Book Review: The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

"She is Clarice Starling, young, vulnerable FBI trainee. He is Hannibal Lecter, brilliant, evil genius. There is a mesmerizing struggle between good and evil--designed to stop a killer, and guaranteed to chill your blood."

After finishing The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris, I don't understand the 4.20/5 rating it has on Goodreads - I think it should have 5/5. Not only was it well-written, but as I was reading I realized how close the movie actually is to the book. That made me excited to know that they kept it as close to the source material as possible because they knew how good it was.

Harris has a direct, but descriptive writing style that allowed him to grab my attention from the first few pages. He is able to tell a well-crafted story, but keep the prose simple enough that anyone could pick this up and enjoy it - even if reading isn't really their thing. 

From the cozy dormitories at the FBI Academy to the bellows of Buffalo Bill's basement, Harris easily places his reader as a careful observer to the action of the novel. But don't let that lull you into a false sense of security. While it might not be scary in the same way as a movie, Harris's writing will leave you covered in chills and wondering if that creak you heard was the house just shifting or someone coming to get you.

And it stems, unsurprisingly, from Hannibal Lecter. While Harris did not write many scenes with the Doctor, each one stands out and leaves the reader on edge. From his descriptions to the way that Lecter's dialogue cuts through the others in the scene, it is no surprise that he is one of the most prolific villains in literature.

As always when reading the book that is based on a movie, you have to be prepared for the differences. Unfortunately that usually also means coming to grips with the fact that after reading the book, the film will always be a little bit disappointing. That was also my experience with Silence of the Lambs, at least to some extent. 

Once I finished the book, the first thing I did was watch the movie on Netflix. And yes, like I mentioned before, they did a really good job at staying close to the book. However, there were some corners that they definitely cut in the film, some relationships that didn't get developed quite as well. 

Ultimately it was not enough to make me no longer like the movie as much, but I would highly suggest that you read it if you haven't and you love the film. You will really understand how perfect Sir Anthony Hopkins was as a casting choice for Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

TBR: Soul-Centered Astrology: A Key to Your Expanding Self by Alan Oken

Yet another TBR that I am diving into soon, I have to say I am probably the most excited about this one.

I know that being "into astrology" is a whole thing right now, but I can honestly say that I have been absolutely fascinated with astrology from a young age. My family, especially on my dad's side, has a very strong tie to astrology and I believe a few family members could be considered cosmic witches really. When I was born, my birth chart was already made up for me and there has always been talk about how my sun sign (Taurus) has an effect on my day-to-day.

That being said, I have always felt a call to astrology, but until now I haven't delved past the very basics. And I definitely haven't considered how I can try to apply astrology to my life on a wider scale.

I am hoping that I can change that by reading this book and getting a more in-depth knowledge. Described on Goodreads as "[f]rom the best selling author of Alan Oken's Complete Astrology, a dynamic new way to interpret the horoscope -- the first to reveal the soul's path to inner enlightenment and outer fulfillment", I can't wait to explore astrology more.

Are you into astrology at all? What are your must-reads? 

Also, what are your Big Three?

I'm a Taurus Sun, a Virgo Moon, and a Leo Rising!

TBR: "The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris

"She is Clarice Starling, young, vulnerable FBI trainee. He is Hannibal Lecter, brilliant, evil genius. There is a mesmerizing struggle between good and evil--designed to stop a killer, and guaranteed to chill your blood."

So reads the back cover of the next book on my To Be Read list The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris.

I could not be more excited to finally dive into this classic 1988 horror/thriller novel. Like most millennials, my introduction to Silence of the Lambs came from seeing the 1991 film of the same title, starring Jodie Foster and Sir Anthony Hopkins, when I was 13 or 14. And like most 13-year-olds who watched the film, I loved it. It was dark and creepy, and so very 90's - that green coat Clarice wears the whole time is iconic.

Aside from enjoying the movie when I was younger, my love for true crime has recently been rekindled, so of course when I found this at my favorite indie bookstore downtown, I had to add it to my collection.

Overall, The Silence of the Lambs has 4.17  out of 5 stars according to the novel's Goodreads page and a lot of the people on my friends list were not afraid to rate it 5 out of 5. That has me incredibly excited that the novel lives up to the expectations that the movie has set in my mind - however, I am equally excited to see the differences and enjoy it in word form.

