The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Fiction - 5 stars

In this full-length novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the sudden death of Sir Charles Baskerville is said to have been caused by the gigantic ghostly hound which has haunted his family for generations. However, when Dr. Mortimer involves Sherlock Holmes in the mystery, Holmes characteristically dismisses the theory as nonsense. Claiming to be immersed in another case, he sends Dr. Watson to protect Sir Henry, the Baskerville heir, and to observe the suspects first hand. Mystery abounds in this story, and Megan and I thoroughly enjoyed Conan Doyle's deliberate use of character to keep the reader out of the loop. While it stands on its own as wonderful story, for its time, I can imagine that reading each chapter in The Strand was something for which people held their breath.  Megan and I both recommend it highly!
                       

 

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Fiction - 5 stars

Our February book club selection, Pride and Prejudice, is probably my favorite story of all time. The story is of Elizabeth Bennett, 2nd daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett of the British landed gentry. She is a girl with gumption. In the story, she meets Mr. Darcy, a proud aristocrat who immediately turns her off, and she doesn't mind telling him so. However, she uses such manners and grace in telling him that he is drawn to her spirit despite her dislike and initial refusal of him. As he seeks to win her respect, he in turn makes her fall deeply in love with him. (I know this is a spoiler, but if you don't know the story of P&P, you need to crawl out from under that rock!) Neither of these characters is a pushover, and both have intelligence, integrity, and are incredibly loyal. These characteristics are what make me love them so. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Fiction - 5 stars

If you've never read this book, you absolutely are missing one of the best stories ever told. It is the story of Huck Finn and Jim, the runaway slave that he takes with him down the Mississippi. This sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is truly a classic, and I am glad to have read it. 

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Fiction - 5 stars

Not for the faint of heart, this 1500+ page (in small print, I might add) tomme is a masterpiece of storytelling if ever there was one. The story of several characters and timelines, some seemingly insignificant, weaves through the book to culminate into a satisfying and epic conclusion. It only took me two years to read it!

By the way, the movie starring Jim Caviezel is a good adaptation, but nothing beats the book.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Fiction - 4 stars - I can see why this book is part of the literary canon, but if I had read it in high school, I would not have caught the subtle depth of the book. It is an interesting portrait of the 1940s, and a very deliberate use of emotional struggle to make the reader sympathize with this disturbed character.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

Fiction - 5 stars - Also one of my all-time favorites, this story is timeless. It is funny, scary, and truly satisfying. I read it every Halloween. The Disney cartoon's not too bad either. I grew up watching the made-for-tv Jeff Goldblum version, and he is the best Ichabod Crane I could ever imagine.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Fiction - 5 stars - I read this during my "getting back to the classics" phase, and I loved it. Of course most people know the story, but actually sitting down and reading it was one of the most satisfying reading experiences of my life. It is truly a "feel-good" story, and it is one of my all-time favorites.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Youth Fiction - 5 stars - This is a wonderful book, and even though I've seen both films, I still got more out of the book. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. Although it was written in the '60s, it has some issues relevant to today's parenting. For example, the song that the Oompa Loompas sing about television could have come out of a current article on the debate on kids' watching tv vs. reading. I think it was a motivator for Megan, too.

The Velveteen Rabbit by Marjery Williams

Children's Fiction - 5 stars - Probably my favorite children's book, The Velveteen Rabbit is a story about the power of imagination in a time before TV. While the story line will be hard for children to comprehend as major illnesses are not so common any more, it could lead into a good history lesson! I read it to Megan, and seeing her face light up at the end was a beautiful sight.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Fiction - 5 stars - This is one of the deepest, most moving stories ever written. I can't say enough about it, so you'll just have to read it! If you have a chance, watch the movie, too.