1.) Murders in the Rue Morgue by Iron Maiden pops up on my playlist. 2.) Proceeded to Wikipedia for inspiration on which un-readSequence of events:
1.) Murders in the Rue Morgue by Iron Maiden pops up on my playlist. 2.) Proceeded to Wikipedia for inspiration on which un-read Poe stories to add to my spooky season read list. 3.) Found out this was a sequel to the Rue Morgue story. 4.) Possibly did a 'I cannot contain my excitement’ lap around the room. 5.) Read the quick short in one sitting.
Based on a true story, Dupin tries to solve the murder of a perfume saleswoman who is found floating in the Seine. Was it a group of no-good scoundrels, someone close to the victim, or just a random criminal act? Fear not! Dupin is on the case. An entertaining, albeit methodical detective story. Considered to be some of the first ever written.
Over the years, books have told us not to mention things like Fight Club and He Who Shall Not Be Named, while movies have graciously reminded us not tOver the years, books have told us not to mention things like Fight Club and He Who Shall Not Be Named, while movies have graciously reminded us not to cross the streams and to never create time machines that feed on plutonium.
Well, add Dead Inside to that never-remind or mention list because it is just about the most depraved thing I have ever set my eyes on.
You might be asking yourself what this is about, and well, I would usually write some sort of synopsis, but it's quite literally impossible without possibly being banned from the platform. So instead, I’ll just dance around some themes.
Let’s begin by talking about art for a second. Remember the scene in Tim Burton’s Batman where the Joker looks through Vale’s photography portfolio and says it’s crap until he sees some of her more disturbing pictures of war? Jokers eyes light up, and he is drawn to her, even though his perception of reality and Vales could not be more different. Well, what if they were the same? What if Vale was into the Jokers homicidal art and the person behind the makeup? Not only that, but what if she wanted to participate? More omelets would be made, and many more eggs would be broken.
This is all a roundabout way of saying I get what the author was going for. It’s sick and twisted, but there is a semblance of a crazed love story wrapped up in an extreme tapestry of vile unconformity. The characters do not suppress their impulses; they embrace them. I took it in as humor/dark satire (almost like an extended Onion article) and was actually laughing quite a bit. It reminds us that not everyone in this world is the same or has similar tastes, outlooks on life, or desires. For every prominently framed Van Gogh Starry Night in a house, there is someone out there with a Saturn by Goya. Tomayto, tomahto.
The writing was quite good and there are literary references that wink at the reader, music selections that were just down-right funny used in their context, and a few ideas plucked from a few modern French horror movies, albeit taken to a whole different stratosphere.
Overall, you know how boxers say they left a piece of themselves in the ring after a tough fight? Well, I had a similar thought when I made it to the last page. Just trade out the loss of brain cells for the loss of sanity. ...more
“How It Unfolds” by James S.A. Corey gravitated towards my radar from my bookish friend, Rosh. As a fan of The Expanse series (well, the first four at“How It Unfolds” by James S.A. Corey gravitated towards my radar from my bookish friend, Rosh. As a fan of The Expanse series (well, the first four at least), I knew I had to check this quick short out. Deep down, the book is about hope, fate, destiny, and the permutations that may happen with the choices we make.
A team of interplanetary engineers is taking trip(s) to different galaxies looking for inhabitable plants for the future of mankind. The catch? The team does these ‘folding’ excursions over different lifetimes. Stay with me here. It sounds sort of complex, but the rules are fairly easy to follow. The characters are rich; there is a bit of exploration, a tiny bit of humor, and a whole lot of heart.
|| " We can live a billion different ways from here, but there’s only one path behind us. That was never going to change." ||
It is refreshing to get so much story in something so short, and I had exploration vibes similar to those of Christopher Columbus. Replace the sailing with teleportation, a spice trade with hydroponics, and a light sprinkling of new world/old world concepts.
If you are in the mood for a fun little sci-fi story, this would fit nicely.
