Journey Through The Classics: A Wrinkle in Time

Lovely readers,

I hope you have all had a wonderful week, and an even better weekend! I'm excited to finally be bringing you the first installment of my "classics" collection. The first book I'll be reviewing for this series is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (1963). This book, as some of you may know, is such a wonderful adventure that I couldn't have excluded it if I wanted. So, let's get started!

First Impressions:

• My first impression of the book was it's size. Being an avid reader myself, I wasn't really concerned with taking a long time to finish this story. The book is very short compared to others I've done on this blog, but it was a journey nonetheless. 
• As I started diving in, I noted that the language used in this book is a bit odd to the modern ear. There are phrases and certain words that can kind of throw the reader off, especially if they aren't used to Madeleine L'Engle's style of writing. Be wary of this. 
• Honestly, this book really sucked me in within the first few pages. I'll get to why in a little bit, but just know that this was one of those stories that was hard to put down. 

Plot: 

• A Wrinkle in Time begins in what I assume is The United Kingdom. The book is centered around a family, and a rather large one. The main characters is a young girl named Meg Murry. Meg's family consists of her mother, father, the twins Sandy and Dennys, and her younger brother Charles Wallace (thought to be a child genius; his dialog is extremely interesting for a young boy of only 5). It is introduced to us in the beginning of the novel that Mr. Murry has been missing for some time, off experimenting with new technology (both Meg's parents are scientists). The book picks up with Meg struggling to deal with the questions about her father, and having problems at school. 
• The story takes you for a ride really after this, as there isn't much exposition before the meat of the tale comes to light. Not long after you're given a glimpse into Meg's life, you're introduced to three more important characters: Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Which. This is where Madeleine L'Engle takes the story and runs with it. You discover the real reason behind Mr. Murry's absence and how the three "witches" are going to help bring him back. 
• You are thrown into a universe with so many amazing characters that I am in no way surprised that this book evolved into a series.  I won't say any more about the plot, but if you enjoy mysterious adventures, you'll love this book. 

This book is a short one, and that prevents me from revealing too much. And I was skeptical, considering this is a young adult novel. But I was pleasantly surprised! This book took me on a journey and I can only hope it takes you on one too. 

More soon, and keep reading! 

Love, 

K.

Book Review: Doctor Sleep

Lovely Readers,

Getting into the spirit of being back, I'm happy to present the newest book review I have up my sleeve! Although I finished it a little while ago, and although I took a break from King, this time I'll be reviewing Doctor Sleep by Stephen King (2011). This is the last King review I'll be posting for a while, but that by no means should take away from the awesomeness of this book!
So, without further adieu, I'll get on with it!

First Impressions:

• All the hype about this continuation of The Shining (1977) is accurate. Within the first chapter, I was already taken back to The Overlook Hotel and back into the life of Danny (Dan) and Wendy Torrence. As usual Stephen King is perfectly capable of sending his readers to all kinds of places. 
• The story is written in King's usual 3rd person perspective, but he also includes Dan's (and later Abra's) inner thoughts. This really connects you to the characters, and quickly. That alone was one of the main reasons I lost myself in this book. 
• King changes his usual formula and gives the reader much more information about the antagonist in the beginning. This took me by surprise, and in another story it may have limited the plot, but it completely worked out. I was very impressed. 

Plot: 

• Doctor Sleep begins with a glimpse into the world of The True Knot, a band of supernatural creatures who require the "souls" of people to remain immortal. From the details given in the beginning, you learn that people with the Shining are most important to the Knot. Their short introduction really puts the story in a more suspenseful light, big plus. 
• The bulk of Doctor Sleep is centered around Dan Torrence. He lives with his mother, still seeing the horrors from the Overlook. Dick Hollarann returns and helps a young Dan control these horrific hallucinations. But the family doesn't stay together, Wendy passes and the story continues with Dan growing up. 
• Dan becomes an alcoholic, and finds himself homeless. That's when he stumbled into a well-paying job, an AA sponsor, and finally people who care about what happens to him. About what he does with his life. That's when the messages begin. Miles away, a baby named Abra begins to display supernatural abilities (telekinesis, projecting music and feelings, learning rapidly, etc.) and in some way becomes entangled with Dan. She begins to leave him notes, and visits him in his dreams. 
• Abra knows of The True Knot, as she witnessed a murder committed by their leader Rose. She also knows that the Knot is seeking her out, trying to track her in her mind. Abra alone would feed them for centuries, and soon Dan figures this out as well. Eventually, Abra's parents are brought into the story and it's revealed that Dan's father was unfaithful to Wendy: Abra is his niece, her father his half-brother. 
• Without giving too much away: Abra, Dan, and a few friends face off against The True Knot. With intense luck, Abra and Dan come out unscathed. I honestly can't give too much away here. 

Opinion: 

• This section is going to be pretty short. I love this book. I love the way it's written, the way the characters relate to each other, the plot... everything really. Doctor Sleep really is a fantastic sequel to The Shining. Five stars. 

Overall, what an awesome read! I have a strong nostalgic connection to The Shining (movie and book) and Doctor Sleep definitely brought me right back to that mindset. It was scary and thrilling, interesting and heartbreaking sometimes. Will always recommend! 

Thank you for reading! 

As always, stay creative. 

Love, Katie. 

I'm back, baby!

Hello lovely readers!

I have been away from the computer for so long, it hurts! Long story short, my precious kitties decided to chew through my Mac cord. Unfortunately for me, Amazon also decided to send me the wrong charger (two different times). Now I am finally back in business and back into the world of book reviews! I'm so happy to be back, honestly.

I also wanted to outline a few new things I thought up during my time away! I'm excited to be attempting the entire works of Stephen King, but I thought I'd take a little break from his delicious horror to read a couple of classics!

But first, I'm going to tackle my all time favorite series. That's right... I'm talking about a 7-part review/walkthrough/discussion of one of the all time top best sellers in history: Harry Potter. I can't even explain how excited I am to start this little series. I have been a fan of HP since I was a little kid... and this recent magic with Fantastic Beasts and Cursed Child (not to mention to upcoming Christmas Season) has got me in a mood to do some magical reading!

Anyway,
I hope all your Halloweens go well! Enjoy!
And as always, keep reading.
Katie

Book Review: Salem's Lot

Lovely readers,

Hello again! I hope you all are having a wonderful Monday. I know I am! Also I'm very excited to have changed the layouts of these reviews, it makes everything so much easier. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

This time I'm very happy to present 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King (1975). I'm on a quest to complete the entire works of King and I thought this was a good place to continue. 'Salem's Lot is King's second novel, set again in a quaint town in Maine in the 70's. The story follows a man named Ben Mears who travels back to his boyhood home of Jerusalem's Lot to attempt to finish his next novel, written around an old legend of the haunted Marsten House. This novel draws from the old-era horror stories: witches, darkness, vampires, haunted houses. I will include my breakdown below!

