Remarkably Bright Creatures

By Shelby Van Pelt

Fiction 

355 pages

Hardback

A loan from a friend

This book was sad and beautiful and funny and perfect. 

There are chapters from the octopus point of view, and also from the point of view of several human characters. 

first octopus page

first human page 

I thought I knew what was going to happen, but the way there was twisty enough that I stayed engaged and curious. 

Things didn't work out "perfectly" but they did work out satisfyingly. 

I read it on a friend's recommendation- probably wouldn't have picked it up for myself, but I'm glad I did read it. 

author info

Yes. I read the whole thing in one day. 

Me Before You

By Jojo Moyes 

Fiction

369 pages

Paperback

It was a really readable book. It had some romance novel clichés: the innocent, clumsy girl whose family is constantly taking advantage & the brooding, angry at the world, rich guy. 

It was also sad, and hopeful, and thoroughly engaging. 

first page

I enjoyed it. It didn't end the way I expected. I didn't expect the commentary on the power dynamics of money. 

I won't re-read, but I'll take it to school and put it on my shelf.

Bamboo People

By Mitali Perkins

YA fiction

Paperback

264 pages

A coworker asked if I'd be willing to read a book he was thinking of teaching next school year (for the book approval process). Of the pile he had, I selected Bamboo People because of the setting. 

I lived in Burma decades ago. 

It was a quick and easy read - the two main (boy) protagonists set in the backdrop of warfare and military oppression. They are on opposing sides of the conflict, but events bring them together. 

It was a good book. Not one I would have picked up simply for the joy of reading, but I am glad to have read it. 

first page

resources

The Power

By Naomi Alderman

Paperback

382 pages

Fiction / Dystopia

This was a little harder for me to get into. It had many disturbing and uncomfortable scenes. But they were purposeful, not gratuitous. 

It was a really good read. The characters were complex and interesting, the switch of mindsets and power dynamics was believability portrayed, and the ending was satisfying. The frame story with the publisher letters was brilliant. 

first page of the story

Family Lore

By Elizabeth Acevedo 

368 pages

Hardback

Book Club spring pick

Lore like oral history. It's mostly a modern fiction novel, but there are some elements of magical realism too? 

yes.

She does not deserve a name.

This was a fun paragraph because a student just shared the band Aventura with me. I liked the song she sent me.

This line, breaking across pages, just struck me as so sad and beautiful. 

I had to look up sainthood here. I don't know who the patron saint of anything is.

The book was beautiful and inevitable. It wasn't a page turner because I wasn't in suspense if what would come next, mostly.

A novel that reads - in the best way - like a research project. 

Masque of the Red Death

By Bethany Griffin

319 pages

YA Fiction- Retelling

I just had to buy this book at the used book store. Look at it. So pretty. So intriguing. 

It's based on Poe.

It felt unique, yet I could tell where it built from his work. 

So strange to read a plague book that was published right before the pandemic. 

Author info

I liked this book a lot - and I don't mind where it ended, but there is another one with publishing date next spring, I think? 

Not sure if I'll dive back into this world or not.

Not Forever But For Now

By Chuck Palahniuk 

238 pages

Book Club - December 2023

I actually did not enjoy this. 

I just - it was so relentlessly stark. It was sad. It was gross. 

I mean, I'm pretty sure that was the point. 

But that didn't make it more appealing to me. 

I was waiting for more of a twist, but it didn't happen. 

In Sight of Stars

By Gae Polisner

Paperback

220 pages

YA Fiction 

The author was a speaker at a convention I attended/presented at. 

This book is full young adult angst, but it’s also kind of beautiful. 

Trigger Warnings: self harm & suicide

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue 

By V.E. Schwab

Fantasy

Hardback

442 pages

Finished this book today; 4th book of Spring Break. 

Should really work on my dissertation, but would really rather read instead. 

It's a Faustian style deal - immortality, life & time & freedom - but the bargin isn't as pleasant in practice. 

Each section of the book has little prefaces, but they are mostly art descriptions. 

first page

This story spans 300ish years.

Author info.

I'm going to be honest here, I keep forgetting how much I like this author's work. I've read a bunch if it and keep forgetting that they are all from the same person. 

Reader, I Murdered Him

Reader, I Murdered Him 

By Betsy Cornwell

A Jane Eyre Spinoff

Fiction

Hardback

283 pages 

LGBTQIA+

Trigger Warning: sequel assault 

This book was really engaging and a quick read. Like, I read it just now, between the previous blog post this morning and right now. 

It follows the daughter of the novel Jane Eyre, who I barely remember because I think she was kind of a nothing, throw-away character. 

The book is both funny and sad, and horrific at the same time. 

I really enjoyed the voice, the personal and conversational feel.

Also, the occasional callbacks to the famous novel are well done.

Author info.

Da Vinci's Tiger

Da Vinci's Tiger

By L.M. Elliott

YA Historical Fiction 

Hardback

275 pages

Owlcrate book (2015)

I have not had this book sitting around since 2015. I bought it on a whim several months ths ago when I was buying some other items from the Owlcrate shop. This was from their December 2015 box, which preceded my subscription. 

It's a thoroughly researched Historical Fiction book, written for a YA audience. 

author info

This in the painting (and historical person) it's based around.

Painting info

I did enjoy this book, but didn't like feel compelled to puck it up like I often do with books. 

The characters were interesting, the politics weren't overwhelming, and the setting felt realistic. 

Overall it was good, just not really my thing. 

I think I'll let this one go to the used book store.