Daddy Love by Joyce Carol Oates

This month, I did a buddy read with another avid book reader. Together we read and discussed the novel, Daddy Love by Joyce Carol Oates. I've been wanting to read Daddy Love for two or three years now. I am glad to have finally read this novel and crossed it off of my 'to be read' pile this month.

Daddy Love is one of Joyce Carol Oates's shorter novels at 240 pages. It's a quick read, but also a difficult novel to read due to the subject matter. Let's just say that Daddy Love is perhaps the darkest novel I've read by Joyce Carol Oates and is not for the faint of heart. If child abduction and physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of very young minors is a trigger for you... Then stay far, far away from Daddy Love as this novel touches upon these topics and it isn't pretty! As far as the writing goes, I felt like Daddy Love is really well written overall. This is Joyce Carol Oates after all!

Daddy Love is divided into three parts. I am impressed with how well Joyce Carol Oates writes her prose and can take the reader deep inside dark and disturbing topics with ease. How does she do it? JCO also has a knack for writing about men with certain dark and disturbing predilections very well. Chet Cash (aka Daddy Love) is a true monster and JCO writes him so well.

The ending for Daddy Love is ambiguous! I am not a fan of ambiguous endings. I like solid endings, but perhaps that is difficult to achieve with this sort of novel. I'm not sure if it could have ended any other way.

JCO really does a great job deep diving into the mother's grief over the kidnapping and for the father's grief as well. She does a good job with how the kidnapping impacted their marriage and so on... And, of course, we read about how Robbie/Gideon is treated during his time with Chet/Daddy Love and it isn't pretty.

By the way, I listened to the unabridged audio version of Daddy Love, which was well narrated by Christine Williams.

Below is the publisher's summary for Daddy Love by Joyce Carol Oates, which I discovered on Goodreads:

Dinah Whitcomb seemingly has everything—a loving and successful husband, and a smart, precocious young son named Robbie—until one day, their worlds are shattered when Dinah is attacked and Robbie is abducted from a mall parking lot. As Dinah recovers from her wounds, she struggles to come to terms with her new reality and to keep her marriage afloat. Though it seems hopeless, she retains a flicker of hope that her son is still alive.

The kidnapper, a part-time preacher named Chester Cash, calls himself Daddy Love: he has abducted, tortured, and raped several young boys, indoctrinating them into becoming both his lover and his “son.” He renames Robbie “Gideon,” slowly brainwashing him into believing that he is Daddy Love’s real son. Any time the boy resists or rebels, he faces punishment beyond his wildest nightmares.

As Robbie grows older, he begins to realize that the longer he stays in the home of this demon, the greater the chance that he’ll end up like Daddy Love’s other “sons” who were never heard from again. Somewhere within this tortured young boy lies a spark of rebellion, and soon he sees just what lengths he must go to in order to have any chance at survival.

I am giving Daddy Love by Joyce Carol Oates a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

February 2026 Reading/Bookish Goals!!

1. This month, I am participating in a buddy read with another avid book reader living in the UK. We are currently reading Daddy Love by Joyce Carol Oates. 

Daddy Love is one of Joyce Carol Oates's shorter reads at roughly 240 pages and has 25 chapters. The goal is to read 5 chapters at a time and then discuss them before moving onto the next five chapters. So far, we've read and discussed the first five chapters of Daddy Love. It's a great read so far. Joyce Carol Oates is such a good writer, but Daddy Love is going to be a heavy read. I'm glad to have someone to read this book with... 

I also have another blogger friend who has expressed an interest in reading Daddy Love with me! I am interested in hearing her thoughts regarding Daddy Love.

2. This month, I also have plans to read Culpability by Bruce Holsinger and to discuss it with another friend who is reading this novel now. 

3. I also plan to read Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez for this month's book club selection for the Online Rainbow Book Club.

4. I also plan to attend and participate in this month's Online Rainbow Book Club. I enjoyed attending last month's meet-up.

5. Hopefully, fingers crossed, read a couple of other books beyond the above mentioned books. We'll see how it goes.

6. Find more new to me Little Free Libraries later on this month during an out of town mini trip with my husband. If I find any new to me LFLs, I'll be sure to write a blog post about my experience.

I think this pretty much sums up what I have planned this month bookish wise.

What are your bookish goals this month?

January 2026 in Review!

Here's a quick recap of my bookish activity for January 2026:

1. I've started posting as a Social Media Ambassador on Facebook for the public library in January. I've made 3-4 posts promoting services or events occurring at our local public library.