First Impressions:

• I went into this book hoping for a truly scary experience, and I wasn't disappointed. I haven't had a read a book with the lights on since The Shining. 
• My biggest surprise I experienced when starting this book was the talent. I was blown away when I discovered that this is only King's second novel. Again, his language and the way he produces his thoughts onto paper... it has the skill of a life-long writer. This story really swept me away. 
• After the first couple of chapters, I started to notice the little roots of The Dark Tower snaking throughout the pages of 'Salem's Lot. I will always stress how much more you find out after reading The Dark Tower. King knows how to bury the easter eggs. 

Plot: 

• 'Salem's Lot begins with Ben Mears, traveling into Maine. He is going back to his boyhood home to try and gain some inspiration for his newest novel. You find out quite early that his novel is based on the town's local legend: the haunted house on the hill, the Marsten House. The legend surrounding this house is one that the town is built upon. 
• While Ben's storyline continues, he meets Susan (a young women living in Jerusalem's Lot). They begin something of a fling. During this time, many strange things start happening in the town. People are being murdered, children disappearing from their homes, and a strange man comes in from out of town to purchase the Marsten House. This strikes Ben as odd, but as far as the middle of the book, they find no connection between Straker (the mysterious stranger) and the disappearances. 
• It is not until over half way through the book that the reader discovers the origin of Straker and his partner Barlow: they are vampires. 
• More and more people start disappearing, including children and Mears' female friend Susan Norton. Ben teams up with some townspeople and they band together to fight the vampires in the Lot. Among the team is Ben, Jimmy Cody (the town's doctors), Matt (teacher), Father Donald Callahan, and a young boy named Mark Petrie. They begin gathering folk lore about vampires and set out to collect things like wooden stakes, garlic, white roses, and holy water. 
• Eventually, the group thins out thanks to Barlow. Matt dies from natural causes, Jimmy is taken into the cellar of the Marsten House, Susan is infected, Father Callahan is marked and leaves the Lot. Ben and Mark end up being on their own as they travel into the cellar of Eva Miller's boarding house (the same house that Ben rented a room at in the beginning) and find Barlow's coffin below. 
• The ending of the book comes rather swift: Ben and Mark drive a stake through the heart of Barlow while he is resting in the coffin. They discover that the entire town has been taken over by these creatures, and it completely silent during the daylight hours. However, at night, the two are traveling out of the Lot and see huge groups of them... wandering aimlessly around the streets. Ben eventually travels back to the Lot without Mark later on (he leaves him somewhere safe, as he has no parents anymore) and sees that everything has closed. The vampire have taken over the small town permanently. Ben never finishes his book.

Opinon: 

• I now understand why this book is considered a pivotal work on vampires. The detail that went in to describing them and finding the folklore is impressive. 
• This book was a rollercoaster. There were many times I was impressed with the "community" motif. Ben, Jimmy, Mark, Matt, and Don all band together in the face of horror and death. They create a bond that can't be broken by vampires. Not in the Lot. 
• However sad and heart-wrenching 'Salem's Lot is, it is also one of my new favorite horror books. The ending will have the hair on the back of your neck standing up no problem. I suggest enjoying this tale with the lights on. 

Overall, a wonderful edition to King's horror collection. It's so hard for me to believe that this is only his second book, but then again how can I be surprised? King truly is the modern world's greatest horror/science fiction writer. Can't wait to dive into more of his books. 

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this review. 

More to come! 

Stay smart, keep reading, 

Love, 

K. 

Book Review: Insomnia

Lovely readers,

Another book, another review! I'm still very much on a King binge, and couldn't resist buying The Stand, 'Salem's Lot, and Doctor Sleep the other day so expect some new reviews coming up!
Anyway, back to business, Insomnia. I must say that choosing to read this book directly following The Dark Tower was a choice I would recommend. I used a website (Stephen King Connections) to check out all the connections between King's novels. There are a staggering number, and it was really interesting to see how Roland's universe expands into all others. But, I'm rambling, so let's get down to business.

I also wanted to make a couple of changes to the layouts of my reviews from now on. I want to start phasing out the pros and cons list, in favor of something a little more informative. Bear with me please while I start to take this transition to the next level; the next few reviews may be a little jumbled.

First Impressions:

• This book was a pleasant surprise after the ending of TDT. It begins innocently enough with Ralph Roberts saying goodbye to his wife Carolyn. Cancer has taken her. Insomnia picks up shortly after Carolyn dies, centering on Ralph's escalating lack of sleep. The beginning was very interesting and different from the usual King introductions: it seemed completely normal. Takes you off guard. 
• I found this story actually very easy to read (despite it being 787 pages) and not overcomplicated. 

Plot: 

• The plot of this book starts out very strange, and only gets stranger as you read. As I said above, Insomnia begins with a man named Ralph Roberts. He is dealing with heavy insomnia after his wife passed away from cancer. Ralph lives on Harris Avenue in Derry, Maine (a town notorious for having been invented by King, used as a stage for many of his stories) along with a few others. The block is mostly populated by the elderly, and Ralph becomes friends with Bill McGovern (his roommate) and Lois Chasse (a neighbor). 
• As readers of TDT may know, Insomnia draws many parallels between the series. Ed Deepenu, one of the residents on the block, starts to show signs of insanity. He founds a group dedicated to stopping abortion rallies from taking place in Derry. Ralph, despite dealing with heavy bouts of insomnia waking him an hour earlier each night, catches wind of Ed's insanity. Little does he know that he is intertwined with Ed. 
• The book goes on to reveal that Ralph (and eventually Lois) are seeing auras. They can draw from them, kind of steal the energy like some form of vampirism. They encounter beings that control the powers of Purpose and Random. Eventually they are recruited by these beings to change the course of time by saving a boy. 
• Obviously there are insane amounts of detail that I am leaving out here, but I can't spoil all the fun! 
• Ralph and Lois eventually get married and begin to try and live life outside of the auras and the forces working beyond their comprehension. The book ends with Ralph honoring a promise he made long ago, to a pair of doctors. 

Opinion: 

• I can't say anything bad about this book, honestly. There were a few times where I felt my feet were dragging, but other than those I was completely consumed the whole time. 
• King has a way of writing age, if that makes sense. He has a certain air about him when he is writing from the perspective of an older person, Ralph was no exception. It was as if I could literally feel the insomnia, the aching joints, the headaches... seeping into my head as I continued. Very touching stuff. 
• I did find myself not as fond of the ending as I thought. I don't even know what I expected but I felt like there was unfinished business, and that King may have left something out... something for us to find later perhaps? 

