All Hallows' Read

All you have to do to take part in All Hallows' Read is simply give someone a scary book to read on Halloween. That's all, it is that simple.

Here are some suggestions:

For the reader who enjoys the Classics most of all I recommend Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu. Carmilla undoubtedly inspired Bram Stoker when he wrote the most famous vampire novel of all time but before Dracula there was Carmilla. It's a fairly quick read at only about 120 pages but it is a very worthwhile one. I am a big fan of Dracula but even I must admit Carmilla is the better of the two.

For the littlest monsters in the house I recommend Room On The Broom by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Not very scary I know but let's face it who wants to put a terrified toddler to bed after the madness of Halloween. We would much rather put our feet up and read our own All Hallows' Read.

For the older children I recommend The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I'm a big fan of this book and like to recommend this to everyone. It's a delightful tale about a boy whose parents are murdered by The Man Jack but the boy only a baby at the time manages to escape to the nearby graveyard where he is taken in and looked after by the ghosts and ghouls in the Graveyard.

For the wimps I recommend The Paupers Graveyard by Gemma Mawdley. It's not overly scary but a very enjoyable read nonetheless. Its about a housing estate built on a graveyard where famine victims are buried. 

Fans of historical fiction may enjoy The Mistletoe Bride & Other Haunting Tales by Kate Mosse. It's a really enjoyable collection of short stories some set in the familiar setting of Kate's own Languedoc series so for fans of that particular series it's a must. Also you can dip in and out reading a story here and there at your own leisure. I enjoyed it and plan to re-read it over the weekend.

If your looking for something a bit quirky I highly recommend Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. The story is told through a combination of narrative and creepy old photographs that the author and other collectors he became acquainted with while collecting collected. That's a mouthful I know but basically he collects creepy photos and met people with similar interests. He was going to publish a book with just the creepy photos inside but a publisher suggested it would be better if he created a story for the photos and so Miss Peregrines Home For Peculiar Children was born.  It is also being turned into a Movie starring Eva Green (Penny Dreadful, Casino Royal, Dark Shadows) and Asa Butterfield (Hugo, Enders Game & The Boy In The Striped Pyjama's). The movie is to be directed by Tim Burton and the screenplay is to be written by Jane Goldman (Kick-Ass, X-Men:First Class) and the books author. It should hopefully be hitting our screens in early 2016.

If all else fails you can't go wrong with Stephen King. Most of his books are guaranteed to scare the bejesus out of you. I myself recommend Carrie as it always manages to scare the crap out of me no matter how many times I've read it or seen the movie version starring Sissy Spacek.

For more suggestion's why not head on over to 

www.allhallowsread.com

Whatever you choose to do this Halloween please give a scary book to someone as part of #AllHallowsRead and use the opportunity to support your local bookseller in the process because the world would be a very scary place indeed without bookshops.

Oiche Samhna Shona Duit!!!!!

The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner

The Dead Men Stood Together by Chris Priestley (Bloomsbury)

The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner is a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and has inspired many a writer since it was published in 1798. Including Mary Shelly, M.R James, Edgar Allan Poe & Herman Melville.  The poem was so well known and so beloved that it morphed into a sort of myth or superstition. Sea faring folk are probably amount the most superstitious alive in my experience. Well them and the Irish Mammy.

For those unfamiliar with Coleridge's famous poem it is about a mariner who returns from sea after a long and arduous voyage. He stops a man on his way to a wedding and recounts his tale to him. At first the man is impatient, frustrated even wanting to get away but his feelings soon turn to fear and fascination as the story unfolds. It really is a beautifully written piece.

I don't want to give too much away but Chris Priestley's book contains all the details from the poem that make it so captivating and so beloved. This tale however is told from the point of view of the Mariners nephew which I felt was a lovely touch. Everything from the Albatross to the pilots son can be found within.

I like this book it did however drag on a little About midway through but was still interesting enough to make me want to continue on reading. Even if you have never read Coleridge's poem you will still enjoy The Dead Men Stood Together. Not overly creepy but then it is written with a younger audience in mind. That being said it would make a decent Halloween read. Maybe keep it in mind if your taking part in this years #AllHallowsRead.

All Hallows Read is basically a worldwide event where by you are encouraged to give a scary book to a friend to read. There will hopefully be a post up tomorrow with more on this.

Anyway until next time happy reading 😁


www.chrispriestleybooks.com

www.bloomsbury.com

Review of the Gift Of Charms & Short Interview with its Author Julia Suzuki

Yoshiko's first day at school doesn't exactly go well. I guess first days can be just as hard for Dragons as they can be for humans.

