to what I thought about the book, since I can't post the review until closer to the release date.

Split Second
Kasie West
Series: Pivot Point, #2
Release Date: February 11, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Rating: I dunno. I. JUST. DON'T.
Word Rating:
Full review to come: January
Reviewed by: Mel

Life can change in a split second.

Addie hardly recognizes her life since her parents divorced. Her boyfriend used her. Her best friend betrayed her. She can’t believe this is the future she chose. On top of that, her ability is acting up. She’s always been able to Search the future when presented with a choice. Now she can manipulate and slow down time, too . . . but not without a price.

When Addie’s dad invites her to spend her winter break with him, she jumps at the chance to escape into the Norm world of Dallas, Texas. There she meets the handsome and achingly familiar Trevor. He’s a virtual stranger to her, so why does her heart do a funny flip every time she sees him? But after witnessing secrets that were supposed to stay hidden, Trevor quickly seems more suspicious of Addie than interested in her. And she has an inexplicable desire to change that.

Meanwhile, her best friend, Laila, has a secret of her own: she can restore Addie’s memories . . . once she learns how. But there are powerful people who don’t want to see this happen. Desperate, Laila tries to manipulate Connor, a brooding bad boy from school—but he seems to be the only boy in the Compound immune to her charms. And the only one who can help her.

As Addie and Laila frantically attempt to retrieve the lost memories, Addie must piece together a world she thought she knew before she loses the love she nearly forgot . . . and a future that could change everything.

Split Second was... CRAZY AWESOME. Can I end my pre-review there? I mean, there isn't anything else to say. Of course, I could just spill all my emotions out but I would spoil the book and would have 5000 million armed readers chasing me down. Now that, would be scary.

I thought I would be able to write something a little helpful or conventional if I left this review alone for a week. Turns out, my feelings are still so much very raw. So sorry if you wanted something helpful. I did try to be helpful, this is what I wrote before I deleted it.

Characters: Addie. Trevor. Laila. EEEEK! All my favs.
Plot: It's simple but fun and has some special secret power to make sure you won't put it down. I read this during school and actually slapped someone in the face for stealing it.

Romance: *deep breaths* ASDFGHJKL; PERFECT. ABSOLUTELY. FREAKING. PERFECT. I went nuts. Completely. Nuts. Drowning in it.

And Laila finds a special someone too...

Were my expecations met?



So yeah, there it is. Just a bunch of craziness. And a note on my rating, I cannot really rate this right now. But definitely a 4, 4.5 or 5 star.

Full review to come on the blog in January.

Review: These Broken Stars

These Broken Stars
Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Series: Starbound, #1
Released: December 10, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Rating: 5 stars
Word Rating: Hell yeahs!
Reviewed by: Mel

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

--

A timeless love story, THESE BROKEN STARS sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.

“She’s not looking at me and seeing a guy brought up on the wrong type of planet. She’s not seeing a soldier, or a war hero, or an uncultured lout who doesn’t understand how hard this is for her, or an idiot who knows nothing about the right kind of anything.
She just sees me.”

Coming Attractions: Maybe One Day

Coming Attractions is inspired by The Perpetual Page Turner's Save The Date. Coming Attractions showcases a book that is not released for a while that I've read, and gives you a sneak peek (like a pre-review, if you will) as to what I thought about the book, since I can't post the review until closer to the release date.

Maybe One Day
Melissa Kantor
Series: None
Release Date: February 18, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Rating: 4 stars
Word Rating: Must. Stop. Crying.
Full review to come: February
Reviewed by: Mel

Critically acclaimed author Melissa Kantor masterfully captures the joy of friendship, the agony of loss, and the unique experience of being a teenager in this poignant new novel about a girl grappling with her best friend's life-threatening illness.

Zoe and her best friend, Olivia, have always had big plans for the future, none of which included Olivia getting sick. Still, Zoe is determined to put on a brave face and be positive for her friend.

Even when she isn't sure what to say.

Even when Olivia misses months of school.

Even when Zoe starts falling for Calvin, Olivia's crush.

The one thing that keeps Zoe moving forward is knowing that Olivia will beat this, and everything will go back to the way it was before. It has to. Because the alternative is too terrifying for her to even imagine.

