Twelve for Twelve: 12 Ghost Novels for 2012
The clock is striking twelve on 2012! So, it must be time for those cherished year-end lists. Everybody’s doing it. At least all the book reviewers seem to be. And as Yossarian said in one of my very favorite books, Catch-22, “Then I’d be a damn fool to think any different.” So here are the top twelve ghost novels I read (with links if reviewed) in 2012: 12. In the Night Room by Peter Straub In the Night Room opened…
Ghost Novel Review: The Girl Who Stopped Swimming
The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson Grand Central Publishing, 336 pages Laurel awakens one night to find her teenage daughter’s best friend at her bedside—a ghostly manifestation that leads Laurel to its body in the pool. This is a great beginning and allows the author to set the stage with characterization of the maternal, compassionate Laurel in action. We love her immediately. I particularly enjoyed Laurel’s reaction to the girl once she realizes the friend is dead: “You…
World Book Night 2013
A couple of weeks ago (I know, I’m behind schedule here, story of my life), the nominations committee for World Book Night announced the titles for 2013. I just learned about this exciting event last year, and in case you don’t know what it is, here are the details: On this night, April 23, book lovers give print books for free to total strangers in an attempt to kindle a love of reading in the public. Why this night? According…
All Hallow’s Eve: The Wrap
(photo credit) We are gathered here to mourn the passing of October but also to revel in the warmth of autumn and the joy of sharing. It’s been a busy, crazy, exciting, delightful month of reading and conversing and musing. Even now, the last of the young-uns are streaking through the streets in pursuit of chocolate. Soon, all will be as quiet as the grave. This year I think I maximized my otherworldly experiences. I participated in the group read…
SF Ghost Hunt Review
On a brisk October night my daughter Amanda and I set out to brave the paranormal in San Francisco with ghost mogul Jim Fassbinder on the San Francisco Ghost Hunt. We began our adventure at the historic Queen Anne Hotel with an introduction from our host. The Queen Anne Hotel was originally created as a school for girls at a time when female education was not readily available. Fassbinder explained that although she died elsewhere, headmistress Mary Lake remains in…
Paranormal Book Review: Afternoon of an Autocrat
Afternoon of an Autocrat by Norah Lofts I read this novel as part of a discussion led by Werner at the Goodreads Supernatural Group. I find it’s interesting to read books by novelists who reach back in time to write about a former era. Hey, what can I say? I did it myself with Moonlight Dancer. I think of Nathaniel Hawthorne, a 19th century writer who focused on 17th century New England in The Scarlet Letter. I think of John…
The Graveyard Book Readalong: Conclusion
In her commencement speech to the Barnard class of 2010, Meryl Streep said, “There is only change, and resistance to it and then more change” (Graduation Wisdom). If you think about it, that word “commencement” is so cool because your first thought at such a moment is of graduation or end. For me, Meryl Streep’s thoughts encapsulate the theme of change–at the end of Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book and at the beginning of Bod’s coming life. The narrator sets…
Paranormal Coming of Age Novel: Elsewhere Book Review
As part of our read-along of The Graveyard Book, Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings has invited us to blog about our favorite coming of age novels, so I thought about some of my old loves. The Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird and The Giver and Anne of Green Gables came immediately to mind. Then I thought about paranormal coming of age books I liked and realized I had already reviewed two: The Lovely Bones and Something…
The Graveyard Book Readalong Part Two
We meet again for our discussion of Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book readalong hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings. Are we having fun? I am! Today we’re checking out chapters 4-6. Of these, “The Witch’s Headstone” is my unequivocal favorite. It is here, against all manner of warnings from his elders about the evils of the dead in Potter’s Field, that Bod meets a wistful witch. Of course, we all want our children to obey us without question, but…
Mountain View Cemetery Stroll
Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings has invited readers to post thoughts and images of cemeteries as part of The Graveyard Book readalong. For me, an assignment right up Mausoleum Alley. The following is inspired by the renowned Victorian landmark, Mountain View Cemetery , and I updated this piece with additional photos. Let us go then, you and I, when ghosts and ghouls patrol the sky… Pause on the threshold of Mountain View Cemetery, but do not distract yourself with the…
Ghost Novel Review: The Graveyard Book Part One
Today we begin our three part discussion of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman as part of Carl’s group read over at Stainless Steel Droppings. The book opens with a visit from a knife-wielding Jack who kills a family minus one toddler. Said toddler wanders into a cemetery where he is quickly adopted by kind-hearted nonliving beings (aka ghosts) and one crusty undead curmudgeon with a soft center. In an effort to keep the child safe from knife-wielding Jack, the…
Ghost Novel Review In Honor of Banned Book Week: The Lovely Bones
Welcome to Banned Book Week 2012! I love the irony inherent in turning a dusty, fusty institution on its head, don’t you? Here at Pen in her Hand, we’ve already reviewed two banned ghost books. They are Beloved and The Headless Cupid. Check them out. I liked them both, and I believe Beloved is a true tour de force. Today, we’re going to discuss one more banned ghost novel, The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. A true ghost book, the…