On Vacation... sort of!

I am not MIA- but my friends drove all the way from Oklahoma to Virginia to spend Halloween with me, so my internet time has to be sacrificed.  I had to stay up late to post this!  Will be back by Tuesday to give a post Halloween run down, and maybe actually do a wrap up on readathon!

So, until then dear readers, get reading!  And if you're doing NaNo this year, get plotting!  I expect to see how many words you're up to come Tuesday.  I'm dragging my wonderful friends to the NaNo kick off party just so I can stay motivated.  Did I mention how awesome they are?  Love you, girls!!

My Book Reading Companions Challenge

Reading is seldom a solitary activity if you have pets, so here's mine:

Riley (our first born) This picture does not do him justice.  He is HUGE, I'm pretty sure that makes us bad kitty parents...

Joey (she's a girl). Believe it or not, her eyes have never actually popped out of socket, but they do bulge a bit.

                         

Emmy, our third and final baby. She's a chi-weenie.  She's usually right up against me, cowering from Riley.  He's a bit of a bully.

And I must not forget my favorite baby of all: The Hubs

<----Hubs

So, there you have it.  My reading companions.  Don't forget to check out this mini-challenge here.

Good reading to all!

Mini Challenge: Collections

I collect... weird socks.  It goes back to the day when I was a bookkeeper for a grocery store.  We had to wear khakis, and to top misery upon misery, khaki colored shirts.  So my one rebellion was wearing weird socks, which I've continued to this day.  Here's a few pics of them.  I had to use my cell phone for this one, but here they are:

 

Mini Challenge #6- Perspectives

 Here's the challenge:
Perspectives 

• Challenge: Name three books that are told from a different world view, a different perspective, that you have read and enjoyed. Give a one sentence summary of the book, and another sentence that explains how the book shares a unique perspective. The prize books are great examples of this different perspective. In “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”, the story is told from the perspective of a book who has autism- he sees the world very differently than someone without autism. “A Prayer for Owen Meany” tells the story of Owen Meany- a boy with a entirely unshakeable certainty about the future…he knows his own ultimate fate, and sees things in a whole different light because of it.

And here's my 3 books:

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz: the story of a young man that sees dead people and tries to help them. >Odd Thomas is such a quiet, unassuming hero that I find quite inspiring.

The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule- nonfiction of account of true crime writer Ann Rule as she discovers her dear friend, Ted Bundy, is a serial killer. 

The Host by Stephenie Meyer: The story of invading alien species told by an invader herself. < I've read lots of alien invading stories, but the unique perspective of the alien itself was refreshing, and made me think of how our world would look to a gentler, more advanced species.

Mini Challenge #4: Book Title Senteces

Okay, here's my attempt at making a sentence:

It reads: When she was bad Scarlett burned Whitethorn Woods.

I almost used the book Little Children in place of Whitehorn woods, but that's maybe too morbid for a fun mini-challenge. 

Still reading Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror- so much reading left to do!!! I'll be lucky to finish 3-4 books this readathon. 

My First Readathon Mini-Challenge!!!!

Squeeeee! Hour 1 is done and I'm ready for my first mini-challenge!! So here it is!

Go here: http://wordlily.com/2009/10/24/trending-on-twitter-a-read-a-thon-mini-challenge/ if you want to join in!

October Readathon About to Commence!

Good morning,  my book reading minions!  In just 20 minutes the frenzied sound of books opening up all over the world will freak out those non-readers of the planet.  They will pause, tilt there heads, and wonder What the heck was that sound?  But we will know it is the  sound of hundreds of books opening up, some for the first time, others, well read perhaps even tattered and worn, for the hundredth time.  I can't wait!!!

So, what book are you starting with?  What book are you most excited to read?

I'm starting with Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror by Chris Preistley, and I'm probably most excited about this one as well.  Still, I have a pretty awesome pile o' books, as you can see below. 

Good luck to all, see ya occassionaly on twitter!  There will be some silence from me as I have to go to work tonight (please, no tears, although tragic it does not end my readathon time, it merely delays for a few hours) so I'll be radio/twitter silent from about 6:30pm est to about 11:30pm est, but I should be able to tweet after that).  Can't wait to catch up on all the wonderful new and old bloggers I've started following in just the past days!

