A Bookish Meme

Eva at A Striped Armchair tagged me for this cool meme. Enjoy!

Hardcover or paperback? Why?
Hardcover are more durable but I end up reading a lot more paperback because they are cheaper and lighter weight.

If I were to own a book shop I would call it...
I'll have to get back to you on this one. My brain isn't being very creative today.

My favourite quote from a book (name it) is...
My daughter just reminded me of the funny first line in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader:

There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.

The author (alive or deceased) I would love to have lunch with would be...
C.S. Lewis. We could talk kiddie lit and theology.

If I was going to a deserted island and could only bring one book, except from the SAS survival guide, it would be...
Either the Bible(the book of life) or my Norton Anthology of English Literature. I'd never run out of reading material either way. And on a deserted island I could read as long as I like. Sweet!

I would love someone to invent a bookish gadget that
Would improve my reading speed(and please don't tell me about speed reading courses. I have tried them).

The smell of an old book reminds me of...
Shopping in a used book store? Actually it smells a little like a rainy day.

If I could be the lead character in a book (mention the title), it would be...
Anne of Green Gables. What an imagination, and she gets to live on PEI.

The most overestimated book of all time is...
The Secret(thanks to Oprah)

I hate it when a book...
Gives away the ending early on without having anything else of value to say.

If this meme looks fun to you then consider yourself tagged. And leave me a comment so I can read your answers. Have a great weekend!

Review:The Age of Innocence

The Age of Innocence
by Edith Wharton
321 pages
First Sentence:

On a January evening of the early seventies, Christine Nilsson was singing Faust at the Academy of Music in New York.

It's a bit of a boring introduction sentence, especially since the book is neither about Christine Nilsson or the Academy of Music, but Edith Wharton likes to display "pop NY culture" in her novels, perhaps as a way of saying, "Hey, I'm one of one Old NY. I know your trends and tastes." Edith Wharton was born into New York's elite. And she despised it and what it represented.

Our story opens with the formal announcement of the engagement of Newland Archer and his beloved, May Welland, and the introduction of a would be scandal, May's cousin Countess Ellen Olenska's recent fleeing from her dastardly husband. We never find out what exactly her husband has done but it is common knowledge that he is a scoundrel and she had every right to leave to protect herself. While everyone concedes that Ellen is not to blame, society has a hard time accepting her boldness in desiring a divorce(to leave is all right but to divorce is not allowed). As Ellen is completely different than Newland's native Old New York he soon falls madly in love with her. He then must chose between love and duty.

I can't say much about Wharton's ideology without giving away the plot. The ending was a little puzzling at first(as seems to be her trademark) but with a little analysis it becomes a story that is rich with moral guidance. After reading some of Hermione Lee's thick biography about Wharton I can see that she may have been writing these novels to speak to herself as much as society. She struggled in a loveless marriage for many many years before divorcing. There was at least one man to whom she was extremely close to both before the divorce and after. There was also an affair at one point. Edith's life was very unsatisfying and depressing except for her writing.

This was the first book I've completed for the Reading the Author Challenge. It's also on my list for the Book Awards Reading Challenge. I recently purchased Summer and Short Stories by Wharton. I will try to read at least one Wharton book a month.

BTW, the picture at the top is on the cover of my B&N version of The Age of Innocence. I couldn't find a picture of the cover so I looked up the artwork(I love those colors!). I think I have found a new artist to admire. James Tissot's work is full of the beauty of the Victorian age. I will be asking for a book of his artwork for Christmas. It will snuggle nicely next to Leighton, Renoir and Waterhouse.

Short Story Sunday

The Yellow Wall Paper
by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

A woman suffering from "temporary nervous depression" is moved into an old, long unoccupied manor house by her physician husband "to get plenty of air." She spends all her days in the top floor nursery that is covered in a horrendous yellow wall paper. Slowly but surely the wall paper drives her insane and the reader comes along for the ride as we read her secret diary.

I was intrigued by Eva's review of this short story two weeks ago. I totally agree with her that it was fascinating and creepy. I loved that a disease that was originally thought to be all in her head becomes more "all in her head" the more her husband insists that she's improving. And the final diary entry is the icing on the cake. Highly recommend!

The Striding Place
by Gertrude Atherton

A man wonders in his woods contemplating the strange disappearance of his closest friend just a few days before. As he comes to a "Strid" in a stream, a narrow passage between precipitous rocks or banks, which looks as if it might be crossed at a stride but is often dangerous, he makes an anxious discovery.

This story is apparently known for it's final sentence. I hadn't heard of it before, nor had I heard of it's author. I found the story a bit disjointed; certainly not the smooth reading that The Yellow Wall Paper was. But the last sentence was what makes it a spooky tale. I was left stunned.

