A Few Timeless Tales

Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm 
A New English Version  
Edited and Annotated by Philip Pullman

My rating on a 100-point scale: 92

   Although I'm thoroughly interested in fairy tales, folk tales and all, this book got a little old for me about half-way through. The title is misleading because they are not only fairy tales - there are folk tales, fables, and even a creation myth or two. So I believe the title should be more simply Tales from the Brothers Grimm, since that more accurately describes what it contains.
   The tales are well-written for the most part, though there are a few technical errors (till instead of until or 'til, round instead of around, etc). What bothered me most about this collection though, are the notes that Pullman made after each tale. As someone who has studied these kinds of tales a little in college, I feel like Pullman was a little condescending in his notes. I felt like he was trying to belittle me into believing what he does about them. I didn't like that.
   I probably would have purchased this book for my collection, had the library not had it. Now I know that Pullman kind of ruins it for me, and know not to get this version. He may not ruin these timeless tales for everyone like he did for me, but it's not going on my bookshelf anymore. I think I'll stick with the originals, though these are pretty close.
   The high rating is because I enjoy these tales so much. I can't rate them less than that, despite what Pullman says about them.

This book is not suggested for ages ten and under due to gore and horror. The original tales were not pretty like Disney, for those of you who may not already be aware. 

A Classic

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Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

My rating on a 100-point scale: 98

     When I read books considered to be classics, I am always a little disappointed. I think this is because everyone who likes these books tends to raise them up to such a high level with their praise that the books can't possibly live up to the expectations. Wuthering Heights, as well as Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice, though both great books that are very well written , both fall into my category of Classic Slight Disappointments. 

     As an example, in the comedy movie The Proposal, Sandra Bullock's character mentions that her favorite book is Wuthering Heights and that she reads it every year during the holidays. Though this is only a character in a movie, being someone's favorite book to the extent of taking time out to read that one book every year is fascinating. And that may have been a deciding factor when I was looking for my next book. I had to subconsciously, if not consciously, ask myself, "What book is so good to read so consistently?" and the search for the answer is a reason I have now read Wuthering Heights.

One for Romantics

Chase the Wind by Cindy Holby

My rating on a 100-point scale: 100

     This is one of my all-time favorite books. Though there are places that are very adult and romance-fiction material, this is a mostly historical western novel. It takes place in the United States, beginning in West(-ern) Virginia around 1860 and follows the affects of the curse of one man's hatred. This is a story of love and hate, and triumph and tragedy, an emotional roller coaster ready to deliver. 

      I think one of the reasons I love this novel so much is because the characters and plot are so well-developed. I was able to relate to the characters and their situations a lot.

I wouldn't recommend this novel for anyone younger than 15, due to a few very sensual scenes and the horrors placed upon the main characters.