nostalgicreading

[nostalgicreading]

Found family in war times

Title: Goodnight mister Tom

Author: Michelle Magorian

Genre: Historical fiction, young adult, children. 

Publication year: 1981

Main character: Willie is a scrawny and timid 8 year old boy who’s been brought up in terrible poverty by a physically and emotionally abusive religious mentally unstable mother. He is scared of almost everything and not use to the basic kindness he is shown by the people around him. Away from his mother he gradually changes into a very sweet boy who loves to help others and shows a talent when it comes to drawing and painting. He learns to stand up for himself and trust people.

Story: During world war 2 Willie is, like many other children, evacuated to the English countryside. He is placed in the home of a reclusive, gruff and old widower in his sixties called Tom. They both start off unsure of the other one, but Tom quickly notices that Willie isn’t a normal happy kid and immediately steps up to try and give him an at least somewhat normal childhood. Being different people who have both been through a lot, it takes some time, but they eventually open up to the other about their hardships and grow closer. Things change yet again when Willies mother wants him back again.

Reading experience: I’ve read this book 3 times; once as an audiobook during a long car trip when I was a kid, once in school as a teen, and once in my free time as an adult. Every single time I have cried throughout the entire thing. The things Tom and Willie have been through, the way they help each other heal and grow as people, and the father son relationship they form is so emotionally devastating. All of this during such a terrible time is even more emotionally wrecking. Classic found family/grumpy old man adopts a child story, but with extra trauma. 

When I read it in school I remember going on and on with my classmates just how sad it was. It left quite an impression on me the first time. So many memories coming back the second time. Mostly the traumatic ones. Many classmates asked me about the fates of certain characters. It’s a book about abuse and war, so no character is truly safe. Willie sure has been through a lot... And goes through more in the book itself. All his sad moments are somewhat balanced out by the lengths Tom is willing to go for him, which saves the book from being way to depressing. But it's still sorrowful. 

For some reason my mental image of “Mister Tom” was always Hagrid from Harry Potter. A gentle giant. Not sure why since they are so different. 

[nostalgicreading]

Child learns the deadly art of exorcism, witch hunting, and other fun monster related activities

Title: The spook’s apprentice

Author: Joseph Delaney

Genre: Fantasy, horror, young adult.

Publication year: 2004

Main character: Thomas “Tom” Ward, a 12 (soon 13) year old boy and the seventh son of a seventh son. He has lived his whole life on his family's farm together with his parents and his oldest brother and his family. Being the seventh son of a seventh son gives him the ability to see and hear supernatural creatures and sense “the dark”. This makes him great spooks material. Tom is a good kid who is understandably scared, but tries to be brave and do the right thing no matter the price.

Story: The first of 13 books follow Tom as he becomes the spook John Gregory’s apprentice. Thomas father has decided to give the farm to his oldest son after his passing, which means he has to find jobs and housing for the rest of his sons. Due to Toms “spooky” abilities as a seventh son of a seventh son, his parents manage to make the local spook Gregory take him as his apprentice. The spook’s job is travel the county and deal with supernatural beings, such as ghosts, boggarts, and witches. Many have failed before him, some even dying. Thomas is Gregorys last hope. Tom moves in with the spook and starts learning the trade, but also meets a mysterious girl with pointy shoes who Gregory warns him not to talk to. Tom is soon dragged into a situation that even a skilled spook might find difficult.

Reading experience: I asked my mom about how old me and my sister where when they read this book to us, and she just responded “too young”. We started of listening to it in the car on a long ride, but mom quickly became horrified by the content and didn’t want us to listen to it anymore. Me and my sister really liked it and wanted to hear it, so they instead read it to us before bed (even though it clearly says on the back to NOT read it after dark). This way, they could talk to us about the scary events happening in the book so we wouldn’t be as scared.  

Two things I clearly remember after all these years are how creepy the boggarts and witches were. There are many types of boggarts, most live of fear, or are just annoying, but I distinctly remember the more malicious ones that had a taste for bones or blood. The apprentice before Tom had his fingers bitten off and blood sucked out by a boggart, which obviously lead to his death. The thought of how he died and how it must have felt still sends chills down my spine and make me clench my lil fists to protect my fingers.