Two for the Price of One

I missed out on last week's really good Booking Through Thursday but since this week's question is connected to it I'll answer them together.

Okay . . . picture this (really) worst-case scenario: It’s cold and raining, your boyfriend/girlfriend has just dumped you, you’ve just been fired, the pile of unpaid bills is sky-high, your beloved pet has recently died, and you think you’re coming down with a cold. All you want to do (other than hiding under the covers) is to curl up with a good book, something warm and comforting that will make you feel better.
What do you read?

When life is rough I need a good cry. I read something that says, "Yea, life hurts. It beats you to a bloody pulp. But the reward at the end is worth it." I don't often reread but here are some titles that would be good for a bummer day: Jane Eyre, House of Mirth(she dies but he loves her), Mansfield Park, or Persuasion. Abusive but life affirming.

Imagine that everything is going just swimmingly. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and all’s right with the world. You’re practically bouncing from health and have money in your pocket. The kids are playing and laughing, the puppy is chewing in the cutest possible manner on an officially-sanctioned chew toy, and in between moments of laughter for pure joy, you pick up a book to read . . .
What is it?

When I'm ultra happy I want the good guys to cream the bad guys. I want something all life affirming. Humor is good too. This is where Pride and Prejudice or Little Women would come in. Old childhood classics that are fun like Wind in the Willows or Robin Hood. Something fantastical and full of magic. Stardust or Princess Bride. And I think I'd be much more able to handle scary when I'm on cloud nine.

So Very Tired

You know when you have to go to the bathroom while you're asleep how you will dream of going and going but you never feel relieved? Well I am exhausted today and during my second nap of the morning I dreamt that I was driving while I was so tired that I couldn't keep my eyes open, but I kept driving anyway, for hours. It feels like some sort of Twilight Zone.

Review:Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera
by Gaston Leroux
322 pages
First Sentence:

The Opera ghost really existed.

I wish I could have found a bigger picture of that cover because as I was reading The Eyes that cover haunted me. And the picture is on the spine and the back too so I couldn't just turn it over, I had to cover it up completely.

I don't remember where I got the book from but after loving the recent movie and listening frequently to the soundtrack I was extremely curious about the book. It was not disappointing though it was different in so many ways.

First of all this novel is written as an investigation giving the facts and private information from those who came in contact with the Opera Ghost. The bulk of the book is the pieced together story as it unfolds but every so often the investigator interjects to explain that some bit of info. is unknown and maybe to speculate about what could have happened. The focus is on the sudden disappearance of Christine Daae specifically and the life of the Opera Ghost is general. One thing is for sure, the Phantom does not cut as romantic a figure as Gerard Butler. He is unconscionable.

Remembering my disturbed emotions from a few days ago I was rolling my eyes and moaning as I read one scene in particular, where Raoul de Chagny thinks he sees eyes staring at him in his dark room. Talk about synergism!

I really liked this book. The suspense is built to a tantalizing level and the ending is perfect. It makes me want to watch the movies and see the play again with a fuller appreciation of the storyline.

This was my second book for the RIP II Challenge. Except for the Short Story Sunday, I will be putting the scary stories aside for a little while to catch my breath. I need a little time with a love story that doesn't involve a monster.

Review: The Eyes

When I was in 5th grade, my friends conspired to scare the living tar out of me by telling me Bloody Mary stories. If you haven't had the benefit of hearing these tales you can consider yourself very fortunate because they had the effect of scarring me for life. To this day I cannot look at a reflective surface at night, whether it be mirror or the glass in a picture frame, even the chrome faucet in the sink. As a child I would crawl past the mirror between my light switch and the bed. I had nightmares for years about ghosts trying to possess my body, or those of my family. I slept with a nightlight until I was in high school when I realized that the light created more shadows that just scared me more. I even slept with my head under my blanket until I was an adult. These stories indeed left a deep scar.


So you can imagine my fright as I was reading Edith Wharton's short ghost story The Eyes about a man haunted by ghostly eyes glaring at him at night. He cannot figure out why they appear when they do except that they seem to be connected in some way with a choice he has made earlier in the day. All he knows for sure is that they leave him unable to sleep, for days sometimes, until they finally go away.


The night I read the story I went to bed laughing at myself for being such a baby but really my heart was pounding ferociously in my chest during the long, dark walk to my room. Once in bed I felt compelled to look down the long hallway which is lit halfway by a mild green light, then pitch black. "Don't look!" I scolded myself. So I glued my eyes shut and attempted to sleep. The few times I succeeded in falling asleep I was plagued with disturbing dreams that I couldn't remember upon awakening but I would look again toward the black hole down the hall and start the process all over again. It was of course a horrendous way to spend a night, remembering all the anxiety and insecurity of my youth and realizing again that I still had not outgrown this irrational fear.