2. I read five books last month. All five books were either from the public library or from BookSirens. In other words, all free reads last month for me.

3. I made use of Hoopla for the first time last month. I borrowed and read four books from my public library - Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn, I Love Led Zeppelin by Ellen Forney, Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood's Dracula by Koren Shadmi, and The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of Television by Koren Shadmi. I'm enjoy Hoopla's services.

4. I participated in The Online Rainbow Book Club last month, which is an online book club hosted and moderated by our public library. We'd read and discussed Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, which I enjoyed. I am looking forward to reading and participating in future meet-ups of The Online Rainbow Book Club.

5. I visited The Quirky Crow Bookshop for the first time, which is a new indie bookstore in my city.

6. I made three Top Ten Tuesday posts last month. I enjoy participating in this weekly bookish event when time and interest allows.

7. I found 12 new to me Little Free Libraries in Livermore, California with my husband last month, which I blogged about as well.

8. Plus, posted a few newsy related items on my blog as well.

Tell me about your bookish achievements during January 2026!

The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of Television by Koren Shadmi

 

I've enjoyed watching The Twilight Zone television series featuring Rod Serling off and on over the years. They are fabulous episodes that have appeal to audiences today!

I've always wanted to learn more about Rod Serling's life. So, when I discovered The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of Television by Koren Shadmi, a nonfiction, graphic biography, I added it to my reading wishlist.

It just so happens that I was able to obtain the ebook edition of The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of Television by Koren Shadmi last month via Hoopla by having a public library card.

Side note, I'm thoroughly enjoying Hoopla! I was able to checkout four library books using Hoopla last month. I listened to one audiobook and read three ebook via Hoopla. I love making use of my public library card! Now back to my book review.

I enjoyed the artwork for The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of Television as well as the flow of information about the life of Rod Serling. There is just the right amount of information about Rod Serlong's life without being overkill. The ending of The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of Television is very Twilightesque, which I appreciated! I think most readers will appreciate the ending and its nod to 'The Twilight Zone' television series!

Below is the publisher's summary for The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of Television by Koren Shadmi:

A biographical tale that follows Hollywood revolutionary Rod Serling's rise to fame in the Golden Age of Television, and his descent into his own personal Twilight Zone.

We recognize him as our sharply dressed, cigarette-smoking tour guide of The Twilight Zone, but the entertainment business once regarded him as the “Angry Young Man” of Television. Before he became the revered master of science fiction, Rod Serling was just a writer who had to fight to make his voice heard. He vehemently challenged the networks and viewership alike to expand their minds and standards—rejecting notions of censorship, racism and war. But it wasn’t until he began to write about real world enemies in the guise of aliens and monsters that people lent their ears. In doing so, he pushed the television industry to the edge of glory, and himself to the edge of sanity. Rod operated in a dimension beyond that of contemporary society, making him both a revolutionary and an outsider.

I am giving The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of Television by Koren Shadmi a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Online Rainbow Book Club

 

On Thursday, January 29, 2026 from 6pm to 7pm was the first Online Rainbow Book Club of 2026. It was also the first time I've attended this online book club. 

I've been meaning to join a book club and stick with one long term as I enjoy reading and discussing books with others. Book clubs are the perfect venue for book discussions with others. 

I've also desired to be more involved in using the public library and the services they have to offer. 

The Online Rainbow Book Club is offered through our public library on a monthly basis. In fact, our public library offers several book clubs. Most of the book clubs seem to meet in person. I specifically chose the Online Rainbow Book Club because it meets online vs. in person. 

The Online Rainbow Book Club "is for all readers ages 18 and over who enjoy thoughtful and supportive discussions centering on LGBTQ+ titles, characters, and themes."

I do not fall into the LGBTQ+ spectrum. But as I've already mentioned I enjoy reading and discussing thought provoking books with others. 

Diversity and inclusivity are also big buzz words being used in recent years. I enjoy reading books written by and/or about minority groups. It is important to me to learn more about those around me as I feel it helps to build empathy, compassion, and understanding about those living different lives/lifestyles than myself.

I enjoyed attending my first Online Rainbow Book Club this past Thursday evening. We read and discussed Gideon the Ninth by Tamsym Muir. I'm looking forward to this month's read and upcoming book discussion. 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

The Quirky Crow Bookshop

 

A new independent bookstore has opened up here in San Ramon, California called The Quirky Crow Bookshop.

The Quirky Crow Bookshop opened its doors during the week of Thanksgiving 2025. I've been meaning to visit this local bookstore since I learned about it late last year. 

