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Set in present day New Orleans, Ruined by Paula Morris tells the story of recently-moved New York teenager, Rebecca Brown who feels like a fish out of water in her new southern home. Surrounded by students from old money families, Rebecca has a difficult time making friends until, in the cemetery across from her house, she meets a girl named Lisette. The only problem is that Lisette is a ghost.
The premise of this book didn't seem like anything new to me when I picked it up, but Morris weaved an interesting story with some good twists and turns that I didn't predict. I've read other historical fiction set in New Orleans so it was a nice change of pace to see something set in the present - as the city still deals with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
I think I've always enjoyed reading ghost stories. Ruined wasn't exceptionally scary, but I do like reading books that send shivers down my spine. Granted, I usually can't sleep after reading them, but they are fun. Do you read scary books or avoid them at all costs?
May 31, 2010 at 5:14 PM
I avoid scary books because I'm too easily scared!
I was worse as a kid...
Someday, I'll have to write about how I managed to choose a read aloud my first year of teaching that gave one of my sweetest girls nightmares. Oh, I felt so guilty!
June 1, 2010 at 4:26 PM
That's a good question. I try to avoid blatantly scary books because I'm a big chicken, but I often find myself scared by books I don't expect to be scary - so sometimes I read scary things by accident! Lol! It's kind of hard to avoid creepiness in the sci-fi/fantasy world though. This sounds like an interesting book - I'll have to steel my nerves and give it a go!
June 8, 2010 at 8:21 PM
I think we started early with the 'Fear Street' series, but I still will pick up a stephen king or dean koontz (if those can be considered scary??). Haven't read any really good creepy stories lately...