Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places | 
Does anyone know where can I read this book for free? Preferably for kindle. I searched everywhere and the prices are to high for my country (the price is 4 times higher than the normal price of a book in my country because it's not translated). Audiobooks are not really my thing. Anyone?
pickFinished! On to the next book pictured behind.
I really enjoyed this book, not something I've really ever read before. Are there other haunted places books that really go through the history of the area, show fact from fiction and ask the tough questions about history?
#ghosts #history #haunting
And hello @Dragonfairykats @Dhanya2277 @ImperfectCJ
Weird place to read a spooky book but I'll take it
pickNot what I expected but still fascinating. This is more an analysis of what haunts us culturally, historically, and emotionally than just a collection of ghost stories. a lot of debunking of old myths as well.
Incidentally, I was surprised that a house only 2.5 miles away was mentioned— had no idea that the current owner had sued the seller because a murder-suicide had not been disclosed in the sale 😳.
Not sure how I feel about this yet. Seems to be more of an analytical collection of essays regarding haunted houses more so than a collection of stories about haunted places. It‘s not bad, just not what I was expecting. Something about the authors tone bugs me though...can‘t quite put my finger on it. Perhaps I‘ll enjoy section 2 better. Hard to go wrong with bars, restaurants and brothels 🤪
1. Ghostland and A Memory Called Empire.
☠️
2. My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
☠️
3. Uhhh....Death Note? I really don‘t know, don‘t really watch much of anything anymore 😅
#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain
When I host one of the book clubs I go to, I like to make a dinner based on the book. There wasn‘t really anything food related in this month‘s pick, so I themed the dessert on my pick for next month. 👻 #bookbakes
A fascinating look at the historical / sociological function of ghosts. So much love for Colin Dickey. Although in my mind, there‘s now a crossover universe between Ghostland and Afterlives of the Saints. The ghosts of early Christian hermits, maybe...that no one quite remembers, because hermits.
pickThanks @vivastory for recommending this one: really enjoyed Dickey's analysis of haunted stories in America over the past 3 centuries. Great for both fans of ghost stories and history: he begins by just describing the stories themselves (the audio narrator affects a dramatic, raspy voice 😀), and then offers insight into aspects of each story from a sociohistorical context. Fascinating and revealing- made me see ghost stories in a new light.
so-soThis was my Halloween #audiobook. He gave a lot of history about places that people think are haunted and what things have happened there. It's was interesting that he wrote about his experiences in a lot of those places. And I liked the Lemp Mansion chapter bc it's in St Louis! But it was kind of strange that he didn't end up giving an opinion about whether or not those hauntings, or any others, are or can be legit. Listened on #scribd
There‘s nowhere in this nation that wasn‘t already inhabited before Europeans arrived, and there‘s no town, no house, that doesn‘t sit atop someone else‘s former home. More often than not, we‘ve chosen to deal with this fact through the language of ghosts.
pick“Ghost stories are about how we face, or fail to face, the past- how we process information, how we narrate our past, and how we make sense of the gaps in that history. Besides, even if we could dispel them once and for all, we need them too badly.”
pickColin Dickey has written a well researched book on the historical and sociological impact on the lore of ghost stories and into different types of haunted places, the myths which have grown around the realities of said myths. There is a lot to consider reading these stories and a lot of the rumors of hauntings are shown to be a concoction of the human mind. Fascinating.
The dead are watching, whether or not we choose to listen to their stories
pick#blameitonLiberty thanks to All the Books podcast. I read and listened to this from #screamathon. Not at all what I expected, but so good. I highly recommend it. 🎃🎃🎃🎃
Slightly longer review on my blog: https://wp.me/pKWKW-4Q
pickI picked this out of the available books on the Library overdrive because it‘s October and maaaybe I should read something a creepy.
Rather than a collection of ghost stories and hauntings, Dickey has presented a historical and sociological deep-dive into types of haunted places, what are the myths, what are the realities, and how do constructs like racism/sexism come to bear on the “haunting” of a location. It gave me a lot of think about.
So far this book is both completely unexpected and incredibly fascinating. #history
Embedded deep in the idea of home ownership-the Holy Grail of American middle-class life-is the idea that we don't, in fact, own the land we've just bought. Time and time again in these stories, perfectly average, innocent American families are confronted by ghosts who have persevered for centuries, who remain vengeful for the damage done.
There's nowhere in this nation that wasn't already inhabited before Europeans arrived, and there's no town, no house, that doesn't sit atop someone else's former home.
