All My Colors by David Quantick

Available now

One of my favorite things to do is find books in unlikely places. The bargain bin at Menards? Often, it’s a gold mine. Dollar Tree? I have found some wildly popular bestsellers there for a handful of quarters. This is one of those books that I discovered on the back of the shelf and it cost me four whole quarters. Why did I pick it? I liked the cover. That was my entire justification for buying it. I then let it sit on my shelf for several years as I often do with my book purchases because there is nothing wrong with that.

But then I picked it up on my quest to read more of my physical book and immediately hated every single character. Everyone is awful! Well, one person is fine but you don’t know that until nearly the end and I’m not spoiling that for you. But the story and the writing is so wild and compelling that you can’t help but get sucked in. I may have had this book for years, but I finished it in two days.

From the Publisher:

It is March 1979 in DeKalb, Illinois. Todd Milstead is a wannabe writer, a serial adulterer, and a jerk, only tolerated by his friends because he throws the best parties with the best booze. During one particular party, Todd is showing off his perfect recall, quoting poetry and literature word-for-word plucked from his eidetic memory. When he begins quoting from a book no one else seems to know, a novel called All My Colors, Todd is incredulous. He can quote it from cover to cover and yet it doesn't seem to exist. With a looming divorce and mounting financial worries, Todd finally tries to write a novel, with the vague idea of making money from his talent. The only problem is he can't write. But the book - All My Colors - is there in his head. Todd makes a decision: he will "write" this book that nobody but him can remember. After all, if nobody's heard of it, how can he get into trouble? As the dire consequences of his actions come home to both Todd and his long-suffering friends, it becomes clear that there is a high - and painful - price to pay for his crime.

This book is wild. Todd Milstead is one of the most unlikeable characters I’ve ever come across. He is given numerous chances to not just be a better person, but to be the bare-minimum of a decent human being, and at every turn, he fails spectacularly. The punishments he receives for constantly choosing to be a jerk are absolutely incredible. It is so darkly comical and slapstick that I had to reread several passages multiple times to make sure I was reading it correctly. I really enjoyed how Quantick wove together the fantastical elements with the darkly humorous realistic elements. Unfortunately for some of our characters, they meet some pretty inexplicable fates.

Overall, I found this book fascinating. The characters are well-developed, the writing is absolutely compelling, and it’s perfectly paced. I found it to be darkly funny and wildly unpredictable. If you’re looking for a weird and quirky read, this should be top of your list.

If you’d like more information about this title, including ordering information, you can click on the cover above. This post may contain links, including Amazon Associate Links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Available now

I absolutely adore Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing. After checking her website, I have just three more novels to go and I’ll have read, and loved, her entire catalog. She has this incredible writing style that is lush and beautifully lyrical and her ability to immerse you in the story is unparalleled.

From the Publisher:

A young woman wins the role of a lifetime in a film about a legendary heroine—but the real drama is behind the scenes in this sumptuous historical epic from the author of Mexican Gothic. 1950s Hollywood: Every actress wants to play Salome, the star-making role in a big-budget movie about the legendary woman whose story has inspired artists since ancient times. So when the film’s mercurial director casts Vera Larios, an unknown Mexican ingenue, in the lead role, she quickly becomes the talk of the town. Vera also becomes an object of envy for Nancy Hartley, a bit player whose career has stalled and who will do anything to win the fame she believes she richly deserves.

Two actresses, both determined to make it to the top in Golden Age Hollywood—a city overflowing with gossip, scandal, and intrigue—make for a sizzling combination. But this is the tale of three women, for it is also the story of the princess Salome herself, consumed with desire for the fiery prophet who foretells the doom of her stepfather, Herod: a woman torn between the decree of duty and the yearning of her heart. Before the curtain comes down, there will be tears and tragedy aplenty in this sexy Technicolor saga.

This book is magical. Moreno-Garcia’s ability to transport readers to the hectic Hollywood movie stages, exclusive restaurants filled with celebrities, and most especially, to the hot and dusty streets surrounding Herod’s palace, is incredible. I was completely enthralled by Vera and her experiences on set filming as the lead actress in her very first movie. The scenes were so vividly depicted you felt like you were watching a movie instead of reading a novel. I loved how the storylines of all three women, Vera, Nancy, and Salome, were interwoven into a complex and heartbreaking web of desperation, determination, and desire. My heart broke for Vera over and over again. At home, her relationship with her mother was so stressful and strained and then on set, she had to deal with sexism and racism from her powerful colleagues. She was under so much pressure that I became stressed out on her behalf!

I really loved how the storytelling was structured. Bear with me here - it’s a bit complicated to explain. Salome’s story is presented like we’re watching the movie that Vera is filming. Interspersed within the two women’s perspectives are interviews from people involved in the making of the film told years later. Alongside all of that, we have the story of Nancy and how she comes to be entwined in Vera’s life. Across all those timelines and perspectives, we have an incredibly immersive story of greed, lust, gossip, and scandals. It’s emotional, romantic, heartbreaking, and very, very engrossing. It’s truly magical and I can’t recommend it strongly enough.

If you’d like to add this amazing novel to your shelf, you can click on the cover above or check out your local Library. I bought my copy through Book of the Month as my birthday book. You can find our more about Book of the Month here and if you use my code, I do get a free book. And I love free books. I think as of today, you get a book and a hat for $9.99 when you join. Full disclosure: I’ve been a member since 2018 and I’ve really enjoyed their service.

This post may contain links, including Amazon Associate Links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases.