magicisforgetting

lush, gorgeous writing, with a side of horror? i'm in.

624 points

0% overlap

My Taste

Reading...

magicisforgetting commented on a post from the Pagebound Club forum

17h

magicisforgetting

What was your favorite book you've read this year, and what book are you still looking forward to?

My favorite so far has been The Shining by Stephen King. Before that, I'd only read 11/22/63 and Carrie. I DNF'd 11/22/63 and Carrie was okay, but I felt the concept could have been better executed. Having read On Writing, I understand that he himself didn't emotionally connect with Carrie and that was probably what I felt was missing.

But The Shining...I finally understand why he's been crowned The King of Horror. It surprised me how gripping it was. I couldn't put it down.

The book I've been most looking forward to reading is The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Cañas. She's one of my favorite authors. I pre-ordered her book as someone who is pretty strictly a library gal, because she's never steered me wrong before. Every book she's written has been a hit for me. But I haven't gotten to reading it! I keep waiting for the right moment!

Post from the Pagebound Club forum

17h

magicisforgetting

Do you read spoilers?

Growing up, I would read spoilers, because I didn't like the suspense of not knowing. It also helped me spot character development, foreshadowing, and the basic pieces of how the story is shaped. But as an adult, I try not to read spoilers! I like to figure it out for myself. What about you all? How do you guys read? :)

magicisforgetting commented on sphynxreads's review of The Sleepless

17h

sphynxreads

Jul 21, 2025

4.0

Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

Actual rating: 4.5

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What's that? A reader who generally does not enjoy sci-fi actually loves a sci-fi book? I thoroughly enjoyed The Sleepless from start to finish. Set in the not-too-distant future, this murder mystery that borders on being a thriller asks the question, what if there is a pandemic that makes about a quarter of the population unable and unneeding of sleep? What would the repercussions be in terms of public health, how big corporations would respond, how work-life balance would shift, and how the media would portray such a phenomenon?

Despite not being able to mentally keep track of all the characters, the fact that this story held my interest from start to finish says a lot about this book. The main character is a compelling narrator, not necessarily because he is an endearing character but because his thought process and the way he views his many different relationships were so interesting to follow. I also found the dialogue to be realistic and the themes that this story touches on to be thought-provoking. The pacing of the book was also nearly perfectly executed with each chapter unraveling the mystery just a little bit more without feeling like the reader is being forced to turn the pages the way most thrillers do. I honestly would love to see this book adapted as a film since reading this felt almost like watching a Jason Bourne movie, though less edge-of-your-seat.

I will definitely be keeping an eye out for any future works from Victor Manibo. He's definitely an author to watch, especially in the speculative thriller scene.

Post from the The Sleepless forum

18h

magicisforgetting

Thoughts from 44% (page 167)

spoilers

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Post from the The Sleepless forum

magicisforgetting

Thoughts from 24% (page 90)

Surprised how many people found this a slow read! I think it's fascinating. As someone deeply interested in how the biological need for rest clashes with the man-made system of capitalism, this was VERY in-depth in demonstrating the author's vision. I especially liked that whole segment about where the coffee industry ended up and how the protagonist's coffee shop is located in an old church. Touché. Also, normally, I just let the murder mystery play out in books, but with this one, I'm actively getting to figure out who it is! I'm sick as a dog right now, and still desperate to read more of this book.

magicisforgetting started reading...

The Sleepless

Victor Manibo

Journalist Jamie Vega is Sleepless: he can’t sleep, nor does he need to. When his boss dies on the eve of a controversial corporate takeover, Jamie doesn’t buy the too-convenient explanation of suicide, and launches an investigation of his own. But everything goes awry when Jamie discovers that he was the last person who saw Simon alive. Not only do the police suspect him, Jamie himself has no memory of that night. Alarmingly, his memory loss may have to do with how he became Sleepless: not naturally, like other Sleepless people, but through a risky and illegal biohacking process. As Jamie delves deeper into Simon’s final days, he tangles with extremist organizations and powerful corporate interests, all while confronting past traumas and unforeseen consequences of his medical experimentation. But Jamie soon faces the most dangerous decision of all as he uncovers a terrifying truth about Sleeplessness that imperils him—and all of humanity.

magicisforgetting finished a book

Slow Birding: The Art and Science of Enjoying the Birds in Your Own Backyard

Joan E. Strassmann

A one-of-a-kind guide to birding locally that encourages readers to slow down and notice the spectacular birds all around them. Many birders travel far and wide to popular birding destinations to catch sight of rare or “exotic” birds. In Slow Birding , evolutionary biologist Joan E. Strassmann introduces readers to the joys of birding right where they are. In this inspiring guide to the art of slow birding, Strassmann tells colorful stories of the most common birds to be found in the United States—birds we often see but might not have considered deeply before. For example, northern cardinals thrive in the city, where they are free from predators. White brows on a male white-throated sparrow indicate that he is likely to be a philanderer. This essential guide to the fascinating world of common, everyday birds Slow Birding is the perfect guide for the birder looking to appreciate the beauty of the birds right in their own backyard, observing keenly how their behaviors change from day to day and season to season.

magicisforgetting finished a book

Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto

Tricia Hersey

Far too many of us have claimed productivity as the cornerstone of success. Brainwashed by capitalism, we subject our bodies and minds to work at an unrealistic, damaging, and machine‑level pace of work –– feeding into the same engine that enslaved millions into brutal labor for its virtuous benefit. Our worth does not reside in how much we produce, especially for a system that exploits and dehumanizes us. Rest, in its simplest form, becomes an act of resistance and a reclaiming of power because it disrupts and pushes back against capitalism and white supremacy. From the founder and creator of The Nap Ministry, Rest Is Resistance is a battle cry, a guidebook, a map for a movement, and a field guide for the weary and hopeful. It is rooted in spiritual energy and centered in Black liberation, womanism, somatics, and Afrofuturism. With captivating storytelling and practical advice, all delivered in Hersey’s lyrical voice and informed by her deep experience in theology, activism, and performance art, Rest Is Resistance is a call to action and manifesto for those who are sleep deprived, searching for justice, and longing to be liberated from the oppressive grip of Grind Culture.

magicisforgetting finished a book

The Lottery and Other Stories

Shirley Jackson

The Lottery, one of the most terrifying stories written in this century, created a sensation when it was first published in The New Yorker. "Power and haunting," and "nights of unrest" were typical reader responses. This collection, the only one to appear during Shirley Jackson's lifetime, unites "The Lottery:" with twenty-four equally unusual stories. Together they demonstrate Jackson's remarkable range--from the hilarious to the truly horrible--and power as a storyteller.

magicisforgetting joined a quest

Horror Starter Pack Vol I 👹🦇⚰️

💎 // 2055 joined

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An introduction to the Horror genre, these books are part of the cultural zeitgeist or the 'canon' that many would recognize. Look for more niche titles in later Starter Pack volumes.

magicisforgetting made progress on...

Slow Birding: The Art and Science of Enjoying the Birds in Your Own Backyard

Joan E. Strassmann

69%

magicisforgetting made progress on...

Slow Birding: The Art and Science of Enjoying the Birds in Your Own Backyard

Joan E. Strassmann

61%

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