**Side note: I just have to comment on the food in the book and the conundrum I pondered after I finished it: “the food was always the same: dense cakes with all the nutrients, fiber, and microbiota to sustain life in a puck the size of a pack of cards.” I was trying to decide if this would be better than the ‘protein-rich porridge’ from the Matrix. ...more
The book opens like a dream. A fever dream built around a main character who has experienced something tragic. A young woman named Belle takes a planeThe book opens like a dream. A fever dream built around a main character who has experienced something tragic. A young woman named Belle takes a plane from Canada to California after she finds out her mother passed away under questionable circumstances. She must meet with the solicitor to talk about her mothers apartment, her dress shop, and the surprising amount of debt that she will be responsible for.
This part of the story is quite clear, but the lines start to blur when Belle thinks back to her childhood and the disparities in parenting between her grandmother and mother. Her mother never wanted Belle to go into her bedroom and peruse her closet. What was in her room that was so secretive and off-limits? Perhaps it was the mirror. The mirror allowed one to see things. Things that excite, things that seduce, and things that frighten. On the other hand, the grandmother wants to expose young Belle to the outside world. She rents her Tom Cruise movies from the video store so she can experience feelings such as envy, revenge, lust, and anger. But how does she cope with these new feelings? Well, you have to jump down the rabbit hole to find out.
This intricate plot has numerous levels to dig through: dealing with family, discovering yourself, inner problems with outward-facing issues, and a variety of other complex mental states. It’s a puzzle box to solve, and as you start to put the pieces together, the “a-ha” moments might just leave you with emotions you were not prepared for.
If you have read Mona Awad’s novel Bunny and enjoyed it, I believe you will be right at home with this book. She has an uncanny ability to explain complex feelings in the fully realized worlds she creates. It may be confusing at first, but the author weaves together some familiar story lines, which help with some of the heavy lifting that’s required. Everything makes emotional sense, even if some of the visuals might leave you scratching your head at first. If you do read it, I would suggest filing away some of the more repetitive and neurotic behaviors, such as the overabundant explanations of cosmetics for use in the latter portion of the book. But just like in Bunny, everything comes together in the end.
I had an amazing time with this book, and I think the best way to go into it is to know very little about the plot. Try to avoid any mention of themes, and I think it will really surprise you. There is no avoiding the emotional response to her journey. The impact of the book showcases a young woman’s outward struggles with the world around her, illuminating thoughts and feelings we all go through in one way or another. This book also shines in the last 100 or so pages. It’s a masterclass in compiling previous emotional sequences into a form that not one person might interpret the same way. It’s mysterious, charming, cautionary, and surprisingly heartfelt.
⭐ | Rating | ⭐ ❖ 4.5 out of 5
Merged review:
The book opens like a dream. A fever dream built around a main character who has experienced something tragic. A young woman named Belle takes a plane from Canada to California after she finds out her mother passed away under questionable circumstances. She must meet with the solicitor to talk about her mothers apartment, her dress shop, and the surprising amount of debt that she will be responsible for.
This part of the story is quite clear, but the lines start to blur when Belle thinks back to her childhood and the disparities in parenting between her grandmother and mother. Her mother never wanted Belle to go into her bedroom and peruse her closet. What was in her room that was so secretive and off-limits? Perhaps it was the mirror. The mirror allowed one to see things. Things that excite, things that seduce, and things that frighten. On the other hand, the grandmother wants to expose young Belle to the outside world. She rents her Tom Cruise movies from the video store so she can experience feelings such as envy, revenge, lust, and anger. But how does she cope with these new feelings? Well, you have to jump down the rabbit hole to find out.
This intricate plot has numerous levels to dig through: dealing with family, discovering yourself, inner problems with outward-facing issues, and a variety of other complex mental states. It’s a puzzle box to solve, and as you start to put the pieces together, the “a-ha” moments might just leave you with emotions you were not prepared for.
If you have read Mona Awad’s novel Bunny and enjoyed it, I believe you will be right at home with this book. She has an uncanny ability to explain complex feelings in the fully realized worlds she creates. It may be confusing at first, but the author weaves together some familiar story lines, which help with some of the heavy lifting that’s required. Everything makes emotional sense, even if some of the visuals might leave you scratching your head at first. If you do read it, I would suggest filing away some of the more repetitive and neurotic behaviors, such as the overabundant explanations of cosmetics for use in the latter portion of the book. But just like in Bunny, everything comes together in the end.