Have you read The Silence of the Lambs before, or seen the movie? Did you love it? Hate it?

Let's chat about it!

Currently Reading: Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

My current read for the beginning of October is Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice. It is probably one of the most well-known vampire novels of contemporary times, but just in case you haven't heard of it, here is an excerpt from the synopsis from Goodreads:

"This is the story of Louis, as told in his own words, of his journey through mortal and immortal life. Louis recounts how he became a vampire at the hands of the radiant and sinister Lestat and how he became indoctrinated, unwillingly, into the vampire way of life. His story ebbs and flows through the streets of New Orleans, defining crucial moments..."

Who doesn't love a good monster novel to get ready for Halloween and spooky season? I know I do, but this book is more than that to me. Interview with the Vampire was one of the first books that I can remember loving while I read it. It was one of the first that kept me totally absorbed from start for finish.

Aside from the story centering around vampires, I found the New Orleans setting intriguing. I had never read a novel before this one set there, so when I eventually got to visit the city as a teen, after having read this book, it made it that much better. Rice does a great job of describing the city, from the narrow winding streets to the buildings of the French Quarter.

Rice's writing style is another reason why I find myself coming back to this novel time and time again. Not only is she incredibly descriptive, but she can go between styles flawlessly. When the vampire Louis speaks, he truly sounds like something that has been around for centuries, as opposed to the boy in the novel who speaks like we do now. That level of attention to detail is a delight to read and I am not surprised so many people loved this novel when it first came out. 

Have you ever read Interview with the Vampire? Do you like vampire novels or do you think they are a bit overdone at this point?

Leave a comment with your current read!

The Ultimate Fall Reading List

It is finally my favorite season, so I thought that I would take a stab at creating my first reading list! I've gathered over a dozen reads that I think are great for Fall, ranging from some spooky favorites for Halloween to a few that just me those autumnal vibes.

Since a list of over a dozen can seem pretty intimidating, I have divided the list into some different sections: The Classics, Witchy Reads, Monsters, and Other. Also, in the interest of keeping this list as spoiler-free as possible, I am only going to describe the specific aspects of each book that say "Fall" the most to me.

The Classics

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

There's a certain kind of lonely vibe to this novel that fits with late fall.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Spooky moors, unrequited love. 'Nuff said.

The Works of Edgar Allan Poe

The King of Chilling Stories. Murder, ghosts, you name it.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

The Godfather of all vampire stories.

Witchy Reads

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

As soon as Harry has to go back to Hogwarts, I want to re-read the series. Halloween scenes and butter beer.

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

The best story about sister witches on the planet probably (also obsessed with the movie).

Sweep Vol. I by Cate Tiernan

The perfect coming-of-age witchy story, parts are predominately set in the Fall.

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

The three witches alone would make this a perfect Fall/Halloween read, but the other themes really tie into the season as well.

Monster

Dracula by Bram Stoker

You knew it had to show up here, too. It's way too much of a classic to not show up in this section too.

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

An absolute favorite of mine, one of the most popular modern telling of the vampire (unlike Practical Magic, this movie was terrible).

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

Where there are vampires, there are also werewolves. Though not as classically "scary" as some of the other popular monster novels, this one is still a thrilling read.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

There's absolutely no shame in my game. A fun, easy read with love and vampires.

Misc

Godblind by Anna Stephens

Dealing with magic, opposing forces, and gods, this is great for Fall. 

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Similar to other books on the list, while there isn't something about this one that screams Fall, it just has that autumnal vibe when you start reading.

What books are on your Fall reading list?

Book Review: A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Alright. Let's chat about A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

To put it simply, I LOVED this book (I know, so original - but I don't care!). Reading this book gave me that same excited feeling I got when I read my favorite fantasy series, The Belgariad by David Eddings. I just did not want to put the sucker down - I'm not sure how many nights I read well past my bedtime. I'm sure part of my love for the novel comes from my love of the HBO series based on the books, but I have to say that getting to experience the story in book form has been even better than the show.

