L V

📖 + 🎧

Not sure what I think of this one. I guess I was expecting more vampirey stuff. How Dracula came to be, his taking over the world by making most everyone undead, that sort of thing. With that said, I can see why this book took off and is revered as a classic.

Reading it through the perspective of someone from the time it was published, I can see how groundbreaking and scandalous this book must’ve been, and am surprised that it was published at all. The religious and sexual undertones. The idea of the undead “living” among us. The thought that if you live your life righteously, evil can still overtake you. The message that so long as you have enough money, you can do whatever you want, and that those with means can and will use their resources with bad intentions. Heavy stuff for that time.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you pair this read with the audiobook. Dr. Van Helsing’s character is long-winded (trust me on this!) and speeding up his spoken parts helped a lot. It took me way too long to finally read this classic. Shout-out to @Rue for giving me the push I needed. Present-day me would give this 3 stars, but when first published, I am sure I would have given it 4 to 5 stars. 🧛‍♂️ 🐺 🩸 🦇 ⚰️

A wonderfully witty yet touching story. I took my time reading the last few chapters because I did not want it to end. I love how the uncle was his true self at all times, never dummying down his manner of speaking for the small children’s sake. If they did not understand something said, they’d tell him so and he’d clarify. Simple (and always in a funny and unforgettable way so that the info was sure to stick).

Everyone in the story helped one another to not just “survive,” but to “thrive.” Sometimes, when you’re grieving or just not feeling yourself, you automatically feel just a bit better and more certain of yourself knowing you’re in a safe space in which you can express your troubles any way you wish and not be judged. Guncle Patrick is that safe space for the kids. Everyone should have a Guncle Patrick in their lives. That, and a caftain dress a la Mrs. Roper.

“Live your life to the fullest every single day, because every day is a gift. That’s why people die. To teach us the importance of living.”

📕+ 🎧+ 🎥

This one was just…meh. I enjoyed the backstory of each of the boys; a peek into their homelife and the fears/insecurities that come with it gripped me. I also enjoyed Gordie’s story, the one that provided a glimpse into his brother’s eventual outcome. And it’s the main reason for the boys getting together, to seek Ray Brower, that kept me reading on.

But there is a story about a pie eating contest that went on for way too long and I actually had to put the book down a few times and just do something else. I searched for the audiobook version to help me through, and although it may be an unpopular opinion, Wil Wheaton’s narration didn’t do it for me either. Off to see Stand by Me and compare it against the book. 📺 🍿

“Adults often think that self-confidence is something a child learns, but little kids are by their nature always invincible, it’s self-doubt that needs to be taught.”

As I read this I couldn’t help envisioning Demon Copperhead as being one of the friends. A story of hardship, friendship, and resilience. Heartbreakingly beautiful. It will make you want to thank anyone who has believed in you and loved you unconditionally. Do not take it for granted, thank them. And more importantly, pay it forward.

“The world is full of miracles, but none greater than how far a young person can be carried by someone else’s belief in them.”

These books are so darn cute. The greatest takeaway: “Don’t ever think we are born just to fit in a box, we are born to stand out…” and, “While it’s one thing to look fabulous, true fierceness comes from within.”

“You get used to marvelous things. You take them for granted. You can try not to, but you do. There’s too much wonder, that’s all. It’s everywhere.”

Another fine work by The Master. What I’d like to request, however, is that in his next book featuring a child, pick an obnoxious and hateful one. I end up falling in love with the charismatic, precocious, and well-mannered youths in his books, only to have them possessed or stressed out from bearing great responsibilities for their ages. Throw in a snot-nosed, entitled, know-it-all jerk who needs to be scared straight, Mr. King.

Well behaved children who appreciate the beauty of nature? I’d let them on my property all day long. A sweet little tale with an abrupt ending.

I’m not sure this story is to everyone’s taste. With that said, I enjoyed it immensely. You know when you’re sick, say, you can’t breathe through your nose or taste your favorite foods? Then one day you wake up with a hearty appetite and you can taste again? You can take deep breaths? Everything around you just seems a little sweeter, more colorful and precious? That’s the kind of descriptive imagery this story gives off. It is written in high-def. I am sad that it's taken me so long to read this little 9-page fever dream for the first time, but glad to have come upon it all the same. As for the storyline itself, I’ll just steal that well-known lyric that goes, “what’s so civil about war anyway?”

Reminiscent of All About Eve, but cheesy. Cheesy does not necessarily mean bad. It was an okay read, just a bit over the top.

Went in on this classic blind. Was not expecting anything that happened in the story. Based on the title, the most I thought it could be about was either a a fraudster employee or a cheating husband. Nope. Pleasantly surprised on that front. I shall say no more.

