Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

 

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay - 287 pages

In June 1993, a group of young guerilla filmmakers spent four weeks making Horror Movie, a notorious, disturbing, art-house horror flick.

The weird part? Only three of the film’s scenes were ever released to the public, but Horror Movie has nevertheless grown a rabid fanbase. Three decades later, Hollywood is pushing for a big budget reboot.

The man who played “The Thin Kid” is the only surviving cast member. He remembers all too well the secrets buried within the original screenplay, the bizarre events of the filming, and the dangerous crossed lines on set that resulted in tragedy. As memories flood back in, the boundaries between reality and film, past and present start to blur. But he’s going to help remake the film, even if it means navigating a world of cynical producers, egomaniacal directors, and surreal fan conventions—demons of the past be damned.

But at what cost?

Horror Movie is an obsessive, psychologically chilling, and suspenseful twist on the “cursed film” that breathlessly builds to an unforgettable, mind-bending conclusion.

This was a bizarre book for sure, from how the kids made the movie, to how it evolved, to how it's being remade.  There were some interesting moments for sure.  For me this book ebbed and flowed; some parts I couldn't tear myself away from, while others were ho-hum.  And the synopsis is spot on-the ending is a bit of a mind bender!  Overall I'd say this book was good; it was different which I like but not sure I'd read again.

Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster

Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster - 185 pages

Jerusha "Judy" Abbott, an orphan from the John Grier Home, is sent to college by an anonymous trustee.  He wants her to be educated to be an authoress.  The only stipulation is that she must write a letter each month to him about her studies.  

This book is composed entirely of the letters written by Judy other than the prologue that sets the story up.  It's interesting to see what college life was like in the 1900s for women.  It was also interesting to see how the one-sided relationship through letters changed over the course of the four years of college.  The book was also made into a movie starring Fred Astaire.

 

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer - 768 pages

Book 4 of the Twilight Saga

Bella and Edward get married and soon after their honeymoon, discover that Bella is pregnant.  Except she's still human and her baby is growing at a rapid rate.  She willingly risks her human life for the vampire immortality she has been seeking all along.

We also get Jacob's perspective in this book.  He is coming to terms with the fact that Bella didn't choose him.  His wolfpack learns of Bella's half-vampire fetus and plans to kill Bella and her unborn.  Jacob becomes very protective over Bella and leaves his pack to start his own.

I always thought that this was a weird way to end these novels, with Bella almost dying to give birth to a half-vampire daughter and becoming immortal in the process; Jacob imprinting and declaring a newborn baby his soulmate...

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer - 640 pages

Book 3 of the Twilight Saga

Bella once again finds herself in danger.  Alice Cullen has a vision that Victoria, the vengeful vampiress from prior books, will come kill Bella.  Despite the threat of death, Bella finds herself within a love triangle between Edward, her vampire love interest, and Jacob, her werewolf best friend.  Eventually, the Cullens discover there is an army of new-born vampires being controlled by Victoria, and the Cullens then ally with the werewolves to defeat the vampire army.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer - 608 pages

Book 2 of the Twilight Saga

Bella and Edward's relationship is having issues, especially after certain incidents, leaving Edward to come to the realization that their vampire-human romance isn't safe for Bella.  Edward disappears, leaving Bella to deal with their "break-up."  She is heart-broken and depressed, but her old friend Jacob, comes to her rescue to try to help her heal.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - 544 pages

Book 1 of the Twilight Saga

The reading challenge for November has inspired me to re-read the Twilight saga, especially because I've been wanting to read Stephanie Meyer's new book, Midnight Sun.

Bella Swan moves to rainy Forks, WA from Arizona, to live with her father after her mother remarries and moves to Florida.  Forks seems to be a relatively boring and average town where nothing ever happens.  After meeting a mysterious classmate, Edward Cullen, Bella quickly learns that Forks might be more interesting than she initially believed.  She soon discovers that Edward and his family are secret vampires.

The Witches by Roald Dahl

 

The Witches by Roald Dahl - 244 pages

Grandmama has told him everything there is to know about witches.  They hide in plain sight although they must wear disguises to cover their bald heads, clawed fingers, and squared-off feet with no toes.  They are also deadly dangerous to children.  It is their sole purpose to get rid of children.

While on vacation, he accidentally runs into the witches of England having their annual meeting.  At the meeting, the Grand High Witch shares her evil plan to turn all the children of England into mice.  Will he be able to stop them?


