I liked it even more this time. Maybe the illustrations struck my fancy, maybe I was happy to visit the universe again after all this tim14 March 2025
I liked it even more this time. Maybe the illustrations struck my fancy, maybe I was happy to visit the universe again after all this time, maybe I am just in a good mood. Whatever the reason, I did enjoy it very much. Plus I love Lee Scoresby as a character.
There might very well be an "armadillo" shelf coming: I like them, little armored opossums as they seem. Or possibly it will be a Xenarthr28 June 2023
There might very well be an "armadillo" shelf coming: I like them, little armored opossums as they seem. Or possibly it will be a Xenarthra shelf, because I am also fond of the ground sloths and glyptodons. The word sounds quite alien, means "alien joint" which would also be a good bar name.
**
This was so clearly something I was going to love that I had to wait for a good day to read it. And, now that I have finished I get to tell myself "I told you so" which was very cheering, because I did listen and follow my own advice.
Kingsolver is right, this is a book for children. Helpfully, it teaches kids how to fight metaphorical monsters in a way that is understanding, and empathetic, and helpful. Presumably those calling it a book for adults have never read the the Narnia series, the Tiffany Aching books, or an obscure favorite of mine, The Hunger Games. No one wants to consider that there are a lot of people under 18 who have found themselves in horrible situations trying to save themselves and/or others, and this book would take a weight off their minds.
A perfect hero's journey, and a hell of a lot zipper than Huck Finn. This is funny and sad and wise and I love it.
Yes! I've been looking forward to this since forever it seems like. It's totally worth the wait: the only thing I disliked about it is that it wasn't Yes! I've been looking forward to this since forever it seems like. It's totally worth the wait: the only thing I disliked about it is that it wasn't like ten times longer.
I like fantasy, but I don't care for Tolkien, and everything was Tolkien for 60 years, or parody of Tolkien, which gets me to Pratchett and eventuallyI like fantasy, but I don't care for Tolkien, and everything was Tolkien for 60 years, or parody of Tolkien, which gets me to Pratchett and eventually to Tiffany Aching, witch and cheese maker. If you've read both of these books, you recognize the commonalities; if you've enjoyed either one, you're going to like the other, too. Tiffany and Mona are by no means the same, but they both have the sort of resourcefulness Tolkien never recognized in grown-ass women, let alone girls. They both had far less use for great men, and put far less faith in political dynasties.
Also, Pratchett and Kingfisher both know how to tell serious stories that are funny as hell.
So much win. It's kind of amazing how much I love Moriarty's books. I really liked how it all came together. Interesting universe with so many piratesSo much win. It's kind of amazing how much I love Moriarty's books. I really liked how it all came together. Interesting universe with so many pirates and dragons and water sprites, but also committees and dull trips and people being late to pick one up at the station. I only had two tiny quibbles: it's weird to read about a girl living in a more-or-less-contemporaneous setting who wears dresses or skirts all the time. It's just a slight thing, but it pulls me just the tiniest bit out of the story every time a dress or skirt is mentioned because I so rarely see girls or women in them anymore. And also, this is a very white world. Not that everyone is explicitly called white, but because no one isn't. The illustrations reinforce the white-is-default impression. It's a good thing that I've become so accustomed to reading books with a diverse cast that I can't stop noticing when there aren't any other characters.
Despite those two issues, I loved the book. It's my favorite middle grade in I don't know how long. Highly recommended for white readers.
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on theirThis is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
If you're following along, there has been significant improvement on the lists, and they seem to be running more or less correctly. I have plenty more reviews coming, thanks to the marvelous people @chpublib and @ocplibraries who are keeping me supplied.
Game shows are also not one of my things. But way to commit, Keller! I appreciate the absurdity and the fun art. In a world where foods are sentient but don't mind being eaten is there anything that isn't possible? I look forward to Arnie the doughnout dog's incarnation as a TikTok star.
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on theirThis is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
If you're following along, there has been significant improvement on the lists, and they seem to be running more or less correctly. I have plenty more reviews coming, thanks to the marvelous people @chpublib and @ocplibraries who are keeping me supplied.
Unlike me you might have been paying attention enough to notice that UFOs have become a fascinating subject again. Boy, was I shocked to put this down and then see a headline. Oh, Arnie, not the brightest doughnut, if you recall from the first book. Sometimes it's soothing to read about someone even more clueless than oneself....more
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf. Thanks to the marvelous people @chpublib and @ocplibraries who are keeping me supplied.I
Stupid life and having to do stuff has gotten in my way just lately, much of it the extra work needed to get everything cleared away in order to take a vacation. Meanwhile...