In this incandescent page-turner, which follows in the tradition of The Fault in Our Stars, Melissa Kantor artfully explores the idea that the worst thing to happen to you might not be something that is actually happening to you. Raw, irreverent, and honest, Zoe's unforgettable voice and story will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.

This book. Wowza. Just...gosh. If you are looking for a book with an achingly beautiful friendship, this is the one to seek out. Also, if you are interested in a little bit of insanely sweet romance, this is also the book to get. And if you want to be thrown off your feet; this one is your book. Read it and you won't be sorry.

What didn't work for me:

THE CONSTANT CRYING: I get it. Your best friend has leukaemia and you feel absolutely hopeless. What do you do? You cry. That is perfectly okay. Touching even. But when you start crying because you made someone else cry or just crying for the slightest little problem is just plain annoying. And very wimpy. And not pitiful at all.

What did work for me:

THE FRIENDSHIP: This, ladies and gents is how you write a good friendship. Zoe and Olivia's friendship was heart-achingly deep and genuine. We all have friends, but there are only one or two that we can spill everything; our troubles, thoughts, fears and passions towards. To be honest, I felt like crying halfway just because it was so authentic and I could completely relate to their relationship. I have a best friend that I treat like I sister, so when I read this, I was completely immersed. This friendship of Zoe and Olivia's had flaws. They have fights. But they soon forget and forgive after realising how stupid the fight was. This friendship had me in more fangirling moments than I normally do when I start shipping a romantic couple.

THE ROMANCE: Melissa Kantor's latest novel is not about finding your true love. It's about friendships and futures and hope. It's about finding strength to live even though the thing you loved most is no longer by your side. Yet I still couldn't help but love the romance in Maybe One Day. It may start with a bit of lust but the feeling between the two soon catch up and seriously, Melissa Kantor nailed the romance and what it's like when one of them is experiencing a difficult time to cope with the world around them.

PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING: My main two loves was the friendship and romance but everything else that was combined into this novel was pretty much close to perfection. The characters, all so deftly drawn and easily distinguishable grew onto me like a leech.

This is my first 2014 favourite, and I have a feeling it could be one of the best I'll ever read.

Full review to come on the blog in February.

Waiting on Wednesday - Complicit

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine where we post upcoming releases we're highly anticipating. My pre-publication selection for this week's Waiting on Wednesday is Complicit by Stephanie Kuehn.

Complicit

Stephanie Kuehn

Series: None

Release Date: June 24th, 2014

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Waited on by: Blythe

Two years ago, fifteen-year-old Jamie Henry breathed a sigh of relief when a judge sentenced his older sister to juvenile detention for burning down their neighbor's fancy horse barn. The whole town did. Because Crazy Cate Henry used to be a nice girl. Until she did a lot of bad things. Like drinking. And stealing. And lying. Like playing weird mind games in the woods with other children. Like making sure she always got her way. Or else.

But today Cate got out. And now she’s coming back for Jamie.

Because more than anything, Cate Henry needs her little brother to know this one simple truth: she’s not the crazy one and never has been.

He is.

Review: Premeditated by Josin McQuein

Premeditated
Josin McQuein
Series: None
Released: October 8th, 2013
Publisher: Delacorte BFYR
Rating: 5 stars
Word Rating: YESYESYES
Reviewed by: Blythe

A week ago, Dinah’s cousin Claire cut her wrists.

Five days ago, Dinah found Claire’s diary and discovered why.

Three days ago, Dinah stopped crying and came up with a plan.

Two days ago, she ditched her piercings and bleached the black dye from her hair.

Yesterday, knee socks and uniform plaid became a predator’s camouflage.

Today, she’ll find the boy who broke Claire.

By tomorrow, he’ll wish he were dead.

Trilogy Readalongs Sign-Up

Hey, everyone! New month, new theme (maybe this could be a thing on the blog every month; who knows). Anyway, since so many trilogies have ended recently, or are ending soon, Mel and I thought it would be fun to have some trilogy readalongs! Below are the readalongs that we plan on having some time this month, but let us know in the comments if you have any more trilogies in mind. We won't be able to fit more than three readalongs in one month, but we'll be sure to keep your recommendations in mind for December!

*If you've already read the Divergent trilogy, don't worry because we will have the Under the Never Sky readalong running alongside that; the same goes for Under the Never Sky and Legend.

