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Review: Greymist Fair by Francesca Zappia

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Greymist Fair by Francesca Zappia

Greymist Fair
Francesca Zappia
Harper Collins
Published March 28, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Greymist Fair

The people of Greymist Fair know that the woods are a dangerous and magical place, and that they should never set foot off the road. But when a young tailor discovers a body on the road, her search for the culprit reveals even more strange and dark happenings around her town. From acclaimed author Francesca Zappia, GREYMIST FAIR is a suspenseful and inventive murder-mystery inspired by the lesser-known fairytales of the Brothers Grimm. GREYMIST FAIR will bewitch readers of Rachel Vincent’s RED WOLF, Liz Braswell’s A Twisted Tale series, and fans of INTO THE WOODS.

Features chapter decorations by the author throughout, as well as a map.

Two roads lead into a dark forest. They meet at Greymist Fair, the village hidden in the trees, a place kept alive by the families that never leave. The people of Greymist Fair know the woods are a dangerous and magical place, and to set foot off the road is to invite trouble.

When Heike, the village’s young tailor, discovers a body on the road, she goes looking for who is responsible. But her quest only leads to more strange happenings around Greymist Fair.

Inspired by the original, bloody, lesser-known fairytales of the Brothers Grimm, acclaimed author Francesca Zappia crafts an enthralling murder-mystery that will keep readers turning the pages. Told from multiple points of view, with each narrative building on the crime discovered by Heike, Greymist Fair examines the themes of childhood fears, growing into adult responsibilities, and finding a place to call home amid the trials of life and death.

My Review

I read my first book by Francesca Zappia last year. Marines on YouTube talked about her experience reading KATZENJAMMER, and I was totally intrigued, so when I got a chance to read it, I went for it. (Review coming soon.)

While KATZENJAMMER is a strange story, I found the characters very compelling. I also thought the author did a great job telling a weird/unusual story, so when I saw GREYMIST FAIR, I was excited to try it.

And guess what? I loved it! It’s definitely less strange than KATZENJAMMER, but the storytelling is still what I’d call nontraditional? The book is broken down into parts which are usually 5-6 chapters or so. Each part gives us an up-close point of view of a single character connected to the village of Greymist Fair.

Each of those stories was pretty compelling on its own. One reveals a serial killer. Another tells of a wish gone horribly wrong. Each part is like a puzzle piece, adding to an overall image of what happened to create the danger in the forest that surrounds Greymist Fair and makes it no longer safe to travel even on the road in and out.

I think readers who enjoyed the GILDED duology by Marissa Meyer (reviews coming soon) or dark fairytales like HEARTLESS will love GREYMIST FAIR.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Representation
A broad cast of characters. I think one mentions putting a binder on as he gets dressed, so I took that to mean he’s transgender. Some are described as having brown skin.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used very infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between boy and girl. Flirting between two boys.

Spiritual Content
Death is a character in the book. There’s also a witch. Innocents who die become Wargs, spirits who cause harm to those who venture into the woods.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. A girl discovers the remains of a village boy in the woods outside her village. A girl discovers children chained in the basement of a home and frees them. A man dies after falling into a well. A boy has a rival bound and whipped.

Drug Content
Characters drink alcohol as part of a Yule celebration.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of GREYMIST FAIR in exchange for my honest review.

Review: You Wouldn’t Dare by Samantha Markum

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , ,

You Wouldn’t Dare
Samantha Markum
Wednesday Books
Published March 28, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About You Wouldn’t Dare

A rom com about trying to have the summer of your life before everything changes – only to realize change might be exactly what you need…

When Juniper Nash Abreheart kissed Graham Isham for the first time, she had no idea it would nearly be the end of their friendship.

More specifically, she had no idea that the terrible, unforgivable thing she did to keep their summer fling a secret wouldn’t just ruin their friendship, but also Graham’s entire life. Now, months since the fallout, Junie and Graham spend most of their time sidestepping conversational landmines on the journey back to normalcy.

Junie is sure the strangeness between her and Graham is her biggest problem – until her mom hires Tallulah, her boyfriend’s surly teenage daughter, to work at their family café, and then announces they’ll all be moving in together at the end of the summer. The only bright spot ahead is Junie’s dad’s upcoming visit, just in time for her community theater production. And then poor turnout soon threatens that.

But when Junie starts to realize the feelings she swore to take care of last summer have lingered, saving her production and managing her hostile relationship with Tallulah might be the least of her problems. Graham isn’t just off limits – their friendship has been mended to barely withstand a breeze, and the gale force of Junie’s feelings could be just what breaks them.

