#Laura Howell

[art-of-thebeano]

Year : 2011

Artist : Laura Howell

Full Strip

[downthetubes]

Don't miss Minnie the Minx’s Mission of Maximum Mischief!

Watch out, Beanotown! Minnie the Minx is in charge now, in a new "Boomic" from BEANO publisher DC Thomson, available from all good bookshops online and physical, and WHSmith

Watch out, Beanotown! Minnie the Minx is in charge now, in a new “Boomic” from BEANO publisher DC Thomson, available from all good bookshops online and physical, and WHSmith. “Minnie’s Mission of Maximum Mischief“, an illustrated text-based tale, is a story about friends, family and overcoming one’s greatest fears, by learning to laugh at them.   Due to a case of mistaken identity, Minnie has…

[topperhay]

This time next week I’ll be at ThoughtBubble Comic Convention at table 94 in the Bubbleboy Hall along with @granitoons and @victorianclam. Come along and have a chat and maybe buy a comic or two!

[simandy]

Baby, take it off / Checkered thighs on a pretty pawn / This vicious velvet ain't anough / So baby, make a move / My neon eyes are set on you / The devil's language taste of lust.

[thatbin]

save me dip and pip

[wad-polaroids]

From laura @PINKAVEH on Twitter

[llhmua]

Love Magazine

Dance with a Stranger

 Fall/Winter 2012

Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott - Photographer

Katie Grand - Editor

Julien d'Ys - Hair Stylist

Lucia Pieroni - Makeup Artist

Michael Howells - Set Designer

Lorraine Griffin - Manicurist

Eddie Klint - Model

Jason Morgan - Model

Justus Eisfeld - Model

Oliver Greenall - Model

Jessica Brown Findlay

Michelle Dockery 

Laura Carmichael 

Rob James Collier 

Joanne Froggatt 

Sophy McShera 

Amy Nuttall  

Konan Hanbury  

Alex Shantz

[fandom]

Web Celebs

Minecraft streamers, Dropout stars, and D&D enthusiasts, all in one neat and tidy list.

Grian

GoodTimesWithScar

Hatsune Miku

Ryan Bergara

Shane Madej

Wilbur Soot

Brennan Lee Mulligan

Jerma

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Crumb

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Technoblade

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Ranboo

SmallishBeans

Mumbo Jumbo

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Slimecicle

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BdoubleO100

Inthelittlewood

impulseSV

Tubbo

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Laura Bailey

Docm77

Markiplier

Marisha Ray

GeorgeNotFound

Lou Wilson

Cellbit

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BadBoyHalo

Joe Hills

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Sam Reich

Ashley Johnson

Matthew Mercer

Jaiden Animations

Foolish Gamers

Aabria Iyengar

Zac Oyama

FalseSymmetry

Siobhan Thompson

Emily Axford 

Sam Riegel

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B. Dylan Hollis

Sapnap

LDShadowLady

Alan Becker

Jacksepticeye

Brian Murphy

Taliesin Jaffe

Bigbst4tz2

Jenna Marbles

F1nn5ter

Daniel Howell

El Mariana

Thomas Sanders

Baghera Jones

AmazingPhil

Kagamine Rin

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Shubble

Tom Cardy

Sneegsnag

Isabella Roland

CrankGameplays

Chris Fleming

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Aimsey

Steven Lim

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Eret

Brian David Gilbert

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Adrian Bliss

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Awesamdude

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SnapCube

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Megurine Luka

Aphmau

Julien Solomita

Rhett and Link

Colleen Ballinger

Bigolas Dickolas Wolfwood

This is a newly-combined list! Yay!

