Ella Enchanted (2004) is the first movie I remember seeing in theaters; Hugh Dancy (as Prince Char) was my first celebrity crush. I cannot BELIEVE it took me this long to read the novel.

I love most fairy tale retellings, but this one is particularly smart. It's so funny, with a kind, clever, daring heroine. Rather than gushy romance with an ultra-masculine prince, Ella and Char's relationship is based on friendship and consent first. They respect each other as people. This is a fairy tale that you can feel good about giving to your kid.

I'm not sure I can say I liked these stories--they're not really about the kinds of things that can be liked. But they glisten, in a bloody, raw kind of way. They are intensely readable, and I was hooked even as my teeth ground together in disgust, even as my jaw dropped in horror. In explorations of power, gender, and control that range from fairy tale to ultra-realism, Kristen Roupenian's follow-up to "Cat Person" imbues our deepest fears with exhilarating, revolting life.

Pets abound in this book. They climb, leap, swim, and crawl across its pages in vibrant, delightful illustrations. That is, until their owners decide that it's time for a downsize. The animals find new, loving homes, and their owners move into a tiny house where there are NO PETS ALLOWED. But maybe the perfectly tiny pet can provide companionship even in the most minimalist of living spaces...

I think a kid in the 8-12 range would probably love this. The concepts are so much fun, and it's fast-paced and full of diversity! I was just frustrated by the main character's impetuousness and the fact that all of the adults didn't question ANYTHING. Like sure, I'll take this kid into space without my crew because she told me to leave them behind! She can even be co-pilot! ...

I'm a big fan of the worldbuilding, but the characters' thoughts and actions kept tripping me up. Their motivations didn't make sense to me—there were a lot of "suddenly I realized" vibes. Too convenient. I wanted to reach in and edit, which is a feeling I don't enjoy when I'm reading for fun.

SO! MUCH! FUN!

This one's for the introspects, the overthinkers, the empaths...

Say Say Say is a slow-burning, thoughtful meditation on relationships, self-hood, and caregiving of many kinds. It's so easy to get lost in Lila Savage's beautiful language and main character Ella's swirling, intoxicating thoughts.