Upcoming Release: The Wolf Road by Beth Lewis

"The Wolf Road" by Beth Lewis
Releases July 5, 2016
352 pages
My rating: 5 out of 5
Image from Goodreads

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Short Of It:
This was a unique book with a gripping plot and a dynamic main character, and I could not put it down!

The Long Of It:
"The Wolf Road" is a post-apocalyptic tale, an adventure story, a horrifying thriller and, above all, a fascinating character study of 17-year-old Elka, who just found out the man who raised her may very well be a serial killer.

Upon learning this news, Elka flees the hut in the woods that's been the only home she's known for the past decade, as well as the man she calls Trapper and thinks of as Daddy. Raised in the forest with little human contact besides Trapper, Elka is almost feral. She has wild heart with nature in her veins. She's ridiculously adept at making fire, catching dinner and defending herself with her knife, but she has zero book-smarts and knows absolutely nothing about human nature -- and the fact that humans are all too often despicable. Elka sets off on a journey north in search of her long-lost parents, who headed there hunting gold 15 years ago, and the adventures she has are by turns horrifying, humorous and, if not uplifting, then at least assurance that not everyone is a disgusting pig in this world.

Elka is as strong as she is pitiful. She's gutsy, brave, no-nonsense, utterly straightforward and full of tenacity. She has a remarkable ability to live in the present (the here-now) and put the past (the back-then) behind her, which is a good thing considering all the horrible things Elka lives through. At times, Elka isn't all that likable -- she can be brash and abrupt and rude and glaringly naive -- but the reader just cannot help but love her. And that's Elka's secret, tucked-away desire: simply to be loved.

All this is set against the backdrop of "The Fall" (a.k.a. "The Damn Stupid"). Lewis doesn't go into explicit details, but it's presumed that a cold war escalated into nuclear war and devastated a good chunk of North America, reverting many areas back to a Wild West-style atmosphere.

Lewis's writing was amazing. The story is told through Elka's voice (in her unrefined English and with pure honesty) and that's what really took the book to the next level. Seeing the world so clearly through Elka's eyes gives readers an entirely different perspective. It also causes the reader to reflect on the human condition, which Elka is really just seeing for the first time. And Lewis has a bit of a depressing point to make: so many humans consistently choose power, greed and hate over love, kindness and equality.

I loved "The Wolf Road." It's an intense page-turner that totally sucked me in, but it's got a bit of levity and some lighter-hearted moments too. I definitely recommend adding this enthralling tale to your summer reading list!

Yarn Along: "Age of Myth" and Cap Sleeve Lattice Top

Yarn Along is a wonderful weekly link-up hosted by the Small Things blog about two of the best things in life: books and knitting.

Reading: I've been reading a lot of advance-read novels in e-book form lately because I had to wait until we found a house to get my Hawaii library card. (We move in later this week so now I can go get one!) I've been lucky to have plentiful reading material at my fingertips, but I'm not the world's biggest e-book fan and I'm definitely starting to itch for a physical book to hold in my hands!

On to the books! I just finished an awesome advance-read copy of "The Wolf Road" by Beth Lewis; it's sort of a post-apocalyptic story/serial killer thriller/character study with a phenomenal main character and I loved it! It comes out in July and I highly recommend it! Now I'm just a few pages into another advance-read book, a fantasy novel called "Age of Myth" by Michael J. Sullivan, which releases June 28. I read and loved "Uprooted" by Naomi Novik about a month ago and I've been craving another good fantasy (a somewhat new-to-me genre) since then. I'm going to cheat here and steal the Goodreads blurb because I hardly remember what it's about (though I have a feeling it's going to be good):

"Since time immemorial, humans have worshipped the gods they call Fhrey, truly a race apart: invincible in battle, masters of magic, and seemingly immortal. But when a god falls to a human blade, the balance of power between men and those they thought were gods changes forever. Now, only a few stand between humankind and annihilation: Raithe, reluctant to embrace his destiny as the God Killer, Suri, a young seer burdened by signs of impending doom, and Persephone, who must overcome personal tragedy to lead her people. The Age of Myth is over; the time of rebellion has begun."

