Welcome to Litsy!

I know I‘ve already posted my #HauntedShelf TBR but today I thought it was a good idea to put it all on one slide. So here we go. Revamped TBR post.

@BookwormAHN #BlackCatCrew

This one‘s hard to review because some of the short stories I really enjoyed, and some had me very bored. In general, I like sci-fi that reads more like fantasy, and am less drawn to “hard sci-fi” that gets in the weeds with theoretical and technological descriptions of the science. Many of the stories in this collection felt like they were written by different people because of how much the styles varied.

Should I have read this before I read the series? Nah, it was much more fun and definitely sad to read it after the series. Since I know what happens to Stormy but Odd does not yet, it's sad in that way. In this very short story, Odd and Stormy are heading to a carnival but are detoured by a recently murdered ghost which they must investigate. This was a wonderful story and makes me miss Odd so much!

It was shades of duMaurier/Hitchcock at the mall food court today when this bird first stalked us while my friend was waiting for her pretzel order then followed us to our table where it bided its time until flying at my friend and attempting to steal her pretzel. The bird did not get the pretzel, but neither did my friend choose to continue eating. This is the bird perched on the back of my chair, moments before making its move.

Another Faber story I picked up here in Prague. A perfect size for a purse novella.

Unfortunately this one didn't work as well for me as the Ishiguro of yesterday. We are following Sukie as she goes to visit her ailing father in Dublin, she is circling Nathan who is in love with her, but much older and keeping her at a distance. Compared to Rooney's other work I found the writing a bit weak and even for a short the plot non-existent.

Put this on your list for a perfect October read. It‘s a short story that says a lot in just a few pages. When a visitor brings a cursed monkey‘s paw back from his travels and claims it will grant the owner three wishes, he also warns them not to use it. Ray Bradbury cites this as the inspiration for one of his stories in The Martian Chronicles. I‘ll be thinking about this one for a long time.

There was a total eclipse last night with a blood moon. I couldn‘t see it from where I am but found this gorgeous picture on the internet. The Eiffel Tower is a bit more picturesque than where I am anyway 😆.

la terre, la lune et
le soleil en harmonie —
la lune de sang. 🌖

earth, moon and
sun in harmony —
the blood moon.

#haikuhive #haikuaday #poetry #frenchhaiku #bloodmoon #paris #eiffeltower

#haikuaday #haikuhive

No other short story has ever shocked me more than this one.

Sunny, summer day.
Tess draws the black-spotted slip
as stones are gathered.

My national Read a Book Day/caturday afternoon while kiddo is at dance rehearsal (did I tell you she gets to be Clara‘s friend in the Nutcracker this year, and one of the polichinelles who dance on pointe? She‘s over the moon excited about both). Hubby tried to get my tire replaced, but the shop was unexpectedly closed, so still no tire for me. Otherwise a good day so far.

Oh, and this story is chillingly, darkly good. Recommend.

A selection of short stories, fairly typical to Steinbeck‘s style but seemingly lack purpose, any depth or greater exploration. Thinking back to last week when I read it I only remember two of the stories. The story of a lynching in 1930s America was confronting, and he captured a moment well - yet reading it today one wants more condemnation or understanding. It‘s a curious piece. Not where I‘d start with Steinbeck but quick enough to give a go.