Actually, I'm going to throw out another answer that I'm more confident in - a sheep.

An herb?

(That's just a shot in the dark, and I'm most likely wrong. I just wanted you to know that I'm not ignoring the thread.)

Happy May, everyone! Warmer weather is coming, which is always welcome, and while COVID still lingers in places, it would appear that things are truly mending. It took me a bit to think of it, but I have some historical recommendations for you this time - some somber pieces set in 1600's Puritan New England. I apologize in advance if these are too depressing for you, but I believe they're still worth checking out.


Reading: The Scarlet Letter (1850) by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Often considered one of America's greatest works of fiction, this classic novel is often assigned in high school but may actually be deeply lost on students, as it's a significantly intelligent piece of prose with Gothic overtones and veins of social criticism. The story focuses on three central figures: Hester Prynne, condemned and ostracized by the village for the crime of adultery but resilient and introspective in her suffering; Arthur Dimmsdale, the minister torn inside by his secret guilt but too fearful of the crowd to confess his sins; and Roger Chillingworth, the old misshapen man with a secret history and a vendetta of vengeance. The interweaving of their lives together is a source of tragedy, revelations, and, quite possibly, forgiveness and absolution. What may escape high schoolers could resonate deeper with older audiences, so if you've put this book out of your mind, give it another read - you might be surprised what you find.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451531353?tag=randohouseinc16940-20
Trade 1: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143107666?tag=randohouseinc16940-20
Trade 2: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679783385?tag=randohouseinc16940-20
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X593C26?tag=randohouseinc16940-20



Viewing: The Witch (Robert Eggers, 2015)

This stylish debut film is a dark meditation on Puritan religious devotion and superstition, centered around a family which has been exiled from a village due to religious differences. Life in the harsh land is only increased by the local belief of a witch living in the neighboring woods; the mysterious abduction of the family's infant child is the first of a series of events that sends them spiraling into paranoia, hysteria, and death, as the rumors of witchcraft may be frighteningly true. Besides great cinematography and acting, what sets this movie apart is its significant attention to historical detail, with the script having been written by consulting documents of the time period to capture the cadences of Puritan language. It's definitely disturbing, but the care put into it sets it above what could have been a cheap ahistorical piece of schlock. It's a wonderful opening to what promises to be a magnificent career.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Witch-DVD-Digital-Anya-Taylor-Joy/dp/B01D2KFSS8/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2ZLFNEB6BHPG7&keywords=the+witch&qid=1651461128&sprefix=the+witch%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-4
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Blu-ray-Digital-HD/dp/B01D2KEVZO/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2ZLFNEB6BHPG7&keywords=the+witch&qid=1651461128&sprefix=the+witch%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-4
4K: https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Blu-ray-Ralph-Ineson/dp/6317699771/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2ZLFNEB6BHPG7&keywords=the+witch&qid=1651461128&sprefix=the+witch%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-4
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Anya-Taylor-Joy/dp/B01BT3SDQO/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZLFNEB6BHPG7&keywords=the+witch&qid=1651461128&sprefix=the+witch%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-1



So that's all for May. Again, I apologize if you found this too dark. Either way, I hope to have something much brighter next month. Enjoy the spring!

Happy April, everyone! Spring is here and Easter is coming. There's still a lot going on in the world, and I don't have an answer for it, but I'm not ready to give up yet. This month, I'm digging into the grim side of mystery with a Gothic novel from one of America's best writers and a noir from one of America's most eccentric directors. I hope you don't find this inappropriate - I'll admit that I don't have much else.

Reading: We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962) by Shirley Jackson

This was the final novel written by the esteemed author of The Haunting of Hill House before her untimely death from a heart condition, and some consider it her masterpiece. it's told from the perspective of 18-year-old antisocial Mary Katherine Blackwood, affectionately known as "Merricat", who lives with her sister and uncle in a secluded Vermont mansion, hated and feared by the townspeople for the mysterious conditions surrounding the deaths of the rest of her family; their stasis is disturbed by the arrival of a cousin whose motives may be less than altruistic. It's a brief novel, especially compared to Haunting, but it really may be Jackson's most intense work, featuring a complex protagonist with an askew view of the world.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Always-Castle-Penguin-Classics-Deluxe/dp/0143039970/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Z94EI34FE7CB&keywords=we+have+always+lived+in+the+castle+shirley+jackson&qid=1648928226&sprefix=we+have+always+lived%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1
Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Always-Lived-Castle-Penguin-Vitae/dp/0143134833/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/We-Have-Always-Lived-Castle-ebook/dp/B004SS1MH0/ref=monarch_sidesheet



