Book Review: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Title: The Haunting of Hill House   

Author: Shirley Jackson

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Horror, Classic, Adult Fiction

Pages: 182

Publisher: Penguin Classics

Year Published: 1959

Format: Audiobook 

"'Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within...'

Four seekers have arrived at the rambling old pile known as Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of psychic phenomena; Theodora, his lovely and lighthearted assistant; Luke, the adventurous future inheritor of the estate; and Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman with a dark past. As they begin to cope with chilling, even horrifying occurrences beyond their control or understanding, they cannot possibly know what lies ahead. For Hill House is gathering its powers- and soon it will choose one of them to make its own."

My Rating: 1.75/5

I don't often read classics, and when I do, I'm reminded why. This book was unsettling but not horrifying, not in the same vein that I expected. The characters were annoying, and I had a hard time empathisizing with them. I would be curious to see if the show kind of adds to the story. I think the archetypes are interesting; the atmosphere was chilling, but other than that, I didn't enjoy my time reading this book. 

Sidny

Book Review: Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

Title: Girl with the Pearl Earring

Author: Tracy Chevalier

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult Fiction, Classic

Pages: 240

Publisher: Plume Books

Year Published: 1999

Format: Audiobook

"Winner of the 2000 Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award! Alex Award winner! Tracy Chevalier transports readers to a bygone time and place in this richly imagined portrait of the young woman who inspired one of Vermeer's most celebrated paintings. History and fiction merge seamlessly in this luminous novel about artistic vision and sensual awakening. Girl with a Pearling Earring tells the story of sixteen-year-old Griet, whose life is transformed by her brief encounter with genius... even as she herself is immortalized in canvas and oil. "

My Rating: 2.5/5

This book was very short, quick and interesting. It painted (get it) a different time, and the idea that this story is about the girl in the painting is what drew me to it. I found that this book was just ok. Interesting in setting, fascinating in idea and I'm sure if you were an art history buff you would enjoy it. I'm just not. 

Sidny

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Title: Pride and Prejudice

Author: Jane Austen

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Classic, Romance

Pages: 279

Publisher: Modern Library

Year Published: 1813

Format: Audiobook

"Since its immediate success in 1813, Pride and Prejudice have remained one of the most popular novels in the English language. Jane Austen called this brilliant work 'her own darling child' and its vivacious heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, 'as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print.' The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and her proud beau, Mr. Darcy, is a splendid performance of civilized sparring. And Jane Austen's radiant wit sparkles as her characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, making this book the superb comedy of manners of Regency England."

My Rating: 5/5

I finally read this classic that people have been on my case about for years! And I get it now. The romance in this is just astounding and really timeless. I understand now why women talk about finding their Mr. Darcy and how he is a true love interest for the ages. Elizabeth is an amazing character especially to be written in the time that it was, I'm impressed by the way she holds her own.  I plan to read more classics from Jane Austen, and exploring more classics via audiobook as I find it the best way for me to consume the stories. I'm not sure these are my most coherent thoughts, but here they are quickly jotted down.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

 Title: Frankenstein

Author: Mary Shelley

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Classic, Fiction

Pages: 273

Publisher: Penguin

Year Published: 1818

Format: Audiobook

"Obsessed with creating life itself, Victor Frankenstein plunders graveyards for the material to fashion a new being, which he shocks into life with electricity. but his botched creature, rejected by Frankenstein and denied human companionship, sets out to destroy his maker and all that he holds dear. mary Shelley's chilling Gothic tale was conceived when she was only eighteen, living with her lover Percy Shelley near Byron's villa on Lake Geneva. It would become the world's most famous work of horror fiction, and remains a devastating exploration of the limits of human creativity.

bas on the third edition of 1831, this volume contains all the revisions Mary Shelley made her story, as well as her 1831 introduction and Percy Bysshe Shelley's preface to the first edition. This revised edition includes as appendices a select collation of the texts of 1818 and 1831 together with 'A Fragment' by Lord Byron and Dr. John Polidori's 'The Vampyre: A Tale'."

My Rating: 3.5/5

I listened to the audiobook for this and I feel like that might have been a disservice to myself. I just wasn't able to focus in on some of the aspects that I know are important to the story. I also feel that because I knew so much going in I wasn't surprised by the turns this story took (it's hard not to be spoiled about something that came out in 1818). That being said the atmosphere that is written in this story is what truly captured me. The idea of travelling the world and being followed adds to the horror elements. That being said, I plan to reread this with a physical copy and hope to find that I enjoy it more through that format.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

Author: JK Rowling

Series/Standalone: Harry Potter Series (Book #7)

Genre: Classic, Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 607

Publisher: Bloomsbury UK

Year Published: 2007

Format: Paperback Copy (Own it)

First Line: "The two men appeared out of nowhere, a few yards apart in the narrow, moonlit lane."

