The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Stars 3/5

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

(I chose this book cover because I liked it best!)

A mind twist is how I would describe this book. It is not my favorite book from Neil Gaiman but I did enjoy it. It is a coming of age sort of story but not aimed towards children due to the sexual content and nudity. I really liked the twisty nature of this story but think the ending was a bit too much. One second he remembers and the next it is gone. At the end of the book, I believe that not only did the unnamed male protagonist get a horrible ending but Lettie just got chopped out entirely. Neil Gaiman said he wrote this for his wife Amanda.... I would take the message to her as... the future is uncertain. 

Happy Holidays

From My Desk To Yours... Happy Holidays!

In The Year 2889

Stars 3/5

In The Year 2889 by Jules Verne (Michael)

I have to say it must of been the works of Jules Verne's son Michael because the writing style is most definitely different. The story is an author's interpretation of what the future will be like in the year 2889. I feel that his imagination was lacking and could of been a little more creative. The reason I only gave this work 3 stars is because of the male protagonist's primitive interaction with his wife and her stereotypical responses of a Victorian age woman. It makes me wonder if people from that period ever thought that women would change in the future. 

A Christmas Carol

Stars 4/5

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Performed by Tim Curry

What a wonderful story to listen to on Christmas Eve! I listened to the audio book featuring Tim Curry and loved it! He has an amazing voice that brought all the characters to life. I would recommend this is everyone. Even if you know the story, it never gets old.

Anne of Green Gables

Stars 4/5

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

Carrots! What a wonderful story. I have read this many time throughout the years and still love it. I have red hair & freckles and can relate. A coming of age book set it the turn of the century. An orphan girl finds a new family, love, friendship and dreams that she never thought would ever come true. I would definitely recommend it to all ages.

The Canterville Ghost

Stars 4/5

The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde

I really liked this short story by Oscar Wilde. It was very unique in that the ghost played a variety of roles with touches of humor. Written in Victorian England, this tale stands the test of time and fits well even in modern day. I loved the craziness of the Americans and that they introduced products throughout the story as if a commercial. The only thing I didn't like was that the author left out a critical part of the story in which Sir Simon, aka The Canterville Ghost, and Virginia went behind the panel into the unknown. We will never really know what happened.

To Build A Fire

Stars 4/5

To Build A Fire by Jack London

Mother Nature does not fool around. Even the smallest of things could prove impossible in the bitter cold. This story was set in the far north where temps can drop to 75 below. Arrogance is a trait you may want to leave at home. I would recommend this short story to everyone especially as a winter read. 

Rip Van Winkle

Stars 4/5

Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving

This story always makes me laugh. It seems this to be a "man's dream" to rid himself of a naggy wife and be lazy. "He got his yoke out of the neck of matrimony."  I always thought it was sad about the dog though. A wonderful tale I would recommend to everyone who wants to sleep through life! 

Three Questions

Stars 3/5

Three Questions by Leo Tolstoy

I have read this short story a few times in my life but wanted to revisit it and do a quick review. This story baffles me in a way. It was published in 1885 and to me, it seems like common sense but it makes me wonder who the intended audience for this work was? I know there have been a few children's books written and inspired by the story but I am curious and wonder if there was a need for this lesson among adults? I know he was a Russian writer and also wonder if his demographics influenced this story?

The Nightingale and The Rose

Stars 4/5

The Nightingale and The Rose by Oscar Wilde

I do enjoy the works of Oscar Wilde and really enjoyed this short story. A young student is searching for a red rose to give to the woman he loves so that she would love him in return and dance the night away with him but there is no red roses in the garden. A nightingale sacrifices everything for love. A wonderful tale that I would recommend to all. 

The Snows of Kilimanjaro

Stars 3/5

The Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway

As I read this short story, my mind pictured a black & white 1930's film in my head =) I enjoy the writing style of Hemingway but the story itself made me feel little empathy towards the main character. As he lay dying, all I could think about was how he had brought it all on himself. Not saying that he deserved to die but that his regrets and deception were of his own making. Karma is a B**** fits this story perfectly!

Man from the South

Stars 4/5

Man from the South by Roald Dahl

What a fun short story to read! A story about a crazy bet involving a very good lighter, a Cadillac and a man's little finger! I have to say this story did make me laugh. Very silly and makes you take note... not to bet things on vacation! 

The Tell-Tale Heart

Stars 4/5

The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

I have always enjoyed Edgar Allan Poe's work. This story, like most of his work, is hauntingly brilliant. How the mind controls and plays tricks. Is it real or just in the mind? A story about a man needing to escape the eye of an elderly man, his actions and the plague that infected his mind as a result. A wonderful short story that I would recommend to everyone who loves the macabre.

The Happy Prince

Stars 3/5

The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde

This short story was about friendship between a bird and a statue. A wonderful tale of doing good and sacrificing yourself for others. I wish the ending would of been better and not so religious in nature but I understand that it was written long ago.