This book was so good and creepy and just ... Wow. I read this with a friend, which was a first for me and very enjoyable. And I also put on my headphones and listened to the Coraline soundtrack on repeat while I read, which I think significantly upped the creepiness factor.
I loved Olive. She is so real. She is curious and lonely. She makes a lot of mistakes, but everything turns out okay in the end (mostly) and leaves you satisfied, yet still wanting more.
I also loved her parents. Like, they are so cute and dorky and ... Goodness.
And the cats. Gotta love the cats!
Now go read it!

This was a reread for "writing research" :P It's such an ingenious story. So skillfully plotted!

Five Things About Millie Keith: Millie's Courageous Days

1) as I said for the first book, this is not my usual genera. I am a high fantasy lover. Yet I really enjoyed this book! It gives me similar feelings that the Septimus Heap series does. I could just snuggle up with a warm cup of coffee and a warm blanket on a rainy day and that would be paradise.

2) THE KEITH FAMILY. AHHHHHHHHH. I just love all of them so so much. I love her mother, and Don and Cyril. Maybe it's because I'm part of a big family myself, but I just love all of them soooo much. It's very real and I can relate on a lot of levels.

3) It handles lots of different aspects of Christianity that I really admire. Damaris, for example. Rarely have I read in a Christian book about a Christian who had it all wrong. I usually only see that in non Christian fiction, and it irks me. But this was handled soooooo well!

4) Millie is absolutely lovely. She captured my heart even more in this book. Her faith and courage (pun intended) is soooo inspiring! And her heart for a God makes me want to be like her in a lot of ways.

5) overall, I left this book with good feelings and a warm smile. It ended nicely and cleanly.

I can't wait to read book 3!

<3

My whole heart is just so, so full.

This is a beautiful anthology of all sorts of stories. I was pleasantly surprised by how much fantasy was here! I don't have words quite yet to convey just how beautiful and special this collection is, but I'll come back when I do and try my best to write an actual review, haha.

All I'll say for now is that I can't wait for queer kids to get their hands on this. It's going to mean so much, and help so many kids feel seen and beautiful and loved for who they are in a world that is filled with people who refuse to understand them.

That was so good. From the first poem, I was hooked--heart and soul. Cal's story is heart-wrenching, and Hannah is super relatable. Between the two of them, I think most readers will connect pretty deeply with this book. Not to mention the poetry--it's so lyrical and beautiful, and I love the unique way each character's POV is written, with trademark intros and different fonts. I'd definitely recommend this novel--it's a really good story about learning to empathize and learning to accept the love you don't think you deserve.