ThoughtsSix Crimson Cranes is an Asian retelling of the fairy tale The Six Swans. Magic is forbidden in Kiata. The protagonist, Princess Shiori, is born with magic which she tries to hide from her family. That includes her father the Emperor, her step-mother Raikama, and her six brothers. Shiori is betrothed to a lord from a smaller kingdom, and she has no interest in getting married, let alone being shipped off to a cold northern land with “that barbarian lord of the third rank.” In trying to hide her magic, she misses the betrothal ceremony, meets a dragon, and gets the attention of her stepmother. This “evil stepmother” curses her and her brothers. Her brothers are turned into cranes. And Shiori herself is cursed to have a wooden bowl stuck on her head. The bowl is made of walnut, which conceals objects inside from prying eyes and contains the magic. So Shiori is unrecognizable and cannot use her magic. She is told that if she utters a sound, one of her brothers will die.
I find it very interesting that the majority of the book our protagonist cannot speak. She can mouth words, and write (as long as it does not reveal her identity). And she does have a companion she is bonded to that can hear her thoughts. The first person point of view really gets us into her head, so we as a reader can hear her voice and her intentions, and see how that communication often falters. It provided great conflict. As in the original tale, our princess is given a difficult task to perform to free her brothers from their curse. I like how Lim wove that aspect in and really made it part of the mythology and magic. The mythology is really well done, so rich and thought out. There is magic, and demons, and dragons, and enchanters. Though the curses are broken by the end of the book, there are greater threats that have been revealed which set us up for the second of the duology (The Dragon’s Promise). I really enjoyed the romance as well. While still cursed, Shiori encounters the man she was betrothed to. They are given the chance to fall in love gradually, and without the pressures of betrothal or royalty, as Shiori is going by the name Lina. That helped counter a problem in other fairy tales, where often the couple find each other at the end, but have no time for a real romance to grow within the story. Overall, the story was very satisfying and enjoyable. I look forward to reading the sequel.
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Another four months have passed, so let's check in on my progress! At my last update, I had only finished four books out of the twenty-six. I feel much more on track now. Recap to DateBooks finished since previous update: 11, putting challenge total at 15/26. Picture books read: 11 (Q through Z). Challenge complete! See my Complete Picture Book A to Z post. Books currently reading toward challenge: 2
Recommended titles: Donut Fall in Love by Jackie Lau was a fun romance comedy. In the Hall with the Knife by Diana Peterfreund is a teen murder mystery with nods to the Clue game and movie. Will definitely be reading the sequels.  Am I On Track?Books read to date: 15
Books still to read: 11 Pages read to date (counting main challenge only): 4304 Pages still to read: 3631 Two-thirds through the year, but only 54 percent through the pages, a little higher if you go by total books. I think I read all the short books early and still have some heavy hitters to go. I do feel more confident than I did at the last update. I read 11 books this last four months, and that's how many I need for the rest of the year. Currently reading six non-challenge books. Once I get those done, I can get refocused. I can do this! I have completed the Picture Book portion of my A to Z reading challenge! These I did make an effort to read in order, as I had plenty of access to books at the library where I work. I also read more than the 26 needed, for that same reason. So this covers the first picture book I read for each letter. Spreadsheet of A to Z titles here.  My favorites from the first batch (A to P): Owl Moon by Jane Yolen for a classic and lovely imagery poem, Invasion of the Unicorns by David Biedrzycki was a delight to read, and I Am You: A Book about Ubuntu by Refiloe Moahloli was a very uplifting title.
Favorite title from Q to Z: The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau felt like a fairy tale, with great art and message. It was the only one on this second batch that I gave five stars to. I was somewhat disappointed in my choices overall. Some I still enjoyed and rated 4 stars: Small Knight and the Anxiety Monster by Manka Kasha was a great visualization of anxiety and how to deal with it. Wombat Underground Sarah L. Thomson was inspired by the Australian wildfires and how animals were saved by hiding in wombat burrows. The Yippy, Yappy Yorkie in the Green Doggy Sweater by Debbie Macomber was a fun read about moving to a new place and exploring the new neighborhood while searching for a lost puppy. There were a few great picture book reads outside of my A to Z list that I will mention in my end of year review. Are you doing any reading challenges? What are you currently reading?
ThoughtsThorn is a retelling of Grimm's The Goose Girl. The original is a strange story with a lot of elements that I wasn't sure a new telling could make sense of. But Khanani surprised me. More on that in our upcoming book club discussion. I hadn't seen this tale done before, so that was refreshing as well.