That all sounds pretty serious, but so far the writing is actually pretty light and easy to read.

Knitting: I finally had some time to sit down and knit the past couple days and I made some progress on my Cap Sleeve Lattice Top! On Monday night I made the neck hole and started working on the front lattice. I really like how it's coming along, and after some initial doubts I'm glad I went with navy and cream yarn. Yesterday I worked on my sweater while checking out the first episode of season 1 of the Masterpiece historical drama series "Indian Summers" and I think I'll continue watching. It's set in 1932 India, toward the end of British colonial rule there, and features storylines about both the British and Indian cast of characters. (Also, it stars the actress who played Molly Weasley!) Have any of you seen the show?

14 Summer & Fall Book Releases I'm Excited About

Happy Tuesday, fellow bookworms! The Top Ten Tuesday topic (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) is a fun one this week: our most anticipated book releases for the second half of the year. One of my bibliophile hobbies is being incessantly on the lookout for more books to add to my to-read list (why?!?!) and I soak up every pre-pub list, BookPage, Goodreads newsletters and, when I worked at the library before we moved, every Library Journal and publisher catalog. There are lots of exciting books coming out from now to December, and below are the ones I'm most looking forward to.

First Comes Love by Emily Giffin

June 28

Adapted from Goodreads: Growing up, Josie and Meredith Garland shared a loving, if sometimes contentious, relationship. When tragedy strikes their family, their different responses to the event splinter their delicate bond. Fifteen years later, Josie and Meredith are in their late thirties, following very different paths. As the anniversary of their tragedy looms and painful secrets from the past begin to surface, Josie and Meredith must not only confront the issues that divide them, but also come to terms with their own choices. In their journey toward understanding and forgiveness, both sisters discover they need each other more than they knew... and that in the recipe for true happiness, love always comes first.

Why I'm looking forward to it: I don't read a ton of stuff in the women's fiction genre but I've read all of Emily Giffin's books besides "Baby Proof" (I'll get to it one day; I actually own it, which basically means it's destined to languish on a shelf for years) and I've enjoyed them all to varying degrees. Her last book, "The One and Only," wasn't quite as good as the others, so I'm hoping she's back up to her usual level of awesome with "First Comes Love."

Saga Volume 6 by Fiona Staples and Brian K. Vaughan

July 5

Adapted from Goodreads: After a dramatic time jump, Hazel begins the most exciting adventure of her life: kindergarten. Meanwhile, her star-crossed family learns hard lessons of their own.

Why I'm looking forward to it: I started reading "Saga" toward the end of last year and now that I'm all caught up I can't wait for the next installment to come out! I enjoyed the earlier issues more than the later ones, but I'm still totally into the story. And of course there's always Lying Cat!

The Wolf Road by Beth Lewis

July 5

Adapted from Goodreads: A debut literary thriller from an incredible new voice. What do you do when the man who gave you everything turns out to be a killer? Everything Elka knows of the world she learned from the man she calls Trapper, the solitary hunter who took her under his wing when she was just seven years old. But when Elka sees the Wanted poster in town, her simple existence is shattered. Trapper is wanted for murder. There will be a reckoning, one that will push friendships to the limit and force Elka to confront the dark memories of her past.

Why I'm looking forward to it: Well, this is a it of a cheat because I just finished my advance-read copy of "The Wolf Road" last night. But it was so original and so distinctive and so good! I highly recommend it!

Underground Airlines by Ben H. Winters

July 5

Adapted from Goodreads: It is the present-day, and the world is as we know it: smartphones, social networking and Happy Meals. Save for one thing: the Civil War never occurred. A gifted young black man calling himself Victor has struck a bargain with federal law enforcement, working as a bounty hunter for the U.S. Marshall Service. He's got plenty of work. In this version of America, slavery continues in four states called "the Hard Four." On the trail of a runaway known as Jackdaw, Victor arrives in Indianapolis knowing that something isn't right -- with the case file, with his work, and with the country itself. "Underground Airlines" is a ground-breaking novel, a wickedly imaginative thriller, and a story of an America that is more like our own than we'd like to believe.

