panDefinite pan. Read this for a bookclub, that‘s also the only reason I finished it. It was way too gory for my liking and when the homophobic undertones started, I was out.
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The Book of Lost Things: A Novel | 
panDefinite pan. Read this for a bookclub, that‘s also the only reason I finished it. It was way too gory for my liking and when the homophobic undertones started, I was out.
pickJohn Connolly is such a beautiful writer. It's evident in his Charlie Parker books, but his writing just shines in this story of a boy trying to.find his way home. There are many folkloric and fairy tale elements present, all used to perfect effect.
Ellie also approves.
We are not meant to know the time or the nature of our deaths (for all of us secretly hope that we may be immortal) -John Connolly
Little Free Library 📚
Phoenix, Arizona 🌵
pickWho was caught off guard by how much they liked this? 🙋♀️ for real though. I loved the people David interacted with and all the stories. I wasn‘t annoyed by anyone. I really liked all the stories.
so-soThis visceral tale encapsulates the journey between boyhood & manhood as David ventures through a strange, minacious land, the embodiment of his anger & grief at the loss of his beloved mother, which personifies the secret fears & jealousies that lurk within him. The prose was as equally splendid & emotive, as it was imaginative and captivatingly dark at times, reminiscent of Grimm fairytales while entwining new reimaginings amongst the familiar.
I can barely keep my eyes open, so it seems like the perfect time to start a new book. 🫠
Trying to get back to doing what I love which is reading but it is a daily struggle with all of life‘s activities. I started this Friday and I must say I am truly loving it. When you guys are busy how do you make time to read?
It was in the upper 40's today, so I took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and took a nice bookish walk this afternoon! I have a feeling it will be my last trek in the woods this year! 🌿📚 I'm really glad that this fall and winter so far have been pretty mild and I've gotten to enjoy the outdoors a lot longer than I usually am able to!
It's a hot chocolate kind of night! 🤍❄️🤍
It was weirdly warm out today! Almost 60°, which is crazy for this time of year! Of course I had to take the opportunity to spend the day reading at the park! This book seemed to be a pretty good choice to read outdoors! And I'm glad I decided to give it another try! I'm enjoying it much more now than I did the first time I read it! 💕📚
I think I'm going to reread the tagged book again and give it another chance! I first read it a couple years ago, and was taken aback by how dark it was! Having just finished the sequel and absolutely loved it, I feel like it's time to revisit the first one again! I think I will enjoy it and appreciate it a lot more now than I did back when I first read it! 💕📚
#AutumnPlease Day 21 🧭 #Lost
Another from my #Scarathlon stack that I probably won't get to this month
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs
pickFinished this one the last day of September for #20in4
I randomly picked this up at the bookstore to bring with me on vacation. I had no idea what it was about or what to expect.
I loved all the different takes on the fairytale stories and David‘s growth and journey. Glad I picked this one up.
Here‘s the books I think I‘ll be focusing on for #20in4 and #ReadySetRead on October 1st. It is my birthday weekend, so not sure how much reading I‘ll actually get done.
pickWow, I certainly wasn‘t expecting how much I‘d love this book. The beginning had my heart aching for David, but his journey throughout this entire book was something I won‘t forget. What a completely different and dark take on fairy tales, and how not all endings are always happy. I‘m now telling everyone to go read this.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Currently on vacation in Colorado. Stuck in traffic at the Switzerland of Americas highway. Good thing I always have a book!
Latest read 🤓
pickJust finished. There was no way I was going to bed until I found out what happened. And wow! What a damn good story about imagination and the power of stories that shape us.
A very happy #BlameItOnLisy experience 😊
Once upon a time--for that is how all stories should begin--there was a boy who lost his mother.
#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl p
Got a couple of hours before I have to start dinner so I'm going to dive into this 😁
pickYou know it‘s a favorite when you have a copy in each room of your house that has book shelves! 🤣 This fantastic coming of age novel marks a lot of firsts for me- it was the book that I first started a book journal with back in January of 2008, it was my first introduction to the massive talent of John Connolly and re-reading it in preparation for THE LAND OF LOST THINGS reveals how timeless and magical, dark, sad and funny this book really is!
pickTwelve-year-old David is still mourning the death of his mother when his father remarries & soon presents him with a half-brother. These events set the stage for a dark, harrowing adventure where the line between the real world & the world of stories blurs. This is a story about childhood & growing up, about learning that the world complex, & about the power of stories. The pace is slow, & I skimmed in a few places, but overall I enjoyed it.