Viewing: Touch of Evil (Orsen Welles, 1958)

Here is a movie with an interesting history, as it was initially held in low esteem by critics upon release but was later reappraised as one of Welles's best films in his catalog, as well as one of the finest film noirs of the era. A Mexican prosecutor (Charlton Heston) is implicated in the murder of two people via time bomb along the U.S.-Mexico border; he and his American wife (Janet Leigh) become further embroiled in danger when he begins to piece together that the aged police captain (Welles) has a long history of corruption due to planting evidence to acquire convictions. Originally edited conventionally due to creative differences with the studio that forces Welles off the project, the film was added to the National film Registry in 1993 and has since been given a makeover in 1998, following a memo from Welles outlining his original vision.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Touch-Evil-Widescreen-Orson-Welles/dp/6305999872/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1648928251&sr=8-3
Blu-Ray 1: https://www.amazon.com/Touch-Evil-Blu-ray-Orson-Welles/dp/B07G2D87JH/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3F0R0X4VBDFZ8&keywords=touch+of+evil&qid=1648928251&sprefix=touch+of+evil%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-3
Blu-Ray 2: https://www.amazon.com/Touch-Evil-Special-Orson-Welles/dp/B09NDYBFNY/ref=tmm_blu_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1648928251&sr=8-1
4K: https://www.amazon.com/Touch-Evil-4KUHD-Orson-Welles/dp/B09NDZSBXP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3F0R0X4VBDFZ8&keywords=touch+of+evil&qid=1648928251&sprefix=touch+of+evil%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Touch-Evil-Orson-Welles/dp/B0017122AM/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1648928251&sr=8-1


That's all for April. Have a Happy Easter, and I'll see you next month!

It's been so long that I had to look it up, but yes, it's a cat.

So the ball's in your court now.

March has begun and spring is around the corner, but it's also bleak days with a way going on in Europe and the ramifications slowly creeping over here. It seems weird to make recommendations now, but I don't want to break the flow, having done it for so long now. I apologize for the lateness, but I was debating on what to talk about this month. Well, I have something now - may it keep you as enthralled as it did me.

Reading: The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian (2003) by Robert E. Howard

After years of editorial interference and controversial rewriting, this book represents the first of three collections of the complete stories of sword-and-sorcery pioneer Howard's most famous character, presented as they were originally written. The thirteen tales within contain classics like Conan's debut, "The Phoenix on the Sword", and perennial favorites like "The Tower of the Elephant", "Queen of the Black Coast", "The Scarlet Citadel", and "Black Colossus", as well as miscellanea like original drafts and synopses of stories, notes on names and places, and the seminal essay "The Hyborian Age", which formed the background around which Howard wrote the chronology of his stories. Filled with swashbuckling action and terrifying mythologies, the adventures of Conan are far better that is led to believe from the glut of knockoffs and capitalizing on the brand name, being a mix of hardboiled prose and epic poetry. For those who have never experienced them, I recommend this book as important to understanding the development of the fantasy genre as a whole.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Conan-Cimmerian-Original-Adventures/dp/0345461517/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1646700851&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Conan-Cimmerian-Barbarian-Book-ebook/dp/B000FBJE24/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1646700851&sr=8-1



Viewing: Conan the Barbarian (John Milius, 1982)