Martin is able to grab the reader with his writing style in a way that I haven't been gripped by a book in a long time. He is descriptive without it feeling like he is spoon-feeding the reader and the switching perspectives from chapter to chapter keeps the story from getting stale while reading.

Ultimately, however, it is the incredible characters that have me coming back for more. They are complex, well-written, and most importantly - believable. Jon, for example, is a fourteen-year-old bastard son of a noble lord who has left everything he's even known to join The Night's Watch. 

Once he arrives at the Wall, he struggles with leaving behind the boy he used to be and embracing the man that he is trying to become. Through all of this, George R. R. Martin is able to tap into how a young boy that age would actually react in the same circumstances - it doesn't feel too over-the-top, just for effect dramatics. It feels real and genuine, and I love that as a reader. 

I have heard from some that the books go a little downhill after A Game of Thrones, but I am optimistic to keep reading!

Have you read A Game of Thrones or any of the other books in the series? What'd you think? 

Let's chat in the comments!

Currently Reading: A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Wow. I think I might actually be getting the hang of this whole blogging thing. *knocks on wood*

I have really been enjoying popping on and sharing my thoughts with you guys, so thank you for sticking around with me.

Let's chat about my current read: A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, the first novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series that inspired the hit HBO series "Game of Thrones."

I am a big fan of the HBO series, so when I finally found out that it was based on a series of books I was even more elated. Unfortunately, I was already pretty far into the show and didn't want to accidentally spoil anything for myself, so I put off reading the books until now that the show is officially over.

I am just under 200 pages in AND I AM LOVING IT!

I know part of my excitement has to be coming from how much I loved the show, but another part of it is at finally being able to imagine it all for myself. Plus, there are things in the books that never made it to the HBO series which is going to make this read-through like a treasure hunt almost! 

Now that I am reading the books, I definitely get the hype. I am a huge fan of the fantasy genre and A Game of Thrones fits the bill perfectly. There's believable world-building, strong characterization, and slightly flowery, descriptive language. 

I am also a huge fan of switching perspectives between chapters. It allows the reader to get a unique insight into each of the main characters' minds, but it also allows the author to tell more, even better stories within a single novel.

So far, I would have to say that my favorite chapters are the ones from Jon's perspective, but seeing as he is my favorite character from the HBO series, I'm not surprised.

Have you read A Game of Thrones or any of the other books in the A Song of Ice and Fire series? What did you think? Who was your favorite character?

Let's chat in the comments!

Book Review: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Let me start by saying that I did enjoy reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I just don't think that I enjoyed it as much as I felt like I should. Don't get me wrong: Hitchhiker's was witty and Douglas Adams is a seriously hysterical writer, it just felt like as soon as the story really warmed up and got going, it was over a few chapters later.

In case you are one of the few people who has not heard of this novel before, here is part of the synopsis on Goodreads: 

"Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor."

From that one sentence alone, who wouldn't want to read this book?

So is there something I am missing? Are there more books that come after this one that keep the story going that I am just totally oblivious to?

Because Adams is just fantastic to read. He has a singular gift for delivering sarcasm that is oh so delightfully British and it comes across in his characters so well. Not only are the characters witty, but they are realistically written and that makes it even better. 

For example the protagonist, Arthur Dent, is a human thrown into countless alien situations after he is saved moments before Earth's destruction. How does he respond? At times, he freaks out a bit. At others, he is hysterically sarcastic. It definitely made it easy for me to imagine how I would react in the same kinds of situations (but let's be real - I'd probably just cry the whole time). 

And it isn't just the human characters that are well written. Marvin, the constantly depressed and self-deprecating robot, goes around moaning about how miserable he is. Even Zaphod Beeblebrox, a two-headed humanoid and president of the galaxy, has moments that I found myself relating to him.

In all, I would recommend The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy to lovers of sci-fi and anyone looking for an easy, enjoyable read with some funny characters.

Have you read Hitchhiker's? What did you think - what did you like or not like?

Book Review: Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane

Wow. Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane is by far the best book I have read in a while now. Lehane is author of a dozen other novels including titles like Mystic River; Gone, Baby, Gone; and Shutter Island - all of which have been adapted into films.

While I haven't read his other novels, I definitely want to now. More importantly, however, I don't want to read more mystery/thriller novels - I need to read more mystery/thriller novels.

