Tag: ya

Top Ten Books for Early Spring!

~ lulu ~ 3 Comments

Hello, hello friends!

I hope you are all having the loveliest of Tuesdays! Are you doing well? Reading lots of good books? Baking anything yummy? I’d love to know! (On my end, I just tried out Sally’s Baking Addiction’s funfetti cake, in honor of a friend’s birthday. I now plan on adding rainbow sprinkles to all meals; they up the whimsy factor of every food by at least sixty percent!)

If you’re anything like me, you’re also desperately looking forward to spring weather. Happily, where I live was quite warm today, and I was able to bask in the sunshine with a couple of long walks around my neighborhood! Though there’s still clumps of snow and streaks of ice on the ground, my mind is set on the coming season. Fittingly, this week’s Top Ten Tuesday theme is “Spring Cleaning!” We’re looking for books that feel fresh, floral, and festive, in honor of the coming equinox.

Below, I’ve featured five old favorites I love to re-read to get me thinking of spring, as well as five February and March releases I’m hoping to pick up in the next few weeks. Let’s get spring-y, all!

5 Books I Love to Re-Read for Spring:

1 | Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

As a current second-semester senior, the last book in Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I Loved Before trilogy speaks to me on a *deep* level. As I long for May senior celebrations, I find solace in sharing Lara Jean’s college search and end-of-high-school woes. Plus it features a too-cute love story, sister bonding, and a delicate, spring-y cover. Worth a re-read to compare with the Netflix film, too! 

2 | The Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwicks series was a very influential part of my childhood reading, so I’m happy to include it on as many lists as possible! As the title suggests, the fourth installment follows the Penderwicks family in springtime, with the majority of the story coming from the point of view of eleven-year-old Batty. The book has birthdays and dog-walking and plenty of hijinks, making it a charming step into “the bright light of the spring sun.”  

3 | The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a queen and has a reserved spot on all my top ten lists, but The Beautiful Ones — and its gorgeous, newly-revamped cover — is especially fitting this time around. The “novel of manners and romance” (as Garcia herself characterizes it) follows telekinetic gentry in the fictional French city of Loisail, as they court and plot during the spring social season. It’s like Austen, flirting with magic. 

4 | Emma by Jane Austen

Speaking of Austen, I find that there’s no better time to re-read my favorite of Jane’s books than in the spring! Perhaps it’s just because the 2020 film version of Emma has the floral, pastel aesthetic of my dreams, but the novel never fails to make me think of English country manors, abloom. At the very least, I will definitely return to Autumn De Wilde’s adaption and its fantastic soundtrack sometime soon! 

5 | Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Anne Shirley says things like “I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I’ve never been able to believe it. I don’t believe a rose WOULD be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage” which makes her the best possible companion for our forthcoming dive into spring. Plus, my senior yearbook quote is one of LM Montgomery’s beautiful, moving descriptions of nature, so I can’t abandon her now! A return to Avonlea is in short order, for sure. 

+ 5 February and March releases I’m looking forward to reading this spring:

Love is a Revolution by Renée Watson >> Watson’s newest book came out in February and takes place during the summer, but I think its lovely, flower-filled cover renders it a suitable addition to this list! The novel follows high schooler Nala Robertson as she learns to love and advocate for herself while also exploring a budding romantic relationship. The novel has been praised for its emphasis on community, activism, and self-love. I can’t wait to read! {Released February 2nd}

Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi >> Mary HK Choi is super duper cool (she was featured in How I Get It Done! The ultimate cool-girl signifier!!) and I am so looking forward to her latest release, Yolk. The novel follows two estranged sisters, Jayne and June, as they begin living together after June is diagnosed with uterine cancer. Not a light nor fluffy read, but the cover has been compared to a Peep. Thus, ’tis spring-y. {Released March 2nd}