Why I'm looking forward to it: I'd never heard of Ben H. Winters until I discovered this book, but I am absolutely intrigued. The story sounds like it'll be an addicting page-turner, and it's always interesting to delve into an alternate (darker) version of our modern-day world.

The Last One by Alexandra Oliva

July 12

Adapted from Goodreads: For readers of "Station Eleven" and "The Passage" comes a dazzling and unsettling novel of psychological suspense. Survival is the name of the game, as the line blurs between reality TV and reality itself -- and one woman’s mind and body are pushed to the limit.

Why I'm looking forward to it: "Station Eleven" and "The Passage" don't have a whole heck of a lot in common except they're both post-apocalyptic tales that I awarded 5-stars. Hopefully "The Last One" will join their ranks! I have an ARC of this book that I'm planning to read soon!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne

July 31

Adapted from Goodreads: It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father of three school-age children. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes darkness comes from unexpected places.

Why I'm looking forward to it: I've been dreaming of a literary dive back into the world of Harry Potter since the day I read the last lines of book 7. I never actually expected it to happen, but here it is! The original HP tale is an epic good vs. evil battle, but with Voldemort defeated I'm curious who the new villain or antagonist will be.

Curious Minds (Knight and Moony #1) by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton

August 16

Adapted from Goodreads: Emerson Knight is introverted, eccentric, and has little to no sense of social etiquette. Good thing he’s also brilliant, rich, and (some people might say) handsome, or he’d probably be homeless. Riley Moon has just graduated from Harvard Business and Harvard Law. Her aggressive Texas spitfire attitude has helped her land her dream job as a junior analyst with mega-bank Blane-Grunwald. At least Riley Moon thought it was her dream job, until she is given her first assignment: babysitting Emerson Knight. What starts off as an inquiry about missing bank funds in the Knight account leads to inquiries about a missing man, missing gold, and a life-and-death race across the country.

Why I'm looking forward to it: I'll continue to plow through the Stephanie Plum books til the end, despite their played-out and repetitive nature, and I'll keep waiting for Ms. Evanovich to pen the next book in the Wicked series, which I do really like but which seem to be released pretty sporadically. I haven't particularly cared for Janet's other endeavors, but I'm planning to give this new series a shot. It'll be my dose of summer fun and fluff!

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

September 13

Adapted from Goodreads: Cora is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. Life is hellish for all slaves, but Cora is an outcast even among her fellow Africans, and she is coming into womanhood; even greater pain awaits. Caesar, a recent arrival from Virginia, tells her of the Underground Railroad and they plot their escape. Whitehead brilliantly recreates the unique terrors of black life in pre-Civil War America. The Underground Railroad is at once a kinetic adventure tale of one woman's ferocious will to escape the horrors of bondage, and a shattering, powerful meditation on the history we all share.

Why I'm looking forward to it: Colson Whitehead is another new-to-me author, but I've heard great things about this book from bloggers who've read ARCs. Cora sounds like a fascinating main character and I'm intrigued to learn her story and follow her on her journey.

Illustrated Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling and Jim Klay

October 4

Why I'm looking forward to it: Harry Potter + hundreds of gorgeous illustrations. Enough said!

Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple

October 4

Adapted from Goodreads: Eleanor knows she's a mess. But today, she will tackle the little things. She will shower and get dressed. She will have her poetry and yoga lessons after dropping off her son, Timby. She won't swear. She will initiate sex with her husband, Joe. But before she can put her modest plan into action, life happens. Today, it turns out, is the day Timby has decided to fake sick to weasel his way into his mother's company. It's also the day Joe has chosen to tell his office -- but not Eleanor -- that he's on vacation. Just when it seems like things can't go more awry, an encounter with a former colleague produces a graphic memoir whose dramatic tale threatens to reveal a buried family secret. "Today Will Be Different" is a hilarious, heart-filled story about reinvention, sisterhood, and how sometimes it takes facing up to our former selves to truly begin living.