Like you would expect from a mystery novel, Since We Fell is absolutely packed with twists and turns (don't worry - I am a firm believer in spoiler-free reviews) that will leave you saying, "Just one more chapter" to yourself over and over again. The story follows Rachel Childs, a reporter in Boston, as she faces a myriad of life-changing challenges: searching for her father, navigating a rocky marriage, and battling her own anxiety and slight agoraphobia. But of course that isn't simple enough for Lehane. 

The plot rather quickly starts to get more complex and just when you think you have a handle on it all and think you know what is going to happen next, Lehane pulls the rug out from under you and does something totally unexpected. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I had to put the book down and blab incoherently to my ever-patient, non-reading boyfriend, after my mind blew up at a plot twist.

And that's not even my favorite thing about this novel. Lehane is simply a genius with words that it was a joy to read. His style would adapt to the scene; verbose if necessary, short and gritty in others. It added both a fluidity and a jarring quality to the novel that is perfect for a mystery/thriller. His descriptions were incredibly vivid without being too wordy. I have never been to Boston, but from his descriptions of the old buildings in Copely Square alone - it felt like I had been. His ability to describe action and characterization is nothing to shrug at either. 

If you are looking for a page-turner, I definitely recommend you check out Since We Fell and then be sure to let me know what you thought!

5/5

Book Review: Godblind by Anna Stephens

Wow. Simply put, Godblind by Anna Stephens is a whirlwind. The first in a trilogy and Stephens's debut novel, this adult, dark fantasy novel is packed full of everything that I love in a fantasy novel: gods and magic, struggling with destiny, and epic battles. But before I get too far ahead of myself, here's a summary of the book from Goodreads:

"The Mireces worship the bloodthirsty Red Gods. Exiled from Rilpor a thousand years ago, and left to suffer a harsh life in the cold mountains, a new Mireces king now plots an invasion of Rilpor’s thriving cities and fertile earth.

Dom Templeson is a Watcher, a civilian warrior guarding Rilpor’s border. He is also the most powerful seer in generations, plagued with visions and prophecies. His people are devoted followers of the god of light and life, but Dom harbours deep secrets, which threaten to be exposed when Rillirin, an escaped Mireces slave, stumbles broken and bleeding into his village.

Meanwhile, more and more of Rilpor’s most powerful figures are turning to the dark rituals and bloody sacrifices of the Red Gods, including the prince, who plots to wrest the throne from his dying father in the heart of the kingdom. Can Rillirin, with her inside knowledge of the Red Gods and her shocking ties to the Mireces King, help Rilpor win the coming war?"

Like I said, Godblind has everything on my list when it comes to a fantasy novel: some magical element/gods, struggles with destiny, and epic battles. I actually finished it in about a week which is the fastest I have finished a book in a very long time!

First, the classic man vs. god aspects of this novel drew me in from the beginning. I have always enjoyed stories where the Gods get more involved in the lives of the humans around them, like in some of the Greek myths. Stephens takes it a whole step further. I hate spoilers, so I won't give anything away.

Second, who doesn't love a story where some of the characters struggle and brood a bit? I know I definitely do. What makes it even better in Godblind? The characters actually react to situations they are in like normal people. As a reader, I find that approach refreshing.

Third, the battles in this novel left me feeling breathless. Stephens really goes above and beyond when writing her fight scenes. Each one is detailed, intricate, and full of gore; you can almost taste the blood and dirt in your mouth when you read. I also loved that there are also a bunch of badass female warriors in this novel!

While it had a lot of things I did enjoy, Godblind was not perfect. There were a few instances were I felt that certain relationships were a bit rushed and didn't feel as organic as I would have liked. 

And without giving anything away - I was totally thrown by the ending. It has been a day or two and I still don't know if I liked or hated the ending, so be prepared.

In all, I found Godblind to be a gripping, enjoyable read - if you can call a book about murder, a kingdom under siege, and such "enjoyable" - and I would highly recommend it to any fantasy lovers out there*.

7/10

*I will warn you, it is not a YA novel by any means. There is swearing, gory battles, and some explicit/graphic descriptions and possible triggers.

Currently Reading: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

The book is always better than the movie. Always. 