This is how stressed and emotionally mixed-up kids help each other through difficult situations by virtue of not being involved. It is also about the many positive and calming aspects of being in nature. And the joys of geeking out. There's appreciation for the small pleasures in life like a really good sandwich. It is a lot too emotional and direct for me to be entirely comfortable with, probably because I didn't get enough of these lessons in my own childhood.
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on theirThis is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
Lumberjanes is a fabulous setup. Even very trite messages like "Be Yourself" feel fresh when it's not just one kid, but half the cast who have the issue, and also, totally goofy shit like giant quahogs with legs running around and zebracorns who do magic.
[edited to add] I forgot to mention the swears. The swears are awesome: "Thank Thandie Newton" "Oh my Ursula K. Le Guin". A different name each time. Just a little throw-away bit and I adore it.
This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books onThis is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf. Yay, Reviewers list is fixed, as far as I can tell. Still waiting for the Readers list to be fixed, though.
Most of the books I've read have been picture books, because I am, after all trying to read and review twice as many books as normal this year and I need to sleep sometimes. But Rundell's books are just too good to ignore.
It's a heist and Vita is putting together a gang. Meanwhile, New York is crawling with the organized crime that fills a Prohibition vacuum. There's action, adventure, fights, revenge, plotting, lots of critters, jewels, a castle, poverty, and eating. This is not a book with kissing in it. This is the film script Dickens would have written for the Ocean's franchise.
Capers are not to everyone's taste, but if anything can change your mind, it's probably this. Also, it would be a fabulous film.
Good stories, interesting takes. It would be 5 stars if it weren't slightly disappointing compared to the amazing Queen's Thief series. Which had an aGood stories, interesting takes. It would be 5 stars if it weren't slightly disappointing compared to the amazing Queen's Thief series. Which had an amazing-er finale volume. Writing this eight months later I can't even recall specifics: just a vague memory of satisfaction.
I guess I should read it several more times, to be certain.
Yay: no more deadname for the book! One of the few Banned books that I haven't read, or at least attempted.
***
Sweet. Painful to observe, but totally wYay: no more deadname for the book! One of the few Banned books that I haven't read, or at least attempted.
***
Sweet. Painful to observe, but totally worth it. Despite all the Charlotte's Webiness (I have never enjoyed White's work, sorry).
I was struck by how much "I don't want your life to be any harder than it has to be" carries an implied "but I really don't want to make it harder for me by making it easier for you."
Think of this as Ocean's 8th grade. The tone feels like Hiasson's Hoot and Scat, only with (street) art as a motif. Plus fun facts about Banksy.
LibraryThink of this as Ocean's 8th grade. The tone feels like Hiasson's Hoot and Scat, only with (street) art as a motif. Plus fun facts about Banksy.
L. Frank Baum was not a good storyteller: he didn't want kids to be worried, so as soon as any sort of conflict would arise in the plot, he had it insL. Frank Baum was not a good storyteller: he didn't want kids to be worried, so as soon as any sort of conflict would arise in the plot, he had it instantly resolved. If the purpose of fairy tales is to teach us that dragons can be killed, Baum's stories are a particular failure, because the heroines don't get to fight, or even think up a possible solution. They lack all agency. Anything you like about the Wizard comes from the movie, not the book.
But this now, this is a thing of beauty. A modern California surfer girl and her fierce talking cat? That's the dream. The art is gorgeous, a little art nouveau, a little Arthur Rackham, a strong stylistic distinction between the world above and the one below. If you've seen Return of the Dapper Men you'll understand that Janet Lee is brilliant.
And the story. Amy Chu has taken Baum's work, updated it, made it interesting and relevant, given it cultural depth by connecting it to Vietnamese folklore. Modern surfer girl. Talking cat.
Together they have made something truly Wonderful.
Suee is a familiar type: the smart little girl who dresses in black. She's also got a Nancy Drew vibe with the pointy hair (it's her thing). Clever, cSuee is a familiar type: the smart little girl who dresses in black. She's also got a Nancy Drew vibe with the pointy hair (it's her thing). Clever, cynical, not at all interested in moving to the back of beyond.
But something strange is afoot at the Outskirtsville Middle School.
I wasn't deliberately accumulating a stack of books with a Korean connection, so funny it worked out that way.
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