Most witches were partly terrifying for the same reason as the boggarts. They too are monstrous creatures who like to eat people (dead and alive), some even using blood, bones, and other vital things from their victims, to do magic and gain strength. They could be good or bad, but like with the boggarts I mostly remember the bad ones. The main reason they scared me though was how the spook imprisoned them and held them captive. The witches were put in deep pits lined with salt and iron and 13 iron bars over to prevent them from escaping. And he just kept them in his backyard???? It made me terrified of wells, since we had a lot of wells that looked similar to witch pits around the forests where I lived and in the forests where I went to school. I was just waiting for a creepy hand to shoot out and grab my ankles and then having my blood stolen. 

As a kid, I enjoyed the storied and had a good time. As an adult I now realize it might have had a slightly traumatizing effect on me. Still having a good time though.

[nostalgicreading]

Book loving telekinetic girl takes the law in her own hands

Title: Matilda

Author: Roald Dahl

Genre: Fantasy, humor

Publication year: 1988

Main character: Matilda is a intelligent book loving 5 ½ year old. She is already reading Dickens and can do double digit multiplications in her head. Despite growing up with self-centered and neglectful parents and a mean brother, she has a strong sense for right and wrong. She isn't afraid to punish her parents and others through small practical jokes for bad deeds, like gluing her dad's hat to his head for always being mean to her. She also discovers she has telekinetic powers and starts using them in her fight for justice. 

Story: Matilda is intelligent and sweet girl, but her parents view her as more of a problem. She hopes that school will be better, and it is at first. Her classmates love her and the teacher, Miss Honey, adores and treats Matilda like an equal and see her full potential. Then she meets the child-hating headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. A former hammer-throwing champion who flings children by the hair across the schoolyard. Matilda has previously played pranks on her mean parents as revenge for their bad treatment of her, and is now prepared to do the same thing to Miss Trunchbull in an effort to defend her new classmates and kind teacher. With her newfound telekinetic powers, this will be an easy feat. 

Reading experience: I read this book many times as a kid and have revisited it a few times as a teen and adult. I share the same first name and large interest in books with the main character, so I was recommended this book pretty early in my childhood and have treasured it ever since. I didn't read Dickens as a small kid, but I did spend most of my time in libraries and had books in stacks from the floor to the ceiling at home. Kinda wish I also had her amazing intelligence and telekinetic powers, but oh well. I guess I got supportive parents and a nice sibling from the start instead. 

It’s obviously a kids book intended for younger readers and audiences, but it doesn't look down on said readers. It treats them as intelligent beings with an exciting plot, fun characters, and great messages. It’s a heartwarming story about a girl who stands up to bullies, no matter who they are, and fight for justice. 

Spoiler about the ending! Something I love about this book is that Matilda is allowed to leave her abusive biological family for a better mother. This book doesn't force the idea that they are her family and that she has to love them, no matter how much they abuse, neglect, or mistreat her. Both Matilda and her new mother, Miss Honey, are allowed to leave their toxic families behind for a more supportive and loving one. It's a nice message. I am also a sucker for found family. 

I am also a big fan of the art-style and the illustrations. They are simple and sweet, but have a lot of personality to them. It fits well in the story and the character designs give you a glimpse of who they are.

[nostalgicreading]

Adults trust teens with newfound powers to save the world because they are “the chosen ones”

Title: The circle

Author: Sara Bergmark Elfgren, Mats Strandberg

Genre: Fantasy, horror, young adult

Publication year: 2011

Main character: The book follows six “chosen ones”, Rebecka, Minoo, Ida, Anna-Karin, Vanessa, and Linnéa. Other than just starting secondary school, and realizing they are witches and the chosen ones to stop a great evil, they don't have much in common. Rebecka is a popular girl in school, a bonus parents at home, and is a fire element witch. Minoo is a good student, teachers pet, and has no element. Ida is a nice person in front of teachers, but a bully to her classmates, and has metal as her element. Anna-Karin is an outcast and bully victim in school, has a rough home-life, and is an earth witch. Vanessa is an outgoing party girl, seen as a slut by other, and has air as her element. Linnéa is a goth girl and a social outcast with a terrible home life, and is a water witch.  

Story: In the first of three books; the school year has just started when a student is found dead in one of the schools bathrooms. It is believed to be a suicide, but in reality, there is something much darker behind his death. No long after, on a night with a blood red moon, six girls are brought to a park without knowing how or why. They are then informed that they are witches and the “chosen ones” who were foretold in an ancient text. They must work together and learn to control their newfound powers so they can find and kill the evil chasing them, before it find and kills them.

