Secrets in the Snow
I’m emphasizing the ghost stories, because even the crime stories in this collection mostly have a ghostly bent. I happen to prefer this, especially in a holiday collection.
All Book Reviews
Hargrave reads voraciously and diversely — mostly antiquarian and classic books in translation. These are her book reviews.
While she reads more books than she could possibly write about, she does consistently post weekly reviews. New reviews are posted on Mondays.
Looking for one of the books that have been reviewed? Want to find some vintage treasures of your own? Second-hand and used books are unique and eco-friendly, and can be found at your local independent bookseller. If you’re looking for an American bookseller, you can check here. UK booksellers can be found here.
If you’d prefer to buy books online, many vintage and rare editions can be found at ThriftBooks.
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All Book Reviews
Moominland Midwinter
The book brings the reader the feeling of looking out on that first snowfall, when the world feels sparkling, new, and full of beautiful, cold days to come.
A Collection of Dylan Thomas
This volume is a great introduction to Thomas for those that are new to his work, but it also serves as a compact little compliment to those that are familiar with and love Thomas’ work already.
Two by Harper Lee
On the blog this month I’m going to feature new re-issues of classic literature and books that could make good gifts for avid readers.
The Bells of Nagasaki
His account of the bomb is written from the view of the survivors, focusing primarily on those that worked or were studying at the hospital.
Soul of Wood
Jakov Lind’s Soul of Wood is technically an example of post-war German literature but I decided to include it anyway because all of these stories revolve around the second world war and its aftermath.
The Village of Ben Suc
Of all of the accounts I have read from reporters during the Vietnam War, Schell’s is not the most myopic.
Kaputt
Malaparte uses his position to detail the extravagances and depravity of the Nazi party and the Axis powers and generally to paint a portrait of Europe on the brink of destruction.
The Invention of Morel
This novella’s setting of an opulent but derelict and rotting mansion infected with the suggestion of long-ago deaths and violence ticked all of the spooky season boxes for me.
A Dark Corner and A Helping Hand
Both A Helping Hand and A Dark Corner are well under two hundred pages, but each of them packs a disturbing punch and were well ahead of their time.