Oh my goodness...This book. It's not often that I pick up a story that I literally cannot put down. Not only did I read this book in two sittings (bringing it with me whenever I got up to grab something or do anything else), I had a VERY hard time falling asleep on the night of the 7th and focusing at work on the 8th because all I could think about was the story and how badly I wanted to be reading rather than sleeping/working! I honestly can't remember the last time I felt that way about a book... though I have read plenty that I had a hard time putting down, I didn't lose sleep over them because they just didn't hook me as much as this one did. I loved everything about this book. The storyline was wonderful, the characters were all very interesting, and (the best part in my opinion) was that I was totally amazed by the way it was written. While reading, I felt like I was really there, like I was actually watching the events unfold. At the very end of the book, in an interview with the author, I discovered why this was the case. Ransom Riggs first went to college to study literature and got a degree in English. Then he went to study film school at the University of Southern California in LA. Bravo Mr. Riggs! I also really liked the use of the photos. Some were very creepy and I think it is incredibly interesting that the author collected these photographs from flea markets and such over time. I've read reviews where people said the photos ruined the "modern storyline" and I think they've missed the point-these photographs are all very old, from the time when the children were able to move about as they pleased. I loved this book so much that I went out and bought the second one so I can find out what happens next as soon as possible!

When I started reading this book, I was super worried that it was going to be too predictable (as many dystopian novels seem to be recently). But oh- I am SO glad that this one caught me off guard! Excellent writing, action packed storyline. A very good read.

Oh my gosh. What to say about this book... When I first went to read it, I didn't think I would like it. But wow, was I wrong! This is just one of those books that EVERYONE needs to read at least once in their lifetime. The storyline was organized very well, the characters were developed perfectly, and the message of the story was just amazing. It really got you thinking.

My favorite lines/quote from the book:

"Small towns are like metronomes; with the slightest flick, the beat changes."

"Going back to something is harder than you think."

"When someone is in your heart, they're never truly gone. They can come back to you, even at unlikely times."

"You can find something truly important in a minute."

"Sticking with your family is what makes it a family."

"One day spent with someone you love can change everything."

This book is a must read for all.

It's hopeful.
It's heartbreaking.
It's beautiful.
And it's jam-packed with lessons that hit me harder than I was expecting them to.

I would VERY HIGHLY recommend this book.


Favorite passages:
He seemed remarkably calm that his mother was a Grim Reaper in clogs and pants that were always too snug in the waist, holding the power over life and death in the same hands that held his applesauce.

Every one of us will go through things that destroy our inner compass and pull meaning out from under us.

We don't live our lives in our heads, in theology and theories. We live our lives in our families: the families we are born into, the families we create, the families we make through the people we choose as friends.

Where there's breath, there's hope.

Hope is a shape-shifter that can appear and grow in even the tiniest of cracks…

Things are never as they appear. My hospice patients have taught me that. There are always layers to people’s lives, unseen memories under every face, every decision, every movement or lack of movement. There is always gray between the black and white.

Who do you believe yourself to be? It’s a strange question, right? But trying to answer it honestly tells a person so much about themselves.

No one can go back in time to change what happened, unless you're Marty McFly or Doctor Who, and it didn’t always go so well for them, either. You cannot change your past, and you cannot change yourself in the past.

Dying isn’t going to change who you fundamentally are, either. If you were a hilarious, fun-loving, sex-in-a-meadow kind of person at thirty-five, you’ll probably still be that way at eighty-five, even if you can’t get your own pants off anymore. You might be even funnier, because you’re no longer worrying as much what other people think.
If you were a selfish jerk in life, there’s a good chance you’ll still be a selfish jerk when you’re dying. Dying doesn’t automatically make you a better person. If you haven’t asked for forgiveness or done any work to rebuild damaged relationships, reconciliation isn’t going to magically come to you just because you’re at death's door.

If you want to apologize, then apologize now. If you want to tell someone you’re proud of them, say it right now. If you want to express your love, call up and say, “I love you.” If you want to ask for forgiveness, do it this second, while there is still time to do the actual work that’s in solved in seeking and granting forgiveness and arriving at some reconciliation. Don’t hold back.

After re-reading the Harry Potter series, as well as, "Quidditch Through the Ages" and "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" over the past couple of months, picking up this book yesterday was perfect. I really enjoyed all of the short stories inside. I just wish the book was longer! :)

I REALLY enjoyed this book! The writing style was very easy to read and the storyline hooked me early on. Though after the initial craziness of the start of the book, things got a little slow...However, I still thought that there were just enough twists scattered throughout to keep you hooked and anxious to see what would happen next. I was nervous that parts of this were going to be over-done (ex. the main relationship), but they thankfully weren't! I did have a few issues with the situations that the main character got into. I think it would have been much better if the another character had just explained the situations more so she would understand rather than just leaving her hanging- specifically before/during/after the spring festivities...

Favorite lines:
"Don't feel bad for one moment about doing what brings you joy."-Tamlin

"I was as unburdened as a piece of dandelion fluff, and he was the wind that stirred me about the world."-Feyre

I really enjoyed this book! I would also definitely recommend it to anyone that enjoys fantasy and young adult books. The only reason for the missing 5th star is that I don't think I would read this one again or continue with the other books in the series. I loved the storyline and all the bookish references, but it felt rather long-winded at times. And (my biggest peeve) there was some repetition. Ex. I didn't mark it, but I'm pretty sure I read something along the lines of "became silent like she suddenly swallowed her tongue" at least three times.

So so so fantastic!! This screenplay is absolutely lovely! The 1920's decorative style illustrations by MinaLima are wonderful. I would highly recommend this! Though I would suggest going to see the movie first, so you can read the screenplay in the characters voices. I would also suggest snagging a copy of the "textbook" version of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them by Newt Scamander so you can look up each of the beasts that you are introduced to for a little more information.

This was such a FUN read! So much fun that I read it in just one sitting. The story was interesting and paced well. The characters were all very lovable. The illustrations were perfect. And I absolutely adored how the main character, Katie, broke the fourth wall and talked back to the narrator.

(Another re-read) I loved this book. The notes that Ron, Harry and Hermione leave behind are a lovely touch. My only wish for a reprint would be to have little cartoon drawings for each of the beasts.