pickLe Fanu ♥️ “Green Tea” is my favorite— books & pots of tea leading to more awareness than sanity can contain intrigues me (obv.).
& Dr. H‘s hypothesis about the metaphysical matter is pure Victorian science, akin to adding a bit about quantum physics to a story today.
Mesmerism was a very real at the time this was published. The relationship between physical & mental ambiguous. Stories on the border between paranormal & mystery are so thrilling!
pickFinished the series! (Technically, there‘s still the Shrieking Skull, but it‘s a reread.)
Even Christmas in July can make it the most wonderful time of the year. I went into July upset, anxious, & weary. I‘m feeling more refreshed now. Still mad, but braver 😈
I know they‘re “just” stories, but they‘re really not. If I‘m going to remain hopeful, I need plants & books & coffee. I treated myself to a garden reading day & it was the best decision.
pickThe ghost stories in this one are American, entirely collected from newspapers, & much more realistic. They have a level of grit; they have heft. I prefer the aesthetic of a British ghost. Give me fancy! Still, I recommend for the sheer number of glowing skeletons.
pickMerry Christmas in July! On this day, Will Smith defended Earth against alien invasion.
To celebrate, we will be watching all of our favorite holiday movies, reading Victorian ghost stories, & making iced horchata hot chocolate while eating an absolutely ridiculous feast of all our favorite foods.
I also highly recommend this series of ghost stories 👻 it‘s become one of our traditions to read one aloud before bed 🎄 they make great gifts, too!
pickAlbanian folk tale reimagined as a medieval police thriller. A habitual reread, something about this story that haunts me: the serious inspector trying not to give in to capital R Romantic notions of bonds & love & promises. Ghost story, detective story, national pride & family bonds. The “bessa,” a promise that can overcome death. What do you dare believe? Translated from French translated from Albanian, but solid. 1986, tr. 1988
so-so🌟🌟🌟 I am of a firm opinion that the title of this book and the previous one should be flipped lol
pickI started this one yesterday and already finished it. I should‘ve known that would happen. I‘ve read several books by St. James, and it‘s always the same, I just can‘t put these books down. The mystery was intriguing, and once it was solved, utterly tragic. The romance was enticing, and I loved the friendship that formed with the MC and another character. Descriptive and well-written, as usual, with likable but realistically-flawed characters.
Up next is my next library book. Simone St. James hasn‘t steered me wrong yet…