Across the Pond by Joy McCullough >> Despite my utter lack of knowledge regarding anything avian, I co-teach a virtual bird-watching class for elementary school students on Saturday mornings. It’s great fun, and I now keep my eyes out for any bird-related media! Joy McCullough’s middle grade book, Across the Pond, fits the bill; it follows a young girl, Callie, as she relocates from San Diego to Scotland and joins a birding club. Wildlife facts and castles make for refreshing springtime reading, I think! {Releases March 16th}

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley >> Look at that GORGEOUS cover! I am super excited to support debut author Angeline Boulley’s upcoming release; Firekeeper’s Daughter follows a Native teen as she explores love and family, roots out corruption, and investigates murder in her community. Early reviews highlight the novel’s celebration of Ojibwe culture and the complexity of the heroine; it sounds so good! {Releases March 16}

Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo >> Finally, although Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha-verse series contains some of the least spring-y YA books I can think of, I couldn’t help but include Rule of Wolves on this list. The sequel to King of Scars will hit shelves at the end of this month, and I strongly suspect it will emerge as a fave among my 2021 reads. (It also comes out around the same time as college decisions, so it will provide both emotional support and celebration! Thank goodness.) {Releases March 30}

Happy reading!

xx

lulu

Top Ten Books On My Winter 2020 – 2021 TBR List!

~ lulu ~ 37 Comments

Hi friends!

I hope you’re all having a ~dazzling~ December! I myself am currently in my last week of school before winter break. It’s a slog, but there *is* a possibility of a snow day on the horizon. Huzzah! 

In the moments when I haven’t been catching up on school work or obsessively checking the weather (forecast, don’t fail me now!), I’ve been making a list of all the books coming out soon that I’m most excited about. It’s quite a long list! 

Fittingly, this week’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt (from That Artsy Reader Girl) is Books on Your Winter TBR shelf. For my take on the theme, I’m featuring all the new books from this winter that I absolutely can’t wait to read. Some have been released already, and others are still on their way. All of them seem super cool. 

Happy TTT, everyone — let’s get to it! 

december releases

[1] A Wolf for a Spell, Karah Sutton’s debut novel, has so many things I love. (Adventure! Folk tales! Multiple POVs!) Telling the story of a wolf, a witch, and a village girl who work together to save their land from a wicked tsar, the book draws on the myth of Baba Yaga and adds a body-switching twist. It sounds thoroughly magical!

[2] Heiress Apparently follows “the fictionalized descendants of the only officially recognized empress regent of China.” I love me a good Princess-Diaries-esque book, and Diana Ma’s debut sounds like wildly good fun. Early reviews compare the novel to a Mary-Kate and Ashley movie (amazing) and also praise its commentary on racism in the film industry.

[3] A Universe of Wishes holds a hallowed spot at the top of my holiday wishlist, and I so hope to read it before the end of this year! The collection comes from We Need Diverse Books, and it features short stories from a large collection of own-voices YA authors. I’m especially excited for “The Takeback Tango” by Rebecca Roanhorse!

january releases

[4] Percy Jackson imbued in me a lifelong enthusiasm for all things vaguely mythological, so it’s no surprise that I am super duper flippin’ excited for Lore, Alexandra Bracken’s upcoming take on goddesses and curses and prophecies. (Also, how cool is that cover?!)

[5] One of my favorite aspects of The Hate U Give was Starr’s family, especially the dynamic between her parents, Maverick and Lisa. Angie Thomas’ upcoming prequel, Concrete Rose, follows Maverick as a seventeen year old, giving readers further insight into life in Garden Heights. Concrete Rose is an “exploration of Black boyhood and manhood,” and I can’t wait to see the heart, humor, and poignancy with which Thomas tells this character’s story.

