#Book #Review: 3/5 stars for The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson @PenguinClassics #ripix

TITLE: The Haunting of Hill House 
AUTHOR: Shirley Jackson 

PUBLISHER: Penguin Classics
PUBLICATION DATE: November 28, 2006 (first published 1959)

FORMAT: Paperback, 182 pages
GENRE: Classics, Gothic, Horror

ISBN: 9780143039983

First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a "haunting"; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.

For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

MY REVIEW: 

Because I have always wanted to read this gothic classic, I joined The Haunting of Hill House Readalong hosted by The Estella Society.

Dr. John Montague, a doctor of philosophy with a degree an anthropology, has a keen interest in supernatural manifestations. He rents Hill House for three months because of its reputation of being haunted. He handpicks a group of assistants who have had some past involvement with what can only be described as paranormal occurrences and invites them to spend the summer at Hill House. Out of the dozen people that were invited, only two take him up on his offer: 32 year-old Eleanor Vance and another woman named Theodora ("Theo"). It was also recommended to Dr. Montague to take along a member of the family who owned the house, and the owner's nephew (Luke Sanderson) joined the trio.

While I did enjoy the story, it was not as scary as I hoped that it would be. I was hoping for the same level of psychological creepiness as Sarah Waters' The Little Stranger but, for me, it did not deliver the same chills. The best part of the book was the ending, and I give props to Jackson for that! It was a five-star ending, and I only wish that the rest of the book could have achieved that level of enthrallment!

I intend to watch both film adaptations, both called The Haunting: the original 1963 version and the re-make from 1999. I will come back later to edit my review to add in my thoughts regarding the movies!

MY RATING:

3 stars!! It was good, and I enjoyed it!

This book qualifies as: 
#4 for my 2014 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
#4 for my 2014 Let Me Count The Ways Reading Challenge: Book Level
#3 for my 2014 Quick Fix Challenge       
#2 for my 2014 Women Challenge
#3 for my New Author Challenge 2014
#3 for my 2014 Reading Challenge: First-Reads   
#4 for my I Love Library Books Reading Challenge 2014 
#3 for my 2014 Literary Exploration Reading Challenge 
#2 for my The Eclectic Reader Challenge 2014
#1 for my 2014 Reading Outside The Box Book Challenge
#1 for my 2014 Horror Reading Challenge
#1 for my The Classics Reading Challenge 2014
#1 for my Back to the Classics Challenge 2014
#1 for my 2014 Book to Movie Challenge
#4 for my 2014 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge
#2 for my 2014 Monthly Key Word Challenge
#3 for my 2014 Monthly Motif Challenge
#2 for my Retreat's Reading Bingo Challenge 2014

#4 for my Anne & Kristilyn's 2014 Book Bingo Reading Challenge
#2 for my R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril IX

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#Book #Review: 4/5 stars for The Farm by @Emily_Mc_Kay @BerkleyRomance

TITLE: The Farm 
SERIES: The Farm, Book #1
AUTHOR: Emily McKay 

PUBLISHER: Berkley Trade
PUBLICATION DATE: December 4, 2012

FORMAT: Paperback, 420 pages
GENRE: Young Adult, Science Fiction/Dystopia

ISBN: 9780425257807

Life was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. These days, we know what those quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electrical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other…

And when trust is a thing of the past, escape is nearly impossible.

Lily and her twin sister Mel have a plan. Though Mel can barely communicate, her autism helps her notice things no one else notices—like the portion of electrical fence that gets turned off every night. Getting across won’t be easy, but as Lily gathers what they need to escape, a familiar face appears out of nowhere, offering to help…

Carter was a schoolmate of Lily’s in the Before. Managing to evade capture until now, he has valuable knowledge of the outside world. But like everyone on the Farm, Carter has his own agenda, and he knows that behind the Ticks is an even more dangerous threat to the human race...

MY REVIEW: 

This is a great dystopian novel with paranormal elements! It won the 2013 RITA Award by Romance Writers of America for Best Young Adult Romance.