Alyrra is a princess in a small kingdom. She is not happy in her royal life, and when she gets betrothed to the greater neighboring kingdom's prince, she fears her life will get worse rather than better. I would warn a trigger for physical abuse. Not very many described, but much in the emotional aftermath and state of mind. Alyrra understandably does not trust men, especially those in power. So when circumstances, magical as they may be, give her the opportunity to live out life as a mere goose girl instead, Alyrra struggles with that desire for freedom conflicted with any responsibility for duty that she might have. Alyrra has to learn a new way of life, in a new city and country, where she doesn't speak the language. I really felt for Alyrra's character, and enjoyed watching her growth as she learned to care and trust for others. The book deals with differences in caste, and what is justice. The ending was well done and satisfying. This is the first in the Dauntless Path series, but it is a standalone. The subsequent books are a spinoff featuring a new character. I definitely recommend this, both as a Goose Girl retelling and as a fantasy. Recap to DateBooks read: 4 titles for the main challenge (letters A, F, P, and Q)
Books currently reading: 7. I may have gotten carried away... but this is typical of my currently reading list. This also doesn't count books I am reading for book clubs or other groups either...
Best recommended: Anything by Seanan McGuire. I didn't realize it when I first compiled my A to Z list, but three are by her. All novellas. Deborah Baker is a pen name, as is Mira Grant. For picture books: Owl Moon by Jane Yolen for a classic and lovely imagery poem, Invasion of the Unicorns by David Biedrzycki was a delight to read, and I Am You: A Book about Ubuntu by Refiloe Moahloli was a very uplifting title. I need your help! I have yet to come across a picture book title that starts with Q that has excited me. Any suggestions? Finished titles grayed out and check-marked Picture Books filled in as read Am I on Track?Pages read (counting main challenge only): 1300
Pages still to read: 7935 Original estimate was 2 books per month. Now I have to do 3. Which is still doable. I need to read 27 pages a day. Current challenge average is 11, but across all books I am reading more like 35. So I need to read less side books and focus more on my challenge books! I have been tracking my reading time using the Read More app. I like tracking things. I don't track reading time for graphic novels or picture books, but have been tracking those titles on my Goodreads. Two years ago, Elizabeth and I started Briarbook Lane together. To celebrate, we are having a contest! Check out the details on our new Briarbook Lane News blog. Here is a look back at what I have accomplished this last year. PublishingI started Briarbook Lane Press to self-publish my own work.
NewsletterI started my newsletter in September 2021. The initial email chain for signing up is seven emails, and I have sent out seven monthly emails. Make sure to sign up so you don't miss out on future emails. As a bonus, you get a free short story. My BlogI wrote twelve blog posts. It was definitely in spurts, and not on a consistent basis. My newsletter kept to a much better schedule. I will have to do better! Check out the timeline of my posts below.  I hope you stick around with us for another year!
 My new novella is now available on for Kindle! The Blazing Princess is the first in a new series of fairy-tale retellings, The Tales of Tessagonia. The Blazing PrincessAurelia is cursed to die after eighteen years, with the caveat that true love can follow her into the spirit world and bring her back. To ensure her the best chance, Aurelia’s parents betroth her to one of the neighboring prince twins. But what happens when she falls in love with the wrong prince? Who will save her? The Tales of TessagoniaBentos and Delwyn were alone in the sky, only the silent stars to keep Them company. They created an earth and creatures to fill it, for Their entertainment. Their seven daughters, the muses of Lesenti, watch over the continent of Tessagonia. This land has four kingdoms--Vernissia, Arania, Kether, and Senatin--surrounding an inland sea. Tessagonia is ringed by the Outer Isles, where the old gods have been banished.
You may hear the echo of familiar stories from our own lands. Curses, romance, magical gifts, and gods both light and dark.
ThoughtsIn exchange for saving her father from dying in the freezing winter wilderness, Echo Alkaev agrees to stay with the white wolf in his house under the hill for one year. Echo North weaves together the the tales of East of the Sun, West of the Moon, Beauty and the Beast, and Tam Lin. All have in common falling in love with a beast. Meyer combines these so expertly it is as if they were always meant to be the same story. Like Beauty and the Beast, Echo finds a library in one of the rooms. But this is an enchanted library, with book mirrors, where you enter the story instead of merely read it. This was an excellent way to introduce variance in the settings and introduce more characters when much of the book takes place within the one house.
