We Ride Upon Sticks

By Quan Barry

360 pages

YA Fiction 

Hardback

Library

Book Club

A field hockey book is not something I would probably have picked up on my own, but it was the book club pick, so I was willing to give it a try. 

It's like a modern Crucible. Sort of. 

Well, modern in that it's set in the late 1980s rather than the 1700s. 

It was rather slow going at first, honestly, because so much sports talk. 

But I finally got into it. 

I really liked the ending. It had surprises. 

author info

Would I read it again? No. Would I recommend it? Maybe if someone was really into witches, and high school coming of age stories, and had at least a passing interest in sports. 

Ready Player Two

By Ernest Cline

YA SciFi

Hardback

366 pages

Library 

Wow. What a satisfying sequel. 

The world has advanced and changed based on the events of book 1. The new quest is interesting.  The resolution is fantastic.  

Often sequels can be a let down, but this one did not disappoint. 

Just a super good book- and very compelling! I started it maybe 24 hours ago. 

These Violent Delights

By Chloe Gong

Hardback

Owlcrate

439 pages

YA 

Retelling/Re-envisioning 

A different take on Romeo and Juliet. In 1920's Shanghai. With monsters. 

The families are gangster families. 

It took me a long time to read this. I'm not entirely sure why - it was good. I think I've just been super busy. 

author info

Owlcrate edition was signed. 

The book is so pretty, and there is inside cover art. 

I love the notes from authors. 

There is a sequel planned. 

Fred the mermaid trilogy

Sleeping with the Fishes (268 pages)

Swimming Without a Net (271 pages)

Fish out of Water (270 pages)

All: 

By MaryJanice Davidson

paperback

Fiction (romance)

This was a fun little trilogy and a very quick read. I've read other books by the same author - she has a particular campy, humorous style that I enjoy. 

Book 1

Wherein we meet Fred, the hybrid mermaid working at an aquarium. Her best friend has the hits for her boss, and two attractive men come into her life at the same time, drawn by the same problem: water pollution in the bay. 

All that gets resolved, more or less. 

Book 2 

Wherein Fred meets other Undersea Folk (many if whom don't like her, because reasons involving her father) as they debate whether to reveal themselves to the world. 

That mostly gets resolved. 

Book 3

Wherein Fred is dealing with the repercussions of the Undersea Folk revealing themselves to the world, her dad swims back into town, and her best friend is planning a wedding. 

This whole series was a pleasant brain candy - a few deaths/murders, a couple of sex scenes. Mostly just some good fun and amusing storytelling. 

the Curiosities

By Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton, & Brenna Yovanoff

short stories

paperback

291 pages

This is a collection of short stories. There are annotations and conversations in the margins. Some of the stories are very short, while others are long. The topics are varied. 

Front cover

Back cover

List of included stories

Title page with cute balloons & an autograph.  🤩

Annotation example from intro

Sketch and conversation example from end

How it ends...

I have the second one; it's in my tbr pile.

January 2021 Owlcrate

Arrival Date: Jan 23

Theme: From Olympus with Love

Book: Lore

I'm always excited when I see this box on my front step. 

Look at that cute little Medusa!

This tea is very pretty and my eldest child is excited to try it. 

A new pin banner! So pretty.

All the stuff!

Contains: tea, pin, banner, reversible bookmark, letter board, book, info card & booklet & sneak peak card, and a moon phase calendar wall hanging which eldest child has also already scampered off with. 

Other side of bookmark.

Cute letterbox pieces & pouch.

Dainty, adorable letter board.

Time to start a new set of pins!

I looked it up - my first box was from way back in February 2016!

Almond Flour Jam cookies

A vegan friend of mine brought these to work once and I couldn't stop eating them 

Finished product! 

Recipe! 

Technically, they're called "Thumbprint Cookies with Raspberry Jam and Flake Salt" but I never remember that name. What I remember is that they're made with almond flour and have jelly in them. 

Before going into the oven.

I used strawberry preserves this time, and honey (so, not vegan). I like the strawberry flavor in these. 

Just out of the oven. Why did that one in the far corner melt? It's a mystery.  

I love these cookies - so I guess it's for the best that it makes a small batch! They're also easy, quick, and don't take very many ingredients.