  

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Host: 

Blythe 

Runs from: 

November 5th to November 20th 

Discussion Intervals: 

Divergent - November 5th to November 10th 

Insurgent - November 10th to November 15th 

Allegiant - November 15th to November 20th

  

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi 

Host: 

Mel 

Runs from: 

November 10th to November 25th 

Discussion Intervals: 

Under the Never Sky - November 10th to November 15th 

Through the Ever Night - November 15th to November 20th 

Into the Still Blue - November 20th to November 25th

* Into the Still Blue is released on January 28th, 2014, but you can still take part in this readalong if you don't have an ARC of the final book. However, if you don't have an ARC, you can request one here, and HarperTeen should get back to you before this readalong starts (if you request now). 

  

Legend by Marie Lu 

Host: 

Blythe 

Runs from: 

November 20th to December 5th 

Discussion Intervals: 

Legend - November 20th to November 25th 

Prodigy - November 25th to November 30th 

Champion - November 30th to December 5th

Finding Fright in Books: Interview with Rebecca James

Happy Halloween everyone! How has everyone been? Since I am in Australia, I thought it would be nice to introduce the rest of the world to an Aussie YA thriller author who I've heard numerous of great things about. Welcome Rebecca James, author is Beautiful Malice and Sweet Damage!
 



 

Hey Rebecca! It's so exciting to have an Aussie author on Finding Fright in Books. Welcome!

Thanks very much for having me, Melanie!

You have written two books so far, Beautiful Malice--who was a female protagonist and Sweet Damage--which was narrated by a male voice. Which one was easier to write in and why?

I found Sweet Damage much harder to write. It was partly the male perspective (I had to work hard to keep my middle-aged woman's voice out of it) and partly the pressure of having a publishing deal. Initially I tried to write the book far too quickly which didn't help. In the end I just had to take a deep breath and calm down!

Are the names of the characters in your novels important to you? Or were they just randomly chosen?

I think I just choose names that I like. They're mainly all pretty classic, old-fashioned names--Katherine, Time, Anna--nothing too out there. But who knows, one day I might call a character Banana or Apricot just for laughs!

The first time I heard about your books, I found the titles eye-catching. How did you come up with such titles? After all, how can malice be beautiful and damage be sweet?

I'm glad you like my titles - thank you. And if they stand out and grab your attention then that’s fantastic because that’s exactly what they’re supposed to do. Naming a book is a collaboration between the author and publisher, though the publisher usually has final say. Most often the title an author is using while writing the book is not the title that will be printed on the front cover. Things like author branding and name recognition (and other mysterious marketing type considerations) have to be taken into account and authors aren’t often very good at such things...

Us Aussies don’t celebrate Halloween much, but I have had children come to our door Trick or Treating—do you celebrate Halloween?

I don’t really but my kids are often invited to go trick or treating with friends. Last year they came home with a hideously huge bag of lollies so obviously there are a few people out there who stock up for Halloween.

How did you come up with the idea for Sweet Damage? What was your inspiration?

I was thinking of anxiety and how, for some people, it can develop into agoraphobia and become very debilitating. I imagined a girl trapped in a large house. Trapped, not by any physical means, but by her own mind. That’s how I came up with Anna and her beautiful rambling old house, Fairview.

Are you planning any more novels in the near future that you can tell us about?

I'm working on another book now. It revisits some of the big themes I explored in Sweet Damage and Beautiful Malice: friendship, love, murder, grief, betrayal -- all the juicy melodrama that I so love writing about.

The female characters in both Sweet Damage and Beautiful Malice seem awfully mysterious. We have Anna who is hostile and unfriendly and Alice, from what I gather from the synopsis is really dark and has a few secrets. Was it intentional to create mysterious female characters?

I guess so. I definitely wanted Anna from Sweet Damage to be mysterious. A great deal of the suspense hinges on not knowing what she is really like, or what is really going on in her mind. In Beautiful Malice, Alice is less mysterious than blatantly toxic, I guess. But, having said that, her motives remain a mystery until the end... I guess the point is that I’m interested in writing about all sorts of complex, interesting and three-dimensional females. Sometimes this means my female character will be a villain, sometimes she will be a heroine, sometimes she will be a contradictory mix of both...

Do you have any recommendations of some Aussie YA horror or thriller?