[6] When I was younger, I adored Kirsten Miller’s Kiki Strike series and its cast of crime-fighting girl scouts. Don’t Tell a Soul, Miller’s new standalone novel, is a bit darker than the beloved series of my youth; it follows a teenage girl, Bram, as she stays with her uncle in a Gothic, haunted manor. Highlights include ghosts, curses, and creepy thrills. Downsides include a severe lack of girl scout cookies.

february releases

[7] Charlotte Holmes is my fictional bestie, so I will automatically read anything by Brittany Cavallaro. But her upcoming novel, Muse, sounds fascinating in its own right! It’s an alternate history in which America is a monarchy, war is on its way, and a World’s Fair is about to take place. Intrigue!!

[8] We’ve talked about books with witches. We’ve talked about books with gods. How about a book with witches *and* gods?! The Witch’s Heart, Genevieve Gornichec’s February 9th release, reimagines Norse mythology, following a witch named Angrboda who becomes entangled with the god Loki and with a fierce huntress, Skadi. It sounds messy and magical and just like the kind of book I’ll love!

[9] Gita Telease’s 2019 historical fantasy, Enchantée, ended up being one of my fave books of that year. The sequel, Liberté, dives further into the French revolution, mixing history with its unique magic system and sweet (yet complicated!) love story.

[10] The last book on my list is another debut novel; this one comes from Namina Forna! The Gilded Ones centers around Deka, a sixteen year girl who joins an army of “near-immortals with rare gifts” after she becomes ostracized in her village thanks to her magical, golden blood. The fantasy novel has a BEAUTIFUL cover, and early reviews praise its characters and strong commentary. It also sounds cool as heck. I’m so eager to read!

Which releases are you looking forward to this winter? I’d love to know!

xx

lulu

Top Ten Holiday Books! {Top Ten Tuesday | December 8}

~ lulu ~ 33 Comments

Good morning, friends!

It’s been quite a while since my last Top Ten Tuesday post, but today’s theme seemed like the perfect time to get back into the list-making groove. This week’s prompt, which comes from That Artsy Reader Girl, is “Holiday/Winter Freebie.”

(Freebies *and* holidays! Two of my favorite things! Together!!)

Since I’m very much in the spirit of the season, I’ve leaned heavily on the “Holiday” portion of the prompt. The books below feature oodles of winter-y cheer, quite a few ghosts, and plenty of snow. Let’s discuss!

[1] I love the Greenglass House books for so many reasons. Not only do these cozy middle grade mysteries remind me of childhood favorites like The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Red Blazer Girls, they also take place at a rustic winter inn on the top of a mountain at Christmastime. There’s frequent descriptions of cocoa and cookies. Amazing!!

[2] Main Street was one of my absolute favorite book series when I was younger, and I’ve especially always loved the third installment, ‘Tis the Season. Following the lives of four best friends living in the fictional (and adorable) town of Camden Falls, the book is a lovely ode to the strength of community and friendship.

[3] The Vanderbeekers books are all really stinkin’ cute, but the first one, The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, gets 10,000 extra coolness points because it takes place at Christmas. I so, so encourage you to spend part of your holiday reading with Isa, Laney, Oliver, Jessie, and Hyacinth as they attempt to save their Harlem brownstone from a curmudgeonly landlord before New Year’s Day. It’s great fun!

[4] I received The Afterlife of Holly Chase as a gift a few year’s back, and it was such a good, fluffy, holiday read! Cynthia Hand transports the Scrooge story to the modern day, centering her tale around Holly Chase, a spoiled teenage girl who has an unfortunate run-in with death. Ghosts and romance abound!

[5] My friends, Royal Holiday has it all. Scones. Romance. Christmas. References to my fave, Meghan Markle. Need I say more?

[6] The Mother Daughter Book Club was my sister’s favorite series growing up, and I have super fond childhood memories of it as well! The fifth novel, Home for the Holidays, sees the titular book club tackle the Betsy-Tacy series. There’s plenty of friendship intrigue, literary incite, and holiday cheer. Also, the in-person cover glitters.

[7] If you, like me, enjoy a good dose of Regency-era holiday fun, I heartily recommend Cindy Anstey’s 2018 novel, Carols and Chaos. There’s both carols *and* chaos. What a book!