Samantha Markum’s YOU WOULDN’T DARE is about the risks and triumphs that come with being brave enough to take a chance at what you really want, including love.

My Review

YOU WOULDN’T DARE is set in Florida, on a (made up) island called White Coral Key that’s about four hours from Jacksonville. One side of the island is ocean-facing, and the other is bay-facing, so I’m guessing the island would be either somewhere just south of Tampa on the Gulf side of FL or somewhere around West Palm Beach on the Atlantic coast. Anyway. I live a pretty short drive from both of those places, so it was fun to read about a place so similar to my own hometown.

Besides the beachy summer setting, there’s so much to love about this book. There’s the fun community theater production, which Junie ropes all her friends into helping with. There’s the banter between her and her three best friends, and the simmering tension between her and Graham.

This book literally made me laugh out loud (twice) and cry (also twice). I loved the messages about community, found family, and the bravery it takes to have the relationships you want. I also loved Samantha Markum’s debut, THIS MAY END BADLY, but I might have actually enjoyed this one even more?

If you like friend banter, antics, and summer fun plus angsty friends-to-lovers romance, you do not want to miss this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Representation
Junie is white. She has a diverse group of friends. One is bisexual. One is biracial, and one is Latine.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used somewhat frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between boy and girl. Kissing between two girls. References to hands up shirts in the kissing sessions between the boy and girl. Vague reference to Junie’s friends having sex.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
References to a car accident in which someone was killed. References to characters stung by jellyfish.

Drug Content
Junie and her friends drink alcohol at parties. One gets very drunk and sick.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of YOU WOULDN’T DARE in exchange for my honest review.

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books to Read if You Loved The Perks of Being a Wallflower

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Though THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER came out more than twenty years ago, it wasn’t until last year that I actually read it for the first time. It’s a favorite of a friend, so I decided to give it a try on his recommendation.

It’s one of those books that kind of punches you in the heart? Like, there were things I saw coming, and things I definitely did not see. Some moments left me feeling like my soul was lighter, like I was remembering the best moments a good friendship can bring. And other moments just wrenched my guts to pieces. WALLFLOWER also has a prominent openly gay character, which was a pretty big deal for a young adult book published in 1999. So, for my topic this Top Ten Tuesday, let’s talk about 10 books to read if you loved THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER.

Note: Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. This post contains affiliate links which don’t cost you anything to use but help support this blog. (And help support local bookstores, if you use the Bookshop links!)

10 Books to Read if You Loved The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Tonight We Rule the World by Zack Smedley

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A loner finds love and friendship, but after he’s sexually assaulted, all the relationships in his life feel at risk. Totally under-hyped. This one blew me away.

Published October 12, 2021 | My Review

First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A loner meets his person in NYC and learns one of them will die the next day. The prequel to THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END, though personally I fell harder for the story in this one.

Published October 4, 2022 | My Review

Arden Grey by Ray Stoeve

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: As Arden’s best friend falls in love, she questions whether the relationship is safe and begins to wonder the same about a relationship at home. Powerfully written.

Published April 26, 2022 | My Review

The Minus-One Club by Kekla Magoon

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: After losing his sister in a car accident, Kermit gets invited to a grief support group of sorts, where he finds love and friendship, until the group faces a crisis that could undo them all. Such great storytelling here.

Published January 17, 2023 | My Review

The Cartographers by Amy Zhang

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Ocean tries to lose herself in the Big City, but a chaotic boy, and two roommates in denial about their feelings for one another may be just the recipe to help Ocean find her way forward. This one is as angsty as it is thought-provoking. I loved it.

Published January 31, 2023 | My Review

This Place is Still Beautiful

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A racist incident makes it impossible for Annalie, who has always handled adversity by being as invisible as she can, to disappear. New friends and a new romance help her find confidence in her own voice. To me, best part of THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER is the way his friends help him find his voice. This book captured that, too, in such a great way.

Published June 7, 2022 | Review to Come

Brighter Than the Moon by David Valdes

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Jonas met the girl of his dreams online, and now wants to bring the relationship into real life. She talks her best friend Ash into meeting him first, and the three embark on a wild, emotional ride. This one has such great friendship energy.

