Dracula

Dracula. Bram Stoker. 1897/2005. 448 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: 3 May. Bistritz. -- Left Munich at 8.35 PM on 1st May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6.46, but train was an hour late.

Premise/plot: This classic Victorian horror novel opens with Jonathan Harker's journal. He is soon to meet Count Dracula. He's yet unaware of how quickly his life is about to be turned topsy-turvy. The good news is that he won't have to face this epic battle between good and evil alone. He'll be surrounded by friends: Abraham Van Helsing, Dr. John Seward, Quincey Morris, Arthur Holmwood (aka Lord Godalming), and his wife, Mina Harker.

They were awakened to the danger through the tragic loss of their dear, dear friend and companion Miss Lucy Westenra.

The novel consists of diaries, journals, letters, records, etc.

My thoughts: I first read Dracula in 2007. That almost seems a lifetime ago. I reread Dracula because I needed a qualifying read for the 2018 #Victober reading challenge. Dracula could fulfill Katie's challenge or Kate's challenge.

Quotes:

• "You may go anywhere you wish in the castle, except where the doors are locked, where of course you will not wish to go. There is reason that all things are as they are, and did you see with my eyes and know with my knowledge, you would perhaps better understand." (31)
• What does it all mean? I am beginning to wonder if my long habit of life amongst the insane is beginning to tell upon my own brain. (157)
• "If I could, I would take on myself the burden that you do bear. But there are things that you know not, but that you shall know, and bless me for knowing, though they are not pleasant things. (190)
• I suppose a cry does us all good at times--clears the air as other rain does. (206)
• "My friends, this is much; it is a terrible task, that we undertake, and there may be consequence to make the brave shudder. For if we fail in this our fight he must surely win; and then where end we? Life is nothings; I heed him not. But to fail here, is not mere life or death. It is that we become as him; that we henceforward become foul things of the night like him--without heart or conscience, preying on the bodies of those we love best." (269)

© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Promise

The Promise. Pnina Bat Zvi and Margie Wolfe. Illustrated by Isabelle Cardinal. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Rachel pulled herself out of her happy dream. In her sleep she was free to be with her friends and go to school. But now, the gong announced the beginning of another day in Auschwitz prison camp.

Premise/plot: Toby and Rachel are sisters held together by love and a promise: to stay together no matter what. Can these two sisters keep that promise even in Auschwitz? Is the promise worth risking everything for?

My thoughts: What an emotional story! The Promise is a nonfiction picture book for older readers. It is NOT for young readers, in my opinion. Of course one could ask when is the right age--the appropriate time--to introduce the subject of the Holocaust to children. I do think it's something that must be taught, shared. Those voices--in particular nonfiction--deserve to be heard in every generation.

There are a few picture books set during the Holocaust or World War II. But there aren't all that many. I do think it's worth reading.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10


© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Crocodile and the Dentist

The Crocodile and the Dentist. Taro Gomi. 1984/2018. Chronicle. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I really don't want to...but I have to.

Premise/plot: There are two sides to every story. Crocodile is TERRIFIED of the dentist. The dentist is TERRIFIED of Crocodile. Both are approaching this appointment with a definite "I REALLY DON'T WANT TO....BUT I HAVE TO." In fact, the dialogue is mirrored throughout the book. Will Crocodile and Dentist survive the dreaded dental visit?

This was originally published in Japan in 1984. This English translation is copyrighted 2018. I believe it has been translated into many different languages. 

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. It was very funny. I loved both points of view. I think many, many readers--of all ages--can relate to this one.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

A Heart In a Body in the World

A Heart in a Body in the World. Deb Caletti. 2018. 368 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: Annabelle Agnelli is trying to hold it together in the parking lot of Dick's Drive-In. After what just happened, she's stunned. Frozen. And then--imagine it--Annabelle's wrecked self suddenly takes off like a lightning bolt.

Premise/plot: If ever a book needs a freezer, then A Heart in the Body in the World does. Annabelle's story--her nightmare of a story--unfolds slowly throughout the book as she runs across the country. Is she running from her past? running from her present? or running towards her future? Annabelle herself couldn't tell you why she's running--just that she must keep going no matter what. She's supported--for the most part--by her family and friends. Grandpa Ed is driving his RV cross country. Every day these two meet up at the end of the day. (Grandpa Ed has his lady friend and her grandson meet up now and then with them as well. His name is Luke Messenger. Oh-so-reluctantly Annabelle lets herself make a new friend.)

My thoughts: At first I found the slow-reveal to be frustrating. Part of me wanted to know what traumatic event had shattered Annabelle's life and know it now. But as more of her story came out, I lost my frustration. By the time we know everything we are so completely engaged and connected with Annabelle (and those close to her) that her pain is our pain. This has all the feels--thus the need for a FREEZER.

Should every one read A Heart In a Body In the World? Yes. No. Yes. No. Maybe. I will say that this one is not a clean read. This one has language in it--blasphemy. It is not frivolous, trivial, or casual. And the subject matter is so important--so relevant--that I think it is probably worth reading for most. So many discussions could/should be had around this one. It is not age-appropriate for every one. Just because a reader isn't ready now doesn't mean that the reader will never be ready.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Monogram Murders

The Monogram Murders. (New Hercule Poirot Mystery #1) Sophie Hannah. 2014. 325 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: "All's I'm saying is, I don't like her," the waitress with the flyaway hair whispered.

Premise/plot: The Monogram Murders is the first in a new mystery series starring Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. The Monogram Murders is set in London--for the most part--in the 1920s. Poirot is retired and living in London. Detective (Edward) Catchpool is a new acquaintance. They both board at the same boardinghouse. Together they will set out to solve a murder; or MURDERS. Soon after the novel opens, three bodies are found at a hotel. All three victims have a monogrammed cuff link placed in their mouths.

The Monogram Murders, for the most part, is told from the perspective of Catchpool. There are only a few chapters where Catchpool is absent and Poirot is on his own detecting. (The first chapter, for example, is one such instance. But midway through the novel, the two separate. One goes to a village to investigate the home town of the three victims. One remains in London.)

I have not decided if Catchpool is exceptionally unobservant or if Hercule Poirot has superpowers.

My thoughts: I found this one compelling enough to keep reading but ultimately frustrating in the end. Silly me if I prefer my mysteries to have actual clues that readers can pick up on and make guesses--intelligent or not. It is just frustrating to have an arrogant, boasting detective who claims he knows who did it but won't share his clues or reasons until the last two pages of the book. What I found super-frustrating about this one is that Poirot never reveals who did it and the how and why of it. He sounds like a broken record: figure it out for yourself, Catchpool. Rehearse all the facts again, Catchpool. Keep at it, you'll be a better detective if you piece it together yourself. The primary suspect shares "the truth" at least three times and all readers know is that Poirot doesn't trust any of her versions of the truth. (Or does he, in the end?!) He has his own theories of what happened. But he mainly hints at what his theory is. I hated Poirot by the end. If that was Hannah's goal in resurrecting the oh-so-famous detective, then she was successful. Christie's Poirot was never this infuriating.

Favorite quote: "You should try drinking a cup of tea once in a while. Tea doesn't taste like mud, and there's no such thing as too much of it. Tea's only ever good for a person." (118)

© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews