Don't You Wish You Were Here?

 

Author: T. J. Klune

Pages: 394

Published: 2020

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Magic, LGBTQ+

"Home is where you feel like yourself." This simple, yet profound quote is one that summarizes this absolutely wonderful book in a nutshell. 

This beautiful story is one for all of the misfits. If you've ever struggled to conform to society's norms, or felt constrained because someone kept trying to make you fit into their box, their frame of who they thought you should be (been there, done that) - then this book is for you! 

Linus Baker lives a very average, ho-hum daily existence. He has a solid routine. (Which there is absolutely nothing wrong with - I thrive on routine myself. 😊) He goes to work, goes home, eats dinner, feeds the cat, sits in his favorite chair and listens to music, goes to bed and gets up the next day to do it all over again. Day in. Day out. Never a vacation. He never strays from the 'ordinary'. And although he feels one way, he never embraces it - whatever that feeling is - for fear that his feelings, his likes, won't be accepted by the world that he lives in. 

When he receives an assignment at work (he's a social caseworker who works for the Department In Charge of Magical Youth) to visit a rather extraordinary orphanage, he learns more about himself than he ever intended. His world is turned upside down and inside out by the different magical youth (and orphanage director) that he meets. During his one month stay with the inhabitants of the orphanage,  Linus Baker's bubble was popped. He discovers that everyone's differences are what makes them special, and that prejudices color our opinions of others before getting to know them - and that is very sad. We can miss out on getting to know some awesome, colorful people if we give in to our often deeply held beliefs and misconceptions. 

I cannot recommend this book enough. It is an enchanting, warm story about love, family, and how to embrace and appreciate the unique qualities in ourselves and each other. 

The Witching Hour - Book 1 in the Lives of the Mayfair Witches Trilogy

 

Author: Anne Rice

Pages: 965

Published: 1990

Genre: Paranormal, Adult Fiction, Supernatural, Witches, Gothic

Whew! What a ride. FINALLY done reading this massive work. 

I was still reading it when Anne Rice died. That was heart wrenching. The world will not be the same without her. Consider this my ode to Anne. 

In classic Anne Rice style, the book was captivating in the beginning, long-winded in the middle, and had me on the edge of my seat near the end. She slowly builds to the climactic ending while carefully crafting every little detail that becomes critical to the plot - and leaves the reader wanting more. 

I spent a long time reading this book - 1: Because, let's face it, it is almost a thousand pages, and 2: I have full, busy days and not nearly as much time to read as I would like. Can anyone relate? 

Because I spent so much time reading this, I was heavily invested with the characters. Once I was done reading, I was sad. So, it's a good thing that this book is the first in a trilogy of the Mayfair Witches. 

Not only did I think it strange that I just happened to be reading the first Anne Rice novel I've picked up in several months at the time of her death, but it's been reported that AMC is making a television series based on the books. 

I hope the television adaptation is true to the books, as so often is not the case. 

In this first book of the trilogy, young neurosurgeon Rowan Mayfair discovers that the supernatural power that she has is due to the fact that she hails from a line of witches that goes back generations. Her life crosses paths with a certain Michael Curry - a not-by-mistake handsome construction entrepreneur - whom she just so happens to rescue from drowning in the Pacific ocean. Actually, Michael Curry dies as a result of drowning and Rowan pulls him out of the ocean, performs CPR and brings him back to life. After the drowning, Michael possesses a much unwanted psychic power that he cannot explain. 

Their paths eventually cross again - on purpose this time - but not for the reasons they intend. Circumstances take them to New Orleans, which is the boyhood home for Michael, and the home of the Mayfair witches. Rowan discovers her role in a pact made centuries before with a spirit named Lasher. Is this spirit malevolent or is he to be trusted and befriended? 

Although I'm taking a short hiatus from the Mayfair witches - I do already have the next book in the series on hold at the public library 😬, I can't wait to find out what happens next. 