Reading experience: Yet another Swedish fantasy book series that I just adore. It has all my favorite things. Witchcraft, magic, interesting magic that is used well, and characters that feel real. It always makes me happy to see a Swedish book series blowing up and spreading across the world. I also appreciate some magic that isn’t sunshine and rainbows, and more blood and rituals. 

I was skeptical at first to having 6 main characters, but the book takes its time to flesh out and differentiate the characters. It’s a bit confusing at first, but soon enough you learn who they all are. It does have some intense murder and self harm scenes, bully, language, sex, and almost rape, so if you are sensitive, read with precaution. 

I remember plowing through the books as a young teen, shocked by its content, but wanting to know more. The magic and their powers interested me, and some of their reactions to gaining said powers. Some powers align clearly to the elements, like being able to start fires, and some aren't as clearly connected to the element, but cool nonetheless, like turning invisible and controlling people. Their reactions to their new powers are also fitting for the type of characters they are, like Anna-Karin, the bullied one, using her power of controlling people to become popular. 

It mixes the real world and real problems well with the magical world and magical problems. The series doesn't shy away from these real life problems, like bullying, drugs, self harm, eating disorders, and such, and doesn't try to romanticize it. The writers are aware that these are teens already dealing with serious real life problems, and now also have to save the world, and watch people die. 

A bit of a spoiler, but there's a teacher that is in love with one of the main characters because she looks like his dead girlfriend and everything about that is disgusting and terrifying. Everything about him in general is kinda disgusting and terrifying. I hate him.

[nostalgicreading]

Adults are stupid and kids are smart

Title: A series of unfortunate events: The bad beginning

Author: Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler)

Genre: Mystery, black comedy, comedy-drama

Publication year: 1999

Main character: Violet, Claus, and Sunny Baudelaire are three siblings who became orphans by the beginning of the first book; their parents having passed in a mysterious fire in their family's mansion. Throughout the series, they are known as the Baudelaire orphans. Violet is 14 by the beginning of the series and loves inventing and building things, Claus is 12 and loves reading and researching, and Sunny is about 1-2 and loves biting things. All three siblings also have a peppermint allergy.

Story: The first of 13 books follow the Baudelaire siblings as they become orphans and are sent to live with a distant relative, Count Olaf, a theater loving criminal mastermind. Count Olaf lives in a ramshackle house and forces the children to do tedious shores and share a bed. He also constantly has his theater troupe over, who are equally as evil and rude. It quickly becomes apparent to the siblings that he is only after the Baudelaire fortune, which Violet will get control over when she becomes 18. 

Reading experience: What first got me into this book series was actually the Netflix series. It was a fun experience and made me want to know more about the source material, see how similar they are. 

This book is surprisingly amusing despite the fact that the main characters are miserable for the most part. They just lost their parents and now live in a physically and emotionally abusive house with a man that only wants their money and will probably kill them after he gets it. Even the author and narrator says that they will have few happy moments and that things will only get worse. So how is it amusing? 

First of all, Count Olaf is a fun villain at times. He is evil to the point of absurdity and you can't help but laugh at his antics. His love of the theater and the spotlight also adds to his character and makes his commitment to a certain role and his interactions with other amusing. All members of Olaf’s theater troupe are funny for the same reason. They are very much the bad guys and the last thing you want is for them to succeed, but they are hilarious. 

Second of all, the author has a fun and interesting way of writing. Snicket often use a lot of big words and phrases that he explains in an educational and fun way. Even if it's kind of like a small sidetrack, I don't feel like it takes you out of the story. It sometimes even add a bit to it. 

The book also portrays kids as the smart ones and adults as almost worthless. Most adult blindly trust the words of other adults and the law, and tend to ignore or dismiss the kids. The kids are always the ones to almost immediately see through count Olaf's ridiculous disguises and schemes. The kids also always have to handle everything themselves since they can't trust the adults. 

The art style and illustrations on the covers and in the books are beautiful and interesting. You can often find foreshadowing in the last illustrations on what is going to happen in the next book.

[nostalgicreading]

Yet another pair of kids forced to fight their family's battles

Title: Ondvinter (A rough translation would be “evil winter”, since it has not been translated to english)

Author: Anders Björkelid

Genre: Fantasy

Publication year: 2009

Main character: Sunia and Wulf are a couple of 13 year old twins living with their father in a small village. The twins have always had a special bond, they can feel what the other one is feeling. They discover early on that they looks nothing like the other people in the village. Time leaves no mark on their faces, and there is something ancient about their appearance; something beyond this realm. They know nothing of their family's, or their peoples dark history. 