I had an amazing time with this book, and I think the best way to go into it is to know very little about the plot. Try to avoid any mention of themes, and I think it will really surprise you. There is no avoiding the emotional response to her journey. The impact of the book showcases a young woman’s outward struggles with the world around her, illuminating thoughts and feelings we all go through in one way or another. This book also shines in the last 100 or so pages. It’s a masterclass in compiling previous emotional sequences into a form that not one person might interpret the same way. It’s mysterious, charming, cautionary, and surprisingly heartfelt.
⭐ | Rating | ⭐ ❖ 4.5 out of 5
Merged review:
The book opens like a dream. A fever dream built around a main character who has experienced something tragic. A young woman named Belle takes a plane from Canada to California after she finds out her mother passed away under questionable circumstances. She must meet with the solicitor to talk about her mothers apartment, her dress shop, and the surprising amount of debt that she will be responsible for.
This part of the story is quite clear, but the lines start to blur when Belle thinks back to her childhood and the disparities in parenting between her grandmother and mother. Her mother never wanted Belle to go into her bedroom and peruse her closet. What was in her room that was so secretive and off-limits? Perhaps it was the mirror. The mirror allowed one to see things. Things that excite, things that seduce, and things that frighten. On the other hand, the grandmother wants to expose young Belle to the outside world. She rents her Tom Cruise movies from the video store so she can experience feelings such as envy, revenge, lust, and anger. But how does she cope with these new feelings? Well, you have to jump down the rabbit hole to find out.
This intricate plot has numerous levels to dig through: dealing with family, discovering yourself, inner problems with outward-facing issues, and a variety of other complex mental states. It’s a puzzle box to solve, and as you start to put the pieces together, the “a-ha” moments might just leave you with emotions you were not prepared for.
If you have read Mona Awad’s novel Bunny and enjoyed it, I believe you will be right at home with this book. She has an uncanny ability to explain complex feelings in the fully realized worlds she creates. It may be confusing at first, but the author weaves together some familiar story lines, which help with some of the heavy lifting that’s required. Everything makes emotional sense, even if some of the visuals might leave you scratching your head at first. If you do read it, I would suggest filing away some of the more repetitive and neurotic behaviors, such as the overabundant explanations of cosmetics for use in the latter portion of the book. But just like in Bunny, everything comes together in the end.
I had an amazing time with this book, and I think the best way to go into it is to know very little about the plot. Try to avoid any mention of themes, and I think it will really surprise you. There is no avoiding the emotional response to her journey. The impact of the book showcases a young woman’s outward struggles with the world around her, illuminating thoughts and feelings we all go through in one way or another. This book also shines in the last 100 or so pages. It’s a masterclass in compiling previous emotional sequences into a form that not one person might interpret the same way. It’s mysterious, charming, cautionary, and surprisingly heartfelt.
⭐ | Rating | ⭐ ❖ 4.5 out of 5
Merged review:
The book opens like a dream. A fever dream built around a main character who has experienced something tragic. A young woman named Belle takes a plane from Canada to California after she finds out her mother passed away under questionable circumstances. She must meet with the solicitor to talk about her mothers apartment, her dress shop, and the surprising amount of debt that she will be responsible for.
This part of the story is quite clear, but the lines start to blur when Belle thinks back to her childhood and the disparities in parenting between her grandmother and mother. Her mother never wanted Belle to go into her bedroom and peruse her closet. What was in her room that was so secretive and off-limits? Perhaps it was the mirror. The mirror allowed one to see things. Things that excite, things that seduce, and things that frighten. On the other hand, the grandmother wants to expose young Belle to the outside world. She rents her Tom Cruise movies from the video store so she can experience feelings such as envy, revenge, lust, and anger. But how does she cope with these new feelings? Well, you have to jump down the rabbit hole to find out.
This intricate plot has numerous levels to dig through: dealing with family, discovering yourself, inner problems with outward-facing issues, and a variety of other complex mental states. It’s a puzzle box to solve, and as you start to put the pieces together, the “a-ha” moments might just leave you with emotions you were not prepared for.