Why I'm looking forward to it: I loved "Where'd You Go, Bernadette," and it managed to bring a smile to my face during a tough time, so I was already committed to reading whatever Maria Semple released next. I'm excited about this story; it's sounds like it'll have the same mixture of quirk and poignancy as "Bernadette."

A Terrible Beauty (Lady Emily #11) by Tasha Alexander

October 11

Adapted from Goodreads: Lady Emily travels to Greece where a ghost from her past returns to haunt her amid the ruins. Lady Emily retreats to her villa on the island of Santorini for a brief respite from London. But when she arrives, the housekeeper informs her that the master of the house has returned -- Emily’s first husband who died a decade earlier...

Why I'm looking forward to it: Tasha Alexander's Lady Emily books make up my favorite cozy-ish mystery series, and one of the only ones I actually manage to keep up with. Each installment is a new adventure, and I'm super excited that this one will take readers back to Santorini! After reading a Lady Emily novel set there years ago, I added a trip to Santorini to my bucket list.

The Comet Seekers by Helen Sedgwick

October 11

Adapted from Goodreads: Róisín and François are immediately drawn to each other when they meet at a remote research base on the frozen ice sheets of Antarctica. At first glance, the pair could not be more different. Older by a few years, Róisín, a daughter of Ireland and a peripatetic astronomer, joins the science team to observe the fracturing of a comet overhead. François, the base’s chef, has just left his birthplace in Bayeux, France, for only the second time in his life. Yet devastating tragedy and the longing for a fresh start, which they share, as well as an indelible yet unknown bond that stretches back centuries, connect them to each other. Helen Sedgwick carefully unfolds their surprisingly intertwined paths, moving forward and back through time to reveal how these lovers’ destinies have long been tied to one other by the skies -- the arrival of comets great and small.

Why I'm looking forward to it: I have a bit of an obsession with Antarctica. And I just have a feeling this is going to be a beautiful, lyrical tale that I can't put down.

The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict

October 18

Adapted from Goodreads: A vivid and mesmerizing novel about the extraordinary woman who married and worked with one of the greatest scientists in history. What secrets may have lurked in the shadows of Albert Einstein’s fame? His first wife, Mileva "Mitza" Marić, was more than the devoted mother of their three children -- she was also a brilliant physicist in her own right, and her contributions to the special theory of relativity have been hotly debated for more than a century.

Why I'm looking forward to it: I love novels that teach me about real people. I had never given the first though to any spouse Albert Einstein may have had, but it sounds like -- as in many cases -- there was a strong woman providing support (and maybe more?) far out of the spotlight. (I just got approved for and advance-read copy from NetGalley -- yay!)

Paris For One & Other Stories by Jojo Moyes
November 18

Adapted from Goodreads: Nell is 26 and has never been to Paris. She’s never even been on a weekend away -- to anywhere, and certainly not with her boyfriend. Everyone knows traveling abroad isn’t really her thing. But when Nell’s boyfriend fails to show up for their romantic mini-vacation, she has the opportunity to prove everyone -- including herself -- wrong. Alone and in Paris, Nell uncovers a version of herself she never knew existed: independent and intrepid. Adventurous, funny, and charming, "Paris for One" is vintage Moyes -- as are the eight stories that round out the collection. 

Why I'm looking forward to it: I'm working my way through all of Jojo Moyes' books and this one sounds really cute. I seldom read short stories and always say I want to give them a try, so here's a perfect opportunity!