The story revolves around Lily and Mel Price, twins who are high school seniors. At the outset of the book, the sisters are living at The Farm which was formerly a private college just south of the Oklahoma-Texas border. The government convinced parents that the only safe place for their teenagers were these "farms" which were strongholds that protected them from Ticks, who are ravenous vampires that destroy everyone and everything they come across. The Ticks are said to prefer the blood of teenagers due to their raging hormones. However, at The Farm, the teens feel anything but safe. Parents were told that their children would be released once they turned 18 years of age, but Lily feels that they are no better than livestock being fattened up for slaughter! She believes that they will not be released to be free but, instead, fed to the Ticks. She plans to escape and will do anything to protect her autistic sister.

Ticks are not your ordinary vampires. Their behaviour is more zombie-like and frightening! They have no self-control, behaving like pack animals. They are mutants, and they exist along with the regular vamps. 

McKay had me hooked with the fast pace of the story and the non-stop action! I also really enjoyed how McKay told the story from more than one perspective, which I feel adds dimension to both the characters and the story. Each chapter is told either in Lily's voice or Mel's voice, and later a third voice is introduced as Lily's bad-boy crush from The Before (pre-Tick infestation). Lily is a total kick-ass character, and I love that! She's a great heroine, and I love her protective nature and devotion towards her sister. I found the chapters told in Mel's voice very interesting. With the chapters told from Lily's point of view, we see Mel's autistic mannerisms. However, I really enjoyed getting inside Mel's head and seeing the world through her eyes with the chapters told from her point of view. My impression of her certainly changed as the story unfolded. The character that I was most intrigued with is Sebastian, and I hope that we learn more about him as the series progresses.

The ending of this book has me very eager to read the next installment, The Lair! I can't wait to find out what happens next!!

The book has a very cool "government" website called National Pandemic Disease Control Organization, where you can read a copy of the official letter to all U.S. citizens and the Farm Plan. It's a neat addition to the book!

MY RATING:

4 stars!! It was really good! You should put it on your TBR list!

This book qualifies as: 
#3 for my 2014 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
#3 for my 2014 Let Me Count The Ways Reading Challenge: Book Level
#1 for my 2014 Where Are You Reading? Challenge  
#1 for my 2014 Global Reading Challenge 
#1 for my The In The Middle Reading Challenge
#1 for my 2014 Women Challenge
#2 for my New Author Challenge 2014
#2 for my 2014 Reading Challenge: First-Reads   
#1 for my 2014 1st In A Series Challenge
#1 for my 2014 And So It Begins Reading Challenge
#1 for my 2014 Series Challenge
#3 for my I Love Library Books Reading Challenge 2014 
#2 for my 2014 Literary Exploration Reading Challenge 
#1 for my The Eclectic Reader Challenge 2014
#1 for my 2014 Fur & Fangs Reading Challenge
#1 for my Vampire Challenge 2014
#1 for Category #1 of my 2014 Immortal Reading Challenge
#1 for my 2014 Everything YA Reading Challenge
#1 for my Dystopia Reading Challenge 2014
#1 for my Check Off Your Reading List Challenge 2014
#1 for my Retreat's YA Reading Bingo Challenge 2014

#3 for my 2014 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge
#2 for my 2014 Monthly Motif Challenge
#3 for my Anne & Kristilyn's 2014 Book Bingo Reading Challenge
#1 for my 2014 What an Animal Reading Challenge VII

#1 for my R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril IX

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Book Review: You'll Get Through This by Max Lucado

TITLE: You'll Get Through This 
AUTHOR: Max Lucado 

PUBLISHER: Thomas Nelson
PUBLICATION DATE: September 10, 2013

FORMAT: Paperback, 216 pages
GENRE: Non-fiction, Religion, Inspirational

ISBN: 9781400379262

You'll get through this. Whatever "this" is - financial woes, relationship valleys, health crises.

You fear you won't make it through. You fear that the depression will never lift, the yelling will never stop, the pain will never leave. Will this gray sky ever brighten? This load ever lighten?

Yes! Deliverance in the Bible is bold, brassy, and everywhere. Consider the Old Testament story of Joseph - tossed in a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongfully imprisoned. But God wove what was meant for evil into good.

God is in the business of redeeming the broken. He was then. He is still. Do you crave some hope for these tough times? Then this is the message you need.