[8] Guys, I talk about Little Women a lot. (On this blog. In life. In college interviews. Everywhere!) Is it my favorite book? Probably! Do I read it every year at Christmas? Yes! Did I spend a significant portion of last year’s Christmas strategizing when I’d get to see the Greta Gerwig version? You bet! Anyway, it’s totally a Christmas book.

[9] My family and I watch The Polar Express movie every year on Christmas Eve, so both the original story and the film hold a special place in my heart (uncanny valley eyes and all…) The 1985 picture book has beautiful art and a story that never fails to make me cry.

[10] The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories is a new addition to my holiday reading this year, as I picked it up just last week! I’m quite enjoying the collection so far, which features stories from authors across centuries. The first one, a short tale by Hans Christian Anderson, is about an insecure, worrying fir-tree. Relatable. And Christmas-y!

Books are one of my favorite ways to get into the holiday spirit! What are some of your favorite winter-y reads?

xx

lulu

Poisoned Apples and Clockwork Hearts | Mini Book Review + Desktop Wallpaper!

~ lulu ~ 4 Comments

Happy Sunday friends!

I hope you’re enjoying all the lovely things that late fall has to offer: fuzzy socks, warm tea, gingersnaps, the start of plaid skirt season, the works! My mind, per usual, has jumped straight to the holidays (A Very Kacey Christmas plays in an eternal loop on my Spotify account) but I am enjoying these last tastes of fall as well.

Autumn, after all, is one of my favorite times of year to read fairytales! With an abundance of spooky forests, magic lore, and gruesome-yet-beautiful imagery, folklore retellings always seem to feel at home in the brisk fall air. My latest read, Poisoned, certainly does! Jennifer Donnelly’s newest book has Grimm-style gore, plenty of kindness, and a heroine whose clockwork heart charmed my own.

Once upon a time, a girl named Sophie rode into the forest with the queen’s huntsman. Her lips were the color of ripe cherries, her skin as soft as new-fallen snow, her hair as dark as midnight. When they stopped to rest, the huntsman pulled out his knife . . . and took Sophie’s heart.

It shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Sophie had heard the rumors, the whispers. They said she was too kind and foolish to rule — a waste of a princess. A disaster of a future queen. And Sophie believed them. She believed everything she’d heard about herself, the poisonous words people use to keep girls like Sophie from becoming too powerful, too strong . . .

With the help of seven mysterious strangers, Sophie manages to survive. But when she realizes that the jealous queen might not be to blame, Sophie must find the courage to face an even more terrifying enemy, proving that even the darkest magic can’t extinguish the fire burning inside every girl, and that kindness is the ultimate form of strength.

Goodreads

Jennifer Donnelly is such a talented writer, and I always marvel at the command of language she displays in her books. Poisoned — like Donnelly’s 2019 output, Stepsister — is a refreshing take on a classic tale; it both celebrates and subverts the beats of the Grimm Brothers’ Snow White. It’s feminist and folksy! A winning combo!!

In honor of Poisoned, I’ve created some desktop wallpapers with a favorite quote of mine from the book. You can check out the wallpapers and download them below!

Desktop Wallpaper Version 1

Desktop Wallpaper Version 2

iPhone

To make these wallpapers, I used the font Bevalonia. Download it here!

Have a fantastic start to your week, and happy reading!

xx

lulu

Broken Wish by Julie C. Dao | Book Review

~ lulu ~ 1 Comment

Hello, friends! This review contains very mild, very vague spoilers.

I hope you’re all having a fantastic Sunday! Some highlights from my weekend have included making Orangette’s amazing caramel blondie recipe, laughing/crying at Heidi Schreck’s What the Constitution Means to Me, and getting into the Christmas spirit with playlists and gift guides (it’s never too early, y’all!!)