I decided to wait until after the first of the year to make my first visit to The Quirky Crow Bookshop as I wanted to avoid the holiday shopping crowds.

My husband and I ended visited The Quirky Crow Bookshop this morning for the very first time at 10am when they opened for business. 

What a cute, cozy, and inviting space for a bookshop! I love how light and bright this bookstore is. I also love the decor, layout, and flow of this bookstore as well. 

Unfortunately, I only took one interior photo during our brief visit to The Quirky Crow Bookstore as I was too busy enjoying the ambiance, looking around at all the books, and interacting with Joceline (staff member) during our visit.

I thought there were plenty of the latest, popular releases on hand and a wide variety of books to suit all reading tastes.

The Quirky Crow Bookshop also sells other swag like stickers, tote bags, keychains, postcards, candles, and mugs.

I love supporting independent bookstores and other small businesses. I'd been recommended Culpability by Bruce Holsinger by a friend, this is the book I purchased during my visit to The Quirky Crow Bookshop.

Have you visited any indie bookstores recently?

Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood's Dracula by Koren Shadmi

 

Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood's Dracula by Koren Shadmi is another book that's been on my reading wishlist for a while. I use to enjoy watching the classic horror films now and again decades ago.

Bela Lugosi's iconic performance as 'Dracula' is something else. I never knew much about Bela Lugosi's personal life. So, I decided to read the ebook edition of Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood's Dracula, which combines Bela Lugosi's life in words with comics.

I found Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood's Dracula by Koren Shadmi to be a quick read. I enjoyed both the artwork and the writing for this book. 

I feel that one of the perks of graphic nonfiction, if done well, is it combines both artwork and writing to share information. Sometimes you simply don't need (or want) to read a traditional book with very detailed information about a particular topic. In this case, I only wanted an overview of Bela Lugosi's life. I wasn't up for reading a full blown, in-depth biography about him as it would've been more than I wanted.

I wasn't aware of Lugosi's addiction to drugs and alcohol or his numerous marriages and infidelities until reading Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood's Dracula. Nor was I aware that Lugosi was a political activist in Hungary during his early years, which eventually lead Lugosi to flee Hungary.

Below is the publisher's summary for Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood's Dracula by Koren Shadmi from Amazon's website:

LUGOSI, the tragic life story of one of horror’s most iconic film stars, tells of a young Hungarian activist forced to flee his homeland after the failed Communist revolution in 1919. Reinventing himself in the U.S., first on stage and then in movies, he landed the unforgettable role of Count Dracula in what would become a series of classic feature films. From that point forward, Lugosi’s stardom would be assured...but with international fame came setbacks and addictions that gradually whittled his reputation from icon to has-been. LUGOSI details the actor’s fall from grace and an enduring legacy that continues to this day.

I am giving Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood's Dracula by Koren Shadmi a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

I Love Led Zeppelin by Ellen Forney

I've had a couple of books by Ellen Forney on my reading wishlist for quite a while. I Love Led Zeppelin was one of them. 

I read the ebook edition of I Love Led Zeppelin by Ellen Forney, which is a comic book that is (semi??) autobiographical in nature.

I Love Led Zeppelin is different than what I thought it would be. I thought it was a graphic novel with a plot that revolved around someone who loves the band, Led Zeppelin. 

Instead, I Love Led Zeppelin by Ellen Forney is a series of comics she has written alone or in collaboration with others. It's also (ssemi??) autobiographical, which isn't what I expected either.

Some of the various comics were good, some were so-so, and others were simply meh. This was my third read for 2026.

Below is more about I Love Led Zeppelin by Ellen Forney from the author's website:

Eisner-nominated I Love Led Zeppelin collects full-page comics published in magazines and weekly newspapers, including the L.A. Weekly, Seattle's The Stranger, and BUST Magazine. Stories include "How to Smoke Pot and Stay Out of Jail,” "How to Twirl Your Tassels In Opposite Directions,” "How to Sew an Amputated Finger Back On,” and "The Final Soundtrack," a death fantasy involving blood, glamour, and Led Zeppelin, and collaborations with Margaret Cho, Kristin Gore, Camille Paglia, and Dan Savage. Introduction by Sherman Alexie.

I am giving I Love Led Zeppelin by Ellen Forney a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Check Out the Psychology Behind Reading Several Books at Once!

 

I usually read several books at a time. I fall into categories one and two. What about you? Do you read multiple books at once? If so, which category do you fall into?