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Book Review: Best Ghost Stories by Marcus Clapham.

The short story is the perfect format for traditional ghost stories. They have their roots in folklore, but in modern form they can be traced back to the romanticized writers of the Gothic tradition. Authors include Charles Dickens, Sheridan Le Fanu, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Mrs. Henry Wood, F. Marion Crawford, Elizabeth Gaskell, and H. H. Munro (Saki). Perhaps the finest exponent of the genre was M. R. James whose sly, academic tales are well represented in this collection, as well as those of Le Fanu, whom James acknowledged as his inspiration. This is a book to be relished by the fireside, with the curtains drawn against ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties, and things that go bump in the night.

In my opinion, the only story that was at least a touch scary was “The Shadow in the Corner”. It made me a bit restless on my way to sleep and it didn’t help when I read it at 11:30pm.

I enjoyed the collected stories within the volume, but the way I rated it was from how scary/spooky they were; not how much of a pleasing read it was. Some might say that’s harsh. But I’m rating them on how spine chilling they are.
So overall, I give this book …

★★

Book Review: The Secret Seven on the Trail by Enid Blyton.

Something mysterious is going on at Tigger’s Barn, and the Secret Seven are intrigued. Peter thinks it’s all just gossip, but Jack isn’t so sure when he overhears a strange conversation. Looks like the Seven are on the trail of another exciting adventure!

(I only thought it was ok because of the lack of description. But yes, I know that it is a childrens book so don’t pine at me)
It might be because this book series is aim for younger persons than me or just because I’ve been reading too many Agatha Christie novels. I wish to high heavens that I had read this when I was younger! I always wanted to read books like this but, my mum had her versions in the attic and I didn’t even know they existed! Darn!
Well anyway, I thought overall that the plot was short and sweet. At some points I was confused as to which characters were talking at which point but I just carried on reading. When I have children, I vow that I will read them this series and, when they’re older, let them read the Famous Five.

☆☆

Book Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Can Katniss Everdeen win the final fight against the Capitol? Against all odds, she’s survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she is still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no-one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12…

Oh my word. This book was amazing! 
I’ll try my best to make this review spoiler free but OMG THE ENDING!! 
At first, I was reluctant to read it. In all honesty I think I just didn’t want it to end. But it has so I should get over it. 
I thought that, at the beginning, it dragged a bit. But it started to gain momentum and the action started to pick up. Also, in some places I was a bit lost and I had to re read a page or two to gather just what had happened. 
I love the way in which Collins presented the reader with all these twists and turns and then BAM, she hits you with a sentence that nearly takes the very air from your lungs. When she presents these “moments of realisation” I actually couldn’t believe it. They were staring at me right in the face in the first two books and now it has taken me this long to realise?! Miss Collins, I bow before you. 
When I was reading the last half of this book, I was in the company of my mum, who was opposite me. And, of course, I started blubbering like a fool and squealing like a girl who has seen her crush. 
Seriously guys; If you haven’t read the series, I Strongly Recommend that you read this! This series of books are second on my favourite series; Harry Potter being first.

4/5

I’ve been so busy lately that it has just slipped my mind. But that’s about to change!

I’ll update this blog with all the books I’ve read that haven’t been reviewed yet. 

My Sincere apologies