G is for Ghosts

My Favourite Things: Ghosts

I couldn't go past this letter without writing about one of my favourite things: Ghosts.  I have been fascinated by them since...well, forever.  While I have an addiction to books, I think I have a serious addiction to ANYTHING that contains ghosts in it, whether it happens to be movies or books.  With these posts, I'm sort of taking a trip down memory lane, and this one is no exception as certain movies are zinging around my brain right now as being ones that have certainly influenced my movie choices over the years.

Child of Glass is the story about a boy who moves into a spooky old Louisiana mansion that once belonged to a notorious pirate.  Catching sight of a little girl playing on his property, he discovers the girl is actually a Creole ghost from the 19th century who is seeking is help finding a child of glass.  With many adventures, they eventually solve the mystery.  I remember this one so clearly as I believe it was my first brush with a ghost movie that was not a cartoon, and it wasn't in a book.  This opened up my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities.

L

Lady in White is another of those movies that really stood out in my mind as it developed a life-long love for those boarding-type horror/ghost stories that I just adore today.  This one is quite different though, as a young boy is locked into a cloakroom at night and witnesses the brutal attack of a young girl, then is attacked himself.  To his surprise, the young girl then asks for his help - she is searching for her mother and can't do it alone.  I remember how scared I was watching this movie, but also how intrigued I was by the possibilities of rendering someone scared and the techniques that were being used.  Loved it!

And who has ever forgotten Poltergeist and those lovely words, "They're back!"  Scared the --- out of me, if you really want to know the truth.  But I was fascinated as well, and drawn to the movie, I couldn't help myself.  Apparently they are making another movie in this series which will release in 2015.  And yes, I will definitely watch it.  At home, safe behind my pillows, where no one will see me embarrass myself if I have to cover my face and peek through my fingers. 





Today, I am an avid fan of all types of ghosts movies and books, although I do have to be in a certain mood to watch certain movies.  I am not one for what I call "slash and gash", but I do love the psychological thrillers that make me jump three feet out of my chair and keep me on the edge of my seat.  No Saw movies for me, but the scary ghost stories, bring 'em on!!

F is for Fantastical Fantasy

My Favourite Things: Fantastical Fantasy

I can still picture the moment when I truly discovered Fantasy novels for the first time.  It's not that I had not read Science-Fiction or books that would have fallen under the genre Fantasy before, but they would have been more mixed genre books and not what I would consider to be a truer form of fantasy, if that even exists today.  I think it's more a concept that exists in my stratosphere than in the publisher's as I tend to separate 'fantasy' novels into separate categories anyways, labeling some truer fantasy while others are relegated to approaching fantasy, as in containing fantastical elements but are not exactly what I consider fantasy.

Rambling aside, I had picked up this book at the airport, true nature being that I didn't want to read the books that I already had with me as that would be way too easy, and because I had taken too long to choose, actually chose two books quite by random.  Naturally, they would both be the first books in a series, and would be almost impossible to find in France, Germany, and Croatia, the main places I was heading for the entire summer. 

I discovered the world of Raymond E. Feist on the plane over to France, pretty much devoured Magician: Apprentice and truly knew what it felt to read what I consider a true fantasy book for the first time.  Sorcecy? Check. Swords? Check.  More magic? Check.  Other worlds? Check.  Elves? Check. Other races?  Check.  Mystery? Check.  Dragons? Check.  Goblins? Check.  Evil? Check. Dwarves? Check.  Young men discovering who they were?  Check.  Battles? Check. Romance? Check. You get the idea.  While it was great being in Europe for 10 weeks, I did check out quite a few bookstores to see if there was a remote possibility of picking up books two, three, and four as they had already been published by this time.  I was doomed to disappointment. 