Monday Musings

Highlight of the week: We've spent another week living out of a hotel and we are most definitely ready to move into our new house later this week (even though our stuff won't be delivered for three more weeks)! Since this is our second time living in Hawaii, it's been a little tough for us to come up with things to do to get us out of our room. We've already done the luaus and Pearl Harbor and the Dole Plantation and the Aloha Swap Meet and all the easy touristy things several times. And we don't have our beach towels and chairs or our snorkel gear or our hiking shoes (you need special hiking shoes -- your oldest, filthiest pair of sneakers -- for all the dirt trails in Hawaii since they are guaranteed to get covered in red mud) to do all the stuff we do want to do.

But we did have some fun this week. On Saturday we headed over to Kaena Point, the westernmost point you can drive to on Oahu. It's a one of my favorite landscapes here in Hawaii; it's a stunning, rugged coastline made up of lava rock and it's constantly battered by waves. I put a few pictures on Instagram if you're interested!

Reading: I finished "Lily and the Octopus" by Steven Rowley (review). It was a lovely, funny, heartwarming -- and sad -- book about a man and his beloved dachshund, Lily. It's a great book for dog-lovers and everyone else, but beware: you might need a tissue or two.

Now I'm absolutely enthralled by my ARC of "The Wolf Road" by Beth Lewis (which comes out in July). It's part post-apocalyptic tale, part thriller and mostly a character study of the fascinating Elka, a 17-year-old who was raised in a hut in the woods by Trapper, whom she has just discovered is most likely a serial killer. On the run from Trapper and the authorities looking or him -- and her -- Elka must navigate not only the wilds but something she has no experience with: human nature. Elka isn't particularly likeable, but she is one tough cookie and I couldn't help falling in love with her! I'm a little over halfway done and I can't put this one down!

Up next will be another advance-read book, "The Last One" by Alexandra Oliva. I'm glad I have all these ARCs to keep me busy until I can get my Hawaii library card!

Knitting: I actually made a little bit of progress on my Cap Sleeve Lattice Top this week! I'm done with the back and ready to make the switch over to the front. I'm planning to finally do a Yarn Along post again this week and I'll post a photo then!

Watching: Since we had absolutely nothing better to do, I talked Jarrod into seeing "Me Before You" the other day. It was soooo good! I read the book a while back so I don't remember every detail, but I felt it stayed pretty true to the wonderful novel. The subplot about the Traynors' marriage was cut out entirely, but I was fine with that. I wonder if they'll turn "After You" into a movie too? I absolutely loved Emilia Clarke in the role of Lou and I want to see more! (P.S. I was so proud of myself -- no crying!)

Listening to: "Don't Forget About Me" by Cloves. (Coincidentally, it's on the "Me Before You" soundtrack, but I discovered it before we saw the movie.)

Eating: One of our favorite Hawaii restaurants, a gourmet hot dog place called Hank's Haute Dogs. It would not be at all healthy, but I'm pretty sure I could eat here every day! My usual order is the Fat Boy, a hot dog wrapped in bacon and fried, topped with mayo, lettuce and tomato, along with fries (that come with a variety of dipping sauces; that's curry ketchup in the photo) and a pineapple ice. YUM.

Looking forward to: Sounding like a broken record here, but I'm looking forward to July 1 when all our household goods will be delivered! It's frustrating knowing our stuff is sitting in a warehouse a few miles away and we have to wait and wait and wait for delivery. On a more positive note, I'm looking forward to picking out and ordering some address labels for our new house! (I do so love mail!)

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I'm linking up with Kathryn of Book Date for It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Book Review: Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley

"Lily and the Octopus" by Steven Rowley
First published June 7, 2016
320 pages
My rating: 4 out of 5
Image from Goodreads

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Short Of It:
"Lily and the Octopus" was by turns quirky, sweet and heartbreaking, and I recommend it for anyone who's loved a furry BFF, lived through grief, or seeks a unique, charming and raw story.

The Long Of It:
Despite being a whimsical, lovely, poignant story, "Lily and the Octopus" was a bit hard for me to read at times. Spoiler alert -- Lily is a 12-year-old dachshund and the titular octopus is a malignant brain tumor. Our beloved boxer dog, Conan, passed away a little over two years ago from lymphoma, so we have a special hatred of canine cancer in our household.

