Sponsored by Elsewhere by Dean Koontz.
The fate of the world is in the hands of a father and daughter. When a local eccentric shows up on their doorstep with a strange and dangerous device, Jeffy Coltrane and his 11-year-old daughter Amity are swept up in an epic adventure with extraordinary implications. The device allows them to jump between parallel planes at once familiar and bizarre, wondrous and terrifying. As they search for truths about their own lives, a man with a dark purpose is in pursuit. And unless Amity and Jeffy can outwit him, the place they call home may never be safe again.
Welcome to Read This Book, the newsletter where I recommend a book you should add to your TBR, STAT! I stan variety in all things, and my book recommendations will be no exception. These must-read books will span genres and age groups. There will be new releases, oldie but goldies from the backlist, and the classics you may have missed in high school. Oh my! If you’re ready to diversify your books, then LEGGO!!
Did you know November 18th is National Princess Day? While the idea of Princess Day may automatically bring Snow White, Cinderella, Elsa, or Sleeping Beauty to mind, it was not Disney who instituted the holiday. National Princess Day is actually inspired by Princess Odette from The Swan Princess, released in movie theaters on November 18, 1994. Since then, the movie has spawned several sequels and worldwide fandom. On this day all about princesses, why not read a book about a young woman who learns she’s a real life princess?!
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
For Mia Thermopolis, there is nothing worse than being a freshman with a flat chest who is flunking Algebra, but she is in for some surprises that will make life more complicated. First, Mia just found out her mother is dating her Algebra teacher. When her father comes for a visit, he drops the bomb that he is the crown prince of Genovia, which makes Mia a princess! On top of all that, Mia doesn’t have a date for the Cultural Diversity Dance. Can life get any worse?
Overall, The Princess Diaries was an enjoyable read for me, but I believe this book is best for a younger audience. Obviously, both senior and junior readers can enjoy this unique story of an unpopular teenager becoming royalty literally overnight. Since the story is basically Mia sharing her life and thoughts in her diary, the book reads like being inside the mind of a teenage girl.
As someone who hasn’t been a teenager in decades, I often became annoyed with Mia and her behavior. However, I had to remember Mia is still a kid whose brain hasn’t fully formed, so she’s bound to make mistakes. Although I was often frustrated with our main princess, Mia dropped a few gems here and there. In the end, I enjoyed this lighthearted read following Mia during the early stages of her princess journey, and I think you’ll enjoy it, too.
Until next time bookish friends,
Katisha
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