Author: Sydney Anderson

Posted in Film, Horror

Just Some Good Horror Movies

Posted on by Sydney Anderson

There’s nothing like watching a scary movie when fall is in the air.  Every year, horror buffs look forward to the countdown to Halloween, when it’s socially acceptable to binge-watch as many horror movies as you want, and even the squeamish might give the genre a try.  Today’s list isn’t complicated.  It’s just a selection of horror films, all available at Mead, that I really liked, and that I hope you’ll like too.  One quick note: these are the preferences of a long-time horror aficionado – viewer discretion is advised for all of these selections.  With that out of the way, let’s get started!

Stopmotion

Stopmotion follows Ella, creative assistant to her mother Suzanne, a celebrated stop-motion animator.  Ella yearns to find her own artistic voice, but she’s been smothered by Suzanne’s personal and professional mistreatment.  When Suzanne’s health takes a turn for the worse, a mysterious young girl begins to haunt Ella.  The apparition encourages her to abandon her mother’s unfinished film and tell a different, very macabre story. Ella thinks she’s found her chance to come into her own – until the film begins to haunt her.  Stopmotion is a brilliant work of psychological horror – I was literally on the edge of my seat by the end.  I really appreciate how the film doesn’t overexplain itself.  It’s left up to interpretation whether the haunting represents Ella’s abusive upbringing, the toll of her devotion to art, fear of mortality triggered by her mother’s failing health, or something else entirely.  Furthermore, the stop-motion animation sections of the film impress, both on a technical level and in scare factor.  Stopmotion is a good story well told, capable of sending shivers up a jaded horror buff’s spine, and it absolutely deserves a place on your watchlist.

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Posted in Film, Horror, Uncategorized

Vampire Cinema

Posted on by Sydney Anderson

In my opinion, it’s never too early to start thinking about the scary movies you’re going to watch in the lead-up to Halloween.  Vampires are having a bit of a moment right now, so there’s no better time to explore the history of one of the most iconic and enduring subgenres of horror cinema.  Unfortunately, it would be pretty much impossible to cover the entire history of vampire movies in a single blog post: there are just too many great ones!  So, with the acknowledgement that any short list of vampire movies will also necessarily be an incomplete one, I’d like to use this space to talk about a few of my favorites.  Let’s get started!

Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula is indisputably the grandfather of the modern vampire story, and I thought for a while about which of its’ many, many cinematic adaptations should go on this list.  Should I spotlight F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu, the loose adaptation of Dracula that invented the vampire film genre as we know it today?  Or should I highlight the legendary performance of Bela Lugosi?  How about Christopher Lee?  While those are all great options, in the end I decided on this 1992 adaptation by Francis Ford Coppola.  Forget what you’ve heard about Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker, because this movie also features excellent performances from Gary Oldman as Dracula, Anthony Hopkins as Van Helsing, Winona Rider as Mina Harker, and Tom Waits (!) as Renfield.  This take on the story departs from Stoker’s novel in that it explores the idea of a potential romantic connection between Dracula and Mina Harker. No matter how you feel about the adaptational changes to the original story, this film is undeniably stylish.  With Coppola’s directorial touch, a haunting score by Wojciech Kilar and gorgeous Oscar-nominated costumes by Eiko Ishioka, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is nothing short of an unforgettable cinematic experience .

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Posted in Fantasy, Genre, Uncategorized

One Of A Kind Fantasy

Posted on by Sydney Anderson

Part of the reason we love genre fiction is familiarity, but even the biggest fantasy die-hards will admit that sometimes familiarity starts to get same-y.  Never fear: I’ve compiled a list of fantasy novels that do something truly unique with the genre’s toolbox.  These recommendations, all available at Mead, may get you out of a reading slump if you need it, and remind you why you fell in love with fantasy.  And if you happen to be new to the genre, any of these books would be a great place to start.

