This book is not what I expected. There are a lot of parallels to the Moth Man Prophecies. It almost seems like there should be a thriller element to it, but it definitely isn’t a thriller. Although, there was a twist/big reveal at the end. Overall, it was ok. A little confusing at times, and also drawn out:

3.5/5 ⭐️
4/5 🎧

This book was a completely different change of pace from what I’m used to reading. It was very original and I loved all the little hedgehog facts thrown in. I don’t know if it was because I wasn’t fully invested in the story but I felt like it was so difficult to figure out which neighbor the chapter was talking about until I had more back story to make the connection.

I enjoyed listening to Jane Oppenheimer narrator the story. I don’t know if I would have enjoyed it as much without her!

I really tried to get into the flow of this story, realising it was basically a true story still did not help. Maybe the style of writing just didn’t grip me. I tried but alas to no avail.

Cassie, a former journalist and aspirational author turned creative writing professor, has questions from her life that have gone unanswered for decades. What were the circumstances around the bridge collapse that left her orphaned at the age of two? Why is no one willing to provide details of what her parents were doing in the area? Why has her husband of twenty-plus years confined himself to their basement, unable or unwilling to communicate about… anything? And why is no one willing to talk about the moth? Cassie sets out on a road trip to the bridge collapse site, newly-acquired puppy in tow, in an attempt to figure out the truth behind all of these questions.

I couldn’t shake a feeling of foreboding as I read this book. The heroine spends nearly the entire story concussed and unable to take care of herself, let alone a puppy. Most of the conflict of the book comes in the form of various puppy hijinks and Cassie’s denial of her (potentially serious) injury. In turn, I spent most of the book waiting for it all to catch up with her and wishing she would just seek out medical attention - not just for her sporadically bleeding head wound, but also for the obsessions that single-handedly tanked her journalism career.

I listened to the audiobook version of Real Life and Other Fictions, which may have contributed to the uneasiness I felt. The narrator, Jane Oppenheimer, brings a heaviness to her performance that makes you feel as burdened by the past as Cassie is. She leaned into Cassie’s fixations - really leaned in, like it was Jane’s obsession as much as Cassie’s. As the story goes on and the lines blur between the “real life” Cassie experiences and the “fictions” she has been told to believe, I got such a Shutter Island/Turn of the Screw vibe. I didn’t trust Cassie. I didn’t believe that anything she was seeing was rooted in reality, and that made it really hard to relate to her.

While it appears to be a “thing” in the Point Pleasant area and the story behind the 1967 Silver Bridge collapse, I was caught off guard by the throwaway references to a late 1700s battle between Virginia settlers and the Shawnee Indians that allegedly led to the area being “cursed”. The Indian Burial Ground Trope being what it is, we have to be so careful with how these stories are told and retold. Rarely does the retelling provide honor, deference, or peace to the peoples who were victimized. Cassie only wonders whether the chief’s depiction at a memorial might be racist and/or reductive, then, disappointingly, takes the rest of the story about the “curse” more or less at face value. I was also frustrated with Cassie’s aunt/adoptive mother over the course of the book. Halfway through the novel, she uses her conflict with Cassie as an exploitative story beat for her radio program. The radio show is high-profile and embarrassing, bad enough that Cassie’s college-aged daughter reaches out to see if she’s okay. Then, the plot line is dropped. Never addressed again. Even though the whole radio program alludes to the story Cassie is trying to investigate in the first place.

That said, there were some things I liked in Real Life and Other Fictions. Susan Coll is a talented writer and offers some turns of phrase that are quite beautiful, with multiple meanings. Sentences like “I begin to poke around the room, which is booby trapped with nostalgia” are weighty and evocative. The latter half of the book also has some musings on the nature of storytelling that are particularly insightful.

I think if you liked Take Me Apart by Sara Sligar or A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham, you might enjoy this book. Both of those novels had elements in common with Real Life and Other Fictions: first-person narration, something a little… off about how the protagonist experiences the world, and characters who aren’t quite telling each other the whole truth. Worry-wart that I am, I will grant that I may not be the target audience for books like this. Your mileage may vary.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Susan Coll, and Harper Muse for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

It took me a few days to write feedback after finishing this because I'm still not exactly sure what I think.