Some recent Australian releases that have me intrigued include The Last Girl by Michael Adams and Pretty Girl by JC Burke. They both seem to fit the bill if you’re into scary, thrilling reads. I haven’t read either of them yet but they’re both sitting on my bedside table waiting for me. They will be my treat when I finish my third book. I can’t wait.

Thanks for stopping by, Rebecca! You can also find Sarah on her website, her blog, and on twitter!

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Coming Attractions: White Space by Ilsa J. Bick

Coming Attractions is inspired by The Perpetual Page Turner's Save The Date. Coming Attractions showcases a book that is not released for a while that I've read, and gives you a sneak peek (like a pre-review, if you will) as to what I thought about the book, since I can't post the review until closer to the release date.

White Space
Ilsa J. Bick
Series: Dark Passages, #1
Release Date: February 11, 2014
Publisher: Egmont USA
Rating: 3.5 stars
Word Rating: Crazy crazy crazy
Full review to come: February
Reviewed by: Mel

Ilsa Bick’s WHITE SPACE, pitched as The Matrix meets Inkheart, about a seventeen-year-old girl who jumps between the lines of books and into the white space where realities are created and destroyed – but who may herself be nothing more than a character written into being from an alternative universe, to Greg Ferguson at Egmont, in a two-book deal, by Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency (NA).

I feel like I should point out that this book will have many many mixed ratings. I for one, have already seen a bucketload of DNFs and another handful of people who gave this 4-5 stars. White Space, is one of those books that start off really crappy and end so amazing you just need to sit down and stare into oblivion for a while.

What didn't work for me:

THE CHANGING OF POVS: We start off with Lizzie, a girl who has some really odd parents. Her family moved into the middle of nowhere after the incident in London. Basically, Lizzie's father can reach into a mirror and pull out characters and put them into his novels. After these really odd few chapters in Lizzie's POV, we change into Emma's. Emma has been having 'blinks' where her world fades out and she can see through the eye's of someone else, a someone like Lizzie. After a back and forth change between these two character's POV, it was pretty good. The entire book was written in third person which made the changing manageable. That's until we start gettting random POVs of characters, they're so random, we even had new POVs coming in at 50% in of the book. Not only were there more POVs than the number of fingers on my hand, but also they were short. Once I was actually getting into the story, the POV would switch and I would get completely agitated and detatched from the novel once more.

THE PACING: Another factor that contributed into why I was not a fan of this book was the pace of this novel. I see that people are going to DNF this novel, not only because of the changing and number of points of views however also because the pace is painful. It is not to say that I was bored out of my brains but I needed answers. I was so damn confused for majority of the novel it made me want to rip all the hairs out of my head. However, some people are going to love the feel of a heavy blanked draped over their heads. To be honest, I enjoyed the feeling too but after some time, I started to wonder what the point of this book was. Nevertheless, the end redeemed this book. In a way.

What did work for me:

BASICALLY EVERYTHING ELSE: The world Ilsa J. Bick creates is truly crazy madness. It's a lot to stomach however as the story goes on and changes--you get used to it. I love the concept and the way it was executed was close to perfection. Maybe a few more answers to entertain the readers, though. White Space is obviously a plot orientated book despite the quantity of points of views. Surprisingly, White Space is a thought-provoking read. You start to ponder the given facts of life more and more, the further we go into the book. Such as; what is reality? Are we actually characters from a book? What would it feel like to be a character from a book anyway?

This one is going to be loved and hated.

 

Full review to come on the blog in February.

Finding Fright in Books: Melissa Walker's Perfect Halloween

Hi, everyone! Today on the blog we have Melissa Walker, author of the upcoming Ashes to Ashes, who is sharing both her perfect Halloween, and the perfect Halloween for her main character's best friend in Ashes to Ashes! Check out Melissa's video response to the topic below, and make sure to tell us what your perfect Halloween is! 

 

Thanks for stopping by, Melissa! You can also find Melissa on her website, her blog, and on twitter!

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Some Horror (or just Halloween-ish) Movies I Recommend

It's the end of October, aka one of my favorite times of the year. And that's not just because Halloween is in FIVE DAYS, but for the past week, there have been horror movie marathons on practically every channel imaginable. This time of the year is absolutely perfect for burrowing yourself in a little blanket, turning off the lights, and streaming one of your favorite Halloween movies; so, to celebrate, I'll be sharing some of my favorite horror/Halloween movies with you all (and in some cases, not my favorites, but ones I recommend), and I hope you find something to spend your October nights with! (Though I may proceed with caution, because some of the pictures included may be seen as spoilers, depending on how you define spoilers.)