Story: The first of 4 book begins with the twins accidentally catching a goblin. In exchange for setting in free, the goblin gives them a dark prophecy that will soon come true. The twins are quickly dragged into an ancient conflict they have no knowledge about. It all begins with a stranger coming to the farm, speaking a language with their father that they don´t know. A strange cold lingers in the village, big wolf prints are seen around the farm, and strange men are seen in the forest. A while after, their father leaves to hunt, but when he comes back, he’s dying. The twins are forced to flee from their home, hunted by the men who killed their father. They soon learn that they belong to a strange kind of people, bound by tradition and the rhythm, linked by blood. 

Reading experience: Fantasy is one of my favorite genres. This specific series is a fantasy based on northern mythology and folktales, which makes it more familiar and lovable for me at least. It uses a “we”-perspective for a big part of the book, which is an interesting choice and fitting due to the fact that the main characters are so close that they almost think like one.

The best way to explain what “ondvinter” is in the books, is to say it’s kinda like a mix of depression and brainwashing. “Ondvinter” has a cold that pierces people's hearts and minds, and you never know who’s been infected, who you can trust, or who isn't yet under the winter kings control.

Something that terrified me as a kid reading this book were the strange men, or “galgmän” as they are called in the books. I don´t know if there are any good translations, but they were basically supernatural humans who walked around with a noose to strangle people with. Once they put the noose around your neck, I didn´t matter if you got out of it, they could still strangle you. Only way to be free is to kill them. They terrified me as a kid, and it was creepy to read about the characters escaping the noose, but skill gasping for air; visible rope marks on their necks. They were also hard to kill since they had some sort of blood power, similar to blood bending in “the last air-bender”. You can stab them as much as you want, they will just keep that blood on the inside. 

I think the first book does a good job setting up the following books in the series. I think it's that that it never spread to other countries outside of the Nordics. It’s a genuinely good dark and creepy fantasy series. It can get confusing at times and it does have old language since it’s supposed to take place a long time ago, but it’s still a fun read. It also has cool illustrations at the beginning of each chapter.

[nostalgicreading]

Literal child murder

Title: The hunger games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Genre: Science fiction, dystopian, 

Publication year: 2008

Main character: Katniss Everdeen is a 16 year old girl living in the 12th district, the coal-mining district and also the poorest, with her mother and younger sister. Their family have been struggling and almost starving many times ever since Katniss father died in a mining accident. To feed her family, she uses her skills in archery and hunting, that her father taught her, and ventures beyond the districts limits into the forest to find food. All her hardships have made her a survivor, ready to go through almost anything to preserve herself and her family. She will protect the people she loves, no matter the cost to herself. 

Story: The story takes place in the post apocalyptic nation of Panem. The country consists of a wealthy capitol city surrounded by 12, originally 13, district in varying states of poverty. Panem host an annual gladiator-like hunger games where the capitol forces every district to send one male and one female representative, tributes, between the ages 12-18 to fight to the death on live TV. The tributes are chosen through a lottery, since no one would volunteer by their own free will. This is a punishment for past rebellion, which also lead to the 13th district being destroyed.

In the 74th hunger game, Katniss younger sister is chosen as the female representative, which leads to Katniss immediately volunteering to take her sister place. Katniss is chosen together with a boy she once went to school with and who once gave her bread when she was starving. Together they are prepared to do anything to survive, even with the knowledge that there can only be one survivor. 

Reading experience: Something I like about this series is that it does have romance and a love triangle, but it doesn't overpower the story. They don't stand in the middle of the battlefield, bombs going off, bullets flying through the air, confronting each other about their feelings and demanding an answer right that second. It's a survivalist story with smart characters who actually try to survive. Even if I'm sometimes a sucker for romance, I do also appreciate some good old action and smart characters. 

I don't think I truly understood the situation all these kids where in the first time I read the book as a kid/young teen. My main focus was on Katniss and Peeta's interesting relationship and the love triangle, and hoping all the mean, viscous, murderous kids would die. A small part of me also hoped all the good kids would live, but that was only wishful thinking since I knew there could only be one winner. It's not often a book has you cheering for a child to murder another child.  