First, based on the description, I had no idea this book was going to center around a Mothman cryptid. It's bizarre to me that this isn't mentioned at all in the description since the entire book is about moths and the Mothman. I'm honestly not sure I would have picked this up if I had known that, so that taints my review a little.

I really enjoyed the parts of the story that weren't about the Mothman. Cassie's struggle to end her marriage and her complicated feelings about her husband and marriage were excellent. I particularly liked the self-exploration she went through realizing that part of what drew her to her husband initially was his lack of interest in her/the way he gave her space and didn't force her to talk about her past, and yet in retrospect that lack of interest was a huge red flag and a sign that their marriage was never healthy. I think many women in midlife who have been married for 10+ years go through a similar period of reexamination of the beginning of their relationship, and this felt very genuine and insightful.

I also really liked the premise of her sudden road trip to investigate her parents' deaths and the resulting discoveries she made about her own involvement and the information her aunt and uncle had been hiding from her for her whole life. It makes sense that fifty years earlier the adults were encouraged to sweep things under the rug and not talk about unpleasantness. The ties to the generations before them not speaking about their trauma around the Holocaust added additional nuance that I thought was very well done. I also loved the throughline about Cassie's inability to write her own story and her investment in the stories of her students.

The only thing I didn't really connect with was the magical realism element. It seemed to go either too far or not far enough. Strange things happen in this town and there are lots of men who look alike who may be twins or triplets or might just be a figment of your imagination and there are rare moths everywhere and they may or may not be related to a Mothman legend but also the main character has hit her head repeatedly so maybe this is all a hallucination. I would have preferred to pull back personally. Cut some of the moth references, make the hotel she stays at just a nice normal family-run institution with no confusion about whether the proprietors are real/magical. But I also might have been sold if the author had leaned in more and made it clear the town was magic. Or if the focus had been on the revelation that the "magical" elements were not real and Cassie was an unreliable narrator. Either way, the balance just felt slightly off on this aspect.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was thoughtful and genuine, and I liked reading about a woman in midlife reexamining and reclaiming her life.

Cassie has had enough. In her 50s, with a cheating husband, a stalled literary career, and unanswered questions about the accident that left her a young orphan, she and a teething puppy embark on a road trip that's heavy on impulse and light on planning. Not sure where she’s going, she decides to start at the beginning: her parents’ death. What were they doing on that West Virginia bridge when it collapsed? And why won't anyone in her family talk about it?

This intriguing premise grabbed my attention right away, especially since the pivotal event (the bridge collapse and the Mothman) is based on a true story. I enjoyed the first person narration, and Cassie's witty and intelligent banter, even when that banter was with herself. The reader is taken along on the journey as Cassie discovers what really happened on that day so many decades ago. However, the story very quickly got bogged down in the weather and moths (yes, you read that correctly). Both the weather and moths play a significant role in the storyline: Cassie's husband is a brilliant but troubled weather-obsessed-weather-phobic-weatherman, and a giant moth (the Mothman) was reportedly seen by many prior to the fatal bridge collapse. Still, there was just so much weather, and so many moths.

There were many lovely, quirky characters I enjoyed meeting in this book, and I like the way the truth of Cassie's past was revealed to her one piece at a time through each one. The droll, offbeat humor throughout the book was also entertaining.

The writing is fantastic, and for readers who like eccentric characters and don’t mind slightly rambling, sometimes verging on esoteric, conversations, this would be a great choice. I did like Cassie’s story of self-discovery, but I’m probably not the right audience for this book. It could have ended earlier and I would've been fine parting ways with the weatherman and the Mothman.

Thank you to Harper Collins Focus/Harper Muse, NetGalley, and the author Susan Coll for the complimentary advance copy! It was my pleasure to write this candid review.

"Humor Me" by Cat Shook is a delightful blend of comedy and introspection, following Cassie on her quest to uncover the truth about her parents' mysterious death. In her 50s and dealing with personal upheaval, Cassie embarks on an impulsive road trip with her teething puppy, leading her to unexpected encounters and revelations.

