The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson, 1886 My favorite quote: “With every day, and from both sides of my intelligence, the moral and the intellectual, I thus drew steadily nearer to the truth, by whose partial discovery I have been doomed to such a dreadful shipwreck: that man is

Horror Classics with Thorne & Cross: A Christmas Carol

Tamara Thorne and I are honored to be part of new series called Horror Classics with Thorne & Cross where we introduce and give our thoughts on various horror stories through history. We’re starting off in time for the holidays with Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Here, along with the classic tale itself, we talk about

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte, 1847 My favorite quote: “If all the world hated you and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved of you and absolved you from guilt, you would not be without friends.” Notable characters: Jane Eyre, governess turned wife; Mr. Rochester, the master of Thornfield Hall Most memorable scene: The discovery

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1911 My favorite quote: “That is the Magic. Being alive is the Magic …” Notable characters: Mary Lennox, a lonely 10-year-old; Mrs. Medlock, the housekeeper; Dickon, her friend; Colin, a sickly boy Most memorable scene: When Mary discovers Colin Greatest strengths: Description  Standout achievements: Its ability to pull in

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte, 1847 My favorite quote: “If you ever looked at me once with what I know is in you, I would be your slave.” Notable characters: Heathcliff, the brooding bad boy, Catherine, the obstinate bad girl Most memorable scene: Mr. Lockwood’s dream about Cathy. Spooky, good stuff Greatest strengths: Atmosphere. A lot

Peyton Place by Grace Metalious

Peyton Place, Grace Metalious, 1956 My favorite quote: “The public loves to create a hero. Sometimes I think they do it for the sheer joy of knocking him down from the highest peak. Like a child who builds a house of blocks and then destroys it with one vicious kick.” Notable characters: Allison MacKenzie, a

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier, 1938 My favorite quote: I know everyone is expecting me to say, “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again” but I’m actually going to go with, “I am glad it cannot happen twice, the fever of first love.”  Followed closely by, “Men are simpler than you imagine my sweet

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, 1951 My favorite quote: “What really knocks me out is a book that, when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn’t