I’m taking a break from eating raw cookie dough and avoiding essays, though, to pop in here with a book review! I’ve been in a fantasy, fairytale mood as of late, and so today we’re going to take a look at Julie C. Dao’s Broken Wish, the first book in a new series. Let’s get to it!

1865. Hanau, Germany.

Sixteen-year-old Elva has a secret. She has visions and strange powers that she will do anything to hide. She knows the warnings about what happens to witches in their small village of Hanau. She’s heard the terrible things people say about the Witch of the North Woods, and the malicious hunts that follow. But when Elva accidentally witnesses a devastating vision of the future, she decides she has to do everything she can to prevent it. Tapping into her powers for the first time, Elva discovers a magical mirror and its owner—none other than the Witch of the North Woods herself. As Elva learns more about her burgeoning magic, and the lines between hero and villain start to blur, she must find a way to right past wrongs before it’s too late.

Julie C. Dao is one of my favorite authors of recent years! Her books often reimagine folklore, imbuing classic tales with new takes on unsettled magic and complicated love. So, it’s fitting that she wrote Broken Wish, the first in a series of four books to be written by four different YA writers, with each installment taking place in a different time period but all dealing with the same family curse. I thought the novel was an exciting, Grimm-inspired kickoff to the venture, and it felt perfect for the autumn season!

Though it features superstitions, witch-trials, and false pretenses galore, Broken Wish is simultaneously such a cozy, warm book. Dao’s characters show their love for one another through baked goods (I approve!) and the novel’s sensory descriptions of molasses cookies, ginger cakes, and steaming tea are truly lovely. The settings, descriptions, and character relationships are where the book shines. Overall, Broken Wish is the literary equivalent of a delightful fall bonfire (with magical s’mores!) 

Dao has had great success in writing protagonists with diverse personalities. Her debut novel, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, chronicled the rise of a ruthless, fascinating queen, Xifeng, who couldn’t be more different than Broken Wish’s perpetually optimistic Elva. Yet Dao excelled in writing both girls; I loved the fact that Elva grew as a character without losing her positive, genuine nature. Dao’s books feature women who are outwardly strong, inwardly brave, and everything in between, and I’m here for it. Feminist fairytales rule. 

On that note, Broken Wish honors classic folklore, but it also celebrates people who don’t fall under historic fairytale archetypes. One of my favorite characters in the book was Cay, Elva’s younger brother who adores embroidery, exploration, and farm work. His versatile personality reflects one of Broken Wish’s strengths: the novel finds humanity in characters whom traditional fairytales may have been left one-dimensional.

I say cheers to complex witches, heroines, sorceresses, and mortals, yes?

xx

lulu

October Book Round-Up

~ lulu ~ Leave a comment

Hi friends,

I’ve missed you all!! My school transitioned to hybrid learning this past month, and I’ve been adjusting to the new schedule. I’m happy to have found some time to blog though — there’s lots to catch up on!

It snowed where I live this past weekend, and, while I have been listening to Kacey Musgraves’ Christmas album on repeat for weeks already, I was not prepared for such a drastic change in weather. So, today — though turtleneck sweaters, chocolate cream pie, and boatloads of cranberry sauce are on the horizon — I’m going to revel in orange leaves and wicked spells and take a look back on my recent October reads. We’ve still got spooky witches and magic doorways to talk about!

You can check out my October reading round-up below. Be sure to let me know what you’re currently reading or what you’ve finished, too! Recommendations are always welcome.

I continued my love affair with Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s work this month (I have her entire bibliography on hold at various libraries!!) with the 1920s-set Gods of Jade and Shadow. The book honors and incorporates Mexican folklore, and its central relationship is so lovely, I haven’t stopped thinking about it for weeks. Plus, the clothes are super glam.

My birthday was in October, and I was lucky enough to receive some new books as gifts! Among these was Leigh Bardugo’s The Lives of Saints, which has beautiful art and prose (though I would expect nothing less from everyone’s favorite witch-aunt/author!), as well as Alice Oehr’s The Art of Cake. I definitely recommend learning the history of the Grishaverse and croquembouche all at once — it’s a fascinating (and tasty!) endeavor.

