A childhood classic that was still a refreshing and new world to discover, and right before the movie airs! This book reminded me of what it felt like to be a young reader, discovering the possibilities of protagonists and anti heroes who were my age at the time of first reading it! It was an unexpected pleasure to experience that again!

The eccentric sequel to Howl‘s Moving Castle sees a cameo of our beloved characters as they help an unknowing young witch and clueless young wizard save their kingdom, their lives, and their very future! A tale that‘s as straight forward and charming as the house in which it is set, it will keep you guessing at the truth until the very last line!

Though not quite how my childhood self remembers this story (as I was an avid watcher of the film) I‘ve nonetheless grown to admire this tale. As always Gail Levine delivers a fairytale where at its center, a young girl learns who is there for her and what strength she has inside!

Another master retelling of Chinese fairytales and legends that leaves me a little wiser, a little kinder, and more appreciative of the art of story telling and how it brings us all closer!

A wonderful rendition of another ancient fairytale classic, Shannon Hale never fails at delivering truly amazing stories with young women you can‘t help but admire for their bravery, tenacity, and perseverance!

Shadow Spinner is a wonderful tale that I return to time after time for it reminds me of three wonderful truths:
1). There is magic in story telling.
2). Friendships can come when you least expect it.
3). Love and forgive, for everyone faces their own demons.

A wonderful rendition of a tale spun from Arabian Nights!

Another brilliant historical realistic fictional novel from the great Melissa De La Cruz. Those familiar with the marital strifes of Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler will find this book all the more tragic, all the more heartbreaking, yet all the more familiar and heart warming. The strength of one‘s heart and the power to forgive is a lesson we all must learn, and one the wonderfully strong Eliza never fails in teaching us.

Another fantastic look into the lives and struggles of Eliza Schuyler and her husband Alexander Hamilton! Part fact part fiction, this historical romance is a must-read for any fan of Hamilton who were charmed by their love story. There are trials (literally) and tribulations, but at the end there is so much love and devotion! And, as always, Cruz proves that behind every great man, there is an even greater woman as Eliza writes her own narrative!

I adored this book because it gave so much justice to the amazing woman who was Eliza Schuyler. A woman who stood strong for justice, equality, and freedom. A powerful force of nature who took America, it‘s soldiers, and one Alexander Hamilton by storm. Truly was such a fascinating look into their story, and the roles they played to support and love each other! Can not wait to start the next one!

This book was a wonderful retake on a classic fairytale; not for its content, but it‘s ingenuity! It‘s storyteller, the very author himself who peppers in his own comments throughout, has spun a tale of two children by using famous Grim Brothers Fairytales and weaving Hansel and Gretel through its twists and turns! It was undoubtedly clever! Very dark children‘s story though; the author does not wish young children to be present while reading.

A gorgeous conglomeration of so many fairytale themes and twists! With each page brings a new conflict, a new struggle, a new way to view the world. How much of ourselves is actually ourselves? Are we born, or created? What does it truly mean to be a friend and care? And how much do our actions define who we are? Such a lovely, heart wrenching tale of one girl‘s love for her city and the lengths she will go to in order to protect it!

This was a charmingly witty, beautifully crafted, endlessly entertaining read! One of the best creative projects I‘ve read to date! The narrative was spot on for the audience it was intended; the humor delightful; and the characters were as interesting as the places they live! Recommended to all ages!!

What a wonderfully charming, refreshingly honest, beautifully crafted narrative! Such a delightful tale about struggling to find your place in the world, and fighting for what is right! I adored everything about this story; from its complex characters, to its simple yet moving plot; but especially the absolutely marvelous voice of the narrator: Nan Sparrow. I could not recommend this book enough! A treat to keep you warm during these cold months!

This book is a wonderfully sweet narrative about choosing one‘s own path and discovering what it means to love and be loved. Though there is hardship and pain, there is also joy and commitment and loyalty. With subtle religious undertones, the story is none the lesser for it, as it is completed tastefully and with authenticity for the time period. A beautiful Anastasia like tale that was masterfully executed! What a delight to read!

