I've sat with my thoughts on this book for well over a week, debating the merits and finally feel ready to put them into words. My opinion is not the I've sat with my thoughts on this book for well over a week, debating the merits and finally feel ready to put them into words. My opinion is not the popular one with many readers of this book, so if that is going to bother you, feel free to disregard!
My issues fall into two main categories. First off, this book was very disjointed. It read like it had not been edited enough to smooth out the transitions between scenes, and I often found myself rereading sentences or even paragraphs. I also flipped back to previous chapters multiple times trying to figure out what I had missed. It felt like it was rushed to production to make publishing deadlines and needed a few more rounds of editing to read smoothly.
Second, I have a major issue with the details of the mystery reveal. Specifically these statements: "there are some mysteries that are better left unsolved, some questions better left unanswered." Ok, so this is in direct violation of fair play mysteries where the answers have to make logical senses. To say "you don't really need to know how it happened" is basically the author saying "I don't know how it happened" because there is no explanation given. Even a bad explanation would have been better than no explanation (and I'm being a bit vague here because of spoilers). It is a total disservice to readers, to mystery lovers, to the genre of detective stories in general to decide that the "how" just doesn't matter here.
This is my 5th book by Carter and I've really enjoyed the others. Some were better than others but none had these kinds of issues, and I really blame this book being rushed to publication. I don't know this for sure (and this has sold ridiculously well, so maybe the problem is with me), but I've read a lot of books and have been trained to look for editorial issues, and there were some great moments and even more great potential in this story. I'm sure I'll read more by Carter, but I will definitely be skeptical of any holiday themed books in the future.
If you are looking for a fun Christmas-y mystery published in 2024, I'd recommend Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret....more
I finally picked this up because I want to watch the movies. I've frequently heard the movies are better than the books and I am curious to see if thaI finally picked this up because I want to watch the movies. I've frequently heard the movies are better than the books and I am curious to see if that is true for me also!
I really struggled to connect with this story, which is odd because it SHOULD tick all the boxes for me: Sherlock Holmes (check), reimagined to introduce a spunky female (check), cyphers and codes (check), multiple mysteries (check), multiple characters in disguise (check). And yet...it really was a struggle. The opening scene is written in third person present, and coming back to it after finishing, it feels so out of place. The rest of the story is first person past, and while it would seem that the opening scene is revisited, it feels wildly different the second time. Yes, I'm belaboring this opening scene, but also, it was intriguing as an adult, but I struggled to see how it would connect with a 12 year old. Obviously this is a popular series, so maybe it was just poor timing on my read.
Moving on. Enola's life is full of unknowns, and again, I should have really liked that. But it also felt just SO contrived. Not that mysteries featuring 14 year olds are super realistic ever, but there is a way to make them feel authentic. I do think it comes down to voice, and I never bought that Enola was 14, despite the neglect and details of her backstory. Initially she reads much younger, just 10 or 12, but on the whole I found myself imagining her to be 16 or 17.
The plot was very unevenly told. The main mystery, "The Missing Marquess," doesn't even happen until halfway through the story, and then Enola stumbles upon it by complete happenstance. In fact, everything in the story relies on coincidence and happenstance. Enola is Holmes's younger sister and supposed to be whip smart and clever, and she IS, but she is also just lucky. No spoilers here, but she just happens to walk past all the right places at exactly the right times. She cleverly packed the right things, but often stumbles about at the complete mercy of the direction she chose to start walking in for no particular reason. Is this because she is just SO clever? No, it is simply lazy writing.
It took me two solid weeks to read this but I really wanted to push through. At 88% on my kindle I found that I wanted to know what happened. And I actually found the final chapter clever and interesting enough that I might just try book 2. I think I could enjoy the second book more if I read it without the lens of an adolescent audience and now that the stage has been (oh so neatly) set.