If you have read Mona Awad’s novel Bunny and enjoyed it, I believe you will be right at home with this book. She has an uncanny ability to explain complex feelings in the fully realized worlds she creates. It may be confusing at first, but the author weaves together some familiar story lines, which help with some of the heavy lifting that’s required. Everything makes emotional sense, even if some of the visuals might leave you scratching your head at first. If you do read it, I would suggest filing away some of the more repetitive and neurotic behaviors, such as the overabundant explanations of cosmetics for use in the latter portion of the book. But just like in Bunny, everything comes together in the end.
I had an amazing time with this book, and I think the best way to go into it is to know very little about the plot. Try to avoid any mention of themes, and I think it will really surprise you. There is no avoiding the emotional response to her journey. The impact of the book showcases a young woman’s outward struggles with the world around her, illuminating thoughts and feelings we all go through in one way or another. This book also shines in the last 100 or so pages. It’s a masterclass in compiling previous emotional sequences into a form that not one person might interpret the same way. It’s mysterious, charming, cautionary, and surprisingly heartfelt.
⭐ | Rating | ⭐ ❖ 4.5 out of 5
Merged review:
The book opens like a dream. A fever dream built around a main character who has experienced something tragic. A young woman named Belle takes a plane from Canada to California after she finds out her mother passed away under questionable circumstances. She must meet with the solicitor to talk about her mothers apartment, her dress shop, and the surprising amount of debt that she will be responsible for.
This part of the story is quite clear, but the lines start to blur when Belle thinks back to her childhood and the disparities in parenting between her grandmother and mother. Her mother never wanted Belle to go into her bedroom and peruse her closet. What was in her room that was so secretive and off-limits? Perhaps it was the mirror. The mirror allowed one to see things. Things that excite, things that seduce, and things that frighten. On the other hand, the grandmother wants to expose young Belle to the outside world. She rents her Tom Cruise movies from the video store so she can experience feelings such as envy, revenge, lust, and anger. But how does she cope with these new feelings? Well, you have to jump down the rabbit hole to find out.
This intricate plot has numerous levels to dig through: dealing with family, discovering yourself, inner problems with outward-facing issues, and a variety of other complex mental states. It’s a puzzle box to solve, and as you start to put the pieces together, the “a-ha” moments might just leave you with emotions you were not prepared for.
If you have read Mona Awad’s novel Bunny and enjoyed it, I believe you will be right at home with this book. She has an uncanny ability to explain complex feelings in the fully realized worlds she creates. It may be confusing at first, but the author weaves together some familiar story lines, which help with some of the heavy lifting that’s required. Everything makes emotional sense, even if some of the visuals might leave you scratching your head at first. If you do read it, I would suggest filing away some of the more repetitive and neurotic behaviors, such as the overabundant explanations of cosmetics for use in the latter portion of the book. But just like in Bunny, everything comes together in the end.
I had an amazing time with this book, and I think the best way to go into it is to know very little about the plot. Try to avoid any mention of themes, and I think it will really surprise you. There is no avoiding the emotional response to her journey. The impact of the book showcases a young woman’s outward struggles with the world around her, illuminating thoughts and feelings we all go through in one way or another. This book also shines in the last 100 or so pages. It’s a masterclass in compiling previous emotional sequences into a form that not one person might interpret the same way. It’s mysterious, charming, cautionary, and surprisingly heartfelt.
Beyond the Deep is to diving and caving as Into Thin Air is to climbing and mountaineering.
The authors drop us in the Western Hemisphere, specificallyBeyond the Deep is to diving and caving as Into Thin Air is to climbing and mountaineering.
The authors drop us in the Western Hemisphere, specifically the Huautla cave in Mexico, where a team of explorers gears up to find the deepest cave system in the world. ...more
Just because you make a mistake doesn’t mean you are a mistake.
** Welcome to the 1920’s **
Kitty is a free-spirited, outgoing individual. She is quit Just because you make a mistake doesn’t mean you are a mistake.
** Welcome to the 1920’s **
Kitty is a free-spirited, outgoing individual. She is quite gorgeous and has many admirers, but she has fended them off for many years while waiting for Mr. Right. Eventually, she marries Walter, an intelligent bacteriologist who is stationed in Hong Kong.