The house itself is enchanted, with these magical rooms needing to be stitched together so they don't go wild or fall away from the house. The wolf teaches Echo how to do this stitching, so she begins to find a purpose in caring for the house. There were a few twists through the tale, some of which I saw coming, and some which I most definitely did not. The story kept me highly engaged. I wanted very much for Echo to succeed in breaking the curse. But curses and witches don't let go easily. There is a very dramatic scene at the climax that wrenched my heart. The ending was not an automatic happily-ever-after. The characters have to deal with what their emotions are out in the real world, and figure out how to reinstate themselves after being apart of it. Secrets and lies are not just swept under the carpet or easily forgiven, they must be dealt with. But the old magic wins in the end. I recommend this book, especially if you have enjoyed Uprooted or House of Salt and Sorrows. Great characters, a unique setting, and everything steeped in magic. I will definitely be reading more by Joanna Ruth Meyer. I read at least 57 books in 2021 (probably missed tracking a few picture books or graphic novels). You can see My Year in Books on Goodreads for additional stats and the full list of books. My Favorite Reads from 2021      Stats by Age GroupAdult novels: 14 Young Adult novels: 11 Junior Fiction novels: 4 Early Readers: 2 Picture Books: 11 Graphic Novels: 9 Non-fiction: 7 Stats by GenreI think it's pretty obvious my go-to genre here. This is for the novels only. Fantasy: 12 Science Fiction: 3 Thriller: 3 Post-apocalyptic: 3 Horror: 2 Romance: 2 Historical: 1 Steampunk: 1 Literary/General Fiction: 1 Favorite Picture BookElla's Night Lights by Lucy Fleming. Lovely little book about a fairy who collects light to share to those who need it. Lovely art and story.  Other Random NotesAverage book length: 200 pages Books read and reviewed for The Enchanted Garden Book Club: 4 Books read for library book club: 2 (we started up again in October, after being on hiatus since April 2020 due to pandemic) Most emotional read: Heartbreak Bay by Rachel Caine. Not only was the story itself very tense and emotional, it was also very bittersweet as the author passed away the previous year, and this was her last published book. You can read my tribute post here. What did you read in 2021? Any must reads?
What is it?The A to Z Reading Challenge is simple. You have one year to read 26 books, each starting with a different letter of the alphabet. I am not sure where I saw this challenge, but decided to adopt it for myself. And I just decided I want to do it twice; this would be a really fun picture book challenge.  Main ChallengeCome up with a list of 26 titles, starting with each of the letters of the alphabet. Can be any type of book you want: novel, anthology, graphic novel, novella, poetry, nonfiction, children's book. I'm not judging! My list is mostly novels, with a scattering of short story collections and non-fiction. Once you have your list, you can start reading. I'm going to wait and start in January. Order is not important. You can read from A to Z, or cross them off in whatever order you are feeling. Pacing should be about two books per month, or one book every two weeks. I'll keep updated on the sidebar what letter and title I am currently reading. You are welcome to read along with me, or at your own pace. Here is my list on Google Drive. Where to find books?Start by looking at your own bookshelves. Are there any books you own and have been meaning to read? Next, check your wishlists, library lists, and Goodreads 'want to read'. Ask your friends, ask social media. You can ask for general suggestions, certain genres, or specific letters. You may find a great recommendation you wouldn't have considered on your own. If you have trouble finding a title for a certain letter (like X), there are lists on Goodreads! I am buying one book for this challenge (Xanadu anthology, older book, had to buy used). The rest are coming from my own collection or from the library. Picture Book ChallengeThis is just a fun bonus challenge. I'm not going to get a list of these in advance, due to the nature of my job; I will see plenty of picture books as I work at the library. 26 titles, again starting A to Z, but all picture books. I'll track these on a second tab on my sheet. Later in the year, as my list starts filling in, I may need to look for specific letters, but I'll start by picking up whatever grabs my attention. I'm a sucker for pretty covers, especially on picture books.
Let me know if you're going to do either (or both) of the challenges. I already have my main titles, but feel free to recommend picture books. I'm always happy to recommend books as well, so don't hesitate to ask!
ThoughtsT. Kingfisher is the nom de plume for Ursula Vernon for her adult fiction. Kingfisher once stated that, regarding The Raven and The Reindeer, she was "kind of worried that no one who isn't familiar with the source material will find this story even remotely readable". I have to disagree. Though I am familiar with some of the basic elements, I have yet to read the original Hans Christian Anderson tale (I will be doing so before our official discussion). I found The Raven and the Reindeer to be very steeped in fairy tale and accessible at its basic elements. We have talking animals, shapeshifting, witches, wise women, and romance. There is a bit of gore, but not that graphic. The main character, Gerta, loses her best friend Kay when he is taken by the Snow Queen. Determined to rescue him, she begins to quest north. She gets the help of animals, particularly a talking raven named Mousebones, and gets wisdom and lore from elderly women along the way. And she is hindered by the elements and, of course, other people. Gerta is very relatable. She is transitioning to woman-hood, still figuring out how she fits into her own body and the world around her. I love that on her quest to save her friend she also finds herself. The world is big and wondrous compared to her little town. My favorite character is Mousebones. He has all the best dialogue. I quote one of my favorite passages below. There are a lot of great lines in the book and I had to stop and share some aloud or write things down. It was a joy to read. It's also not a long book, so it went quickly. So bundle up warm and dive into this wintry book. I hope you join us in our discussion in The Enchanted Garden Book Club. "Do you have a name?" asked Gerta.