I got into the spooky spirit this Halloween season with Seanan McGuire’s delightfully-weird Wayward Children series! The first two novellas, Every Heart a Doorway and Down Among the Sticks and Bones ask what happens to children after they return from magical realms and fantastical worlds. The books are fast and insightful, heart-warming yet dark. They’re also totally worth your time.

Finally, I finished things off with Julie C. Dao’s latest offering, Broken Wish. It’s the first in a series to be written by four popular YA authors, and I loved how Dao both paid tribute to classic fairytales and crafted an original, feminist-tinged story. Curses and witches make for perfect October reading!

What books did you read last month?

xx

lulu

Spooky Schools, Folklore, and Books About Books: My Most Anticipated Autumn Releases!

~ lulu ~ 3 Comments

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you’re having a lovely day.

I go back to school next week, and while I’ve been busy gathering supplies and finishing up my summer work, I’m excited to settle in to a routine. And, alongside school, the fall season brings with it plenty of fun things: apple pie, my birthday (!!), and new books! Today I’m looking ahead to the rest of autumn, and I’m highlighting the books coming out that I’m most excited for. Check them out below!

Where Dreams Descend came out at the end of August, but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. So, I’m including it in this round-up as well! Not only does the novel have a truly gorgeous cover, it also features magicians, a circus, and elements of Moulin Rouge and Phantom of the Opera. Magic + theatrical France is a winning combo, I think.

I’m looking forward to new releases from some of my favorite authors! The Lives of Saints is at the top of my wishlist, as it comes out right before my birthday. Plus, I think Leigh Bardugo is at her best when crafting short stories. Julie C. Dao and Jennifer Donnelly are publishing new fantasy titles as well: Broken Wish promises witches and curses in 19th-century Germany, and Poisoned looks like a deliciously wicked twist on Snow White. 

Continuing the folklore theme, The Forest of Ghosts and Bones and A Girl is a Body of Water have both caught my eye. Lisa Lueddecke’s standalone fantasy draws on the myths of Hungaria, and Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi’s latest novel is a feminist coming-of-age “rich in the folklore of Uganda.” I can’t wait to read both!

When it comes to the fall, I’m always on the lookout for a good ~spooky~ book. A Deadly Education, about a magical boarding school with no teachers, seems to fit the bill.** As does These Violent Delights, a version of Romeo and Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai and featuring a mysterious “monster in the shadows.” Intrigue and twists are sure to abound!

Finally, I don’t pick up too much contemporary YA, but This is All Your Fault seems like my kind of read. Friendship? A bookstore?! My favorite things.

Which releases are you most excited about this fall? 

xx


lulu

Top Ten Books That Make Me Hungry! {Top Ten Tuesday | September 1}

~ lulu ~ 15 Comments

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Today I’m participating in That Artsy Reader Girl’s TTT prompt: “Top Ten Books that Make Me Hungry.” I love to bake (and have far too many cookbooks!) so I’m quite excited about this week’s theme. Below, I’ve chosen five of my favorite recipe books, plus five novels that feature cooking, baking, or delectable descriptions of edible treats. Hopefully they’ll inspire you to create something in the kitchen, or at least eat a cookie. After all, cookies are great!

Twist by Martha Collison

The Great British Bake-Off is mandatory viewing in my household, and I eagerly seek out recipes from my favorite former contestants. Martha Collison’s debut cookbook, Twist, is a standout (its five minute recipe for a brownie-in-a-mug is both dangerous and amazing), and I also have my eye on Cheeky Treats by Liam Charles and Christmas with Kim Joy.

Baking With Less Sugar by Joanne Chang

I mentioned this book in my last post about blueberry nectarine pie, but it’s worth mentioning twice! My sister and I are frequent visitors to flour, Chang’s bakery in Boston, and some of our favorite treats are featured in this healthy(ish) recipe collection. It’s a great book if you’re looking to experiment in the kitchen!

