Still loving the master...

I have honestly never read a John Grisham book. But I don't really enjoy the movies from the books so I doubt that I would enjoy the books. I'm not a real law/political crimes book kind of girl. But I'll take your word that it was good!

I finished Stephen King's Just After Sunset finally. It was fantastic, as usual. Even after reading the whole book...the story "Harvey's Dream" was still my absolute fav. The foreshadowing and build up to the climax was amazing. So good in fact, that I read it out loud to Jethro and Lulu. Neither has ever read Stephen King, but they too were in awe. And agreed that it was an awesome example of the art of the short story! I highly recommend this book, not just to fans of his but to anyone who enjoys a good story.

When we gathered for "story time" I asked them what their favorite short stories currently were. Jethro said "To Build a Fire" by another master...Jack London. And Lulu said "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe. My gosh...are they brilliant or what?! Haha. At least they have excellent literary tastes! As both of those authors are considered amazing! Both classic storys that are prime examples of foreshadowing! The very element of writing demonstrated by "Harvey's Dream". Boy, did they have an fantastic literature teacher or what?! Oh yeah...it was me! You've got to love homeschooling!

Well, I don't know what I'm going to read next. I have several books calling my name, but very little time to read since christmas is right around the corner. In fact, I'm getting ready to go wrap some gifts now! I can't wait for christmas as I talked to mom and I happen to know we are both getting some really great books!!! Yes, I do have a one tract mind.

I'd rather be reading,
gert♥

Trying new things!

Every once in a while I read something that is out of the romance or historical romance category. Like 20th Century Ghosts. I read a couple of romance novels after that, that I had not read for a while. While I was looking for another of these, I ran across a book our cousin had given me for a birthday years ago. Dom.. dom.. da... daa! The Testament, by John Grisham. I have never read any other of his novels. I have been missing out. I know that there are movies that have been made from some of his books, but I really never payed much attention since I hadn't read them. That will change soon. The Testament is about a lawyer, a millionaire and a missionary. There are complex relationships, almost fatal diseases and money! I really can't tell you more or I would give away something. However, I will say that one or two of the characters renewed my faith in humanity and the power of believing. Mr. Grisham is very, very good at portraying real people and their faults as well as the crazy turns life sometimes takes. I suggest giving this book a try, you will be hooked like I was.

Next on my list is a favorite by Heather Graham. The Presence. I have read it before, but I'm looking forward to a fresh look at it. I'll tell ya all about it next time.



Love and new books for Christmas! Hildi

Stalking the King...

I now know I am not a Stephen King stalker. How you ask? Well because I got a book from the library about his lost works. That author is a stalker! I am just an amatuer fan. Lol. But a huge one! Still reading Just After Sunset and loving it! You know, all of the stories are good. Some are very very good. And every so often there's one that just rocks my socks. So far "Harvey" is that story in this collection. It never ceases to amaze me how the man can tap into our deepest fears and convey the feeling of terror and make it all seem so normal. I mean there I was reading the story and thinking that I would be thinking the exact same things about my husband that the main character is and I was so focused on how good he is at getting into people's heads that when the main point of the story began to seep into my thinking...it was kind of a "wham!!! that's some scary shit!". That's why I love the King!



So again...for any fans out there...get this book! More later...just had to rave about him some more...



not-a-stalker-I-swear,

gert♥

Holidays cut into reading!

I know I have not kept up on the book review myself, so no worries! I was privileged enough for mom and dad to bring with them a book by Joe Hill. He is the king. Well, no not the king, but a King. For those out there that don't know, he is THE Stephen King's son. Of course he doesn't need to advertise that because he is gifted with his own extreme creative talent for story-telling.
20th Century Ghosts is his book of short stories that I read after Thanksgiving. Let me just say that the man is amazing! Some of these stories are not about ghosts, but just imaginative displays that invite the reader to a different world. A world where anything can be ordinary and sometimes the ordinary is odd. It is a compilation that hearkens back to stories we might see on "Twilight Zone" or "The Ray Bradbury Theater". My favorites, if I picked, were Pop Art and Voluntary Committal.

Pop Art is a story of love, trust and young friendship. It is brilliantly painted with emotion and is probably the most non-fiction story of the bunch. Although my other favorite is closely based in reality as well. At least for those of us who are blessed to know someone with a handicap. [I hate that word, because it never describes the wonderful people who develop differently then others.] Certain things in this story are just the product of creativity. But one character is very real and wonderfully written. I believe the author must be lucky enough to know someone like him.

I would not only recommend reading this book, but strongly suggest you buy it for future enjoyment. I know I will. I can not wait to read Heart-Shaped Box, also by Joe Hill. It has gotten rave reviews and must be good, if 20th Century Ghosts is any indication of what awaits me in those pages.

Love and Praise those King genes!! HIldi

Real life cuts into my reading time...

I hate that! Well Larry almost never gets to go to the movies so I don't have to share a sodi with him. And thankfully now they have that free refill thing so I only fight with Jethro & Lulu over who has to get up and get the refill! Haha.

Well I finished the second book, The Hollow in the Nora Roberts trilogy. It was just as good as the first!!! The third one, The Pagan Stone came out recently but I haven't gotten my hands on it yet! I'm on hold for it at the library. As I'm spending all my book money on Xmas gifts right now!

As for The House at Midnight, it just didn't ever catch my interest. And though I usually don't do this...I gave up on it. There are just too many other books I'd rather be reading to waste precious time on one I'm not enjoying. So I picked up Alice Hoffman's Blackbird House instead. It's a collection of stories that move through different times but all center around the same house and it's occupants lives. Wow. It was very good. But then again, it's very rare for Ms. Hoffman to disappoint. If you recall, she's the author of Practical Magic. And while usually if you see a movie first and then read the book, you're a bigger fan of the movie. I love them both. The movie is different enough from the book that its almost two different stories with the same general theme. Anyway...I truly recommend any of her books!

Now I've moved on to the master...Stephen King. I talked to mom and went ahead and picked up the new book, Just After Sunset for dad for Christmas. She said go ahead and read it and she'd get me something else. So I am very reverently and with supreme care reading it before I wrap it. I'm only one story in, but of course it's brilliant. Seriously, although there are a few (very very few) of his many books that I haven't necessarily drooled over, I would consider myself a huge fan! Not the stalker type of course...I've never even visited his fan site. Just the type that truly admires his work and love it when he includes notes about how he got the idea or trouble he had writing it. His thought processes amaze me. And sometimes when I see a really good horror movie or read a really scary book...I wonder if he enjoyed it too? And if he thinks...man, why didn't I think of that?! Or if he just gets a kick out of it? Is that stalkerish? Hmmm...maybe borderline. But I could die happy if I just got to have lunch with him someday. Hahaha. Anyway...more on his brilliance as I get farther along in the book.

cuddles, tea & a really good read,
gert♥