Books 23-32
23. An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, by Louisa May Alcott. A sweet short story, a bit dated but charming all the same. Truly an "old-fashioned" tale. The story centers on the Bassett family, a large farming family in New Hampshire. The mother is getting ready for a big Thanksgiving feast for the immediate and extended family when the family gets word that grandmother is ill. So the father and mother take the baby and head off as quickly as possible to see grandmother, whom they have been told is fading fast. This leaves the children to their own devices and their ideas on preparing for Thanksgiving. The results are from perfect but are from the heart, and the holiday ends on a happy note overall. Fans of Little Women will probably enjoy this short holiday story.
24. Dracula's Guest, by Bram Stoker. If I recall, this is supposed to be either a prequel or sort of missing early chapter of Stokers famous novel. It's a good read for Dracula fans. The mystery is who the unnamed narrator is (I wonder if it's Renfield?) In this story, an Englishman decides to go on a solo adventure, and soon has reason to regret it. His salvation comes from a rather unexpected source.
25. Thurnley Abbey, by Perceval Landon. I'd love to see this short story turned into a play (if a play doesn't already exist.) The tale is told in a "story within a story" format, which was popular in that time (this was published in 1908). While on a train, the narrator gets an unusual request from another passenger, then is told a story that is both scary and a bit funny. It's hard to tell too much more without giving away spoilers, just that this was an enjoyable read.
26.William Wilson, by Edgar Allan Poe. I thought I'd read everything by Poe, so I was delighted to find this story. It's sad this gem isn't better known because it's so well-written. Here, the narrator, who calls himself William Wilson, admits to being a wanton and a delinquent. While at school, he finds he is classmates with another student of the same age and same name. That's not all they have in common. Wilson finds himself increasingly enraged by this other person with the same moniker. The ending is quite chilling.
27. The Red Room, by H.G. Wells. A visitor decides to spend the night in the infamous Red Room of Lorraine Castle to see what the mystery and legends are all about, and if they are even true. The answer is somewhat open to interpretation. This was a good psychological thriller.
28. The Great God Pan, by Arthur Machen. I can see why this is considered a classic in the horror genre. It's a mystery and a horror novel in one. The novella spans multiple years, starting with a professor trying to figure out a way to see the God Pan (and what he does is reprehensible), and the rest of the story deals with the aftermath and fallout, wrapping up with a chilling ending.
29. The Secret of Goresthorpe Grange, by Arthur Conan Doyle. A funnier, light-hearted spooky tale (although a bit ironic, given Doyle's firm believe in the spiritual world). The new owner of Goresthorpe Grange has found everything he wants in his new abode, save one thing that would make everything complete: the manor needs its own ghost. So a relative of his wife goes to procure someone who promises to find such a resident spook. The results are creepy and hilarious at the same time. The ending can be seen early on but it's still enjoyable.
30. The Thin Man, by Dashiell Hammett. A fun mystery story, popularized by several movies. Nick Charles, a former detective, has been reluctantly pulled into a murder case involving an eccentric inventor's secretary. One thing that struck me is the character of Nick, who is so well-regarded by the police agencies that they are begging him for help. In most private detective novels, gumshoes are treated with anything from mild disdain to outright hostility. Nick is married to wealthy socialite Nora, and their banter make up some of the best moments in the book. The dialogue in general is sharp and tight, filled with witty observances and retorts. Did not guess who the suspect was, although there were a lot of clues throughout (the sign of a good murder mystery). My one nit, though, is there are a LOT of characters to keep track of, and not all of them are easily identifiable. I was thinking more than once "Ok, who is this again?" and one time a character appeared I thought had been one of the ones who died. But if you can keep track of who is who, this is a great, old fashioned detective story.
31. North of Boston, by Robert Frost. I think I forgot to include this one last time. An enjoyable collection of poems/stories by Frost that are loosely connected.
32. Mountain Interval, by Robert Frost. Read for my poetry readings. A collection of short and longer poems, most of them connected to winter and the mountains. Really enjoyed these!
Currently reading: Social Media and the Public Interest, by Philip M. Napoli; The Future of the Mind, by Michio Kaku; and Love Me More Than Anything in the World, by Mira Furlan.