Katniss and Peeta's relationship interested me since it was apparent they had genuine feelings for each other, but they had a hard time expressing these feelings since their whole relationship became a sort of act to get them supporters and give them a better chance of survival. They both question if they truly do like each other, or if it's just a ploy. They also have a hard time trusting the other since their act could also be a part of their strategy to win. Just like Katniss, you do question Peetas intentions with his kindness and love declarations, but you do also hope that it’s genuine and not a murder plot. 

Reading the book, it also surprised me just how violent and murderous the kids are. I really hated all the “evil” kids the first time I read it, but now, I don't hate them as much. It's easier to “justifie” Katniss murders since we hear her side of the story and her train of thought. She doesn't want to kill or hurt anyone, but have to so she can live. The book does do a good job of humanizing all the kids despite their murderous tendencies in the game. They all just want to live. But I will admit that some are creepy with the way they seem to enjoy the murder.

This game has been going on for about three generations. Everyone is well aware by now what the game is and what it takes to survive. It's still super creepy to read about these literal kids who are 100% down to murdering each other in cold blood, but that's what it takes to win. There can only be one, and you can’t afford to let your feelings get in the way. It gets a little extra creepy due to the fact that this game makes kids between 12-18 years old fight to the death, and the capitol seems to be enjoying it a bit too much. Literal kids are murdered during this game. This book does NOT shy away from the child murder.

[nostalgicreading]

Death narrates a coming of age story in Nazi Germany during WW2

Title: The book thief

Author: Markus Zusak

Genre: Historical fiction

Publication year: 2005

Main character: Liesel Meminger is at the start of the book a 9 year old girl living with her foster parents after losing her biological parents and younger brother. She starts of very defensive and has a hard time trusting people and letting herself be vulnerable. After some time with her new family and friends though, she learns to open up and allow herself to care for others and express her feelings. This leads to her developing a strong sense of justice and a fighter's spirit; ready to stick up for herself and others. Through the books she steal, read, and write, she becomes more of a critical thinker, realizing the power of language as a weapon and as a tool. 

Story: The story is narrated by death and follows Liesel as she comes of age in nazi Germany during WW2. She never knew her father, her mother disappeared after leaving her with her foster parents, and her brother died on the train ride to said foster parents. Her foster parents, Hans, a laid back man with a strong sense of justice, and Rosa, a woman with a tough exterior, but a soft center, are poor. They get a small amount of money for taking Liesel in, but are still struggling. This doesn´t stop them from trying to be good parents to Liesel in the harsh times they live in.

Liesel's book journey starts with a book she found by her brothers grave, and later learning to read with help from her foster father. She begins to steal books from where she can find them, like nazi book-burnings and the mayors wife's library. Her foster parents later also take in and hide a young jewish man, Max, that Liesel forms a close bond with.

Reading experience: I think the thing that attracted teenage me to this book was the obvious book theme; the presentation of books and their words as something powerful, and important tool, and a dangerous weapon. I’ve always loved reading and have done it much, so this sort of perspective of reading has always intrigued me. I usually strongly dislike sad stories, but this book really got me invested in the characters and their lives. 

The way they portray death is also one of my favorite characterizations of death/the grim reaper. I’ve always preferred the portrayal of death/the grim reaper as a gentle and kind guide to the afterlife, and not a cruel monster who drags people to hell. 

The foster parents also reminded me a lot of my own grandparents on my father's side. My grandpa was always the laid back, quiet one, while my grandma was the hot blooded, loud one who always did things her way and would bend over backwards for her kids and grandkids. She was a lot like Marie from “Everybody loves Raymond”, but german. She also played accordion, like the foster dad in the book, and taught almost all of her grandkids how to play the instrument. My youngest cousin on my father's side, who is a year older than my sister, was the last grandchild she properly taught before she became sick and passed. All me and my sister could play was three notes in a sort of waltz like melody. 

This book isn't for everyone. It does have an unusual way of telling its story that many are put of by, and the story itself is a heartbreaking one, but I didn't mind the way it was written and thought the story was bittersweet. It obviously has devastatingly sad moments with the time and place it plays out in, but it also has some happy and heartwarming ones (but mostly sad ones that will make you cry). It’s a good read, but read at your own risk. 

On a lighter note, this book taught me some german swears, which annoyed my german teacher. Liesel's fascination and stealing of books also now remind me of a historical person, Gustaf Klemming, a swedish librarian known to steal books. My initial fondness of Liesel might explain my later fascination with Klemming and all his weird antics.

