The Hound of the Baskervilles

I'm a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes (Watson, too!), and with the upcoming movie I just couldn't resist re-reading one my favourite books, The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Here's a short summary of the book (taken from Amazon.com):

The curse of the Baskervilles began in the 17th Century, when Sir Hugo swore he would give his soul to possess the beautiful daughter of a yeoman. He captured her, but she escaped. He saddled his horse and chased the girl over the moors until she dropped dead from exhaustion . . . and then a black hell-hound appeared, with eyes like fire, and ripped out Hugo's throat.

Now, years later, the Hound has returned. Already it has caused the death of Hugo's descendant, Sir Charles Baskerville. Can Sherlock Holmes stop the curse before it claims Henry Baskerville, the heir of Sir Charles?

It's a wonderful gothic tale! Dark and mysterious cries from the moors, a monster hound on the lose, an escaped prisoner, a butler that is hidding a secret, candlelight signals, foggy nights, and a beautiful woman who know more than she is telling.

It was just what I needed. It was a perfect book to read during a lazy afternoon.

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (5/5) Mystery; Published: George Newnes (1902); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (60); Celebrate The Author (5); Spring Reading Thing (6); Keeper Shelf;

MIA No More

After a series of problems with my computer, and a bad case of food poisoning that made me visit the hospital for three days... I'm back!

While I was MIA I read:

Promises In Death by J.D. Robb (4.5/5) Romantic Suspense; Alternate Future; Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons (09); Series: # 30, Eve Dallas; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (55); 2009 Support Your Local Library (50);

Getting What You Want by Kathy Love (3/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: Kensington Publishing Corp. (04); New Author; Series: # 1, The Stepp Sisters; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (56);

The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver (4.5/5) Mystery Thriller; Published: A Signet Book (1997); New Author; Series: # 1, Rhyme & Sachs; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (57); Keeper Shelf;

Blame It on Paris by Jennifer Greene (3/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: HQN (2008); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (58);

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (5/5) Classic Literature; Published: Chapman and Hall (1855); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (59); 18th & 19th Century Women Writers' Reading Challenge (5); Romance Reading Challenge (5); Spring Reading Thing (4); Keeper Shelf;

To Kill A Mockingbird

There are several books that I read in high school that I still consider favourites: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Pearl by John Steinbeck, Othello by William Shakespeare, Fifth Business by Robertson Davies, The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence (just to name a few). But the one that started it all (Grade 9 English - thank you Mr Bedford!) was To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. That book opened my heart...It's the first book that I remember brought tears to my eyes. I had an emotional connection to it.

It was like visiting an old friend. I laughed and cried, and cried some more, but at the end I had a huge smile on my face. Scout tells the story so beautifully through the eyes of a child that sees more than what adults think. To grow up in such a time must have been a wondrous experience, you have the simplicity of life, but also the ugliness of social and racial injustice. But somehow this little girl has the ability to see the good in people and situations, and has no qualms about it. She is my favourite character of the book. And Boo rocks!

And after so many years, I happy to say that I still have that connection to To Kill A Mickingbird.

I hate to admit this nut this is one book I don't have in my collection, but that will soon be remedied. It's on the shopping list.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (5/5) Classic Fiction; Published: J.B. Lippincott & Co. (7/1960); Pulitzer Prize Winner (1961); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (54); 2009 Support Your Local Library (49); Book Awards II (6); Spring Reading Thing 2009 (4); Celebrate The Author (4);

The Mysteries of Udolpho

"Her present life appeared like a dream of a distempered imagination or like one of those frightful fictions, in which wild genius of the poets sometimes delighted. Reflection brought only regret, and anticipation terror."

Such is the state of mind of Ann Radcliffe's orphaned heroine Emily St. Aubert, who finds herself imprisoned in her her evil guardian Count Montoni's gloomy medieval fortress in the remote Apennines. Terror is the order of the day inside the walls of Udolpho, as Emily struggles against Montoni's rapacious schemes and the threat of her own psychological disintegration.

A bestseller in its day and a potent influence on Sade, Poe, and other writers, The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794) is Radcliffe's classic work of Gothic fiction. With its dream-like plot and hallucinatory of its characters' psychological states, the novel remains a profound and fascinating challenge to modern readers.

Well, it was a definite challenge. For me, at least.

I struggled with it all along. But I kept on reading, even though I found the writing to be flowery, it had a kind of poetry that kept me going. In all honesty I think the first hundred pages aren't needed - just my opinion - it just drags on and on.

But once it gets to the Gothic parts, it definitely turns around. It's more exciting and scary. And I think that's what appealed to me. I like dark and sinister stories, and I'm not afraid to admit that there were times that I was terrified along with Emily.