The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera

Fetter lost his shadow in childhood, as part of his mother’s ambition for him to fulfill a prophecy that he would one day assassinate his father.  As a young man in the city of Luriat, Fetter tries to process his past by attending a therapy group for former Chosen Ones.  He discovers his affinity for the mysterious Bright Doors that mark the cityscape, as well as the role he might have to play in a rebellion against his father.  The Saint of Bright Doors is a much needed re-imagining of some of fantasy’s most enduring tropes, and Fetter’s emotional journey over the course of the book is something truly unforgettable.  As you read it, you’ll find yourself asking questions not only about the stories we tell one another, but also about the aspects of our real world that they reflect.

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Posted in Adult, Fantasy, Fiction, Genre, Historical, Horror, Science Fiction, Uncategorized

A Mostly Magical Miscellany

Posted on by Sydney Anderson

Ordinarily, when I’m putting together a post for this blog, I tailor my recommendations to follow a certain theme.  This can be a good way to get creative energies flowing, but unfortunately, it also means that if I haven’t been able to talk about some of my absolute favorites, just because I haven’t been able to fit them into a theme.  Today, I aim to fix that.  July just so happens to be my birthday month, so as a birthday gift to myself and all of you wonderful readers, I’ve compiled a selection of books for no reason other than because I love them.  Just because of my personal tastes, most of these will fall into the fantasy genre, but there are a couple wildcards!  Let’s get started!

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin

Genly Ai is a human emissary to the planet Winter, home of the Gethenians, an alien species who have no concept of gender and change their sex in order to reproduce.  Mounting political strife throws Genly into the path of the Gethenian Estraven.  Soon, the two realize they will have to overcome their differences and depend on one another in order to survive, and possibly bring Winter into a new era in the process.  All of this is told with the compassionate characterization and beautiful prose that made Ursula K. LeGuin a master of the science fiction genre.  As much as I adore this book, it is worth noting that it was originally published in 1969, and therefore readers should be mindful of encountering some language and content that is considered outdated today.  LeGuin herself later expressed regret that the book’s narration uses “he” to refer to the Gethenian characters rather than singular “they”.  The novel’s themes, however, are timeless.  I think everyone has one or two novels they encountered in college that expanded their ideas of what fiction could do, and this is one of mine.  The story and characters of The Left Hand of Darkness will remain with you long after the final page is turned.  If you haven’t read it yet, I can’t recommend it highly enough, and if you have, it’s a book worth revisiting again and again.

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Posted in Adult, Audience, Fantasy, Fiction, Genre

Fairy Tale Novellas

Posted on by Sydney Anderson

Every so often, I like to spend some time with a book that reminds me of how I fell in love with reading.  For me, that means memories of being curled up under the covers with a fairy tale.  These four little books prove that magical things often come in small packages.  They may offer new interpretations of old stories that many of us might have come to love when we were young, but each also speaks to the wisdom and perspective of adulthood.  I have such a deep love for this little subgenre, and I hope you’ll join me as I share a few of my favorites.

The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar

Sisters Esther and Isobel live at the river’s edge, guardians of a pair of enchanted willow trees.  The two are inseparable, but tragedy strikes when the actions of a jealous suitor threaten to separate them forever.  With the help of her faerie sweetheart Rin, Esther will have to struggle her way back across the boundary between real and unreal to save her sister before it’s too late.  This novella was El-Mohtar’s highly anticipated solo debut after the smash success of her collaboration with Max Gladstone, This Is How You Lose The Time War.  It’s everything her fans were looking for.  El-Mohtar’s lyrical prose is excellently matched to a story interwoven with the themes of traditional folk ballads, particularly Twa Sisters, although this book flips the script on hero and villain from the original tale.  The book also features evocative illustrations by Kathleen Neeley, as well as a sneak preview of El-Mohtar’s upcoming short story collection.

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Posted in Adult, Film, Horror

Horror Movies for Mother’s Day?