[thealmightyemprex]

Shelley Duvall Nightmare Classics,which should I watch

Shelley Duvalls attempt to adapt classic horror stories for TV ,which should I watch

Turn of the Screw -Amy Irving in this classic ghost story

Carmilla :Classic vampire story starring Meg Tilly,Roy Dotrice and Roddy McDowall

Eye of the PAnther-lesser known story starring Daphne Zuneiga and C Thomas Howell

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde -The classic horror tale with Anthony Andrews and Laura Dern

@makingboneboy @the-blue-fairie @themousefromfantasyland @theancientvaleofsoulmaking @amalthea9 @princesssarisa @ariel-seagull-wings

[neshatriumphs]

Dark Skin Directory

I did one of these for my sideblog BlackFemmeCharacterDependency (BFCD) and... While it’ll take longer on this end to do because there are more prominent figures here than on that one, I thought it would be good to also have one for my main...

EDIT: Okay, so the one that I did for BFCD does not work, so I am posting this one to see if it works, and if not, they’ll both be WIPS until I have the time to repair them

For the purposes of this list and on this page, whenever I say “dark skinned,” I mean a traditional brown crayon or darker. I grew up around Black people, so the words “dark skinned” do not mean the same thing to me as it do to nonblacks.

Aaron Rose Philip | Abbey Mag | Adelayo Adedayo | Adepero Oduye | Adina Porter |  Aesha Ash | Afton Williamson | Aïssa Maïga | Aja Naomi King | Akiima | Alexandra Arboleda | Alfre Woodard | Alisha White | Allison Dean | Alysia Rogers | Amber Riley | Amber Ruffin | Andrea Bordeaux | Angel Haze | Angel Theory |  Angelica Joy | Angelica Ross | Angelique Noire | Angely Gaviria | Aniela Gumbs | Ann Ogbomo | Ann Wolfe | Anna Diop | Anne Amari | Antoinette Robertson | Ashleigh Morghan | Ashleigh Murray | Ashley Blaine Featherson | Asjha Cooper | Assa Sylla | Aube Jolicoeur | Aunjanue Ellis | Awar Mou | Aweng Chuol | Ayisha Issa | Ayo Edebiri

.

Betty Adewole | Beverly Osu | Bianca Brewton |  Biba Williams | Bintou Sillah | Bob the Drag Queen | Bonnie Mbuli | Brandy Norwood | Bre Scullark | Brittany Adebumola 

.

Camille Winbush | Caroline Chikezie | Ceval Omar | Charlayne Woodard | Charnele Brown | Chinenye Ezeudu | Christine Adams | Cicely Tyson | Coco Jones | Condola Rashad | Crystal Clarke

.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph | Damaris Lewis | Dana Davis | Danai Gurira | Danielle Deadwyler | Danielle Moné Truitt | Dawnn Lewis | Debbi Morgan | Deborah Ayorinde |  Debra Shaw | Debra Wilson | Denee Benton | Dewanda Wise | Diahann Carroll | Diany Samba-Bandza | Diarra Ndiaye | Dominique Jackson | Duckie Thot

.

Ebboney Wilson | Ebonee Noel | Ebony Obsidian | Ego Nwodim | Elle M. Chaman | Elise Neal | Emayatzy Corinealdi | Enuka Okuma | Erica Tazel | Erika Alexander | Ester Dean | Esther Rolle

.

Faith Alabi | Faith Omole | Faithe Herman | Fardosa | Felecia M. Bell | Femi Taylor | Florence Kasumba | Folake Olowofoyeku | Franchesca Ramsey

.

Gabrielle Graham | Gabrielle Union Wade | Gabourey Sidibe | Garcelle Beauvais | Geffri Maya | Genevieve Nnaji | Gina Torres | Gloria Hendry | Grace Jones

.

Halimotu Shokunbi | Hamamat | Harriett D Foy | Heather Headley | Heir of Glee | Helen Aluko

.

Iman | Imani Hakim | Imani Lewis | Ingrid Silva | Ireanna | Issa Rae

Jacqueline Moore | Jada Harris | Janelle James | Janelle Monae | Janeshia Adams Ginyard | Janet Hubert | Janet Jumbo | Javicia Leslie | Jayme Lawson | Jeante Godlock | Jemima Osunde | Jennifer Hudson | Jerrika Hinton | Jessica Allain | Jessieca Alford | Jill Marie Jones | Jo Marie Payton | Jobel Mokonzi | Jodie Turner Smith | Johnnie Hill | Joi Harris | Joie Lee | Jonica “Jojo” T. Gibbs | Josette Simon | Jwaundace Candece

.