My birthday falls on Thanksgiving this year. To celebrate, I'm giving away a Poetry Prize Pack! This includes a paperback copy of my poetry book Chiaroscuro, a $10 Amazon gift card, an Enchanted Garden Book Club bookmark, stickers, a postcard with a handwritten poem by Mary, and a gorgeous literary themed notebook from Obvious State. Pictures of the prize pack below.
Poetry Prize PackDetails
Giveaway starts Monday, November 11, 2021 and ends on Monday, November 29, 2021 at 11:59pm MST.
There will be one prize winner, determined by random drawing. Prize will only be shipped within the United States.
Are these the same show?We've been watching the first season of Resident Alien as Dexter: New Blood premiered. Resident Alien is a comedic SyFy show starring Alan Tudyk about an alien who crashed on earth and took human form to fit in. Dexter is a (supposedly) reformed serial killer. As different as the concepts for these shows are, I keep seeing more and more similarities. Now, the below commentary is just for fun. I love both of these shows, so am not criticizing them in any way. Merely amused by the similarities. For context, as of this blog, I have seen two episodes of Dexter: New Blood, and five episodes of Resident Alien. Spoilers below the break. SettingResident Alien takes place in a small town in snow-covered Colorado. Dexter: New Blood takes place in a small town in snow-covered New York. Both characters live in isolated cabins, on the lake, outside of town. CharactersBoth main characters have major secrets, and spend their very important morning routine out in the wilderness before going to their small-town job. Both have major secrets and a hard time fitting in as normal human beings. Both have inner monologues and imagine killing people. Both shows have a main secondary character who is an indigenous woman with a daughter who is also not her daughter. (One adopted a daughter, the other gave her daughter up for adoption.)
Both have characters from their past show up unexpectedly, surprising them at home and ruining their precious daily routines.
PlotBut the similarities don't stop there! Both main characters are hiding a body of someone they murdered, and the police show up to use their cabin as home base during the search for the body/missing person. CONCLUSIONResident Alien and Dexter: New Blood may be two very different shows in concept and tone, but have an entertaining amount in common. I conclude that you watch them both and make your own conclusion. Hulu currently has a special for their Showtime add-on. Resident Alien is available on SyFy but also on Peacock. We've been getting Resident Alien from the library and look forward to when it comes back to our turn so we can watch the second half of the season.
ThoughtsAnother amazing book from TJ Klune. Earlier this year I read and reviewed The House in the Cerulean Sea. I loved it so much I bought it and preordered Under the Whispering Door. I was not disappointed. It takes dying for Wallace to learn how to live. A Reaper collects Wallace from his own funeral and takes him to the ferryman's teahouse. This is a place of transition, where you have time to adjust before choosing to go through the door into whatever the afterlife holds. Wallace goes through all the stages of grief. He starts out a very unlikeable character, but learns and grows in his time in the teahouse. This is a heartfelt story about love and loss and redemption. It's not about religion or what is on the other side of the door. I laughed; I cried. This is light on the fantasy compared to The House in the Cerulean Sea. In that it will probably appeal to a larger audience. It is very queer and diverse friendly. I highly recommend the book, especially if you enjoyed his previous title. And these books look amazing on the shelf. I adore the artwork. Quotes"We aren’t supposed to force someone before they’re ready. That’s not our job. We’re here to make sure they see that life isn’t always about living. There are many parts to it, and that it continues on, even after death. Its beautiful, even when it hurts."
"The first time you share tea, you are a stranger. The second time you share tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share tea, you become family."  I have been remiss to not officially announce my book release here! Chiaroscuro is available on Amazon in both print and ebook. If you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for free. You can sign up for my newsletter for the most up to date news. What is Chiaroscuro?Chiaroscuro is a poetry book about the contrast and balance between light and dark. It’s a journey through a crumbling world that leaves a gritty taste. It shines light on the edge of awareness where dark magic wars with childish innocence. These poems range from internal conflict to worldwide war to creatures of myth, but all follow the themes of finding havens of light in dark days, persisting despite the odds. The light is only brighter for the darkness that surrounds it.
ThoughtsHouse of Salt and Sorrows is a haunting, gothic tale steeped in lore and the sea. This is a retelling of the Grimm tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Erin A. Craig does a magnificent job elevating this story. Each of the sisters is given a name, but collectively known as the Thaumus Dozen. The family lives at Highmoor, a manor on the sea. Their life and religion revolves around the sea, and the sea god Pontus. I could hear the sea and smell the salt.
