Tag Archives: Books

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Spin-Offs: Books and Movies

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The release of Guillermo del Toro’s new movie has inspired a resurgence of interest in Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. Ever since I read Anne Edwards’ 1972 pulpy gothic novel, Haunted Summer, I have been fascinated by the history of Mary Shelley and the “lost” summer of 1816 in Switzerland when she wrote the story. Here are a few books and movie spin-offs that sparked my interest in the topic.

Mary’s Monster: Love, Madness, and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lita Judge. This beautifully drawn and written (in poetic prose) account of Mary Shelley’s life, rife with tragedy, is succinct and perfect for teens or anyone else who wants to learn more about how she wrote the masterpiece novel Frankenstein.

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins is a dual-timeline gothic suspense novel that was inspired by Fleetwood Mac, the Manson murders, and the summer Percy and Mary Shelley spent with Lord Byron at a Lake Geneva castle. While it doesn’t involve Mary Shelley, the plot has the same trajectory. It was exceptionally well done in audio.

Love, Sex and Frankenstein by Caroline Lea is a moody novel that centers on the summer in 1816 when Mary, her stepsister, Claire, and Percy Shelley stayed at the Lake Geneva villa with Lord Byron and the convoluted relationships that ensued. Later that summer, Lord Byron challenged everyone to write a ghost story, which led Mary to develop her masterpiece. The flow of the storytelling isn’t particularly smooth, but it’s fascinating for anyone wanting a more “adult” perspective on the lost summer.

Writers Between the Covers by Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon includes a chapter on Lord Byron’s extensive (and sordid) love life, with a brief mention of his stay in Switzerland with the Shelleys. For the record, the rest of the book is riveting and eye-opening and remains one of my favorite books about books and authors.

A few years ago, we ran across the movie Mary Shelley (2017) featuring Elle Fanning, and while it wasn’t accurate (what movie based on history is?), it was still entertaining and fairly well done. My husband and I both enjoyed it.

And of course, I have to mention Mel Brooks’s wildly entertaining movie, Young Frankenstein. I think it’s time for a rewatch, as I could use a good laugh.

“[Froederick and Igor are exhuming a dead criminal]

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: What a filthy job.

Igor: Could be worse.

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: How?

Igor: Could be raining.

[it starts to pour]”

I haven’t seen the new Frankenstein movie, and I’m not sure I will, but if you have, please leave a comment on whether it’s worth watching.

BOOK TAILS: Baker & Taylor and Me

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A week ago, I learned about the closure of book distribution giant Baker & Taylor, and I felt a sense of loss as B&T was a part of my professional life since I started working in the library in 1974.

Have you been curious as to where all of those lovely books come from that grace library (and bookstore) shelves, many appearing on the publication day, or has it even entered your mind to wonder? The answer is that many of them are provided by the giant company Baker & Taylor, which has distribution centers around the U.S. They also provided services that made the lives easier of anyone who did library collection development (I was a fan of Automatically Yours, a service that automatically sent books by popular authors, and title catalogs, which listed major forthcoming books and print runs.)

Book Picker or Blackjack Dealer?

In the late 1970s or early 1980s, my husband and I both worked for the library system and were slated to be laid off should a library levy not pass. One of our options was moving to Reno, Nevada, so we spent a few days there, touring the Baker & Taylor distribution center and casinos. I was thinking I could get a job at B&T, or if that didn’t work out, become a blackjack dealer (no joke). Spoiler: the levy passed, and I didn’t spend the rest of my career as a book order picker or dealing cards in a smoky casino.

“Books. Cats. Life is Good.” — T. S. Eliot

But one of their major claims to fame was Baker and Taylor, two sweet Scottish Fold cats who became their mascots and whose faces graced company promotional materials. It was de rigueur to return from a conference sporting a coveted tote bag (I’m not sure how many I cleaned out of my work area when I retired, but it was a bunch.)

