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I was worried nostalgia was doing the heavy lifting but this book has stood the test of time. Lone Wolf is a simple read but just because it was written for a younger audience doesn’t mean it can’t still be a deeply emotional and complex story. Technically, this book is meant for 8-12 year olds but I believe a children’s book should be enjoyable for adults as well-they deserve compelling, well written stories.

The jumping perspectives and interruptions are done so artfully- in fact, this entire writing style is a work of art. The way everything is woven together, the pieces slowly come into view, like watching an artist as they create a masterpiece. All the characters are interesting (which I think is very important, especially when the pov jumps sporadically) and I eat up every word hungry to see what will happen next.

I’ve read this book multiple times now but I still get emotional every time. *Spoilers* Morag finding Thunderheart and the honor she gives the bear for saving Faolan gives me goosebumps. I absolutely adore the writing- it may be “for kids” and written relatively simply but it conveys the weight of emotions and heaviness of its topics so beautifully.

A Studio Ghibli fairytale (written before Studio Ghibli existed). Hayao Miyazaki has done it again. The watercolor art in this book is absolutely stunning. It’s like reading through an art book. And I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It had that perfect balance of magic and humanity that all great Studio Ghibli movies have. Shuna’s Journey was long for the characters but much too short for me. 9.5/10

Rereading!! 🐺

This was a quick, entertaining read. I was hoping for a bit more horror. I was expecting a full-blown “outbreak” story. Maybe not zombies per se but that was kind of what I thought I was getting into. However, the fact that this book took a more grounded and realistic approach is not a strike against it. In fact, that it chose to take the more likely path actually makes it stand out more to me. 7/10

These stories were beautiful. I loved how reading them slowly helped to build the world around you. It handled topics such as education, slavery, and misogyny with grace and an effortless understanding that it made even more philosophical and big moments feel accessible and clear. Guin is truly a remarkable wordsmith and I’m so glad this book was my introduction to her. 9/10

I don’t think I’ve actually ever read a book written in second person before. It’s intriguing and I feel like it would be super hard to write. Right now I’m a little confused but I’ve literally only read a handful of pages so I guess that’s to be expected.

I don’t know how it’s possible, but each story is better than the last. I’m always a little sad when one ends because I know I’m going to miss the characters. So the first couple pages of the next story I’m always a little sad and then suddenly I’ve found myself connected and caring about new characters and the cycle continues.

What a wonderful book! Historical fiction is not usually my cup of tea but I was absolutely enthralled by Antonio Michael Downing’s writing and by the story of Ophelia. There was so much heart (and heartache)- it was a heavy story that ended with hope. 10/10

Ray Bradbury is one of the best authors of speculative fiction I have ever read. For a book written in the 1950’s, Fahrenheit 451 doesn’t feel implausible- in fact, someone reading it i the year 2026 may feel like Bradbury can see into the future. This is a book about more than one thing but the main thing that I felt stood out during my read through was how important it is to nurture and encourage curiosity.

That introduction was incredible! I don’t usually read intros/prefaces because I don’t want to hear someone else’s opinion on a book I’m about to read. But I’ve started giving some a chance and they’re usually worth it.

This was a very interesting read. I mostly felt loss but there were some lines that absolutely made the rest worth it. The division of perspectives gave the story a disjointed quality that really added a layer to the story that I wouldn’t have expected. 5/10