Get a copy of The Witching Hour here: 

            Witching Hour[ WITCHING HOUR ] by Rice, Anne (Author) Jan-01-90[ Hardcover ]

Book Review: Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

 

Author: Joe Hill

Pages: 376

Published: February 13, 2007

Genre: Horror, Fiction, Paranormal, Thriller

Stephen King must be proud. Joe Hill is Stephen King's son. I'd say he does a good job of proving that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in this book, his first novel.

Judas Coyne is a semi-retired rock star who has a personal collection of occult items that he has purchased over the years. It's just something of interest to him. He doesn't take any of it seriously until his assistant "happens" upon an old suit on an online auction that promises to contain the ghost of the suit's owner. Thinking, "what the hell, why not?", Judas buys the suit. 

From the moment the suit arrives in a heart-shaped box, strange things begin happening to him and his girlfriend. Without placing anyone in a proverbial box, as rock stars typically go, Judas has had his share of casual girlfriends through the years. One in particular begins to resurface when he calls the woman who sold him the suit to find out if he can send it back. The seller turns out to be the sister of one of Judas' old girlfriends - the one who committed suicide after Judas threw her out.

The step-father of the dead girlfriend is the ghost who came with the suit. His mission is to kill Judas - or rather, make Judas kill himself and anyone else affiliated with him - girlfriend, employees, dogs - makes no matter. The reason: Judas is told is that the ghost holds him responsible for the death of his step-daughter. 

The story throws the reader some curve balls of surprise every now and again. Judas' real name is Justin. He has some old ghosts of his own from his past to confront - and he gets that opportunity.  He suffered abuse at the hands of his father as a child - and the trauma and emotional turmoil that brings must be dealt with. This leaves the reader wondering by the end of the book whether the events of the story were real - or did everything happen in Judas' mind? 

I thought the book would make an 'okay' movie, although it would be predictable at some points. 

Overall, it was a good book. I would rate it 3.75 out of 5 stars. 

Amazon:  Heart-Shaped Box: A Novel

My Favorite Things

 

Sprinkles on cupcakes and roses on mittens

Little red cauldrons and warm, fuzzy kittens

Bright shiny baubles that make pretty rings

These are a few of my favorite things.

     I'm in the middle of reading my next book, so I figured I would share the happy little jingle that I         was thinking about this morning to fill the gap before my next book review.

This blog is about books, and how the act of reading itself can be healing. It takes us away to another world of our choosing. It is an escape from reality. 

I don't know about you, but when I'm reading a great book, my physical body may be sitting in my favorite reading spot, but my mind is somewhere else. 

Did you know that reading actually lowers your blood pressure?  Books really are a fantastic way to improve your mental and physical health. 

So, besides books, which are one of my very favorite things, thinking about the things that make you happy - the things that make you smile and feel safe and cozy are healing too. 

Everyone has an inner child. Embracing the things that you love, whether it's cupcakes, fuzzy kittens, art, nature, magickal books, a hot cup of coffee or tea, scented candles...whatever it is that makes YOU happy - find a little time for those things today. You'll be glad you did. 

What are some of your favorite things? 

Sadness.

I'm sad. I'm discouraged. I'm disappointed. I'm struggling. Can ANYONE relate to that? No? Just me?

Typical. 

I'm also utterly alone in my struggle. Maybe the universe says, "No you're not. We're here boo." 

Crickets.

Obviously this isn't a book review. But hey, it's my blog. I can write about whatever flows from the depths of my dark soul. Does anyone have to listen? No. Will anyone listen? Probably not. I suppose I have to be okay with that so that I can do whatever it is I'm going to do with my life. 

Everyone struggles. I get it. Some people's struggles are much more intense and severe than what I'm dealing with currently. But getting a rejection letter from grad school is not the struggle that I wanted to embrace. 

But....embrace it I shall! 😎 

Now to work on plan B. 

I'm not quite over my disappointment. That will take some time. Grad school wasn't in the cards. Or was it? Should I apply to another grad school? Or should I just take the rejection as a sign that this isn't the path I'm supposed to take? If it isn't then what next? 