(Leave a comment if you have an example where the movie is better)

That being said, I always like to read the book before I see the movie version, so I had been putting off watching Ready Player One even though the movie looks really good! It just so happened that when my boyfriend and I went to Texas back in June, my best friend Liz was getting rid of some books - this one included!

If you didn't know, Ready Player One is a sci-fi novel from 2011 and the debut-novel of author Ernest Cline. Set in the not-so-distant future of the 2040s, we find ourselves in a dystopian version of our world where everyone's only escape is a virtual-realty program called the OASIS. Users log on with visors (not unlike VR gear we see already) and then they can go on quests, go to school, you name it. 

Aside from the similarities I see from reading, I really love the dorky protagonist, Wade Watts. Cline is able to perfectly capture Wade's dry sense of humor and wittiness. He actually reminds me of me when I was his age in a few ways because he's a nerdy high schooler and knows a lot of trivia about what he's obsessed with. In his case, that's 1980s pop culture. In my case, that's LOTR, Supernatural, and The Office knowledge.

I'm only a few chapters in, but I can tell I am going to really like this book, which is actually surprising. I've never been much of a sci-fi fan (except for Ender's Game), so to find one that I am really enjoying is such a treat. I can't wait to keep reading and then see the movie! 

Have you read or seen Ready Player One? What did you like about it?

Currently Reading: Behind the Beautiful Forevers and The Buddhist Way

So far this month it has been my goal to read three books. I finished reading Rainn Wilson's The Bassoon King (read my review here), so now I am working on completing the other two books for this month. I'll have to be totally honest, I don't think that I am going to make it, but this is the most I've read in a while.

The first book I am currently reading is Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo. It's a beautifully well-written piece of creative non-fiction dealing with the seedy underbelly of Mumbai in India. Each chapter follows the lives of a different person, usually people who are stuck living in one of the slums near the airport, and the changing perspectives keeps everything so interesting.

Boo is able to tackle challenging themes like religious differences, gender equality, and race in such subtle, yet meaningful ways. She really demonstrates that these things are ingrained into the culture of the people, so much so that it doesn't even really stand out to them that they are being treated poorly or differently.

The other book that I am reading is The Buddhist Way by Christmas (Last Name). While I don't have any interest in becoming a full-fledged buddhist myself (I don't think), I have always been interested in learning about different philosophies and religions.  The book itself is a little dense so far and reads like a textbook. However, I am hopeful that the more I get into it, the better it will get!

Any new books that you've started recently?

Review: The Bassoon King by Rainn Wilson

I've been on a bit of a non-fiction kick lately and this amazing memoir is what sparked all of it. I came upon The Bassoon King in Barnes and Noble a few months ago when my boyfriend needed to find a book for his younger brother. Of course I can't go into a bookstore without looking around for  a while. I eventually made my way toward the bargain book section and after a few minutes of scanning, I was ready to walk away. That's when I saw a familiar face on the cover of a book sitting on the floor.

For those of you who didn't automatically recognize the author, Rainn Wilson, on the cover, have you been living under a rock? Maybe once you see who the foreword is by, you'll get it. IT'S DWIGHT FREAKING SCHRUTE PEOPLE! My obsession for NBC's The Office goes real deep, so I probably would've purchased the book anyway, but the fact that I found it for $7? Score.

I will admit that I was a bit uncertain before reading. I am not normally a fan of non-fiction, but I was determined to give this a try. As soon as I started reading, I was hooked. Wilson's style of writing is honest, funny, and heartfelt to the point where the reader feels like a friend. He shines a light on some of the moments and the people in his life, and what he has to say isn't always positive, but he says it in such a frank way that no judgment is cast. I value that as a reader. I don't want to read a memoir and just hear the author go on some moral tirades about why the people in their lives have done them wrong or how bad they've had it just to overcome. 

The Bassoon King is definitely not that. Wilson talks about his life from everything including playing Dungeons and Dragons as a kid (I'm proud to admit, me too!) to having struggles with finding faith to becoming a father - and yes, he does talk about The Office and what it was like to work with John Krasinski. 

I really cannot emphasize enough how much I liked this book. It's all done in such a down-to-earth, captivating way that any love of Wilson's work is sure to love it.