Updated Review - June 19, 2026 Yep. Still hate Mary after all this time. Dare I say, loathe her even more? The only thing I have to add to my previous review is this: Rumor or truth, why can’t we just judge and treat people according to how they treat us? So long as you’re nice to me and don’t mess me or my loved ones about, we’re good. Simple as that.

Original Review - July 17, 2013 Abigail Williams (The Crucible) is one of the most hateful literary characters I've ever come across - she's high up on my top 5. Mary Tilford, the little demon, may just have kicked Abigail down a notch on my Characters I Hate the Most list. Although this is a work of fiction, it is scary to think how very possible it is for a bully to intimidate others into spinning a web of lies that can ruin people's personal and professional lives. How someone who has always done right by everyone and worked their fingers to the bone for a patch of happiness can end up with nothing. If she were real, I think I would track Mary down and choke her with my bare hands!

I love everything Stephen King, but Elevation was a bit of a let down. I was hoping for a bit more magic to happen with Scott and his condition. And King narrating his own work: not for me 😬But take my review with a grain of salt, it could be my own grumpiness and self-pity talking because I’m a bit under the weather. Don’t come at me, SK fans! 🥸

Britt-Marie has spent a lifetime of serving others, losing herself in the process.

“Because if we don’t forgive those we love, then what is left? What is love if it’s not loving our lovers even when they don’t deserve it?”

There’s a fine line in forgiving those we love, when they have no intention of returning that love back, and loving yourself. If we lose love and respect for ourselves, we lose all belief in all the wonderful and amazing things we are capable of doing. I enjoyed Britt-Marie’s journey in finding herself.

It would make a decent summer read for a middle schooler, and a good intro to sci-fi. The concept of a murder mystery in space is pretty cool. The storyline, however, does have its plot holes. The inquisitive and astute child will most likely have a few questions regarding plausibility.

“I wanted to…show the American public what happens to real living people swept up in a warped ideology.”

Two lifelong friends and business partners. They co-own an art gallery in San Francisco. They have been childhood friends since their days in Germany, where they’re both from. Max stays in America to manage the gallery. Martin goes back to Germany with his wife and kids. Max is Jewish. Martin is not.

Correspondence began in November 1932. Martin is settling in and speaks of Germany still being in political unrest and how much food costs now. Fortunately for him, he is living like royalty on the American dollar. He has a 30 room house, 10 acres, 10 servants, 3 ponies and German tutors for the kids.

“Is it for this we spend our lives? To scheme for money and then to strut it publicly…we are vain and we are dishonest because it is necessary to triumph over other vain and dishonest persons.” -Max

They sign off each letter affectionately, telling of the great love and esteem they have for one another. It is not until Adolf Hitler starts creating a buzz in January that there is noticeable tension within the friendship. Max doesn’t like the guy from Day 1. By March of that year, just four months after the initial correspondence, Martin was sold on Hitler’s ideology and thinks he is the one who will bring Germany back to its glory. Martin becomes an official in the new regime, rubs elbows with elite Nazis, and lands a nice job at a bank.

Word gets out from neighbors who have fled Germany and returned to the U.S. of the atrocities taking place there. Max doesn’t want to believe it and implores Martin to tell him the truth. Martin’s reply:

“As for the stern measures that so distress you, I myself did not like them at first but I have come to see their painful necessity. The jewish race is a sore spot to any nation that harbors it…you will not see that a few must suffer for millions to be saved.”

Max is hopeful that Martin is so scared of the censorship and propaganda happening, that he is only speaking in this way for fear that Nazis are watching/listening over everything being said. Martin assures him he is speaking from his own beliefs and tells Max not to talk to him anymore. He wants no part of Jews unless he is getting money from it. Max’s reply:

“Your new attitude, I cannot discuss. But you must understand me, I did not expect you would take up arms for my people because they are my people, but because you were a man who loved justice.”

So much more happens after this, but I’ll stop here because it’s mirroring too much of our current times, and…I just can’t….

When asked what prompted her to write Address Unknown, the author said it was down to a couple of German friends who lived in America and moved back to Germany just before the war. When they came back for a visit, they would not tolerate hearing any criticism of Hitler.

They happened to come across a very dear friend of theirs on the street, and when he stretched out his arms for an embrace, her friends turned their backs to him and kept walking because he was Jewish. She couldn’t believe how they changed in such a short amount of time. In writing the book, she hoped to inform the American public of what was hapoening, and in doing so, find some kind of answers as to what went wrong and how this was allowed to happen.

I spent about an hour reading this book. It will take lifetimes to process and get any satisfactory answers as to how and why any of this was allowed to happen. Change a few names around and this book could very well have been written about our current political climate. The more things change…