[nostalgicreading]

Magic boy fights monsters and gender roles

Title: The witch boy

Author: Molly Knox Ostertag

Genre: Graphic novel, fantasy

Publication year: 2017

Main character: Aster is a 13 year old boy from a magical family where girls are raised to be witches and boys are raised to be shapeshifters. It's forbidden to do the others magic and defying this rule can lead to exile. Aster still hasn't shifted and can't seem get a hang of shapeshifting. He is much more interested in witchcraft and has an easier time performing that kind of magic. This leads to him being a kind of outcast in his own family.

Story: Aster lives with his parents, sister, grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins in a big house in the forest, hidden away from the “normal” world. The first of 3 books follow Aster as he struggles with his magic. All his other male cousins have found their shape, but it just doesn't work for him. Instead, he spends his days eavesdropping on the girls classes and tries to teach himself witchcraft. His family is well aware of this and tries hard to discourage him, without much success. One night during a shapeshifting class, one of the boys disappear. Aster knows he can help in the search for the boy with the witchcraft he's been learning; if they would only let him.

Reading experience: Unlike the other books I have written about, I don't have a long history with this graphic novel series. I encountered it the first time only a couple of years ago when me and my sister decided to hang in the library in our home town. We have both always been interested in witchcraft and magic, so that was the first thing that caught our attention. The second thing was the beautiful art style and cute character design. These two factors had already peaked our interest, but the story was what really made us fall in love with it. 

The series has cool magic, diverse characters, and beautiful art. It’s a fun story that challenges gender roles and societal expectations in a creative way. It really only pushes one gender role, the magic, but other than that, everyone is allowed to be who they are. The other boys to tease and bully Aster for not being able to shift, which is bad, but they don't bully him for his looks or how he acts. Other than the magic, he is allowed to be who he is. 

Aster also has a pretty cute friendship with a non magical girl, Charlie, from the “normal” world. They obviously love, admire, and support each other a lot, but there are no romantic undertones. They are very comfortable with each other and even fight together as a team. This kind of friendship isn't often seen in books and movies, so it’s nice and refreshing to see it her. Just a boy and a girl having fun, being supportive best friends, and fighting demons together.

It's a really charming story and I am happy the library bought it so more people could read it.

[nostalgicreading]

I just heard it from another person and I can't believe I missed that D: Yet another reason to read it and love it. <3

12 year old criminal mastermind is dumb enough to kidnap a magical elf cop and start a war with gun wielding magical creatures.

Title: Artemis Fowl

Author: Eoin Colfer

Genre: Fantasy, science fiction

Publication year: 2001

Main character: Artemis Fowl II is a 12 year old criminal mastermind. He comes from a long line of criminals and took over the family business after his dad disappeared and his mom went insane. He is cold, cynical, manipulative, and willing to go far to get what he wants. Due to his upbringing, and being forced to grow up and take over the business, he is very socially awkward. He also lacks athletic ability, and his only friend is his bodyguard, who is one of few he truly trusts. 

Story: The first of 8 books follows Artemis Fowl II as he discovers an underground world populated by high-tech, armed, and dangerous fairies. In an effort to try and restore the family fortune, Artemis decides to kidnap one of the fairies, with some help from his bodyguard, and demand a ransom. He decides to kidnap Holly Short, a captain of the Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance force (LEPRecon), which leads to a war between him and the fairy society. 

Reading experience: The thing that first dragged me in about this book was just how absurde the premise was. A 12-year old genius, who constantly wears suits, starts a war with gun wielding magical creatures over gold. It was too funny to not read. First time reading it as a kid, I got dragged into the action and thought the fairies were so cool and their society was intriguing with its mix of magic and technology. I’ve always had a bad sense of humor, so the mental image of a fairy with a gun was hilarious to me both then and now. 

The war between Artemis and the fairy society interested me with the way they showed both sides trying to outsmart the other. It kept escalating with the fairies trying harder and harder to get into Artemis mansion and break Holly free, and Artemis trying to keep Holly locked up and stay two steps ahead of the fairies. It’s a surprisingly balanced battle between a 12 year old boy and his bodyguard, and the magical elf police.