Posted on by Sydney Anderson

Hear me out.  There are a couple reasons why you might want to watch a scary movie on Mother’s Day.  Firstly, maybe your mom just likes horror movies!  But if I may put my film nerd hat on for a second, one of the most important tricks in the horror toolkit is taking something people typically think of as safe and comforting and making it frightening.  When a director or a screenwriter focuses on familial relationships alongside or within the scares, they can reliably create a memorably chilling cinematic experience.  The following films include scared moms, scary moms, and sometimes both, and all of them are excellent picks for any horror fan at any time of year.

Alien

The Xenomorph, the iconic creation of artist H.R. Giger, is technically only doing what comes naturally for the propagation of her species.  Unfortunately, that involves using the crew of the Nostromo as hosts.  Only Ellen Ripley may have the strength not only to survive, but to fight back.  In the forty-six years (!) since this film’s release, Alien has become the gold standard for sci-fi horror.  Anchored by Sigourney Weaver’s unforgettable protagonist, the film provides both spine-tingling suspense and heart-pounding adrenaline rushes. The Xenomorph may be one of the all-time feats of cinematic creature design.  As far as the film’s applicability to Mother’s Day, the sequel just so happens to contain one of the most iconic Mama Bear one-liners in all of cinema.  You know the one.

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Posted in Adult, Audience, Fantasy, Fiction, Genre, Horror, LGBTQI+, Science Fiction

But What If?

Posted on by Sydney Anderson

I’m going to be talking about a somewhat niche subgenre today, so bear with me – I think these books are really interesting!  Retellings are a huge deal in genre fiction right now, unfailingly popular with fans.  Retellings of myths and fairy tales tend to get the most hype, but there’s another kind of retelling that tends to go overlooked: retellings of literary works in the public domain.  I think these are particularly interesting when they add genre fiction elements, such as science fiction, fantasy, or horror. Sometimes, they even elaborate on a genre fiction element that was present in the original work.  Who doesn’t love an old story made new again?  I’m here today to talk about four new-ish books that offer fresh takes on older works of fiction.  I hope you’ll love them just as much as I do.  Let’s get started!

The Stars Undying by Emery Robin

What if Julius Caesar and Antony & Cleopatra were set in space?


In a faraway galaxy, the fate of the Ceiao Empire and its neighbor Szayet rests on the shoulders of three extraordinary people.  Ceian military superstar Matheus Ceirran and his loose-cannon right-hand woman Anita become entangled with Altagracia, the charming and ambitious princess of Szayet.  What begins as a political alliance blossoms into genuine affection, but the machinations of Ceirran’s enemies will soon interrupt their plans.  You probably already recognize this story, and this first volume of a planned trilogy takes its characters all the way to the fallout of the Ides of March.  Reading this book was the pure pleasure of a good story well told.  I really enjoyed some of the twists Robin put on their historical and literary inspirations.  The second book in the duology, The Sea Eternal, released just this past month, and while I haven’t had the opportunity to read it yet, I personally can’t wait to spend more time with these characters.

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Posted in Film, Uncategorized

From Stage to Screen

Posted on by Sydney Anderson

Movie musicals are having a bit of a moment right now, best illustrated by the smash success of Wicked.  Speaking as a theatrical aficionado, I couldn’t be happier.  That being said, I think it’s a bit of a shame that compared to movie musicals past and present, movies based on plays tend to fall by the wayside.  After all, where better to see capital-A Acting than with a script meant to be performed live?  If you’re interested in seeing world-class performers and great scripts, check out these movies based on plays, selected from Mead Public Library’s catalog.

