Horror Spotlight discussion

We will be reading Crossroads by Laurel Hightower for our September 2021 Readalong! Grab your copy/reserve at your library now.

The official chat begins here on September 1st! Please remember to use % read and spoiler tags.

Thank you!

Betty is in the horror genre?

oh this is a good one!

Ooh, how exciting - I loved this book!

I can't wait to read this one, I've heard nothing but great things about it!

Lauren wrote: "Betty is in the horror genre?"

This is the Crossroads chat and yes Betty is more horrific than many horror novels.

This review by horror writer Edward Lorn explains it very well: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ohh got this on my tbr already so I'll try to join in

I am reading this book along with Betty

I'm so glad you'll all be joining in!

I'm going to try to join in this month! I have Crossroads sitting on my shelf and this is a great excuse to finally pick it up!

I've read this one and still remember it really vividly, so I won't be re-reading it (I don't think my heart can take it lol!!), but I LOVED it and can't wait to hear what everyone thinks!

destiny ♡⚔♡ wrote: "I've read this one and still remember it really vividly, so I won't be re-reading it (I don't think my heart can take it lol!!), but I LOVED it and can't wait to hear what everyone thinks!"

I am right there with you, Destiny. I loved it, but it was a lot to handle. But I'm also super curious what others are going to think.

I *hate* this book but in the best possible way. I’m not a mom but Hightower’s wrighting made me understand the choices Chris made. There’s a lot to unpack in this little gem.

That was short, but very intense. It painted such a vivid picture of what the Mom was going through and what kept her going forward, especially in contrast to the toxic ways of her own mother.

I had to stop halfway through because I have a pretty good idea where the plot is headed and I just can't do it. Also, 95% of the time I really don't like the "do something dangerous and supernatural to bring back a version of someone you love" trope. It isn't the same as having your child die, but my husband died in 2014 so I have had this conversation with my children many times.

This was a wonderfully written, intense (but quick) read. I really enjoyed the experience, but it was absolutely a gut-punch. I'm not a mother, but Hightower did a great job of communicating the intensity of feeling that comes with the job of parenthood. I was frustrated with the choices made, however. I also wanted to know more about her ex-husband's experiences with the "spirit" of their son (I'm trying to not give anything away here lol), but I understand that's a lot to do in a novella.

I'm only about 30 pages in, but I'm really enjoying it so far!

I finished this today and loved it! The writing was great and the mother's grief is really well done.