And here's the real reason I've waited so long to read this series: I've so often heard it compared to Flavia de Luce, and I've never enjoyed a series comped to Flavia anywhere near as much as Flavia. Because Flavia is written for adults despite the adolescent main character. Her misunderstandings are part of the humor as an adult looking in, not relatable as a true 12 year old. Enola is a 14 year old in a story for a middle grade audience (8-12) and yet the writing and style really is for adults. Yes, a teen sure could enjoy the book because it is written older, but with a 14 year old MC, it is extremely unlikely that a 16 year old will want to pick it up, suitable or not.
This is a really hard one for me to rate via stars so I'm leaving it blank for now. I'm leaning towards 3, which actually feels generous....more
As a teen I remember thinking it was too hard to understand, and then being knocked off my feet by a few poems tPoetry has always caught me off guard.
As a teen I remember thinking it was too hard to understand, and then being knocked off my feet by a few poems that spoke to me so deeply I remember to this day the experience of reading them for the first time.
As I’ve grown into adulthood, I’ve chosen poetry instead of having it chosen for me. I’ve usually chosen it when things are going really well (and my brain wants to grow) or when things are really hard (and my brain needs something short, something to put words to things too hard for me).
@w_scott_author’s poetry blends my poetry experiences so well; he writes specifically for adolescents about the realities of living in a broken world. And yet his words are so universal that adult me reads these poems as teen me and adult me at the same time.
Songs of the Sun officially releases tomorrow, January 14, and I hope you’ll take the chance on this collection of poetry…for yourself, for your teens. These are words of pain and hurt, and these are words of becoming and of hope.
One of my favorite poems is called “phoenix song (prelude)” because it captures the moments before anything is good, before anything is fixed, before anything is getting better. It is a picture of what it means to hope, truly hope without sight.
“it’s the type of grief that manifests as an all-consuming fire.
each individual flame springs to life. consumes my manic heart. and leave me with the kick and sway of pulling through (without seeing anyone).
even though i am buried beneath the salt and the ashes with flinging arms and barely enough breath.
know that i may have been injured but i have not been conquered.”
Songs of the Sun is available wherever books are sold! If you are looking for more great poetry, check out W. Scott’s first poetry collection with @owlsnestpublishers as well, Muses from the Moon. These collections are fantastically giftable.
While still enjoyable, I didn’t love this book as a whole nearly as much as books 2 and 3. The first 4 chapters felt really cohesive and poignant, whiWhile still enjoyable, I didn’t love this book as a whole nearly as much as books 2 and 3. The first 4 chapters felt really cohesive and poignant, while the last two seemed more tacked on. I’m still enjoying these and really like how Henry and Beezus get along and problem solve together. ...more
I never planned to read this Hunger Games prequel, but I picked it up because my daughter wanted to talk about it together. I was invested at the begiI never planned to read this Hunger Games prequel, but I picked it up because my daughter wanted to talk about it together. I was invested at the beginning, on board with the backstory of how the Hunger Games evolved and Snow's role in creating some of the elements that factor into the original trilogy. It felt like we were supposed to be sympathetic to Snow, and yet I found being in his thoughts made it impossible to actually care for him or root for him. Even his devotion to his cousin came across as selfish to me, and he certainly looked out for his own interests among classmates and with the tributes. I actually think this could have been really fascinating had it not dragged so long...the second half virtually nothing happened, and pretty much every big twist or reveal was quite obvious.
I do wonder if being in Snow's head so much and hearing his views on "love" (which was always completely unhealthy and not love at all...possession and ownership) were intentionally so over the top? But I think that Snow was supposed to be a sympathetic character ultimately. That we were supposed to wish things had gone differently, that if he'd just had one good break or chance, things would have made him different. But his character was rotten at the core. He longed for power and to see himself succeed and that was it. No nuance, no care for others, and no redemption.