In 1983, the Minden (Nevada) Library acquired a Scottish Fold cat they named Baker after he was found sleeping in Baker & Taylor boxes. They wanted another but couldn’t afford one, so the company agreed to obtain another cat (and if I remember correctly, paid for their care), in return for using them for promotional purposes. In 1990, my husband and I were passing through Minden and stopped to meet the cats, which remains a highlight of my life. Despite our visit interrupting the staff’s workflow, they graciously took me to the back room for a “meet and greet.” If you can’t tell, Baker wasn’t very cool with having his photo taken, but he enjoyed the scritches. The story of the cats is chronicled in the lovely book, The True Tails of Baker & Taylor, by the then-library director, Jan Louch. However, a mutual colleague informed me that parts were not entirely factual, but I didn’t care; I still loved the book.You can find my Goodreads review here.  

So, how will libraries obtain their books after B&T ceases its operation? Most will probably use Ingram’s, another big distribution company, but it’s going to take time to get it all sorted out. So my advice is to please be patient if your library doesn’t get books on the shelves or your hold isn’t filled as quickly as before.

Revisiting HELL HOUSE by Richard Matheson

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So this was an interesting read in a couple of different ways. Please forgive my rambling review.

I first read this in the 1970s, during my horror phase (which I guess I’m still in), when I read Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House and Robert Marasco’s Burnt Offerings. I recall being impressed by how frightening this was and how effectively the setting was portrayed. For some reason, I decided to reread it to see if it affected me the same way it did 50 years ago, and here is what’s different — I don’t remember the obvious uncurrent of sexual tensions of the women, and at times, the lewdness of the house’s history. I’m not judging, I’m just surprised I didn’t remember that aspect of the storyline. However, that all being said, it was still very scary (Stephen King said it was, “the scariest haunted house novel ever written.” I’m not sure I agree with our friend Stevie, as I think The Haunting of Hill House was way scarier in its subtlety.) I did feel the anticlimactic ending went on too long.

I followed up by watching the 1973 movie, The Legend of Hell House, and it was reasonably well done, although somewhat condensed; however, the setting was perfect. (Fun fact: my spouse and I saw this at the local drive-in, probably in the mid-1970s. Near the end, the bathrooms were closed due to a sewer problem, and we had to pee so bad we had to leave before the ending, and it wasn’t until last night that I saw finale!)

And here’s one more observation that about drove me bonkers during my recent read. Do you ever read a book and notice a repeated term or description that a good editor should have caught? In this case, the word “hiss” (or hissing or hissed) was used sixteen times according to my Kindle!

Richard Matheson also wrote the time travel love story, Bid Time Return, which was adapted into the romantic movie Somewhere in Time, starring Christopher Reeve and Jayne Seymour. (Loved the book but never saw the movie.)

Anyhoodles, if a reader is looking for a good haunted house story, one can’t go wrong with this book as long as the content isn’t objectionable. However, for the best haunted house story ever written (IMO), you can’t go wrong with The Haunting of Hill House (and the original movie, The Haunting), and the sequel, Elizabeth Hand’s A Haunting on the Hill. For a fun look at horror novels from the 1970s/1980s, get a copy of Grady Hendrix’s Paperbacks from Hell (click on the title for my Goodreads review).

2025 MEMOIRS, PLUS A BIOGRAPHY (Part 1)

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I love a good celebrity memoir, especially if the author is candid and sprinkles a little dirt. Seven years ago, I wrote about memoirs, which you can read here, if you so desire. Here is a rundown of the memoirs I’ve read so far in 2025. Part 2 will arrive in a few days.

How to Lose Your Mother by Molly Jong-Fast. I read Erica Jong’s ground-breaking novel, Fear of Flying, when it was published in 1973, and then followed her career over the years. Turns out Erica was a bit of a narcissist and an alcoholic. When she started sliding into dementia, not only did Molly become her caregiver, but at the same time, Molly’s husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Compelling, although some have felt Molly got a little too whiny at times, but you know what? Molly deserved to be a wee bit chagrined over her situation.

Softly, As I Leave You by Priscilla Presley (publication date September 23). Well. This was verrry interesting. There is some repeated information from her first memoir, Elvis and Me, but this continues the story of their divorce and the raising of their daughter, Lisa Marie. Like many celebrities, there is an aggravating air of entitlement throughout, but what is most interesting is what Lisa Marie wrote about Priscilla in her book, From Here to the Great Unknown. While neither could be considered a reliable narrator, it’s interesting to compare what they said about each other — at least it is if you care about this stuff at all, and I do, I do!

Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields. Another entry into the menopausal memoirs by celebrities. It was interesting when Brooke talked about her career and life, but it got a little tedious when she delved into the “change of life” stuff; it’s like no one has ever gone through this before. If you like her, give it a try; otherwise, skip it.

Stay tuned for four more titillating stories by people who think readers want to hear their life stories. Here is a sneak peek:

ON THE HIPPIE TRAIL: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer by Rick Steves

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This was an easy-to-read and fun look at Rick Steves’ first foray into reporting on foreign countries outside of Europe. When he was 23, he took a break from teaching piano (who knew?) and, along with a buddy, decided to travel the “Hippie Trail,” a popular itinerary in the Middle East and South Asia among young people in the late 1970s. As he traveled, he kept a detailed journal, which he found years later and decided to lightly edit the entries and publish, along with providing numerous photos and journal samples.

Despite the “white male privilege” aspects, where his self-awareness went by the wayside a few times, Rick’s journey was fascinating. And while some have criticized his writing skills and observations, one must consider his age and limited life experiences. However, I found the narrative very appealing and think it could be enjoyable to listen to as he narrates the audiobook.

If you are a fan of Rick Steves, pick this up to enjoy the beginnings of his writing and traveling career. This would also make a lovely gift, as the print book features high-quality paper and numerous photos.

After writing the above review, I came across another book with the same itinerary set at the same time period, featuring a very similar cover. Strange Bewildering Time: Istanbul to Kathmandu in the Last Year of the Hippie Trail by Mark Abley was written two years ago. I haven’t read it yet (and am not sure I will), but he appears to have had many of the same experiences as Rick Steves’s, although his perspective includes more of a reflection on the trip and experiences. The reviews are mixed, with some saying it’s well-written (the author is a poet) and some saying it’s not, so who knows.

BOOKS ABOUT BOOKS – 1973-2025

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Check out my updated header, where I’ve changed the photo to showcase my current collection of BoBs (Books of Books).

Please excuse a bit of self-indulgence as I share my journey of journaling books.

In May 1973, when we moved to Salem, Oregon, I started keeping track of the books I read, using an old steno pad. I quickly graduated to composition notebooks, finally settling on green stone paper notebooks in January 2020, which, while not particularly attractive, house wonderfully smooth writing paper. (I have a thing for smooth writing paper and pens, but that’s a post for another day — bet you can’t wait, eh?). It’s a task I have never regretted, and as soon as I close the cover of a book (or turn off my Kindle), I immediately add the title to the notebook, along with a Goodreads entry. I estimate that I have over 5,000 books noted in this collection of BoBs. It’s great fun to look back over what I’ve read and how my reading tastes have evolved, although upon reflection, they haven’t changed too much (looking at you, gothic novels), except by adding some new genres and topics.

It’s also amusing to see how much my handwriting has changed. Below is a photo of my first page in August 1973, and on the right is my current page. I am always surprised by how much I can remember just by seeing the book title, along with an occasional note about where I was while reading it (I still remember reading Flowers in the Attic on a beach in Lake Tahoe).

If you don’t keep track of your reading, start doing so; you will never regret it, and it’s a valuable tool for refreshing your memory on what you enjoyed over the years.

And taking a page from readers’ advisor extraordinaire, Joyce Saricks, I put them in the fireproof safe when we travel. One can’t be too careful with critical historical records.

My Journey With the Seven Sisters (and Pa Salt) by Lucinda Riley

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Two years ago, after carrying the large paperback of the first book, The Seven Sisters, in my beach bag for six years, I finally set aside time to start the entire series, which consists of eight long books.

Well, I just finished the last book, Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt, and boy, what a journey that turned out to be!