Walter is extremely cold to Kitty conversationally, but he makes up for his lack of social skills by attending to her every will.
A bored Kitty meets Charlie, a charming man who is married, has kids, has a good career, and is quite older than her. An affair transpires, which makes you think this is going to be a typical romance-drama, but it actually turns out to be so much more.
There are some interesting dynamics afoot! Walter was aware of her proclivities and that they would eventually lead her to become promiscuous, but he does very little to stop the meetings since he has a weak backbone and is too preoccupied with his profession.
An ultimatum is drawn up by Walter. Kitty can either have Charlie divorce his wife and marry her or travel with him to mainland China so that he can provide help to those who are in need of cholera treatments.
After much fuss, she agrees to travel with Walter to live out her loveless marriage in a foreign land.
How will Kitty fit in with her new surroundings, and will Walter help develop a treatment for the disease? From here on out, I would describe the book as being sorrowful, poignant, and despondent.
Somerset Maugham weaves a story that feels realistic. There are no sunshine or rainbows throughout 95% of the book. Although Kitty and Walter do their best to make things work, oil and water never mix.
So, if you are in the mood for a soul smashing story of love and its many trappings, this might just be the one to pull off the shelf.
This book opens with a romance writer begrudgingly boarding a plane to Switzerland to spend a few days in exile at the Hotel Du Lac. She will have pleThis book opens with a romance writer begrudgingly boarding a plane to Switzerland to spend a few days in exile at the Hotel Du Lac. She will have plenty of time to have a "curious interlude in her life" where she can write her new novel, take long walks, speak to other interesting guests at the hotel, and just hit the reset button. Why is our main character taking this leave of absence from life? Well, it’s part of a social banishment enacted by her friends. They believe she needs to go on probation and grow a little, away from her life in London.
It’s a fun little curiosity. Edith checks into the hotel and begins to meld with certain personalities over a meal or tea. We find out that most of the guests are cruel or ill-tempered, and the author often uses these traits to sly comedic effects, albeit oftentimes in long, drawn-out diatribes of small talk. There is a certain perceptiveness to the prose. Nothing is really described in great detail. It is often the witticisms that round out character traits and small intricacies that bring the hotel to life.
Edith eventually meets someone who is interested in her, and after a few days, he proposes. We are plucked from the hearty conversations and thrown into another unique situation that Edith did not expect. Will she say yes to the marriage proposal with stipulations attached, or are there other past circumstances that will come into play and give her yield?
This book opens with the following message: 'A murder is announced and will take place on Friday October 29th at Little Paddocks at 6.30pm. Friends, pThis book opens with the following message: 'A murder is announced and will take place on Friday October 29th at Little Paddocks at 6.30pm. Friends, please accept this, the only intimation.' Would you be curious enough to accept the invitation to this party that ends with a literal bang? I sure would. In fact, maybe I should pin this invitation to the community activity board during Halloween next year. Muhaha. ...more
A fascinating and thoroughly researched look at the loss of prominent Osage Indians in the early 1920’s. Vile acts of violence and murder were bestoweA fascinating and thoroughly researched look at the loss of prominent Osage Indians in the early 1920’s. Vile acts of violence and murder were bestowed upon these people for their oil-rich lands. The book details the Indians personal histories, their unsolved murder cases, and the lawlessness of the local authorities. It also establishes a keen look at the birth of the FBI and the young officers who comprised its ranks.
A more in-depth discussion of the subtleties of the ideas and subject matter is required and a book club would be an ideal place. The Osage people deserved better, and this book should be essential reading in any history class.
Many people try to hike all 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, or PCT, each and every year. This route spans from Mexico to Canada on the west coMany people try to hike all 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, or PCT, each and every year. This route spans from Mexico to Canada on the west coast and includes some of the most beautiful places on Earth. See the dry valleys of California, the serene Crater Lake, and breathe in the cool, clean air of Mount Rainier. (my personal favorite) But what happens to those poor souls who wander off the trail and are lost? Andrea Lankford, a retired parks search and rescue officer, and her pack of amateur sleuths try to put clues together to try and find three lost hikers who attempted the 5-month journey and give the family the peace they have been searching for years.
Whether you’re following along with the vivid depictions of trail stops, sights, and or search parameters set forth, the book never fails to be thrilling. The search team dips their toes into many avenues to try and find these missing hikers. This includes contacting mediums, DNA specialists, psychics, crackpot inventors, exploitative adventure seekers, cult followers, and so much more. It gets pretty wild, and the devotion of the family’s search attempts is heartwarming, to say the least.
The core of the book follows the search of the main three hikers, but deviates to some other well-known people who have lost their way along the trail and reports on a variety of peskies in the more secluded areas. The story-telling is concise and it does a great job explaining some of the most common hiking terms such as zero-days, HYOH, trail angels, and more. For those seeking to take on a long thru-hike, it is important to read some of these stories and add their knowledge to your trail rolodex. You never know when it might come in handy.
I recommended this to all hikers and arm-chair adventurers!
The Art Thief is a book about obsession, hoarding, and the insatiable desire to steal precious artifacts. The one aspect that makes this story a bit uThe Art Thief is a book about obsession, hoarding, and the insatiable desire to steal precious artifacts. The one aspect that makes this story a bit unique is the fact that the main thief does not take the antiquities to sell; he displays them to admire them in an attic imbedded in a typical suburban neighborhood.
Stéphane Breitwieser and his girlfriend stole over 200 items from museums, fairs, auctions, and cathedrals across Europe for nearly a decade. They circumvented authorities by picking up less-known items using only a standard Swiss army knife and a bit of luck.
The art they steal is varied. An ivory sculpture in Belgium, a tobacco holder, a bugle, some paintings, and a few large sculptures, to name a few. Most of their work is spontaneous and only takes a few minutes. Sometimes they steal several items per day!
But as Breitwieser gets older and the scores get larger in scope, Anne-Catherine eventually wants more stability in their relationship. If he gets caught, she is an accomplice and will be brought to justice as well.
It eventually all comes crashing down, and the authorities start putting the pieces together. Will the couple make it off Scott-free? What happens to the art room if they get caught? The story ends at a fairly recent date, and if the track record of Breitwieser stands, I am sure there will be more to the tale in the near future.
I read an interview with the author about the book, and although admiration is not the word I would choose, the quote is fairly spot on:
“Every reader can have a different opinion at the end between admiration and disgust, and nobody’s wrong.”
*Read with the witty, cunning, and intrepid, Helga. Thank you for talking thievery and art! :)
The second I started this short, I was reminded of ‘The Body Snatcher’ staring the inimitable Boris Karloff. I looked it up, and to my surprise, it isThe second I started this short, I was reminded of ‘The Body Snatcher’ staring the inimitable Boris Karloff. I looked it up, and to my surprise, it is indeed loosely based on the book. Exciting!
|| "You can't begin and then stop. If you begin, you must keep on beginning: that's the truth. No rest for the wicked."
Written in 1884, this is a tale that will chill the bones! Basically, a group of friends are having a few drinks with a doctor in a local pub. One of the friends recognizes the local health services purveyor and, funny enough, worked with him in medical school. The friend, Fettes, used to ahem ‘run the logistical side’ of providing the doctor with bodies so he could run tests on them. Unethical or progressing science at the time? You’ll have to decide.
As these things go, conscience starts to play a big role, certain people in-the-know are beckoned to keep silent about the doctor's procurements, and evidence is tampered with. There is one curiosity, though. What happens when the body evidence you thought you destroyed comes back to haunt you? Creepy, indeed.
|| "The more things are wrong the more we must act as if all were right."
This was a fun and interesting little haunt of a story. I did have a hard time (at points) following this one for some reason. The flow of the writing was sort of disjointed to an extent, but the insults cast between the characters were so much fun and dignified. There is always a certain charm to these types of books. The scientist or doctor is always attempting to ‘finish their work’, but meddlesome family, colleagues, and friends ultimately thwart their progress, leaving them no choice but to ramp up the timeline, which leads to some sort of catastrophic mistake(s).
So, the next time your professor asks you to obtain a corpse, it’s probably time to go to the registrar and change your course.
A quick short that is packed with details, atmosphere, and a striking narrative that will not soon be forgotten.