 

• A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) - This horror entire franchise is one of, if not my absolute favorite. The originals are all kinds of gruesome horror, and Freddy Krueger is the wittiest villain ever, and truly original and awesome deaths. To think that there are people who still haven't seen this classic upsets me, so if you're one of those people, remedy that immediately, this Halloween! 

• A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) - This is, without a doubt, my favorite horror movie remake ever. Maybe even my favorite remake, period (although I think I am in a vast minority for this). I don't know what it is about this, but it just really...captures the essence of the original, which is really all you can ask for in a remake, no? (And I'm going to say that I think the remake is much creepier than the original. And more suspenseful.) 

*screeching noise*

 

• The Cabin in the Woods - This is horror for people who don't like horror, and I mean that in the best way possible. For starters, this is directed by Joss Whedon. That should be enough to have this ready to stream on your computer. But, if that doesn't mean much to you, you should know that The Cabin in the Woods is awesome, witty, and is just an all around fun movie to watch, Halloween or not. But it's especially perfect for Halloween. And there's a unicorn in it, so...

It's just so majestic...

• Insidious - This is also one of my favorite Halloween movies. Sure, it has its flaws, but it's really fun, really creepy, and has an awesome plot. Recommended in particular to those who are scared most by jump scares, because this movie has MANY. It's, like, 80% jump scare. And then, like, 20% screeching violin. 100% awesome. 

Insidious and its creepiness.

 

• Hocus Pocus - This is just a must for every single person on the planet come October. If you've never seen Hocus Pocus, I don't believe you. But if you're telling the truth, I feel bad for you. And you need to watch this movie. Immediately. Like, right now. You know what, even if you have seen Hocus Pocus before, you should still watch it right now. Never pass up an opportunity to watch Hocus Pocus. 

• Devil - This seems to be a hit or miss with most people, but for me, it's most certainly a hit. I don't know if I'd consider Devil a horror favorite, but it is definitely a movie I find myself continually recommending to those looking for a quick, suspenseful, and creepy way to spend an October night. And the climax is fantastic. But, it is an M. Night Shyamalan movie so just...keep that in mind? 

  

• Sinister - This movie is HORRIFYING. Simple as that. It's just horrifying. I saw it opening night, and it's still lingered with me. THAT LAWNMOWER SCENE? Yeah, no. No no no no no. Highly, highly recommended for Halloween.

• Paranormal Activity 3 - Although this franchise has essentially turned to shit, it's still my ultimate guilt pleasure. And I put Paranormal Activity 3 on here as opposed to 1, or 2 (not 4, because 4 is shit and that's that) because, for starters, it's my favorite of the franchise, and it's also first in the franchise chronologically. But you can still definitely watch the franchise in order (you know, like 1, 2, 3, and not 4 because again, 4 is shit). But this is definitely the one I would recommend most. That blanket scene still gives me chills. 

I CAN'T.

  

• Funny Games (2007) - THIS. IS NOT. FOR. THE FAINT OF HEART. I repeat, NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. Never, never for the faint of heart. Ever. What you need to know about this movie is that it is highly disturbing (one of the most disturbing films I've ever seen) and horrifyingly appalling. And that it's not for the faint of heart. But you already knew that. And I promise you will never forget this movie. (You'll find out why.) 

• The Shining - Um, obviously. If you haven't seen this yet, I'm disappointed in you. But let's be honest, who hasn't seen The Shining? Perfect movie for Halloween. Or winter. Definitely winter, too. In a hotel. With your family. It's also really fun to start laughing maniacally and smiling creepily at your husband in said hotel during winter. I know this from experience. 

Forever and everrrrrrr.

There are a lot more awesome horror/Halloween movies I would recommend, but since these are the ones that came to my mind first, I think they deserve a spot on the list most. (There's also The Exorcist and Halloween, but of course those are self explanatory. As is A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Shining, but those were movies I just had to include. And then there's Halloweentown, which is just a given for Halloween movies you must watch if you want to feel good and nostalgic.)

What are some of your favorite horror/Halloween movies? Are you planning on watching any of the above this Halloween? If not, let me know what you are planning on watching!