"Harry Potter faces a seemingly impossible task. He will not return to Hogwarts for his seventh year; instead, he will finish the quest started by Albus Dumbledor. He must hunt down and story Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes. Only then will he be able to rid the world of the Dark Lord's shadow once and for all.

This final battle is Harry's destiny, and destiny demands that he rise to meet his true fate without fear.

My Rating: 4.5/5

I do not agree with JK Rowling's views or support her views! We all know she is the devil in disguise. I will say that Harry Potter and the HP world is very important to me. It's gotten me through multiple dark times in my life. And completing a long reread, I was surprised by how much I ended up enjoying this final book even though it took about 2 months to complete. I think that the series wraps so well after the final battle and while it's heartbreaking it also inspiring in some ways. To see how the characters have grown, how they've changed and adapted to the war around them is such an amazing story. I know that I will always love Harry Potter, and I have no plans on giving away by book set, but I will not be buying anything that will profit She Who Must Not Be Named. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Dracula by Bram Stoker

 

Title: Dracula

Author: Bram Stoker

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Classic, Horror

Pages: 488

Publisher: Norton Critical Edition

Year Published: 1897

Format: Audiobook

Please note that this is not the version I read, just the one I had marked to read on Goodreads.

"A rich selection of background and source materials is provided in three areas, Contexts include probably inspirations for Dracula in the earlier works of Jame Malcolm Rymer and Emily Gerard. Also included are a discussion of Stoker's working notes for the novel and 'Dracula's Guest,' the original opening chapter to Dracula. Review and Reactions reprints five early reviews of the novel. 'Dramatic and Film Variations' focuses on the theater and film adaptations of Dracula, two indications of the novel's unwavering appeal. David j. Skal, Gregory A. Waller, and Nina Auerbach offer their varied perspectives. Checklists of both dramatic and film adaptions are included."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I'm very rarely a fan of classics, but maybe I just haven't been delving into the right ones. I think that classical horror is something I'll have to look more into. I think that everyone knows the premise of this book, but what I didn't expect is to have characters that I truly enjoyed reading from. I listened to a full cast version of the book itself and it was very enjoyable. It also kept the horror elements better than I expected. The atmosphere of the story was mysterious and chilling, but still descriptive to the reader. Overall I'm hoping to continue occasionally reading classics and this renewed my hope that I might even enjoy them.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Color Purple by Alice Walker

 

Title: The Color Purple

Author: Alice Walker

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Classic, Adult Fiction
Pages: 288

Publisher: A Harvest Book/Harcourt, Inc.

Year Published: 1982

Format: Library Copy (Paperback)

"Published to unprecedented acclaim, The Color Purple established Alice Walker as a major voice in modern fiction. This is the story of two sisters-- one a missionary in Africa and the other a child wife living in the South-- who sustain their loyalty to and trust in each other across time, distance, silence. Beautifully imagined and deeply compassionate, this classic novel of American literature is rich with passion, pain, inspiration, and an indomitable love of life."

My Rating: 4.25/5

My best friend and I have started a fun little buddy reading thing with my best friend monthly to motivate us to read physical books and audiobooks. It also gives us an excuse to gab on the phone with a glass of wine in the evenings (this hasn't happened yet, but it's only a matter of time). This was our first choice of a buddy read. What we didn't expect was for this book to immediately start out so dark, so when I discussed it with my mom, she mentioned that she loved the movie, although it started out just as dark. Overall, this book has a lot to offer, and there is a reason it won the Pulitzer Prize. This story, while dark and heart-wrenching, touched on religion in a way I didn't anticipate. The idea that if there is a God, we can see him in the smaller things surrounding us, nature, and sun etc. I also thought the discussion about race issues and how they began was incredibly interesting. Topical, now as things once again come to a head throughout the world. 

I would recommend anyone looking for a different style of classic. There are trigger warnings for sexual assault, physical assault and violence (likely amongst others these are what came to mind upon review). 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice

Title: Interview With the Vampire
Author: Anne Rice
Series/Standalone: The Vampire Chronicles (Book #1)
Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Classic
Pages: 353
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Year Published: 1976
Format: Audiobook (Own It)

"Here are the confessions of a vampire. Hypnotic, showing and chillingly erotic, this is a novel of mesmerizing beauty and astonishing forces story of danger and flight, of love and loss, of suspense and resolution, and of the extraordinary power of the sense. It is novel only Anne Rice could write."

