I’ve been remiss in posting about what I’ve read lately, so here are a few highlights, in no particular order:
Marcelo In the Real World by Fransisco X. Stork
Contemporary, YA.
I loved this. I suspect it will end the year on my “favorites” list. This book somehow manages to pack in so many different threads and themes and to ask so many questions, yet it all feels effortless. And I found it very readable – Marcelo is so sweet, so compelling, so strong.
Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones
Fantasy, MG
I want to be Diana Wynne Jones when I grow up. Book after book she just has this something: a quirkiness, an inventiveness that is unique. Honestly, this particular book is not one of my favorites of hers, but even so I found many clever, enchanting tidbits to enjoy in it.
Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev
Fantasy, YA
This one isn’t out yet, so I’ll just say this: what luscious, gorgeous prose! And I really appreciated that the love triangle wasn’t just about “which boy do I belong with” (or worse, to) as in some books/movies, but also made her ask “what is mine? who am I, myself?”
Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith by Deborah Heligman
Nonfiction, YA
Another likely candidate for my year-end favorites list. Thought-provoking, engaging, readable, and very, very moving. It made me cry (only the fourth time a book has done that, if you don”t count sad-dog books). And while I appreciated the exploration of science and faith (not just science versus faith), I think my favorite thing about this book was how real Charles and Emma became to me as I read it. It closed that gap in my mind between the textbook historical figures and the real people, who ate and slept and got sick and had little household jokes and laughed and cried and dreamed and loved. Wonderful.
Mistwood by Leah Cypess
Fantasy, YA
Readable and engaging high fantasy. I particular liked the depiction of the protagonist, who manages to be both otherworldly and inhuman, and also sympathetic. The mystery kept the pace rolling along nicely.
The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin
Contemporary, MG
Fun and charming! It appealed to me in the same way my much-loved Beezus and Ramona books do: depicting the trials, tribulations and joys of elementary school life (though in this case with a Taiwanese-American protagonist). Lovely!
A Most Improper Magick by Stephanie Burgis
Fantasy, MG
A delightful romp through an alternate Regency England! I appreciated the fact that although this is the first in a series, it stands alone as a satisfying, independent story. I have been thinking that this book made me think of what you might get if you let the youngest sister in Sense & Sensibility tell her own story (and you added in secret magic orders and highwaymen). Which is a good thing!
Black Stars in a White Night Sky by JonArno Lawson
Poetry
I am not generally a big reader of poetry but I really loved this. My favorite aspect of Lawson’s poetry is how much FUN it is to say them aloud. As I sat reading through this I had to keep stopping to read them out to my husband (who also appreciated them). If you love wordplay like “Bartleby startles me” and “All of a sudden”/”All love is sudden” check this out!
