This was by far the best book I read in April. In fact, it's my favorite read so far this year. I loved everything about it.
The Amazon book description: "A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here—one of whom was his own grandfather—were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.
A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows."
I bought this at a flea market for 25 cents. I've never read any of the Philip Marlowe books by Raymond Chandler, but I have watched some of the movies and listened to some of the Old Time Radio program.
When Raymond Chandler died, he left behind only the first four chapters of this novel. Robert B. Parker picked up where he left off. I think he did a very good job. He certainly captured the Marlowe / film noir / pulp fiction feeling.
I liked this book.
from Amazon's book description: "In this book, you'll be taken on a whirlwind journey through Tesla's life and work, and not only learn about the successes and mistakes of one of history's greatest inventors, but also how to look at the world in a different, more imaginative way."
This was a free Kindle book. It was short and very interesting. I learned some things that I didn't know, like Tesla once accidentally caused an earthquake (I don't know, I just find that very funny), and that Thomas Edison was kind of a jerk.
This would be a good book for children. I think I'm going to incorporate it into next year's lessons.
Gone- by Adam Light
This is a short story by one of the Light Brothers. The Light Brothers are Adam and Evans Light. They write horror short stories. I discovered them through Good Reads.
I enjoyed Gone. It reminded me of an episode of The Twilight Zone.
"Greg is having a bad morning. He overslept and now he is going to be late for work. He can't even seem to get himself dressed, and all he really wants is a good strong cup of joe. He's not going to get it. And things are going to go from bad to worse before the day is over."
This is another short story by Adam Light.
My only reaction to this one is "Eeeewwww!" *shudder*
"Grant Stone's life has been turned upside down. Months ago, his foot was amputated after several months of wound treatments that failed to yield any positive results. Now he is alone and depressed. He wastes away in bed watching reruns, dreaming of when he could walk. One night, hunger gets the better of him and he goes roaming for sustenance, only to find he is not alone in the house. Wheelchair-bound and terrified, he is faced with a menacing terror straight out of a nightmare."
"Fooling around on your wife can be hazardous to your health. Just ask Tom.
He's a man with a lot to juggle: a frustrated wife, a secret new girlfriend, and the unpleasant task of trying to keep his deteriorating vintage farmhouse from falling down around him."
I thought this story would be predictable, but I was so wrong.... and that's all I'm going to say about that. I don't want to give anything away. ;)
Dark Curtains- Evans Light
from Amazon's book description: "When Claire and James move into a beautiful Victorian home together, she soon discovers that he is being seduced by a secret from his past, one thought buried long ago.
"There is something haunting about "Dark Curtains," and I don't mean that it is simply a ghost story. It has a spookiness and mystery similar to stories like Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, but it is much more than that. It has a sensual quality and a feeling of sadness...which makes this story particularly engrossing. There is something deeper...that grabs you and keeps your interest up to the very last page." - Catherine Depasquale, Reviewer"I agree with the above review.
There was an alternate ending included with the main story. I liked both of them.