I did manage to snag the next three books in the series, Magician: Master, Silverthorn, and A Darkness at Sethanon, as soon as I landed though and it didn't take me long to go through those either.  Luckily, Daughter of the Empire had just been published and I could attack that one too.  But now came the stumbling block that every avid reader must face many times in their reading career, THE STUMBLING BLOCK!!!!  What is that, you may ask?  There comes a point where you catch up to the author and he/she can't write any faster and now you have to WAIT!!  Wait, you say?  What?  Are you kidding me?  What's wrong with you?  You should be able to write 24 hours a day.  Don't you know your fans are waiting anxiously??  So, that left me with a conundrum.  What to read next? 

Luckily, the books just kind of landed in my lap literally at school one day due to a good friend who

thought I might like to try a new author, Guy Gavriel Kay.  Now, I discovered The Fionavar Tapestry, and I was hooked on this author too.  I have since read everything written by this author and look forward to any new work published by him.  Not always easy to read as characters have a way of dying, but in no way like The Game of Thrones where I don't know who to like anymore because all of my favourite characters keep getting killed off. This fantasy series was different from anything I had read before and it was incredibly satisfying at the end. 

A little aside, I had to say good-bye to the Riftwar Saga last year as Raymond E. Feist wrote his last book in the series, after twenty-five plus years, Magician's End, and it was definitely bittersweet.  I had followed the series, and all of his other books, for such a long time, and even though I wasn't as crazy over all the trilogies, my favourites being The Riftwar Saga, The Darkwar Saga, The Empire Trilogy, and The Chaoswar Saga, I still read them all and followed all the tribulations of Pub, Miranda, Magnus, and the heirs of the throne of Rillanon. I have to admit to a little tear as I finished the last book, not necessarily because the book was sad, but it was the end of a series I had read for such a long time and I was saddened by it.  That the conclusion was incredibly satisfying did help though.

Since then, I have read an incredible amount of fantasy and know there are series that are a lot better and a lot more complex and diverse, but these two hold a special place in my heart because they set me on the path to my love and discovery of this unique and fun genre.

E is for Eight Cousins

My Favourite Things: Eight Cousins

You are probably wondering, "What is this talking about?" Eight Cousins?  I have more cousins than that, so what is so important about cousins?  Actually, this isn't about my cousins, as that would probably not fit into this post, I would need a lot more space to tell that story, but this is about the book that hooked me onto classic literature.  Before I discovered the whole of science fiction and fantasy, but that is also for another blog post. 

I actually read this one at my memere's house one year simply because I could not settle down to any of the gothic mysteries she kept in the house; I guess I wasn't old enough to tackle those (that would come the following year), and was at a loss as to what to read.  I was going through a kind of slum where the books I brought

with me weren't doing it for me, and I was scrounging for something else to read.  Then I saw this tattered old book, Eight Cousins, where the cover was falling off, and I thought to myself, we don't treat books like this, I need to fix it.  So, off I went searching for glue and tape, and of course, as I was walking, I started to read the first page.  Couldn't help myself.  Next think I knew, I was curling up in my memere's swing, cozy as a hatchling, and NOTHING could entice me to leave my spot, not even the invitation to go cycling through some big (and I mean big) mud holes.  When I am turning down a chance to play in the mud, you know something's up. For those of you who are not familiar with Eight Cousins, this is the story of Rose Campbell, a shy young lady who goes to live in a household with her many aunts and many cousins.  The questions being pondered in this book surround the struggles of a wealthy young girl just trying to fit in with those around her, and then her struggles as she grows up.  It features some strong adult characters, even if the kids are a little too good to be believable at times. It's just a wholesome story in itself.  And the adventures the kids have are a lot of fun.

Naturally, I read it in one day, which led, I am ashamed to admit it now, to a kind of fit, as I needed to go to the nearest library NOW!!  Louisa May Alcott was my new hero, and as I so often do, when I find an author I like, I tend to read through the entire set of books before moving on to something else.  And this led to a whole new experience for me.  I discovered Little Women.  I had my first experience with how much a book can send you through the wringer and make you cry and then make you feel hopeful.  It was quite an emotional punch for such a young girl, but this was the book that made me realize exactly what a book can do to your emotions and how invested you can get in the characters.  I still get shivers when I think about poor Beth. 