Amadeus

First thing’s first: this movie’s depiction of the lives of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri isn’t remotely historically accurate.  That said, this movie’s version makes for an incredible story.  Based on a play by Peter Shaffer adapted from an even earlier play by Alexander Pushkin, this film imagines that Salieri was consumed by jealousy over Mozart’s genius.  Salieri, portrayed by F. Murray Abraham in an Oscar-winning performance, falls deeper into resentment and obsession until he finally begins to plot murder.  I have to lay all my cards on the table here: this is one of my favorite movies of all time.  It’s visually enchanting, and the performances from F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce deserve every bit of their acclaim.  I’m also a particular fan of how the soundtrack expertly weaves Mozart’s music into the intrigue.  In addition to Abraham’s Best Actor win, the film won Best Picture, Best Director, and much more at the 1985 Academy Awards.  I could go on all day, but ultimately, I simply adore this movie, and I hope you will too.

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Posted in Adult, Audience, Fantasy, Fiction

Music, Magic and Mystery

Posted on by Sydney Anderson

Ever since Thorin Oakenshield’s company of dwarves recruited Bilbo Baggins to their quest with a song in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, the fantasy genre has been intertwined with music.  It goes both ways as well – plenty of rock and metal bands have written songs or whole albums about their favorite fantasy novels!  My personal theory is that since just about everyone can relate to being moved by music, the incorporation of music into a fantasy story can help to ground the fantasy elements in something real.  This allows the reader to suspend their disbelief and become truly immersed within the story and world.  Today, I’ll be spotlighting a few books where music and dance are truly magic, sure to appeal to readers who are fans of fantasy, the fine arts, or both.

Nocturne by Alyssa Wees

Grace Dragotta has devoted her life to becoming a ballerina, enduring the scars left by personal tragedy to pursue her dream.  When she brings down the house in the starring role of The Firebird, she is suddenly on the cusp of everything she’s ever wanted.  But her talent attracts the attention of a mysterious and demanding patron, Master La Rosa, who is certainly not all that he seems.  This book has the feeling of a fairy tale retelling, but rather than putting a new twist on a single story, it incorporates elements of many.  Familiar motifs from Beauty and the Beast, the Phantom of the Opera and the myth of Eros and Psyche are all present.  The story feels strongly reminiscent of the myth of Hades and Persephone for the first half, but a plot twist reveals to both Grace and the audience that she is not in the story she thinks she’s in.  Combine that with beautiful prose excellently matched to the elegance of ballet, and you have a book worth treasuring.

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Posted in Adult, Fantasy, Fiction, Uncategorized

Great Speculative Fiction from 2024

Posted on by Sydney Anderson

‘Tis the season for year-end lists!  This is one that I’m super excited to share.  It’s been a truly incredible year for sci-fi, fantasy, and horror.  Some of these books have been getting well-deserved hype, whereas others have flown more under the radar. All of them and many more can be found in our collection at Mead Public Library.  A quick caveat before we begin: I’m only one person, and even with my book-dragon tendencies, it would be impossible for me to keep up with all the great new releases in a given year.  If I overlooked one of your favorites, give it a shoutout in the comments!  Sharing recommendations is one of the great joys of the reading life.  Now, without further ado, on to the list!

The West Passage by Jared Pechaček

For centuries, the Guardian and the women of Grey Tower have defended the rest of the enormous palace where they dwell from the invasion of the Beast through the West Passage.  But when the Guardian dies without passing on her name to her successor, the West Passage falls into jeopardy, and winter comes out of season.  Yarrow, the new Mother of Grey House, embarks on a quest to set the seasons right.  Meanwhile, the deceased Guardian’s successor goes to petition the Ladies of the palace for the right to take the Guardian’s place.  The West Passage is that true unicorn of a fantasy novel – reading it feels like reading fantasy when you were a kid, balancing the familiar and the completely new into a synthesis of enchantment.  You can see influences here from Lewis Carroll, Ursula K. LeGuin, Hayao Miyazaki, and more, but The West Passage remains its own beautiful and strange creation.  This was a privilege to read, and I can’t wait to see what Pechaček does next, whether in this imagined world or in a new one.

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