We don't have kids, so Conan was our furry baby and his departure left a massive hole in our lives. Ted, the human character in "Lily and the Octopus," is in a similar boat. He's a 42-year-old (294-dog-year-old) single gay man who works out of his Los Angeles home. Lily is his best friend, his confidant, his pizza night pal, his Monopoly opponent, his joy and his purpose and his soul mate. So when the octopus suddenly appears on her soft brown noggin, Ted is understandably horrified and distraught.

He and Lily embark on a fantastical (yes, fantastical -- you'll see) journey to attempt to defeat the octopus before he triumphs. At the same time, Ted is assaulted with the grief, the helplessness, the anger and the fear that come with saying goodbye to a beloved companion. Mixed in are adorable, hilarious and tender memories of Ted and Lily's 12 years together that any dog-lover can related to, and even some thoughtful life lessons. And reminiscing about this precious time with his sweet -- and sarcastic! -- little dachshund forces Ted to do some soul-searching about the state of his own life. The premise sounds sad -- and parts of the story are devastating because of their honesty -- but overall the book is a beautiful, fun, eccentric adventure with a satisfying ending.

Here's me with Conan in 2012. If you look closely, you can see
the shaved fur and incision on his neck from his lymph node
biopsy at the beginning of our own cancer saga.

A year ago, I wouldn't have been able to read "Lily and the Octopus." I took a long break from just about all dog-related books because they made me too sad, and one where the fictional canine has cancer would've been impossible. But two years later, it's much easier to reminisce on all the wonderful memories we have of Conan and not dwell on that bad time. In the author's note, Steven Rowley explains that the book is semi-autobiographical, and it's easy to see Rowley has gone through the same thing my husband and I have. Anyone who has lost a family member -- human or furry -- to illness will relate to all the (sometimes crazy) things Ted thinks and does in the face of the hardest days of his life.

"Lily and the Octopus" is a unique and innovative story upon a story. It's about the very special bond between man and dog, but it can also an allegory for coping with sickness and death in our (human) loved ones. It's warm, funny, sad and honest. It's both heartbreaking and heartfelt, and it's a beautiful story for dog-lovers -- and all you other crazy people. ;)

The book is full of lovely quotes, and I'll close by sharing one of my favorites:

"Because dogs live in the present. Because dogs don't hold grudges. Because dogs let go of all of their anger daily, hourly, and never let it fester. They absolve and forgive with each passing minute. Every turn of a corner is the opportunity for a clean slate. Every bounce of a ball brings joy and the promise of a fresh chase."

Book Review: June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

"June" by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore
First published in 2016
400 pages
My rating: 4.5 out of 5
Image from Goodreads

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Short Of It:
I loved everything about this book, from the split time periods to the rich atmosphere to the wonderfully drawn characters to the addicting plot. It's a perfect summer read!

The Long Of It:
I was completely wrapped up in this lovely dual narrative, which is set in the tiny town of St. Jude, Ohio, in June 1955 and June 2015. It's a tale of friendship, family, romance and secrets. It features a once-grand old house, Hollywood glamour and wonderful, dynamic characters who change and grow with the story.

Cassie Danvers has just inherited the creaky old mansion of Two Oaks in rural St. Jude, Ohio, following the death of her beloved grandmother, June, the woman who raised her. Cassie needs an escape from her life in New York City, so she retreats to her grandmother's home. But she's so depressed about her messy life and the loss of her grandmother -- the only family she had -- that she becomes a hermit, rarely leaving the house, never answering the phone and letting a mountain of mail pile up, not to mention neglecting the plethora of necessary repairs Two Oaks needs.

