Dracula - Bram Stoker
If you aren't familiar with the story of Dracula, then you have lived your entire life under a rock on Mars. Dracula is the original tale of gothic horror, chronicling the hunt for Dracula after he left Transylvania and attempted to relocate in London.
And it was boring.
Okay, it wasn't boring, but I had a lot of trouble getting into it. I think this is largely to do with the format of the book. It's all excerpts from diaries, telegraphs, articles from newspapers, etc. And I guess that the jumping around doesn't agree with me.
I was worried in starting it that it was going to be a long, drawn out lead in to the flesh of the book. Boy was I WRONG. I think the first chapter that takes place in Dracula's castle was the best part, your introduction to the monster that is vampire and it really was kind of freaky and disturbing. So I was set up to really enjoy the remainder of it, but then was a little let down. I felt it went in fits and starts.. I'd be interested for a few pages and then suddenly would have to force myself through the text and not allow myself to skim for others.
I guess when you sit down to read the classics you have an image of what they're going to be like in your head, and this one let me down. Maybe it's something to be said for the desensitization of our society and the fact that things that scared us years ago don't anymore, but I didn't feel the horror and the intrigue that is typically described when people talk about Dracula.
A Touch of Dead - Charlaine Harris
So, this is a collection of short stories that star Sookie Stackhouse, the heroine of the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris. And if you're not a fan of the series, I wont recommend this book. But if you ARE a fan of the books or the series True Blood, then of course you should read it! I bombed through this book in no time and it was a nice pick me up after Dracula.
If you're not aware of the series, here's a quick breakdown. Sookie Stackhouse is a pretty young waitress in a small southern town and she just happens to be a telepath. She becomes the go-to girl for vampires and many other supernatural folks in her area. These are cheap, sexy little mysteries and absolutely the literary equivalent of junk food. And this book of short stories is just a little snack that will hold you over until the next book comes out (MAY 2011!!!!!!!! OMGYAY!!!!!) But don't read it and expect to enjoy it if you haven't read the novels, mmmkay?
To Kill a Mocking Bird - Harper Lee
This is the first book I read on my phone, and I've been reading it little bit by little bit for a few months. I read it in 10th grade and I loved it as much the second time as I did the first.
Set in Depression-era Alabama, this is the story of the trials and tribulations around the Finch family. There's a trial for rape, an attempted murder, the shooting of a rabid dog and race relations laced throughout.
I love, love, love this book. It's sweet and sad and short and long and just a great read for many different reasons.
****
Book Count: 25/50