Overall, an awesome read. King very rarely disappoints, and this book proved the rule. If you are a fan of The Dark Tower or King books in general, I would highly recommend you pick this one up. 

Thanks, and as always keep reading, 

K. 

Book Review: The Dark Tower VII (Part two)

Lovely readers,

Back again to continue my review on The Dark Tower VII! This series was by far my biggest triumph yet. Sure, Harry Potter was obviously a challenge, but nothing compared to this emotional rollercoaster. Stephen King has rapidly climbed to the top of my favorites list, and I feel a little dumb for not catching on to this series sooner. Anyway, I'm excited to get started! I will include my pros and cons below, but as I did in part one, I'll be including a bit of a responce to the series below my list. As always, thanks for reading!

If you have not started/finished the last book in The Dark Tower series, I highly suggest you click away from this review. There will be spoilers contained below, be warned. 

Pros:

• How can I even begin? The greatest pro I can give this book is that is was the perfect ending to The Dark Tower. I had a lot of anxiety about reaching the end, worried about how King was going to close such an epic tale. Let me just say that I wasn't disappointed in the end, but I did have trouble getting there. 
• Taking a step out of the plot for a bit, I want to talk about the characters themselves. King has always possessed a special talent of connecting readers to his characters, but this series takes the cake as far as that goes. Each person (Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake, Oy, Pere Callahan, etc.) is given their own time. They each pull at your heart in one way or another, and become vivid and real. This is prevalent throughout the series, not only the last installment. 
• Another thing, sweepingly, that I've noticed is King's theatrical approach in the publishing of this series/book. There are gorgeous paintings in The Dark Tower VII and the chapters include codas, leading the reader places after the story has ended. This was always a pro for me, it made me feel included and part of the series. 

Cons/other:

• When part one ended, we left off right after the death of Jake and Eddie. It was hard to find any real pros (not style related) in this part, so I'll kind of pick up on the story in this section. After the ka-tet is truly broken (and many other things happen), Roland, Susannah, and Oy continue together on the road to The Dark Tower. They come finally into Empathica and stumble upon a cabin in the snowy mountains. I can't include too much detail here, as it would truly spoil the story, but here they meet Dandelo. There are ensuing problems, but the three come out alive. This particular part gave me a lot of anxiety, as it was clear the story was coming to a close. 
• Things become alright. The trio gather supplies, and stumble upon a young man named Patrick. He will later be known as The Artist, but we will get there. Patrick has a beautiful gift for drawing and, as they get within 200 miles of TDT, they discover how important this gift is. Patrick draws a door, scrawled with the title The Artist. Sadly, it opens on New York in Keystone World. And Susannah decides to leave Roland and Oy behind, hoping to be reunited with Eddie and Jake. This broke my heart, personally. 
• Despite losing The Lady of the Shadows, the new trio travel on. But, there is always the feeling, that in the shadows, Mordred (in search of his White Daddy) is waiting to pounce. And eventually he does, killing Oy tragically, but meeting his death anyway. In the darkness, Roland hears the cry of the Crimson King at the death of his son, and Roland cries for Oy. 
• It is here that the story gets very close. Roland and Patrick reach the field of roses in which The Dark Tower rests. It is getting difficult for me to say, as I don't want to spoil the story, but Roland makes it through the door to the Dark Tower. 

This story ends in a way that only it could. Roland makes it to the top of the Dark Tower (with help from The Artist's amazing ability... and eraser), but what he finds shook me. He climbs the tall stair case, past floors resembling his life, and reaches the door to the top balcony. Roland pushes the door open only to find a vast desert... the same desert he traveled across so long ago. The desert that he met the wayward son and his bird, Z. The same desert he crossed to Tull, where he bedded a woman, where he passed through the oracle's grasp. He has returned. 

(Ka is a wheel, say thankya)

The book closes on the phrase: The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed. 

This series touched my life far greater than I expected. I was completely ensnared, obsessed, consumed with this tale. I have even begun reading every other King book that's even remotely related to The Dark Tower. I can't stress how highly I recommend reading this series, and I can't express how happy I am to have been able to review it myself. It was a blast, a very rewarding journey. 

As always, thank you for reading and sticking through this with me. 

Keep reading, stay awesome, 

K. 

Book Review: The Dark Tower VII (Part one)

Lovely readers,

I am so happy to say that as of today I have finished The Dark Tower series. Excuse me for getting emotional, but I honestly can't believe it's finally over... or partially over. I want to stress this: If you have not started/finished the last book in The Dark Tower series, I highly suggest you click away from this review. There will be spoilers contained below, be warned. 

I am still trying to peice together exactly what I want to say about this amazing book, so I've decided to split this review into two parts. The first part will end before the journey begins its end. The second will pick up after the final ka-tet is broken. Along with the normal lists, I'm going to include a different kind of ending to this review. You'll see! My pros and cons are included below, and thank you again for reading.

Pros:

• How can I even begin to list my pros for this book? I find it best to just keep it simple. This book was the perfect ending to The Dark Tower series (I can't include much because part two is yet to be started). I'll just say that through all the ups and down of this journey, the last book really was the icing on top. 
• This book really tested the loyalty of the reader. There were many times throughout The Dark Tower VII that things happen to the characters we've come to love. It proves to me that a truly good story needs no happy ending, only a meaningful one. 
• Broad generalizations aside, the epic journey contained in just the last book is inconceivable. Not only do our gunslingers successfully form the Tet Corporation (for protecting the rose), but they also meet another gifted person along the way (quite a few actually), they reunite with Sheemie from Mejis, and discover the truth about the Dark Tower, Mordred, and The Crimson King. It's a fantastic journey, heartbreak aside. 

Cons: 

• As with many wonderful journeys (LOTR and Harry Potter are the first two to come to mind), there are many deaths along the way to victory. During the first half of The Dark Tower VII, Father Callahan dies at the hand of the lowmen at the Dixie Pig. The ka-tet remains strong until after Thunderclap is taken... where, blowing many readers out of the water, Eddie is shot fatally. This truly when the ka-tet breaks, as Susannah stays behind to care for Eddie while Roland and Jake (and Oy) return to Keystone World (the "real" world, where time moves correctly). The three are returning to protect Stephen King from a fatal car accident. To the horror of readers everywhere, Roland is able to save King's life... but Jake dies in the process. It just kills me to think of how broken Roland must have felt to have lost his son again. 
• I'm sorry to say that this a con, but I couldn't handle how close the deaths were together. There didn't seem to be any real space between Eddie and Jake's deaths. That caused a hard emotional time for me (I get very involved in the story, bite me). 