The Land Of Dragor is an adventure quest series about the challenges between Dragons, Humans and the evil Dragsaurs(half dragon, half dinosaurs). The Gift Of Charms is the first book in the series.

Yoshiko is born from a strange egg. Usually dragons from strange eggs are seen to be cursed and are taken away in black baskets before they can do any harm. Yoshiko's father manages to persuade the dragon who comes for him to leave him be.

When Yoskio goes to school he feels a bit useless. He is brave and on the first day tries to breath fire with the other Dragons but he fails and as a result earns a tormentor in Igorr and his clan mates. Life for Yoshiko becomes even more complicated when he finds himself changing colour. He tries desperately to keep this newly acquired ability a secret as he desperately tries to fit in.

Everything changes when Yoshiko meets Guya a reclusive elder that lives alone in the mountain. Guya is a well of knowledge and he is the only Dragon who can help Yoshiko with his Special ability. If Yoshikos can pass Guya's trials he will help him but the tasks are not at all easy and Yoshiko will need to work very hard and be very brave indeed if he wishes to pass.

Julia very kindly offered me a digital copy of The Gift Of Charms for review. I started reading and found myself unable to stop until I had finished and so the book was read in one sitting. My only complaint was that it ended as I would have gladly sat all day reading. Needless to say I can't praise this book highly enough. I loved it so much that it prompted me to ask Julia for a short interview she kindly accepted and you will find it below. I look forward to reading more from The Land Of Dragor Series.

Julia Suzuki is represented by literary agency Darley Anderson, her novel is available here and is published by John Blake Publishing, Dino Imprint.

You can follow her on Twitter @JuliaSuzuki_uk

 Interview with Julia Suzuki for http://booksareproofthatmagicexists.blogspot.ie

Hi, Julia. Firstly I want to say Thank You for the opportunity to Read & Review The Gift Of Charms. It was unputdownable and I enjoyed it so much I finished it in one sitting.

Thank you for the invite Jenny 

Where did you get your inspiration for The Land Of Dragor Series and did you do much research into Dragon Mythology?

I have travelled and widely and thus the inspiration for 'The Land of Dragor' came from the many places I have visited; particularly America where I spent a lot of time in my former career (when I worked in the resorts industry) . It was certain places and my own love for adventure that inspired me.

 I have not done much personal research into dragon mythology. It was my own imagination and beliefs that  created the characters...

How did you come up with your Dragon names?

There is a Polish saying that when translated means 'the first one for the book'. I think it actually applies to things generally -- like if a person makes a derogative comment and then tries to take it back -- but for me specifically it applies to my naming of characters. The first name that came to mind for my characters was the one I used and I found the character names came easily.

Your Dragon children read the same as a human child would it's very unique and I don't think I have ever read anything quiet like it before. What made you want to write them that way?

I just felt dragons would be clever creatures -- as clever as humans. I saw them that way in my mind and it felt right :)

What advice would you give any young writers out there on how they too can create a magical story like The City Of Charms?

My advice to any 'would be' author is to follow your genuine passion in the subject you write about, as your work will then show passion and appear genuine. Also it is important to read as broadly as possible to  learn from the different tones that authors use.

What book are you currently reading?

I am reading Martina Cole's latest thriller 'Revenge'. It is very hard hitting about an over  protective Father who is in the mafia.

When can we expect the next instalment in The Land Of Dragor Series?

The second book is complete and scheduled for release next year! Date to be announced.

Well thank you very much for the opportunity to interview you Julia. I love that your book is just as enjoyable to read as an adult as it is for a child. I feel that's the mark of a great book. I wish you all the best and I can't wait to read more. 

Thank you Jenny. All the very best with your blog and best wishes to your blog followers and associates. Julia