Published January 10, 2023 | My Review

How We Ricochet by Faith Gardner

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: After Betty and her family survive a shooting incident, she wrestles with why it happened. She builds a friendship with the brother of the shooter, trying to learn about the boy who tried to kill her sister and mother. An unforgettable, timely story.

Published May 24, 2022| Review to Come

We Can Be Heroes by Kylie McCauley

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Two rivals join forces after their best friend is killed in a domestic violence shooting when they both begin to see the ghost of their lost friend. This one has made me a huge fan of this author’s books.

Published September 7, 2021 | My Review

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Two best friends, estranged by grief. Reckoning with past and present abuse. Falling in love just as things fall apart. This book absolutely wrecked me.

Published March 1, 2022 | My Review

What books would you add to my list?

Have you read THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER (or seen the movie)? If so, what stories does it make you think of?

If you’ve written a “if you like this, read that” type of post about a book you love, share it in the comments so I can check it out!

Review: Odd Girl Out by Rachel Simmons

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Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls
Rachel Simmons
Mariner Books
Published August 3, 2011

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Odd Girl Out

When ODD GIRL OUT was first published, it became an instant bestseller and ignited a long-overdue conversation about the hidden culture of female bullying. Today the dirty looks, taunting notes, and social exclusion that plague girls’ friendships have gained new momentum in cyberspace.

In this updated edition, educator and bullying expert Rachel Simmons gives girls, parents, and educators proven and innovative strategies for navigating social dynamics in person and online, as well as brand new classroom initiatives and step-by-step parental suggestions for dealing with conventional bullying. With up-to-the-minute research and real-life stories, ODD GIRL OUT continues to be the definitive resource on the most pressing social issues facing girls today.

REVISED AND UPDATED
WITH NEW MATERIAL ON CYBERBULLYING AND
HELPING GIRLS HANDLE THE DANGERS OF LIFE ONLINE

My Review

I’ve been trying to remember how long this book has been on my reading list. Probably since it came out. I’m sure I saw another blogger talking about it, but I haven’t been able to track down who it was. At any rate, I’ve had a copy of the book for years and around the end of 2022 finally got down to reading it.

I think the most startling thing about the book for me was thinking about the women I know who still behave the way she describes in the book. ODD GIRL OUT talks a lot about how girls have been socialized to avoid direct conflict. We’re taught that it’s not nice. Not feminine. Not appropriate behavior. And so instead, a culture of indirect, often cruel or opaque conflict has emerged.

It’s the silent treatment. The refusal to talk through a conflict directly, instead pretending it didn’t happen or imagining the other person can read the body language or covert signals we send about our feelings.

When I Was the Odd Girl Out

Anyway. I remember being the odd girl out in sixth grade. I wasn’t sure how it happened, since my best friend from fifth grade and I ended up in the same class. She’d been the new girl in fifth, and I think by sixth grade, she’d decided she wanted to be friends with the cool girls, and not friends with me. It was a painful, lonely year.

In tenth grade, we had a class together. We hadn’t spoken since sixth grade, but she apologized. We didn’t become friends again, but I feel very lucky that she reached out like she did. Many people don’t get that kind of… validation? Closure? Whatever it is, I remember feeling that it lifted a weight off my shoulders that I didn’t realize I still carried.

At any rate. This book. ODD GIRL OUT. I love the way Simmons carefully peels back the layers of what’s happening between girls. The book contains tons of interviews with individual girls or group discussions from the three schools she visited regularly. It’s clear that she really tried to listen to the girls and put aside her preconceived ideas.

This Book Has References for Parents

I think my favorite chapter is the one on how to talk to your child if she’s being bullied. There are suggestions for things to say and why you should or should not take certain steps. I love that this list has been compiled from her conversations with girls experiencing bullying. When I spoke with my own daughter about some of the things in the book, she agreed with the book’s assessments. I like the idea of having something of a roadmap to help you navigate having those conversations with your kids.

One thing she mentions in that chapter, too, is how important it is to take stock of your own experiences with bullying in school. That way those feelings don’t leak into the conversation or drive you to make choices that are really about what happened to you, not about what’s going on with your child. Very wise stuff.

Ophelia Project

In the book, they reference the Ophelia Project, which I wasn’t familiar with. It’s a national nonprofit organization that teaches and promotes self-worth and self-confidence in girls. I’m hoping to learn more about the project and find some ways to contribute and maybe bring the curriculum to our schools or libraries where I live.