Any suggestions? Comments? 

Just my raw thoughts put out into the world for everyone's potential criticism. 

Now to go live my life. Clock's ticking. 

 

The Ultimate Struggle

 

Author: Clive Barker

Year Published: 2015

Pages: 361

Genre: Horror

The genius of Clive Barker needs no introduction to the horror novel crowd. I hadn't read Clive Barker - ever. Shame on me, I know. I DID watch the movie Hellraiser many, many years ago, which is based on the prequel to The Scarlet Gospels named The Hellbound Heart. When I discovered The Scarlet Gospels on the shelves at the library, I didn't realize that it was a sequel. Being familiar with the movie Hellraiser which creeped me out and gave me nightmares as a teen, I thought The Scarlet Gospels would make a good read, and I wouldn't be missing any details. I was correct. And VERY glad I picked up this book. 

Clive Barker could be described as none other than the master of horror. As a Stephen King fan, I think even he would agree that Clive Barker is the master. Making a comparison, Stephen King is the master of psychological horror, but when it comes to gore combined with capturing the most unimaginable terrors of the reader, Clive Barker outdoes himself. 

The book tells the tale of the Hell Priest aka Pinhead, who is on a mission to take over Hell. He murders the world's most powerful magicians in order to steal their knowledge so he can, of course, use it for none other than taking on the King of Hell himself - Lucifer. I won't spoil how that turns out for him - but it makes for rapid page turning and not being able to put the book down at the end of a chapter - even when I have laundry or dinner to attend to. 

The hero of the story is detective Harry D'Amour. When he happens upon the infamous puzzle box that opens the door to Hell, he goes to his friend Norma who is a psychic medium, for help. Long story short, Norma is dragged into Hell by the Hell Priest for ransom. Harry goes into Hell after them in an attempt to rescue his friend and hopefully stop the Hell Priest's plans to take over Hell - which would result in a war that both the human and inhuman world has never seen. 

Get the paperback here: 

The Scarlet Gospels

More Fantasy, Even More Mythology

Author: Michael Scott

Year Published: 2007

Pages: 369

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy

If you enjoy learning Greek, Egyptian and/or Celtic mythology, there are a myriad of characters in this book that will have you grabbing an index - or two. But probably the most fascinating thing about this book is that the other characters (aside from the werewolves and vampires), were real people. 

The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel is a fast moving story mostly about the Codex which is the book also known as the Book of Abraham the Mage - which is also a REAL book allegedly written by THE Abraham. 😲 Yes. That one. 

Nicholas Flamel and his wife Perenelle are two of the main characters in the story. Nicholas Flamel was a real person, an alchemyst, who found the Book of Abraham the Mage and discovered the recipe for immortality. The catch? (There's always a catch.) Nicholas and his wife need to drink the magical elixir once a month in order to continue down the road of immortality. Without the magic, they begin to age at the rate of one year per day. Whew! I'm glad our rate of aging is a bit slower. 

Obviously, a book that contains the recipes for such power is wanted by the bad guys. Isn't it always?  Enter Dr. John Dee - who was also a real person. He wants the book in order to bring back the Dark Elders to rule the world - which means the end of life as we know it. 

The book not only contains magic, but a prophecy about twins who are able to stop the evil. Sophie and Josh are two seemingly normal twins living in California working summer jobs to save their money for a car. Completely unaware of a world outside their own, their lives quickly become entangled in a race to save the world. 

This is a great start to the six-book series. If you enjoy action, adventure, magic, fantasy and again, mythology, you're in for a treat. The author leaves the reader a note at the end of the book that provides a little more insight into the real lives of Dr. John Dee and Nicholas Flamel. For me, this was a little prod to further research the lives of these interesting people. Looks like there's more than one empty tomb in history - the tomb of Nicholas Flamel is empty. Hmmmm......truly immortal? Fascinating stuff.