The story begins with their mother and four of the sisters tragically dead. Rumors begin that the Thaumus family is cursed. The point of view of the story is Annaleigh. She is convinced that this latest death was no accident, and seeks to find the truth. She meets a mysterious man not from the islands, and also reunites with an old childhood crush. Tired of years of mourning, the sisters find an escape to dance away their woes. One part ghost story, one part mystery, one part romance, and all fairy-tale. This was a completely new retelling of a familiar tale, yet manages to still be very recognizable as such. I was thoroughly enchanted and swept away. Craig's descriptions are immersive, the characters come to life, and the mythology seeps through the pages. You can tell she did a lot of world-building, with each region having its own deities and culture. The world felt very alive and that it had a history, it didn't just exist for this story alone. I highly recommend this one. It felt very Haunting of Bly Manor - both haunting and romantic. Mirror, mirror, on the wall... Photo by Tuva Mathilde Løland on Unsplash Mirrors have long been considered mysterious objects. This is reflected in our superstitions and literature. One of the most common superstitions is that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck. Did you know that there are also ways to reverse the curse? One method is to take the pieces outside and bury them under moonlight. Another way is to turn yourself counter-clockwise three times after breaking the mirror. Though you don't want to live in a household without mirrors. Mirrors in the home bring good luck, perhaps because they deflect evil. But hanging a mirror too low, cutting off the top of the tallest family member's head, will bring about headaches. And beware an undisturbed mirror falling suddenly, as it portends a family member's death within a year. A common belief in earlier history was that a mirror contains part of the soul, and that is what looks back at you. There are villains that use mirrors to trap or steal souls. Perhaps that's how the entity in the magic mirror of Snow White got there, only able to share the truth he sees. Many stories deal with idea that another world exists on the other side of the mirror. In "Through the Looking Glass", by Lewis Carroll, Alice steps through a mirror into a surreal other world. The glass extends the vision that would have ended in a wall, doubling the size of a room. Multiple mirrors create an infinite hallway, only blocked by your own reflection. What is it that draws us to the other side? Magic mirrors can also be used to reflect truth, scry other parts of the world, bring long life, or reflect attacks. An ordinary mirror can be used to distort an image or multiply oneself – a strategy for battle or a trick on a friend. Harry Potter looks into the Mirror of Erised and sees his heart's greatest desire. Perseus uses a mirrored shield to reflect Medusa's stone gaze back at herself. In the movie Brothers Grimm, the Mirror Queen is young and beautiful only in the reflection of her magic mirror, but is in reality ancient and hideous. When the mirror is broken, she falls apart. In "Testament of the Dragon" by Margaret Weis, Justinian Sterling can only communicate with his Dragon Master through mirrors. A few other interesting mirror "facts"
What is our fascination with mirrors? Do we see in the mirror the same phenomena as "the grass is greener on the other side"? Is it our own soul looking back, or an alternate world? Or perhaps it is only an illusion.
ThoughtsThe June book for our Enchanted Garden Book Club is Towering by Alex Flinn. This is a Young Adult, modern retelling of Rapunzel. The story is told in two perspectives, both first-person present-tense, of the main characters Rachel and Wyatt.
Rachel, 17 years old, has been kept isolated by her Mama, cut off from the world in an old tower. What she knows of the outside world are old memories of her youth and books. The books are all older, classics, so she has no knowledge of the workings of the modern world. Wyatt is the same age as Rachel. After a tragedy back home, losing his closest friends, he moves out to the country to live with Mrs. Greenwood, mother of his mom's childhood friend. There he comes across a diary of Danielle, Mrs. Greenwood's daughter, who had disappeared seventeen years ago. Wyatt is able to hear Rachel's singing and finds a way to track the voice and meet her. The two end up saving each other, and solving a mystery of missing people in town. This book wasn't a must-read for me. I was hoping to enjoy it more. Despite the first-person perspectives, I didn't feel connected to the characters. Some of the writing, especially in the early chapters, was confusing, with thoughts interrupting actions and conversation in odd places. Rachel is of course very naïve, due to her protected nature. I felt the romance was rushed, very much a fated, love at first sight, with no weight behind it. There were magical aspects to the story that didn't really get explained. I had hoped for possibly a connection to the Fae, but that didn't seem to be the case. There is a prophecy with nothing to support it, and no reasons given for Rachel's magical properties. I have not read any of Alex Flinn's other titles, so cannot say how it compares. This does not seem to connect to the Kendra Chronicles. This met the basic premise of a Rapunzel retelling, but I'm sure there are better ones out there. Do you have any you would recommend? It's our anniversary! One year ago this month, Elizabeth and I started this venture of Briarbook Lane together. We created this website and our blogs, a virtual home for the two of us to connect with each other and share with the world our passions of fairy-tales, reading, writing, and gaming. Here's a lookback at my own journey this year.  Mary's ExpressionIn the beginning, I had big plans for themed weekly blog posts. I wanted to share my worlds of reading, writing, self-care and gaming. As you can see from my overview, I was overly ambitious. I had no idea what 2020 would have in store, and wasn't able to stick to my schedule. I am happy with what I did accomplish. I wrote eight book reviews (more if you count the Rachel Caine tribute where I shared my love of multiple series); four posts on writing; four posts on finding your bliss and self-care; three posts about myself; and one lonely post on gaming. Moving ForwardI want to return to a more regular posting schedule, but nothing as ambitious as once a week. I'll be happy with once or twice a month. I do want to incorporate gaming more, as it is a part of my life. My family is big into video games, board games, card games. We particularly love co-op games. I talk a lot about self-care, and making time for games is part of that for me. Are there any topics you'd like to hear more of? I'd love to hear from you.