So she's shocked when the doorbell rings one day. She opens it to reveal a handsome young man bearing the news that she has been named the sole benefactor in the estate of ultra-famous actor Jack Montgomery, who claimed in his will that Cassie was his secret granddaughter. Just as shocked as Cassie at this news is Jack's daughter Tate, a famous actress in her own right who is understandably upset about being left out of her father's will. Tate demands a DNA test, but Cassie is more interested in digging into her beloved grandmother's past. Could straight-laced June actually have gotten pregnant out of wedlock -- with a man other than her grandfather? If so, what other secrets had June been hiding all this time?

Meanwhile in 1955, we meet 18-year-old June, the woman who will become Cassie's grandmother. June's story is told through the eyes of Lindie, June's best friend and four years her junior. Lindie has a pretty big secret of her own -- she's passionately in love with June. June, though, is engaged in a semi-arranged marriage, and in this and many other matters she's torn between doing what is right and expected, and doing what will make her feel happy and free and joyful. When a Hollywood movie crew -- including handsome star Jack Montgomery -- descends on the tiny town of St. Jude, Ohio, June has the chance to change the course of her life, or at least live a little.

Beautiful and selfless June actually comes off as a little prickly at times, but Lindie is warm, adventurous and determined. She also bravely brushes off the insults when other girls tease her about not wearing dresses or being a tomboy, and she continues being June's biggest supporter and best friend despite knowing her secret love can never be requited.

I imagine most readers will be more drawn to one narrative or the other, and since I love historical fiction I was surprised that I was always itching to get back to the modern-day story. I really liked Cassie, and I enjoyed seeing her emerge from her shell, regain her passion for life and rediscover her self-confidence as Tate (her aunt?) and her entourage -- including Nick, the cute guy who rang her doorbell to give her the jaw-dropping news -- descend on Two Oaks.

One of my favorite things about the novel was that the house, once majestic and now dilapidated, is alive in a sense. It was a bit quirky, sure, to be reading the house's thoughts -- it pines to have people in it again, to feel love within its walls, and to have that gaping hole in its roof mended -- but I enjoyed those fun, poignant little sections, especially since I'm a sucker for old houses and can't help but imagine all the people who lived between those walls and all the stories and memories -- good and bad -- made there.

I loved this book; I absolutely could not put it down, and I felt so invested in the characters. I almost gave it a full 5 stars, but there were some questions left unanswered; most of them are too spoiler-y to mention in a review, but I definitely wanted more details about what went south with Cassie's life in New York City. Overall, though, that's a very small matter, and the skilled writing, engrossing plot and satisfying ending more than make up for it. I definitely recommend adding "June" to your summer reading list!

10 Things I Love About Harry Potter

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is a bit of a freebie: 10 things I love about X. I waited until the last minute to put this post together, so I'm taking the easy way out and going with 10 Things I Love About Harry Potter. (All pictures that don't have a source underneath are mine -- mostly from our amazing trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in February! One of these days I'll put together a full post about our adventure to Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley!)

1. The whimsy.

I think most Harry Potter fans would agree that the whimsical nature of the books (and movies) is huge draw. That includes Hogwarts itself, with the warm, cozy, safe atmosphere, the talking portraits, the magical fireplaces, the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall, the dungeons and the towers, the owlery, the ghosts, the (mythical) nargles, the pumpkin pasties and treacle tarts, the Sorting Hat, the secret rooms, the greenhouse full of mandrakes, the lake full of Merpeople, the Whomping Willow and the pumpkin patch by Hagrid's Hut. Not to mention the moving photos in the Daily Prophet and the flying cars and Quidditch matches and chocolate frogs and Hogwarts Express and Knight Bus. I could go on (and on) but I think you get the idea.

2. Hermione.
I wouldn't mind being Hermione -- bookish and brilliant and obsessed with the library, a highly skilled witch (except that time she turned herself into a cat) and a great friend. I already have the frizzy hair to play the part! I also want Hermione's beaded handbag from the last book, stocked with a pile books and a magical tent, not to mention her gorgeous dress from the Yule Ball.

