Stay-Home Winter Reads

House of Leaves offers a unique reading experience with its unconventional formatting, footnotes, and multiple appendices. The story follows a family who discover their home is bigger on the inside than the outside, and the consequences of this mind-bending impossibility. This book is recommended for readers who enjoy unconventional storytelling and are looking for a thrilling, dreamlike adventure.

An outstanding love story that has been sensitively retold.The heroine, while employed as a personal companion, meets and falls in love with Maxim de Winter, a rich Englishman whose beautiful wife has recently died under tragic circumstances. To her surprise and joy, Maxim proposes to her. But the shadow of Rebecca, Maxim's first wife still dominates him.Original work by Daphne du Maurier.

'And much of Madness and more of Sin And Horror the Soul of the Plot'This selection of Poe's critical writings, short fiction and poetry demonstrates his intense interest in aesthetic issues, and the astonishing power and imagination with which he probed the darkest corners of the human mind. 'The Fall of the House of Usher' describes the final hours of a family tormented by tragedy and the legacy of the past. In 'Tell-Tale Heart', a murderer's insane delusions threaten to betray him, while stories such as 'The Pit and the Pendulum' and 'The Cask of Amontillado' explore extreme states of decadence, fear and hate. These works display Poe's startling ability to build suspense with almost nightmarish intensity.David Galloway's introduction re-examines the myths surrounding Poe's life and reputation. This edition includes a new chronology and suggestions for further reading.PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS SELECTED WRITINGSChronologyIntroductionFurther ReadingA Note on the TextPOEMSStanzasSonnet — To ScienceA/ AaraafRomanceTO HelenIsrafelThe City in the SeaThe SleeperLenoreThe Valley of UnrestThe RavenUlalumeFor AnnieA ValentineAnnabel LeeThe BellsEldoradoTALESMS. Found in a BottleLigeiaThe Man that was Used UpThe Fall of the House of UsherWilliam WilsonThe Man of the CrowdThe Murders in the Rue MorgueA Descent into the MaelströmEleonoraThe Oval PortraitThe Masque of the Red DeathThe Pit and the PendulumThe Tell-Tale HeartThe Gold-BugThe Black CatThe Purloined LetterThe Facts in the Case of M. ValdemarThe Cask of AmontilladoHop-FrogESSÄYS AND REVIEWSLetter to B—Georgia ScenesThe Drake—Halleck Review (excerpts)Watkins TottleThe Philosophy of FurnitureWyandottéMusicTime and SpaceTwice-Told TalesThe American Drama (excerpts)HazlittThe Philosophy of CompositionSong-WritingOn ImaginationThe Veil of the SoulThe Poetic Principle (excerpts)Notes

'No one appeared to have heard me arrive, so after a little hesitation I went crunching over the gravel and gingerly climbed the cracked stone steps. It was a hot, still summer's day -- so windless that when I tugged on the tarnished old brass and ivory bell-pull I caught the ring of it, pure and clear, but distant, as if the belly of the house. The ring was immediately followed by the faint, gruff barking of a dog.'In a dusty post-war summer in rural Warwickshire, a doctor is called to a patient at lonely Hundreds Hall. Home to the Ayres family for over two centuries, the Georgian house, once grand and handsome, is now in decline, its masonry crumbling, its gardens choked with weeds, the clock in its stable yard permanently fixed at twenty to nine. Its owners - mother, son and daughter - are struggling to keep pace with a changing society, as well as with conflicts of their own.But are the Ayreses haunted by something more sinister than a dying way of life?Prepare yourself. From this wonderful writer who continues to astonish us, now comes a chilling ghost story.

"The Greatcoat" is a captivating romance novel set in 1952, telling the story of a young Isabel Carey who discovers a hidden RAF greatcoat in her cupboard. She begins to dream under the comfort of the coat and later meets a young RAF pilot named Alec, with whom she starts a passionate affair. However, secrets from his life soon emerge. This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy a haunting romance with elements of mystery and suspense.