Thank you to all of you who have visited us here at Briarbook Lane. I hope you continue to find comfort, understanding, and escape within these pages.
Linus Baker is entirely mundane, but far from ordinary. He is a case worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, monitoring orphanages of magical children to make sure both the children and staff are safe. His life changes when he gets a classified assignment to evaluate an orphanage of six highly unique and possibly dangerous children.
This book was such a joy to read. Great writing, great dialogue, great characters. We get introduced to the six through Linus's eyes, and fall in love with them as he does. I won't spoil you with their descriptions, as I hope you go meet them for yourself. The big lesson is not to judge by a person's file or first impression. Linus is the best Linus that he can be, as that's all he knows. He doesn't see anything extraordinary about himself, but those around him can see otherwise. I think we all have blindspots, admirable qualities that we don't recognize in ourselves that others must point out for us. I think that's another lesson this book tells, to be open to praise and acceptance and love from others. Warning: This book made me cry. Because it made me feel. This book was truly a delight and I highly recommend it. I will definitely be checking out TJ Klune's other books. "I'm just me...." " I don't know how to be anyone but who I already am. This is how I've always been. It's not much, but I do the best I can with what I have."
Thoughts
I would call this book a narrative with a splash of magical realism. It's not so much a fairy-tale retelling as it is simply inspired by the tale. It is a tale that doesn't have expectations. No clear plot, with the focus on family and what you make of it. The majority of the book is the main character Harriet sharing her life story with her daughter Perdita.
Harriet comes from the magical country of Druhástrana, which actual means "the other side" in Czech. The four main landmarks are a giant-sized shoe, a broken loom, a jack-in-the-box, and a well. A girl grew up in a field. Well, in a house, with her family, but the house was surrounded by stalks of wheat as tall as saplings. The girl's earliest memories are framed in breeze-blown green and gold. Ice and moonlight, sunshine and monsoon, the wheat was there, tickling her, tipping ladybirds and other pets into her lap.
It is in that well that Harriet first meets Gretel. Gretel is a big influence throughout most of the story, but mostly from off-screen. The owner of the farmland that Harriet lives at is actually Gretel's mother, Clio. Harriet's family makes gingerbread, which is almost magical in its addictive properties.
A gingerbread addict once told Harriet that eating her gingerbread is like eating revenge. "It's like noshing on the actual and anatomical heart of somebody who scarred your beloved and thought they'd got away with it," the gingerbread addict said. "That heart, ground to ash and shot through with darts of heat, salt, spice, and sulfurous syrup, as if honey was measured out, set ablaze, and trickled through the dough along with the liquefied spoon. You are phenomenal. You've ruined my life forever. Thank you."
Clio recognizes the value in this gingerbread and wants to make a business. She takes impoverished girls from the country and takes them out into the real world, setting them up in a "Gingerbread House" and calling them her Gingerbread Girls, having them make and sell this gingerbread to the populace. This is the section that takes the most reference from Hansel and Gretel, with the sugar-dusted look to the house, the allure of the gingerbread, and fattening the girls up (though for PR rather than to get eaten).
But we don't dwell long with the Gingerbread Girls, and Harriet and her mother move to live with a sponsor, Aristide Kerchival, in London. It is here we get an in-depth analysis, what feels more like a character study, as Harriet rates each member of this Kercheval family in order of readability. This was my least favorite part of the tale, where I would read entire pages and just kind of gloss over. We do eventually move on to learning of Perdita's conception (Harriet's drunken messages and the courtship thereafter being one of my favorite parts of the book). I have a hard time recommending this book, because I had such a hard time reading it. It wasn't poorly written, or confusing. There were parts of this book that I absolutely loved, and others that I really struggled to get through. It was unexpected and nonlinear and stands very much on its own. I haven't read any of Oyeyemi's other works, so can't say if this is typical of her style. If you are looking for a fairy-tale retelling, this isn't it. If you are looking for an unexpected tale with more of a literary focus but with fairy-tale like qualities, and you are open to its presentation, then this book may be for you. If you have read (or are reading) this book, we'd love to have you join in our book club discussion. I'm really curious what everyone else thinks of this book.
