I’m doing a reading challenge where I needed to read a book published the year I was born. This was my choice. Somehow I never read this as a kid even though it would have been up my alley. Many people describe it as an American Harry Potter feel but the magic and word building is much darker. It’s also a lot more esoteric and without explanation. That’s honestly kind of cool. The book has been updated for modern audiences so there’s references to things like MP3 players and texting. I’d recommend it to older kids who are interested in magic and have already exhausted the usual suspects.

I've been looking for picture books for older kids and this popped up on a list. The kids laughed out loud at parts. Funny premise and definitely snarkier than your average children's book. The artwork feels very 90s, but that's nice for nostalgia's sake I suppose. There's a fat joke that seems wildly out of place for a children's book even for slightly older readers, and I omitted it as I was reading it to them. Just something to be mindful of for reading aloud.

First Star Wars book I've ever read, actually. I found Mara Jade's story really intriguing. Thrawn felt like a Mary Sue antagonist, if such a thing is possible. There were a lot of interesting elements and I'm sure I'll finish this series out.

This is wonderful. I'd only ever read one book by Steinbeck, which was Of Mice and Men a million years ago in high school.

All I really want to comment on is how much Doc ate on his drive from Monterey to La Jolla. That's a 6-7 hour drive. Maybe highways were significantly different enough that it was a much longer drive back then? He ate 3 days worth of meals. I was dumbfounded reading it. Anyway, great book. It's so descriptive and there are so many wonderful artifacts from the 1930s and 1940s.

Lighting a water heater. Soap chips. Beer cans you open with a can opener. I could go on.

Well that was completely perfect and I can't believe I've never read it before.

Nice art. I can appreciate that the author wanted to really stylize the reader's experience with the font choice but it was a miss for me.

I thought this was a memoir.

Pretty good introduction to the Salem witch trials for a YA audience.

Just as terrific as the first volume. This is so inclusive but never feels pandering. The art is so well done. There's a little bit of a fear factor but nothing that would overwhelm a younger reader. The new character Ariel is great and I love what is developing with Sedge's storyline. Can't wait to read the next volume.