3. Many mentions of books and knitting.
As a book lover, I appreciate all the bookish references, famous works like "The Monster Book of Monsters" and "Hogwarts: A History," and delightful bookish places like the Hogwarts library and Flourish and Blotts bookstore. I'm also a knitter, and I love all the fanciful knitting mentions, like self-knitting needles, Hermione knitting socks for house elves, and Mrs. Weasley's very special hand-knitted Christmas sweaters.

4. A plethora of ways to immerse yourself in the HP-verse.

What Harry Potter lover doesn't want to imagine herself a student at Hogwarts or strolling along the eccentric shops in Diagon Alley or "accio"-ing that thing that's all the way across the room? Being a member of the Harry Potter fandom provides plenty of fun immersion opportunities. You can take the Sorting Hat quiz on Pottermore (I was Hufflepuff the first time I took it, Ravenclaw a few months ago when I took the version with the new graphics), visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, knit a house scarf, bake butterbeer cupcakes, dress up as your favorite witch or wizard for Halloween (see photo above -- working at a library has some perks!). Below is a picture of me enjoying a chilled butterbeer at The Wizarding World. It was absolutely delicious! (Cold and hot are amazing, skip the frozen.)

5. No technology.
I love that J.K. Rowling set the Harry Potter-verse just long enough ago that it's not affected by today's technology: no digital cameras, no internet, no cell phones. It adds to the quaintness of the setting and makes some plot points plausible that definitely wouldn't be in the 21st century.

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6. Holidays.
This one is sort of hand-in-hand with whimsy, but I especially love the depictions of holidays like Halloween and Christmas in the books and the movies. Everything is always so extravagant and fantastical and cozy at the same time. I wish I could just step into the book and enjoy a Christmas feast in the Great Hall, decked out with huge holiday trees and magical snow. Halloween would be just as fun!

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7. Themes of friendship, love, teamwork, determination, equality, kindness and more.
I think the Harry Potter series is a great way for kids -- and all of us, really -- to be reminded of how to be a good person. There's a very clear differentiation between good and evil in the books -- maybe too clear, because real life has plenty of gray areas -- but it makes it easy to cheer for the obviously-good guys. Plus issues like house elf rights, the derogatory term "mudblood," and poor Luna Lovegood being mercilessly mocked for being different all speak to equal rights and treating others as you'd want to be treated. I could write a whole blog post on this topic, so I'll leave it at that (for now)!

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8. All the extra Harry Potter things to get excited about.
By this I mean things like the audiobooks, the new movie, the illustrated books, "The Cursed Child," the theme parks, the ABC Family movie marathons, the midnight release parties, the Funkos and the real-life Quidditch matches. I particularly love the (absolutely fantastic) audiobooks narrated by Jim Dale. In the past couple years I've listened to all but book 7, which I've been saving for just the right time. And of course I'm looking forward to the release of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," the illustrated "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," and "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."

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9. Discovering new things about the Harry Potter world.
I didn't know until a year or two ago that the "t" at the end of Voldemort is meant to be silent, as in the French word "mort" (death). I also like that J.K. Rowling has doled out little tidbits about the books throughout the years, like that Arthur Weasley was supposed to die instead of Sirius, and that Dumbledore was gay. Pottermore also reveals interesting info and backstories; did you know Professor McGonagall was a Hogwarts Quidditch star, was engaged to a muggle at age 18, and later in life fell in love with and married a man named Elphinstone Urquhart who died three years later of a venomous tentacula bite!?

10. I'll never get tired of re-reading the books.
I am absolutely not a re-reader. I seldom re-read books, but I've read the entire Harry Potter series many times and I have yet to get bored with it -- and never will. In fact, I notice new things each time I read the books, and this last re-read via the audiobooks has been the most enlightening. Listening to someone as talented as Jim Dale tell the stories is really a different reading experience that I highly, highly recommend! The new illustrated versions provide a great opportunity for re-reading too. I'm ashamed to admit that, though I just had to have it the week it came out, I haven't yet read my illustrated "Sorcerer's Stone"!

Do tell: Are YOU a Potter fan? What are your favorite things about the world of Harry Potter?