The Eyes was a creepy story to be sure but in typical Wharton style there is left a huge question mark at the end. "What just happened?" The ending was thoroughly confusing. After several readings of the same section I gave up. I'm beginning to see a pattern in Wharton's ghost stories. Ghosts and apparitions she can deal with. It is the old fear of the unknown or of that which cannot be understood that really chills her blood. Me? I'm just afraid of the ghost.

What a Guy!

While the Theologian was out buying this Garage Freezer last night, he also purchased this new fridge as a surprise delivery this morning. And just in time to show off at our party this weekend. My husband's cooler than yours is. =)

Short Story Sunday

A Ghost Story
by Jerome K. Jerome

Suppose a man died with the dearest wish of his heart unfulfilled, do you believe that his spirit might have power to return to earth and complete the interrupted work?

What follows is the short tale of a plan for revenge unfulfilled and the aftermath. This was the shortest story I've read yet but the creepiest. I liked the writing style. Very easy to understand and paints a picture before your eyes. I will have to read more of Jerome's work.

He is best known for his novel Three Men in a Boat. His stories are included in a number of anthologies of ghost stories and comic collections. My library system has the following scary story titles that include his works:

• The Dracula Book of Great Horror Stories
• The Haunted Dolls
• Fun Phantoms
• Ghosts and Ghastlies
• The Monster Makers
• Famous Monster Tales
• Horror Stories
• The Best Ghost Stories Ever

That's a lot of ghost story books. I'll have to keep them in mind for RIP III in 2008.

Review:Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
by Robert Louis Stevenson
86 pgs.
First Sentence:

Mr. Utterson the lawyer was a man of a rugged countenance that was never lighted by a smile; cold, scanty and embarrassed in discourse; backward in
sentiment; lean, long, dusty, dreary and yet somehow lovable.

Who hasn't heard the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? It is a cultural icon of sorts. I remember Bugs Bunny and other cartoons making references to it. So there is hardly anything new I could add to the tale except my own perception.

I had not realised it was such a small novella or I might have tackled it long ago. My B&N copy is 269 pages long. I hadn't noticed until I sat down to read it that under the title it says "and Other Stories." In fact, there are 6 stories and a myriad of other reference tools that are very helpful to understanding the story and the author.

An interesting bit of trivia that I hadn't known before is that the book and subsequent plays were extremely popular until Jack the Ripper started terrorizing the streets of London. One particularly powerful actor, Richard Mansfield, did such a magnificent job in the stage role of Jekyll and Hyde that he was accused of being the Ripper himself.

The book was also the public introduction of the idea of a serial killer who lived among the elite by day and killed by night. There were a flood of copycat stories printed immediately after it's publication.

The story itself was easy to follow. It is told by Mr. Utterson, a close friend to Dr. Jekyll. We learn of the intimate details as he investigates this strange Mr. Hyde and his hold on the financially secure(and then some) doctor of science. The last chapter is a letter written to Mr. Utterson by Dr. Jekyll in explanation of the identity of Mr. Hyde. It is quite an effective way of writing, or it would have been if I hadn't already known the secret.

This was my first selection for the RIP II Challenge. A long with all the scary short stories I am off to an eerie but satisfying start. The Phantom of the Opera sits waiting by my reading spot to be read next. It's sitting next to another book that I picked up last weekend called Poems Bewitched and Haunted put out by Everyman's Library Pocket Poets. As I find selections that are appropriate I will post them, so stay tuned.

Review: Inkheart

Inkheart
by Cornelia Funke
534 pg.
First Sentence:

Rain fell that night, a fine, whispering rain. Many years later, Meggie had only to close her eyes and she could still hear it, like tiny fingers tapping on the windowpane.

So, I almost forgot to write a review of Inkheart. How could I possibly have forgotten? Let me explain.


At the beginning of summer, in June but before we started swimming lessons, I started reading Inkheart to the kiddos, about 2-3 chapters each afternoon. The plan was to continue reading a few chapters each day at the pool. But when Goldilocks was offered a scholarship to join swim team we lost our free time and never did read it. So all through the summer I talked about reading it daily but we read for maybe 1 day in every 2 weeks. It was after swim team was over in August that we finally finished the book. By then it had lost a lot of it's magic.

This is the story of Meggie, the 12 year old daughter of a book restorer named Mo. When the mysterious Dustfinger enters their lives things will never be the same again. As the cover indicates, there are fairies, creatures from other worlds and the burning of books. There are characters made of pure evil, and those with pure hearts. And right in the middle of it all is one brave little girl who must try to conquer her own fears and save everything she holds dear.

The things we loved about the book were the characters, the clear imagery, the suspense right from the beginning, the allusion to books, and the storyline. That sounds like everything doesn't it? Well, we might have loved everything if it hadn't taken us so long to get through it. But with a whopping 500+ pages it would have taken us a while to get through anyway.