If you're drawn to the mix of eerie and enchanting, "Fragile Things" might just be your next favorite read. Neil Gaiman's knack for spinning darkly magical and deeply touching stories is on full display here. Each tale is a journey through a landscape that's as strange as it is familiar—a perfect pick for the reader who cherishes the thrill of being transported into the beautifully bizarre.

The Shadow of the Wind is a must-read for lovers of literature who enjoy a good mystery. The intricate plot takes readers on a journey through Barcelona's hidden alleys, where they will discover a world of secret libraries and forgotten works. Carlos Ruiz Zafon's writing is both beautiful and haunting, making this a book that readers won't be able to put down until the very last page. The mystery surrounding Julian Carax and his lost works will keep readers on the edge of their seats, and the book's portrayal of the power of literature to inspire and influence readers is truly unforgettable.

The Canterville Ghost and Other Stories is a great read for older kids who enjoy classic ghost stories with a comedic twist. The unique way in which the American Otis family deals with the Canterville ghost adds humor to the story, making it a fun and entertaining read. Additionally, the three other mystery stories included in this book, "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime", "The Sphinx without a Secret", and "The Model Millionaire", also showcase Wilde's wit and humor. Overall, this book is a great choice for older kids who enjoy classic ghost stories and want to have a good laugh.

"Frankenstein" is a classic that never loses its grip on the imagination. It's for those who love the blend of gothic horror with deep philosophical questions. Mary Shelley's novel is an exploration of human nature, the thirst for knowledge, and the perils of playing God. It's an enthralling narrative that takes you from the laboratory of a mad scientist to the vast, icy wastes, making you ponder the essence of life and humanity's responsibilities to its creations.

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde could be a good read for those who enjoy exploring the corrupt nature of the human psyche and the consequences of indulging in vices. Wilde's writing style is captivating and poetic, and the plotline offers a dark and unsettling portrayal of vanity and morality. The most unique feature of this book is the premise of a portrait aging instead of the person, highlighting the societal obsession with physical beauty and its fleeting nature. Overall, this classic novel is a must-read for those who appreciate thought-provoking literature with a touch of the macabre.

The Complete Stories by Flannery O'Connor is a must-read for lovers of Southern Gothic literature, with stories that are both disturbing and thought-provoking. O'Connor's use of grotesque characters, religious themes, and dark humor make for a unique reading experience that lingers long after the book is finished. Readers will appreciate the author's masterful storytelling and her ability to simultaneously shock and enlighten.

In this installment of The Vampire Chronicles, Anne Rice summons up dazzling worlds to bring us the story of Armand -- eternally young, with the face of a Botticelli angel. We travel with Armand across the centuries to the Kiev Rus of his boyhood -- a ruined city under Mongol dominion -- and to ancient Constantinople, where Tartar raiders sell him into slavery. And in a magnificent palazzo in the Venice of the Renaissance we see him emotionally and intellectually in thrall to the great vampire Marius, who masquerades among humankind as a mysterious, reclusive painter and who will bestow upon Armand the gift of vampiric blood.As the novel races to its climax, moving through scenes of luxury and elegance, of ambush, fire, and devil worship, to nineteenth-century Paris and today's New Orleans, we see its eternally vulnerable and romantic hero forced to choose between his twilight immortality and the salvation of his immortal soul.

Angelfield House stands abandoned and forgotten. It was once the imposing home of the March family--fascinating, manipulative Isabelle, Charlie her brutal and dangerous brother, and the wild, untamed twins, Emmeline and Adeline. But Angelfield House conceals a chilling secret whose impact still resonates...Now Margaret Lea is investigating Angelfield's past--and the mystery of the March family starts to unravel. What has Angelfield been hiding? What is its connection with the enigmatic author Vida Winter? And what is it in Margaret's own troubled past that causes her to fall so powerfully under Angelfilds spell?

Jane Eyre is a classic novel that has stood the test of time due to its engaging storytelling, well-developed characters, and timeless themes of love, independence, and self-discovery. It is a must-read for those who enjoy gothic romance and strong, courageous heroines who overcome obstacles in their path. The unique aspect of this novel is how it portrays the struggles of a young woman in a Victorian society that limited women's abilities and choices.