Kabrina Adams | Karen Glave | Karen Obilom | Karidja Touré | Karimah Westbrook | Keeya King | Kellie Shanygne Williams | Kellita Smith | Kelly Rowland | Kenya Moore | Keshia Knight Pulliam | Kiara Pike | Kiki Layne | Kimberly Marable | Kirby Howell Baptiste

.

Laci Mosley | Lanei Chapman | Lashana Lynch | Laura Kariuki | Lauren Byfield | Lidya Jewett | Lisa Berry | Lisette Malidor | Lolly Adefope | Lorraine Pascale | Lorraine Toussaint | Loren Lott | Loretta Devine | LovelyOverdose | Lyric Ross

.

MaameYaa Boafo | Madison Curry | Mame Adjei | Marcia McBroom | Maria Borges | Mariah Iman Wilson | Marlene Clark | Marsai Martin | Mary Alice | Mary Oyaya | Mayowa Nicolas | Medina Senghore | Melodie Wakivuamina | Merrin Dungey | Michaela Coel | Miji Awakyr | Milauna Jackson | Miqueal-Symone Williams | Morgan Dawson | Moses Ingram | Moshidi Motshegwa | Mouna Fadiga | Mouna Traoré | Mumbi Maina | Musabey

.

Naomi Campbell | Naomi Ekperigin | Naomi WWE |  Naomie Harris |  Natalie Desselle Reid | N’Bushe Wright | Nia Jervier | Nia Long | Nichole Galicia | Nicki Micheaux | Nicole Beharie | Nicole Byer | Normani Kordei | Nyakim Gatwech | Nyanderi Deng | Nyaueth Riam | Nyla Lueeth | Nyma Tang |

.

Octavia Spencer | Ola Ray | Olunike Adeliyi | Olivia Sang | Omono Okojie | Oprah Winfrey | Oyin Oladejo | Ozioma Akagha

.

Patina Miller | Paulina Otylie Surys | Philomena Kwao | Phina Oruche | Phylicia Benn | Phylicia Rashad | Pippa Bennett Warner | Precious Adams | Precious Mustapha |

.

Queen Quet | Quiana Welch | Quinta Brunson | Quvenzhane Wallis

Raigan Harris | Reagan Gomez | Regina King | Regina Van Helvert | Renee Elise Goldsberry | Retta | Riele Downs | Ronke Adekoluejo | Rose Jackson | Ruth (IAmBabeRuth/BabeRuthTV) |  Rutina Wesley | Ryan Destiny

.

Saidah Arrika Ekulona | Samantha Liana Cole | Samantha Marie Ware | Sandra Dede sandramabelle | Saniyya Sidney | Sara Martins | Sasha Lambon | Sasheer Zamata | Sese Madaki Ali | Shahadi Wright Joseph | Shanice Williams | Shannon Thornton | Sharon Duncan Brewster | Sharon Ferguson | Sharon Pierre-Louis | Shea Couleé | Sheryl Lee Ralph | Shyko Amos | Sibongile Mlambo | Sierra McClain | Simbi Khali | Simona Brown | Simone Biles | Simone Missick | Sindi-Dlathu | Skai Jackson | Skye P. Marshall | Sokhna Cisse | Sonya Eddy | Stefanee Martin | Stella Okech | Subah Koj | Sufe Bradshaw | Susan Wokoma | Symphony Sanders

.