The Sleeper & The Spindle by Neil Gaiman Illustrated by Chris Ridell

This book has been on my wish list since I found out it was coming into existence. Not just because of the Author or the Illustrator but because it's a fairytale with a twist. I absolutely love fairy tales not the cleaned up censored versions we read to our children today, I'm talking about the original stories the ones where happy endings aren't necessarily par for the course. The ones with more sinister undertones. For instance Disney's The Little Mermaid as we all know was inspired by Hans Christian Anderson's story. Except had Walt's Studios followed the story to the letter it would have been almost an entirely different movie and maybe not one parents would have flocked to Cinema's to bring their little darlings to see. In the original story Marina The Little Mermaid drinks a potion in order to be with her prince she experiences excruciating pain with every step she takes. The Prince however chooses to marry another. Her sisters give up their long hair to the Sea Witch in exchange for a dagger. Marina must kill the prince and drip his blood on her feet if she wants to return to sea and live as a mermaid once more. She cannot bring herself to do it and throws herself into the sea dissolving into a foam. You can see why Disney changed it. I don't think that ending would have sold as many tickets. I also remember being very shocked when I bought my daughter Little Red Riding Hood to read about 6 years or so ago in the newer version at the end the wolf escapes and the granny wasn't eaten at all she was under the bed. When I was little the granny was eaten by the wolf and the huntsmen split the wolfs belly open with his axe and out she popped they then filled the creatures belly with stones and threw him in the river. Big difference from when I was a child. Getting back to the book.

The Sleeper & The Spindle is a beautiful book to behold. Chris Riddell's illustrations in Black, White & Gold are just mesmerising. The story itself is very well done. It's like a mash-up between Snow White & Sleeping Beauty with a dark twist thrown in for good measure and is a very enjoyable read. It is suitable for both Adults & Children so not overly scary (depending on the child of course). I was lucky enough to win a copy from Hooked On Books last week and my copy arrived yesterday. I wanted to take my time reading it as it is a very beautiful book and I wanted to drink in all the wonderful details. That being said I still had it read in a half an hour even while going at it at a snails pace. So it is quite short about 70 pages. I really enjoyed it and was left wanting more. The protagonist in this case is female which really appealed to me as I'm a little tired of the Prince always getting to have all the adventures. I would like to warn that this is not a love story the only princes present in this story are dead or simply not involved. If however you like reading of Dwarves, Wolves, Warrior Women and Strange Curses then this is the book for you. I certainly did and I hope to read much more similar tales in future. It's a thumbs up from me.

The Sleeper & The Spindle is out on the 23rd of October 2014 and is published by Bloomsbury.

How To Build A Girl by Caitlin Moran

I wanted so badly to love this book. To devour it whole and give a glowing review because I really like Caitlin Moran's personality, her style, attitude and ideals. Well, I didn't hate the book but if I'm completely honest I didn't love it and probably only just about liked it. Don't get me wrong the writing was good it was really witty and clever and truthful but the book just wasn't entertaining.

How to Build a Girl is to put it simply a coming of age story. It's a bit more raw than most and probably could be considered a cautionary tale about what not to do when your trying to build yourself.

Johanna Morgan is a sexually charged adolescent hormonal teen from middle working class Woverhamton. Her family are scraping by on benefits and she accidentally divulges information on it to an elderly nieghbour who isn't too impressed that her family are claiming assistance. Terrified that a brown envelope with a letter spelling out the families doom could drop through the letter box anyday. Johanna now sick with worry looks for a way to bring in some money to save her family from the poor house in the event a letter does arrive. She tries a mix of things but is sucessful when she enters a poetry contest and wins. The £250 doesn't go very far but she is to go on TV and read her poem. She's a bit chubby, very witty, creative, bookish and socially awkward. After a 'ground please swallow me up' type of embarrassing moment on local TV Johanna decides to re-invent herself as Dotty Wilde a nod to Oscar Wildes niece Dorothy who was a very witty conversationalist, infamous lesbian and talented writer/story teller who also had a heroine addiction.

So Johanna now Dotty manages to land herself a job as a journalist at a top London based music magazine and much to the chagrin of her mother leaves school to follow her dreams. This all takes place in the 90's when you could actually blag a job by lying about your age, references etc...before all our personal information was but a click away. Let's put it into context Johanna writes her first articles on a commador 64. Need I say anymore?

I could identify with Johanna and maybe that's why I found it so hard to read or maybe I just wasn't in the right headspace but really I think it was a little to close to home for me. I do however think that it's worth reading preferably when you are a teenage girl so you can avoid making the mistakes many of us do while we are trying to build ourselves. Reading it afterwards may make you want curl up into the fetal position rock back and forth and wish for a do-over. Ok maybe that's a little dramatic but it won't make you feel good.

The opening pages are great but the first half of the book drags on a bit and probably could have done with a bigger edit. The second half is much better but you may get a bit bored as I did on the way to it.

How To Build A Girl did make me want to read more about Dorothy Wilde so it wasn't all bad it just wasn't all that enjoyable but then maybe it's not the type of book that longs to bring you comfort but rather teach you a lesson. Anyway decide for yourself.