"Little solace comes to those who grieve...

as thoughts keep drifting

as walls keep shifting

and this great blue world of ours

seems a house of leaves

Moments before the wind."

- Untitled Poem (Pg. 563)

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski is not a book to be taken lightly. Even in the beginning it warns “This is not for you.” It is not for the faint of heart or a quick weekend read. Be prepared to commit yourself. This book is a story within a story; a psychological drama/thriller, horror, paranormal tale. It’s about The Navidson Record, an incomplete, highly “researched” manuscript of an event that never happened, written by the old, blind man, Zampano, then found and organized by Johnny Truant, a LA tattoo artist apprentice.

The Navidson Record is a series of short films documenting a strange house on Ash Tree Lane; a house that appears normal on the outside but inside consists of extra closets appearing overnight, a five and a half minute hallway, a spiraling staircase going nowhere and an ever changing maze that nearly consumes everything and anyone that enters. It’s also about Johnny Truant’s sanity spiralling out of control from his obsession with the manuscript.

Like I said, this book cannot be taken lightly. Whoever finishes this book deserves a certificate of completion. It is intense, engaging and frustrating. I hate to admit that I almost gave up a couple of times. But I refused to let this book beat me. At times it would bore me, with the “expert” commentary and theories of The Navidson Record. But Johnny Truant’s journey and the frightening experience of the residents in the house on Ash Tree Lane totally make up for those dry areas. There are footnotes for footnotes in this book. Appendixes, incomplete exhibit instructions, you have to twist and turn the book to read some passages. I actually took out a mirror just to read a list of movie titles and decoded a letter written by Johnny Truant’s mother who was committed to an asylum. It is that engaging.

I think this book is broken

You’re doing it wrong!

Now you’re just showing off

I’m proud of myself for not giving up. And if you’re brave enough to read (and finish) it, a high five to you. Let me know if you ended up nailing tape measures to the floor and if you had odd dreams of dark mazes like I did.

* This book was read for the R.I.P. Challenge and will also be included (eventually!) in our office newsletter.

My First Reading Challenge!

I will be participating in my first reading challenge! From September 1st to October 31st, Stainless Steel Droppings is hosting the R.I.P. Challenge. The purpose is to read a book classified as a Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Dark Fantasy, Gothic, Horror or Supernatural. There are several levels to choose from and I’ve chosen two different levels:

Peril the Third

My book of choice will be House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. I’m kinda cheating because I already planned to finish up House of Leaves after Beauty Queens. A friend highly recommended it and I was also asked to participate in a planned book review for our office newsletter. So this just fits perfectly into my grand reading scheme.

Peril of the Short Story

My short story of choice is At The Mountain of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft. I picked up a book of Lovecraft short stories from the library a week ago so it’s just in time for the challenge. And I’ve been dying to read this short story for a very long time now.

I don’t normally participate in challenges or keep a strict reading schedule. I let books call to me and read whoever shouted the loudest. But the stars were aligned (Fall/Halloween around the corner/Scary Book Season), the books readily available and staring at me from the big pile next to the bed so I happily accept the challenge.

P.S. Hugs and kisses to my husband who had knee surgery today! Let's get you healed up!

P.P.S. Happy Birthday Dad!

New On The Shelf: Oil, Blood, Hell, Pretty, Leaves

What do these words have in common? They are all part of titles that are New On The Shelf!

There are perks living in a State Capital and a college town: Excellent book selections at the local Goodwill!

Here's a run down of treasures I found:

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

I read David Sedaris’ Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk and loved it so I’m sure I’ll like Me Talk Pretty One Day, especially after reading this!

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

I’ve wanted to read this since watching the movie so this book has been on my mind for a very long time. Imagine my excitement when I saw it on the shelf at Goodwill!

Hell: A Novel by Robert Olen Butler

Look at this cover! Reason enough to pick up this book!

Oil! by Upton Sinclair

I’m not big on movie tie in covers but fortunately it’s not as bad as some like this, this and this. Give a starving artist more creative freedom then slapping actors on the covers!


The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie didn’t make the cut. But I know where you are, Satanic Verses, and with a title like that, who could resist waiting much longer to add you to the shelf?

But that’s not all! My friend Caz lent me House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. He said it’s a weird trippy book and flipping through it I’ve never encountered a book like this so I’m excited to read it.

Now, what to read...?

* Photos courtesy of Tally Photos