The Bibliophile's Compass

🔴 1947 1st version of Anne Frank's diary "Het Achterhuis" published in The Netherlands 🔴 1997 Danielle Steel’s romantic novel “Special Delivery” is published

Title : Lionizing Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1835 Pages : 6 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Satire Source : eBook & audiobook @storytel.tr Opening Sentence : I am, — that is to say I was — a great man, but I am neither the author of Junius nor the man in the mask, for my name, I believe, is Robert Jones, and I was born somewhere in the city of Fum-Fudge. This is an absurd satirical work by Edgar Allan Poe. It's so absurd that I'm not quite sure what to make of it. I gave it three stars because the level of absurdity is beyond what one typically encounters, and it had me laughing out loud. So, what’s the story? It revolves around a character named Robert Jones, who is admired in the fictional town of Fum-Fudge for his perfect nose and his scholarship in Nosology. However, the plot takes a turn when Jones experiences a downfall, this time due to someone else's nose! Though the text is quite short, it's filled with countless amusing names and terms. If...

🔴 2010 "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse", based on the book by Stephenie Meyer, directed by David Slade, starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, premieres in Los Angeles

🔴 1819 First editions of "The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent." by Washington Irving released, featuring story "Rip Van Winkle" 🔴 1944 German writer Thomas Mann becomes a US citizen 🔴 2018 Laura Ingalls Wilder's name removed from book award by US Association for Library Service to Children, due to author's racist views and language

Title : Hop-Frog Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1849, March 17 Pages : 12 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Horror Source : eBook & audiobook @storytel.tr Opening Sentence : I never knew anyone so keenly alive to a joke as the king was. “Hop-Frog” is a horror story about a victim and his bully, and it is quite disturbing! The narrative is set in a time when kings, jesters, and clowns existed, and bullying on such a scale was considered acceptable. At first, we see the jester, Hop-Frog, being bullied and mocked because of his appearance. The treatment he receives is brutal. However, his patience runs out when the king and his companions target his friend, another dwarf-sized girl. This moment leads to a shocking twist where the bully faces severe consequences - again severely disturbing. While the story is unsettling, you may end up feeling a sense of pride and happiness for Hop-Frog at the end. This intense narrative raises important issues: Once a bully, always a bull...

🔴 2010 Danielle Steel’s novel “Family Ties” is published

Title : The Gold-Bug Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1843, June 21 Pages : 45 Rating : ⭐⭐ Genre : Early Detective fiction, mystery Source : eBook & audiobook @storytel.tr Opening Sentence : Many years ago, I contracted an intimacy with a Mr. William Legrand. “The Gold-Bug” by Poe is a story reminiscent of a treasure island adventure, but with one key difference: you don’t need to embark on a sea journey; it all unfolds in your own neighborhood! The plot revolves around Mr. William Legrand, who discovers a gold bug and is believed to be going mad by his valet and his physician—the narrator of the story—because of being bitten by the bug. However, this leads him to become a successful treasure hunter. I never expected that an exciting tale of treasure hunting could turn into a tedious explanation filled with meticulous details about the discovery. By the end, I found myself thinking, “Okay, I understand, you are a genius—just spare me the details!” I would have p...

🔴 1843 The Gold-Bug by Edgar Allen Poe published 🔴 1966 "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", film directorial debut of Mike Nichols, based on Edward Albee's 1962 play of the same name, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, is released (Academy Awards Best Actress, 1967) 🔴 2003 "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" the 5th book of the series by J. K. Rowling is published worldwide in English

Title : Four Beasts in One Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1836 Pages : 9 Rating : ⭐ Genre : Adventure, Science Fiction, Satire, Time Travel Source : eBook and audiobook @storytel.tr Opening Sentence : Antiochus Epiphanes is very generally looked upon as the Gog of the prophet Ezekiel. I was taken by surprise! “Four Beasts in One” is a time travel story by Edgar Allan Poe, where our narrator invites us to travel to Antioch in the year 3830 BC. It feels reminiscent of a Doctor Who episode, taking us on a historical documentary adventure in the ancient East. Throughout the story, he provides insight into the culture, its people, and its king. Let me tell you, readers, it’s a unique experience! I’m not entirely sure what to make of this story, except that it explains why pets and animals have been so popular and cherished in Turkey since ancient times. Have you heard about the cats of Istanbul or Turkey? The narrator observes, “Each animal, if you will take the pains ...