T’Nia Miller | Tamara Dobson | Tamara Lawrance | Tamera Mclaughlin  (Dwarfism Disability. Check PC before adding to that list) | Tanerélle | Tanedra Howard | Tanisha Scott | Tanya Moodie | Tanyell Waivers | Taral Hicks | Tarana Burke | Tempestt Bledsoe |  Tenika Davis | Teresa Graves | Terri J. Vaughn | Teshi Thomas | Teyonah Parris | Theresa Fractale | Thishiwe Ziqubu | Tichina Arnold | Tonya Pinkens | Tracey Ifeachor | Trina McGee | Trina Parks | Tyra Ferrell

.

Vanessa Bell Calloway | Vanessa Lee Chester | Vanessa Gyimah | Vanessa Nakat | Vanessa Estelle Williams | Vaneza Oliveira | Veronica S. Taylor | Viola Davis | Vivica Ifeoma

.

Wakeema Hollis | Whitney Houston | Whoopi Goldberg | Wunmi Mosaku

.

Xosha Roquemore

.

Yaani King | Yandeh Sallah | Yanna McIntosh | Yaya Dacosta | Yaz | Yetide Badaki | Yolonda Ross  | Yusra Warsama | Yvonne Okoro | Yvonne Orji

.

Zainab Johnson | Zelda Harris | Zenobia | Zethu Dlomo | Zhariah Hubbard | Ziwe Fumudoh | Zola Williams | Zozibini Tunzi

#to add to darkskin directory

Aliet Sarah

Tricia Akello

Sokhna Niane

Rashida Renée

Javonna Charde’

Ajak Deng

Edun Bola

Pretty Tye

Herieth Noela

[art-of-thebeano]

Artist: Laura Howell

Date: 2011

[downthetubes]

The countdown to Portsmouth Comic Con is on, with Doctor Who guests and events aplenty

Amazing comic creators, Doctor Who guests are heading to Portsmouth next month to celebrate all things comic, film, cosplay and more

Portsmouth Comic Con – International Festival of Comics is gearing up for a spectacular comic extravaganza on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th June 2023 at Portsmouth Guildhall. The line-up, events and attractions have something for everyone as the biggest family-friendly Comic Con of its kind makes its return, from amazing comic artists and celebrity guests to panels and workshops, themed…

[mordekaiserswhore]

(for the Fandometrics)

For some reason, now whenever I hear the song Awake and Dreaming by Laura Brehm, I think of Dan Howell and the journey he's been on where he finally finds his true purpose in life. Especially the chorus lyrics:

I lay awake And I dream about A place I can call home. Where I am free and I can be myself. And I won't give this up for anything, not anymore. I am awake and dreaming.

Highly recommend the song!

Omg 😭😭😭 this is actually beautiful

thx for the ask!! Let's go phandometrics!!

[blackfemmecharacterdependency]

Black Femme Character Dependency Dark Skin Directory || Entertainers Pt. 1 (A-N)

For the purposes of this list and on this page, whenever I say “dark skinned,” I mean a traditional brown crayon or darker. I grew up around Black people, so the words “dark skinned” do not mean the same thing to me as it do to some nonblacks.

*I am attempting to redo this list that will not show up for some reason...

A.

Aaron Rose Philip | Abbey Mag | Adelayo Adedayo | Adele Oni | Adella Afadi | Adepero Oduye | Adina Porter | Aesha Ash | Afton Williamson | Aïssa Maïga | Aja Naomi King | Ajak Deng | Akiima | Akon Changkou | Alexandra Arboleda | Alfre Woodard | Aliet Sarah | Alisha White | Allison Dean | Alysia Rogers | Amanda Warren | Amandla Jahava | Amber Gray | Amber Riley | Amber Ruffin | Andrea Bordeaux | Anesha Bailey | Angel Haze | Angel Theory | Angelica Joy | Angelica Ross |  Angelique Noire | Angely Gaviria |  Aniela Gumbs | Ann Ogbomo | Ann Wolfe | Anne Amari |   Antoinette Robertson | Ashleigh Morghan |  Ashleigh Murray | Ashley Blaine Featherson | Ashley Romans | Asjha Cooper |   Assa Sylla | Aube Jolicoeur | Aunjanue Ellis | Awar Mou | Aweng Chuol | Ayisha Issa |  Ayo Edebiri

B.