I want to share the process one of my poems took in editing. "Streaming Stars" was one of the poems I reworked in the Creative Block Busters workshop presented by Lisa Gentile. I'm going to share the original poem, and the thought process behind the transformation it made.
Original Poem
The Problem
This poem uses the form Bref Double. I think I wrote myself into a corner with the form and don't like the ending.
What does the poem want?
Inspiration - watching meteor shower from mountain top, wanting to catch that moment as I may not experience another; challenge to try a new poetry form.
Senses - feeling the cold, seeing a contrast of light and dark, hearing silence Tools - Bref Double (rhyme scheme), imagery, repetition of light Want to catch the moment, so everyone can experience the amazing meteor shower. so beautiful, yet fleeting. Light and it's rhymes are scattered throughout, like the falling stars, in no immediate pattern. Fleeting existence of beauty. Still has purpose, wishes, sparking imagination. Contrast between light and dark (around my shoulders I wrap the night, making the experience a part of me). The Solution
The Bref Double form was a great starting place for me, but I realized it also forced some aspects (such as the final couplet) onto the poem that didn't work for the theme. One of the patterns I noticed was the repetition of words rhyming with "light", not just as end-rhymes, but scattered throughout the poem, like the stars across the sky. I changed "brilliant" to "bright" to enhance that more. The theme the poem wants finally popped out at me as I re-read the first line. It's about making that night a part of me, not just describing the meteor shower. So I moved some lines around and changed the ending to reflect that.
Revised Poem
Streaming Stars (revised)
Around my shoulders, I wrap the night As I perch on the mountaintop, Shivering in anticipation For the lightshow premiere. The first light darts across the sky Followed by more streaming stars, So bright until they disappear. Wishes will be born tonight. I do not envy the meteor's plight-- A light so quickly burning out-- But in my heart they persevere In splendid and untamed flight. Publication
The revised poem was included in the Lifelines poetry anthology.
Thoughts
This is our December book for The Enchanted Garden Book Club. Toads and Diamonds is a retelling of a Charles Perrault's tale. This is the first novel length version I have read, and I highly enjoyed it. Rather than taking place in a European setting, this book takes place in a fictionalized India. The two religions central to the story are both fictional but still feel authentic. Tomlinson did a wonderful job bringing the cultures and characters to life. I felt like I could step into their world.
Another refreshing change to to the tale is the family relationship. Like the original, there is a step-family. Diribani lives with her step-mother and step-sister, Tana. Unlike most fairy-tales, they all get along and care for each other. There is no wicked step-family here. The other big change that surprised me was the gifts the sisters got. Both went to the well and encountered the goddess, who listened to their hearts desire. One sister came out speaking flowers and gemstones, the other speaking toads and snakes. Yet both here are blessings, and not curses. They may not always see them that way, and of course other characters react in their own manner, but there is no clear "good sister" "bad sister" here. Both sisters have their unique trials and tribulations as a result of their gifts, and must learn how to make the best of them. Despite the differences in their individual journeys, there are many echoes between the two that I enjoyed noticing. The only thing I felt lacking was the end. I would have loved a short epilogue showing what came after. It still felt satisfactory, and I highly recommend this book. For a deeper discussion, check back later this month on our Enchanted Garden blog. In the meantime, come join us in our Facebook group to discuss this book and all things fairytale.
Weather WardenI discovered Rachel Caine through the Chicks Kick Butt anthology. It was a short story featuring her Weather Warden main character. There was a car chase, and unique magic. I was hooked. I got the first Weather Warden book, Ill Wind, from the library, and ended up buying the entire nine book series. It’s urban fantasy, taking place in our world but with elemental magic and djinn. The main character is a Weather Warden, having control over the weather. There is plenty of action, romance, and of course magic. There is also a spinoff series, Outcast Season, which I own but haven't yet read. RevivalistThen you have the Revivalist series, an urban fantasy/thriller/horror. The main character is a funeral director, who becomes a zombie--murdered for finding out her employers are selling a resurrection drug, then resurrected herself--and gets involved in taking down the company responsible for her new condition. Prince of ShadowsBut Rachel Caine also writes for Young Adults. I don't remember who gifted it to me, but I also own Rachel Caine's YA novel Prince of Shadows. This is a stand-alone historical fantasy that retells Romeo and Juliet, but from Benvolio Montague's perspective. Benvolio is a thief, the Prince of Shadows, and has his own romance with a Capulet. It's a unique spin, and very engaging. The Great LibraryVery different still from the other series on this list is The Great Library series. This one is YA alternate history steampunk fantasy. I read these as they came out, and it was so difficult waiting in between books. The premise is that the Great Library of Alexandria was not destroyed, and is now the controlling power for books and knowledge. The main character, Jess Brightwell, comes from a family of book smugglers. There are book burners, and automata, and a blend of alchemy and magic. Stillhouse LakeDespite her illness, Rachel Caine's latest series is the one that is the most potent for me. Stillhouse Lake follows Gwen Proctor, mother of two and former wife of a serial killer. Her (ex) husband may be in jail, but despite the court's acquittal, there are those that do not believe she could have lived with the man and not known of his deeds, and possibly even been an accomplice. Gwen has had to grow tough fast, to survive the hate, protect her children, and try to live a normal life. But the haters keep tracking her down. This suspense thriller is so heartbreaking and emotional. I am always torn between needing to read more and having to put the book down because the feelings are so strong. I recently finished book three. The fifth book has been finished and is slated for a 2021 release. I already pre-ordered the book, but only wish Rachel Caine could still be around to see it come out. Other WorksRachel Caine is also the author of the Morganville Vampire books (YA Supernatural) which have been adapted as a web series, and coauthored Dead Air, a thriller serial audio story about a true crime podcaster.