Books I Mooched From My Niece!

<---This is my niece Sam, she's 18 and one of my suppliers for my monthly hits of teen fic.  She doesn't look like a dealer (although she is at a playground in this pic, hmmmm), but look at what she gave me to "try" for free last Sunday:

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Glass by Ellen Hopkins

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

Dracula by Bram Stoker (not a teen fic, but he is the great-grandfather of Edward Cullen and family)

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (the book she used to hook me and reel me in)

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak

It Had To Be You by Sarah Webb

Departures by Lorna J. Cook

What Hearts by Bruce Brooks

Despite my already over burdened readathon pile, I suspect a few of these books may jump ship on Saturday and demand to be read.  It's the price of being an addict, my friends. 

Graceling Review by UnGraced Blogger

Recently I finished Graceling by Kristin Cashore. 







 Here's a quick Amazon summary:

If you had the power to kill with your bare hands, what would you do with it? Graceling takes readers inside the world of Katsa, a warrior-girl in her late teens with one blue eye and one green eye. This gives her haunting beauty, but also marks her as a Graceling. Gracelings are beings with special talents—swimming, storytelling, dancing. Katsa's Grace is considered more useful: her ability to fight (and kill, if she wanted to) is unequaled in the seven kingdoms. Forced to act as a henchman for a manipulative king, Katsa channels her guilt by forming a secret council of like-minded citizens who carry out secret missions to promote justice over cruelty and abuses of power.
Combining elements of fantasy and romance, Cashore skillfully portrays the confusion, discovery, and angst that smart, strong-willed girls experience as they creep toward adulthood. Katsa wrestles with questions of freedom, truth, and knowing when to rely on a friend for help. This is no small task for an angry girl who had eschewed friendships (with the exception of one cousin that she trusts) for her more ready skills of self-reliance, hunting, and fighting. Katsa also comes to know the real power of her Grace and the nature of Graces in general: they are not always what they appear to be.
Graceling is the first book in a series, and Kristin Cashore’s first work of fiction. It sets up a vivid world with engaging characters that readers will certainly look forward to following beyond the last chapter of this book. (Ages 14 and up) --Heidi Broadhead

I admit to wanting to read this book because I had heard it was similar to Hunger Games.  And it is set in a dystopia, and the main character's names are quite similar (Katsa in Graceling, Katniss in HG), but that's the only real connection.  It took me awhile to get into Graceling, although I really enjoyed it.  Katsa's character, at first, was hard to relate too.  She seemed very immature, but the plot and other characters kept me interested.  As the book progressed, so did Katsa, she had a genuine character arc.  As for the lead male character, Po was near perfect.  The best thing about their love was that neither took anything away from the other, but instead enhanced one another.  That's how real love (should) works.  I enjoyed the minor characters, would have loved to see them even more.  I think Cashore created a very intriguing world, and look forward to reading her other books.

Rating: 11pm, not quite a Midnight read, but well worth staying up for!

Way Back Wednesdays

Welcome back to the second edition of my weekly blog, Way Back Wednesdays.  Here's what ya do:

1. Grab a book of your shelf that you have not reviewed on your site (unless you've been blogging a super long time). Selection can either be random, or an oldie but goodie that you're dying to share with people. List title and author.

2. Give a 7 word description of the book.

3. If you can, post a picture of the book.

4. Open the book at random and type the 3rd full sentence found on the right hand page (or the left, if you're left handed- Midnight Book Girl does not discriminate- do both pages if you're ambidextrous).

5. Answer these questions:
    1. Did you like the book?
    2. How well do you remember it?
    3. Would you recommend it?
    4. Would you re-read it?

6. Post a link to your post in my comments box, or just answer there if you're not going to post the picture of the book cover.

Here's my Way Back Wednesday book:

1. The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar

2. Scottish faeries fight, love,drink in NYC.

 

3.

