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Emily C Gardner

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The Wondering Years by Knox McCoy
25 Bunny Books perfect for Spring
17 Wintery Children’s Books
A Bible Literacy Book Flight
An Epistolary Book Flight

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What’s as evergreen as my sandal tan? Yup... Jane Austen. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As a high school reader, I think I was enamored by the idea of Austen’s love stories - that her heroines always end up with these gallant, upstanding men despite scheming relations and societal norms. And I think that’s an okay reason to like Austen novels. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But one of the reasons she is a go-to reread author for me is because her work unveils itself more as I grow as a reader and a person. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Northanger Abbey is the Austen I’ve reread the least, so I was pleased to have a chance to jump in again alongside @erindotsmith, @idlewildreads and @sunnystateofbooks. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What struck me on the reread is that Catherine’s romance with Henry Tilney is a mere side story, resolved in the last three pages. What we really have is a guileless, and sometimes fanciful, young girl gaining some life experience. Plus a brother-sister villain duo worthy of Bachelor Nation. I don’t think I’ll overlook this one again when I want to reread some Austen.

One of the things that I particularly love about Jane Austen is her ability to both educate her reader about the customs and culture of a certain era and entertain with her thoughts and opinions on said societal constructs. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What makes Ayesha At Last a successful Pride and Prejudice retelling is @uzmajalaluddin’s ability to educate and entertain in the same way. Readers will recognize the major plot points and themes of P&P, but won’t be bored with the reimagined Muslim framework. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I enjoyed Uzma’s original takes on the storyline and learned new things about a culture and religion I am unfamiliar with. This seemed like a timely and accessible retelling - we all need a reminder to keep our pride and prejudices in check. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you’re an Austen fan, do you have a favorite retelling? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Finished a big work project yesterday and was finally able to start Northanger Abbey this morning. (Swipe to see why I had to stop - can you spot the husband burrito? 😊) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Northanger Abbey is the Austen I’ve reread the least, but this round I get to read it with three lovely book buddies. NA was published posthumously in a set (4 volumes, 2 for each book) with... Persuasion! I love the juxtaposition of Catherine’s young, naive romance to Anne’s more mature one. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I decided to treat myself to another edition and these Vintage Classics are just so pretty. Looks like I have another collection to work on! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Who’s one of your favorite supporting character’s in Austen? I love Mr. Woodhouse (because I, too, can be an anxious hypochondriac) and Mary Bennet (who just makes me laugh).

All my holds came in a one time and I’m not sure where to start... Any suggestions?

May was a busy month for our family and ended up being a productive reading month as well. It kinda turned into #middlegrademay, which is probably why I was able to get through so many books. I have a really hard time giving stars to books, but hopefully these mini reviews will be helpful. Tell me about your reading month! Any favorites? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Not Pictured: A PICTURE OF MURDER and THE BURNING ISSUE OF THE DAY by @tekinseymysteries. Superb narration by @elizabethknowelden makes this cozy mystery series a delight to listen to. I love the strong female leads and non-gruesome crimes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ INVISIBLE EMMY, POSITIVELY IZZY, and JUST JAIME by @terrilibenson (@harperkid #partner): An expertly executed graphic novel series that covers the nuances of middle school life in a way that engages a wide range of ages. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A WOLF CALLED WANDER by @rosanne.parry (@harperkid #partner): Like reading a nature documentary from the wolf’s perspective. Full of heart and gorgeous illustrations. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ SAVE ME THE PLUMS by @ruth.reichl: A perfect meal in book form. I was struck once again by the power of food and the skill of those, like Ruth, who add to its power with words. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ DAISIES AND DEVOTION by @authorjosiskilpack (@shadowmountainpub #partner): The next installment in a light, clean romance series set in Regency period. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ MOO by Sharon Creech: A middle grade novel in verse about a city family who moves to a small town in Maine and develops a friendship with an eccentric old woman. Loved the actual story but felt the verse aspect wasn’t as successful as, say, Brown Girl Dreaming. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO’S LIBRARY by Chris Grabenstein: A mashup of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory + Jumanji for the book lover. We listened to this as a family. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ BRITFIELD AND THE LOST CROWN by C. R. Stewart: Two orphans escape from their awful orphanage and embark on and adventure across Great Britain trying to evade a cunning detective, a shady assassin, and people from the orphanage. Despite the writing not being 5 star level, I did want to know what happened next and loved the setting and historical/architectural details sprinkled throughout.

Happy Friday! I’m speaking to a bunch of HS students this weekend at a beach retreat (keep me in mind if you’re the praying type - I’m feeling way underprepared 😬). Are you doing anything fun this weekend? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In a busy couple weeks, this graphic novel series by @terrilibenson (@harperkid #partner) about the wild ways we grow and stretch in middle school was a fun diversion. I’m always super impressed with authors who write well and do their own illustrations. These books focus on three different girls at Lakefront Middle School as they navigate friend groups and find their own unique voices and talents. I liked how they alternate between a more comic strip vibe and paragraphs interrupted by illustrations to differentiate perspectives. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Terri addresses common tropes of middle school life in a way that’s accessible to multiple age groups. Just Jamie, the most recent release, was my favorite!

First... PEONIES!! 😍 This is our first (of many) bushes to burst forth and I am always so happy to bring these fragrant beauties into my house. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Second... How many @booksnugs can I take on a weekend trip 😏 Definitely three. ‘Tis the season of kiddos out of school, garden projects, and a bigger work load so my reading is veering toward easy and fast. I don’t mind! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Halfway through MOO by Sharon Creech a middle grade novel in verse about 12 year old Reena and her family’s move from the city to a farm in Maine. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I read and loved my first graphic novel, El Deafo, a couple months ago so I was excited that @harperkid asked if I’d be interested in a free review copy of @terrilibenson’s JUST JAMIE. It’s a graphic novel about friendships in middle-school. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I MISS YOU WHEN I BLINK has been high up on my TBR for awhile and it got even higher when @jamiebgolden plugged it in a recent overrated books episode of @thepopcast (I am one of the few, apparently, who trusts Jamie’s judgement of books 😂). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What are you reading this weekend?

Our daisies aren’t blooming yet, but we have lily-of-the-valley in profusion. Their sweet scent has been a bright spot during this endless rain. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Daisies and Devotion by @authorjosiskilpack is our today! @shadowmountainpub #partner I read this second installment of the Mayfield Family series a few weeks ago when I was in a reading dry spot. The female lead was strong and snappy, the love interest was charmingly flawed, the regency time period is always enjoyable. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I appreciate Shadow Mountain’s Proper Romance books but I don’t read all of them. This will be a series I keep up with - light, quick and enjoyable. Perfect palette cleansers.

A Wolf Called Wander (@harperkid #partner) felt like watching a Planet Earth episode through the eyes of a wolf. Both my son and I were riveted (he could easily convince me to read “just one more chapter”) and I’m not necessarily an animal person. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This #middlegrade novel is based on a real wolf, OR-7 who traveled thousands of miles in the PNW. I learned a ton about wolf habits by reading this book, but beyond the animal knowledge it was full of beautiful reflections and what it means to be a family and the importance of community for survival. The striking illustrations bring it to life and help capture younger reader’s attention. Highly recommend. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #awolfcalledwander

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