🔴 1908 Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery receives her first copy of her novel "Anne of Green Gables" (published April 1908, a bestseller 🔴 1975 "Jaws", based on the book by Peter Benchley, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Roy Scheider is released 🔴 2017 Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones was published

🔴 1970 Jim Bouton's controversial baseball diary "Ball Four" is published

Title : Diddling, Considered as One of the Exact Sciences Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1843 Pages : 26 Rating : ⭐⭐ Genre : Humor, Satire, Essay Source : eBook and audiobook @storytel.tr Opening Sentence : Since the world began there have been two Jeremys. This is essentially an essay in humor, or a humorous entry in an imaginary encyclopedia about “diddling.” It amusingly explores what it means to diddle, the act of diddling, who a diddler is, the characteristics of a diddler, and provides tangible examples of different types of diddling. Poe describes it so well that I am considering becoming a diddler myself! Here are some insights into this diddling: Man is an animal that diddles, and there is  no  animal that diddles  but  man. To diddle is his destiny. “Man was made to mourn,” says the poet. But not so: — he was made to diddle. This is his aim — his object — his  end . And for this reason when a man's diddled we say he's “ done .” ...

🔴 2019 The Stationery Shop of Tehran by Marjan Kamali published

Title : Loss of Breath Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1832 Pages : 15 Rating : ⭐⭐ Genre : Satire Source : eBook Another "What the hell did I read?" story by Edgar Allan Poe. The story follows Mr. Lackobreath, who literally loses his breath and is then captured by his neighbor, Mr. Windenough, leading to an absurd situation where Mr. Windenough ends up with two breaths. The story begins on the first day of Mr. Lackobreath's marriage, during which he curses and mistreats his wife. Before he completes his abuse, he loses his breath and becomes a sort of walking corpse. Desperate to hide his condition, he tries to escape without anyone noticing, but things take a turn for the bizarre. People in a coach realize he is "dead" and throw him out, causing him severe injuries. His lifeless body is subsequently sold to a surgeon, who proceeds to remove his organs and mutilate him. The tale continues with Mr. Lackobreath's disfigurement and encounte...

🔴 1958 "Things Fall Apart" by Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe published by Heinemann - considered most widely read book in African literature 🔴 2003 "Moneyball", a book about the 2003 Oakland Athletics baseball team and GM Billy Beane's sabermetric approach, inspired by Bill James, is published 🔴 2018 Play "Fairview" by Jackie Sibblies Drury premieres off-Broadway at the Soho Repertory Theatre (Pulitzer Prize for Drama 2019)

Title : The Nightingale Author : Kristin Hannah Publication Year : 2015 Pages : 564 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Historical Fiction, War Source : Book & audiobook @storytel.tr I was introduced to Kristin Hannah's work through "The Women," where she effectively portrayed her female characters during and after the war. This narrative is often categorized as trauma fiction, thematically addressing PTSD in veterans. Therefore, I held similar expectations for "The Nightingale," but it turned out to be quite different. While it does focus on female heroes during the war, the significant distinction is that it explores their lives during the war rather than their experiences afterward. Thus, it falls into the category of war fiction rather than trauma fiction, although a few brief scenes touch on trauma. Nevertheless, it was a remarkable novel. "The Nightingale" tells the story of a broken French family: a father returning from WWI changed, a mother los...

  🔴 1904 Bloomsday (date of events in James Joyce's novel "Ulysses")

Title : Beyond the Bayou Author : Kate Chopin Publication Year : 1893 Pages : 7 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Historical, Trauma Source : eBook & audiobook @storytel.tr “Beyond the Bayou” by Kate Chopin tells the story of Jacqueline, a former slave living on a plantation, who is often referred to as La Folle. The narrative centers on her childhood trauma, which occurred during the Civil War when she witnessed P’tit Maître—the plantation owner—covered in blood and hunted down. This traumatic experience left a lasting impact on her, causing her to avoid crossing the bayou that separates her old life from her new one. One day, however, she feels compelled to cross that boundary due to her love for the owner’s son, who has been shot in the leg. This act becomes a significant psychological burden for her. Despite the emotional weight, she manages to cross the bayou but collapses after bringing the boy to the safety of his home. When she awakens the next day, it feels as though she has t...