Vastly different from the movie, the original story takes a deep dive into the makings of each character and their unique personalities, struggles, and defining characteristics. It was lovely to see the reasoning behind Sophie‘s brash nature, the reality of Howl‘s aloofness, the truth behind Calcifer‘s sharp, biting words. It was a lovely mix of the familiar and unfamiliar, a story I knew from childhood reintroduced in a wonderfully new way!

I had watched the movie before I ever realize there was a book! The book was interesting and familiar, like the inkling of a remembered dream. I certainly felt like I had more background and an inside look into the characters. There were some surprises and some not surprises and over all it was a wonderful journey to visit Wall once more!

Lovely, captivating, and a delightful read through and through! With complex characters and an even more complex world, I could not put this one down! The narrative itself was tasteful and held a sense of reality all its own! Wonderfully executed and well written, a work to be remembered for days to come!

A captivating read that explores not only the inner workings of families, friends, and platonic pairings, but also the intricate relationship between a writer and her characters. Despite the added bonus of fairytale themes and unexpected twists, the story is not necessarily my cup of tea for its dark themes and undercurrent of panic and ill-ease throughout the work. Fanatics of fairytale renditions will love this though!!

“Don‘t you ever feel like your life is a movie? And you‘re playing a part? And you waste all your time watching yourself in that movie, thinking what a good job you‘re doing playing you, until you wake up and remember it‘s all actually real? Every person around you is real?” (Finch 185)

Striving more for troubled times and heartbreak, this charming town with its wonderful people has once again earned my admirations and upmost affection. While it‘s always sad to say goodbye to such a beloved world of wonder, these characters and their triumphs and tribulations will remain dear to my heart for many years to come! Until next time, dear Gresham!

Lovely, wholesome, and soothing for the soul. The little village of Gresham has captured my heart once again!

As always, a lovely and wholesome read that leaves the reader with a contented heart and appreciation for the simplicity life can award.

“You‘re a wise young woman,” Julia said warmly.

“Wise? How can you say that? You see so deeply into things, while I‘m still trying to see the ripples on the surface.”

“Because you are wise enough to know the limitations of your experience. A teachable spirit is a blessing, Elizabeth. Had I had one at your age, perhaps I could have saved myself some heartache.”

(Ch. 40 Pg. 372)

“I‘m far from home, I‘ve lost my only friend, everyone here hates me, and all I want is a way to find some kind of happy ending,” Agatha said, red-hot. “But you can‘t even tell me the truth. My ending is not about what Good I do or what‘s inside me. It‘s about how I LOOK.” Spit flew out of her mouth. “I never even had a CHANCE.” (Pg. 372)

This was wonderfully entertaining! An interesting twist on what it means to chose goodness and what it means to give into hate. Fairytale lovers will adore this one!!

“I worried so much about how I looked and whether I was doing things right, I felt half the time I was impersonating a girl instead of really being one.” ~Lily Owens (pg. 09)

“Do not assume that men are your enemies until they prove it.” ~D‘Arnot (pg. 257)

“You‘re comparing our lives to a sonnet? A strict form, but with freedom within it?” ~Calvin O‘Keefe (pg. 219).
“Yes. You‘re given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. What you say is completely up to you.” ~Mrs Whatsit (pg. 219)

“We look not at the things which are what you would call seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal. But the things which are not seen are eternal.” ~Aunt Beast (pg. 205)

“No!” she cried triumphantly. “Like and equal are not the same thing at all!” ~Meg Murry (pg. 177)

“Therre willl nno llonggerr bee sso manyy pplleasanntt thinggss tto llookk att iff rressponssible ppeoplle ddo nnott ddo ssomethingg abboutt thee unnppleasanntt oness.” ~Mrs Which (pg. 97)

“But of course we can‘t take any credit for our talents. It‘s how we use them that counts.” ~Mrs Whatsit (pg. 95)

“But people are more than just the way they look. Charles Wallace‘s difference isn‘t physical. It‘s in essence.” ~Mrs. Murry (pg. 54)

“Well, I know Charles Wallace is different, and I know he‘s something more. I guess I‘ll just have to accept it without understanding it.” ~Meg Murry (pg. 54)

Mrs. Murry smiled at her. “Maybe that‘s really the point I was trying to put across.” (pg. 54)

“You‘re going to have to do something about yourself. Nobody can do it for you.” ~ Mr. Jenkins (p. 31)