Now for the rest. I loved this book. It brought me to tears several times and still makes me sad to think about... but also curious. That's the beauty of Stephen King's writing abilities... no matter how dark the story, he is always able to grab ahold and cling on to readers. That's just a beautiful thing to me. This series is not for someone who get overly involved/emotional about the story... a lot of terrible things happen. But a lot of good things do too, a lot of universes and ideas. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes to be taken for a ride. But I'll include more in part two of this review. 

As always, and with love, 

Keep reading, 

K. 

Book Review: Wind Through the Keyhole (Dark Tower)

Lovely readers,

I wasn't going to include Wind Through the Keyhole (2012) in my DT series, but I honestly couldn't stop thinking about it this past week so I decided to go ahead and write it.
Incase you're unaware, this particular book is kind of like a random tangent in the Dark Tower world. It is a fantasy tale, a bedtime story if you will. Actually set between two books, Wind Through the Keyhole is like looking through a keyhole into Roland's culture. So, as always, I'll include and pros/cons list below. Thanks for reading!

Pros:

• I very much enjoyed taking a break from the main DT story line to read this book. I'd equate it to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and other branches of the Harry Potter universe: Wind Through the Keyhole gives us a glimpse into Roland's life, showing what he heard for fairytales when he was young. That's probably my favorite aspect of this book, it brings you closer to the protagonist. 
• The actual story behind contained in this book is actually really interesting. It always reminded me of the Sword and the Sorceress series because of it very fantasy-based plot. Dragons, never ending forests... these make this story very fun. And, like all good bedtime stories, there is a central theme (moral) however it isn't incredibly clear what that is. It's in a way left to the reader. 
• Obviously I have to include how well Wind Through the Keyhole showcases Stephen King's story abilities. Not only did he make a beautifully haunting story, he also dropped a bit of fantasy into a science-fiction story. This took a lot of talent and worked out perfectly. (That's what I enjoy most about the DT universe: past and present are one. The gunslinger was born before time but ends up running with a boy from the 80's, a former drug addict, and a woman from the 60's. It just blows my mind how much all the world bleed together.) 

Cons: 

• Something to preface this con: when I began this book, it was because I still didn't have the next chronological DT book. This was kind of a break/detour in the plot. That being said, the inner speed reader in me what a little bored with Wind Through the Keyhole. Despite being wonderfully written, this book wasn't canonical at all. It didn't have anything to do with the present, with the time you should read it. It just kind of gave us a good chunk of fairy tale (which is fine) but I did get a little antsy, thinking the book would bridge the gap a little. 
• All other things aside, the tale told in this book can be a little morbid. Basically the story revolves around a young man who loses his father. His father's job was to go into the woods surrounding the area and chop down trees. However the woods, according to legend, are haunted by a dragon. Well the boy's father dies and the story just progresses from there (no spoilers, don't worry). But it can be a bit sad what happens to the boy. You'll have to see for yourself. 

This review was particularly short and for that I'm sorry. Wind Through the Keyhole wasn't a necessary part of the DT story for me, just a bit of a break from the seriousness of the ka-tet's travels. And in that regard it soared and did very well. However the book was out of the storyline and didn't really change the overall story at all. But it was enjoyable. So, that's the tradeoff and I believe it was worth it. Thanks for reading! 

As always, with love and knowledge, 

Katie 

My Top 10 Summer Reads: If You Haven't, You Really Should!

Lovely readers,

This week I wanted to do something a little bit different than my normal book reviews. I've been going through and selling a good amount of my library and I noticed that I've read a lot of books that have really touched my life. Soooo I thought I'd jump online and share some with you guys! I always love good book suggestions so I hope you enjoy these! Thanks!

1. The Gunslinger by Stephen King (1982)

Okay okay I know. I'm already in the process of finishing my Dark Tower reviews so it was already on my mind. But let me tell you. This book changed my life and brought me on an amazing journey that just may be my favorite of all my literary expeditions. Stephen King of course is an incredible artist, but this series just has a way of haunting you after you take a break from it. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good story or anyone that wants some awesome adventure. You can check out my review on The Gunslinger here! 

2. 1,000 Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (2007) 

Khaled Hosseini is really such a fantastic author. Even though his most popular book, The Kiter Runner, is more well-known 1,000 Splendid Suns is a beautiful work of art. Hosseini's stories are always striking, gritty, and they pull at the heart strings. This book is no different: the stories of two young women are melded together in the Middle East, their lives are filled with hardship and sadness but they find some solace in each other. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone, but I will say that it can truly disturb someone of a Western mindset (I know I was disturbed at points), so there's that. 

3. The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker (2006) 

This book is just beautiful. It honestly made me very emotional at some points and I continued thinking about for months after I finished it. The story this book contains is one of love, loss, and details. But most prominently, it is full of discovery and mystery. I don't want to say much about the plot (don't want to give it away and that's how I went into it, totally blind) but I will say that people of all ages will enjoy this story. From young adult to experienced readers, this is definitely one to put on your list. 

4. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (1906) 

It might just be the high school student in me, but I loved this classic. I love a gritty tale that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. I also love a story that is controversial in a lot of ways and among a lot of people. But I digress, this will still always be a classic to me however strange and morbid the storyline is. If you haven't read it, I'd say you should at least once in your life. 

5. The Shining by Stephen King (1977) 

I hate to put another Stephen King book on this list, but everyone will encounter him sometime in their life. Everyone knows this book/movie in particular. This is the dark and freaky tale of a family, a strange presence, and the Overlook Hotel. Most people already know the plot of the movie... but in most cases with readers, knowing the plot means little to nothing. To me, this book is one of those occasions. No matter how aware of the storyline you are with The Shining, it never grows old. I find that the book gave me twice as many chills as the movie. Let's just say I'd recommend reading this with the lights on. 

6. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (1988) 

This book is another beautiful work of art. Paulo Coelho has a way with words that take the reader on a journey. Not only does The Alchemist have beautiful language, the plot is what really makes you stick around after the first few chapters. This book isn't very long and doesn't really require a large vocabulary to complete, but I think that adds to the enchantment. It's so simple and yet so moving. I highly recommend. 

7. The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald (1925) 

Oh look, another classic! Forgive me but I am such a huge fan of classic literature that it's a little nuts. Anyway, Gatsby is one of the most poignant and saddening books of all time. Fitzgerald was a wonderful writer but never thought he was good enough, and did not publish many books because of it. The Great Gatsby became such a smash hit, but it wasn't until after Fitzgerald had died. However, this is one of those books that everyone should read once in their life. Given, the language can be a bit dense (being from the 20's) but that shouldn't discourage you at all. This story is rich and descriptive, heartbreaking and exciting. Very much a good read. 

