My Two Cents (Book Review): ROT: AN ANTHOLOGY OF FOOD HORROR

Food is my love language, a way of showing my family I care about them. A homecooked meal brings everyone I love together in one place, allowing us the chance to connect, share, and enjoy each other's company. Sadly, for many Americans facing food insecurity, there's no guarantee of that kind of simple comfort. Too many wrestle with the heartbreaking dilemma of whether to pay bills or buy groceries. And while the recent federal government shutdown and subsequent stop for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits has brought these issues to the forefront of the news, for countless friends and neighbors, the struggle is real and ongoing every day.

Author/editor Chisto Healy put together "Rot: An Anthology of Food Horror" to benefit authors in the indie horror community facing the very real horror of hunger. With a veritable feast for the author lineup, "Rot" aims to both chill your blood and warm your heart while raising money for a just and worthy cause, featuring stories by Cat Voleur, Matthew J. Gleason, Matthew Vaughn, D.L. Winchester, Judith Sonnet, Jerry Blaze, Ruth Anna Evans, Desiree Horton, Chisto Healy, and Boe Healy.

My favorites out of the bunch:

"Your Story is Not About a Sandwich" by Cat Voleur, a trippy, twisted fable with a dark and humorous edge about how the course -- or curse -- of your life could be irrevocably altered by even the smallest event.

"The Last Hamburger Restaurant in the World," by Judith Sonnet, a strange, gory visit to a very bizarre diner.

"Side Effect" by Ruth Anna Evans, about an unfortunate woman whose trouble in life only seem to multiply once she seeks medical treatment for a minor ailment.

"Eggnog" by Desiree Horton, about a holiday dinner party gone horribly awry on account of an unusually tasty Yuletide beverage.

"Here a Cake, There a Cake, Everywhere a Cake" by Chisto Healy, about a man's surprising -- and deliciously deranged -- discovery about the world around him.

Long story short: "Rot: An Anthology of Food Horror" is delicious read, one made all the more satisfying because it's helping authors in need. When everything in our social media feeds, or on the TV news, seems dire and horrible, it reminds us that hope can be found even in the darkest of places, if not through them.

To get a copy, check out the post on Desiree Horton's Facebook page. Donate any amount to the GoFundMe she links to there, and message her a screenshot. She'll email you the ebook. You can also purchase the paperback online.