My Rating: 1.5/5

I know that this is a lot of people's favourite series and I can honestly say, I don't think I get it. Maybe someone could let me know if they are all written in the same fashion and same format. Because I'd be willing to continue if I knew next books in the series would be different but at this point, I just don't really care. I was intrigued by the idea of different kinds of vampires and vampire children but then it just seemed to drag to me. I did care about some of the characters in the story, and the atmospheric writing was beautiful, but at this point, I just don't think that I will continue the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Harry Potter & the Hallf-Blood Prince by JK Rowling

Title: Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince
Author: JK Rowling
Series/Standalone: Harry Potter (Book #6)
Genre: Modern Classic, Young Adult, Fiction
Pages: 607
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 2005
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "It was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind."

"Suspicion and fear blow through the wizarding world as news of the Dark Lord's attack of the Ministry of Magic spreads. Harry has not told anyone about the future predicted by the prophecy in the Department of Mysteries, nor how deeply what happened to Sirius Black affected him. He's desperate for Professor Dumbledore to arrive and take him away from the Dursley's- but Hogwarts may not be the safe haven from Voldemort's Dark Forces that it once was. 

In his sixth year, the names Black, Malfoy, Lestrange and Snape will haunt Harry with shades of trust and treachery as he discovers the secret behind the mysterious Half-Blood Prince- and Dumbledore prepares him to face his own terrifying destiny."

My Rating: 4.5/5

Now might not have been the time to give this specific book a reread, but I was already reading it before COVID-19 changed the way we are living. And while some of us are struggling with our mental health watching tragedy happen before our eyes. It's just not a great time to read the most tragic Harry Potter book, in my oh so humble opinion. Also, unpopular opinion Harry is not my favourite character. In fact, he annoys me almost all the time so sometimes while reading I find him a painful character to read from. That being said the message that love is the most powerful magic is something we could all use right now. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Author: JK Rowling
Series/Standlone: Harry Potter Series (Book #4)
Genre: Fantasy, Classic, Magic
Pages: 636
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 2000
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "The villagers of Little Hangleton still called it 'the Riddle House,' even though it had been many years since the Riddle family had lived there."

"When Harry Potter wakes one morning with a searing pain in the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, he is not sure what it means. All he knows is the last time it happened Lord Voldemort was close by. Three days later, the Quidditch World Cup ends in carnage at the hands of the Dark Lord's followers- and Harry steels himself for more trouble ahead.

Back at Hogwarts for his fourth year, Harry is astonished to be chosen by the Goblet of Fire to represent the school in the Triwizard Tournament. The competition is dangerous, the tasks terrifying, and true courage is no guarantee of survival= especially when the Darkest forces are on the rise..."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I'm really enjoying the reread of this series, but I have to say that I'm not the biggest fan of Harry as a character. And that's why I knocked down half of a star. I did really enjoy the setting and the expansion of the world that goes on in this book. I think that this book has a really great natural rhythm to it. I will say that I was annoyed with some of the other plot points a little bit, but I'm excited to continue rereading the series but I will be taking a month off from the reread, as my friend needs to finish this book this month (and she doesn't think she's gonna make it).

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkban by JK Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Author: JK Rowling
Series/Standalone: Harry Potter Series (Book #3)
Genre: Classic, Fantasy
Pages: 317
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 1999
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "Harry Potter was a highly unusual boy in many ways."

"On the morning of his thirteenth birthday, Harry Potter learns that mass-murderer Sirius Black has escaped the iron grasp of Azkaban fortress. harry has barely survived his first two years at Hogwarts; now it looks as though Sirius Black is determined to make sure Harry doesn't finish his third.

With Ron and Hermione at his side, Harry is forced to confront his new enemy- while the sinister Dementors of Azkaban Patrol the school ground threatening to suck the very soul from those who they encounter with a deadly kiss..."

My Rating: 5/5

This is by far my favourite Harry Potter book (As far as I remember) I love the growth in the world and getting to see how criminals are dealt with. i also appreciate seeing other magical creatures that we hadn't been introduced to before. Overall this book introduces my favourite characters and some of the best elements of the series (in my opinion). I'm so excited to rewatch the movies after we finish the series.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Author: JK Rowling
Series/Standalone: Harry Potter (Book #2)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Classic
Pages: 251
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 1998
Format: Paperback Copy (Own it)
First Line: "Not for the first time, an argument had broken out over breakfast at number four, Privet Drive."

