The Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey is a book - actually, a series - that I read in elementary school. Don't let that deter you, though. D'Lacey's writing style - engaging and accessible - makes it a charming read for any age. Of course, it's another one of the books I am reading to my unborn son, and will continue to read the series to him as he grows (he's due June 26th, so I'll probably begin reading the next one to him after he makes his debut). This book is just as endearing as it was when I was younger, one of my favorite series I ever read, and I hope it will be one of my son's as well. I recall wishing my mother - who is also good at clay making - would craft me my own little dragons. I don't think I've outgrown that wish, either. My biggest desire was for my mom to be able to recreate the magical and imaginative elements that D'Lacey implements into these novels...I guess her being able to afford a kiln and switch her career path to a potter was too big of a fantasy, though...I'm sure her grandson will beg her all the same as I did one day, to have a Gadzooks or Gwendolyn of his own. This is the perfect series to get into on your own if you're a younger age, or just prefer simpler, easier reads - but it's also an extraordinary series to read with your child! 

Much like a tightly packed bowl, Home Baked by Alia Volz had a slow burn. I followed the recommended dose of a Sticky Fingers brownie in my reading - a quarter at a time of the book at a time. From haughty Buxbaum, to sly Sheriff Hongisto, from Barb to Cheryl, from Donald to Doug, Meridy's journey into marijuana-laced motherhood was as tasteful as I imagine the brownies they baked were. The secret ingredient in Volz's writing was her ability to depict a scene - even before her conception - with a transcending realism. Volz manages to depict her mother's life and the politics surrounding it in a manner that allows you to truly be there. As someone born in 2002, Home Baked was written in such a way that I could envision Mer's life in the 70's as if I were there the whole time, perhaps spiritually alongside her. You can hear the clattering of her I Ching coins, every outfit and drag queen is able to be pictured perfectly in your mind. Every emotion is palpable through Volz's words. Overall, Home Baked is a captivating memoir that offers a glimpse into a unique and vibrant subculture while exploring universal themes of family, love, and resilience. Volz's poignant narrative and engaging writing style make this book a must-read for anyone looking for a heartfelt and compelling story. This biography was a welcome change of pace from my usual reading endeavors, and I'm glad I savored the flavor of every chapter. 

Not really sure how to rate a cookbook, so I suppose I will give it a moderate 3 (maybe 3.5-4, considering the title and cover caught my eye enough for me to pick it up in the first place) stars. I cannot review it in depth because I didn't read much of the filler details after 20 pages or so...As compelling as Silverstein's life story was, I didn't check this book out to hear about it. I checked it out for recipe ideas for my partner, which I succeeded in getting quite a few. Although with the age of the internet, sadly I probably wouldn't have even considered reading - even if it's just to skim - a cookbook, if it weren't for trying to complete a reading challenge. I look forward to seeing my partner recreate some of these recipes, though! 

Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel is an extraordinary novel that is masterfully narrated by an omniscient voice, immersing readers in the rich tapestry of prehistoric life. The novel follows a young girl named Ayla, orphaned by an earthquake and adopted by a group of Neanderthals, known as the Clan. Set during the last Ice Age, the novel beautifully blends meticulous historical research with a compelling narrative, creating a rich and immersive world that feels both ancient and vividly alive. 

One of the most striking aspects of the book is its meticulous attention to detail. Auel's research into prehistoric life is evident in every aspect of the novel, from the descriptions of the landscape to the customs and rituals of the Clan. Through Ayla's eyes, readers are able to witness the daily struggles and triumphs of a people living in harmony with the natural world, hunting for food, creating tools, and navigating the complex social dynamics of their society. An example is made of following tradition, an extensive knowledge of flint tools, fishing nets and elusive methods of hunting are all greatly depicted. Unlike the rest of the Clan, whose knowledge is handed down to them through spiritual memories, Ayla knowledge of medicinal herbs, their preparation, and usage are impressive because they're a result of learning and resourcefulness. 

"The hot coal from the fire of the night before had been started by a hot coal from the previous evening's fire and could be traced back to the fire they had rekindled on the remains on the fireplace at the mouth of the old cave. For the rites to make a new cave acceptable for residence, they needed to start the fire from a coal they could trace back to their old home.
Maintenance of the fire could only be entrusted to a male of high status. If the coal died out, it would be a sure sign that their protective spirits had deserted them..." 

"The Clan lived by unchanging tradition. Every facet of their lives from the time they were born until they were called to the world of the spirits was circumscribed by the past. It was an attempt at survival, unconscious and unplanned except by nature in a last-ditch effort to save the race from extinction, and doomed to failure. They could not stop change, and resistance to it was self-defeating, anti survival." 

"The two girls were so different, yet so provocatively similar. Sprung from the same ancient seed, the progeny of their common ancestor took alternative routes, both leading to a richly developed, if dissimilar, intelligence. Both sapient, for a time both dominant, the Gulf that separated them was not great. But the subtle differences created a vastly different destiny." 

At the heart of the novel is Ayla herself, a strong and resilient protagonist whose journey of self-discovery is both inspiring and heartbreaking. As Ayla grows and learns among the Clan, she must navigate the challenges of being different, both physically and culturally, from those around her. Her struggle to find acceptance and forge her own identity is a poignant and relatable story that resonates with readers of all ages. 

