When I was younger, I imagined myself as many fairytale characters. But Ella of Frell topped the list, curse and all. Ella Enchanted was one of those books read and reread it so many times that at one point I had the first chapter completely memorized. And rereading it as an adult only rekindled my love for this Cinderella retelling. I still have the original copy gifted to me by a friend who not only gave me a copy of one of my favorites and encouraged me to explore the rest of the books the world had to offer.
When Ella was born, a fairy bestowed what was supposed to be a gift upon her. But to have to be completely obedient is no gift. Poor Ella, the girl with the gift for languages that tries defiantly to live a life of choice when obedience has been forced upon her. How can she live the life she wants when it could endanger the ones she loves?

If you look into Watership Down, you can draw allegorical conclusions about the superiority of democracy of the other represented forms of government (totalitarianism and communism). But it is also a story of perseverance, courage, loyalty, survival, and community. All from rabbits. If you can handle the dark images of the story, it is a timeless read. It is also something that makes you think about the impact of humanity on nature, from the perspective of something that dwells in nature. Every time I read the book, it feels like more than just a children’s book.

Three sisters torn apart by the sins of their past find each other again in New Salem through the call of their magic. These three women (one smart and quiet, one strong and sure, and one a raging storm just barely contained) will come together to fight for something bigger than all of them. In a time when being a woman was a struggle and being a woman with magic was a death sentence, the Eastwood sisters will work to help women discover a power hidden in all of them and bring back the magic denied to them by the promise of flames.

A beautiful description of a struggle to win back family and gain rights denied

A library is more than just a place to house books. It’s a sanctuary, a home, a place of community that brings together people from all walks of life.
Susan Orlean doesn’t just look into the mystery of the fire at Central Los Angeles Library that occurred in 1986. She brings to life the library itself. From its very beginning to modern day, this book is a love story to the library itself. Follow in the steps of librarians past and present to understand their devotion to an iconic institution.

Behind the whimsy and magic of Wonderland is a girl. Her name is Alice. We know she follows a white rabbit down the rabbit hole to a place that becomes curiouser and curiouser by the minute. But who is Alice really?
Alice I Have Been follows the story of Alice, the inspiration behind the famous story. Grow with her and find out how her story came to be.

This books brings reality into a childhood favorite

Generations of Orquídea’s family have lived in her small house in Four Rivers, a house the matriarch Orquídea cannot ever leaves. Her family never questions why she doesn’t leave, why their’s is the only farm that has flourished in the barren valley of Four Rivers. They leave, eager to start their own lives.
When Orquídea sends each of her family a letter telling them to come home and collect their inheritance before she dies, they will learn the power of their ancestors and the magic in their family.

Love, magic, adventures, and a well of family secrets that’s seems to have no bottom.

I loved the magical realism aspects of this story. A quick and beautiful

Set in United States 1950s in a small midwestern town, this book follows the life of a young girl who longs to be more than what is expected of a woman at that time. She is not content to be someone’s wife. She wants to learn. She’s about to learn where women have been disappearing to for centuries and how to unleash the freedom hidden inside us all.

Widespread cover ups, resistance, and women finding a way to be their true selves.

An exploration of feminism, family, and freedoms. A journey in #magicalrealism that will have you looking up to the skies

Zillah is making her own way through life working as a performer in London. Sure, she’s the token girl of color in her show but she needs to make a living. One night, she glimpses someone in the audience and her life changes forever.

Theatre of Marvels tackles issues of race, class, and gender in a time when such issues were just beginning to be challenged.

Follow Zillah through her journey of love, heartbreak, self realization, and rebirth.

Last year I taught my sister @supermanssuperishmom the right way to shop for books: #myway

Sophie is a kind girl with a warm heart and a soft touch. Her stepmother Adelaide has reigned as queen with cruel words and a iron fist. When Sophie comes of age, she will take over the throne. But not before Adelaide takes her heart, literally.

In this #retelling of the classic #snowwhite the fair princess must find a way to survive losing her heart and her kingdom. More importantly, she must decide if she can overcome the odds and win them back. Death will chase her, fear will slow her down but she must decide if she will fall to the pain or get back up.

This is not the Snow White we have come to know. It is darker. It is a story of fear and pain and hope.