Who's On The Other Side?

Grand old manors are known to keep secrets. The truth is hidden in the details by the characters that dwell within their walls. Coraline Jones may be young, but she has a keen eye and likes to explore. When her family moves into a flat that's part of a big spooky house, she sets out to investigate. Coraline meets the interesting people that live in the other flats, like Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, two strange women who have a bunch of dogs and a seemingly spiritual connection. Then there's the crazy man with the mustache and the invisible mouse circus. Coraline finds a weedy garden and a deep well she's not supposed to play around, which she does anyway. When it starts to rain, she's forced to stay inside. Her parents are busy working on their computers, it's raining buckets, she's bored- time to investigate the rooms in her new house. There are fourteen doors, and one is locked. She bugs her mom to open it, but there's nothing there, only a brick wall. A shadowy dream wakes her and she sees something dark move down the hall. She follows it to the door that opens to the brick wall. Remembering where her mom hid the key, she opens it and discovers a secret corridor that leads to another, better side of the house, where she finds her other mother and father waiting for her. They're doting and give her everything she wants, but there's something very wrong with their eyes.

Ah, Neil Gaiman. I just love his writing. The intertwining characters and scene building is brilliant. If you're into spooky house mysteries (we are!) then this is a story for you. I think it's brilliant that the manor is split up into flats, each with a character who brings a piece of the puzzle together- like how the flats make up the manor. The scenes with Miss Spink and Miss Forcible are fantastic, and I love that they predict things, but nonsensically; you must pay attention to pick up on the foreshadowing and woven in symbolism- one of the reasons I enjoy Neil Gaiman's writing so much. I would recommend this book to readers ages 10 and up. The book is scary, and it's awesome! (so is the movie.)

Has anyone else read Coraline or seen the movie? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Happy reading!

~ L

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Hidden Truths...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week we'll be investigating another house that keeps secrets. Tune in Friday for Lizzy's book review and find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. 😉 ~ F

Different faces in different spaces leave things here and there. Some are lost and never found or buried deep underground. Some may cause a terrible fight or be hidden in plain sight. Those who made them know the truth, the one who finds them is the sleuth. 

What am I referring to? Answer: Secrets

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 

Make time to riddle and rhyme!

62 original riddles and illustrations

Available in all e-book formats

Fairday's Riddle: Unknown Thoughts...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? Some aren't easy to keep! 😉~ F

Different faces in different spaces leave things here and there. Some are lost and never found or buried deep underground. Some may cause a terrible fight or be hidden in plain sight. Those who made them know the truth, the one who finds them is the sleuth. 

What am I referring to? Stop by Wednesday for the answer.

I gave you a clue!

Who's Watching in the Woods?

Lizzy and I are having a spooky sleepover at her house in Manhattan this weekend, and we're getting ready to scare ourselves silly by watching The Watcher in the Woods. Hard to believe it's a Disney flick, but it is. Lizzy reviewed the movie awhile back, and it's bone-chilling. Keep an eye out for exclusive footage from our Saturday fright night! ~ F

Everyone knows that a good sleepover involves scaring yourselves silly. At every overnight my friends and I watch a movie we think will scare us, but of course it has to be parent approved (PG). There are lots of movies out there that give us the creeps, but our favorite is The Watcher in the Woods. It's an older movie that my mom had in her collection. Now, all my friends like me to bring it to their parties, even though we've all seen it. 

When Jan, her sister, Ellie, and their parents move into an old, spooky mansion they have no idea that their lives are about to change. The movie begins, and you feel like you are a watcher spying on the family as they settle in to their new home. As they unpack, a mirror breaks and Jan swears she sees a vision of a blindfolded girl in it. Jan’s strange visions don’t end there, and no one believes her. The mansion has a caretaker of sorts, Mrs. Aylwood (Bette Davis) whose daughter, Karen, died in a fire years before. Is it a coincidence that Ellie ends up adopting a dog she names Narek? There seem to be signs pointing to the past, if they can only figure out the clues in time. Is there someone in the woods watching them? What happened at the chapel? What secret has been hidden all these years? The way this movie is shot and the supernatural elements will have you shrieking!

I don’t like to be scared all the time, but I like how the movie gave me the shivers! There is a scene where Jan falls into the water and Mrs. Aylwood is stirring the water over her that freaks me out! I had no idea Bette Davis could be so scary! For anyone that likes a good fright- check out The Watcher in the Woods! Kids who watch this should be old enough that their parents let them watch PG movies and they should enjoy a good dose of fear! The craziest part for me is that it's a Disney movie. I had no idea they made movies like this, but this one gives me goose bumps every time I think about it! 

Has anyone else seen The Watcher in the Woods? Or have you seen another movie that unexpectedly made you scream? We’d love to hear about it!

Happy Reading and Watching!
~L

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Mysterious Woods!

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week we're heading deep into the woods. Over the weekend, Lizzy and I will be having a sleepover, and Friday we'll share a review that will clue you in on what we'll be watching, so stay tuned! I love the woods, so I've included a tribute- enjoy! ~ F

Shadowy lights and flickering greens— buzzing vibes from things unseen. A sudden chaos of changing lines is conjured up by natural signs. Walk a path with eyes to see and that which dwells appears to thee. Mushrooms gather in a bunch, hearing insects move and munch. A crow shifts swiftly through the trees; fragrant petals wave to bees. A stillness space stuck in motion—here is not the salty ocean. 

Where are you? Answer: Forest/ Woods

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 

Make time to riddle and rhyme!

62 original riddles and illustrations

Available in all e-book formats

Sail off into the magic of nature (best with sound)

Still want more woods?

Take a spooky stroll through an enchanted forest

Fairday's Riddle: Head Deep In...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? Moving to Connecticut made me realize how absolutely spectacular and magical they really are, especially this time of year. 😉 ~ F

Shadowy lights and flickering greens— buzzing vibes from things unseen. A sudden chaos of changing lines is conjured up by natural signs. Walk a path with eyes to see and that which dwells appears to thee. Mushrooms gather in a bunch, hearing insects move and munch. A crow shifts swiftly through the trees; fragrant petals wave to bees. A stillness space stuck in motion—here is not the salty ocean. 

Where are you? Stop by Wednesday for the answer.

I gave you a clue!