The Last of the Spirits

The Last of the Spirits | Chris Priestley

pick

1st book of 2023. I‘d say it‘s a “little late” seeing how it‘s a retelling of “A Christmas Carol”, but book carried through New Years & 12th Night. Possibly one of the best “retellings” of “A Christmas Carol” I‘ve read. 100% true to Dickens‘ original & doesn‘t change a thing, but rather expands upon it in a way that gives new insight while still keeping the “spirit” (no pun intended), of the original.

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megnews

The Last of the Spirits | Chris Priestley

#MGBBuddyRead join the discussion when you can! 😊

catebutler, LibrarianRyan, BarbaraJean, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, SamanthaMarie, IndoorDame, bthegood

bthegood I would recommend it for young adults and older - and I already did recommend it to another Litten 🙂 2y

megnews @bthegood great! I hope they enjoy it. I agree on the age recommendation. 2y

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megnews

The Last of the Spirits | Chris Priestley

#MGBuddyRead

catebutler, LibrarianRyan, BarbaraJean, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, SamanthaMarie, IndoorDame, bthegood

bthegood I questioned the age group for this - especially Lizzie's future as a prostitute - 2y

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megnews

The Last of the Spirits | Chris Priestley

The setting is an important part for me in this story. #MGBuddyRead

catebutler, LibrarianRyan, BarbaraJean, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, SamanthaMarie, IndoorDame, bthegood

bthegood I thought the setting was well done, I could picture it and I could “feel“ it, cold and uncomfortable, dirty and hungry - 2y

megnews @bthegood me too! 2y

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megnews

The Last of the Spirits | Chris Priestley

#MGBuddyRead

catebutler, LibrarianRyan, BarbaraJean, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, SamanthaMarie, IndoorDame, bthegood

bthegood I was surprised at how well they survived on their own - 2y

megnews @bthegood it‘s amazing to me how people survive then and now in such extreme conditions. I feel like I wouldn‘t!! 2y

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megnews

The Last of the Spirits | Chris Priestley

Again, if you‘ve read the original. If not, did this make you want to read A Christmas Carol. #MGBuddyRead

catebutler, LibrarianRyan, BarbaraJean, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, SamanthaMarie, IndoorDame, bthegood

bthegood I really enjoyed it 2y

megnews @bthegood I thought it retained a lot of the original. Definitely different bring young kids. I‘ve read quite a few Christmas Carol retellings and can‘t recall another with young kids. 2y

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megnews

The Last of the Spirits | Chris Priestley

If you‘ve read the original…
#MGBuddyRead group, I‘m posting early because I have to get my mom to the ER to get her nose pack out today. She had knee surgery in November, developed a blood clot, and the blood thinners caused major nosebleed. She‘s pretty miserable. Prayers appreciated.

catebutler, LibrarianRyan, BarbaraJean, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, SamanthaMarie, IndoorDame, bthegood

MaureenMc 🙏 2y

Veebee Wishing her a speedy recovery. 2y

Deblovestoread Sending prayers for a speedy recovery! 2y

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megnews @MaureenMc @Veebee @Kdgordon88 thank you very much! 2y

bthegood hope all goes well with your mom - same in that spirits visit the young boy - different in that the young boy is the Scrooge! 2y

megnews Thanks @bthegood I can sort of see why. Sam and Lizzie have had such a rough life. Must be hard to be young, homeless, cold, and hungry while the world celebrates around you. 2y

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IndoorDame

The Last of the Spirits | Chris Priestley

pick

Eventually I‘m going to have to read the original, but I don‘t think I missed anything since popular culture is so rife with interpretations. I definitely liked this. My only real criticisms were that it seemed a bit dark for middle grade, and the ending seemed a bit rushed. #MGBuddyRead #WinterGames2021 #TeamGameSleighers @megnews @StayCurious

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bthegood

The Last of the Spirits | Chris Priestley

pick

I really enjoyed this - seeing the night through the eyes of Sam and Lizzie was a good twist on a classic -
I was surprised this is a MG - is that grade 6-8? some parts seemed too mature for that age (Lizzie's future) - I have never really thought about a books audience when I read it (even the YA I read) because I'm reading it for me - but as part of #MGBuddyRead I did think about it this time. @megnews
Make a great day everyone -

megnews This is a question we discuss from time to time in the MG & YA Buddy Read. There were a couple scenes where I too wondered if it could give a middle grader nightmares. A Christmas Carol is such an important classic but the nature of the story can scare the younger group. I thought this would be handled a little differently. GR lists it as both MG & YA. We‘ll see if others felt similarly on the 12th. 2y

bthegood @megnews thank you for the information - very helpful - looking forward to our discussion. 🙂 2y