8. Prey by Michael Crichton (2002) 

If you like slightly unsettling sci-fi fiction (but real enough that it could totally happen) then you will enjoy this book. Michael Crichton has always been a good author, but this book (for me) takes the cake. The story follows two scientists, Jack and Julia, who are working on top secret AI technology. Well it turns out that they are trying to create nanobots, but not just nanobots like from other movies/books, these are nanoparticles. The scientists succeed (working out in the middle of the desert) and create a cloud of nanoparticles. The downside is this cloud can sustain itself. It kills for entertainment and it thinks for itself. This book was especially eerie because this scenario is totally likely. Science is progressing more and more everyday and soon we will learn more about AI technology (kind of in the same vein of how we learned VR tech) and who knows how far we will go. Very intelligent and exciting read. 

9. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (2003)

Okay my last two suggestions for this summer are going to be horror/thriller. I dunno what it is about summer but I always prefer a story I can sit down and read for a couple of hours without losing interest. This is one of those books. As a side note: I was pleasantly surprised at the accuracy the movie took on from the book. I mean, Leonardo DiCaprio is good in anything but getting the gritty story is great as well. Anyway, for those of you who haven't heard of Shutter Island, you are in for a treat. This psychological thriller is focused on Marshall Teddy Daniels. The Marshall is setting out on a case when the story begins; he is sailing in on the ferry with his partner, Chuck Aule. The case in centered around an asylum, Ashecliff Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Investigating a missing patient case, Teddy and Chuck begin to uncover strange practices at Ashecliff. And strange things being happening to Teddy. It was revealed in the beginning that Teddy had come to Ashecliff for another reason: years ago, a fire in the apartment building Teddy lived, a tragedy look Teddy's wife's life. Rachael Daniels was dead and the man who lit the fire resided at Ashecliff. This book is striking and unsettling in such a good way. I won't say anymore, but you should check it out if you like horror! 

10. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill (1983)

The last book on my list is somewhat controversial. A lot of people didn't like the book after the movie (with Daniel Radcliffe, no complain whatsoever) and immediately put it down because of its style. That's all well and good for some, but I very much enjoyed the style of the book. The Woman in Black takes place in the mid 1800's in England. It follows the young man and solicitor Arthur Kipps and his terrifying experience while tending to Mrs. Alice Drablow's funeral. However her home, Eel Marsh House, is anything but inviting and soon after moving himself in strange things begin happening in the house. Restless memories and evil spirits are all over this story, and I particularly love the authentic 19th century England was like. Very good read, very creepy and definitely worth it. 

I hope you enjoy some, if not all, of these books! Some of my favorites are listed here and are able to be read all year long. I very much enjoy substantial writing. Books that mean something, that pull at your heart and you mind, are the very best. I'm glad I got the opportunity to share these with you! Thanks for reading, and I love you all! 

Fondly, 

Katie 

Special Book Review: Harry Potter (Introduction)

Lovely readers,

I am so overwhelmed with excitement to share my newest project with you. Since I was nine, I've been reading and re-reading the Harry Potter series. I've probably read it 15-20 times over and it still remains my all time favorite series. Harry Potter helped me through a lot in my life and I've always participated in anything to help me connect with other fans. I think writing a comprehensive walk-through of the series would be a nice step in that direction. This story means so much to me and it seems fitting that I break this up into multiple sections to give each peice its time to shine.
I'll try to publish as often as I can (I am currently working on The Dark Tower VII) and not to nerd out and go overboard... that's very easy to do with this series.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to starting this journey with you! I hope you'll be on the look out for new postings, and as always, thanks for reading.

K

The Dark Tower VII: First Impressions

**Spoilers Below! 

Lovely readers,

I am so excited to say that I have started the last book in The Dark Tower series! And, as this book is extremely long, I wanted to write a quick first impression (as I've just completed chapter one) and some of the things I'm expecting this book to reveal. Enjoy!

As for my first impressions of the book, it started out with a bang and I love it. The Dark Tower VII is a definite contrast to the first book in the series, The Gunslinger, simple because it starts off in the middle of the action and picks up also exactly where Song of Susannah left off. This is one of the first things I typically look for in a series: if the book before set the stage for the one after.
As for what I'm expecting... I'm expecting a collage of sadness, triumph, suspense, and a tearful goodbye to the series. In the words of King in the dust cover flap, "All good things must come to an end, constant reader." And I think he'll do us well by that. I don't expect anything less of an epic ending and a deep longing for more.
The only real hope I have for the ending is that King wraps up everything. Who will give their life? Will the ka-tet reach The Dark Tower? What will be in the top room? Will Roland finally defeat Walter and the Crimson King? Will he fulfill the journey that has killed all that he loved? We'll find out! Stay tuned for my next review: The Dark Tower VII!

With love and knowledge,
K

Book Review: Song of Susannah (The Dark Tower VI)

** Warning: This is a review series for The Dark Tower and contains spoilers about the series. Please do not continue if you do not want the plot/surprises undone for you. Can't say I didn't warn you, thanks! ** 


Lovely readers,

Despite being thoroughly behind on my reviews, today I'm very excited to be writing about Song of Susannah, the next book in The Dark Tower series! This book took me for the go-around, and there were a few points that fear got the better of me, but overall it was definitely another Stephen King adventure. Enjoy!

Pros:

• I don't think that this series would hold up without it's sixth book. That's how much I believe the readers learns after finishing Song of Susannah. Not only do you get the backstory of Mia and all that includes her, you also get information about the Dark Tower and the ka-tet. Major plot holes are filled in regard to how Susannah got pregnant, and how the low men come into play. This book just glues Wolves of the Calla and The Dark Tower VII together in a way that keeps giving the reader insight. That's my biggest pro. 
• Personally, I thought the way King used the characters in this book was genius. Typically Jake, Roland, Susannah, Eddie, and Oy are always together. Song of Susannah takes that and shakes it around: Roland and Eddie end up on their own as do Jake and Father Callahan. Susannah becomes somewhat of a damsel in distress and struggles with her own problem: her chap and Mia. It really proves that each member of the ka-tet can hold their own without their dinh. 
• I'm a horror kind of person, so I very much enjoyed the birth of the chap. King is usually known for his horror and plot twists, and the beginning of this book held up perfectly to that. I won't say too much about the chap, but I will say he gave me an extensive case of the creeps. 