Spooky read for the spooky season 👻☠💀
Our country's ghost stories are themselves the dreams (or nightmares) of a nation, the Freudian slips of whole communities: uncomfortable and unbidden expressions of things we'd assumed were long past and no longer important.
According to one poll, 45 percent of Americans say they believe in ghosts, and almost 30 percent say they've witnessed them first-hand. Though this belief lies outside the ways we normally explain the world-contradicting science and complicating religion- it's a difficult belief to shake.
pickGhostland is a fascinating look at American history and culture through the lens of our relationship and perceptions about ghosts and haunted places. This is not a work of sensationalism, rather it is an engaging, fact-based look at the places where the unexplained gives us insight into our past.
This was easily one of my favorite nonfiction books of last year. Dickey memorably writes about architectural anomalies that provoke unease & documents the necessary conditions for rumors of #ghosts A fascinating book.
#OctoberXFiles
@Cinfhen @Robothugs
Struggling a bit with Lore in print, so I‘m switching over to audiobook for that one and picking up this book for the evening. I have high hopes for it and can lay blame for this purchase directly at the feet of @Liberty 😂😂
pick5⭐️ - Read this book!
This is like an alternate history of America, told by its ghosts.
Link to the full review below.
Just... read this book!❤️📚
Check out Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places by Colin Dickey
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28815491
pickHad heard marvelous things about this book but was expecting something fun and lighthearted and instead got a fascinating history lesson and learned so much! Would love to read similar books/learn more about ghost stories. Any recs?
Ghost stories, baseball and red wine. It must be October. #GoSox #YankeesSuck #NDfootballduringcommercials
I don't read as much nonfiction as fiction, however a great nonfiction book can be every bit as magnificent as a novel. Above are a few that I've read in the past year that really stand out. The authors knowledge, dedication, investigative spirit & #fascination with their subjects shines through.
#SeptemberDanes
@Cinfhen @Kalalalatja
pickI‘ve been fascinated with haunted places since childhood (Salem and the Winchester Mystery House have always been at the top of my list). Dickey‘s book is an extensive travelogue for those who like history with their hauntings. I found myself trawling Wikipedia after each chapter, wanting to learn more about the legends featured in the book.
Spending a lazy, hazy summer day just reading, reading, reading. Tell me some of the great books you‘ve read this summer, please and thank you. 📖 ☀️ ❤️
so-soJust OK. I listened to the audible version and when I could actually pay attention, I often wondered if some of the locations described in the book had a gift shop. Merchandise would be perfect for a Litsy swap.
I am trying Very Hard to get better about buying a bunch of books (HA), but here's the book haul I came home to.
Just heard an interview with the author and this sounds FASCINATING. What our haunted places & ghost stories say about ourselves, our fears, our unresolved issues. At the start of the interview he was asked about ghost stories being the Freudian slips of a community and I was hooked. TBR, top of the stack.
A new bookstore just opened in my town, so of course I had to check it out!
pickThis was a completely fascinating read. Dickey contextualized the familiar idea of hauntings within the framework of American history, so that the details of each haunted place became a mirror to what‘s happening in our culture at a given time. Really brilliant. I‘ll probably end up giving it to everyone I know at Christmas.
Ohmigosh this is a lot of Litfluence, @Tiffy_Reads ! Thanks for the #TiffysMilestoneGiveaway chance. You‘re so sweet!
1. I love being bookish with my bookish friends so we can talk about books. And whatever else.
2. The tagged book refuses to go on Kindle sale, dammit!
@MallenNC I was finally able to get home and open my goodies!! What a long day! Thank you so much!!! I absolutely love the Hermione Pop!!!! She is so perfect! I can't wait to sink into the books!!! I am so thrilled and excited! Thank you so much!!!! ##funkopopswap @JenlovesJT47 thank you so much for putting this together! You are awesome!
I started using a bookmark in December when I got my #secretsantagoespostal box from @Chelleo and it's my favorite look how lovely it is. #bookmarks
Wise words, wondering why ghosts live on in the United States....
Going to scare myself tonight! 👻😳😱
With providing historical context, the origins of stories, and a dream road trip itinerary, this book hits so many of my sweet spots, it's not even funny. #paranormal #readingresolutions @Jess7
pickThis book became so much more than I expected. Colin Dickey provides the history of haunted places (houses, prisons, asylums, cemeteries, cities) while sharing the ghost stories and lore. As much as I want to believe in ghosts, I appreciate the history and rational perspective. 👻