4. Dinnie protested to the disgusted Heather that it was all a mistake and he still really loved Kerry, but the fairy, after a few cutting insults concerning his sexual performance and what an unimpressive sight he made in the shower, had simply packed her things and left. Pg 200

 5:   1. Did you like the book?  Very much so.  I love Millar's style of writing.
       2. How well do you remember it? Not as well as I should because there are lots of characters, but I remember the basic plot and the humor of the story.
       3. Would you recommend it? I would, although Millar's style and subject is not for everyone.  We read       Millar's Lux the Poet for our book club, and my friend Bittner hated it.  He's a strange, quirky writer.  Which is why I love him.
      4. Would you re-read it?  Absolutely.  My favorite book by him is Lonely Werewolf Girl, but The Good Fairies of New York was a funny, bizzare and interesting read.

6. Ha! Step six doesn't apply to me since this is my blog.  But I can't wait to read your posts!
    

Catching Fire Has Set Me Ablaze!

I loved Hunger Games, the first book by Suzanne Collins.  I loved it a lot, we even went steady for a bit. It, for me, was the American version of Battle Royale by Koushun Takami- a incredible book and fantastic Japanese film, as well as a series of manga.  Waiting for the sequel was like waiting for my name to be called at the Quarter Quell.

Whatever I had braced myself for in the second book wasn't enough.  I thought I had a good imagination, but kudos to Collins for blowing my expectations out of the water without jumping the shark.  I won't spoil the book for you, so I won't talk about the plot, but wow.  Just wow, Ms. Collins.

Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Prim, and all your favorites are back (sadly no Rue, but she gets a fitting tribute).  The triangle that was brewing in the first book is more fleshed out in Catching Fire, but it is never the focus, which is a relief.  Unlike other love triangles (Edward/Bella/Jacob or Stefan/Elena/Damon) there's no clear front runner for me.  I feel that Katniss belongs with Gale, but Peeta is one of my all time favorite characters that I can't see how Katniss doesn't love him madly.  Only Katniss is not me, she's not interested in getting married and having babies.  It occurs to me now that Katniss already has raised and taken care of a family, her mom and Prim,  and I don't think she can ever truly give Peeta what he needs or deserves. 

Something in Katniss is broken, but it's this very aspect that is her saving grace.  The death of her father, her mother's inability to cope in the beginning, risking her life to feed and protect her sister, all these events have left a deep mark on Katniss.   But they also prepared her to win the Hunger Games, to save Peeta.  I don't know that I want Katniss healed, a Katniss that was eager to marry and raise children would be a tragic character departure.  Still, I want a happy ending for Peeta....

My solution?  Prim for Peeta!  It'll be very Little Women, Jo and Laurie can't be together because Jo isn't right for Laurie, and then eventually he falls in love with Amy.  Perfect solution for Prim and Peeta. 

I know this hasn't been much of a review, but anything I say will be a spoiler, so if you even kinda, sorta liked Hunger Games, Catching Fire will blow your book loving mind.  It's a better, richer, more complex novel.  There's lots of Katniss, lots of Peeta.  District 12 is wonderfully brought to life again, becoming another character in its own right.  You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll hold your breath and almost pass out until you remember to breathe again.

Catching Fire gets a rating of: Midnight Read. 

*Dear FCC, despite the fact that I am rigorously recommending this book to anyone that will stand still long enough to listen, I bought the copy of the book myself.  Suzanne Collins and her publishers did not solicit my opinion, nor do they return my emails or calls. They do not acknowledge my fan collages or my repeated requests to have my apartment be mentioned as District 0.  The two neighborhood children I sent them as tributes were promptly returned, and the proper authorities were called on me.

My Readathon Pile O' Books

Here it is folks, my readathon book line up!  Mostly spooky tales, and a mix of books that have lingered on my shelf, new books, and even a few "so nice, thought I'd read It twice" book.  Okay, this is my 4th or 5th re-reading of It, but I love it more each time!

Starting at the top and working my way down:

Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror by Chris Priestley- reading this for my book club October selection.  It's a children's book so I expect to breeze through it.