Betty Adewole | Beverly Osu | Bianca Brewton | Biba Williams | Bintou Sillah |   Blesnya Minher | Bob the Drag Queen | Bonnie Mbuli | Brandy Norwood | Bre Scullark | Bria Henderson | Brittany Adebumola | Brittany Marie Batchelder |   Brooke Singleton

C.

Camille Winbush | Caroline Chikezie | Ceval Omar | Chanelletime | Charlayne Woodard | Charnele Brown |  Chinenye Ezeudu | Chiquita Fuller |  Christine Adams | Cicely Tyson | Coco Jones | Colette Dalal Tchantcho | Condola Rashad | Crystal Clarke

D.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph | Damaris Lewis | Damita Jane Howard | Dana Davis |  Danai Gurira | Danielle Deadwyler | Danielle Moné Truitt | Dawnn Lewis | Debbi Morgan | Deborah Ayorinde | Debra Wilson | Denee Benton | Dewanda Wise |   Diahann Carroll | Diany Samba-Bandza | Diarra Ndiaye | Dominique Jackson | Duckie Thot

E. 

Ebboney Wilson |   Ebonee Noel |  Ebony Obsidian |  Edun Bola | Ego Nwodim |  Elle M. Chaman | Ellen Bendu |   Ellen Thomas |  Elise Neal |  Emayatzy Corinealdi |  Enuka Okuma |  Erica Tazel |   Erika Alexander |  Ester Dean |  Esther Rolle

F.

Faith Alabi |  Faith Omole | Faithe Herman | Fardosa | Fatou Jobe | Felecia M. Bell |  Femi Taylor |   Florence Kasumba | Folake Olowofoyeku |  Franchesca Ramsey

G.

Gabrielle Graham |  Gabrielle Union Wade |  Gabourey Sidibe |  Garcelle Beauvais |  Geffri Maya | Genevieve Nnaji |  Gina Torres |  Gloria Hendry |  Grace Jones  

H.

Halimotu Shokunbi |  Hamamat |  Harriett D Foy |  Heather Headley |  Heir of Glee |  Helen Aluko

I.

Ifeoma Nwobu | Iman |  Imani Hakim |  Imani Lewis |  Ingrid Silva |  Ireanna |  Issa Rae  

J.

Jacqueline Moore |  Jada Harris | Jade Eshete | Jaimi Gray |  Janelle James |  Janelle Monae |  Janeshia Adams Ginyard |   Janet Hubert |  Janet Jumbo |  Javicia Leslie |  Javonna Charde’ | Jayden Rey |  Jayme Lawson | Jeante Godlock |   Jemima Osunde |  Jennifer Hudson | Jerrika Hinton |  Jessica Allain |  Jessieca Alford | Jill Marie Jones |  Jo Marie Payton |  Jobel Mokonzi |   Jodie Turner Smith |  Johnnie Hill |  Joi Harris |  Joie Lee |  Jonica “Jojo” T. Gibbs |  Josette Simon |  Jwaundace Candece  

K.

Kabrina Adams |  Karen Glave |  Karen Obilom | Karidja Touré |  Karimah Westbrook |  Keeya King |  Kellie Shanygne Williams |  Kellita Smith |  Kelly Rowland |  |Kenya Moore |  Keshia Knight Pulliam |  Kiara Pike |  Kiki Layne |  Kimberly Marable |  Kirby Howell Baptiste |  Kyla Ramsey 

L.

Laci Mosley |  Lanei Chapman |  Lashana Lynch |  Laura Kariuki |  Lauren Byfield |  Lidya Jewett |  Lisa Berry |  Lisette Malidor |  Lolly Adefope |  Lorraine Pascale | Lorraine Toussaint |  Loren Lott | Loretta Devine | LovelyOverdose |  Lyric Ross

M.