You'll get through this.
It won't be painless.
It won't be quick.
But God will use this mess for good.
Don't be foolish or naive.
But don't despair either.
With God's help, you'll get through this.

MY REVIEW: 

Max Lucado is a gifted writer! I have read some of his children's books, but this is my first book of his geared towards adults.

The past several years have been trying times for me personally, and I was looking for some inspiration and some comfort. I didn't think that I would find it, but I was also looking for some spiritual guidance and understanding. I found all and more in Lucado's book. The way that he writes is wholly engaging. He has such a way with words, and he cuts right to the heart of the matter. I love his direct approach! In each chapter, he ties in the story of Joseph. It sure makes me look at that Old Testament story in a brand-new way. Lucado has brought more meaning and understanding of Joseph's story to me, and this book has touched me deeply on a very spiritual level.

I absolutely loved this book, and I would highly recommend it for anyone who is dealing with a troubling situation. I have read the chapters in this book over and over again, absorbing every word and drawing the strength from Lucado's words. Although this was a library copy, it has touched me so greatly that I will be buying it because I know that I will turn to it again and again.

MY RATING:

5 stars!! It was superb! I loved it, and I will likely re-read it again in the future! You should definitely read it!

This book qualifies as: 
#2 for my 2014 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
#2 for my 2014 Let Me Count The Ways Reading Challenge: Book Level  
#2 for my 2014 Quick Fix Challenge       
#2 for my I Love Library Books Reading Challenge 2014 

#2 for my Nonfiction Reading Challenge 2014
#39 for my Monthly Mix-up Mania: 2013 to 2015 Edition    
#2 for my 2014 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge
#1 for my 2014 Monthly Motif Challenge
#2 for my Anne & Kristilyn's 2014 Book Bingo Reading Challenge
#23 for my Five-Year Reading Challenge: A Non-Fiction Adventure   

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Book Review: The Separation Guide by David R. Greig

TITLE: The Separation Guide 
AUTHOR: David R. Greig 

PUBLISHER: Self-Counsel Press
PUBLICATION DATE: February 15, 2011

FORMAT: Paperback, 168 pages
GENRE: Non-fiction

ISBN: 9781770400573

This is one of the most comprehensive, ready-to-use manuals for separation and divorce for everyone, no matter their marital status or sexual orientation. Covering all the key separation and divorce topics, the author's goal is to provide money-saving tips for dealing with assets, finances, legal processes, and even post-separation life planning for common-law, same-sex, and married couples. This guide will help individuals in any process of their separation make cost-effective choices, understand their options, and take control of their lives.

MY REVIEW: 

Although this book is written by a Canadian family law lawyer, I find it refreshing that he urges people dealing with a marital break-up to try to resolve their issues without going to a trial. Litigation, as we know, is very costly and both parties have a much better likelihood of reaching a mutually-agreeable settlement if they are in control of the outcome. Grieg sets out the matters that separating and divorcing spouses need to discuss. If they can do so in an amicable manner, they can save time and costs by doing the legwork themselves and obtaining independent legal advice on the final agreement before it is signed.

For those that have separated and are looking for some advice and direction on how to begin the process of formulating a Separation Agreement, I would recommend this book. I found it informative, practical, and helpful.

MY RATING:

4 stars!! It was really good!

This book qualifies as: 
#1 for my 2014 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
#1 for my 2014 Let Me Count The Ways Reading Challenge: Book Level  
#1 for my 2014 Quick Fix Challenge       
#1 for my New Author Challenge 2014
#1 for my 2014 Reading Challenge: First-Reads   

#1 for my I Love Library Books Reading Challenge 2014 
#1 for my 8th Annual Canadian Book Challenge
#1 for my 2014 Literary Exploration Reading Challenge   
#1 for my Nonfiction Reading Challenge 2014
#1 for my 2014 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge
#1 for my 2014 Monthly Key Word Challenge
#1 for my Retreat's Reading Bingo Challenge 2014
#1 for my Anne & Kristilyn's 2014 Book Bingo Reading Challenge
#22 for my Five-Year Reading Challenge: A Non-Fiction Adventure   

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