Sponsored by Katrine Engberg's THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE.
Copenhagen detectives Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner return in Engberg’s second bone-chilling thriller… When three people are found drained of blood and floating in fountains around Copenhagen, Jeppe must investigate the murders solo, as his partner Anette is out on maternity leave. The victims all share connections to a now-closed teen therapeutic facility, The Butterfly House, which may have used some unorthodox practices on its young patients. Meanwhile, as the stakes rise, Anette starts investigating on her own, not completely fulfilled by her new role as mother. But is she leaving herself vulnerable to a killer?
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!!
Today is one of my favorite days of the year because it’s National Chocolate Cake Day, and chocolate cake is one of my favorite desserts. Here in the States, the earliest chocolate cake recipe appeared around the mid 1800s. The first boxed cake mix was created in the 1920s, but everyone’s favorite cake mix from Betty Crocker wasn’t released until 1947. Although I bake a mean chocolate chip cookie, with cakes I don’t have the range. When I want chocolate cake, I turn to the experts and buy a slice. When it comes to the bookish world, chocolate cake makes me immediately think about Miss Trunchbull forcing Bruce Bogtrotter to eat an entire chocolate cake in Matilda.
Matilda by Roald Dahl
At the age of five, Matilda easily solves double digit multiplication problems and reads Charles Dickens. Even though she is a super nerd and the teacher’s pet, Matilda’s classmates love her. However, all is not good in Matilda’s world. Her parents are the most idiotic and self-centered people, and her school principal Miss “The” Trunchbull is a nightmare. Fortunately, Matilda has the inner resources to deal with these annoyances from her astonishing intelligence to an innate desire for revenge.
Every book lover should read Matilda because Matilda didn’t just love books, she devoured books. I don’t know about you, but I was reading Berenstain Bears and Dr. Seuss when I was five-years-old. At that same age, Matilda is throwing back novels by Charles Dickens and Charlotte Brontë. Seeing Matilda fall in love with books and reading is sure to reignite the bibliophile in you! Just remember this is a work of fiction or you might become jealous of a child prodigy who gets to spend all day in the library.
The absolute best part of Matilda was how there is a slightly dark and twisty nature to this children’s book. It’s not that there is something inappropriate for children in this book because there is not. It is the fact the book doesn’t talk down to them as readers. Matilda shows them life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, and that is okay. The book also shows them how to use their talents and gifts to not only benefit themselves but to benefit those around them. All in all, reading Matilda can help us become better humans. Plus, it’s really funny and charming.
Until next time bookish friends,
Katisha
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