Who else loves magical books filled with dreamy forests and fairies? Once in a while, a book comes along with the ability to transport you into an enchanted world. I recently had the privilege of reading Bridget Collins’ (Flora Forager) debut fantasy middle-grade novel, “Moth Dust”, and I’ve never felt more carried away into such […]
Fantasy Book Review: ‘The Last Unicorn’ by Peter S. Beagle
It was time to return to one of my favorite fantasy novels of all time. Over the summer, I started re-reading Peter S. Beagle’s “The Last Unicorn” and am delighted to share some new thoughts on the story as well as this picture I took that captures the book in all its glory. There are […]
Magical Book Review: The Whimsy Enchantment of Mary Stewart’s ‘Thornyhold’
“I suppose that my mother could have been a witch if she had chosen to.” – Mary Stewart And so begins the first line of Mary Stewart’s novel, “Thornyhold”…. Greetings all, and a very Happy Halloween season to you! I wanted to share one of my favorite whimsy, magical reads this year, and especially right […]
Gothic Book Review: ‘The Uninvited’ by Dorothy Macardle
“It was there, beside the bed, a tall, shining cloud, that was almost a woman. It moved. It had eyes – and I ran.” – Dorothy Macardle, “The Uninvited” Ah, Halloween…is there any better time to read a Gothic ghost story by the glow of firelight? I was so excited to pick up “The […]
2020 Halloween Reads
A very Happy Halloween season to all of you, friends. Every year, I’m always on the hunt for a good spooky read during this time, and this year proved to yield some chilling finds. If you are looking for some good books to curl up with on a dark and stormy night, look no further […]
(Book Review) ‘As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride’ by Cary Elwes
I can count on one hand the number of times I did not want a book to end. “As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride” is now one of those five. It’s hard to put into words how much of a gem this book is. Written by Cary Elwes, who […]
‘Flapper: A Madcap Story of Sex, Style, Celebrity, and the Women Who Made America Modern’ Book Review
Sex, booze, and jazz. For those of you who are fans of the new “Z: The Beginning of Everything” Amazon show with Christina Ricci, I want to highly recommend Joshua Zeitz’s non-fiction book, “Flapper: A Madcap Story of Sex, Style, Celebrity, and the Women Who Made America Modern”. Zeitz is an historian and has taught […]
Anatomy of a Successful Ghost Story: Susan Hill’s ‘The Woman in Black’ Play Adaption Review
The end is nigh for the first revision/edit on my ghost story novel I’m currently co-writing. For some inspiration as I see my way to the finish line, I got my hands on the play The Woman in Black adapted from Susan Hill’s 1983 novel. I absolutely adore The Woman in Black. It’s definitely one of […]
Creepy China Dolls Come Alive in Susan Hill’s Novella, ‘Dolly’
Last weekend Seattle got its first taste of fall weather. A brisk thunderstorm doused the city, heralding more wet days to come. As much as I hate to see summer coming to an end, the turn in the weather put me in the perfect mood to read a ghost story. With a cup of tea in […]
Book Reviews: Five Gothic Ghost Stories
I’ve been looking back at some of the memorable Gothic fiction and ghost stories I’ve read this past year and wanted to share my favorite reads. Some are modern, some Victorian and Edwardian, but all are creepy-delicious. 1) “Printer’s Devil Court” by Susan Hill First off, I love Susan Hill to pieces. Hill wrote “The […]
Gothic Book Review: ‘The Woman in Black’ by Susan Hill — The Best English Ghost Story Ever Written
“The Woman in Black” by Susan Hill has earned its place as one of the finest English ghost stories of the last quarter century. The novella has been adapted into two films, with another movie sequel in the works, and a stage play that has become the second longest-running production in the history of London’s West […]
Funniest Middle Grade, Young Adult Novels, & Picture Books
Everybody needs a good laugh, and this past weekend I longed for some mad funny bone ticklage. Luckily, a friend recommended and brought over “Dinner for Schmucks” with Steve Carrel, Paul Rudd and a host of other comedic geniuses, and it was just what I needed, reminding me of the importance of comedy. However, I’m […]
Plot Musings: ‘Speak’ by Laurie Halse Anderson
SPOLIER ALERT! The following post includes spoiler warnings for Laurie Halse Anderson’s book, SPEAK. You have been warned. Once in a while that one book comes around that is exceptional. This is that book. I’ve been hearing about this novel for years but had put off reading it due to its subject matter. (I’m a […]