Each book centers around one of the six sisters adopted by “Pa Salt,” a billionaire, with each one named after a star in the Seven Sisters constellation, also known as the Pleiades. Despite not being exceptionally well-written and sometimes needing a good editor, I enjoyed all the titles. They border on melodrama and were all a tad predictable, but I didn’t give a fig; they all hit the right note for warm summer days on the patio. These books with dual timelines are full of family dynamics, intrigue, and romance, and incorporate some historical figures and history in each exotic setting (Switzerland, Paris, England, Ireland, Australia, Africa, and Brazil), and one has to admire Riley’s research and imagination. If you decide to start on this series, be sure to have the next book readily available, as each ends with a cliffhanger.

My other minor gripe was that these sisters were all smart people, but throughout their upbringing, no one thought to ask their father, Pa Salt, his real name? (I know!)

If you’re a fan of epic novels by Diana Gabaldon, Sara Donati, Beatriz Williams, and Kate Morton, try these addictive books.

COPYCAT JACKETS: You Can Judge a Book By Its Cover

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For those wondering where I’ve been for the past year: Like many of you, this pandemic thing quashed my creative juices for book reporting, plus WordPress “improved” their format and I just didn’t have the energy to figure it out. The other issue is the app I used to make collages for my book covers wasn’t working right but it’s back along with my desire to write about books. I will follow with more posts over the next few weeks, including a continuation of my reading history series. Was it because I received my first dose of the Covid vaccination? Or could it be because Typing Maniac is kaput and I seem to have a bit more time? You make the call.]

How many of you have browsed the shelves at the library (pre-quarantine, natch) and picked up a book only to discard it thinking you had read it? Don’t be so quick to judge! Check out the inside flap before reshelving as it’s entirely possible the title has a “copycat” jacket with the publisher using a similar font and graphic similar to another popular book. It’s more common than you might think with some even using the same photograph, as seen in the article Why Do So Many Book Covers Look the Same? Blame Getty Images. Here’s a small sample of the image used for two very different books but check out the article for at least ten books that used the same graphic.

Another interesting article, 57 Books That Look Like Other Books, is worth reading in order to see the various cover trends from the past few years. Here’s a sample. Hmm, I wonder which book graphic was copied.

This trend has interested me for years but it wasn’t until I read Lucy Foley’s The Guest List that I started collecting graphics of books with similar covers. Here is my collage of recent thrillers. Can you name the book that started it all and the similarities?

Here’s another cover trend for books with the setting of a world war (usually) featuring characters on the cover (mostly with their backs to the viewer) and planes (or a plane) in the sky.

So don’t think your mind is going south if you can’t remember if you’ve read a particular book; it’s most likely you are picking up a book with a copycat cover!

Please let me know in the comments below how your reading year has been going. Also, you are welcome to email me at ilovelibraries at gmail dot com should you wish to send me a private message.

So Here We Go…

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I have been threatening to write a book blog for years and last fall announced on my other blog (Novel Rambles) that something would be coming soon. Well, by “coming soon,” I meant eight months because that’s how long it’s taken me to finally get something together.

My plan is to write a regular blog, and by “regular” I’m not sure if that means weekly, monthly, or whenever I feel I have something to say, which if it’s about books would be just about every day. I will talk about books and reading, particularly what I’ve loved (or liked) and what I’m excited to read, or write a “theme” column. For those of you who don’t know me very well, I am active in reading advance reading copies (although now it’s more in the digital format) and often read books before they are published, sometimes up to nine months ahead of time. That means what I talk about will most likely be titles you won’t be able to get your mitts on quite yet but sometimes having something to look forward to is half the fun.

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I don’t want to blather one for much longer, so just be assured that I will work on passing on lots of good book information, some of which you might not see anywhere else–for a while anyway.

Also, I’m kinda bad at not finding typos until after something has been published so be forewarned there may a typo or grammar error now and then. Not pointing them out would be appreciated. 🙂

And the appearance and layout are still a work-in-progress and will eventually be tweaked, but getting hot book into the world info may trump those efforts.

Housekeeping: Please note the menu on the right side includes a “Follow” button so you can enter your email and be notified when a new blog is posted. Don’t worry, though, I won’t be sharing email addresses.

And the GoodReads widget shows what I’m currently reading. If you aren’t a GoodReads member, consider creating an account as I will often refer to my current reviews.

So here we go!