Shook's writing beautifully captures Cassie's journey through a series of comically surreal and warmhearted adventures, including meeting an enigmatic cryptozoologist. The novel cleverly blurs the lines between reality and fiction, offering a unique take on the nature of stories and who gets to write their endings.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus / Harper Muse Publishing for providing me with an advance listener copy of this heartwarming and thought-provoking book. "Humor Me" is a charming and uplifting read that reminds us of the power of stories and the resilience of the human spirit.

This book was totally not what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be some sort of light-hearted rom-com and it definitely was not. However it was bizarre in such a good way. Our main character is going back to her past as her current present is in shambles. Facing all sorts of half-truths and secrets about her family, and an interesting look into Cryptids and paranormal phenomena. It was a refreshing and very interesting novel.

I was expecting a romcom going into this book, and was very surprised when that was not what it was. I did enjoy the story, however, there were many details that were unnecessary and I feel as though the book could have been much shorter. I found myself very confused multiple times and having to go back and listen to certain sections. It got kind of weird at points as well where I was once again confused.

Cassie is a woman who has had enough. She is in her 50’s and is questioning everything in her life and wants some answers. With her uncommunicative cheating husband living in the basement she packs up her car and puppy and takes off to find answers and herself. Her journey is interesting at times, not so much at others until she finally figures out who she is, what she wants and takes charge.

The audio for Real Life and Other Fictions by Susan Coll was pretty good. The story follows Cassie, a middle-aged woman facing a mid-life crisis. Her marriage to Richard, a weatherman, is falling apart, partly due to her new puppy, Luna. While her family is busy writing books, Cassie has struggled with writer's block for years. Cassie decides to leaver her husband and take her dog to Point Pleasant, WV which is the site of her parents' died in a bridge collapse accident. Local legend speaks of a mothman who appeared before the disaster, and now Cassie finds a moth trapped in her car. Moths play a significant role throughout the novel, appearing in various forms, this kind of freaked me out, lol. In Point Pleasant, Cassie meets Ingram, a cryptozoologist studying the mothman. Though hesitant to reveal her true reasons for visiting, Cassie feels a connection with Ingram.

This book is 100% a slow burn, and more reflective than mysterious. I did speed up the audiobook to about 2.5/3 throughout the book. While I loved hearing about Luna’s puppy antics, her significance as a companion to Cassie felt downplayed. The love interest fell flat for me, and I felt Cassie, as a complex character, could have carried the story.

Overall, there were parts of the book I liked, but this book wasn't for me, but I'm sure people who enjoy this genre will. For fans of this style, it could easily be a four-star read, but I’m settling at 3 stars.

Very rarely do I hate a book. Typically, I don't finish books I hate, but when a publisher provides an eARC or an aARC, I will finish them.

I did not connect with Cassie at all. Even looking at it through a trauma-informed lens, she made very little sense to me. Waiting 57 or so years to get answers did not make sense to me, especially as she had always seemed to express curiosity. The romance came out of NOWHERE and left me feeling confused.

I also have family in WV and was really confused about how they kept acting as if it was a foreign land for people who live in DC, which it isn't.

Overall, the slow pace, the repetition, and the plot I did not like made this a pass for me. An extra star is added for how it did come together towards the end and had a few moments of piquing my interest.

The narrator was incredibly and painfully slow. I had to speed it up because my mind kept wandering between words. This was while I was driving!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins Focus for the advanced audiobook copy.

Good story with great narration.
This story had a little bit of magic and some mystery.
It was enjoyable and had endearing characters. I didnt love the mothman element but it didn't take anything away from the story.
Overall, a decent read with a good narration.

This was such an interesting book! Because there was a magical realism tilt, I kept second-guessing the narrator. It’s never tense, but it’s pretty much always curious. If you need a cut-and-dry story that doesn’t make you question how things are playing out, I’d stay away from this one. For this one, you have to be okay feeling just one step away from believing everything is a dream.

