We Ride Upon Sticks

Phenomenal! This book is a mix of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Now and Then. I adored every second of it! A bunch of high school seniors sign their name to the devil's book (i.e. an Emilio Estevez spiral notebook) in return for having the best field hockey season of their lives. They are going to the state championships come hell or high water! It's 1989 and this motley crew of teenage girls (and Boy Cory) is living high on life. Now that they're toying around with "witchcraft" their game and their friendship has never been better. They're really meshing as a team and they have their black book of Emilio to thank for it. Told back and forth between the characters this story of identity, friendship, sexuality, school smarts, witchcraft, and field hockey is hilarious and unforgettable. Descriptions don't do it justice. I adored every character and their idiosyncrasies. From Jen and her claw (bangs aquanetted to high heaven) to Sue Yoon and her kool aid hair to Little Smitty's beloved rabbit - this story is one for the ages. Read it already!

The Saturday Night Ghost Club

A humorous nostalgic read with an ending you won't suspect, but will make the book all the more heartfelt for it. The Saturday Night Ghost Club is a mix between the Stranger Things and the Goonies, but a little more melancholy, and highlights two lonely pre-teens on the verge of a great friendship. Set during the 80's in the unique town of Niagara Falls, Jake learns what it's like to get over your fears, make friends, and tune in with your slightly spooky surroundings. His Uncle C owns and operates the Occultorium and urges Jake and a newcomer to town to attend his Saturday evening ghost club. Jake must overcome his fear of spooky things and friendship, but quickly discovers that it is well worth the risk. Quirky, beautifully written, and touching; this is an excellent book of friendship and of things that go bump in the night.

My Best Friend's Exorcism

After reading Grady Hendrix's brilliantly ridiculous, Horrorstor, I knew I had to read whatever he came out with next. In the same ridiculous vein as his other works this tongue and cheek over the top 80's tribute was just what I was in the mood for. It's 1988 and everything is going great for Abby and her best friend Gretchen. High school is their playground and they just tried acid for the first time. The only problem is Gretchen isn't quite herself after taking it. She disappeared in the woods and came back a different person. Is it just the drugs affecting her or is something really wrong? Surprisingly dark at times, this book had a lot of great moments and the 80's nostalgia was awesome. A fun fast read.