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Meet Spencer:
Hi, I'm from the Philippines and studying Computer Science, but reading is my first love!

Spencer’s Favourite Genres:
MG fantasy, contemporary and mystery. YA dystopian, thriller and sci-fi.

Connect with Spencer on ŷ������!
/sphynxreads

Spencer’s MG Recommendations:
Masterminds by Gordon Korman��
Spencer’s thoughts: ��
This book is so much fun to read. It's hard not to get into spoilers to explain my love for it, but it's funny, fast-paced, and endearing.��
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Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo��
Spencer’s thoughts: ��
Even though I've never had a dog, this book has always been a heartwarming read for me. It's about finding friends, letting yourself feel sad sometimes, and seeing the good in everyone.��
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Hoot by Carl Hiaasen��
Spencer’s thoughts: ��
A fun read about protecting the environment and standing for what you believe is right.��
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Inkheart by Cornelia Funke��
Spencer’s thoughts: ��
A dark engaging story about bibliophiles and the wonders of reading.��
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A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness��
Spencer’s thoughts: ��
A somber low fantasy about a child coming to grips with the fact that he will soon have to deal with grief. Tearjerker for sure.��
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The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick��
Spencer’s thoughts: ��
A moving illustrated story about finding one's purpose and new friends along the way.��
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The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman��
Spencer’s thoughts:��
A twist on the story of the Jungle Book with endearing characters and a melancholy feel.

And they’re up!! What does everyone think of these recommendations? Which are you planning to read?

Ooooh I’m totally going to try to get to A Monster Calls! But maybe if I have more time I want to try to read The Invention of Hugo Cabret, The Graveyard Book, and Because of Winn-Dixie!

Well, these are all options that I could take advantage of. I've read , but all of the rest are books I've had on my shelves on and off in the past, but haven't ever taken the time to read. I definitely want to read . For all of the others, I'll read as many as I have time to read. Nice choices, Spencer!

I'm glad you put these up early. I'm finding that I'm not first in line for any of them at my local library - popular books.

@Ilsen A Monster Calls is one of my all-time faves!! Hope you like it!

@Lynn Thanks! The Graveyard Book is awesome. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Awesome books Spencer!

I've already read The graveyard book. Maybe we have to start Inkheart sooner then? Masterminds was on my TBR, because Spencer recommended it earlier, so that's cool. Will look up the others today.

@Lynn yep that’s why my plan now is always to put all new events up a week before the new month so people have time to find the books. I’m surprised it never occurred to me before to do that. Thanks to Robin for making me realise I should!👏🏻

Also I like how even though all these books are popular ones I’ve actually only read 1 of them and that was Masterminds in January!

I'm actually kinda glad that most of the books I love are generally popular because so many of us have popular books on our TBRs but rarely even get to them because of newer releases.

Also @Kadi, I'm totally not hiding in a ditch because you didn't like Masterminds lol. But I hope you end up liking any of the others!

@Robin hmm maybe that’s a good idea to move the BR for Inkheart to next month... but there are quite a few other people lookin title part in that I’ll ask them and see what they say. I wouldn’t mind if we do, so let’s see why the rest say!

@Kadi No problem :)

@Spencer that's so true about popular books like no matter how popular they are, more often than not I've just heard of them and have them on my TBR but haven't actually read them. Surprisingly, this seems to be my year of finally reading those popular books and I started off great with KotLC and Nevermoor so let's see if I can continue that!

Also, you better be hiding in that ditch! I did not like Masterminds like I thought I would! I'm kidding don't feel bad or anything, I'm only joking with you😂 I read people's recs all the time and sometimes like them and sometimes don't, it's just how it goes.

So here's my thoughts on your recs:
I want to read Inkheart, we'll see what's happening with that BR.
I've been wanting to read The Invention of Hugo Cabret since it was one of our BotM last year but I need to see if my library has a copy.
I didn't like the A Monster Calls movie so I'm going to give that one a pass.
Because of Winn-Dixie and The Graveyard Book both sound interesting and I want to read them.
I like how none of your choices are super long but I'm swamped with books lately so I'll see what I can get around to in March and what I'll be saving for later...

The Graveyard Book and especially When a Monster Calls were very good!

@Colleen A Monster Calls is my favorite!! First book to ever make me cry!

Wow!!! I will definitely try to read A Monster Calls then... will see if I get time to read anything else too

These look like some great picks! It's been years since I've read Because of Winn-Dixie. I'll probably try to reread it and I might pick up Inkheart and The Invention of Hugo Cabret, too.

Awesome, everyone! I'm excited for y'all's thoughts. And don't worry, like all of my favorite books, I can understand why some people might dislike them so don't hesitate to DNF or express your dislike for any of the books if they're just not to your taste! Hope you guys find at least one that you like though!

Spencer wrote: "Awesome, everyone! I'm excited for y'all's thoughts. And don't worry, like all of my favorite books, I can understand why some people might dislike them so don't hesitate to DNF or express your dis..."

I finished The Graveyard Book. It's well written and very imaginative. I found it funny that other than the boy, the most interesting characters are all dead.

@Lynn My favorite character is Silas who is dead haha

Spencer wrote: "@Lynn My favorite character is Silas who is dead haha"

I liked Silas too. There is so much mystery surrounding him.

I'm reading this book about ghosts right now and the character in the book has to read The Graveyard Book! It's super meta because its a book about ghosts in a book about ghosts. I'm planning to hopefully read The Graveyard Book after this!

@Kadi Cool!!

Kadi wrote: "I'm reading this book about ghosts right now and the character in the book has to read The Graveyard Book! It's super meta because its a book about ghosts in a book about ghosts. I'm planning to ho..."

How cool is that?

Winn-Dixie was all right; I'm not a dog person. I have Inkheart and A Monster Calls in my bookcase.

@Audrey Hope you enjoy either of those!

Deaflower (Dee's New Name) wrote: "I might read Inkheart. I have read it over and over, and I never get tired of it!"

Same here! I might try to read it in German. Have that one on my shelves and want to pick up my German learning again.

I won't be reading any of these books in March, because I'm focussing on the books I'm currently reading right now. I need to finish those first (there are 14 of them, so yeah...)

I will be reading when I have more time:
- Masterminds
- A monster calls
- The invention of Hugo Cabret (is this one from the movie?)

@Spencer Have you read any other books by Carl Hiaasen? My audiobook service doesn't have Hoot, but they do have a lot of his other books. So I thought, if you have one of his books you also liked, I could read that one instead.

@Robin Yes! Hugo is the name of the movie.

Unfortunately I haven't read anything else by Carl Hiassen but his other books like Chomp and Scat, I believe are very similar in feel with Hoot.

@Spencer I loved that movie! Will probably like the book then as well :)
I will just pick one up I think. They look very cute.

Are we still buddy reading Inkheart this month, guys? There's a few people in the BR (/topic/show/... ) who haven't responded yet so I'll message them to ask and then we can read this book!

@Kadi I would love to

@Deaflower The Land of Stories is one of my favorite series!! Glad you liked Inkheart somewhat.

I completed 'A Monster Calls' and absolutely loved it... Thanks @Spencer for recommending it

@Sameeksha glad you loved it!! It means so much to me