⭐ | Rating | ⭐ ❖ 4 out of 5
"As to A quick short that is packed with details, atmosphere, and a striking narrative that will not soon be forgotten.
⭐ | Rating | ⭐ ❖ 4 out of 5
"As to his head, he was conscious of nothing but a feeling of fullness—of congestion. These sensations were unaccompanied by thought. The intellectual part of his nature was already effaced; he had power only to feel, and feeling was torment."...more
“Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose.” – RWE
I really enjoyed "Best of Luck" by Jason Mott. It’s an elevated horror short that is relatab“Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose.” – RWE
I really enjoyed "Best of Luck" by Jason Mott. It’s an elevated horror short that is relatable, exciting, terrifying, and fun.
Plot: | Will and Barry are friends who both have something they need to get off their chests. (quite literally) One accuses the other of stealing the luck out of their lives, which leaves the pair in a precarious situation. Tensions rise as the pair’s conversations take a turn for the worst.
What type of otherworldly creature could spawn from this envious confrontation? Well, you will have to dive into this fresh, exciting story that is far and away my favorite of this series. Give it a go, but if you have bad luck with it, you might just want to check your person for creepy crawlies. ...more
I enjoyed this short creature feature story by Josh Malerman. It had a simple yet effective narrative that blended quite a few familiar horror tropes I enjoyed this short creature feature story by Josh Malerman. It had a simple yet effective narrative that blended quite a few familiar horror tropes into a small page count.
Amanda disappears in the woods one evening, and the town believes a creature out of an urban legend has taken her. Amanda’s body was never found, so after three years, her sister, Brenda, takes a trek out into the forest to search for her.
I would give this a 1 out of 5 in terms of scares, but a 4 out of 5 in terms of tension building. It reminds me of a good X-files or Twilight Zone episode. It does not linger for too long and flips the classic phone concept on its head. Most stories like these have to showcase how the main character’s phone breaks right before any type of peril takes place, but this book embraces the technology and makes it part of the story. Bravo!
This collection of letters was a joy to read. It is a simple premise. The author sourced and compiled a plethora of interesting letters from around thThis collection of letters was a joy to read. It is a simple premise. The author sourced and compiled a plethora of interesting letters from around the world. Some are heartbreaking, others are funny, a few are grim and dark, and others lift the spirits. I found it exciting to read a few each and every day. As the author notes, the letter is sort of an antique practice these days. While emails and texts push information forward quickly, there is nothing quite like receiving handwritten correspondence.
A big thank you to Helga for recommending this book for Non-Fiction November. It was an absolute blast to read, Mon Ami!
Have you ever wondered what the ghost lurking in the corridor is thinking? Then pick up Oscar Wild’s rip-roaring, hilarious tale of a ghost whose soleHave you ever wondered what the ghost lurking in the corridor is thinking? Then pick up Oscar Wild’s rip-roaring, hilarious tale of a ghost whose sole purpose is to send shivers down the spines of Canterville Chase. You will not find a macabre tale here. Sir Simon de Canterville is a dignified ghost. One who sets a time schedule and deploys tried-and-true scare patterns to get a rise out of its guests.
But what if the new owners do not believe in ghosts?
|| "They were evidently people on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic value of sensuous phenomena."
Poor old Sir Simon tries everything to get a rise out of the entire family. Scraping heavy chains along the floor, moving items, and even leaving blood stains on the carpets to no avail. The family offers the ghost ‘Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator’ to end the cacophony of chain sounds that echo throughout the night. This angers the ghost quite a bit. The small children add to the ghost’s misery by setting up traps a-la Home Alone, such as trip wires, water buckets, and peashooters to humiliate him.
The hijinks are funny, but what about the ghosts’ feelings? The Canterville ghost has not slept in over three hundred years and had lost his beloved Lady Eleanor de Canterville years prior. Does anyone offer a helping hand and conjure up some sympathy for the master of terror? Find out by checking out this fun classic.
But remember, the next time you see a ghost, try not to lash out, scream, or go running from them in haste. They have feelings too!
|| "Yes, Death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. To forget time, to forgive life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the portals of Death's house, for Love is always with you, and Love is stronger than Death is."