This is the film that first gained Austrian actor/bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger worldwide fame, and though it's not very faithful to Howard's stories, it's important and enjoyable as a fantasy film in its own right, as well as being the initial spark of the "barbarian boom" of films in the 1980's (ultimately a mixed bag). After watching his tribe and family slaughtered by the cult of the sorcerer Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones), Conan rises from gladitorial slave combat to thievery, and when he and his companions are commissioned by an aged king to save his daughter from the same cult, the barbarian warrior is given the chance to exact his long-awaited vengeance. All in all, it's a competently made film from maverick director/screenwriter Milius and a significant boost in popularity for the classic character.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Conan-Barbarian-Arnold-Schwarzenegger/dp/0783241895/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1646700903&sr=1-7
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Conan-Barbarian-Blu-ray-Arnold-Schwarzenegger/dp/B00509KXYO/ref=sr_1_7?crid=Z6JV0I8JHXD9&keywords=conan+the+barbarian&qid=1646700903&s=movies-tv&sprefix=conan+the+barbarian%2Cmovies-tv%2C106&sr=1-7
Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Conan-Barbarian-Arnold-Schwarzenegger/dp/B009CG248Y/ref=sr_1_3?crid=Z6JV0I8JHXD9&keywords=conan+the+barbarian&qid=1646700875&s=movies-tv&sprefix=conan+the+barbarian%2Cmovies-tv%2C106&sr=1-3


That's all for this month. I sincerely hope we have more to celebrate next time.

Well, winter is well underway now, and as I write this, snowstorms are rolling into Michigan. But it could be worse. Happy February, everyone! I'll admit that I haven't been doing a lot of steady reading because, on one hand, I managed to get my hands on a Nintendo Switch OLED and I'm REALLY enjoying it (though I'm trying to balance myself out and not get obsessed with it). Still, I have something for you this month - I hope you enjoy it.

Reading: The Face in the Frost (1969) by John Bellairs

Regarded by writer-editor Lin Carter as one of the three best fantasy novels written since The Lord of the Rings, this offbeat tale is a mix of horror and comedy from an author best known for his Gothic fantasy-mysteries geared towards young adults. It follows two cantankerous wizards, Prospero and Roger Bacon (not the ones you're thinking of), as they must trace the whereabouts of a mysterious book that may have fallen into the hands of one of Prospero's past rivals and which is being used for macabre ends.  Another point worth making is that Gary Gygax recommended the novel as an inspiration for the creation of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons's magic system.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Face-Frost-John-Bellairs/dp/1497642418/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8EUDI00E2A71&keywords=the+face+in+the+frost&qid=1643771547&sprefix=the+face+in%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Face-Frost-John-Bellairs-ebook/dp/B00J84L45E/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1643771547&sr=8-1



Viewing: The Flight of Dragons (Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, 1982)

Released direct to video in 1982 and loosely based on both a novel by George R. Dickson (The Dragon and the George) and a speculative natural history book by Peter Dickinson (The Flight of Dragons), this animated film from the legendary production company Rankin-Bass is a rumination on the clash of magic and science, in which a young scientist from the 20th century is recruited by an old wizard from the past to lead a party of adventurers to the realm of a dark sorcerer intent on using his powers to influence mankind to use their sciences for mutual destruction; before setting out however, problems arise when a mishap causes the scientist and a dragon to fuse together, after which he must learn how dragons - and the magic world at large - function. Featuring celebrity voices such as the late Jason Ritter, Harry Morgan, and James Earl Jones, it's a bit of warm nostalgia that managed to earn both a DVD release in 2009 as well as a Blu Ray edition in 2018 and is well regarded by many fans.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Flight-Dragons-Victor-Buono/dp/B002VA5A0C/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2QXD7C1G6PODV&keywords=the+flight+of+dragons&qid=1643771582&sprefix=the+flight+of+dragons%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-2
Blu Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Flight-Dragons-Blu-ray-John-Ritter/dp/B078J5LL36/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1643771582&sr=8-2
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Flight-Dragons-John-Ritter/dp/B00KW26VCW/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1643771582&sr=8-2


So that's all I got for now. Until then, stay safe and mind the snow!

Happy New Year, everyone! And I apologize in advance for being late - I let myself be distracted. Well, I don't know how this year is going to turn out, but we might as well make the best of it. After some deliberation, I've found some recommendations for this month; some will be familiar, but there's nothing wrong with retreading fertile ground. So I hope this is a good start to get you through the winter.

