This is a really funny, bittersweet novel that I'd happy recommend to all the tweens who loved Wonder et al. Really sharp and pokes at the issues of class in a way a lot of kids will find accessible.

Ehh I felt like this kept being on the verge of being really interesting but then kept veering away from the pieces that I found particularly interesting--Odette the queer vampire elder, the details of the Brotherhood/Fallen etc. And like some of that was clearly being saved for the reveal at the end but oof the middle dragged getting there. The dialogue mostly felt so clunky, like it was trying to bridge a gap between "formal old timey" and "sassy Disney Channel heroine who has read a Shakespeare play once."

I'm sure some readers would be more than happy to wallow in the 19th century New Orleans details, and honestly I thought I would have been too but just got snoozy. It is always nice to have historical fiction--historical fantasy at that--that acknowledges that people of color have always existed, and New Orleans in particular is a great place for these characters.

Anyway, that said, you know, I didn't care for [b:Interview with the Vampire|43763|Interview with the Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles, #1)|Anne Rice|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1380631642l/43763._SY75_.jpg|873132] either but clearly those books have tons of devotees, so I have to imagine that this would have more or less the same appeal factors as Anne Rice?

This is a charming and inspiring graphic biography. I think it's perfect for tween readers--careful to define terms like "federal government" and great at explaining RBG's earlier court cases for gender equality in a way that doesn't condescend but makes the stakes very clear. The art is cute and engaging.

Oops, I guess I forgot to add this on GR after I read it! I couldn't put it down--as with all the Raven Cycle books I found myself in a battle between wanting to savor Maggie's lovely prose but also wanting to tear through it to find out what happens. I ended up tearing through it; I'd like to re-read it, and all of the Raven Cycle books. But who has the time!? augh

Anyway--lovely, can't wait for the next one!!

This has been vaguely on my TBR list for awhile and then Sophi read it and started cyberbullying me about my failure to have read it, so FINE, I READ IT. I LIKED IT. I like the concept of this little Southern coven house full of psychic ladies who DGAF. I like the moody private school boys who all have SECRETS

Spoiler

such as secretly having been dead for 7 years

.

I didn't like how it did a thing a lot of YA trilogies (OR QUADRILOGIES APPARENTLY) seem to be doing, which is the ending is not a real ending?? It's just like a random pause before the next book. WHICH FINE, WORKED and made me immediately borrow [b:The Dream Thieves|17347389|The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle, #2)|Maggie Stiefvater|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1477103777l/17347389._SY75_.jpg|21598446]. BUT JUST BECAUSE IT WORKS DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD KEEP DOING THIS, AUTHORS/PUBLISHERS >:(

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I re-read this and I loved it even moreee

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I kind of forgot that I'd read this twice before but, well, it holds up. I wanted to re-read this series after finishing [b:Call Down the Hawk|31373184|Call Down the Hawk (Dreamer, #1)|Maggie Stiefvater|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550860945l/31373184._SY75_.jpg|52062040] but am always hesitant to spend reading time on re-reads when there are so many new books all the time aaaa! But I'd heard the audiobook was good, and though I rarely can focus on audiobooks I figured since I already knew the story it would be OK if I spaced out sometimes. Anyway, the audiobook IS great--a lot of great accent work. I burned through it, shoving aside all my usual podcasts etc to get through the book. And now on to re-read The Dream Thieves!

This was interesting and engaging! I'm still a little surprised at its National Book Award win, but, sure? It does a great job of connecting present-day America back to specific events in 1919 that were landmarks for labor, civil rights, racial justice, etc.

I do wish publishers would stop making nonfiction books aimed at teens so physically large; they're bulky and feel like a textbook, it's hard to convince teens to check them out for pleasure reading. It also could have used more specific endnotes for my tastes but overall, a solid read.

My interest in this trilogy waned a bit with the middle book but this really stuck the landing for me! Very fun and satisfying <3

Very interesting, particularly as someone who enjoys a kitschy "haunted" tourist attraction. Thought-provoking about the purpose and power of ghost stories.

This is just a delicious, fun romance that ticks off tons of favorite tropes (Boarding school! They were roommates! They went camping but all their stuff got wet!), but it's about two girls so it feels fresher.

hmm I think I prefer AS King's YA stuff to her middle grade books because she can be weirder there. Still, this is a solid middle-grade book that frankly deals with depression, both of a parent and a child. There's a lot of empathy here for all the characters, and especially some explicit unpacking of "not like other girls" syndrome. Also a good, middle-grade appropriate start on dismantling the patriarchy vis-a-vis things like "boy lunchboxes."