I am glad I haven't yet read everything Rachel Caine wrote, as that means I have more to enjoy and discover. She lives on in her writing. Have you read anything by Rachel Caine? What book/series has been your favorite? This month the Healthy Lifestyles group at work is promoting Women's Health. One of the activities to do was a Journey Walk, where you focus on your senses, and then reflect on your state of well-being. Where are you, where do you want to be. This got me thinking back to the Aspects of Wellness. Wellness isn't simply about your physical health. It's an overall state of well-being and achieving your full potential. Different sources list a different number of aspects/dimensions/categories of wellness, from four up to eight. I like breaking things down into smaller parts, so go with the eight: emotional, physical, intellectual, occupational, financial, social, spiritual, and environmental. This is a good site that goes into depth on each of them. I decided I want to go through each and do the following for myself:
 EmotionalEmotional wellness is all about understanding your feelings, coping with stress, and building self-esteem. Some good goals here would be starting a gratitude journal, regular "me-time" where you focus on your self and recharging, finding a hobby to destress such as coloring or gardening. PhysicalPhysical wellness is one most people are familiar with. Getting enough sleep, eating healthy, getting physical activity. You could set a goal to drink more water, exercise a certain number of minutes per week, or choosing a healthier snack option. IntellectualIntellectual wellness covers staying mentally fit, having an open mind, and expanding your knowledge. Creativity also tends to fall under this aspect. Schedule time for creative projects, learn a new skill, take some community classes, read a non-fiction book (either factual or inspirational), or do puzzles and brain teasers. OccupationalOccupational wellness deals with both the day job and the side hustle. Are you happy in your job? What does success mean to you? If you're not finding that satisfaction in your career, explore other avenues. Maybe you'll get fulfillment from volunteering, or starting an Etsy shop. Goals could be taking continuing education classes, additional training through work, working on your marketing skills, getting to know your coworkers. When I was working a day job just to help with the bills, I was also trying to get into the library. After a certain number of interviews that resulted in second interviews and just being passed over "if we could have hired two...", I explored ways to make my resume stand out more. So I started volunteering at the local library, which led to substituting as a shelver for the county, which ended up giving me the references, connections, and experience I needed to get me where I am now. I am very happy with my current job, so now my occupational goals focus on my writing career. FinancialFinancial wellness is about managing your finances, having a savings account, knowing where your money is going. If you don't yet have a budget, make a goal to track your bills and spending so you can see where to improve. More goals could be to set aside a certain amount of your paycheck into savings, or create a savings plan for a specific goal (that dream vacation once the pandemic is over!). What debts do you have? What plans could you make to become debt free? SocialSocial wellness is about having a support system. Create a network you can rely on, friends to lean on, mentors to learn from. With all the isolation right now due to the pandemic, it's so important to reach out and connect with others. Schedule a video chat with friend or family, join a virtual group of likeminded people, join a book club, schedule a date with your spouse/significant other. SpiritualSpiritual wellness isn't all about going to church and religion. It's about developing your own personal values, finding meaning in your life, and your place in the world. Goals could be daily meditation, subscribing to an inspirational podcast. Find time to relax, be quiet and alone, allowing yourself to retune with spirit, soul, nature. Know thyself so that you may know thy future. EnvironmentalEnvironmental wellness is being respectful to our environment. Take care of the planet, the neighborhood. Go on a hike, do a litter walk, recycle, plant a tree, conserve water. Appreciate our world and make it a good place to live. Make it your ownWhat do each of these aspects of wellness mean for you? What can you do today to improve your wellness, whether across all categories, or focusing on one?
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AuthorMary W. Jensen. Author, poet, gamer, library shelver. A to ZCurrently reading: Archives
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