Reading: The Summer Tree (1984) by Guy Gavriel Kay

Being the first part of the trilogy The Fionavar Tapestry - the "Canadian Lord of the Rings", if you will - this is the debut novel of an author who has become well established in the fantasy community for turning out critically acclaimed works that parallel certain periods of history, while this series in particular was a response to the glut of Tolkien-inspired works saturating the market in an effort to show how it could be done well (Kay was the uncredited co-editor with Christopher Tolkien of The Silmarillion upon its original publication). Five students at the University of Toronto are pulled into another world, said to be the first from which all others follow, by a mage masquerading as an esteemed professor; while this is meant to be part of a celebration of the royal dynasty, it becomes the opening event in a long struggle when a malevolent deity, the eternal enemy of the Creator, is released from his millennial imprisonment to bring a dreadful winter of war upon the land, and each of the students finds themselves tied in some way to the destiny, both past and present, of this world. It's a great debut as well as a wonderful addition to a subgenre overstuffed with mercurial quality, and it should be better known beyond the confines of the fantasy community.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Tree-Fionavar-Tapestry/dp/0451458222/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HN4DX4LH24M6&keywords=the+summer+tree&qid=1641408795&sprefix=the+summer+tree%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Tree-Fionavar-Tapestry-Book-ebook/dp/B00O2BKM2Y/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1641408795&sr=8-1



Viewing: Legend (Ridley Scott, 1985)

While some long-time members of this forum will have already seen this movie, I believe it's still worth recommending. Helmed by the director of classics such as Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, and Gladiator, this cult classic is an attempt to capture the darker nature of the old fairy tales, following a young forest man (Tom Cruise in a pre-fame performance) called to rescue both a princess and the last living unicorn from the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry), who plans to destroy light and bring on an eternal wintry night. Featuring amazing production design by Assheton Gordon and incredible makeup by special effects legend Rob Bottin (The Howling, The Thing, RoboCop), as well as two different soundtracks for two different versions (new age ambience group Tangerine Dream for the edited American release and legendary composer Jerry Goldsmith for the longer Director's Cut), this imperfect film is fondly remembered by many fans for the effort put into it, and while other later films may have done better, it's still a fascinating experience to try out.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Tom-Cruise/dp/B004QSQMKE/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1641408705&sr=8-2
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Ultimate-Blu-ray-Tom-Cruise/dp/B004QSQML8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1X2NM5KSTS9TC&keywords=legend+blu-ray&qid=1641408705&sprefix=legend+blu-ray%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-2
Blu-Ray (Special Edition): https://www.amazon.com/Legend-2-Disc-Standard-Special-Theatrical/dp/B09NL337SZ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=11R123H3BERWR&keywords=legend+blu+ray&qid=1641692017&sprefix=legend+blu+ray%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-3
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Tom-Cruise/dp/B003WJ81MA/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1641408705&sr=8-2

And so we begin our new year. I hope you enjoy yourselves with my picks. See you next month!

Sorry for being a few days late again.

So we've come to the end of another year, as well as my fourth year anniversary of doing recommendations. I can only hope that I've encouraged some people to check out things that they might not have otherwise. Anyway, in the spirit of the holidays, I thought I would choose something appropriately festive. It's definitely familiar, but I thought it would be suitable nevertheless. Enjoy!

Reading: A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Books (1843-1848) by Charles Dickens

Sure, everyone has heard of A Christmas Carol, but how many have actually read the original novella rather than relied on the countless adaptations? While some dialogue will be familiar, there's so much more that gets left out that captures the absolute joy of the Christmas season, and it shouldn't be missed. What's more, the version that I'm linking to includes the four other holiday novellas that Dickens would write in the following years, which, to my knowledge, haven't received the recognition of the original story but stand on their own as wonderful works. Whether for the first time or the hundredth, it's a treasure to revisit around this time of year.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199536309/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=a+christmas+carol+and+other+christmas+books&qid=1638767874&sr=8-4
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-Oxford-Worlds-Classics-ebook/dp/B003N19DSI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1638767874&sr=8-4



Viewing: A Christmas Carol [TV] (Clive Donner, 1984)

Speaking of the adaptations, there are several worth noting, particularly the version starring Alistair Sim, but the 1984 TV version with George C. Scott in the role of Scrooge is a particular favorite of mine, especially because of Scott's performance. Dark but also cheerful, it's an incredibly faithful retelling of the novella with multiple great performances (Frank Finlay's rendition of Jacob Marley is one of the best). Despite the stigmatism of TV movies, the production value is remarkably high, which further adds to its rewatchability. Even if it isn't your favorite, I still recommend giving this one a watch, at least for comparison's sake.

Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-Blu-ray-George-Scott/dp/B003VS0CY2/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=a+christmas+carol+blu+ray&qid=1638658512&sr=8-1
Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-George-C-Scott/dp/B009EEG51G/ref=sr_1_2?crid=LRHYI1X3KFEG&keywords=a+christmas+carol+prime+video&qid=1638691194&sprefix=a+christmas+carol+prime%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-2

So that's all there is. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you in 2022!

First off, I apologize for putting this off for so long. I just let other things get in the way.

So we're just about done with the year now, and another winter is just around the corner. For this November, I thought I might recommend some intriguing thrillers of espionage, mistaken identity, and high adventure; they might not exactly be Thanksgiving material, of course, but I at least hope they'll take your mind off of any negligible worries.

Reading: Casino Royale (1953) by Ian Fleming

This slim volume introduced the world to the legendary secret agent James Bond in a tale more grounded in realism than is normally expected by those familiar only with the film series. In it, MI6 chief codenamed "M" assigns Bond to attend a fabulous casino in the French resort town of Royale-les-Eaux under the guise of a rich Jamaican playboy, with the goal of engaging the mysterious individual known only as "Le Chiffre" - really a noted agent of the Soviet counter-intelligence organization SMERSH - in a game of baccarat, with the express purpose of bankrupting him and thus forcing his superiors to dispose of him; he will be assisted in these measures by fellow MI6 operative Vesper Lynd as well as agents from both American and French intelligence. But, of course, nothing is as simple as it seems in the end. Following in the tradition of British adventure novels with dashes of hardboiled detective fiction mixed in, the novel remains a quite engaging read, a watershed in the spy novel at large.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Casino-Royale-Novel-James-Bond/dp/006329852X/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Casino-Royale-Novel-James-Bond-ebook/dp/B0B395Y5RQ/



Viewing: North by Northwest (Alfred Hitchcock, 1959)

Written to be the biggest Hitchcock film ever made, this is considered one of the esteemed director's best films, following several trademark formulas with panache and craftsmanship. An inopportune moment causes foreign spy Philip Vandamm (James Mason) to mistake advertising executive Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) for an FBI agent named George Kaplan, and Thornhill's subsequent attempts to rectify the matter only inadvertently end up incriminating him further, leading him to become a fugitive from both the law and Vandamm's henchmen. Finding a sympathetic ear in Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint), he eventually finds that, due to the circumstances, he may just be instrumental in bringing the enemy operation to justice. Featuring several iconic scenes (including a chase through a field involving a crop duster and an intense finale on Mount Rushmore), a rousing score from Bernard Herrmann, a wonderful supporting cast, and a stylistic opening credit sequence courtesy of graphic designer Saul Bass, it remains a favorite of many moviegoers that should be essential viewing for all film buffs.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/North-Northwest-Ernest-Lehman/dp/B0045HCJ9E/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1636677849&sr=8-2
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/North-Northwest-Blu-ray-Alfred-Hitchcock/dp/B014IAWFU0/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1636677849&sr=8-2
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/North-Northwest-Cary-Grant/dp/B0093Q8W0C/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=north+by+northwest&qid=1636677849&sr=8-1


Again, I apologize for my lateness. I hope you all have enough time to take my recommendations in. See you next month!

Fall is officially underway as we enter October, and the witching season is starting to come alive as well. Pandemic or not, Halloween never fails to come. It's taken a bit to make my choices (which is why I'm a little late this month), but I think I've picked out some suitable recommendations for the holiday. If you're in the festive mood, maybe you could give these a go!

Reading: Carrie (1974) by Stephen King

This is the one that started it all - the first published (but fourth written) novel of horror icon Stephen King, one which he almost discarded if not for the encouragement of his wife. An updating of classic Gothic melodrama, the story centers around bullied and isolated high school teenager Carrie White, victimized by both abusive classmates and her fanatically religious mother (identified, if I remember correctly, as belonging to a cult-like fundamentalist offshoot rather than mainstream Christianity). Unbeknownst to the public at large, Carrie is also in possession of telekinetic abilities which she tries to control. The tension builds as a genuine act of kindness leads to a now infamous prom night of carnage and city-wide destruction. For a debut novel, Carrie is surprisingly fast-moving and attention-grabbing, ranked by some fans as one of the better of Mr. King's works; there is also an undercurrent of feminism beneath the horror that was quite groundbreaking for its time. For fans of King and those who like classic chillers, it's definitely worth checking out.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Carrie-Stephen-King/dp/0307743667/ref=sr_1_1?crid=LTTXAJIJGV9K&dchild=1&keywords=stephen+king+carrie&qid=1633478654&sprefix=stephen+king+carrie%2Caps%2C195&sr=8-1
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Carrie-Stephen-King/dp/1984898108/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1633478654&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Carrie-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B001BANK2I/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1633478654&sr=8-1