To this day, I have the complete Louisa May Alcott collection on my shelf as well as Lucy Maud Montgomery and Laura Ingalls Wilder.  They are hidden away so they don't get ruined, but one day I will pull them out and give them to my daughter.  Maybe she will experience the love for books that I did, and develop a lifelong passion just because that right book landed on her lap at the right time.  Or maybe not, but at least I can try.  Cheers, everyone!!

D is for Death and Mayhem

My Favourite Things: Death and Mayhem

You are probably wondering, what is she talking about?  Death and mayhem?  Psychotic much?  Weird much?  Yes, on both counts, but only in the sense that one of my favourite genres to read is murder / mystery.  There is nothing that is more pleasurable to read than a good, old-fashioned murder mystery.  It definitely touches us on a deeper level than other novels, as situations in which the characters find themselves can delve on so many possibilities in life, and some of them are so evil we can hardly contemplate they exist.  We are attracted to them, but repulsed at the same time.  I know they often make me think about human nature, and how far a person will go when he/she becomes desperate, and I often shudder in reaction and think, "How is that possible that a human being can sink to such low levels?"  Even the best and most interesting of the murder mysteries can't answer that question, but we search anyways for the ultimate answer to the "Why?"

Exploring death, and the reasons behind death, can make us uncomfortable, and yet we sometimes seek that thrill, through books, because it is exciting.  And there is always that sense that the bad guy will get his due in the end, and I know I am shocked when things don't turn out the way I am hoping, expecting, and the bad guy walks free and clear.  There seems to be a miscarriage of justice, and we rant about it, upset, because reading is supposed to be a fantasy world where we see justice done.  But that just adds to the greatness of what mystery is all about, doesn't it?

Here are a few of my favourite mystery series.  It is impossible to list them all or you would be here all day, but these are authors I never miss, for a variety of reasons.

1. Anne Perry

Charlotte and Thomas Pitt have been part of my life for quite a while now, and I have just finished the latest book in the series, Death on Blackheath.  There is something about these books that I have enjoyed so much as there is no subject the author does not discuss in her books.  I am also quite fascinated with the descriptions of the Victorian Era. Following the footsteps of Thomas Pitt as he rose through the ranks of the police force, and is now the commander of Special Branch, has been a delight. 




2. Louise Penny

Canadian author Louise Penny is another of my favourite mystery authors and I have followed the career of Armand Gamache with bated breath through the many novels featuring him and his colleagues.  They are tightly woven, brilliantly written, and tear at your emotions.  I often have to take a deep breath when beginning one of her novels, but I know the emotional journey is worthwhile.  I can't wait until book #10 comes out, The Long Way Home, and continues the adventures of Gamache.  Books 7, 8, and 9 (How the Light Gets In) put me through an emotional wringer, but book 9 was deeply satisfying and I am curious as to what will happen next. I do recommend that you read this series in order however, as events will make much more sense if you do. Absolutely love this author!!!

3.  Agatha Christie

This book was my introduction to Agatha Christie I can't even remember how many years ago.  I then went into a phase where I read every single one of her her books featuring the amazing Hercule Poirot, then devoured the Miss Marple mysteries.  She came to define murder mystery for me.  I just introduced her to my son, and he loves her books.  They are definitely timeless.  One of my bucket list items is to ride the Orient Express one day, but hopefully with less drama than the one in the book.






 4. Peter Robinson

This series, featuring Inspector Banks, is another favourite of mine.  Written by an author who resides in both England and Canada, he has won numerous awards for his work and for his gritty crime fiction.  The books are best read in order as they make more sense, but some could be read as stand-alones, if you wish.  I like them as I never know exactly what will happen, and I tend to like Banks gruff exterior.  He is a man who will do what it takes to see justice done, and I always wonder what he will do next in the next novel.  Interesting reading!




