Upcoming Posts - Changes

So much old literature is starting to bog me down.  I need something newer.  I'm starting to crave modern books!  So my master plan of not migrating to mid-twentieth century classics until 2015 has got to change.

I plan to start the new year with a few of the Gothic Romance novels I promised you, but then I'll jump right into early-mid 20th century books of literary merit.  I'm not saying there won't be a few modern genre fiction novels thrown in just to bug you, because it may happen.  Since that's what I write myself, I've got to stay current with what the public is reading.

Thank you for your support.

Coming Soon: H. Rider Haggard Months!

A tribute to the father of modern treasure hunting adventure stories!

H. Rider Haggard started an entire genre of books when he wrote King Solomon's Mines.  Late July and August, 2013, will be dedicated to reading as many of his books as I can squeeze in.  Here are some I will read.

• Allan Quatermain (1887)
• She (1887)
• Cleopatra (1889)
• Nada the Lily (1892)

I will also try to read these others, if I have the chance.

• The World's Desire (1890)
• Eric Brighteyes (1891)
• Montezuma's Daughter (1893)
• The People of the Mist (1894)

Grab a Can of Manly!

Okay men, listen up.  We're going to start having more manly books on this review site.  After reading Cranford I thought I was going to grow boobs.

So put on your mad faces.  That's right.  Now give me a GRRRRR!

Yes!  Let that testosterone flow.

Starting in April, we're going to read King Solomon's Mines.  You heard me right, maggots!  Allan Quatermain.  The original Indiana Jones.  Adventure, murder, travel through Africa, treasure, intrigue.  You got it!

A Word on Gothic Romances

We're not talking about goth kids and their weird vampire romance stuff.  That's not the definition of a Gothic Romance in literature.  No Buffy and Angel here.

Gothic Romance refers to a style of literature that arose in the 1700's and lasted until the early 1800's.  These works flourished in many parts of the western world, including England and Germany.  Black Forest mythos, for example, and medieval castles were popular subjects.

A Note on 19th Century Literature

One of the reasons we read older literature is to be plunged into a different world.  It's a world apart from our own, separated by a gulf we can't cross - that of time.

When I read Sherlock Holmes, I am IN Victorian London.  I'm walking the old streets, I can feel the heavy fog.  It's the same with Mark Twain.  I'm pulled into a time and place that is long gone, and it only exists in literature.

Confessions of a Lazy Reader

I'm going to be honest with you.  The main reason I read older classic novels is because I'm lazy.  It's true.  This will come as a surprise to those who know me and consider me a titan of industry, an energetic mass of effusion and movement, a mover and shaker in the world of literature and finance and espionage.

On Book Reviews

I know, I know, you think much of this has been done before.  The problem with most readers (and reviewers) of classics is that they have all these preconceived notions, and are likely to give high marks to a book just because it's a "classic".  Gimme a break.  Some of these are silly, the plots are preposterous, and the coincidences - my God, the coincidences! - are just completely over the top.