Xepherus Reads

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons !   To say that Beverly Cleary is a genius is most likely not enough adulation for a n author as beloved as she. Book after book, she calls out to the elementary school -age child , and tells them that everything will be oka y. Since the early 1950s she has dazzled kid brains with stories of rambunctious mice, harry hounds, and naughty little girls. And all the while she never has spoken down to her readers, but encouraged them to explore life and be the best that they can be. As an adult I find that my reading has lost this aspect of stor ytelling. Between the horror, crime , and scienc e fiction fare that I adore, I seemed to have lost my innocence of reading along the way.    This year I decided to branch off and take in some fun and cute books. Children's books, middle grade books, and contemporary books have been added to my to be read list. And one of my latest additions to reading is the books of Beverly Cl...

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons !   On Channel 20 when I was a kid there was a n awesome block of television reserved for horro r movies. Every Sunday afternoon three movies were presented to horror fans. Some were classics, and some were really awful and campy. One of these movies caught my attention when I was ten years old, Burnt Offerings. A favorite of my mother's she encouraged me to watch it with her. I liked it a lot e ven though some of the content went over my head. After that I saw the movie another handful of times. I always said that I would eventually read the novel . That time has come.   Originally published by Doubleday Books in 1973 (and currently presented by Valancourt Books), Burn t Offerings i s written expertly by Robert Marasc o. It is atmospheric, creepy, and at times very surprising. We are introduced to Ben and Marian Rolfe, the parents of a young son, David. They are stuffed into a New York City apartment with dreams of a bet...

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons !   Top 5 Wednesday is a Goodreads Book Club that meets weekly to answer questions presented.  Our moderators are YouTubers, Lainey (GingerReadsLainey) and Samantha (ThoughtsOnTomes). I enjoy how every week this group brings the book community together. Great fun!   This week's question asks: What are your Top 5 Forgettable Books? (This list can contain books that you loved or did not love. Just because you forgot a book does not mean that the book was not a wonderful read the first time.) Dimiter by William Peter Blatty- This book was forgettable to me due to the often sleepy and confusing plot. I was not a fan of this book. It was definitely no Exorcist. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury- This is my fault, because I have viewed the movie more than I have read the book. But this may be to my benefit when I re-read the book this year. I would rather forget and be surprised. The Thorn Birds by Colle...

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons !   T he Last Jedi is the latest installment in the Star Wars Saga. Reuniting Luke Skywalker with the galaxy that he left behind has left man y fan s crying fowl. But it is not just how Luke was po rtrayed in the Last Jedi that has many at odds with Disney-Lucasfilm, but several other plot points.  Here is a list of remarks that I have found by Star Wars and movie-going fans on the internet since the film's Dece mber 2017 release (no direct quotes are used and t hey are highlighted in bold) . I will address each complaint in with my own thoughts.   Just remember that we are all Star Wars fans , here. You clicked on this artic le for a reason. My thoughts may not fit your beliefs and t hat is fine. We are all entitled to o ur opinion s.   Spoilers ahead. T op 10 Star Wars: The Last Jedi Complaint s Princess Leia flying was stupid. She never could do that before . (Leia has used the Force sever...