MaameYaa Boafo | Madisin Rian | Madison Curry | Mame Adjei | Marcia McBroom | Maria Borges | Mariah Iman Wilson |  Marlene Clark |  Marsai Martin |  Mary Alice |  Mary Oyaya | Mayowa Nicolas |  Medina Senghore | Melinda Berry (Melrose) | Melodie Wakivuamina |  Melody Lulu-Briggs | Merrin Dungey |  Michaela Coel |  Miji Awakyr |  Milauna Jackson |   Mimi Ndiweni | Miqueal-Symone Williams | Morgan Dawson |  Moses Ingram |  Moshidi Motshegwa |  Mouna Fadiga | Mouna Traoré |  Mumbi Maina | Musabey

N.

Naomi Campbell | Naomi Ekperigin | Naomi WWE | Naomie Harris | Natalie Desselle Reid |  N’Bushe Wright | Nia Jervier |  Nia Long |  Nichole Galicia |  Nicki Micheaux | Nicole Beharie | Nicole Byer | Normani Kordei | Nyakim Gatwech | Nyanderi Deng | Nyarach Abouch Ayuel | Nyaueth Riam | Nykhor Paul | Nyla Lueeth |  Nyma Tang

[learnthisphrase]

Best books of 2023

The best books I read in 2023

Knock Knock, Open Wide by Neil Sharpson (Tor Nightfire, 2023)

Imagine Tana French writing a folklore-infused horror novel, and you have Knock Knock, Open Wide. The always-thrilling plot takes in a life-changing accident, a love affair, and a sinister TV series; the storylines overlap and entwine perfectly, and there’s a lot of beautifully crafted character work. It’s a dark and eerie book, but full of life and love, too.

Black Mountain by Simon Bestwick (Independent Legions, 2021)

A mixed-media horror novel disguised as non-fiction about the many strange incidents surrounding a cursed/haunted mountain. Unputdownable and genuinely unnerving at points – I had the time of my life reading this. I’m amazed it isn’t better-known among horror fans!

The Last Language by Jennifer duBois (Milkweed Editions, 2023)

A riveting, disturbing book about a language therapist’s relationship with the autistic man she’s helping to ‘speak’ using the controversial method of facilitated communication. I read it in one fevered session, completely in the grip of the dizzying, queasy moral maze duBois creates.

Hydra by Adriane Howell (Transit Lounge, 2022)

Just when you think the ‘unhinged woman’ trend has had its day, this excellent Australian debut offers a fresh spin on the whole idea. Anja’s dry, idiosyncratic voice rings out from the page, and the plot is never far away from intimations of something dark and weird. Read if you love Ottessa Moshfegh and Tár.

My Death by Lisa Tuttle (2004, reissued by NYRB Classics 2023)

A perfect novella about a widowed writer who becomes obsessed with her latest project, a biography of a little-known artist’s muse. Astonishingly clever, convincing and absorbing, it’s a revelation and turned me into an instant fan of Tuttle’s writing.

Grasshopper by Barbara Vine (Penguin, 2000)

A beautiful and eloquent coming-of-age tale dressed up as a crime novel. The plot has so many different strands that it’s difficult to describe concisely, but this is essentially a character-focused story about identity, aspiration and love. The rare book that actually made me cry.

How Can I Help You by Laura Sims (Putnam, 2023; UK ebook out in January 2024)

Explores the tense relationship between two women with secrets (some more dangerous than others) who both work at a public library. A sharp, nuanced character study that is also utterly propulsive. If you loved Death of a Bookseller, this should be next on your wishlist.

Novel with Cocaine by M. Ageyev, translated by Michael Henry Heim (Picador, 1985)

1930s cult classic about a dissolute Russian teenager, his friendships, affairs and drug addiction. Think No Longer Human, but (in my opinion) way better. It’s philosophical, funny and stuffed with remarkable descriptive writing.

Where the Dead Wait by Ally Wilkes (Titan, January 2024)

Years after an infamous failed expedition, a captain with a sullied reputation must return to the Arctic in search of his former lieutenant. Immersive and enthralling at every level, this is a blood-soaked, frostbitten treat – I’ve been describing it as The Terror meets Heart of Darkness.