At the beginning I found Emily to be a naive heroine, but she grew on me throughout the book. Even if she cried one too many times...I couldn't understand her feelings for Vallancourt, I found him dull. I actually enjoyed Montoni, his crazy evil antics, he was entertaining, let's face it if he wasn't in the story, there wouldn't be one.

Will I read again? No, it's a one time deal. But I am glad that I read it.

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe (3/5) Classic Literature; Gothic Romance; Published: G. G. and J. Robinson (1794); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (50); 2009 Support Your Local Library (44); 18th & 19th Century Women Writers' Reading Challenge (4); Spring Reading Thing Challenge (3); Chunkster Challenge (3);

The Gift of Wings

I finally finished reading this book! And, it only took me two months...

Here's the product description (taken from Amazon.com):

Mary Henley Rubio has spent over two decades researching Montgomery’s life, and has put together a comprehensive and penetrating picture of this Canadian literary icon, all set in rich social context. Extensive interviews with people who knew Montgomery – her son, maids, friends, relatives, all now deceased – are only part of the material gathered in a journey to understand Montgomery that took Rubio to Poland and the highlands of Scotland.

From Montgomery’s apparently idyllic childhood in Prince Edward Island to her passion-filled adolescence and young adulthood, to her legal fights as world-famous author, to her shattering experiences with motherhood and as wife to a deeply troubled man, this fascinating, intimate narrative of her life will engage and delight.

When I read biographies I take everything I read with a grain of salt...yes, I'm a skeptic. No matter how much research the author has done, we'll never know for sure how accurate the facts are, but I feel that this one is "the" one.

I took out of the book this: Lucy Maud Montgomery lived in two different worlds. The turn of the century in Canada with new technologies, World Wars, the Depression and her everyday family life - which at times brought her great sadness and despair. And her imaginary world where she lost herself in the books that she wrote and which brought her so much joy and a sense of accomplishment.

Lucy Maud Montgomery: The Gift of Wings by Mary Henley Rubio (5/5) Biography; Published: Doubleday Canada (2008); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (42); 2009 Support Your Local Library (36); Chunkster Challenge (2); Spring Reading Thing 2008 (2)

Black Beauty

I love horses. Always have. They're graceful and beautiful animals, and also very kind. Because of my allergies and asthma I had to stop riding, but my love for horses has not diminished. When my daughter chose to read Black Beauty a few months ago, I just had to put it on my list. I hate admitting this, I never read this book before...it's one of those books I've always wanted to read but never got around to it.

The story is told by Black Beauty, it's his memoir/biography. It begins with him as a colt, and follows with various owners, some good and some bad and it ends with his retirement. It a beautifully written story, it's straight forward and entertaining. I think that being written in the first person adds to the experience, it makes it real. And I know from my daughter reading it, that it teaches children sympathy, compassion for animals of any size. And the message does not change when you read it as an adult.

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell (4/5) Children's Classic; Published: 1877; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (38); 2009 Support Your Local Library (33); Celebrate The Author (3); Young Readers Challenge (2); Spring Reading Thing (1);

Spring Reading Thing 2009

It's that time of year again, and as usual I cannot say no to a challenge hosted by Katrina, of Callapider Days. I'm a bit late signing up for Spring Reading Thing, but better late than never.

Here are the rules (taken from Callapider Days):

1. Make a list of books you want to read (or finish reading) this spring. Your list can be as long or as short as you’d like. (Also, feel free to modify your list during the challenge if it’s not working for you.)

2. Write a blog post containing your list and submit it to this post using the Mr. Linky below. (Please do not put your name on the Mr. Linky before you have your post done, and please link directly to your Spring Reading Thing post. If you don’t, your entry will be deleted. Read this post for more information.)

3. Get reading! The challenge goes from today, March 20th, through June 20th.
Check out other participants’ lists and add to your own to-read-someday pile!

4. Write a post about your challenge experience in June, telling us all about whether you reached your goals and how the Spring Reading Thing went for you. Oh, and if you don’t finish your books, or if you change your list half-way through, or if you only read two books…it’s OKAY. This is a low-pressure challenge that should be fun. As long as you do some reading this spring (and enjoy it!), that’s good enough for me.

My list:

I want to finish reading Lucy Maud Montgomery: The Gift of Wings by Mary Henley Rubio. ***Completed on April 11, 2009

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Conan Conan Doyle

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate Di Camillo

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe ***Completed on April 22, 2009

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell ***Completed on March 30th, 2009

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee ***Completed on April 29th, 2009



You can sign up here.

Happy reading!