*It is known* that I’m not the biggest fan of contemporary YA fiction around here. Actually, that’s kind of an understatement. Until recently I pretty much avoided this sub-genre like the annoying popular clique at my high school. Rolling my eyes as mentions of it passed me by on twitter, and scurrying down back alleys … Continue reading
There seems to be a recent trend on the internet and in the lives of readers wherein long-time fans of books are recreating (or inventing!) favorite scenes that feature descriptions of food. Whether it’s coming up with recipes inspired by the food in books (see my sister’s recent discovery of the new Downton Abbey Cookbook), … Continue reading
Elisa is not your typical heroine. She is overweight, plain, a bookworm who is unsure of herself and lingers in the shadows of her confident older sister. She would be completely overlooked were it not for the fact that she’s a godstone bearer, someone who is born once every hundred years with a magical gem … Continue reading
A combination of Fire, Little House on the Prairie, and Harry Potter, Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede swept me away to an alternate history of the United States and a Wild West where mystical beasts roam the wilderness, and magic is read about in newspapers instead of fairy tales. The story follows Eff, a young girl … Continue reading
Before I started Cassandra Clare’s City of Fallen Angels, I was still running off a high from the last installment, City of Glass and I’ll be honest, I was slightly nervous about how Clare would manage to move the story forward after such climactic events. The beginning of this book is indeed a little slower … Continue reading
“I love books, by the way, way more than movies. Movies tell you what to think. A good book lets you choose a few thoughts for yourself. Movies show you the pink house. A good book tells you there’s a pink house and lets you paint some of the finishing touches, maybe choose the roof … Continue reading
“Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.” – J.K. Rowling
When I think of the quintessential library, I inevitably think of the Bodleian Library at Oxford University. During my first college spring break I ventured to London with two close friends. We had many eye-opening experiences in and around the city itself, but the last day of our trip we decided to take a bus … Continue reading
While perusing the internet this week, I came across a plethora of exciting goings-on in the world of children’s literature, fantasy, and books in general. Overwhelmed by the wealth of content, the only way I could cope with the awesome was to share it all with you! From the Atlantic: An article about the term … Continue reading
“Harry – I think I’ve just understood something! I’ve got to go to the library!” And she sprinted away, up the stairs. “What does she understand?” said Harry distractedly, still looking around trying to tell where the voice had come from. “Loads more than I do,” said Ron, shaking his head. “But why’s she got … Continue reading