Viewing: Phantasm (Don Coscarelli, 1979)

Released the same year as Ridley Scott's seminal sci-fi scare flick Alien, director Don Coscarelli's independent feature managed to hold its own and amass a significant cult following through a use of childhood themes, foreboding atmosphere, a chilling soundtrack, and an ambiguous dreamlike narrative. When a young boy begins to have suspicions about the tall mortician at the local funeral parlor, he enlists his brother and the local ice cream truck driver to investigate further, leading to the discovery of dwarven hooded creatures, a flying steel ball that kills, and an interdimensional gateway, all maintained by the inexplicably inhuman "Tall Man" who is collecting corpses of the dead for his own nefarious purposes. Despite the box office odds, the film - made up of a cast and crew of relative amateurs - is regarded as a classic of horror cinema that would influence later films in significant ways; four sequels would follow, though they wouldn't gain the acclaim of the first one. Definitely one to watch!

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Phantasm-Remaster-Angus-Scrimm/dp/B01LWXBAWN/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1633482337&sr=8-6
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Phantasm-Remaster-Blu-ray-DVD-Combo/dp/B01LXWKDJW/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1633482337&sr=8-6
Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Phantasm-Remastered-Michael-Baldwin/dp/B087P5J77X/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=phantasm+remastered&qid=1633482370&sr=8-2

So that's all for this years October. I hope the season finds you all well. Happy Halloween!

As the summer officially winds down, we now find ourselves in cooler days (at least where I live). Still, there's enough good weather to celebrate, and after some thought, since the author and I coincidentally share a birthday, I've found my recommendations for this September. Be warned, though: it's not that cheery.

Reading: Lord of the Flies (1954) by William Golding

A staple of high school reading curriculums, Nobel Prize-winning author Golding's classic novel is a refutation of the boys' adventure novels of the past, which were celebrations of cooperation and innate goodness. In this tale, the group of boys, having been stranded on a desert island, attempt to put together a system of government and responsibility, but eventually, selfishness and petty jealousies give way to animal savagery and lawlessness, resulting in death. While he would go on to write other well-praised works, this is the novel for which the author remains best known, for good or ill. If you haven't read it already, maybe you'll find it worth checking out; if you have, well, perhaps it might be time to give it one more go.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Flies-William-Golding/dp/0399501487/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=lord+of+the+flies&qid=1630725501&sr=8-1
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Flies-Penguin-Classics-Deluxe/dp/0143129406/ref=monarch_sidesheet
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Flies-William-Golding-ebook/dp/B000OCXIRG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=



Viewing: Lord of the Flies (Peter Brook, 1963)

Released just nine years after the book was published, this black-and-white independent adaptation, which is remarkable faithful to the source material, may be one of the best British motion pictures ever made. Shot with a mostly non-professional cast using some improvised dialog, the film manages to elicit a sense of dread and terror as the darker aspects of the story come to the forefront. It's an absolute classic that I would recommend not only to fans of the book but to simply casual moviegoers who love a good intense film.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Flies-Criterion-Collection-James-Aubrey/dp/B00CEIOHLY/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=lord+of+the+flies&qid=1630725663&sr=8-17
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Flies-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B00CEIOHRI/ref=sr_1_17?dchild=1&keywords=lord+of+the+flies&qid=1630725663&sr=8-17
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Flies-James-Aubrey/dp/B00DY0TCSY/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=lord+of+the+flies&qid=1630725501&sr=8-4

So that's all for September. I hope you enjoy these next few weeks.