🔴 1893 Beyond the Bayou by Kate Chopin published 🔴 1974 "All the President's Men" by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward detailing their Watergate investigation is published by Simon and Schuster in the US

Title : Open Throat Author : Henry Hoke Publication Year : 2023 Pages : 160 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Fantasy, Queer Source : Audiobook on @storytel.tr The story begins in a charming and humorous way with an unnamed lion who playfully refuses to reveal its name or gender, insisting that our inability to pronounce it is simply beyond us. As I try to grasp the essence of this cute yet fierce narrator, I find myself navigating its identity crisis and the emotional traumas it experiences and observes. This lion, residing in an LA park beneath the iconic Hollywood sign, raises the question: how does a mountain lion manage to live in such a populated area? Initially, I imagined a cute, small wildcat, but a quick search revealed the reality—it is, indeed, a full-sized lion! Who am I to judge? I'm engrossed in a tale narrated by a mountain lion, who seems a bit unreliable yet utterly fascinating. The lion hints at the possibility of eating a human someday, adding an unexpected layer to...

🔴 1942 Anne Frank begins writing her diary, in Dutch, two days after her 13th birthday 🔴 1965 John Lennon's second book "A Spaniard in the Works" is published

Title : Egotism; or, The Bosom-Serpent Author : Nathaniel Hawthorne Publication Year : 1843 Pages : 15 Rating : ⭐⭐ Genre : Allegory Source : eBook “Egotism; or, The Bosom-Serpent” is another allegorical work by Hawthorne, a genre that I am not particularly fond of. To clarify, I do have a bias against this type of literature. That said, it is interesting to note that Hawthorne himself seemed to question his own allegorical works. He wrote to publisher James T. Fields in 1854: "Upon my honor, I am not quite sure that I entirely comprehend my own meaning in some of these blasted allegories" (Wikipedia). But I am proud to say I comprehended his meaning here, or did I? The story centers on a character named Roderick Elliston, who suffers from a peculiar condition known as the bosom-serpent. This condition symbolizes egotism—there's no hidden meaning to decode here. Hawthorne himself reveals it in the title. Here, I was particularly fascinated by how the narrator explo...

🔴 1863 Samuel Butler publishes 1st part of "Erewhon" in Christchurch, New Zealand 🔴 1991 Angela Carter’s Wise Children published 🔴 2022 Freida McFadden’s The Inmate published

Title : The Pit and the Pendulum Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1842 Pages : 20 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Horror, Gothic Source : eBook "The Pit and the Pendulum" is another horror masterpiece by Edgar Allan Poe. In this story, Poe successfully evokes a profound sense of fear in the reader by placing his character, a victim of the Spanish Inquisition, in a dungeon where he is left alone, except for the looming presence of the inquisitors. If this were a movie—a very well-made one—I would never ever watch it. The terror is so intense that you either gasp repeatedly, hold your breath, or even forget to breathe! Poe creates this atmosphere of horror through human involvement rather than relying on supernatural monsters. We humans are great monsters by ourselves and do not need any supernatural monsters. At first, you might think you are reading about the character's nightmare or hallucination. Perhaps he is truly sick on a deathbed, experiencing this as a fe...

🔴 1942 Anne Frank gets her diary as a birthday present in Amsterdam 🔴 1997 Shakespeare's Globe theatre opens in London, England, replica of original Globe theatre (1599-1642) with performance of Henry V, after campaign by Sam Wanamake

Title : The Murders in the Rue Morgue Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1841 Pages : 47 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Detective Fiction, Horror Source : eBook If you read "The Resident Patient" by Arthur Conan Doyle without knowing the publication date, you might mistakenly assume that Edgar Allan Poe copied Doyle. However, there is almost a 50-year difference in their publication dates. Despite this, the similarities between them are undeniable. It's important to note that "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" is considered the first work of detective fiction. It features all the classic elements of a distinctive private detective, including a sidekick, a unique analytical mind, and a compelling personality. The narrative follows C. Auguste Dupin, our first modern detective, with our narrator serving as his sidekick—similar to Watson in the Sherlock Holmes stories. When I first read the story, I was uncertain whether I was reading a short story or a treatis...

