The Ocean At The End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman

My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

I hardly know what to say about this magical, yet creepy, little book. In some ways, it was everything I hoped it would be. For certain, I couldn’t put it down once I started reading. In other ways, I found it disturbing and, in part, a bit unsatisfactory. NOTE: POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

My Rating: 3 1/2 of 5 Stars

I have very mixed feelings about Stardust, I’m afraid. It is a sweet, though short, fable with a mystical touch of fairy magic and a strange assortment of characters. There were surprises here and there that I really appreciated, and the ending was touching. Mostly. Our hero, Tristran Thorne, is off on a mission to collect a fallen star

What Are You Reading?

Yep, it’s time for another What Are You Reading post. Inquiring minds wanna know!

I have just gotten started on Neil Gaiman’s Stardust. I’m not very far into the book, but I am thoroughly enjoying what I have read to date. I can’t wait to see how all these many characters connect to each other, and whether or not the hero’s search for a fallen star, which he intends to present to his lady love, will be fruitful. And if it is, will said ladylove really have been worth the journey, or is his destiny to meet someone else along the way? This is the third book of Gaiman’s I’ve read, and so far, his writing hasn’t failed to pull me into worlds of fantasy and dreams and occasionally, nightmares.  I will be reviewing Stardust as soon as I manage to find time to finish it.

So tell me, my fellow bloggers, what are YOU reading this week?  Let us hear from you!

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

I have come to the conclusion that Neil Gaiman just may be my Go-To Man when I’m in the mood for Major Creepiness. Capital M. Capital C. Really! I’ve read books that were scarier, books that were funnier, and books that were more convoluted or complex, but I don’t think I’ve ever read anything creepier than Neverwhere in my life. And I mean that in a GOOD way, of course.

The story of a secret world beneath London,

What Are You Reading?

Yes, you guessed it! Time for another What Are You Reading post. Every now and then, I just have to know what some of you are reading. I find the best books that way. I am currently about halfway through Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, and enjoying it very much. This guy can do creepy and weird like nobody’s business. I have a little list where I add authors I have managed to ignore for way too long and am busy catching up with. The list includes Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, among others, and I have thoroughly enjoyed what I have read of each of them, already. Both make me wonder what took me so long to find them.

So what are YOU reading? And what’s next in your To Be Read pile?  Whose pages are you turning today, and what do you think of them so far?

The Literary Cat #4

My Literary Cat

“General P. G. T. Beauregard, The Sasquatch”

Alias “Beau”

“I would like to see anyone, prophet, king or God, convince a thousand cats to do the same thing at the same time.” 

–Neil Gaiman

Beau was without a doubt, my favorite cat of all time, in a long list of much loved kitties.  He was huge and impressive–a real specimen! And he was a polydactyl, meaning he had extra toes, and not just on his front feet, like most poly’s. His back feet were the size of snowshoes! Plus, he used his feet like hands, and even picked up his food from his bowl to eat, instead of putting his face down in the dish. I was convinced I could teach him to write or draw if I could only get him interested in it. But like most cats, he knew exactly who he was, and didn’t need lessons of any sort from me.

Sadly, we lost Beau a few years ago from a brain tumor at a mere twelve years of age. He should have had a lot more time with us, but I’m grateful for the years we did have. Watching this 22-pound big boy go about his daily routine was a great pleasure, and I miss him to this day. He is buried in our garden, under a blue gazing ball, and I think of him every time I water that flower bed.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

 

My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

Neil Gaiman says of himself, “I make things up and write them down.” What I say about him is that he does a darn fine job of it. At least he certainly does in The Graveyard Book. I read this book last year, and somehow

COMING SOON! Under My Hat by Jonathan Strahan

“Under My Hat:  Tales From the Cauldron” is only a bit over 12 days away!  As you might guess from both the title and the cover, this is a new collection of short stories inspired by the mystery & power of witches.  Some of the best