"No one told her it was impossible...because it had never been done before, and since no one told her she couldn't, she taught herself to do it..." 

Another compelling aspect of the novel is its exploration of the relationship between Neanderthals and early modern humans. Through Ayla's interactions with both groups, Auel raises thought-provoking questions about what it means to be human and challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions about our shared evolutionary history. 

"...But it gave the magician cause to wonder about the power of love having more force than the power of fear, and the theme occupied his thoughts during his meditations for days..." 

"He was, after all, only human." 

Overall, Clan of the Cave Bear - which is actually the prelude to the Earth's Children series - is a beautifully written and thoroughly researched novel that offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of our ancient ancestors. Auel's masterful storytelling and vivid prose make this a book that is hard to put down, and one that will stay with readers long after they have turned the final page. I greatly look forward to reading more of Auel's work. 

I decided to read Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen because, although it is a middle grade book, I wanted a chapter novel to read to my unborn son. I found it to be delightful and heartwarming. 

Flipped tells that tells the story of Bryce and Juli, two young neighbors whose perspectives on life and each other gradually change over the years. From the moment Juli first lays eyes on Bryce, she is smitten. Her admiration for him is unwavering, even as Bryce struggles to understand her quirky and independent nature. Through alternating perspectives, Van Draanen skillfully explores the complexities of young love and friendship, showing how misunderstandings and preconceived notions can shape our relationships. 

Several times throughout reading the novel aloud, I turned over to find my partner tearing up. So just a warning, it can be emotional - the novel doesn't just portray children, it also showcases someone with developmental disability and how that impacts a family, being poor, and what it means to be a good parent from both a parent's and a child's perspective. It's a little sappy at times... 

At its core, "Flipped" is a story about growing up and discovering who you are. It's about learning to see beyond the surface and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the world around you. Now that I've finished reading it, I still intend to read it a few more times - when my son is born, and later on when he can read himself! This is a great bonding book, and I hope my son enjoys it as much as I enjoyed reading it to him...who knows, maybe it'll be a beloved novel in our family for generations. 

Friends and Strangers by J. Courtney Sullivan was an exhausting read in the beginning.
I almost DNF'D several times, as I just couldn't make myself enjoy the writing style, nor would I even know how to describe it. The properness of it reminded me of a mix of Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro and Normal People by Sally Rooney. It droned on and on and on, and whenever you thought it might pick up pace or something interesting might happen...it didn't. I tried to imagine that I was savoring it, but taking a week to get only a quarter of the way in was not enjoyable. It actually made me lose my reading spark for a good bit, as some books often do - but when I picked it back up a few months later and plowed through it, I found it to be less distasteful. Certain parts stuck out, so I am glad I gave it the chance because I would've missed parts like the following: 

"It had never occurred to her that she might have a boy. Even after a blood test confirmed it, she still could only imagine a smaller version of herself - a mercurial girl, who loved all the girlie things she once did. Elisabeth couldn't help but feel disappointed. She googled 'Can you take a boy to see the Nutcracker?' 'Do boys read Laura Ingralls Wilder?'
 But as soon as she saw Gil, she understood." 

"'The big secret of adulthood is that you never feel settled," Elisabeth said. 'Just unsettled in new ways...'" 

 I feel it could've been better if Sullivan had put in less irrelevancies, used less details in some places. Despite finding some points meaningful, at the end of the day, it was mundane. I wanted to love it, and I am proud of myself for persevering through it, but it just didn't hit where it had the potential to. To each their own, though. 

You'd be Home Now by Kathleen Glasgow was a beautiful portrayal of the struggles of young adults today. Drug addiction, slut shaming, feeling unseen and unheard...Glasgow made the reader painfully aware of the fact that this is what teenagers struggle with today. This novel will hit you like a semi, but it's worth it. 

"'God makes our bodies want to live, no matter what our minds want to do.'"

"I've known Annamae for less than a day, yet I feel bonded to her in the way common suffering can knit two souls together. Or maybe it's just my small spleen talking. People with small spleens are notoriously cowardly."

"Maybe what matters is not so much the path as who walks beside you."

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee was a book that accomplished an amazing feat by making way into my top 5 -maybe even top 3- all time favorites. Lee manages to put so much substance into a book with less than 400 pages. It's not often that a book will truly have me laughing and crying with its characters, but this 1800s western tale did just that. The plight of being a minority and fugitive on the Oregon Trail, the developed sisterhood, the brooding of forbidden love...all written with perfect measurements of humor and sentiment. I can't put into words how much I loved this book. 

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen packs a perfect punch - or kick - of heart. It is a bundle of emotion, humor, and inspiration. It reminds me of a fictional version of Just Don't Fall by Josh Sundquist. You could read it in a day or two, as it's succinct, but doesn't lack the necessary substance. Draanen has done it again! 

Runaway was a quick read, but it's not an easy one. Unfortunate realistic aspects of drug addiction, the foster care system, and homelessness are shown in such an endearing, yet heartbreaking perspective. Very mature subjects are tackled in a way that would make it easier for a younger audience to understand. I wasn't sure how much I would like this novel, because Wild Bird by Wendelin Van Draanen didn't sit right with me by the end of it, but this book was charming, with a unique format and a hope-in-spite-of-tragedy moral. You could probably finish this book in a day if you wanted to, but be prepared for waterworks with this one, because it really tugs on the heart strings.