🔴 2024 Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid is Watching published

Title : A Virtuoso's Collection Author : Nathaniel Hawthorne Publication Year : 1842 Pages : 19 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Allegory Source : EBook As usual, we are presented with an allegorical story, but this one is of a different caliber. It follows our narrator's visit to a very peculiar museum that showcases a vast array of exhibits, including artifacts from pre-history, ancient civilizations, religious items, literature, and notable objects, animals, and people from recent history. This enchanting and captivating museum is a place you would wish to visit. Our narrator is also quite unusual; he isn’t particularly interested in ancient history, literature, or monarchy. However, his eyes light up when it comes to religious artifacts and figures, as well as items related to American history. Does this sound familiar? There is also an element of suspense! Who is the owner of this unique collection that guides our narrator through the museum? And who is the gateman? Read the ...

🔴 1761 Puritan version of Shakespeare's "Othello" opens in Newport, Rhode Island

Title : The Masque of the Red Death Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1842 Pages : 10 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Gothic, Horror, Pandemic Source : eBook Many years ago, when I first read this story, my review would have focused on its allegorical and gothic aspects: the inevitability of death and how it will hunt you down, no matter how far you go to hide. In this case, of course, it's set in an isolated castle. However, after living through a pandemic, my perspective has changed. The story now feels more relevant, as if it isn't happening in a creepy castle centuries ago. It tells the tale of Prince Prospero and his attempts to escape the plague known as the Red Death, which has been devastating his country and claiming many lives. Does this sound familiar based on our recent history? What’s more, he has the audacity to throw a party and invite other nobles, completely ignoring the suffering of those dying outside his walls. Again, doesn't that ring a bell? T...

🔴 1860 1st US "dime novel" published: "Malaseka, The Indian Wife of the White Hunter," by Mrs Ann Stevens 🔴 2014 Virginia Woolf in Manhattan by Maggie Gee published

Title : If Cats Disappeared from the World Author : Genki Kawamura Publication Year : 2012 Pages : 202 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Literary Fiction Source : Audiobook @storytel.tr Let’s start with the title, “If Cats Disappeared from the World.” I was ready to give it 1 star if the book made the cats disappear. Spoiler alert: it did not. The cats and the stars are safe. I have ambivalent feelings about this book. I liked it and wanted to give it 5 stars, but by chapter 2, my feeling dropped to 3 stars. When I realized the cats were safe, it settled at 4 stars. What is the story about? We follow a narrator who receives the devastating news that he has stage 4 cancer and doesn’t have long to live. The story is heart-wrenching as it is about his last days on Earth. However, a humorous twist occurs when a devil or the narrator's doppelgänger appears, offering to add a day to his life for each thing he agrees to make disappear from the world. Who wouldn’t want to live one more day, es...

🔴 1880 Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky delivers an emotional speech at the unveiling of a monument to Pushkin in Moscow 🔴 1949 Secker & Warburg publishes George Orwell's seminal novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four", set in the totalitarian state of Oceania 🔴 2017 Love by Jeanette Winterson published

Title : Never Bet the Devil Your Head: A Moral Tale Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1841 Pages : 13 Rating : ⭐⭐ Genre : Satire, Supernatural, Moral Tale Source : Ebook Edgar Allan Poe’s satire often elicits criticism for its perceived lack of morality. When you point this out, you should expect him to respond without shame or consideration. If you criticize his stories, you get what you deserve. The moral of the story is literally "Don’t bet the Devil your head." It begins with the concept of morality in narratives and provides various examples until it leads to the main story, which conveys a rather absurd lesson. The story features a character who lacks moral virtues and a friend who attempts to guide him toward salvation. How many of us can relate to having friends like that or being that friend? Profanity is a central issue here, and ironically, the mischievous character is named Mr. Dammit. He uses various curse words but ultimately settles on the phr...

