December Book #2

Book: Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry
Age-range: 13 and up

I don't think this is necessarily a good title for this book. It sounds so simple, so trite. This book is an amazing feat of storytelling and, though the author gives you all the information the protagonist has, you're always surprised at what happens next. There are great characters and (for me at least) you want the world to be a more magical place where things like this really happen. All I can say, without giving anything away, is that I wish I had some of my own charms!

I definitely liked it a lot. I find Ms. Berry's books to be quite good and I wait with anticipation for her next one.

Happy reading!

November Book #4

Book: The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry
Age-range: 10 and up

This is an excellent book, especially considering that it's a debut novel. Ms. Berry takes the story of Cinderella, gives a twist here, a tuck there and voila, you have The Amaranth Enchantment. I really loved the way it ended. I appreciated that it wasn't your typical happily ever after, although I do believe everyone who deserved to be happy was. I think my nieces (and sisters) would definitely like it.

Happy reading!