Ed Gein: Psycho

I must say, I absolutely hated this book. While it was informative, it was also incredibly difficult to read; imagine a narrative research paper that is 160 pages long. Ed Gein was the inspiration for much of our horror pop culture, as well as many cult classics. He's best known for his skin suit, that he made from different women. He was obsessed with women, not because he want them but because he wanted to become them. However, many don't know that this started as a grave robbing hobby after his beloved mother passed away. Gein took to the freshly dug graves to get off and begin his collection of different lady pieces. His crimes were gruesome, yet he was only convicted for two murders, the rest were already dead when he got to them. Ed Gein was absolutely the killer next door, but no one ever suspected him. He was just a little slower, weirder than everyone else. But a murderer? 

The second half of this book is entitled "Ed's Children" to show all of the different classics that have been inspired by or include Geinian ways:

Psycho-Robert Bloch

Psycho directed by Alfred Hitchcock

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

The Silence of the Lambs

Bates Motel

Countless comic books

Ed Gein Fan Club

As the author mentions, Ed Gein has truly inspired countless works in pop culture and has become folklore. It is hard to decipher what is fact and what is fiction. The Geinian way has weaseled it's way in to so many different aspects of our modern day horror pop culture and has paved the way for excellent slasher films. 

Notorious

A little over a year ago, this novel showed up at my doorstep. I have no idea how or why I was sent this book, but I am extremely grateful to have received it.

Maxine Revere is an investigative reporter, specializing in cold cases. In high school, her distant best friend, Lindy, was murdered. In college, her roommate, Karen, went missing. And now, Kevin has killed himself and Max needs to give his family closure. Everyone believed Kevin killed Lindy. But he was innocent. He was always innocent and his family wants to clear his name. Upon arriving home for Kevin's funeral, Max is approached by the grandparents of Jason Hoffman, a young man recently killed in cold blood. They want her help. Max has written books, articles, and even stars in her very own show, Maximum Exposure. She wants to help. But does she have time to investigate Jason's murder when finding closure for Lindy and Kevin's families? Max is reckless, but not stupid. She's blown cases, spent the night in jail, and even put herself in harms way. But she has always find the answers. But these cases are different, they are literally too close to home. They ARE home. Do blood relations mean more than locking away a killer? Could Maxine tear her family apart looking for the answers? Will any of the families have closure, or will more get hurt along the way? 

Notorious is a wonderful start to Allison Brennan's newest series. As I was finishing this, I was calling the nearest bookstore to find the next one. Needless to say, I will be continuing this series and I hope all of you will too!!

Looking for the rest of the series?
Maximum Exposure (Maxine Revere prequel)
Compulsion (Maxine Revere #2)
Poisonous (Maxine Revere #3)
Two To Die For (Maxine Revere novella)
 Shattered (Maxine Revere #4)
Abandoned (Maxine Revere #5)

The One and Only Ivan

As a child, this is a great book about a gorilla trying to find his home. 

As an adult, this is a great book about how society treats animals.

The one and only Ivan is a silverback gorilla living in a domain with the homeless dog, Bob. Next door is Stella, the elephant. This ragtag group of friends are always laughing, telling stories, drawing, joking. But sometimes it's sad. The visitors are becoming less frequent, drawing supplies are hard to come by, and the owner Mack is sick of it. He needs something new. Soon enough, a baby elephant named Ruby joins Stella in her domain. Aunt Stella needs a promise from Ivan, she needs to know Ruby will get out of this cage. Ivan tries his hardest to gain attention from Julia, along with art supplies. Ivan's inner artist can finally be recognized! Julia knows he has a message to get out, it's just a matter of deciphering what he means. With Julia's help, Ivan brings the fame back to Big Top Mall. They bring visitors from all over to see The One and Only Ivan and precious Ruby walk around the ring with Snickers on her back! But a newscaster eventually uncovers Mack's dirty little secret. Could he be abusing these animals? Should someone stop him? What happens when Big Top Mall closes down for good? Where will they go? Ivan knows Ruby needs a home, Ivan needs a home, even Bob needs a home. One day, they will get just that, a H-O-M-E. 

For a children's book, I found myself laughing at so many different places in this book. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, should read this book! Katherine Applegate can make you laugh and break your heart all at the same time. It speaks volumes about how some animals are treated while in confinement. Many zoo's have created a semi-sense of home for these animals. Keeping them in contact with others of their own species is the only way for animals to truly understand what their life is about. Locking them away, teaching them tricks, and physically and mentally abusing them their entire lives is not something we should allow.
ELEPHANTS ARE PEOPLE TOO!

Looking for the rest of the series?
The One and Only Bob

The One and Only Ruby