  1910 The Adventure of the Devil's Foot by Arthur Conan Doyle 1910 Afterward by Edith Wharton 1910 August Heat by W. F. Harvey 1910 The Blue Cross by G. K. Chesterton 1910 The Eternal Adam by Michel Verne 1910 The Heathen by Jack London 1910 Idle Days on the Yann by Lord Dunsany 1910 The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral by M. R. James 1910 The Terror of Blue John Gap by Arthur Conan Doyle 1910 The Eyes by Edith Wharton 1910 The Unparalleled Invasion by Jack London 1911 The Adventure of the Red Circle by Arthur Conan Doyle 1911 Casting the Runes by M. R. James 1911 The Devil by Leo Tolstoy 1911 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax by Arthur Conan Doyle 1911 Fixing it for Freddie by P. G. Wodehouse 1911 The Hammer of God by G. K. Chesterton 1911 The Joy of Nelly Deane by Willa Cather 1911 The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes 1911 The Mexican by Jack London 1911 Odour of Chrysanthemums by D. H. Lawrence 1911 The Sign of the Broken Sword by G. K. Chesterton 1911 Martin's Close by ...

🔴 1798 Thomas Malthus publishes the first edition of his influential 'Essay on the Principle of Population' (date of the unsigned preface) 🔴 2020 Last One to Leave by Benjamin Stevenson published

Title : The Spectacle Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1844 Pages : 30 Rating : ⭐⭐ Genre : Comedy, Romance Source : EBook This is not your typical Poe short story. If you're looking for something uncanny, spooky, or ghostly, you're in the wrong place. To my disappointment, it starts with the theme of "love at first sight" and quickly shifts to the idea that "love is blind." And I mean that literally! Did I mention that this story falls into the category of "What the hell am I reading"? So, what makes this story disappointing? First, it stems from my personal taste. I'm not a fan of romance unless it’s a parody, which this story ultimately becomes, but too late. Anyway, we have a narrator who falls in love with a woman and pursues her—more like he stalks her—and eventually confesses his love to her and they get married within a few days! One crucial detail about our love-struck character is that his eyesight is extremely poor....

  1900 The Affair at Grover Station by Willa Cather 1900 An Egyptian Cigarette by Kate Chopin 1900 Antonovka Apples by Ivan Bunin 1900 At Christmas Time by Anton Chekhov 1900 The Conversion of Sum Loo by Willa Cather 1900 The Dance at Chevalier's by Willa Cather 1900 Eric Hermannson's Soul by Willa Cather 1900 The Funerals of Malachi Mooney by Edward Dyson 1900 The Great Good Place by Henry James 1900 In the Ravine by Anton Chekhov 1900 La petite Toute-Belle by Paul Sébillot 1900 The Road to the Churchyard by Thomas Mann 1900 The Sentimentality of William Tavener by Willa Cather 1900 A Singer's Romance by Willa Cather 1901 Amy Foster by Joseph Conrad 1901 A Double Buggy at Lahey's Creek by Henry Lawson 1901 A Dream of Armageddon by H. G. Wells 1901 El Dorado: A Kansas Recessional by Willa Cather 1901 The Fate of Faustina by E. W. Hornung 1901 In The August by Ivan Bunin 1901 Jack-a-Boy by Willa Cather 1901 A Jubilee Present by E. W. Hornung 1901 The Knees of the Gods by...

1890 Barbara of the House of Grebe by Thomas Hardy 1890 Gibbet Hill by Bram Stoker 1890 Gusev by Anton Chekhov 1890 The Man and the Snake by Ambrose Bierce 1890 The Middle Toe of the Right Foot by Ambrose Bierce 1890 An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce 1890 The Realm of the Unreal by Ambrose Bierce 1890 Three Dreams in a Desert by Olive Schreiner 1891 The Boarded Window by Ambrose Bierce 1891 The Boscombe Valley Mystery by Arthur Conan Doyle 1891 The Bottle Imp by Robert Louis Stevenson 1891 Brooksmith by Henry James 1891 A Case of Identity by Arthur Conan Doyle 1891 The Cast-Iron Canvasser by Banjo Paterson 1891 The Death of Halpin Frayser by Ambrose Bierce 1891 Denapaona by Rabindranath Tagore 1891 The Empty Drum: A Russian Folk Tale Retold by Leo Tolstoy 1891 The First Step by Leo Tolstoy 1891 The Five Orange Pips by Arthur Conan Doyle 1891 The Frost King by Helen Adams Keller 1891 Lady Featherflight by W. W. Newell 1891 The Man with the Twisted Lip by Arthur Conan ...