Here we are now in the traditionally hottest month of summer. It's tough, but we can get through it. I apologize for being rather late with this. For a bit, I didn't have anything to recommend, but I was able to come up with something. This month, we're digging into Westerns, straight from the Golden Age of the genre. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Reading: Shane (1949) by Jack Schaefer

One of the most famous Westerns ever written, this novel is set against the historical backdrop of the feud between the land-rich cattle barons and the incoming homesteaders, known as the Johnson County War, in the year 1889. Told from the perspective of a farmer's son recalling his childhood, the central character is a mysterious drifter with an aura of quiet menace about him but an honorable character nonetheless, offering himself as a hired hand to the Starrett family, who are being harassed by rancher Luke Fletcher for possession of the land; while the drifter, who answers to the name of Shane, attempts to keep the peace as best as he can, eventually his skills with a gun will be needed to settle the score when Fletcher's means start turning more violent. This debut from one of the genre's most respected writers is rather short but brilliantly evocative, having been released in more than 70 editions since its initial printing, and remains a truly American novel, filled with both the melancholy and the optimism of the age.

Trade 1: https://www.amazon.com/Shane-Jack-Schaefer/dp/0544239474/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=jack+schaefer+shane&qid=1628280975&sr=8-1
Trade 2: https://www.amazon.com/Shane-Jack-Schaefer/dp/0826358411/ref=monarch_sidesheet
Trade 3: https://www.amazon.com/Shane-Critical-Jack-Schaefer/dp/0803291426/ref=monarch_sidesheet
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Shane-Jack-Schaefer-ebook/dp/B0725P6KR2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=



Viewing: Red River (Howard Hawks, 1948)

This epic Western, helmed by one of Hollywood's most prestigious directors, follows cattle rancher Thomas Dunson (John Wayne) and his adopted son Matthew (Montgomery Clift, in his film debut), who, as profit dwindles, elect to drive their stock from Texas to Missouri along the Chisolm Trail; as the journey goes on, tension rises as Dunson becomes increasingly more authoritarian and obsessive, leading Matt to seize control and lead the group to a town in Kansas supplied with a railroad, while Dunson follows behind with a plan for vengeance. Filmed in 1946 but not released until two years later, the film is widely regarded as one of the best Western movies ever made, featuring a standout performance from the legendary Wayne in a more anti-heroic, near-villainous role than audiences were accustomed to seeing him in; it's a must-see for fans of well-made films in the grand Hollywood tradition of old. Notably, the film exists in two versions: a 133-minute pre-release version with book-style visual narrations, and a slightly shorter 127-minute theatrical release with voiceover narrations from co-star Walter Brennan. Both versions are included in the Criterion Collection package.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Red-River-B-John-Wayne/dp/B00JPUUSK8/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Red-River-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B079VF7Q9P/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Red-River-John-Wayne/dp/B0017VXATO/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=



With the high temperatures this time of year, I hope you all manage to stay safe and cool. Enjoy yourselves responsibly!

So here we are in July. The summer is officially underway, but it also looks like the U.S's Pacific Northwest is getting a big heat wave as well, so I guess my advice is to enjoy the weather when you can but stay safe when necessary and make sure to take all precautions.

My reading has been off and on recently, so I have no real speculative titles to recommend this month, but I do have something on hand from history - something that's special to me and perhaps even relevant in today's cultural climate. I hope you all enjoy it as well.

Reading: To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) by Harper Lee

An all-time modern classic, Harper Lee's legendary Southern Gothic Bildungsroman has never been out of print since publication and is arguably the most beloved book in American literature. The story is one of childhood from the perspective of young Scout Finch as she grows up in Depression-era Alabama with her brother Jem under the watch of her noble father Atticus, a lawyer who is soon put to the test when he is called to defend an African-American man accused of beating and raping a white woman. While heavily nostalgic, the book is also focused on moral character, exemplified by Atticus Finch - one of the most respected fictional characters ever created - and the ugliness of racism. Many of you are probably familiar with it from high school, as it is a staple of the curriculum, but whether you're encountering it for the first time or the fifteenth, it's still an amazing treasure worth enjoying whenever possible.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Harper-Lee/dp/0060935464/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=to+kill+a+mockingbird&qid=1625176876&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Harperperennial-Modern-Classics-ebook/dp/B00K0OI42W/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1625176876&sr=8-1



Viewing: To Kill a Mockingbird (Robert Mulligan, 1962)