Cons: 

• There was one part of this book that brought about quite a few tears, and I wasn't all that happy about the timing. Father Callahan and Jake, at the end of Song of Susannah, are prepared to die to rescue Susannah. They end up on their own in New York, in search of the Dixie Pig (the place Sayre tells Mia to come to have her chap) and find it relatively well. However, King leaves you on a cliff hanger into The Dark Tower VII and when you finally reach the next book, you're in for a sad moment. The spacing out of the death of a major character always makes the reader anxious. King achieved that anxiousness in this book with perfection. 
• Regarding the "lay out" of the book, I had my issues with the choppiness of the story. With all of the ka-tet separated from each other, some disconnect is likely and I think King handled it pretty well... with the story he wanted that is. 
• I won't say this is entirely a negative thing, but Song of Susannah had a dark cloud hanging over it. I'm not sure if it was for effect (the group is indeed getting closer to the tower with each page) or if the events themselves were just naturally morbid, but there was an uneasy feeling throughout the book... as if something big and terrible is coming, and fast. 

Overall this was the most important book so far, but not my favorite. King really amped up his creepiness in this one and I did love that. I honestly can't wait until the Dark Tower VII review is ready! Thanks again for reading! 

With love and knowledge, 

K 

Book Review: The Green Mile

Lovely readers,


I decided to take a little break from The Dark Tower (I haven't gotten my hands on the rest of it yet), and start reading some other books that have been on my list. I recently finished The Green Mile (Stephen King, 1996, Crime/Dark Fiction) and just had to write a review of it. Most people are familiar with the story of the The Green Mile, as it was made into a very popular movie starring Tom Hanks (1999). I personally loved this movie and was pleasantly surprised at the accuracy it held with the book. Anyway, I'll include my pros and cons below. Enjoy!

Pros:

• As always with Stephen King, this novel contains an amazing story that really touches you. There was a lot of emotion brought up for me reading this book, and I think King wanted it that way. 
• Obviously I've have to include the fact that The Green Mile and the movie it was based on are perfectly similar. The movie honestly captured just as much awe and emotion as the book did. I was not disappointed in the least. 
• Luckily I don't have to worry about giving anything away (most people have seen or heard about this novel), my biggest pro besides the storyline was the way that Percy went out. There was no better punishment but insanity fit for a man like that, in my opinion. I count what happened to him a triumph. 

Cons:

• This book isn't suitable for young readers. King has a tendency to be a bit more descriptive than some may necessarily want. There are examples of that in this book, for sure. 
• There is a bitter taste at the end of this novel. John Coffey is not acquitted or anything like that. He is, as planned, handed over to the electric chair. This book does a good job of reminding you that good doesn't always triumph over evil, and that sometimes you don't have control. It's not really a con, but to some people it may not sit well. 
• In my personal opinion, I thought the ending to the book was a bit anticlimactic. Maybe that was just me, but I felt myself reaching for more. 

Well, I definitely enjoyed this novel. I probably enjoyed it more than I ever did the movie (no matter how much I love Tom Hanks). I would highly recommend reading it even if you have seen the movie. It will give you greater detail and emotion than watching it on a screen ever could. 

Keep reading! 

Katie 

Book Review: Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower V)

** Warning: This is a review series for The Dark Tower and contains spoilers about the series. Please do not continue if you do not want the plot/surprises undone for you. Can't say I didn't warn you, thanks! **

It's been a little while since I last posted a review, simply because I haven't been able to get my hands on the last two books in The Dark Tower series (Songs of Susannah and The Dark Tower). But I did finish reading the fifth installment, Wolves of the Calla (2003, Western/Fantasy/Science Fiction). I must say that Stephen King has outdone himself with this book. I'll go ahead and tell you that my overall impression of the book was very positive. It may be my favorite one yet. However, for those of you who haven't yet dove into this 714-page monster, I'll place my pros and cons list below. 

Pros: 

• The sheer amount of creativity that went into this book is amazing. King paints a perfect picture of this time, of this place. As Roland and his ka-tet travel along the path to the Dark Tower, they stumble upon people from a different era... I won't go into too much detail, despite my spoiler alert above. I do enjoy letting the reader experience everything. But I will say, you will get lost in the storyline of this book. It sucks you in. 
• Those of you who haven't read Salem's Lot (Stephen King, 1975) or The Stand (1995) will not be able to fully appreciate this pro, but it may inspire you to dig a bit deeper. King brings so many of his other books in on The Dark Tower. Little whispers here and there throughout the series, but Wolves of the Calla was by far the biggest. Actively throughout the book you hear stories from Father Callahan, (the zombie slaying, former priest, former alcoholic) wise man of this particular Calla. He was the center of Salem's Lot. King has a way of weaving each story into another, and creating holes in the universes that makes up his tales to allow other in. It's truly remarkable.
• Honestly this book has some of the most badass fight scenes. Susannah and the women of the Calla happen to hold the record. I won't say much... but the Wolves aren't good, and they get what they deserve. 

Cons: 

• Again, this book was long. The only qualm I have with the length is that it took me forever to finish it. Short con. 
• I was a bit disappointed at how much the group veered off the path of the Beam in this book. The last installment, Wizard and Glass, did this a lot as well. However I can't complain too much, there were very valuable things in the Calla Bryn Sturgis. Father Callahan is now a member of the ka-tet. But for those of you enjoy a clear storyline, a dependable storyline, well... maybe even reading Stephen King isn't right for you. That man makes a living out of taking readers off their guards. 
• This will be the last time I mention this con in my reviews for this series: **This series is not for young adults/teenagers. It contains some graphic detail and can be quite disturbing. Be careful pursuing this series if you have a weak stomach.**

Overall I'm hungry to finish this series. There are, after all, only two books left. Stephen King has been and will always be one of my favorite writers. He just has a magic on the page, a sure way into your hearts and into your heads. If this book doesn't prove that to you, you're out of luck. 

As always, continue reading, 

Katie

Quick Thank You!

Readers,

I just wanted to thank anyone who has read my blog. Honestly, I really don't expect it to become anything that many people would check; it began as a way for my to catalog books I have read, but it slowly evolved into wanting to share the ideas in books with everyone. I wanted to start discussions on the wonderful literature that exists in the world, it is such a beautiful thing to me. My favorite thing.

So thank you for taking part in my world. Thank you for taking one moment to peer into someone else's mind and maybe see things a bit different than before. And, once again, thank you for reading and cultivating knowledge.

As always, with love,

K.

Book Review: Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower IV)

Hello readers~

** Warning: This is a review series for The Dark Tower and contains spoilers about the series. Please do not continue if you do not want the plot/surprises undone for you. Can't say I didn't warn you, thanks! ** 

Continuing the journey into the world of The Dark Tower! Completed Wizard and Glass by Stephen King (1997, Western/Horror Fiction) is very quickly rising to the top of my favorite series' list. Before I start rambling and give away any good parts, I'll go ahead with my pros and cons.