At any rate, I think ODD GIRL OUT is a necessary read for teachers, parents, and anyone who works with kids. I think readers who enjoy books on social issues or child development will love this book.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
Simmons is herself a white woman. She relates stories as told to her by girls of color and white girls.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used somewhat infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to kissing between boy and girl. Brief reference to sexual abuse– one girl interviewed is an abuse survivor.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
References to domestic violence and abuse. References to fist-fighting. Many descriptions of cruel bullying behavior, especially psychologically or emotionally abusive behavior.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog.

Review: Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik

Biography, Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Nonfiction, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , ,

Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik
Dey Street Books
Published October 27, 2015

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Notorious RBG

You can’t spell truth without Ruth.
Only Ruth Bader Ginsburg can judge me.
The Ruth will set you free.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg never asked for fame—she was just trying to make the world a little better and a little freer. But along the way, the feminist pioneer’s searing dissents and steely strength have inspired millions. NOTORIOUS RBG: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF RUTH BADER GINSBERG, created by the young lawyer who began the internet sensation and an award-winning journalist, takes you behind the myth for an intimate, irreverent look at the justice’s life and work. As America struggles with the unfinished business of gender equality and civil rights, Ginsburg stays fierce. And if you don’t know, now you know.

My Review

I’ve been looking for a biography about Ruth Bader Ginsburg for a while, and I’m super excited to have found this one. It’s upbeat, filled with facts and personal stories from Ginsburg’s life. I really enjoyed reading about her career as a lawyer and law professor as well as her relationship with her husband Marty, who not only believed in her and celebrated her successes with her but also seemed like a really fun and wonderful person, too.

I thought it was cool to learn that Justice Ginsburg had such a close relationship with Justice Scalia even though they had vastly different views. Her work ethic is legendary, but the compliments from her clerks and the people she worked with say so much about the kind of person she was.

It’s worth pointing out that the book was written before Justice Ginsburg passed away, so some of the wording is still in present tense. I don’t know if there are plans to release an updated version of the book, but I would love to see that and would definitely buy it!

All in all, I loved THE NOTORIOUS RBG. It only reinforced my admiration of Justice Ginsburg for her careful way with words and her unwavering commitment to human rights.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Representation
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is Jewish.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Mentions of her marriage to Marty Ginsburg.

Spiritual Content
Mentions of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Jewish faith and the fact that when she was a child, she would not have had the option to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah with a big ceremony, though boys had ceremonies for their Bar Mitzvah celebrations.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog.

Review: How to Go Anywhere (And Not Get Lost) by Hans Aschim

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Middle Grade 8-12, Nonfiction, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,

How to Go Anywhere (And Not Get Lost)
Hans Aschim
Workman Publishing Company
Published March 30, 2021

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About How to Go Anywhere (And Not Get Lost)

From journalist and adventurer extraordinaire Hans Aschim, here’s a lively and interactive book that gets kids unplugged and out of the house—and teaches them cool navigation techniques to use while hiking, camping, or just exploring the backyard or nearby park. 

With lively full-color illustrations and full-color photos throughout, HOW TO GO ANYWHERE (AND NOT GET LOST) combines fascinating history with fun hands-on activities that bring critical science, geography, and astronomy concepts to life. Readers will discover explorers and the tools they developed through the ages: from the ancient Polynesians who crafted stick charts to learn swell patterns in the water to navigate precise paths through the ocean; to Age of Discovery navigators who used compasses and maps to reach the New World; to the modern-day pilots who wield radar and GPS to soar across continents. Kids will also learn skills like taking their bearings with a compass; finding their way with dead reckoning; and locating their own latitude and longitude. 

And best of all: 17 activities—making their own sextant, compass, stick chart, chip log, and more—will turn all young adventurers into young navigators.

My Review

This book is part history, part DIY, and part love for the outdoors. Even though I’m not really a camping/hiking kind of person, I found I loved this book. I liked the approach the author took, walking readers through the history of navigation and navigational equipment. At each stage, the author describes how people used clues from nature and the stars, combined with basic math to figure out where they were and also where they were going.

The activities are integrated pretty seamlessly into the book, too. They’re directly related to concepts the author has explained, so they read like a, “now you know, go try it,” type of thing. I loved that, and I also really want to try out some of the activities myself and with my kids.

On the whole, this book was very easy to read. The sections of text are short and often broken up with sidebars or other short bits of information. The author scaled the information really well for young readers. I think anyone, nature enthusiast or not, could benefit from this book.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 up.

Representation
Briefly covers history of famous explorers or groups with a focus on navigational methods.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.