Just as well known as the book is the film adaptation, also a classic, anchored by the Oscar-winning performance of legendary actor Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, as well as the child actors such as Mary Badham as Scout Finch. The transfer from film to screen is near total, with only minor details omitted; the result is one of the best films of the 1960s as well as one of the finest adaptations of a novel ever made. A deeply human film, it's a pleasure to watch, and it comes highly recommended for all ages as an important talking point regarding deeply troubling issues.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-50th-Anniversary/dp/B006FE83UE/ref=sr_1_2?crid=TA6G5VUDG2DI&dchild=1&keywords=to+kill+a+mockingbird+dvd&qid=1625176953&sprefix=to+kill+a+mockingbird+d%2Caps%2C-1&sr=8-2
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Blu-ray-Gregory-Peck/dp/B07G1ZHWFS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=to+kill+a+mockingbird+blu+ray&qid=1625176989&sr=8-1
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Gregory-Peck/dp/B009CGCWHM/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=to+kill+a+mockingbird&qid=1625176876&sr=8-2



So that's all for now. Again, I hope you get as much pleasure out of them as I have. I think it's something everyone should experience at least once in their lives. Well, I'll see you all next month!

So we've reached June now – 2021 is already halfway behind us. For some, it's probably been quick, and for others, it must have been slow. At least we're moving into summer (although sweltering heat isn't necessarily preferable). I've been indulging in genre fiction recently, so I have some suitably speculative recommendations for you this month.

Reading: Starship Troopers (1959) by Robert A. Heinlein

The classic military sci-fi novel, this is one of the best-known titles by the legendary first Grand Master and perhaps his most controversial, as some critics are unsure of what is fiction and what is an espousal of Heinlein's genuine beliefs. Written in response to the U.S. suspending nuclear testing, the story is set in the far future – one in which public service is required to cast a vote and participate in the Terran Federation's government; the action centers around one such branch of service, that of the elite Mobile Infantry which defends Earth from enemy threats through body-enhancing powered armor. Juan "Johnny" Rico simply meant to get his franchise, but his grueling boot camp training is put to the test when an insect-like alien species from the planet Klendathu (derisively referred to as "Bugs" and "Arachnids") instigate an interstellar war. Originally meant as a juvenile, the novel marked a turning point in Heinlein's career as he moved to more adult-oriented fiction; the brisk, exciting pace is marked with ruminations on the value of service, the effectiveness of capital and corporal punishment, and other subjects, which has led some detractors to label Heinlein a fascist. It's a fun read that doesn't have to be agreed with completely to enjoy.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Troopers-Robert-Heinlein/dp/0441783589/ref=monarch_sidesheet
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Troopers-Robert-Heinlein/dp/0441014100/ref=monarch_sidesheet
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Troopers-Robert-Heinlein-ebook/dp/B004EYTK2C/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=



Viewing: Mad Max (George Miller, 1979)

This is the cult classic dystopian film that made Mel Gibson a star and launched the Australian New Wave film movement into international success. Gibson plays Max Rockatansky, a weary cop assigned to a future Australia's Main Force Patrol (MFP) which hunts down the highway's deadliest offenders; he plans to resign after increasing disillusionment, but a tragedy involving his family's death at the hands of a psychotic biker gang drives him over the edge, leading him to take a supercharged V8 Pursuit Special – a car specially made for high speeds – and exact a cold revenge on the gang members. Compared to the later entries, this is a rather tame, low-budget release lacking a lot of the extravagances associated with the franchise, but it's still a great film, its appeal coming from its midnight movie aesthetic and the charisma of its cast, anchored by a young Gibson as the near-unhinged Max and Hugh Keays-Byrne as the flamboyant gang leader Toecutter. It's worth a viewing, especially for those interested in the development of action movies of the later 1980s and their over-the-top anti-heroes.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Max-Mel-Gibson/dp/B00CDDHI5W/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=mad+max+dvd&qid=1622509845&sr=8-5
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Max-Blu-ray-Mel-Gibson/dp/B08H5BRLRN/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1622509845&sr=8-5
4K: https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Max-4KUHD-Blu-ray-Gibson/dp/B08H5DFV1P/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=mad+max+4k&qid=1622510889&sr=8-2
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Max-Mel-Gibson/dp/B000IZXR7U/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1622509845&sr=8-5


Hopefully, these will make your summer enjoyable. Get out there when you can and enjoy the weather, but remember to stay safe and respect the boundaries of those who are still trying to get through the pandemic.