My enjoyment of this book is more of 2 star (especially because the audiobook narrator was truly terrible, but I never would have finished this book if I was picking it up to read) but I'm giving it three because its been fun to talk about with my teen daughter! ...more
I've been meaning to pick this book up since it came out last year and I'm so glad I finally did! I loved mixed media format books, and WHAT HAPPENED I've been meaning to pick this book up since it came out last year and I'm so glad I finally did! I loved mixed media format books, and WHAT HAPPENED TO RACHEL RILEY was full of text messages, emails, notes, and audio transcripts. The main character, Anna, has moved to a new school, so the format really lent itself to this storytelling format.
I was completely unprepared for how good this book was. I had a vague memory of the story tackling "social issues" and I was blow away with how realistic and natural it unfolded. Anna's recently move, her family life, in inner thoughts, plus the way other students treat her all felt so familiar and realistic.
The topic of sexual harassment in middle school is uncomfortable for parents, students, and even teachers, and this book is such an accessible and effortless way of bringing it into the open because the reader feels everyone's discomfort, too. And yet as a disconnected party, the reader is able to see that what is happening is WRONG and that something needs to change, that someone needs to speak up.
Yes, ok, things were a little neat and tidy for me as the story began to wrap up, but then the final pages gave a glimpse into how hard it is to create actual change. How some people will end up losing touch, how boys will have to stand up to each other, how it takes time and community to shift things from how they've always been.
I immediately starting talking with my 10 year old (5th grade) daughter about this book and gave her a teaser summery. I'm going to buy a copy for our shelves and encourage her to read it and hopefully tell her friends too.
Now I'm off to read more by Claire Swinarski!...more
This annotated edition of Little Women is incredible and I’m so grateful to have had the chance to play a small part in bringing it to publication!
WitThis annotated edition of Little Women is incredible and I’m so grateful to have had the chance to play a small part in bringing it to publication!
With a new introduction and biography of Louisa May Alcott, plus discussion of themes, and thoughtful encouragement about the timelessness of this novel (all spoiler-free!), this book really added to my knowledge of this classic. There are over 500 footnotes throughout the unabridged text and wow did I learn so much. I loved the explanations of older words, context from other contemporary books that are referenced, and reminders about how the every day life in this book is still so meaningful today. Plus there are loads of discussion questions perfect for family read alouds, classrooms, or book clubs. What a wealth of knowledge and such a great addition as a new edition of Little Women!...more
The best one yet. I can absolutely tell why this was a Newbury Honor book…the realness of family problems, job-loss, kids trying to understand money tThe best one yet. I can absolutely tell why this was a Newbury Honor book…the realness of family problems, job-loss, kids trying to understand money troubles, and the difference between what we think life should be like and how it actually is are all handled with such care and love. Gosh I love this series. ...more
A teen historical fiction mystery with dual perspective from two Chinese sisters living in LA in 1932!
I ended up really enjoying this audiobook, and wA teen historical fiction mystery with dual perspective from two Chinese sisters living in LA in 1932!
I ended up really enjoying this audiobook, and was pleased that I was able to figure out some parts of the mystery while still being surprised by others. This was a great teen read featuring 16 and 19 year old sisters and had an interesting setting featuring Hollywood stars and racial tensions with Chinese in LA at this time. The mystery did have some coincidences that were a little too tidy, but in the whole was enjoyable (though it took me a solid 70 pages to be invested in both sisters’ perspectives). I’d be curious to read more from this author!...more
Read aloud to my 8 and 10 year olds. This was such a satisfying read aloud; I love how DiCamillo writes and it just begs to be read aloud. This book iRead aloud to my 8 and 10 year olds. This was such a satisfying read aloud; I love how DiCamillo writes and it just begs to be read aloud. This book is a short new fairytale, told with story-in-story elements, and I loved how it all came together in the end. A beautiful edition to this series. ...more
Read aloud. This is a series we’ve loved, though this book wasn’t quite as magical in some ways. This is the first book not set at the family farm, anRead aloud. This is a series we’ve loved, though this book wasn’t quite as magical in some ways. This is the first book not set at the family farm, and we missed some of our favorite side-character animals. ...more
This was such a funny and clever “holiday special” set in the world of Ernest Cunningham. The writing style and feel was consistent with his other booThis was such a funny and clever “holiday special” set in the world of Ernest Cunningham. The writing style and feel was consistent with his other books, the meta clue elements were different and well done, and it followed the rules of a fair play mystery eloquently. I also loved that this book was slightly shorter; part of the issue with books set at Christmas is they often suffer from being too long and drawn out, so this was tackled that well. Perfect way to end the year. ...more
I've been looking forward to this graphic novel for so long and was so pleased to find it even more moving than I had expected. Told in a combination I've been looking forward to this graphic novel for so long and was so pleased to find it even more moving than I had expected. Told in a combination of graphic novel panels and illustrated prose, Hendrix's style is unique and engaging and lends itself to telling a story with depth.
