WhaleSnark Reads: Books about Ghosties
Hey Everybody!
I've been reading a lot of ghost stories lately, and not just because Halloween is the best holiday.
Ghosts fascinate many of us because they are something that not everybody agrees are real, but they give us chills none the less. Ghosts aren't always scary, and they aren't always something tangible. Ghosts can be the past, a feeling, or an idea. That's what makes me really excited about them, and horror in general.
Here are a few books about ghosts I've been reading.
Ghostlight by Sonia Gensler
This a good book. Here's the synopsis from Goodreads:
Avery is looking forward to another summer at Grandma’s farm, at least until her brother says he’s too old for “Kingdom,” the imaginary world they’d spent years creating. Lucky for her, there’s a new kid staying in the cottage down the road: a city boy with a famous dad, Julian’s more than a little full of himself, but he’s also a storyteller like Avery. So when he announces his plan to film a ghost story, Avery is eager to join in.
Unfortunately, Julian wants to film at Hilliard House, a looming, empty mansion that Grandma has absolutely forbidden her to enter. As terrified as Avery is of Grandma’s wrath, the allure of filmmaking is impossible to resist.
As the kids explore the secrets of Hilliard house, eerie things begin to happen, and the “imaginary” dangers in their movie threaten to become very real. Have Avery and Julian awakened a menacing presence? Can they turn back before they go too far?
This book talks about mental health issues, sibling rivalry and changing relationships between them, and cooperation.
It chronicles family history, family feuds, and makes your heart skip a beat.
Avery is looking forward to another summer at Grandma’s farm, at least until her brother says he’s too old for “Kingdom,” the imaginary world they’d spent years creating. Lucky for her, there’s a new kid staying in the cottage down the road: a city boy with a famous dad, Julian’s more than a little full of himself, but he’s also a storyteller like Avery. So when he announces his plan to film a ghost story, Avery is eager to join in.
Unfortunately, Julian wants to film at Hilliard House, a looming, empty mansion that Grandma has absolutely forbidden her to enter. As terrified as Avery is of Grandma’s wrath, the allure of filmmaking is impossible to resist.
As the kids explore the secrets of Hilliard house, eerie things begin to happen, and the “imaginary” dangers in their movie threaten to become very real. Have Avery and Julian awakened a menacing presence? Can they turn back before they go too far?
This book talks about mental health issues, sibling rivalry and changing relationships between them, and cooperation.
It chronicles family history, family feuds, and makes your heart skip a beat.
The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright
This book has been around for a while! I am so glad to have discovered it now!
I was drawn to it because of this cover. It's super creepy.
This BOOK is super creepy too, so it's great!
The old cover is not one I would have wanted to pick up.
Would you pick this up? Those aren't even the right dolls for the story.
Here's the synopsis:
Twelve-year-old Amy is having difficulties at home being responsible for her brain-damaged sister, Louann. While visiting her Aunt Clare at the old family home, she discovers an eerily-haunted dollhouse in the attic-an exact replica of the family home. Whenever she sees it, the dolls, representing her relatives, have moved. Her aunt won't listen to Amy's claims that the dolls are trying to tell her something. This leads Amy to research old news reports where she discovers a family secret-the murder of her grandparents. The two sisters unravel the mystery. Amy grows to accept her sister and to understand that Louann is more capable than she had first thought.
So ANYWAY, I loved it. I want to read everything Betty Ren Wright has written. She has a great grasp on what is spooky, and how to tell a story. This book has a mystery in it, as is par for the course in spooky books.
Lovely. Classic. Check it out.
Twelve-year-old Amy is having difficulties at home being responsible for her brain-damaged sister, Louann. While visiting her Aunt Clare at the old family home, she discovers an eerily-haunted dollhouse in the attic-an exact replica of the family home. Whenever she sees it, the dolls, representing her relatives, have moved. Her aunt won't listen to Amy's claims that the dolls are trying to tell her something. This leads Amy to research old news reports where she discovers a family secret-the murder of her grandparents. The two sisters unravel the mystery. Amy grows to accept her sister and to understand that Louann is more capable than she had first thought.
So ANYWAY, I loved it. I want to read everything Betty Ren Wright has written. She has a great grasp on what is spooky, and how to tell a story. This book has a mystery in it, as is par for the course in spooky books.
Lovely. Classic. Check it out.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
This book acts in small ways, and suddenly, they accumulate and the book comes to a climax that is so odd, but so interesting. I just lent this book to a friend, and I hope they enjoy it, because I talked it up A LOT.
Synopsis:
Merricat Blackwood lives on the family estate with her sister Constance and her Uncle Julian. Not long ago there were seven Blackwoods—until a fatal dose of arsenic found its way into the sugar bowl one terrible night. Acquitted of the murders, Constance has returned home, where Merricat protects her from the curiosity and hostility of the villagers. Their days pass in happy isolation until cousin Charles appears. Only Merricat can see the danger, and she must act swiftly to keep Constance from his grasp.
Ya'll, if you haven't read this book, you need to. Even if you hate it, it's worth it. This is culture. This is a must-read.
I started this post a million years ago (November 2018) so I am sorry I am just finishing it now.
Ghost stories are SO COOL. I have read several since I started this post, and I'll include them in my next post!
The Shirley Jackson book was so good! And those others look terrifying! Especially the dollhouse murders. Walk away from the dollhouse, little blond girl! Run!
ReplyDelete