5. C.J. Sansom

If you like historical mystery, then these books are for you.  With a wonderful setting during the time of Henry VIII and all of the political upheavals and intrigues of that time,  our hero, Matthew Shardlake, has to manoeuver some dangerous waters as he searches for the truth to various crimes, both political and domestic.  These novels are in-depth and well-researched, and I have been fascinated by the political machinations as well as the day-to-day conditions that people faced during this time period.

Another interesting novel by this author, completely different than the Matthew Shardlake series, is his Dominion.  It is an interesting take on what Great Britain would be like in the 1950s if Hitler had actually won World War II.  Fascinating book, and I highly recommend it.

I could go on and on about other murder mystery series that I adore, but I decided to limit it to five just to keep the post shorter.  Some other authors that I like are Elizabeth George, Elizabeth Peters, Dennis Lehane, Josephine Tey, Ellis Peters, Lee Child, Harlan Coben, Val McDermid, John Sandford, Michael Connelly, Karin Slaughter, Henning Mankell, Ian Rankin, Tana French, Jo Nesbo, Martha Grimes, Nelson DeMille, and the list goes on and on.  What are some of your favourites?

C is for Castles That Are Haunted

My Favourite Things: Castles That Are Haunted

One of my favourite things to do while traveling is to discover local legends and tales, especially haunted ones.  I am always on the lookout for those Haunted Tours that exist in many cities and have been on quite a few.  I used to do a feature on my blog called 'My Obssession with Castles' that focused on haunted castles and I've been thinking about starting it up again. Here are a few that I would like to visit when I am again in Europe next year.



1. Chillingham Castle, England

Chillingham Castle has the reputation of being one of the most haunted castles in England. Originally a monastery in the 12th century, King Edward I stayed there on his way to battle William Wallace, and was seen as a strategically important location.  The monastery officially became a castle in 1344 when the owners received a License to crenellate, which is a license to fortify, usually by adding battlements.  The castle grew and expanded during the next few centuries, and even included a visit by James I.  During World War II, the castle was stripped of many of its original wood decorations to use as fuel for the army stationed there.  Today, parts of the castle are open to the public, and even apartments can be rented for holiday outings.

For those of you interested in the haunting aspect of this castle, apparently the most famous ghost is a "blue boy' who announces his presence after a loud wail.  There is another ghost - John Sage - who was hung during the war with the Scots.  He can apparently be heard dragging bodies around the castle.  Renovation work a few years ago revealed two bodies, a man and a boy, bricked into a wall, although apparently the haunting continue to this day.  Ready for a night of fun and mayhem, anyone?

2. Moosham Castle, Austria

Moonsham Castle was first established in the 12th century and is most famous for its witch trials in the 17th century.  Thousands of people were imprisoned, tortured, and killed during these trials.  It is not known exactly how many people were involved but one of the methods of torture was to cut off the hands of the guilty and to brand them as witches, a mark they were to wear for the rest of their lives.  Many of the victims were beggars and homeless children, not just women.  There is one women who is particularly aggressive as a ghost and is said to try and haunt everyone who enters the castle. 

There is another legend attached to the castle though.  During the 19th century, many of the cattle and other animals had been viciously attacked and it was said the castle now harboured werewolves.  Naturally, many people who lived around the area were found to be guilty of being a werewolf and were put to death.

The castle today is known as the Witches Castle.

3. Dragsholm Castle, Denmark

Dragsholm is one of those castles that I featured in my blog feature "My Obsession with Castles" a number of years ago.  You can check the post HERE. 

Dragsholm is one of the oldest buildings in Denmark, being built during the 13th century.  After becoming a fortified castle, it eventually turned over to Crown land and became a prisoner, holding such notorious people as James Hepburn, the third husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. 

Although it is said to have over one hundred ghosts, the most famous of these are: James Hepburn, the 4th Earl of Bothwell; a grey lady, a woman who apparently worked at the hotel and couldn't leave it behind when she died; and a white lady, a woman who was murdered due to her illicit love affair with the owner's son. 