Ripped From a Dream: The Nightmare on Elm Street Omnibus by David Bishop, Christa Faust and Tim Waggoner- I've had this awhile and I've read most of the first story, but it keeps getting lost in the shuffle when I move.  Who better to read about then Freddy Krueger? 

The Vampire Diaries, Vol 1 by LJ Smith- again I've read these books before, but I'm re-reading them for the challenge.  I bought this book over a year ago, and I still have the original books from my high school days, but they have been read so much that I don't trust them in a fast paced readathon.  

Magic For Beginners by Kelly Link- a collection of short stories.  I read and LOVED the first story, the second one not so much- which led to me putting it off in favor of other books, but I like reading short stories, and think it'll give me a sense of accomplishment when I finish it.

20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill- I've heard good things about this short story collection and am currently enjoying Hill's Heart-Shaped Box. 

The Best of John Bellairs: The House with a Clock in Its Walls; The Figure in the Shadows; The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring by John Bellairs- Again, I bought this last year in October,  but didn't get around to reading it.  THwaCiIW was one of my all time favorite books when I was a kid, and I'm looking forward to discovering some of that old magic.  Plus, it'll be an easy read.

Generation Dead by Daniel Waters- one of my Bookswim rentals.  It's a book I've been wanting to read since it came out, so I thought I'd add it to the readathon pile. 

Shadow on the Dial by Anne Lindbergh- Another way back favorite that I bought recently from ebay.  It's no longer in print, but Lindbergh's books pwned a whole summer for me.  I plan on getting Worry Week and the Hunk-Dory Dairy as soon as I can swing it.

 Serena: A Novel by Ron Rash- another Bookswim rental.  This book might be a little heavy for the readathon, but ever since I read the inside flap at a bookstore when it first came out, I was intrigued.  Since it's on my TBR ASAP pile, I'll try to get to it on the 24th.

Odd Hours by Dean Koontz- for those of you that haven't figured it out yet, I LOVE Odd Thomas.  When this book first came out I read it in a fever, so I think it deserves a re-read.  If you are looking for a great, unputdownable book, I suggest the first book in the series, Odd Thomas.  Easily one of my all time favorite books, and my all time favorite character (sorry, Mr. Darcy!).

The Mammoth Book of Best Horror Comics edited by Peter Normanton- I have been saving this beauty for an occasion such as this.  When I first moved to PA in the 8th grade, one of the things that made it bearable was discovering Tales From the Crypt and The Vault of Horror comic books.  I'm not all about the morbid, people, I also still buy the occasional Betty and Veronica Double Digest (except I won't buy them now because I'm super POed that they had Archie pick Veronica, so unless Betty redeems Reggie I will have nothing further to do with that series.). 

And Finally!:

It by Stephen King- I read It for the first time in 6th grade.  I have loved it ever since.  King just writes kids so freaking well.  I am in awe of his talent and imagination.  I started re-reading this book some months ago, but honestly put it off for cold, chilly season.  Reading it in the summer doesn't have the same effect on me as reading it in the winter, despite the fact that the book takes place in the summer.  

So, what's in your readathon pile?

Identical by Ellen Hopkins

Over two days spent sipping peppermint hot chocolate and caramel frappachinos, I read Ellen Hopkin's book Identical.  I had been vaguely aware of her work, but hadn't read anything of hers. Then I began a book blog and suddenly I was coming across her name frequently.  Banned book week further introduced me to her works as her books are often challenged by parents who like to ban books.  Naturally, that made me want to read her books, and then I found out that she writes her stories in a series of free verse poems.  As it was a book buying banned week for me, I headed to Barnes and Noble and started reading Identical.  The first day I read 2 hours straight, unable to find a stopping point until the Hubs called to remind me that I was suppose to be on my way to picking him up... oops.

Identical is the story of two sisters, identical twins Kaeleigh and Raeanne.  Their parents marriage is falling apart, their mom away on the campaign trail and even further emotionally away when she is at home, and their father is a respected judge with a drinking problem.  Years ago, while driving drunk, Kaeleigh and Raeanne's father caused an accident and lost the love of his wife.  She began separating from the family, and feeling dejected by his wife, their father turned to Kaeleigh for affection.

Yes, the story contains incest, drug use and scores of other issues that are less than pleasant so it may not be for the squeamish.  But more importantly it deals with real issues that face teens, and there is a kind of redemption at end.  I really enjoy Hopkin's verse style of writing.  I plan on reading the rest of her books simply because I love the style so much.  Although this wasn't a happy, happy sunshine book, it was a compelling look at an often secretive and destructive family issue.

Identical gets a rating of : Midnight Read, for it's unputdownableness. 

New Rating System: I will be rating books from 8pm Reads to Midnight Reads, Midnight being the best, and 8pm indicating a book you can probably skip in favor of a crappy re-run of a mind numbing reality show.  

Other verse style books you might enjoy:

Sharp Teeth by Toby Barlow

Friday First with Heart-Shaped Box

Here's the rules of the meme (copied word for word from wellreadreveiw):

• Grab the book you are currently reading and open to the first page.
• Write down the first sentence in the first paragraph.
• Create a blog post with this information. (Make sure to include the title & author of the book you are using. Even an ISBN helps!)
• Did this first sentence help draw you into the story? Why or why not?

It took me awhile to figure out what book I wanted to read next because of my desire to hoard books for the readathon.  However, I've decided to start Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill.  I am loving October and the excuse to read scary novels!  

 

First sentence: Jude had a private collection. 

My impression of the first sentence is favorable.  First of all, I love the name Jude.  It's an intriguing first sentence, because now I want to know what Jude collects. It's simple and clean, as a first sentence should be.  I also have Joe Hill's short story collection, 20th Century Ghosts, but I am saving that for the Readathon.

Way Back Wednesdays!

I've been wanting to do a weekly themed post, so I thought I do a little meme on a book I've read in the past, long before blogging about books became part of my everyday life.  So, here's what you do:

1. Grab a book of your shelf that you have not reviewed on your site (unless you've been blogging a super long time). Selection can either be random, or an oldie but goodie that you're dying to share with people. List title and author.

2. Give a 7 word description of the book.

3. If you can, post a picture of the book.

4. Open the book at random and type the 3rd full sentence found on the right hand page (or the left, if you're left handed- Midnight Book Girl does not discriminate- do both pages if you're ambidextrous).

5. Answer these questions:
    1. Did you like the book?
    2. How well do you remember it?
    3. Would you recommend it?
    4. Would you re-read it?

6. Post a link to your post in my comments box, or just answer there if you're not going to post the picture of the book cover.

Here's my Way Back Wednesday book:

1. Witchcraze: A New History of the European Witch Hunts by Anne Llewellyn Barstow.
2. Ways in which witches were woefully wronged.

3.

4.  "Likewise the Kent assize reported that Goodwife Swane "vehemently suspected by church authorities [as a witch]," boasted "that she can make a drink, which she saith if she give it to any young man that she liketh well of, he shall be in love with her.""
5. I really liked this book- picked it up my sophomore year in college at a book sale and witches have always intrigued me since I read Witches' Children by Patricia Clapp.  I remember reading this book, although I have few memories of it. I would recommend this book to those interested in the history of persecution of women, or interested in anything to do with witches, although the book reads a bit like a text book. I might re-read this book in the future, I lugged it around 4 states, so it's made the shelf cut numerous times.
6. Does not apply to me since this is my blog.  

Another Monday Morning Suckfest, Bring on the Memes!

 As I have nothing earth shattering to blog about I figured I'd do a meme.  It's just a generic one, but anything to fill up my Monday morning is worth it's weight in gold.

1. One book that changed your life?

There are actually two books that changed my life- Firestarter by Stephen King. My Dad, who was a prolific bathroom reader, left this gem for me to discover when I was still in grade school. I struggled through it, and probably didn't understand half of it at the time. But it was the first book I read that was intended for grown ups and it made me feel powerful. It also convinced me never to participate in medical studies as it left me with a deep fear that to do so would lead to me clawing my own eyes out. The other book that changed my life was JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Once I reached the vaulted age of 20 I pretty much stayed away from the Young Adult section of book stores. Occasionally I would dare a quick perusal if no one was around but if I dared buy one I felt ashamed. But then Harry Potter came along, and suddenly it occurred to me that I was only punishing myself by banning YA books from my life. And honestly, YA books have come a long way from when I was a teen. Back then the only author I didn't feel talked down to was Christopher Pike. RL Stine and others (I was lucky enough to be an active reader during the Teen Thriller years) seemed to be writing for a younger audience. Now, however, most YA authors aren't afraid to write how things really are. Any lingering shame was washed away by the Twilight series. My mom loves those books.

2. One book you have read more than once?


A Tangled Web by LM Montgomery.  I was never a huge Anne of Green Gables fan, but for some reason this book was pure magic for me.  I loved the story of the Darks and Penhallows, it was like reading some kind of soap opera (minus the sex).  It's a book that begs to be read aloud, and those are always my favorite ones, because it's almost poetry.  I've read this book many, many times.  Sadly, I've lost my copy and it's out of print.  But I plan on Hubs ordering it for me for Christmas. 




3. One book you would want on a desert island?

Just one book?  I guess it would have to be the unedited version of The Stand by Stephen King.  There's so many layers of that story, and it's such a wonderfully long book, that it would never get boring.

4. One book that made you laugh?

      My book club read I Love You, Beth Cooper by  Larry Doyle last year, and it was like a John Hughes film translated on to the page.  It had me laughing out loud.  One book I love to give as a gift is The Idiot Girl's Action-Adventure Club by Laurie Notaro, I love all of her books.  Her life is wonderfully clumsy, just like mine!

5. One book that made you cry?

Books make me cry so easily, I get very attached to characters.  A recent book that had me bawling is Jodi Picault's The Pact.  I was a snotty mess when I finished that book.  I usually try to stay away from books written by authors whom I suspect only write to make you cry (*cough* Nicholas Sparks, Lurlene McDaniel *cough*) but even I make mistakes.

6. One book you wish had been written?

Without a doubt, Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz. I love to write, but I am very aware that will never create such a wonderful character and that makes me sad.

7. One book you wish had never had been written?

I have read some truly awful books, but I wish no book un-written, maybe just un-read.

8. One book you are currently reading?

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova- actually listening to it on audio, but it's an incredible book. I meant to read this a long time ago, but I had no clue it would be this good. All the hype I'd heard about it is justified. And it's a perfect creepy Halloween read too.

9. One book you have been meaning to read?

I always mean to read more classics, but one book I know I need to read is Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon. I really enjoyed the first book in the Outlander series, but the second book is just lingering on my book shelf- staring at me accusingly with it's tangerine orange cover.

10. Now tag five people.

Okay, I'm tagging you, you and you. Oh, and you over there, and you- the one on the laptop. Consider yourselves tagged.

Friday Firsts with Graceling

Please bear with me, this is my very first blogger meme!



Here's the rules of the meme (copied word for word from wellreadreveiw):

• Grab the book you are currently reading and open to the first page.
• Write down the first sentence in the first paragraph.
• Create a blog post with this information. (Make sure to include the title & author of the book you are using. Even an ISBN helps!)
• Did this first sentence help draw you into the story? Why or why not?

My current read is Graceling by Kristin Cashore

First sentence: In these dungeons the darkness was complete, but Katsa had a map in her mind.

As far as first sentences goes this one is not particularly engaging.  The first half is promising- ohh, dark dungeons, but the second half is less intriguing. This sentence is not what made me want to read the book, but it certainly didn't turn me off of it either.  I started it after finishing Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, so I'm in the mood for teenagers and dystopias. So far the book reminds me a bit of Serenity (the movie) with a bit of Inkworld and Hunger Games thrown in.  Not that it feels like a copy, I appreciate it as its own story apart from all the others.  These are just my first impressions.  I have high hopes that I'll like this book, as I've read many positive reviews of it.  Hopefully I'll have it done by Sunday!

I don't always pay attention to first sentences, but occasionally one will really catch my eye. I normally try to give a book picked from the book shelves a page or two before I decide to read on or re-shelve. I'll have to do a little research and do a post on some of my more favorite opening sentences.  Are there any particular ones that stick with you?

Rose Gets Madder

Last week I was lucky enough to spend my 7th anniversary with the Hubs on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  The house was lovely, the price divine- the Hub's co-worker let us use it! Thanks, Pam!- and better yet it came with a fully stocked book shelf.

I love vacation rentals equipped with books.  I've discovered some really great authors and stories quite by accident.  Plus I love the idea of a non-reader picking up a book out of boredom and transforming into a book lover.  I don't have the statistics on that, but let's pretend it happens at least every once and awhile. And I also love finding an old friend  hidden amongst the dusty tomes.

Now I own a lot of Stephen King books, I love finding them in hardback at garage sales and on ebay, and a few of them I even have multiple copies (more on that at a later post). But there are a few I've lost to numerous moves and book loans or ones that I just never got around to purchasing.  One of these books is Rose Madder.  I remember reading it way back when I was still in high school, but all I remembered was that it was a story of an abused woman who gets an unusual painting at a pawn shop.  How I can remember the basic plots of books I read 18+ years ago and yet can't remember more that a few sentences of Spanish that I took for 3 whole years remains a mystery.

There, on the shelves of our little house on the bay (which really needs a Vacation Home Name like The Crow's Nest, or Paradise Shades) was a copy of Rose Madder.  The other two books I brought on the 3 day getaway were immediately pushed away. Since the house belonged to a friend of ours and I had no book to replace it, I had to finish Rose Madder while on vacation and leave it behind for the next lucky house guest.

I began reading it Monday, and by that evening a we had a storm blow through.  Reading the book and hearing the wind beat against a strange, unknown house freaked me out.  But in a good way.

Rose Madder is the story of a woman in a horribly abusive relationship, to make matters worse her husband is a cop.  One day a drop of blood on the pillow wakes Rose out the fog of abuse and numbness she has been trapped in and gives her the incentive to run.  She doesn't plan it, but just runs, taking nothing with her but her purse and her husband's bank card.  She only uses the card once, to withdraw $300, then throws it away- not because she thinks he'll use it to track her but rather because she feels tremendous guilt over having taken it.  Taking the bus to a large, strange city Rose is lucky enough to meet a man who points her in the direction of a woman's shelter called Daughters and Sisters. It's there she goes from being the abused Rose to the more independent Rosie.  Of course psycho husband is most displeased with his wayward wife.

Rose works hard to heal both physically (years of abuse have hurt her back and injured her kidneys) and emotionally.  She saves enough money to get her own apartment and in one day she not only meets a new guy, but buys a painting in his pawn shop that depicts a woman with her back turned and wearing a gown the color of Rose Madder.  She also gets a job reading books for audio recordings.  Rose is really, finally, living.  But it's not long before she realizes that the painting is changing, coming to life.  At the same time her husband is drawing nearer, no longer just an abusive husband but also a cold hearted killer. Caught in the paths of two crazy forces, Rose will either break completely or emerge triumphantly.

For me this book was an easy read, I was totally engrossed in Rose's story and I thought King did a good job of explaining not only why she stayed with her husband for so long, but also what finally made her leave.  The reveal that her husband Norman was more than just a wife beater was gradual, and perhaps his final insanity was a bit over the top, but he was a man that had gotten away with so much for so long and no longer cared about anything but finding Rose and punishing her.  The woman's shelter, Daughters & Sisters, and its inhabitants are also intriguing, and I hope that there are places just like it for abused women all over the world. 

Rose Madder fits right up there with the Dark Tower series and Insomnia, and even features a little bit of Misery- Rose is reading one of Paul Sheldon's books during a particularly memorable beating from Norman.  If you're already a Stephen King fan then you'll no doubt enjoy this book, for non King fans I'd start off with something lighter less dense like Misery or Carrie.  If you hate Stephen King books then read his Eyes of the Dragon, it's a fairy tale for grownups (and yes, it will be featured in a later post)