Enjoyed this endearing, quirky novel! Well-written with several interesting characters. The author ties then entire plot together at the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Mental Health Benefits of Pets and REAL LIFE AND OTHER FICTIONS by Susan Coll

Cover of the book Real Life and Other Fictions by Susan Coll used to teach the mental health concept of mental health benefits of Pets
Cassie spent the last few decades caring for her callous husband and loving daughter. That period in her life abruptly ended when Cassie’s daughter went away to college, and, at about the same time, she found out that her husband cheated on her and left him. Cassie is mad, sad, and exhausted. But also, having newly freed herself from the responsibilities associated with her child and husband, Cassie is insatiably curious about the bridge collapse that killed her parents. This obsession isn’t entirely new, but impulsively getting in the car and driving to see the town for herself is unlike anything Cassie has ever done before.

It's a long ride across a few states. Cassie’s in the driver’s seat, and there’s only one creature joining for this wild ride: her beloved puppy, Luna. When Cassie falls and hurts herself, Luna offers comfort. When Cassie is lonely, Luna provides companionship. When Cassie meets an intriguing man, Luna clearly expresses her approval. Cassie and Luna share an immensely fulfilling and stable relationship.

Cassie is not alone. Many people experience mental health benefits from having pets. With their unique ability to reduce stress and anxiety, decrease loneliness, and provide unconditional love and support, pets can serve as an exceedingly helpful coping tool. They offer a sense of purpose and cultivate an overall calming presence, making each day a little brighter.

People with pets, particularly dogs, spend more time outside, go for more frequent leisurely walks, and interact regularly with other pet owners. The mix of movement, connection, and time in nature is protective against depression.

Here are some tips to maximize the mental health benefits of pets:

Play Together: Try being silly with your pet. Explore games or places you might both enjoy.

Relish Caretaking: Pets are entirely reliant on you. Allow yourself to enjoy taking care of the pet you love.

Talk it Out: Pets are good listeners. Practice expressing your thoughts to your completely non-judgmental companion.

Real Life and Other Fictions by Susan Coll

Love Susan Coll? Me too. Check out my post on one of her other books, Bookish People, and avoiding doom scrolling.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

There was a bridge collapsing accident a few decades ago and Cassie's parents were part of the tragedy. She is now in her fifties with her marriage not working anymore and her aunt not answering her questions about the accident, she decided to go on a road trip on impulse and get the answers. A very intriguing plot indeed.
The story is set around christmas time and I wish I had read it in december it sure would've hit differently, I kept picturing bright sunny days and clear skies, that's a 'Me' thing though.
But the story was interesting, seeing what a tragedy can do to people who are connected to the victims, the town where the tragedy occurred was so different from what I have read before this, I got to read a new perspective and I want to thank the author for that.
I couldn't put the book down, once Cassie was in that town, the crypto guy was mysterious and I wasnt sure if we should trust him at first. I loved how all the stories connected, how things unfolded and all the events were well written.
I think it's a different kind of mystery, something between thriller and a cozy mystery , which I would categorise as literary fiction plus mystery subplot and I truly enjoyed it.
Rating:3.25

This story follows a woman trying to find out the story behind the death of her parents. Growing up in Ohio, I’d heard of the Mothman before, so it was interesting to read about it in a book too. Especially because I thought I was crazy when I remembered moth man.

The book did feel a little repetitive at times, but overall a decent book.

Thanks NetGalley for the audiobook version of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book had moments I liked, but I really struggled with staying focused and enjoying it. I didn’t care for the moth aspect of the story- it felt jarring from the overall feel of the novel and it was just bizarre. Bizarre is fine if there’s some cohesiveness but there wasn’t in this story.

Cassie was an ok character- and the premise of the road trip was a fun idea- I looked forward to her meeting people and ideally watching her grow as a person, but the story just fell a bit flat for me. Again there were moments but overall I just wanted it to be over. I’d still try this author’s books again as it’s possible it’s me

The beginning of the story interested me with the main character uncovering information from her mysterious past. I thought it would be an interesting road trip to discover the truth. In the end, it fell a bit flat for me. There was a lot of extra information that made it confusing and just bogged down. There was a lot of time spent in Cassie's end that I just didn't care for. I found the bits to do with her weather obsessed husband and with the moth references to be a bit odd overall.

Thank you to Netgalley, Susan Coll and Harper Collins Focus for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.