I think it might be fun to start the "My Obsession with Castles" feature again, although I may not do it weekly, just monthly.  I always enjoy taking a trip to my bucket list and dreaming about those places I would like to visit.  My obsession with ghosts began so long ago I can't even remember how it started, but I have been obsessed for so long and enjoy the thrill.  Could I last in one of these castles?  Absolutely!!!

B is for Books

My Favourite Things: Books

There is no way I could have done this challenge and avoided talking about books.  Books are one of my passions and my life would be incomplete without them.  Unfortunately, they have kind of invaded my life and my house and everyone room boasts several books, probably more.  My night table holds a precarious pile of books and I am in constant fear that if I so much as shake the table, they will go tumbling down and take everything else with them. 

I have developed this nasty habit of reading more than one book at a time, and usually have at least five on the go at once.  This I blame solely on my mother, whose reading habits I picked up at an early age.  While I did spend an inordinate amount of time outside as a child, I also had a nasty habit of staying up late reading in bed, a habit I have continued to this day. 

Two of my favourite places to go to, even today, are the bookstore and the library.  As a kid, I went to the library at least once per week to check out a pile of books and to spend time there.  I would also go to the bookstore whenever I could to see what had been released and then go find it in the library.  I find I am completely relaxed in these places and my mind goes into a kind of tunnel vision mode where I focus only on the books and relaxation.  Behold anyone who interrupts my musings in a bookstore or library as chances are I will probably walk right past you and not even know you were there!!! Don't take it personally though, as my life is so busy that I crave these moments of solitude.

When I was a kid, I remember signing up for book contests and winning most of them because I could read faster than most kids could.  I remember one librarian doubting the number of books I read one summer so she sat me down and drilled me on the content of every book I had listed.  I must have passed because she never said anything after the drilling session, just handed me my reward, tight-lipped as if she couldn't believe I had read all of them.  I think the biggest shock was when I had to relate the contents of Flowers in the Attic when I was ten years old and she couldn't believe my mom had let me read it.  Of course, I didn't understand a lot of what I had read until I re-read it several years later and did the "Oh, that's what that means" and "Oh my!" thing.  But my mom didn't believe in censoring, bless her, as it would have been hard to hold back a daughter who was a gifted reader, and I probably would have found a way to sneak the book anyways. 

Why do I like reading so much?  I don't really know, to be honest.  Oh, I could spout the usual things about educating the mind (which it does), increasing my vocabulary (absolutely), studies about

dementia and alzheimer's (reading delays the onset of these), gaining knowledge (absolutely - I wouldn't know what I do today without reading both fiction and non-fiction), transporting you to a whole new world (gotta love my sci-fi and fantasy for that), self-reflecting (don't always want to go down that path though), and containing important information.  I just know that I don't leave the house without a book in my purse; I don't travel without my e-reader and at least two hard copies just in case something happens to my e-reader; I get twitchy if I have to sit for a long period without something to do and don't have a book to read; and, adore rainy days because it means I can sit inside and read all day.  I was secretly proud when my son got caught in school reading a book instead of doing math even though I did the big mean mom thing and talked to him about the school rules, but I was thinking he was the proud apple from the tree, you know? 

So basically, I like reading because it's part of my genetic code and it comes as naturally as breathing to me.  It's more than just transporting me to another world or into other peoples' lives, it's about the journey.  I read because I can!!!

A to Z Challenge: Begins Tomorrow

The next A to Z Challenge begins tomorrow!!!!

Check out the participant list if you are interested in joining.

My theme will be MY FAVOURITE THINGS!!!

The purpose of this challenge is to write 26 blog posts during the month of April, with Sunday off to rest and to prepare for the upcoming week.  You can either come up with a theme or you can just write random posts that begin each day with the letter of the alphabet that is indicated.  Tomorrow we start with the letter A, Wednesday is the letter B, and so on.  It should be a lot of fun, although I am questioning the wisdom of doing such a challenge during one of my busiest work months of the year.  Where was my head?  I know I love challenges, so I must have been really looking forward to a big one.