Classics Challenge - The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

For the classics challenge this month, I read The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

There is a lot of comparison to split personality disorders and this novella. The allegory hidden in the writing definitely points to that. But most visual portrayals of this book make Mr. Hyde a hideous creature, almost ape-like and deformed. Robert Louis Stevenson did not write him that way. None of the characters could describe why he made them uneasy, there was nothing wrong with his appearance. It was the evil shining through that made them cringe.

Stevenson wrote this book after having a nightmare, and he wrote it in a hurry. Not having known him, or much about him besides what Wikipedia says, I'm not sure why he would write this book. I think there is an innate sense in every human to explain the unexplainable and perhaps that what he was doing here. Maybe he felt that his mind was cracking in two and the only way to stop it was to put it outside of himself.

Drabble Dienstag - Falling Rain

There’s nothing quite like a rainy day. I wake to pattering raindrops and smile, stretching in my bed. The light coming through the window is glossy, filtered, hazy. I make coffee and call in sick; it’s a mental health day, a stay-at-home day. I tie my hair back and pick a book off the shelf. Coffee in hand, I cuddle on the couch and don’t move. Every once in a while I pop in the kitchen and grab an apple. When the rain stops and the sun sets, I make dinner and crawl back in bed to finish the book.

Bumped by Megan McCafferty - Book Review

Bumped is controversial. I was worried that it would be crass. The premise is that a virus causes humanity to lose fertility after age 18. Sixteen and Pregnant, in other words. Teenagers are selling babies, both as amateurs and as pros - paid up front. Melody is one of a set of twins, and she is set up for a very expensive pro contract, but she hasn't been paired yet. Harmony, her sister, was raised separately in a very religious community and doesn't believe in sex before marriage.

The first few chapters were a bit of a jolt. The slang was confusing, Melody and Harmony were very difficult to tell apart, but the world was fully formed and I just needed time to settle in. Once I understood the world I was sucked in. It wasn't girly and silly or too R-rated and sexified.

The ending. My normal pet peeve. It closed somewhat, but was so open-ended. When are YA writers going to stop writing books like they are just a way to sell a series and make more money? Writing is an art, books are complete stories. The art of finishing a story but making me fall in love with your writing so that I will read more of your books is your goal.

Have you read this one? What did you think? Controversial or normal YA?

DIY Challenge for the Year

I have a few challenges for myself this year. I'm participating in the Classics Challenge by November's Autumn and I'm running my own challenge for fairy tales.

In 2011 I finished a 101 Goals in 1001 Days challenge with fairly successful results. So to better myself this year I want to do a crafty project once a month.

In January I will be in Colorado and I will probably load up on some supplies that aren't easy to find in Germany. I will mostly be working from my Pinterest DIY list. If you have any ideas I should add, shoot them my way!