What I didn't care for was that the suspense had a strong grip through the entire book. It doesn't let up very often. At some point you need to rest to calm down your adrenaline. Another qualm I had was that the bad guys were so thoroughly evil that there was not a single shred of good or even ambiguity to any of them. It also had some minor cuss words that were repeated frequently. Since I don't generally speak that way in front of my kids I had to edit. If given the option again I would have handed the book to the oldest child to read to himself instead of reading it aloud with the 5 and 9 year olds in the room.

One last thing before I'm through, I really did like the book a lot. It was an imaginative story with a lot of great twists and turns. Anyone over the age of 12 would have a great time with it. My situation was set up in just the right way to detract from the enjoyment of it. I regret that. But I will reread it to myself in a year or two and see how it holds up to a solid reading through.

Goldilocks Kind of Reader

–are you a Goldilocks kind of reader?
Do you need the light just right, the background noise just so loud but not too loud, the chair just right, the distractions at a minimum?
Or can you open a book at any time and dip right in, whether it’s for twenty seconds, while waiting for the kettle to boil, or indefinitely, like while waiting interminably at the hospital–as long as the book is open in front of your nose, you’re happy to read?

The things I require in order to read are as follows:

• a comfortable seat, preferably a couch or recliner


• a decent light nearby


• a drink and a snack within reach, hot tea and something salty are best


• no noise, not even instrumental music or excessive bird chirping


• a chunk of time, I can't stand reading for only a few minutes here and there


• absolutely no TV nearby, if there's a TV I will be watching it, no matter how stupid the program

When written out this way I sound like a Goldilocks type of reader. But reading is important for my sanity so I have created a space in my life that fits these requirements so I may read almost everyday. But it does make it difficult to read outside of my home. I read on a recent vacation during the long drives but I couldn't read in the hotel rooms or at the pool. And I never read while visiting Mom. She owns at least 3 TVs.

The reason that I think I require so many stipulations has a lot to do with stimulation. I become overstimulated easily, and being a person who has always struggled with reading, it is the first area of activity that shuts down if there is a lot of commotion. With instrumental music or nature noises, they just bring about an emotional reaction in me that interferes with the emotions in stories. I will lay down my book, close my eyes and listen with a contented smile.

Short Story Sunday(on Monday)

So my first Short Story Sunday is on a Monday. Late by one day; the story of my life. But to make up for being tardy I will review 2 ghost stories for ya.

The Lady's Maid's Bell
by Edith Wharton

That title feels awkward to my mind. Is that just me? Anyway. It is the tale of Miss Hartley, a lady's maid in a new position for Mrs. Brympton. While there are a few peculiarities, Miss Hartley is satisfied in her new position until she hears that no maid has stayed on at the Brymptons' for more than a couple of weeks. Later that night she is to learn why; the ghost of a former and beloved lady's maid that appears when the bell is wrung. What happens in the end may leave you a bit dumbfounded.

There is a climax at the end of the story but it can leave some in a state of confusion as to what exactly took place. I was not confused but neither was I scared. What I was was enthralled by the writing. If you've been reading this blog for any length of time you will know my unending love for Edith Wharton. She might be classed as my favorite author. If not favorite then at least in the Top 3. She gives just enough detail to capture your imagination without causing a lull in the storytelling. You feel like you have enough information to draw the correct conclusions about a character's personality. Of course, her characters in her shorter stories will not have as much depth as in her novels but that is to be expected. It didn't interfere with this story. It may not be for everyone but I was satisfied.

To Be Taken with a Grain of Salt
by Charles Dickens

I like to visit the local Salvation Army about once a week to scour the book aisle. I rarely come home empty handed. This week's visit proved productive as usual. I picked up a copy of Great Ghost Stories, a thin Dover Thrift Edition with a variety of authors. Dickens being another of my favorites, and the only name I recognized, I started with his story first.

The protagonist is telling the story of the trial of a murderer that he(said protagonist) is the Foreman on the jury for(talk about awkward!). He is not telling about the trial as much as explaining the mysterious ghostly appearances that lead to the verdict.

I was glad this story was short because the details would have been overwhelming in a longer format. He gives a piece of useful(or unuseful) information and then qualifies it. He does this for just about every bit of information he shares. It makes it a bit tedious. But in the end there is a shiver-down-the-spine moment that makes it worth the 10 minutes it takes to get to the end.

This is a fun addition to the regular challenge for the RIP II Challenge. I do like short stories, though I don't read them all that often. They are great for reading while the children are up and running around as I don't need too much time to get through them. And this also works on fulfilling a read for the Reading the Author Challenge, Edith Wharton being my author of choice. So far, so good!