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noellesmagicallibrary's reviews
385 reviews
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I listened to this entire audio while wrapping Christmas presents. It made the chore much more bearable.
This is my second Meg Shaffer book — I will read anything she ever writes. I love these characters and I love the world they live in. I laugh, I cry, and I don’t want her books to end.
Imagine your favorite childhood series actually existed and you had a chance to go there as an adult. Not only that, you’re there to compete for a prize.
Four very lucky people are invited to Clock Island to win a coveted prize— the long awaited next book in the Clock Island series. The author is a Willy-Wonka-esque man who loves riddles and puzzles. There’s only one copy in existence and everyone wants it.
This is my second Meg Shaffer book — I will read anything she ever writes. I love these characters and I love the world they live in. I laugh, I cry, and I don’t want her books to end.
Imagine your favorite childhood series actually existed and you had a chance to go there as an adult. Not only that, you’re there to compete for a prize.
Four very lucky people are invited to Clock Island to win a coveted prize— the long awaited next book in the Clock Island series. The author is a Willy-Wonka-esque man who loves riddles and puzzles. There’s only one copy in existence and everyone wants it.
I Don't Want to Go Home: The Oral History of the Stone Pony by Nick Corasaniti
3.5
As a Jersey girl, this felt like required reading.
Learning about the history of Abury Park and The Stone Pony was interesting — it’s a place I always heard about growing up and had the chance to visit once.
I liked that the book is written in an oral history format with the story being told through interviews. Even though it says it right there in the title, I didn’t expect the book to be one very long interview.
It’s also pretty awesome that the author was able to talk to so many people who were pivotal in The Pony’s history.
On the flip side, I think the book was too long to hold my interest. I zoned out a few times and I don’t think I retained much information.
But for people who love history, and especially those who like Bruce Springsteen, the Jersey shore, and bar bands, this one is for you.
Learning about the history of Abury Park and The Stone Pony was interesting — it’s a place I always heard about growing up and had the chance to visit once.
I liked that the book is written in an oral history format with the story being told through interviews. Even though it says it right there in the title, I didn’t expect the book to be one very long interview.
It’s also pretty awesome that the author was able to talk to so many people who were pivotal in The Pony’s history.
On the flip side, I think the book was too long to hold my interest. I zoned out a few times and I don’t think I retained much information.
But for people who love history, and especially those who like Bruce Springsteen, the Jersey shore, and bar bands, this one is for you.
Now, Conjurers by Freddie Kölsch
5.0
Newly deceased Bastion Attia was star quarterback and the leader of North Coven. Now that his body has been found brutally murdered in the woods, the remaining witches (Dove, Nesbit, Drea, and Brandy) vow to find the killer and figure out how his death is connected to a Jane Doe who died the same way, in the same place, a few years ago. Nesbit and his friends believe there could be a supernatural force behind Bastion’s death. Nothing will stop them from discovering the truth.
Now, Conjurers has the best mix of characters— I loved everyone in the coven. Nesbit is a brilliant narrator, Brandy and Drea have a lovely relationship, Dove is a star, and Bastion is a selfless genius. The story is set in 1999, so get ready for all of the Y2K feels, Nokia phones, and references to The Craft.
One of the things I loved the most about this book is the black and white circus. That imagery is what really sold the story for me but I don’t want to say too much more about it for fear of giving away some plot points.
If you like books about teen witches and small towns with a cursed history, then you should read Now, Conjurers.
I was gifted a copy for review, all thoughts are entirely my own. Thank you Union Square & Co. and TBR and Beyond Tours for the opportunity
Now, Conjurers has the best mix of characters— I loved everyone in the coven. Nesbit is a brilliant narrator, Brandy and Drea have a lovely relationship, Dove is a star, and Bastion is a selfless genius. The story is set in 1999, so get ready for all of the Y2K feels, Nokia phones, and references to The Craft.
One of the things I loved the most about this book is the black and white circus. That imagery is what really sold the story for me but I don’t want to say too much more about it for fear of giving away some plot points.
If you like books about teen witches and small towns with a cursed history, then you should read Now, Conjurers.
I was gifted a copy for review, all thoughts are entirely my own. Thank you Union Square & Co. and TBR and Beyond Tours for the opportunity
The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell
3.0
I wasn’t familiar with Amanda Montell before but this cover is fantastic— simple case of judging a book by its cover.
Some chapters were very interesting and I did learn a lot about various biases/effects. Overall I felt a little let down by the book, which is odd, because like I said, I wasn’t familiar with Montell so I didn’t have any specific expectations. I am interested in listening to a few episodes of her podcast though.
Some chapters were very interesting and I did learn a lot about various biases/effects. Overall I felt a little let down by the book, which is odd, because like I said, I wasn’t familiar with Montell so I didn’t have any specific expectations. I am interested in listening to a few episodes of her podcast though.
Dark Spaces: Dungeon by Scott Snyder
5.0
This story is so messed up in the best way. It reminds me of an even more twisted episode of Criminal Minds. Without a doubt, I will be reading the next book in this series.
For the past 20 years, the serial killer known as The Keep has been stealing people and torturing them in underground tunnels. Only one person, Bohdi, is known to have survived and he has become an FBI agent hellbent on taking down The Keep.
**I was reading an e-ARC
My only slightly negative critique is about the artwork (and this may be due to the fact that I was reading on my ipad with that watermark on the center of every page) but I found some panels to be a little hard to read and the coloring a bit dark. The palette works for the tone of the story but like I said, sometimes it was hard for me to see the images really well.
For the past 20 years, the serial killer known as The Keep has been stealing people and torturing them in underground tunnels. Only one person, Bohdi, is known to have survived and he has become an FBI agent hellbent on taking down The Keep.
**I was reading an e-ARC
My only slightly negative critique is about the artwork (and this may be due to the fact that I was reading on my ipad with that watermark on the center of every page) but I found some panels to be a little hard to read and the coloring a bit dark. The palette works for the tone of the story but like I said, sometimes it was hard for me to see the images really well.
Godzilla: Monster Island Summer Camp by Rosie Knight
5.0
Sign me up for Monster Island Summer Camp! I want to play with Minilla, Mothra and the rest. This graphic is a wonderful introduction to Kaiju and a commentary on the importance of respecting our planet.
I’ve always been a fan of Godzilla (mostly because my husband loves him) but now I love these monsters even more.
I’ve always been a fan of Godzilla (mostly because my husband loves him) but now I love these monsters even more.