Haunting of Hill House

This short novel by Shirley Jackson (better known as the author of the short story "The Lottery") is spoiled somewhat by the film adaptations that have been produced over the course of the last 40 years or so. The book isn't so much horror as an eerie book in which you can't be sure of the sanity of the main characters - much like James' Turn of the Screw. Subtle references to lesbianism make this novel stand out among similar creepy novels of its time.

Recommended for horror genre fans who are serious readers (rather than just the blood & guts type). Also recommended for fans of psychological fiction - this is a good modern example without being blugeoned over the head with angst, mental illness, etc...

Dragon Rider

Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke is a great children's book. Orphans, cranky fair folk, dragons, adventure - what more do you want in a children's story?! :)

Highly recommended for all young fantasy readers. Adult fantasy readers may enjoy this as long as they enjoy a lighthearted story.

Wrinkle in Time

Another book that was praised to me over and over again when I was in grade school, but never read. I suppose I was just being contrary. :) Anyway, Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time is a great book and though written for children contains very adult themes (of distopian Big Brother-type societies and people fighting against them). Really, it sends the message that it's important for us all to have differences, but to not let those differences get us down too much (there will always be people who love you).

Highly recommended for children - especially those who enjoy stories where "ordinary" children do extraordinary things (fighting evil and whatnot), though this story doesn't have magic. Extraordinary things happen through science more advanced than our own at present. Also highly recommended for adults who like this kind of story and are looking for a quick read (ax. 2 hours).

Christmas Stories

Unbeknownst to much of the American population, Charles Dickens wrote several other stories that take place around the Christmas and New Year's holidays. I made my way through these during my recent flights to O'Hare and back.

Only recommended for true Dickens fans. There is a reason that Dickens' other Christmas Stories are not as well known - they're just not as well put together. Too much sentiment and "Do unto others..." is crammed into them without the great plot devices of A Christmas Carol - and not as much Christmas. I just didn't like them that well - and I really like Dickens. These are not an example of his best work.

Christmas Carol

I can hardly believe it (since I've read quite a few of Charles Dickens' novels) that I hadn't read A Christmas Carol before. Reading through, though, I was amazed at how true to the text of the novella many of the movies are! (I watched one on TMC a couple weeks ago and even the dialog was almost word-for-word).

Must read - even though most of us in the U.S. know this story, it's such a classic that it's a shame not everyone's read it. It's short, so there's no excuse!

Secret Garden

Even though my sister loved this book and was in a (very good) production based on this Frances Hodgson Burnett novel, I only just read it this past week. The Secret Garden is a classic of children's literature for a reason. A great book that doesn't talk down to its readers.

Highly recommended for children and anyone who likes uplifting books about orphans. :)

Ascending Peculiarity

Ascending Peculiarity: Edward Gorey on Edward Gorey edited by Karen Wilkins. This book is a compilation of interviews people have conducted with Edward Gorey over the years. It's very interesting to see how described himself to others (regardless of how much of that description is "put on"). As is the nature of interviews, many people ask similar questions, so some of the transcriptions in the last quarter of the book are repetative, but still interesting.

Unless you're an Edward Gorey fan, you probably won't be interested.