Im going to go ahead and add my personal opinion of the book: I had mixed feelings favoring the positive. This book hit a lot of things for me, and missed some things. More details below.

Pros:

• This book was a whirlwind of backstory. During the first four, Roland only hints at his long lost love Susan. He meets memories of her several times throughout The Dark Tower. Wizard and Glass gives us the entire story of their love; how they meet, how their love ends, Roland's entire purpose for being in Mejis. This book has it all, and if you're a fan of character development you'll very much enjoy the narrative in this book. 
• Along those same lines, you are introduced to more characters in Roland's life and how they were (before the world moved on, of course); from Cuthbert to Alain, Susan and a magic glass ball that can do incredible things. All of these tie into the story where it picks up. 
• I have to say this book had pretty much everything: love, revenge, suspense, humor, horror. It was a rollercoaster but one minute I was laughing, the next crying. Intense. 

Cons: 

• I mentioned this as a pro, but it can be flipped around. Wizard and Glass does not further the story of Eddie, Susannah, Jake, and Oy along with Roland (until the end that is). This strictly details a piece of Roland's backstory. In fact, the story begins around 30 pages of the book and continues until almost 30 pages are left. If you love character development, you'll love it. If not (I prefer it to a point. Too much character development can be a bad thing), it can get tough to finish. This is just my personal opinion. 
• I don't know if it's just me, but I felt a twinge of regret at the ending of Roland's tale. I didn't exactly like Susan but I don't think she deserved the fate the got. The only reason I include this if because I know some enjoy endings wrapping up, and this could be a downfall. 
• After Roland tells his tale, there is a funny little bit at the end of Wizard and Glass. Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake, and Oy find what is supposedly a strange rip off of The City of Oz. They also happen upon "The Wizard of Oz" and what was left of the Tick Tock Man after The Waste Lands. The ending is strange, and can throw people off. 

Overall, this was one of the weirder books in The Dark Tower series. I'm not saying by any means that I didn't enjoy it. I have loved every new installment of this series. I highly, and will always highly, recommend this series to anyone who loves science-fiction, Stephen King, and an amazing story. 

As always, keep reading. 

Katie 

Book Review - The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower III)

Lovely readers,

** Warning: This is a review series for The Dark Tower and contains spoilers about the series. Please do not continue if you do not want the plot/surprises undone for you. Can't say I didn't warn you, thanks! ** 

I'm slowly but surely moving along in my quest to finish The Dark Tower. Just this morning I completed The Waste Lands (1991, Fantasy/Western/Horror Fiction) by Stephen King, the next installment of the life of Roland, Eddie, Susannah, and Jake. Honestly, I've found myself getting more and more attached to this series each time I pick up the book. King naturally has a way of drawing you in, but this series in particular... it's so vivid and heart-wrenching. It's hard to ignore, hard to put down. (It helps that most printed versions of this series have gorgeous artwork included)
But anyway, I'll go ahead and begin with my pros and cons list!

Pros:

• Naturally this book is an incredible continuation of The Dark Tower series. The story lines doesn't get stale, and it constantly amazed me. Sometimes books like this can drag on but King does an awesome job of keeping the reader engaged. 
• This can be classified as a pro and a con, but this book (like the other three works in this series) mixes genres so well. I was a bit surprised after The Gunslinger honestly. The Drawing of the Three totally took me out of the comfort zone, as did The Waste Lands. The way that King blends fantasy, western, horror, and science fiction genres is very impressive. 
• My next pro is character development. Any true King fans know that he does an excellent job of attaching his readers to the characters. This book is no except. The Waste Lands makes the strings attached from your heart to the character 100 time stronger. You really feel their emotions, and understand their fears. 

Cons: 

• Like I've said throughout my books reviews of this series, The Dark Tower is not young adult, nor is it anything children should be reading. King lets horror seep into a lot of his works, especially this one. The Dark Tower can be truly disturbing. (I don't think children could really decipher what was being said anyway... nod to the High Speech) 
• The Waste Lands gives a truly horrific look at what the world could look like in a thousand years. In the same vein as Brave New World, King gives The Dark Tower a light dusting of apocalyptic fury. It's a startling look at where the world is headed. (Not to say that this puts a damper on this series at all for me, I'm still head over heels for it. But it does in a way limit the reading base. People with weak stomachs should be careful.) 
• I'm just throwing this con in here because I could see where it could discourage people from starting this book. The Waste Lands is not a short work. I very much enjoyed the length simply because it helps carry you through the story. However it does get confusing a little at moments. 

Overall, I can't wait to keep going with The Dark Tower. I've just recently obtained The Wizard Glass, so I'm jumping right in to the next book. Of course I'll be uploading a review of the next one once I've conquered it. 

And as always, 

Keep reading and with love. 

Katie 

Book Review - The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower II)

Hello readers,

I just finished The Drawing of the Three (1987, Fantasy/Western fiction) by Stephen King (The second installment of the Dark Tower series). I must say, I'm drawn to this series as much as King himself says he is.

I started reading this series about six months ago, and just recently began to show interest in it again. It took me three days to get through the first two, if that tells you how addicting these are. Stephen King has always drawn me in but this series takes the cake.

** Warning: This is a review series for The Dark Tower and contains spoilers about the series. Please do not continue if you do not want the plot/surprises undone for you. Can't say I didn't warn you, thanks! ** 

Pros:

• This is something that I find I very much enjoy whenever I'm reading a series of books: The Drawing of the Three picks up almost exactly where The Gunslinger left off, saying in the introduction that this second book takes place only seven hours after the first. I enjoy this simply because it shows that the stories are connected, and that the reader hasn't missed much since they last saw the character. 
• Unlike some of King's other books, like It or Under The Dome, The Drawing of the Three isn't longer than it needs to be (this is subjective of course). From beginning to end, those 400 pages really hold together. There aren't any parts that really confused me, and didn't clear things up later. 
• King is full of surprises. He keeps readers on the edge of their seats with this book. I had trouble putting it down and, without adult responsibilities coming into play, I would have read the whole thing in one sitting. I liked this aspect of the book because there was never a part where I contemplated skipping over. Every page has some kind of interesting blurb on it. That's hard to find.

