Age Level: Adult
Format: Book
Hawes and Wilson, founders of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (or TAPS), and lead investigators on the Sci-Fi Network's Ghost Hunters, share their experiences with the paranormal in this book. TAPS was founded on the principle that investigators would go into homes, businesses, churches, etc. looking for ways to debunk or negate a paranormal claim. Throughout the book, Hawes and Wilson will mention that nearly 80% of cases are debunked of paranormal activity. Containing information on cases prior to their TV debut and some of their more notable TV episode cases, Hawes and Wilson detail some of their findings, outline TAPS purpose in the "ghost hunting" world, and offer some advice to those thinking about creating their own paranormal society group. Several pages of still photographs featuring paranormal phenomena and practical jokes among teams members appear in the middle of the book.
I have to admit I am addicted to the TV show Ghost Hunters. Though a skeptic to anything paranormal, I'm still addicted! When I learned that the guys wrote a book, I had to read it. I'm glad I did! Mostly written by Hawes, viewers of the TV show will definitely see his personality come through in the words. I loved reading about some of the behind the scenes information for a few of their TV episodes. It was also interesting to learn about their beginnings and some of the cases they went on prior to gaining fame on the Sci-Fi Network.
Fans of the show must read this book. Incidentally, if you have never seen Ghost Hunters, or would like to watch the episodes again, the Adams County Library System has Seasons 1 and 2 and the live episode from the Stanley Hotel. Put yourself on the waiting list today...and while you do that, check Ghost Hunting out too. It's a fun, fast read.
Reviewed by Jessica
Monday, December 31, 2007
Season of the Witch by Natasha Mostert
Age Level: Adult
Format: Book
This goth thriller combines alchemy with psychic abilities to create a "spellbinding" read from start to finish. Gabriel Blackstone, a freelance information hacker, receives a call from dying millionaire William Whittington, asking Blackstone to help find his missing son, Robert. Using his psychic abilities to read the minds of someone missing to find their whereabouts, Gabriel discovers a partial truth to Robert's disappearance. In his quest to find the facts, Gabriel becomes friends with the mysterious Monk sisters and soon follows the path leading towards destruction.
Mostert has crafted such a wonderful thriller; I was hooked from the first page! To me, the storyline was not predictable, so I found myself surprised at the different twists and turns in the plot. Those not interested in the world of sci-fi and witchcraft may not find this book to be enjoyable. There is some discussion on alchemy and on psychic mind reading, which helps to clarify the concepts to those readers not familiar with the topics. I normally do not read these type of thriller stories, but I found this one entertaining from start to finish.
Reviewed by Jessica
Format: Book
This goth thriller combines alchemy with psychic abilities to create a "spellbinding" read from start to finish. Gabriel Blackstone, a freelance information hacker, receives a call from dying millionaire William Whittington, asking Blackstone to help find his missing son, Robert. Using his psychic abilities to read the minds of someone missing to find their whereabouts, Gabriel discovers a partial truth to Robert's disappearance. In his quest to find the facts, Gabriel becomes friends with the mysterious Monk sisters and soon follows the path leading towards destruction.
Mostert has crafted such a wonderful thriller; I was hooked from the first page! To me, the storyline was not predictable, so I found myself surprised at the different twists and turns in the plot. Those not interested in the world of sci-fi and witchcraft may not find this book to be enjoyable. There is some discussion on alchemy and on psychic mind reading, which helps to clarify the concepts to those readers not familiar with the topics. I normally do not read these type of thriller stories, but I found this one entertaining from start to finish.
Reviewed by Jessica
Monday, December 17, 2007
Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig
Age Level: Adult
Format: Book
Ever wonder about the man behind one of the best known love stories of all time? Margaret Mitchell's Rhett Butler comes alive in this novel based on Mitchell's Gone With the Wind. McCaig takes readers through Butler's life, from his boyhood in the Low Country of South Carolina, to his first encounter with Scarlett O'Hara at Twelve Oaks Plantation, to the Civil War and beyond. Butler's family is introduced, as well as the reasons behind Butler's relationship with Belle Watling.
For those who do not like recreations or adaptations of famous stories, you may not like this novel. It is very hard to take a story so well known as Gone With the Wind and create an adaptation for it. Alexandra Ripley tried this several years ago with Scarlett, which to some readers proved disasterous. McCaig creates new situations in which Rhett and Scarlett encounter one another and at times rewrites scenes from Gone With the Wind, though this might have been done since he could not take Mitchell's words verbatim and use them in his novel. McCaig also creates a different ending to the story, an ending in conflict with Mitchell's novel. Characters' personalities differ between Gone With the Wind and Rhett Butler's People. However, the incite into Butler's family and his escapades are very intersting. If you want to figure out the mystery behind Butler, read this book.
If you read the reviews on Amazon.com, people either really love this novel, or they absolutely hate it. For me, I was extremely curious to read something authorized by Margaret Mitchell's estate. I was a little disappointed with some of the scenes in this novel, but overall, I thought this to be an okay read. If you are interested in reading this novel and have never read Gone With the Wind, I suggest reading Gone With the Wind first. Knowing the plot line for Mitchell's novel will help in understanding some of the situations found in Rhett Butler's People.
Reviewed by Jessica
Format: Book
Ever wonder about the man behind one of the best known love stories of all time? Margaret Mitchell's Rhett Butler comes alive in this novel based on Mitchell's Gone With the Wind. McCaig takes readers through Butler's life, from his boyhood in the Low Country of South Carolina, to his first encounter with Scarlett O'Hara at Twelve Oaks Plantation, to the Civil War and beyond. Butler's family is introduced, as well as the reasons behind Butler's relationship with Belle Watling.
For those who do not like recreations or adaptations of famous stories, you may not like this novel. It is very hard to take a story so well known as Gone With the Wind and create an adaptation for it. Alexandra Ripley tried this several years ago with Scarlett, which to some readers proved disasterous. McCaig creates new situations in which Rhett and Scarlett encounter one another and at times rewrites scenes from Gone With the Wind, though this might have been done since he could not take Mitchell's words verbatim and use them in his novel. McCaig also creates a different ending to the story, an ending in conflict with Mitchell's novel. Characters' personalities differ between Gone With the Wind and Rhett Butler's People. However, the incite into Butler's family and his escapades are very intersting. If you want to figure out the mystery behind Butler, read this book.
If you read the reviews on Amazon.com, people either really love this novel, or they absolutely hate it. For me, I was extremely curious to read something authorized by Margaret Mitchell's estate. I was a little disappointed with some of the scenes in this novel, but overall, I thought this to be an okay read. If you are interested in reading this novel and have never read Gone With the Wind, I suggest reading Gone With the Wind first. Knowing the plot line for Mitchell's novel will help in understanding some of the situations found in Rhett Butler's People.
Reviewed by Jessica
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