Back in the Day Bakery: Made With Love by Cheryl and Griffith Day

This recipe book won my heart the minute I discovered it had a section devoted to “Everyday Cake.” From those pages, I discovered my go-to birthday treat: chocolate chip cake with chocolate buttercream frosting. It’s amazing, so easy, and so yummy. The whole book would be worth it for that one recipe, but there are plenty of other cakes and pies I recommend, as well!

The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook by Deb Perelman

Deb never steers me wrong, and Smitten Kitchen might be the website I visit more than any other. Many of my favorite recipes of hers are online (zucchini quesadillas, for example, are so gosh darn tasty!) but her debut cookbook is just as reliable and accessible for home cooks like myself.

Kids Baking by Abigail J. Dodge (for William Sonoma)

This book is out of print, which is DEVASTATING to me, but you can still find it second hand around the web. The ideas are easy and big on fun-factor; I’ve used its recipes for muffins since I was little. (And I’m a muffin snob!!)

All Four Stars by Tara Dairman

This one is a bit of a cheat, as All Four Stars is still in my TBR pile, but my sister gave it high praise back in 2015, and the adorable cover makes me want a cupcake. Besides, the adventures of a pre-teen food critic? Amazing.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

I expect With the Fire On High is on a lot of bloggers’ lists today, and with good reason! The book is so moving and the writing so descriptive; it’s one of the best YA contemporaries of the past few years. Plus, look at that cover! There’s fruit! Lavender! A beautiful color palette! It’s an ode to food, if I’ve ever seen one. (The art was done by Erick Davila.)

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Heartless is my favorite novel by Marissa Meyer, and it makes me hope she’ll write more stand alone books! The protagonist longs to be a baker, and while reading, I continuously craved a macaron. (There’s plenty of twists, too, if colorful sandwich cookies aren’t your thing.)

The Candymakers by Wendy Mass

It’s been quite a few years since I read The Candymakers, but it has some of my favorite things: multiple perspectives, supernatural candy-fueled powers, and a mystery! Plus, Wendy Mass rules.

I’ll Have What She’s Having: My Adventures in Celebrity Dieting by Rebecca Harrington

This book made me hungry out of sympathy. Author Rebecca Harrington tried out more than a dozen celebrities’ diets – quirks and celery loaves included – and maintained a detailed account of the experience. Harrington’s writing is delightful, and she maintained a similar column online at The Cut, if you’re interested!

Now, I’m off to grab a snack, but I’d love to know your favorite cookbooks and books-tangentially-related-to-food. I’m also curious: do you, like me, believe ice cream elevates every meal? (A key question!!)

Let me know, and enjoy the rest of your day!

xx

lulu

Top Ten Books That Should Be Adapted Into Netflix Shows or Movies! {Top Ten Tuesday | August 18}

~ lulu ~ 8 Comments

Hi, friends!

I hope you’re having a lovely week! I’ve been getting ready for the upcoming school year, testing out some new yummy recipes (Smitten Kitchen’s Cherry Tomato Tart is a big hit in my house!), and enjoying the waning days of summer.

Today I’m participating in That Artsy Reader Girl‘s “Top Ten Tuesday,” a series of posts prompting book bloggers to reflect on their favorite reads. This week’s theme is “Top Ten Books that Should Be Adapted into Netflix Shows or Movies!”

As someone with very strong opinions about television, I am super excited about this prompt. Let’s get to it!

1 | Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Dread Nation has the makings of a stellar show: the undead! history! cool Black girl protagonists! Plus, the costumes would be *amazing* (albeit a bit bloody, by the end credits.)

2 | Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Out of the Easy has rich historical visuals, as well as intrigue of both the murderous and the academic variety. There’s a show right there!!