We first meet the POWs of Colditz as they try their hand at an escape attempt they have been cooking up for several months. The false German uniform hWe first meet the POWs of Colditz as they try their hand at an escape attempt they have been cooking up for several months. The false German uniform had been made, the travel passes had been created, and photographic passports had been produced by clever means. All that was left to do was complete the plan and walk through the gates of one of the most daunting prison camps in the world.
Author Ben Macintyre writes this heavily laden prisoner escape book with great detail, putting you in the mind of the POW’s, their captors, and those trying to help from the outside. This book is packed to the brim with escape attempts, so I thought I would just list some clever things to look out for if you were curious about reading it.
❖ Most of the POW’s had skills to contribute to the daily escape attempts. There were magicians, card sharks, pole vaulters, theater actors, famous ace pilots, electricians, rugby players, charmers, and more. --- ❖ Some clever bits include stealing a key, pressing into a bar of soap, and melting tin gathered from the roof to fashion keys to help them in their escape attempts. --- ❖ The French had the first few successful attempts. Some vaulted over the wire and climbed the walls, while others dressed up and walked out during a large sporting match. --- ❖ It was quite obvious at first that the flaw of Colditz was not in the architecture but in the humans that occupied it. --- ❖ As attempts mounted, so did the security. Roll call was confirmed more frequently to stimy tunnel digging, extra lights were added, and gun placements were moved to areas of high activity. --- ❖ Since mail was allowed, there was a marriage that took place using photos and vows sent over the wire. --- ❖ The prisoners started to devise new ways of combating the constant stifling of their escape attempts by attacking the guard’s psychology. They would roam around the grounds, acting like they were walking dogs or pushing around rocks using their noses. The captors thought they were a bit contrived, but even a slight bit of misdirection would help conceal an attempt in another area. --- ❖ A radio was produced so they could keep up-to-date with what was happening on the outside. Magazines of the front were pilfered from guards. This gave the POWs ideas on how others were trying to escape from their respective prisons. ---
Food was used as a bartering chip, and they used some of the rations to make drinks. Alcohol production was made using the strangest of ingredients. One of them was a batch flavored with aftershave. It was said to have eaten a hole in the bottom of the plastic container it sat in overnight. Most officers could stomach this variety, but they succumbed to cataclysmic headaches, blurred vision, discolored teeth, and so on. It was not discouraged because it kept morale up, and any prisoner who was inebriated was easier to manage.
|| "Our cross is the curse of waiting." ||
Some chapters are short and filled with details on attempts of varying degrees, while others dig deep into those who had a great impact on their success in escaping. One of those heroic people was Mrs. Markowska.
Mrs. Markowska, also known as Jane Walker, was an agent of British intelligence and a lead associate in the Polish underground. She would shelter escaped British POWs and help smuggle them to safety. She was extremely intelligent and a supreme asset because she spoke German, French, and Polish. Her intolerant and sympathetic behavior was endearing to the escapees, and she treated each one like her own children. She was known for giving the POW’s pep talks, medical treatments, and formal dinners. The POW’s adored her and often times said they loved her.
Another was Douglas Bader, a double-amputee flying ace who inspired the RAF and was deemed by the Daily Mirror as “The Greatest Hero of Them All.” He was courageous and famous, and he became a poster boy for inflight antics. It shined a beacon of light on what is possible and how one can help with the war effort, even if they have a disability. On an offensive, Bader’s plane was hit, and the fuselage tore away from the back. As the plane careened toward the Earth, he removed the Spitfires canopy, but he was not able to get out because his prosthetic leg was caught on the controls. Right before he lost consciousness, he ripped the parachute, and the force disconnected his leg. He floated to the ground with only a few broken ribs. The German captors were so enamored with his condition that they asked the RAF to send them a new leg so he could walk again. After approval from the higher-ups, they named it “Operation Leg.” Now with functioning legs, Bader tried to escape multiple times but always had issues with his leg. He would then find himself in Colditz, where his disregard and insolence for authority kept on.
I would recommend this book to history buffs and WW readers alike. It tells quite a few enduring and humbling stories about those poor, brave souls who had to endure the camps for years.
|| "The day of freedom is not set by judge or jury, but by events in a distant theater of conflict." ||
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