This book is the true story of the friendship between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, of how their literary lives shaped so much of literature and culture in the 20th Century and beyond. And more than that, this is a story woven with real life; World Wars, Lewis's conversion to Christianity, literary critique and encouragement, and even the disagreements and ways that friends grow apart over time. There's so much about the lives and works of Tolkien and Lewis that resonates with me and I loved how this book highlighted their big hopes and goals for Story, and how good stories change us and show us the world in a different way. I also appreciated learning about the ways these two men shaped each other, and the ways that they left things unresolved, not over a big fight, but slowly over time.
I loved the little side tangents and how you could dive right into them or keep reading the main story and read them at the end as an appendix. I think Tolkien would have approved. Plus the author's note revealed much about the research and inspiration.
Is this a book for teens as the publisher says? I don't think it has universal appeal, but the Tolkien nerd population will certainly love it. I do think the themes and emotional connection impacted me as an adult in a way that I would never have understood as a teen, even one so immersed in the works of Lewis and Tolkien....more
This is the first book in a middle grade series that features math prominently! I was really impressed with all the different math facts and real lifeThis is the first book in a middle grade series that features math prominently! I was really impressed with all the different math facts and real life examples that were incorporated, even more so because the main characters are all 4th graders and the math skills were perfect for 4th grade. The illustrations were throughout and the math solutions were all in colorful fonts and boxes to make them easy to follow.
From a pure plot perspective the story was simple, but the way it used math in a real story made up for those weaknesses in my estimation.
Definitely recommend this for ages 6-10, and it would make a fun read aloud because there are a lot of opportunities to participate in the math as it unfolds. ...more
This was an un-put-down-able conclusion to the series. I loved this far more than The Inheritance Games because the main characters were just so much This was an un-put-down-able conclusion to the series. I loved this far more than The Inheritance Games because the main characters were just so much more likable and interesting. It was significantly darker, especially this last book, but I’d also still say far less intense than AGGGTM and I’d definitely recommend for teens 14+ looking for a mystery/thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat!...more
This was absolutely fantastic and unique! This is one of those books that’s hard to describe without spoilers, but I’m going to try to set the stage. This was absolutely fantastic and unique! This is one of those books that’s hard to describe without spoilers, but I’m going to try to set the stage.
Three kids in 2023 New Jersey end up communicating with three kids in 1944 in their same town. I loved the kids and their different personalities and friendships. I loved how historic details were woven through. I loved the way problems were introduced and solved (or not solved) and gosh I can’t wait for book 2!
I was also impressed with how this story handled some difficult historical points for an upper middle grade audience. I’d recommend this for 12+ independently, but I do think this would be a fantastic family read aloud with even younger kids. ...more
This third book was a little slower for me initially, but I ended up being so surprised by several elements and loved the character development maybe This third book was a little slower for me initially, but I ended up being so surprised by several elements and loved the character development maybe the most of all the books so far. I thought maybe I needed to take a break before finishing the series, but I’m diving right in. ...more