A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes #1, 1887)

My Rating: 5/5

I was completely stupefied the moment I'd finished the first part of the story. My heart pummeled, my nerves tingled, my eyes nearly fell off to the ground, neither blink a second nor attempted to dab it with my hand, and my head downright whirled. The consciousness went back after I'd burnt my rice and grandma's fury was anywhere (face palm). Of course I blamed Sherlock for the worse experiences I had that day. (woa! what a massive effects it had on me.)

The story was divided into two parts. First, it invited us to know the cleverness of the amateur protagonist and how he'd simply solved the queer murder case in three days, and had afforded to watch Neruda's concert while the two Scotland Yard blunders misled themselves to catch the real suspect, scratching their scalps so badly for indignity they received from the dilettante, but somehow triumphantly take the credit at the end. Doctor John Watson, his fellow-lodger at 221 B Baker Street, has strongly disapproved with Holmes' perspective letting the two get a public testimonial without him getting noticed; took his pen and write a pamphlet for his friend entitled A Study in Scarlet. Second course would be the murderer's story on how he'd executed his sweet revenge against the victims and why he'd plotted the felony.

Sherlock Holmes' capacity, for me, is very remarkable. He is quick to comprehend, sagacious, very accurate in details and reason out things logically. He's a pompous guy that would definitely blow you away for his awesomeness. I liked him very much. So bad he didn't get the merit after what he had done over the case.

It's a perfect five, tho. Highly recommend!

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937)

My Rating: 5/5

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” — Thorin’s Last Words

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1Timothy 6:9

You know, JRR Tolkien was a Roman Catholic and I could write anything out here from bible verses I fancy which has slightest possible connection to the story. I would have fallen into such miserable abyss if I haven’t been ventured on some queer quest with dwarves and Tookish slash chosen burglar named,  Bilbo Baggins from  Bag End, Underhill, Hobbiton. I was engrossed by this tale. I had finally met and visited this hobbit-lore in these splendid and magical words after I had watched it on screen some time in the past. Gazing at wooden panel-walled tunnel, as if I was completely bewitched by its beauty and snugness and its cozy breeze filling me entirely from head to toe. Those words from JRR Tolkien would make you shrouded with mystical vibration and awe. I was immobilized, indeed, therefore I would proclaim that this hobbit-hole from West of The Hill is the perfect place to inhabit for the introvert person like me. Tranquil, away from distraction, mirth everywhere, devour savory food, quench my throat with tea, and smoke rings with the wizard (which is not my usual type, but who gets qualms smoking with a wizard?). I love fantasy and I love mysterious adventures and I love drawing out picture from my shabby attic called mind those eerie, filthy and menacing creatures (orcs, goblins, wargs, trolls, spiders, and Smaug) chasing after me under the mystifying and aghast effects composed by nature orchestra. And a thrilling sound from your throat was clamored “Threatening adversity is coming. Buckle up!” Follow these lines:

“All was well, until one day they met a thunderstorm — more than a thunderstorm, a thunder-battle. You know how terrific a really big thunderstorm can be down in the land and in a river-valley; especially at times when two great thunderstorms meet and clash. More terrible still are thunder and lightning in the mountains at night, when storms come up from East and West and make war.”

And Gollum be like . . .  (well, careful with his rabid breath for he had been under Misty Mountain for countless years)

“Is it nice preciousss? Is it juicy? Is it scrumptiously crunchable?"

Yes, it’s terribly creepy yet it’s terrifically crunchable.

 Did I mention the burglar himself? Bilbo was a respectable hobbit folk from The Hill until he was not anymore. Auction happened into his house after a year of his disappearance. He was requested to be as part of adventure all the way to Lonely Mountain where dragon’s lair awaits. Not a simple adventure, of course. Grotesque world heaped up with remarkable inventions. JRR’s imagination was wide and fantastic. I can tell no more. Read Bilbo’s documentation he had written “There and Back Again, a Hobbit’s Holiday” and you will absolutely LOVE it.

MAY YOUR SHADOW NEVER GROW LESS. Highly recommend!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (2008)

My Rating: 5/5

Let's get started wandering inside the graveyard where you would notice our protagonist, Nobody "Bod" Owens, spent most of his childhood life playing with different creatures that only his eyes could see and had battled the evil who's eager to cut down his throat for the sake of its Order. You can learn tips from him, too, how he had survived living with lifeless neighbours and not to freak out by their spookiness. Everyone would be delighted how he had gained special education and acquiring additional skills that only dead people could have offered best — Fading, Fear, Dreamwalking and opening ghoulgates. That would be fantastic G.I. Joe would love to know such tricks, however G.I. Joe doesn't need it much than those monster slayers are required for.

Bod's family were butchered by a man named Jack — the antagonist of the story. He had safely rescued by the ghost when he was crawling down the street and reaching the gate of dead inhabitants. The entire ghosts were disturbingly shaken by the thought of fostering a living toddler, but Silas, soon to be his guardian, and Owenses, his foster parents, urged them to accept the little baby and with ghastly creature coming out had convinced them(a little spoiler here), then he'd been approved by majority to be brought up inside, padlocked, lived in the crypt and received his somewhat badge as being part of the colony.

This is the very first book that I've read from Gaiman's. An adorable one and very entertaining story with such a fine twist of horror being mixed that kids could possibly endure without badly wailing from bed. I gorged this book with enthusiasm. This book is not only for kids, though. It opens up magical and inventive tale that an adult would love to crave and you would wonder on your bed late at night how Gaiman ended up such a story. If you're quite a fan of him you would not gape in awe, I tell you. Bod's character was inspiring and remarkable. He's brave and adventurous and was roused by his own curiosities when oddity of thing engrossed him. He throws question at anyone and I love kids asking me about dragons, spaced aliens, trolls, and all that grotesque creatures made up for whack someone's brain. Anyway, he is also obedient, smart little lad and he valued education more than any kids at his own age. It reminds me of a Filipino boy whose photo goes viral online, randomly photographed by a citizen, that had captured the hearts of all viewers when he studied outside McDonald food chain during that night relied solely upon its flickered light. See the whole story here.

I had seldom come across with book that has big impact. The story of Bod reminds me to overcome fear. Bod's guardian was afraid of getting him into trouble outside the graveyard, because a man would have laid his blade upon his skin. But instead of getting upset about the whole matter Bod's turned everything in reverse. Look at the brighter side, by the way, he's young and all.

"If I go outside in the world, the question isn't 'who will keep me safe from him?'"
"No?"
"No. It's 'who will keep him safe from me?"

The rest are goosebumps!

Final thought — Dream Big. Life has full of surprises, mysteries to decipher and solutions to delve deeper to continue living. Make big decision for your life, grab whatever rarest opportunities come in and do not waste for nothing. This book is an ace. I loved it.