Cons:

•  My first con is one that can be said for many of King's books: the language can be a bit difficult in some places. Of the three main characters in this book, two of them are from different time periods (Eddie from the 1980's and Odetta from the 1960's) so it can be hard to keep up when they switch between the two. Obviously, speech was different back then and different words meant different things, so it can be hard to tell the difference unless you keep track. 
• As with most of King's series, one book alone doesn't really shed a lot of light on the whole picture. The same can be said for The Drawing of the Three, as it is obviously a journey book: all about the travel, less about the destination. While this isn't always a con, to my "I must know the answer now" brain it can be torture. 
• The Drawing of the Three does have one more flaw in my eyes. The end and the beginning aren't all that different. Well, they are drastically different, but from another angle not so much. Roland ended The Gunslinger on the beach, and so The Drawing of the Three ends the same. To some this may be symbolic: You can go through hell and still end up right where you started. To others it may be frustrating: He did all of this and still ended up right where he started! I suppose it depends on your worldview. 

Overall, I'm going to continue reading this series until my eyes fall out. I feel kind of like Eddie... seriously aching for my next fix of The Dark Tower. 

Always keep reading! 

Katie 

Book Review - The Kite Runner

So about a week ago I finished The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (2003, Historical Drama) and I'm very much entranced by his work. (I highly recommend you read A Thousand Splendid Suns if you haven't already)

This book is set in the Middle East from ~1980-2000's. It follows the life of a young boy living in Kabul, Afghanistan. This story is heartbreakingly sad, but beautifully written. It really tugs at your heart strings and gives a cold insight into the lives of people living in the rebellion.




Pros:

• Like I said above, this book is extremely beautiful. Hosseini's style touches something inside the human soul, I think. The way the characters are portrayed connects you with them intensely. I felt automatically sympathetic towards the main character Amir, like I knew him in some other life or perhaps I saw bits of myself in him. There is a lot of raw emotion in this book, and it's very relatable. 
• This may be considered a con by some. This book is the perfect example of a story not needing a completely happy ending to work. The Kite Runner has more of a bittersweet end than what you'd expect half way through the book. It doesn't end in tragedy and there is a sign of hope in the end, but it doesn't have a fairytale vibe to it. (I'm fairly certain that this novel was loosely based on Hosseini's personal experiences) 
• I usually always include something about the length of the book. The Kite Runner is not a long book, but it is striking. The language isn't complicated and is actually quite simple at parts, but there are several instances of Farsi/Pashto being used in the book so sometimes it can be difficult. 

Cons:

• The particular time period that this book is set in was notorious violent. There are a few times where the book takes dark turns. Even though it doesn't really hurt the plot, I wouldn't recommend it for YA readers (although in some places it is classified as such). 
• If you are unfamiliar with the language or just simply not the best at context clues, the blending of cultures/languages can be a struggle. There is a lot of Pashto/Farsi being used so if you don't stick to the clues, it can be a bit confusing. 

Overall this book is terribly entertaining. It's sickening but beautiful all at once. If you have a stomach for this type of novel, I'd highly recommend you pursue it. 

Until next time, keep reading lovelies! 

Katie 

Book Review - The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower I)

Hello Readers,

Just finished The Gunslinger by Stephen King (1982, Fantasy/Western/Drama)! I will say that I have read this book before, but it's been so long that I was a little fuzzy on the details. This will always be one of my absolute favorite books.

Stephen King has been a favorite author of mine for many years now, and it seemed that I had read all of his books. But I was so wrong when I stumbled upon The Dark Tower for the first time in my mother's bookshelf. She always loved sci-fi, horror, fantasy type books. This one didn't disappoint.
Being a little less popular than my last review (Divergent by Veronica Roth - http://katiesreadingblog.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-divergent.html), I won't give away much about the plot. Then again... this series isn't always necessarily about the plot. You'll get what I mean.

Pros:

• If you enjoy fantasy/mystery genres, you'll very much enjoy this book. The time period is rather strange, but it's very interesting. The Gunslinger is set in a kind of modern western setting. It combines fantasy with the grit of the old west in a surprisingly addictive way. 
• The books itself is not long compared to the lengths of some of King's other books. The language is generally easy to read, unlike titles like It or 11/22/63 where the writing is dense in some places. 
• If you are a fan of very descriptive stories, you'll definitely like this book. I liken it to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time in the way King is highly detailed in his character portrayals. You become attached to the characters fairly quickly. 
• This may be subjective, but depending on the copy of The Gunslinger you have, there are wonderful illustrations in the extended version that honestly make it worth owning for that. They are beautiful watercolor/oil painting inserts that are just striking. 

Cons:

• If you've read any of King's works, you know that at times they can be hard to understand. The Gunslinger is no exception to that rule. Despite being somewhat easy to process, some of the language that King uses can be foreign and archaic. He combines a lot of western speech with High English, among other dialects. 
• This book most definitely has parts that are not suited for young adults. As with most of King's works, this one is not considered YA. While the length may be deceiving, The Dark Tower is by all accounts a mature series. There are a few sexual references in The Gunslinger, therefore I'd say it shouldn't be read to kids before bedtime. 
• The only other downside I could see with this book would be it's not a singular work. There are nine books in The Dark Tower series total (including the prequel Little Sisters of Eluria). So in order to get the full picture you'd have to read start to finish. 

Overall I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a gripping, sinister, touching, mysterious story. Honestly I had to reach for Cons for this one simply because this book holds a special place in my heart. If you do choose to jump into this series, I hope you get as much out of it as I have. 

Until next time, keep reading lovelies! 

Katie 

Book Review - Divergent

Hello readers,

I just finished the next book on my reading list: Divergent by Veronica Roth (2011, YA/Science Fiction).

I was actually presently surprised at how I felt about the book from beginning to end.

Before I started this book, I knew absolutely nothing about the plot of Divergent or the rest of the series. I hadn't read any of the book or seen the movie so I got to have an objective look on the story. I have to say I was not disappointed.
This book combines a YA feel with a darker, more sinister undertone. I've arranged a pros and cons list below to help skeptical readers decide if Divergent should be next on your list!

Pros:

• Very interesting plot. Characters are well developed and the sequencing/flow of events really catches your attention. I think that the first person POV makes it even easier to get sucked into. 
• A beginner's level of literature. Very easy to read (especially if you're older, like me) but doesn't dumb anything down. 
• Doesn't give too much away in the end; lets the reader have an imagination. 
• Very relatable characters. 

Cons:

• If you're a fan of complex writing, this book probably wouldn't entertain you as much. It's not a complicated read, but very emotionally pulling. 
• The length of the book can be annoying, purely because of the simplicity of the writing it can appear to drone on for a while if read during a binge. 
• As you probably already know, Divergent is the first book in a series. So the ending to this book doesn't really wrap everything up (as expected) and it can be tedious if you're into short, sweet, to the point endings. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'd recommend it as a leisurely read/ something to read for fun on the weekends. If you're a long time reader like me, a book like this doesn't take long to breeze through. 

Until next time, keep reading lovelies! 

Katie