I listened to this on audio and enjoyed the story.  Like most Roald Dahl books it doesn't have a traditional happy ending but you are satisfied with how the story ends.  I would definitely recommend the book to most children.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens - 384 pages

This book has two timelines that eventually converge.  Kya is around six years of age when she is left to raise herself in the marshes of North Carolina.  She is ostracized and struggles on her own, eventually finding a rhythm for life.  Along the way, she meets Tate, a kid a little older than her that feels protective over her and wants to help her.  As they get older, and Tate goes away to college, a local city boy, Chase becomes interested in Kya as well.  Her story is told over the years of 1952-1969.

The second story line starts in 1969 when the body of Chase Andrews, one of the boys who was involved with Kya, is found in the marsh.  The townspeople claim it was murder and that the "Marsh Girl" did it.  But did Kya kill him?

Reese Witherspoon's production company, Hello Sunshine, is creating a movie adaptation of this book!  As of July 2020, it is still in pre-production.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling - 293 pages

This is the screenplay of the recently released movie.  I really enjoyed the movie and thought I would try to read the screenplay.  While I did enjoy it, it was extremely choppy.  I didn't notice during the movie itself how often it cut between various characters.  I think I would have preferred an actual novelization of the movie instead.

The Isle of the Lost: A Descendants Novel by Melissa de la Cruz

The Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz - 314 pages
A Descendants Novel

This book is the prequel to the Disney movie The Descendants.  All of the evil villains of Disney movies have been banished to the Isle of the Lost.  There they are trapped under a dome that does not allow them to leave or to use magic.  The children of these villains are now teenagers and trying to live up to their parents' evil deeds.

I thought this was an interesting premise.  I had seen the Disney movie and wasn't too horribly impressed with the movie.  However, I thought the book was much better.  I think it is because the book allows for more time for character and plot development.  I did have a few issues with how a couple of the characters in the book were portrayed versus the movie but it wasn't too big of a detraction.

Kiss and Spell by Shanna Swendson

Kiss and Spell by Shanna Swendson - 300 pages
An Enchanted Inc. Novel #7

Katie is just getting used to having magic when she and Owen are caught up in the Elf Lord's latest plot to take control of the magical world.  This time their sent to another dimension where they have forgotten everything about their former lives.  In fact, it almost seems as if Katie is in a romantic movie -- complete with its own soundtrack.

As of this time, the author claims this is the final book in the Enchanted Inc series.  I liked the book as a part of the series.  However, I was disappointed with it as a finale.  The ending and final relationships seemed tacked on to make it "happy" enough for the final ending of the series.  If you left off the final chapter, it was a great addition to the series with an interesting plot and quite a bit more character development than had been in the last few books.

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes -- 272 pages

For those who fell in love with the movie The Princess Bride, Cary Elwes, who played Westley, tells us his side of all that went into the making of it. From R.O.U.S.s and Giants to Sword-Fighting and knocking Westley out with a sword hilt, it is pretty exciting and just plain hilarious. 

This book brought back many memories and let me know more about the actors and directors of one of my favorite movies. 

The only negative thing I have to say about it is that Cary Elwes gives us a lot of backstory every time he meets with someone. "They were in this movie, this movie, this movie, and backstage in this movie, this movie, and this movie." I had to struggle through or skim over all the listing in order to get to the movie I was really interested in hearing about. 

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion - 241 pages

R is a zombie -- but he's fine with it.  Until he meets Julie.  For some reason he decides to save her.  And that triggers a change, not only in him, but in many of other zombies.

This was made into a movie.  I liked the movie and decided to see if the book was similar or not.  The book was pretty good.  There were changes between the book and the movie.  I actually liked the movie better.

Invasion of the UFONuts by Laurie Keller

Invasion of the UFONuts by Laurie Keller - 126 pages
The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut

It is up to Arnie to save the planet when alien donuts from outer spastry start kidnapping people to take their doughnuts.
This was hilarious.  Another great entry in the easy chapter book series about Arnie the Doughnut.

Black Butler, Vol. 1 by Yana Toboso

Black Butler, Vol. 1 by Yana Toboso 192 pages

Sebastian is the dignified butler of a young nobleman and toy company owner Ciel Phantomhive. Having lost his family tragically, Ciel made a deal with Sebastian. He must be his butler and help him to avenge his family's death. In exchange, he has promised Sebastian something most precious. The graphics are wonderfully done and the text is easy to read and follow. The anime version of the manga series is not tied too closely to the book, but enough to still be enjoyable.

The Amazing Compendium of Edward Magorium by N.E. Bode

The Amazing Compendium of Edward Magorium as told to N.E. Bode - 137 pages

I picked this up thinking it was the book Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium was based on.  However, after reading it, I've discovered it is actually a companion book that tells of Magorium's life before meeting Mahoney his shop assistant.  The story is told through encyclopedia entries such as Asking Questions, Book of Little Ideas, and Never-Ending List of People Inspired by Edward Magorium.  It was a very interesting way of telling the story.