Like everyone else, I wanted to read the true book in its truest form before the movie release in February 2026. I used both the audiobook, a physical copy, and some social media to follow. I'm a fan of Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskel so I enjoyed books from this era, but also understood this is not like those at all having seen Jane Eyre and at least knowing sort of what I was in for with the Bronte sisters. I knew it wasn't a love story. Random Thoughts: Much like "Gone With The Wind" main characters, Heathcliff and the first Catherine are horrible people so much it bleeds into those around them. Edgar tried to shelter his daughter Catherine from the evil that had been her mother and Heathcliff, but let's be honest... she has some of her mother in her and it was bound to backfire on him. Reading this is like logging on your town's 1847 Neighborhood FB page and trying to follow all the drama. Heathcliff, my dude, you need a hobby... Catherine was a spoiled, rich girl and wasn't worth wasting your life and avenging losing her by dragging others down with you. Do some diamond art or something. It's normal to not know what the heck is going the first 100-ish pages aka 40% of it the first read. That's where the social media videos helped me understand what the heck had just happened. Finally... this book is HEAVY. I had 50-ish pages to go and I had to take a break. My next read is definitely going to be lighter. I figure the movie will not be it as it focuses so much on Catherine and Heathcliff when the book is so much more, but at least it inspired me to read the original text. Did I enjoy it? I don't know still. Do I think anyone but Nellie is a good person in this book... no. It was a lot and I was surprised how complex it all was, but I will probably not read it again for any kind of enjoyment.

I grew up watching various film adaptations of this book, but had never read it myself. I loved it. I was brought to tears twice with Dickens's descriptions of Scrooge's visits from the ghosts of Christmas Present and Christmas Past. I will be reading A Christmas Carol again yearly.

This was so close to a 5-star read. The slow burn was almost perfect that I didn't mind as the main characters were laid out and complicated from the start. I enjoyed Juliet's colonial life as I'm a fan of strong women in a trumulant time such as the Revolutionary War. I like that Leith's development was believable and not so out of character... he was still the same man, just softened in the end. I also like the author laid out pieces to the puzzle that began to fit for the reader and the characters at the same time... they were figuring out right along with us and their intelligence wasn't insulted. My only grip is the last twist at the very end. That kind of took away from the steam forward of the story for me and wish it had rolled ahead instead of having to hear so much secondhand. It ruined the tension of the conclusion for me. Overall... it was a smart, well-laid journey I very much enjoyed with a hiccup at the end that almost ruined the book for me.

This was so close to a 5-star read. The slow burn was almost perfect that I didn't mind as the main characters were laid out and complicated from the start. I enjoyed Juliet's colonial life as I'm a fan of strong women in a trumulant time such as the Revolutionary War. I like that Leith's development was believable and not so out of character... he was still the same man, just softened in the end. I also like the author laid out pieces to the puzzle that began to fit for the reader and the characters at the same time... they were figuring out right along with us and their intelligence wasn't insulted. My only grip is the last twist at the very end. That kind of took away from the steam forward of the story for me and wish it had rolled ahead instead of having to hear so much secondhand. It ruined the tension of the conclusion for me. Overall... it was a smart, well-laid journey I very much enjoyed with a hiccup at the end that almost ruined the book for me.

Delightful!

Simple yet delightful.

Delightful and charming!

Humorous story accompanied by charming illustrations.

Hilarious and entertaining story told in Dr. Seuss's inimitable style!

Poignant, touching true stories that reaffirm the value of all human life.