Cinderella

Everyone knows the classic Cinderella tale. But Charles Perrault and Camille Rose Garcia give us a little bit of a twist to the story we know and love. In this short illustrated classic, we still see Cinderella and her evil stepsisters. We see her hard work and her dedication to helping her family, including her terrible stepsisters. We see the fairy godmother and the magical pumpkin carriage. She loses the slipper and she wins the Prince. But what could possibly be different? The illustrations! From what you see on the cover, this classic has a darker feel than other versions of this tale. Every illustration of Cinderella has spider webs and the stepsisters have very exaggerated, unflattering features. Although it is a new approach to this very lovely classic, I think it still did the story justice!

Psycho

What can I say? Psycho is a classic! Written in 1959, this novel reads so quickly that you hardly realize that it's over. Going into this book, I didn't realize there was a movie or the spinoff show, Bates Motel. I can honestly say the book is ALWAYS better. We get into the mind of all of the characters in Psycho: Mary, Lila, Sam, Norman, and even Norman's mother. The plot unfolds when Mary steals 40 grand and takes off to see her fiancé Sam. But she only makes it to the hotel, and is never heard from again..... So why haven't they gone to the police? Why haven't they questioned Norman? We know what Mother does, we know what Norman is doing, and we know the snooping of Lila and Sam. Everything falls together so perfectly that I have to applaud Robert Bloch for the amazing novel he has created in such a different time compared to today.

Psycho will not disappoint!

Meet the man who inspired it all: Ed Gein

The First Phone Call From Heaven

Mitch Albom truly created another masterpiece.

In the small town of Coldwater, Michigan, several people are beginning to receive phone calls claiming to be from their deceased relatives and loved ones in Heaven. Everything is brought to attention when Katherine Yellin speaks out in church saying her sister has called her and wants everyone to know what Heaven is like. What Katherine does not know is she was not the only one to get a phone call. Small time news anchor Amy comes to Coldwater to cover the story only to become lifelong friends with Katherine. Sully Harding has just been released from prison when these calls start coming in and he begins investigating. No one can ACTUALLY call from Heaven. Police Chief, Jack Sellers starts getting calls from his son who was killed in Afghanistan. But the question is, should he tell his ex-wife? Tess Raferty got a call from her mother saying that there is no worries in Heaven, just peace. She should tell everyone that. Coldwater blows up over the phone calls from Heaven. Visitors from all over have come to witness the phenomenon, but what is really happening? Is it real?

Mitch Albom created such an amazing novel that you will have to find out that answer yourself. The way all of the characters find solace in one another is exactly what the novel needed. 

Looking for other books by Mitch Albom?

 Tuesdays with Morrie

Born Evil

Hadden Clark was born evil. But don't let the title description fool you, this is not a story of "A real-life Hannibal Lecter." This is a story about Hadden Clark and his misfortunate childhood that led him to split personalities who kill for the fun of it. Supposedly, Hadden has killed around 15 young girls between the ages of 6 and 30. In Born Evil, we watch Hadden's life laid out before us. The abuse from his mother, his wrecked home life, and his time spent in the military. To Hadden, all things fall apart. That one tragic afternoon when Michelle Dorr wandered into Hadden's brother's yard changed everything. Charging Hadden with Michelle's death took much longer than charging him with Laura's death did. Laura and her family employed Hadden and he still ruined their lives.

Honestly, this novel takes place more in the court room and behind closed doors than it does telling the actual details of the crime. Born Evil may not be the fastest paced read, but it is still quite intense.  

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Will Grayson is a straight guy, with a gay best friend. But Will Grayson is also a gay guy looking for a boyfriend. John Green and David Levithan did an amazing job creating these two characters and taking us on their journeys. The Will Grayson (Grayson) we meet first has a don't care attitude and a very fabulous, large, best friend named Tiny. We follow Grayson through his story of finding love with Jane and helping Tiny try to fall in love again. The other Will Grayson is carrying on an internet relationship with a boy named Isaac. When they finally decide to meet, Will gets more or less "catfished." But that doesn't stop him from possibly meeting the best thing to ever happen to him. Both Will Grayson and Will Grayson cross paths at an adult video store in Chicago because of some very interesting coincidences. The story continues to Tiny's very fabulous musical and to the end of the novel. There's so much I left out, but I don't want to be the person to ruin it for my fellow bookworms! 

Looking for the rest of the series?

Hold Me Closer (book two)

Other titles by John Green:

Looking For Alaska

The Fault in Our Stars

Paper Towns

Turtles All the Way Down 

The Anthropocene Reviewed

Looking for other books by David Levithan?

Every Day (Every Day #1)

Another Day (Every Day #2)
Someday (Every Day #3)

The Realm of Possibility 

Answers in the Pages

Ragged Dick

Ragged Dick has been described as a "rags to riches" type of novel. But personally, I'd say it feels similar to Catcher in the Rye. A young boot-black, Ragged Dick, is trying to make a living in this world. He shines shoes and makes enough money for breakfast and maybe a show at the Old Bowery. Until one day he overhears a nephew and his uncle talking about New York and offers to show the boy, Frank, around the city. They spend the day becoming close acquaintances and grow quite fond of each other. The uncle makes Dick an offer of five dollars to start a savings and make something of his life. Agreeing, Dick begins his new life with $5 and a new suit. Eventually, he strikes up a deal with another boot-black and begins his education and rises to his full potential. Ragged Dick is a short read, but it is definitely a good one!

 

But answer this:

Rags to Riches or Catcher in the Rye?

Looking for Alaska

 Pudge moves to Birmingham, Alabama from Florida to attend Culver Creek Boarding School. He's a loner, a nobody, and he's awkward as hell. But the Colonel, Takumi, Lara, and Alaska change his entire view of the world. Alaska is one of the most unique characters I have ever come across. Although the book is written through Pudge's perspective, the entire book is truly written for us to see Alaska. The four of these teens are on a mission to make junior year the best year yet. They smoke cigarettes, they drink wine, and they pull pranks because that's what life is all about to them. The journey they go on is not the most significant part of the book, but it is obviously important. I honestly grew to love Alaska, she is definitely someone I wouldn't mind becoming. Her character is what makes this one of my favorite John Green books. "We all go." We're all forgotten. We're all just living for today. Alaska may smoke cigarettes to die, where we just smoke for enjoyment. We have to go out and live our lives. Everything John Green writes is a masterpiece and I really encourage everyone to read this. 

Others by John Green:

The Fault in Our Stars

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Paper Towns

Turtles All the Way Down 

The Anthropocene Reviewed