3 | The Charlotte Holmes series by Brittany Cavallaro

The End of The F***ing World sometimes gives me Charlotte Holmes vibes, so I think Brittany Cavallaro’s twisty tales could thrive in a television format. A Study in Charlotte can be quite dark at times, which would fit the signature *gritty* mood of Netflix’s teen offerings.

4 | The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer

Marissa Meyer writes some of the best sci-fi soap operas in the YA business, and I would love to see how The Lunar Chronicles novels – and their futuristic fairytale aesthetics – translate to screen. (And YA thrives on presenting werewolves as serious romantic leads! It’s perfect!)

5 | Of Giants and Ice by Shelby Bach

It’s been a little while since I’ve read Of Giants and Ice, but I LOVED these books when I was younger! They’re similar to Percy Jackson – but with fairytales! – and have plenty of action and humor for the small screen.

(Somewhat unrelated, but I am so, so excited for the upcoming PJ series on Disney Plus!! Middle-school-me is crying, really.)

6 | Layoverland by Gabby Noone

A night spent watching The Good Place and Layoverland while contemplating existentialist questions about the afterlife? I’d be down.

7 | Rise of the Rocket Girls by Nathalia Holt

I love me a good documentary (recent faves have been Boys State on Apple TV and Howard from Disney Plus!) and I think that Holt’s books have the perfect combination of research and narrative necessary for a TV treatment.

8 | Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

It would be like The West Wing embraced its true calling as a rom-com! (Sorry, Aaron Sorkin.)

9 | Burn For Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Burn for Burn is such a binge-able book; it has the same vibes as Riverdale and Veronica Mars, but with an extra dash of feminist friendship thrown in. Plus, the trilogy is co-written by YA Netflix queen, Jenny Han!

10 | My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

I’m envisioning the humor of A Series of Unfortunate Events, but the costumes of Wolf Hall. Plus magic!

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Are there any book adaptions you would love to see on screen?

xx

lulu

July Book Round-Up

~ lulu ~ 1 Comment

Happy August everyone!

We’re in the midst of a quite toasty summer up here in New England, and I’m constantly in search of ice cream, air conditioning, and excuses to go swimming. (I work in an ice cream store, so that first one is rather easy to come by. Those latter two vestiges of warm-weather fun, though, they always manage to elude me!) July was a big reading month for me, as well, and I still hope to salvage the sad remains of my 2020 Reading Challenge. 

I kid, I kid. But I got to nine whole books! That’s almost ten! Read-a-palooza!! 

My favorite book this month was Julie Berry’s (AMAZING!) All the Truth That’s In Me. Berry, my love, writes the novel in second person, and the narrative device comes across as lyrical and poetic rather than clunky. The book has strong Scarlet Letter vibes, but it also is feminist as heck.

A close second was Rita Sepetys’ Salt to the Sea, a multi-perspective narrative chronicling the 1945 sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. It’s a heavy read, but an important one, and Sepetys’ research and love of history shines. (Her debut novel, Between Shades of Gray, was also one of my July reads. I recommend it as well!)

If you, like me, were wowed by Julie Andrews’ iconic performance in The Princess Diaries films as a child, may I recommend Rachel Hawkins’ Prince Charming or Casey McQuiston’s Red, White, and Royal Blue? Hawkins’ novel is sweet for a younger YA audience (though I still prefer its companion, Her Royal Highness!) and McQuiston’s charmed me, especially after recent binge watches of The West Wing and The Crown. 

As a longtime fan of the SGE books, I was disappointed with One True King. Still, it was nice to return to the favorite series of my youth! I elaborate more in my Goodreads review, if you’re interested.

My love of historical fiction grew this July with Stacey Lee’s Outrun the Moon and Natalie Jenner’s The Jane Austen Society. Both were moving and comforting depictions of friendship.

I finished this month off with Thomas C. Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor. (The book was a summer reading assignment, and I adjusted my expectations accordingly.) Some good insights!

What books did you read this July?

xx

lulu