The Haunted Looking Glass: Ghost Stories Chosen and Illustrated by Edward Gorey

 

Started: 8/23/2021

Finished: 8/25/2021

Year: 1959

Pages: 251

Genre: Short Stories

Grade: B

Reason for reading: booksfree.com book

Type: Paperback

Blurb: from Amazon:

The Haunted Looking Glass is the late Edward Gorey's selection of his favorite tales of ghosts, ghouls, and grisly goings-on. It includes stories by Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins, M. R. James, W. W. Jacobs, and L. P. Hartley, among other masters of the fine art of making the flesh creep, all accompanied by Gorey's inimitable illustrations.

ALGERNON BLACKWOOD, "The Empty House"
W.F. HARVEY, "August Heat"
CHARLES DICKENS, "The Signalman"
L.P. HARTLEY, "A Visitor from Down Under"
R.H. MALDEN, "The Thirteenth Tree"
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON, "The Body-Snatcher"
E. NESBIT, "Man-Size in Marble"
BRAM STOKER, "The Judge's House"
TOM HOOD, "The Shadow of a Shade"
W.W. JACOBS, "The Monkey's Paw,"
WILKIE COLLINS, "The Dream Woman"
M.R. JAMES, "Casting the Runes"

Opinion: as with all short story collections, I enjoy some more than others. The illustrations were impressive.

When the Ghost Screams by Leslie Rule

 Started: 8/20/2021

Finished: 8/22/2021

Year: 2006

Pages: 222

Genre: Paranormal

Grade: B+

Reason for reading: grabbed off TBR pile

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "Hauntings-the word conjures up immediate and insatiable curiosity. Paranomal author Leslie Rule explores a new twist on this strange phenomenon when she investigates brutal deaths-and subsequent hauntings-all over the United States. Through extensive research and interviews, Leslie reveals how the souls of those who die violently are prone to remain earthbound.

"These spine-tingling true stores divulge the mysterious details of ghostly sightings as Rule visits the area, interview credible witnesses, and extensively researches the history of each location."

Opinion: I only wish that some of the stories had more information about them-local history or first person accounts. Overall, a good read for paranormal ghost fans.

A Rebellious Woman by Claire J. Griffin

 Started: 8/14/2021

Finished: 8/20/2021

Year: 2021

Pages: 370

Genre: Literature

Grade: B

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "A Rebellious Woman is based on the life story of Belle Boyd (1844-1900), whose coming of age coincided with the opening shots of the Civil War. Debutante, teenaged spy, seductress, actress, divorcee, crossdresser, and self-promoter, she carried a pistol and wasn't afraid to use it. In a century when a woman was meant to be noting more than a well-behaved wife and mother, Belle Boyd stands out as a scandalous woman of history defying all the rules."

Opinion: An interesting look at what was an interesting person during the Civil War period. I had not heard of Belle Boyd before reading this and I'm intrigued to learn more her. A more complete review will be posted on Reader Views in the near future.

Real to Reel: Truth and Trickery in Courtroom Movies by Michael Asimow and Paul Bergman

 Started: 8/5/2021

Finished: 8/13/2021

Year: 2021

Pages: 421

Genre: Movies

Grade: B

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "Real trials and courtroom movies are made for each other. Lawyers are storytellers, courtrooms are theaters, and the trial process provides drama, surprise, suspense or comedy.

This book will serve as a video guide to help you identify the courtroom movies you'd like to see. It ranks each of the films on a one- to four- gavel system, with four gavels for the classics. And it answers the questions you'll be asking as you see the films. Where does truth end and trickery begin? Can lawyers really pull rabbits out of hats with unexpected courtroom stunts? Did the trial process reveal the truth-or conceal it? How well do reel trials reflect real events?

These are just some of the topics you'll encounter as the authors analyze over 200 courtroom movies, including such classics as To Kill a Mockingbird, My Cousin Vinny, 12 Angry Men, and The Trial of the Chicago 7. An index at the back of the book lists all of the films reviewed in the book.

The book celebrates the courtroom genre that has intrigued viewers around the world. The authors will entertain and educate you on a fascinating journey through nine decades of reel law, lawyers and justice."

Opinion: An enjoyable collection of courtroom movies-drama and comedies-reviewed by lawyers so they can add their insight and explain what really happens. A more complete review will be on Reader Views in the near future.

More! by Tammie Rothermel

 Started: 8/2/2021

Finished: 8/5/2021

Year: 2020

Pages: 180

Genre: Literature

Grade: C

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Type: Trade Paperback

Blurb (from back cover): "Worlds collide and sparks ignite when a simple country girl encounters a white hot rock star in rural Pennsylvania.

"Certainly, small town Nikki wasn't looking for love. But, from the moment she meets the universally famous Grant Henderson, More! comps the reader a backstage pass to the secrets, glitz, glam, and romance of a sizzling rock star's non-stop life.

"As Nikki climbs on board Grant's comet, her own charisma engages the world, even as a mysterious stranger pursues her from Naples to Hong Kong. Along the way espionage's notorious 'Agency' sucks Nikki into its beguiling embrace of treachery."

Opinion: Um, yeah....the pace of this book was just off and a lot of what was in it wasn't needed. The ending hints that another book could be there but honestly, I wouldn't read it.  I was hoping for more when I picked this one to review. A more thorough review will be on Reader Views in the near future.

Voices from the Fallen by Michael K. Tourville

 Started: 7/30/2021

Finished: 8/1/2021

Year: 2021

Pages: 161

Genre: Self Help-substance abuse

Grade: B-

Reason for reading: review for Reader Views

Type: Trade paperback

Blurb (from the back cover): "Voices from the Fallen takes us on an intimate journey inside the lives of people who have experienced the hell of addiction, the relentless defeat of relapse, and hope of recovery.

"Listen to them speak about fear and desperation, hope and optimism. Sit with them in solitary misery, feel their grief over a lost family member, and shar their joy with the promise of a renewed life.

"Listen closely, for these courageous voices come from those all around us, and can help rebuild shattered families, restore broken hearts, and save lives."

Opinion: A decent collection of stories about substance abuse. A couple are a little unbelievable since it is told in first person of people who overdosed....how did the author know that they were that close to trying to get help or how they truly felt about their drug use? A more complete review will be on Reader Views in the near future.