Off the Page by Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer

So, I can’t be the only one who likes easy, breezy, teen reads. I read the mother/daughter co-written first installment of this series, Between the lines, back in 2015/2016 and just found it cute and, although somewhat unbelievable, entertaining. So, when I found out they had published a second installment to the series, I put it on my list of “to read” books for when I needed a quick pick-me-up!

This story is about Delilah who falls in love with a fairy tale story and little did she know, she’ll also fall in love with the main character, Oliver. When Oliver escapes the book and comes into the real world, he faces real world obstacles like high school, boy crazy girls, and even the death of a beloved friend. When Delilah and Oliver realize being together might ultimately drive them apart, they’ll take drastic measures to protect each other, even if that means Oliver has to return to the book.

I’ve always been quickly attracted to a love story and one that brings in a bit of magic, which Picoult and van Leer have brought into this novel. If you’re looking for an easy read, check this one out.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

So, I don’t know if I’m just not at the right point in my life to read this pastoral fairy tale or if my personal tastes have changed, but I read about 100 pages and couldn’t pick it back up. It very well could be that it’s mid-winter here in Arkansas and I’m done… DONE… with the cold! I love warm weather and not needing to check my phone every morning to see if it’s going to snow. All in all, those things when you’re diving into a very well written and imaginative tale, matter.

Also, I found the author’s plot or creative writing style immaculate and original, but everything to do with the names ruined my ability to keep up with who she was talking about. By 100 pages, I had no idea who was who. There are so many revolving characters who are named fairly similarly, that unless I went back and reread pieces, I couldn’t keep up.

I thoroughly enjoyed Arden’s prose and the way she captured the essence of Russia during this time period. During the winters if you are not where you are supposed to be, you’re on your own and in a canoe without a paddle. I also loved how she mentioned things like, the fact that the characters would lose weight over the winter from eating smaller portions to make sure they had enough until they could travel, grow crops, and trade again. All of those small, seemingly insignificant points, make this story real and paints a vivid picture of life during that time.

Will I ever pick this back up? Possibly? If I do, it will be in the summer while I’m laying out under the walnut trees in my backyard.