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megnews

The Last of the Spirits | Chris Priestley

pick

I love A Christmas Carol and it‘s many retellings. This one, which adds young, destitute siblings Sam & Lizzie to the mix as observers of Scrooge‘s life changing night is no exception. Will the night bring changes for them too?
Excited to discuss with #MGBuddyRead Dec 12.

catebutler, LibrarianRyan, BarbaraJean, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, SamanthaMarie, IndoorDame, bthegood

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bthegood

The Last of the Spirits | Chris Priestley

Just added the tagged book for another #WinterGames2021 #TeamGameSleighers #MGBuddyRead

@megnews @StayCurious

Make a great day everyone - 🌲

megnews I saw your note. I‘ll make sure to tag you. I love A Christmas Carol retellings too. 2y

Moll Oooo this book looks cool! 2y

bthegood @megnews ty 😊 2y

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bthegood @Moll 👍 2y

StayCurious This looks neat! 2y

bthegood @StayCurious 👍 2y

Patchshank That sounds so interesting. I can't wait to hear what you think of it. Might try to squeeze into my TBR if I can find it. 2y

bthegood @Patchshank I found it Overdrive ebook from library, Happy Thanksgiving 😊 2y

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megnews

The Last of the Spirits | Chris Priestley

All are welcome to join #MGBuddyRead and #YABuddyRead next month as we travel to London for a retelling of A Christmas Carol and Russia for a fairy tale fantasy. Please let me know if you plan to read along one or both if you would like to be tagged for discussion.

youngreadrshelf, Peddler410, Daisey, Johanna414, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, LibrarianRyan, TheBookHippie, BarbaraJean, mrp27, Deblovestoread, Lmstraubie, Chrissyreadit, JaclynW, Q84, Butterfinger, IndoorDame, sblbooks, AbigailJaneBlog, Tattooedteacher, Roary47, Seeking_Serenity

Johanna414 Bear and the Nightingale is one of my favorites, so definitely count me in on the discussion! 2y

Chrissyreadit Yes I plan to read. 2y

Lmstraubie @megnews Sorry I haven't been participating. Please keep tagging me. I hope to join back in. 2y

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erzascarletbookgasm I‘ll love to read the MG book but can‘t find a copy. Library doesn‘t have it. But I‘ll join the YA read 👍 2y

catebutler I‘m planning on it! 2y

peanutnine I'd like to join for the Bear and the Nightingale! 2y

sblbooks @erzascarletbookgasm same here, I've been having trouble finding a copy. 2y

IndoorDame I‘m planning on reading both! 2y

Seeking_Serenity I won't be able to read these with you for next month sorry 2y

Deblovestoread Really looking forward to the YA pic and will look for a copy of the MG pic. Thanks for the reminder! 2y

BarbaraJean Please tag me for both—there are limited library copies of the MG read and holds have been taking longer lately, but I‘m in line and hoping it comes in time! 2y

Roary47 I‘m in for YA this coming month. 😊 2y

LibrarianRyan I‘m behind but please tag me. 2y

RedxoHearts I'm hoping to join in for the YA book so please tag me :) It's been on my to read list for awhile 2y

bthegood please tag me for the MG book - I love all versions of A Christmas Carol so I'm looking forward to this read- thanks for doing this - (edited) 2y

Butterfinger There is an uncomfortable scene in The Bear and the Nightingale. Blasphemy. I liked it, but that one scene keeps me from continuing the series. I felt I had to warn you Megan. Let me know if it's just my imagination. 2y

megnews @Butterfinger interesting. I‘ll let you know. 2y

megnews @peanutnine @RedxoHearts I‘ve added you to the list. 2y

megnews @MehoLovesReading no problem. I‘ll tag you again for January. Join when you‘re able. 😊 2y

Seeking_Serenity @megnews okay thanks ♥️ 2y

Cazxxx I‘d like to join for the bear and the nightingale 😊 2y

megnews @Cazxxx added you to the list! 2y

Cazxxx @megnews great thanks! 2y

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