Mind altering story telling

One of the few joys of being a teacher is having Christmas Break, a time when one can relax a little and catch up on all the non-school related things that have been lurking on the "to do list".  Although sleep was a top priority on my list (doesn't happen with a toddler who believes that 7:45 am is the best time of day) I also had determined to do a little bit of "geeking" on my break.  I started off with one of my favorite, and most often neglected pass times, reading.  I had re-read "The Book Thief" and was genuinely curious to see what else this author had written.  I picked up this gem from the school library and dove right in:

 The story itself is fast paced and fun to read. The conclusion that I had come to prior to finishing the last chapter was that it was just that, fun and nothing else.  However, when I read the last chapter my entire world and perception of the book turned completely upside down!  Never in all my life have I seen an author do what he did, I can't say much because I don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone that wants to read this book but let me just say this if you are not REALLY paying attention to the person who shows up in the last chapter and exactly what that person does you will miss the entire point of the novel and the whole reason that this story blew my mind!  I know for sure that this novel will definitely forever impact the way I view my own characters.

Now just as a disclaimer there is some rough scenes and language in this book so reader be warned, if you are easily offended don't read this book...  I've given my disclaimer.

Now the second thing that I have long wanted to do was check out this series on Netflix:

The story of Sherlock has always intrigued me plus actors who both played in "The Hobbit"?  Score one for geek out time!  There is not one defining moment of this series that I would pinpoint as the best moment of story telling, the whole thing is just utterly amazing in the woven web of secrets, clues, and character expansion.  A broad spectrum of tale telling that had me hanging from minute one to the very last moment of the last episode on Netflix.  Once the show was over an audible sigh of frustration escaped me as the writers left me wishing for more.  My point in telling you this?  What a brilliant method of story telling!  While television obviously has some advantages in showing details and dropping hints the ability to interweave such details and leave the audience hanging is so meticulously carried out that I felt like a shrieking fan girl at a teeny bopper concert crying for more!  I can only hope that by observing their methodology I too can create a piece that makes my readership wanting more!

Overall both pieces are pieces that changed the way I think about story telling, each in their own way has given me a lot to think about in my own tale creation.  It is sad to see my Christmas break come to end as there are many other books, movies, and tv series I had hoped to take in but until next time I will soak in what I have learned!