"Harry can't wait for his holidays with the dire Dursleys to end. But a small, self-punishing house-elf warns Harry of mortal danger awaiting him at Hogwarts School. Returning to the castle nevertheless, Harry hears a rumour about a chamber of secrets, holding unknown horrors to wizards of Muggle parentage. Now someone is casting spells that turn people to stone, and a terrible warning is found painting on the wall. The chief suspect- always in the wrong place- is Harry. But something much darker has yet to be unleashed."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I really enjoyed this second book, even more than I remember enjoying it the other times I have read and reread the series. I think that the characters are just so loveable in this book and now that we do understand some aspects of the grounds it was easier to explore the adventure. I also liked that this story focused on relationships with peers a bit more than the first one where we are just getting to know everyone.
I'm so excited about continuing this reread and getting to remember all that JK Rowling's world has to offer.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Author: JK Rowling
Series/Standalone: Harry Potter Series (Book #1)
Genre: Classic, Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 223
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 1997
Format: Paperback Copy (Own it)

"Strange things always seem to happen when Harry Potter is around. Things that unsettle his guardians, the Dursleys. They strongly disapprove of strangeness. It's only when a letter arrives, delivered by a shaggy giant of a man called Hagrid, that Harry learns the truth that will transform his entire future: his parents were killed by the evil Lord Voldemort, and he, Harry, is a wizard.

Whisked away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry discovers a world of enchantments, ghosts, Quidditch, and friends who will stand, throughout everything, by his side. But when Harry hears of a stone with great powers, he finds that his school has its own dark past- and an adventure that will become the stuff of legend begins...."

My Rating: 5/5

This is not my first time reading Harry Potter. For months I was planning to reread this series with my boyfriend and my best friends, so we finally made a plan to start our rereads. I really enjoyed this first book. I think its a great first installment in the series, and as a reread there are things that you definitely pick up on. I also think that I forgot so many things in the years between reading this. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Title: Fahrenheit 451
Author: Ray Bradbury
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Classics, Science Fiction
Pages: 227
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Year Published: 1953
Format: Hardback Copy (Library Copy)
First Line: "It was a pleasure to burn."

"The terrifying prophetic novel of a post-literature future.

Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to burn books, which are forbidden, being the source of all discord and unhappiness. Even so, Montag is unhappy; there is a discord in his marriage. Are books hidden in his house? The Mechanical Hound of the Fire Department, armed with a lethal hypodermic, escorted by helicopters, is ready to track down those dissidents who defy society to preserve and read books."

My Rating: 2/5

Based on how much I enjoyed the first part of this book I was excited to see an unusual dystopian. The start of this book was interesting to me but the more I read the more I dreaded having started this story. It was frustrating to see how the world had turned. But I also found the writing hard to read, and it seemed to drag on throughout the short 150 pages. I would not read other works by this author and did not read the other short stories in the back of this book. Overall, this book seemed to put me in a slump, and therefore I'm taking a break from classics next month.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Classic Review: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Title: The Great Gatsby
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Classic, Fiction, Lit
Pages:195
Publisher: Penguin
Year Published: 1925
Format: Physical Copy (Library Copy)
First Line: "In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since."

"These sumptuous new hardback editions mark the 70th anniversary of Fitzgerald's death.

Jay Gatsby is the man who has everything. Everybody who is anybody is seen at his glittering parties. Day and night his Long Island mansion buzzes with bright young things drinking, dancing and debating his mysterious character. For Gatsby- young, handsome and fabulously rich- always seems alone in the crowd, watching and waiting, though no one knows what for. beneath the shimmering surface of his life he is hiding a secret: a silent longing for the one thing that will always be out of his reach. And soon his destructive obsession will force his world to unravel."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This book starts in a strange way and is not at all what I expected. I haven't read a lot of classics so a goal I have this year is to attempt to read more. After the first 50 pages of this book, I was willing to give up but decided to break the read into 50-page sprints per evening and managed to complete it. I actually enjoyed the story overall. I think that it was interesting to see how the author took things from a certain time period and changed them to a futuristic theme. I found that the characters were interesting, although some were unlikeable it was interesting to see the interactions throughout the short novel and I hope to pick up another classic next month.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny