El Dia de los Muertos - the Day of the Dead in English - is a Mexican holiday that celebrates the spirits of our beloved dead. It is far more complex than that, but who among us can't relate to having lost a loved one, missing them, and wanting to honor their spirits? I know … Continue reading Food in Films – Coco
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Coraline by Neil Gaiman
I didn't actually read this book when I was a kid, but since it's ostensibly a kid's book that weirded me out having read it as an adult, I think it fits snugly into my own Halloween canon this year. Coraline is just plain creepy. It hits a nerve for any kid, me included, who … Continue reading Coraline by Neil Gaiman
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
Well, I had to, didn't I? It's October. What other book could I possibly blog about other than The Exorcist, that classic tale of demonic possession, faith, and terror? I'd never read the book, though I've seen the movie many times, especially in October. The film hasn't lost its shock value, though it's not as … Continue reading The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
Ode to Tomatoes (A Poem) by Pablo Neruda
I don't know about you, but I've never been big on poetry. The rhythm and meters necessary to appropriately read poems just bog me down. I love hearing poetry read by someone who understands how it should be enunciated, but when I try to read poetry, either in my head or out loud, I sound … Continue reading Ode to Tomatoes (A Poem) by Pablo Neruda
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
You can almost feel the Italian heat baking down, and smell the bougainvillea flowers, as you read this evocative novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Tom Ripley is a young man from New York, struggling to make something of himself. He's approached by Mr. Greenleaf who mistakes him for a close college friend of his son, Dickie, … Continue reading The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell
I ran across this weird and engaging book of short stories at a yard sale a few weekends back, and of course, the unusual title Vampires in the Lemon Grove caught my eye. Well, as a former Goth chick who loves all things dark, supernatural, creepy and eerie, anything with "vampire" in the title is likely … Continue reading Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
I realize I am late to the party with this book, but seriously, I only "discovered" A Discovery of Witches, and forgive my cheesy-ass pun, when the Sundance Channel started airing the previews for the TV series based on the book trilogy. The series looked so well-made that I had to read the book and … Continue reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
The Homecoming by Andrew Pyper
I love being scared, although I prefer my frights to come from supernatural elements like ghosts, vampires, demons, witches, and the like. Scares that come from real-life terrors like serial killers, home invasions, break-ins, freak me out so badly that I can't read about them or watch them. It's just too close to home, pardon … Continue reading The Homecoming by Andrew Pyper
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
I've felt a bit burnt out with my blog writing lately, though I can't figure out if it's because I've read through most of the books I really wanted to, or just haven't felt the yen to cook. It's a combination of both, but I think the New Year and wintertime is so gray and … Continue reading Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle
I have to say I'm a bit peeved by this book. The Dinner List has a totally fascinating premise that takes that old idea of picking five people you'd want to have dinner with, whether living or dead, and runs with it...........and then, sadly, totally drops the ball. The main character, Sabrina, is having her … Continue reading The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle