Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Ransom Riggs (which, let's be honest, has to be the coolest name for an author since...ever) has written one of the most interesting and extraordinarily different novels I have ever read in my life. Mind you, my bookshelf is filled with over 300 books, so I kind of know what I'm talking about. 

We begin our journey, as we do many, with our narrator, Jacob. He tells us about his grandfather, Abe. Abe used to tell Jacob stories about people, kids like Jacob, with special powers. Of course, as he gets older, Jacob writes-off his grandfather's stories as tall tales. But, his grandfather maintains that the stories are real. Which the rest of Jacob's family writes-off as elderly dementia. But, when Jacob gets a panicked call from his grandfather, he comes face to face with something the book later identifies as a hollowgast.

Jacob tries to explain to his parents what he saw, but they don't believe him. So, he spirals into a deep depression and his parents are forced to send him to a psychiatrist. The shrink, Dr. Golan, believes it would be conducive for Jacob to visit the Island in Wales where his grandfather grew up, Cairnholm Island. So, Jacob and his dad set off for Wales, and when they get there, something...peculiar happens. (No, the pun could not be helped.)

While Jacob's father is basically ignoring him by bird watching, Jacob discovers a home that had been bombed. It turns out to be Miss Peregrine's home for peculiars. Miss Peregrine herself is a time-shifter, or ymbryne (and the award for oddest and hardest to pronounce word goes to...) according to the peculiar community. This is the home Jacob's grandfather grew up in. A home filled with people just like him. (And like Jacob...) Jacob meets people who can bring the dead back to life, have mouths on the back of their heads, and start fires with their hands.

And, unfortunately, that's all I can say about that. By now, all my "long-time listeners" know how I am about spoilers! So, let's get to the review, shall we?

I can honestly say that Riggs' novel is the most unique pieces of literature I have ever read in my life. This book takes on a life of its own. I cannot imagine the amount of dedication, inspiration, and ingenuity that had to go into this novel. It's got so much feeling and "oddness" (Sorry, lack of a better word) I can't even explain it! Please, read this book before the movie comes out!

By now you all have seen the Tim Burton trailer. It looks like it'll be a good movie. It won't compare to the book, but nothing ever does! Also, yes it is a trilogy for those who are wondering. I have read Hollow City (the 2nd novel), but I have not yet had the time for Library of Souls, but I am eager to read it. Riggs has really got a way with words. 

Once again, I know this is far fetched, but if you're reading this, Mr. Riggs, I want you to know that you should be so very proud of what you have written. You are such a strange genius. (I hope you take that as a compliment because it absolutely is!) Your book is transcendent on every level!

There's absolutely no reason for me not to, so I am giving this novel 5/5 stars! 

Photo #01 Credit: http://www.ransomriggs.com/images/missperegrine_334x518.jpg
Photo #02 Credit: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/71/a0/5f/71a05f5071788b4af41749fa577c054f.jpg

To Kill a Mockingbird

Firstly, before starting this post, I would like to recognize that Harper Lee was a fantastic author and way ahead of her time, may she rest in peace. 

So, let's talk about To Kill a Mockingbird. We all read it in high school and I learned one thing from that experience. You either love it or hate it, there is no in between. For me, it was love at first word. Basically, if it takes place in the old south, it's a book for me! 

To Kill a Mockingbird begins with our narrator Scout Finch, daughter of Atticus Finch, a lawyer in their small Alabama town, telling us about the haunted house near her own. The Radley house. Home of the hulking, and very scary, Boo Radley. Boo Radley is more of a myth than anything else to the town. A ghost for all intents and purposes. But more on him later.

On the day of their dad's trial, Scout and her brother Jem go to the courthouse to watch everything go down. Personally, this is one of my favorite scenes in the book. Atticus Finch is defending a black man accused of raping a white woman. (And the whole town is mad at him for defending a black man, as you can imagine.) But, as the trial rages on, the truth becomes clear to Scout, Jem, and the readers. The white woman and her father--who are accusing the black man--are lying about the encounter entirely. Can Atticus win his case? Sorry, you'll have to read the book to find that out!

Meanwhile, on their way to and from school, Scout and Jem regularly pass the Radley place and have noticed that there are several things hidden in the hollow of a tree on the property. There are even soap carvings of Jem and Scout. Creepy or heartwarming? You decide! At any rate, the reader is left knowing who must have done these carvings but Scout and Jem, being quite young, are left in the dark. Then, one night, a nearby house burns down, and as Scout is freezing outside trying to catch a glimpse of the occurrence, she notices that someone has put a blanket on her. Boo Radley at your service, ladies and gents!

The novel takes a wild turn when the children are attacked, but that's all I can really tell you without giving too much away. So, I'll leave you with that!

I have to give Harper Lee her props! This novel is so well thought-out. She leaves you feeling philosophical and more sensitive to how you treat people in the future. Writing the book from the perspective of a young girl was borderline genius. It gives the reader a different way of looking at things because the events that take place in the novel are easy to understand for the reader, but not so much for its narrator. It was a very bold move that paid off in my opinion.

Furthermore, Lee gets into the discussion of racism. A touchy subject even in today's world. She breaks down barriers and destroys cultural norms with this novel. She shows us how the world really works against the minority. Whether it be a black man, or someone who is disabled. 

This novel was written very mindfully and with great care, its ending is practically perfect, and its narrator is fantastic. For these reasons, I give this novel 5/5 stars.


Photo Credit #01: http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361975680l/2657.jpg
Photo Credit #02: http://www.globalpovertyproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/quote4.png