The Devil’s Playground by Craig Russell (Doubleday, 2023)

An elaborately plotted historical mystery about a legendary silent horror movie. Come for the lost film and its ghosts; stay for the well-researched portrait of old Hollywood, the world-weary heroine, and the fascinating detective story.

We Were Never Friends by Margaret Bearman (Brio Books, 2020)

A woman looks back at a strange period of her youth when her family became entangled with Kyla, a hated classmate of hers. Dazzling at the sentence level – Bearman illuminates Lotti and Kyla’s world with startling colour, vividly portraying the emotional landscape of adolescence.

Honour Thy Father by Lesley Glaister (Bloomsbury, 1991)

Four elderly – yet naive – siblings live in self-imposed imprisonment amid the squalid remains of their family home. How did they end up like this? We Have Always Lived in the Castle meets Come Join Our Disease in a dark tale that perfectly balances tender nostalgia, black humour and sinister threat.

Angel by Elizabeth Taylor (Virago, 1957)

We meet Angel as an impetuous 15-year-old convinced she will become a great novelist, and follow throughout her life as she first fails upwards, then eventually loses everything. It’s a tragic story that centres on a pathetic character, yet Taylor writes with a compassion that makes it almost romantic.

The Night Ocean by Paul La Farge (Penguin, 2017)

A labyrinthine series of stories within stories inspired by H.P. Lovecraft – but you definitely don’t need to like (or have read) Lovecraft to enjoy it. Deceptively complex, it excavates the lives of its characters while maintaining a subtle sense that the whole narrative is haunted.

Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward (Viper, 2023)

My favourite of Ward’s books since her debut Rawblood, this is a story about murder that deals with the long shadow it casts. It’s also about writing and witchcraft, unrequited love, and the death of the author, and is unexpectedly heartbreaking.

Brainwyrms by Alison Rumfitt (Cipher Press, 2023)

This book takes the ‘trauma as horror’ trope and eats it from the inside out. It’s full of fearless writing about fetishes, transness, transphobia, dysphoria, and what – if anything – it means to be virtuous. While often disgusting (be warned), I wanted to reread it straight away.

Where Furnaces Burn by Joel Lane (2012, reissued by Influx Press 2023)

A sprawling map of linked stories; layered, moody and strange. Not the easiest book to recommend – Lane, one of my favourite writers, invariably creates very bleak worlds – but an incredibly rewarding reading experience.

Notable reread: Kiss Me First by Lottie Moggach (Picador, 2013)

A grieving, lonely young woman finds solace on an online debate forum and ends up immersed in someone else’s life. Just as fast-paced, gripping and brilliantly voice-driven as it was when I first read it a decade ago.

Honourable mentions

So many good books came out in 2023 that I have to mention a few more. The Book of Ayn by Lexi Freiman was the funniest, sharpest, most quotable novel I read this year. I loved the intriguing layers of Ben Tufnell’s The North Shore and Viola Di Grado’s poignant Blue Hunger, translated by Jamie Richards. Verity M. Holloway’s romantic, atmospheric The Others of Edenwell deserved way more attention. And this may be an unpopular opinion, but I enjoyed Elizabeth Hand’s A Haunting on the Hill more than The Haunting of Hill House.

For thought-provoking plots: Service by Sarah Gilmartin and Kids Run the Show by Delphine de Vigan, translated by Alison Anderson. For pure thrills: Nicholas Binge’s mind-bending Ascension and Jinwoo Chong’s dazzling Flux. For both, and great suspense: A Flaw in the Design by Nathan Oates.

And not forgetting the brilliant 2023 books I read as review copies last year: Nina Allan’s masterpiece Conquest, Alice Slater’s ultra-compelling Death of a Bookseller, and Maria Dong’s loveable Liar, Dreamer, Thief.

[wad-polaroids]

From katie @pastalbedo and laura @bfmarkles on Twitter