It‘s another perfect day for reading on the patio. Seven chapters in and I‘m really enjoying this one…
I detoured past one of my fav bookstores—their sale shelves are excellent—on the way to pick up my comics.😬
Two books from the sale shelves—Jellicoe Road (one of my fav YA books ever) & Homeland Elegies. Then also picked up Legendborn for the short story that comes in the paperback edition. Good excuse to reread it before the sequel is out. The tagged book is actually the reason why I went. New books + warm weather = more reading on the patio.
pickThis coming-of-age novel was incredible. Right from the start, I was shocked by the poetic writing. The entire story was so beautifully crafted that I never wanted it to end. The details of all the characters, the depth of the story, the heavy themes, the twisted fairytales, the fantastical world… everything was written with intent and purpose. Truly shocked by the dimensions Connolly gave to the idea of growing up. This is a must read.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book caught me off guard by how much I absolutely loved it. Dark (at times, very dark) reworkings of some favorite fairy tales, this book felt known & completely unique at the same time. As if Gaiman came in & wrote Narnia before Lewis got there.
I exclusively listened to this audiobook & definitely recommend that version; the reader was great, & I cackled and gasped the whole way through. And the ending had me in tears.
June #bookspin
I enjoy making my bookspin lists with a theme. What can I say, it‘s habit from my pre school teacher days. Anyway, this months list has a bookish theme.
#attic reminded me of this awesome read by John Connolly!
#savvysettings @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs
Jan 17 #BeginsWith Book my pick for today, one of the best Books 📚 from this author I have ever read @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Besides the tagged book, I recommend
The Secret History
Fingersmith
The Book Thief
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
The Paper Palace
Chaos Walking trilogy
anything by Thomas H Cook
Thanks for the tag @Elizabeth2 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks #sundaysoapbox
Any interest in sharing your recs @catiewithac @MadelineMcCrae @ShelleyBooksie @merelybookish
pickThis book was five stars for the first three quarters, but I just didn‘t like the ending. I‘m still glad I read it because there were parts that absolutely delighted me, and as a Dark Tower fan I enjoyed another book influenced by Childe Roland. This was for my work book club. #LittenListen @aperfectmjk #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks #ominousOctober @Littlewolf1 @Roary47 A Family Affair #SpookOWeen @TheSpineView #WickedAThon @StayCurious
so-soDo you believe in fairy tales? Read the review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#the-book-of-lost-things
Lots of new middle grade paperbacks too. I can‘t wait to read all of these.
A young boy mourns the loss of his mother and uses books as his refuge. As his father remarries the books start to whisper to him, and he ends up in a fantasy world searching for a mysterious book that holds the secrets of the King.
This was a bit sadder and darker than I thought it would be, but I enjoyed joining David on his adventure.
Artwork image credit:
https://www.deviantart.com/hollyp0p/art/The-Book-of-Lost-Things-47714937
pickA dark fairy tale that charts 12 year old David‘s growth from an angry young boy into a more nuanced young boy that learns there are many sides to a story.
I loved the incorporation of fairy tales and the epic journey David goes through, how each interaction with a new character is a lesson in life that can benefit him but it‘s up to him to use the lessons he learns, or how he‘ll use them.
I‘m posting one book per day from my ever-increasing TBR. No description. No explanation. Just books to read. Join the fun if you want.
Day 86.
#fromthetbrstacks
pickA full 5 stars for me! I loved this and finished in less than a week!
What seems like a simple story for a child is of course like all good fairy tales much more suitable for adults.
I enjoyed the retellings of all the fairytales- I wish each had their own book especially Red Riding Hood.
I loved the idea of stories coming alive with each reading and how we create our own dreams 💜
pickDealing with the loss of his mother, his father's new wife and baby, David turns to fairy tale stories to escape his anger and pain. As he becomes more angry, another world opens up and David falls inside it. In the other world of disturbing fairy tales, David looks to find a way back home.
A disturbing take on fairytales that makes this book so wonderfully terrifying.
Tagged and fitting since I'm reading it right now.
1. Chocolate meringue pie made by my lovely grandma. I try to make it, but all I make is chocolate meringue soup.🤷♀️
2. I am thankful for not always following my expectations.
#thankfulthursday @Cosmos_Moon
"Each man dreams his own heaven."
I read this book soon after losing my uncle (he and I were very close; we often bonded over books).
This book was so beautifully written. I loved the varied and fresh versions of well-known fairy tales scattered throughout the chapters. While I didn't relate entirely to David (the main character), I did find some of my emotions aligning with his which was comforting. The ending was heartwarming and satisfying