Artemis as a character also intrigued me. He is very much the bad guy of the story, but you can’t help but to root for him. He does do bad things and is shown to be ruthless in his manipulations to get what he wants, but he also has a kind of charm that you can only find in spoiled brat geniuses who are just so full of themselves. Part of the fun is to see him outside his element, struggling, like climbing a latter or doing any activity that makes one sweat, or being put in his place by other character who are annoyed by him. His journey of self improvement start in the first book and continue throughout the series, and it’s a fun story to follow. 

Reading it a second time, you feel a little bad for Artemis. As said before, he is very much the bad guy in the story, but he is also just a kid and very much the product of his family’s business. He technically lost both his parents at around age 9, with his father missing, presumed dead, and his mom going insane following her husband’s disappearance to the point where she doesn’t even recognize her own son. The only adult and parental figure Artemis has after that is his bodyguard who has been him his whole life. Artemis was forced to grow up and take over the family business at age 11, basically tasked to save it since his father’s shady investments, which led to his disappearance, has put the fortune in jeopardy. He might be a genius, but that is still a lot to put on a literal child. 

All of this does not excuse or vindicate his actions, but you still feel bad for him and hope that things turn out alright in the end. 

The book doesn’t have any illustrations, but it has cool symbols on the bottom of the pages, all unique patterns. 

I started reading it again since there is an upcoming movie based on the books that everyone seems to hate. All the talk about Disney making our rich trash boy a decent human being has made me miss him.

[nostalgicreading]

Girl who has prepared her whole life to live on the earth's surface, is not prepared to live on the earth's surface.

Title: The search for WondLa

Author: Tony DiTerlizzi

Genre: Science fiction

Publication year: 2010

Main character: Eva Nine is a 12 years old girl who has lived her whole life in an underground sanctuary with a robot named Muthr. She has trained her whole life to live on the surface and her biggest dream is to meet another human being. Eva has never been outside and only know about the outside world through holograms, simulations and a burn piece of cardboard scrap that has a girl, and adult, a robot and the letter “Wond La” on it. 

Story: The first of three books follows Eva Nine as she is forced to flee her underground home as it's being attacked. She has prepared to live on the surface her whole life, but has never actually seen it. When she gets to the surface she quickly discovers that the world she has entered looks nothing like earth, and that she seems to be the only human on this strange planet. Alone, scared, and hunted by the creature that destroyed her home, she tries to survive in this new weird world while searching for another underground bunker and other humans. All that she has with her is her omnipod, a device with survival information, and her only proof of other humans, a burnt scrap of cardboard with a girl, an adult, a robot, and the letter WondLa on it.

Reading experience: First time I read it was with a friend when it was first published in Sweden. I have always loved thick books since they have so much more to say, and I found the illustrations on the cover and in the book mesmerizing. Me and my friend started a small book club around this specific book and read it chapter by chapter, taking small break now and then to discuss and gush over how much we loved the book. I absolutely fell in love with the book and its characters, world building, and everything. All the beautiful illustrations in the book at the start of every part, every chapter, and sometimes a little one on a page, fascinated me and further emerged me in the story. The well written words and the beautiful illustrations painted a beautiful picture of the story.

I haven't come around it to re-reading it yet, since I am already re-reading so many other book series at the moment and have many other unread books to get to, but I will get to it one day. Even if I haven't read it in I while, I still sometimes just look at the pictures and remember the story and the person I was while reading it, how it fascinated me. I was thrilled to see two more books come out the following years with equally compelling stories to tell, and illustrations to gawk at. 

As a kid, Eva Nines hair made me extremely jealous. It still does. I also want to have super much hair that I can put in many fancy braids. But long hair is annoying to care for, so I don't have it. 

Also, one of the friends that Eva Nine makes a long the way really remind me of Appa from The last air bender. Otto, a giant tardigrade, does not fly, but he doesn't launch himself long distances with the help of his tail. And he's just generally a gentle giant.

[nostalgicreading]

12 year old criminal mastermind is dumb enough to kidnap a magical elf cop and start a war with gun wielding magical creatures.

Title: Artemis Fowl

Author: Eoin Colfer

Genre: Fantasy, science fiction

Publication year: 2001

Main character: Artemis Fowl II is a 12 year old criminal mastermind. He comes from a long line of criminals and took over the family business after his dad disappeared and his mom went insane. He is cold, cynical, manipulative, and willing to go far to get what he wants. Due to his upbringing, and being forced to grow up and take over the business, he is very socially awkward. He also lacks athletic ability, and his only friend is his bodyguard, who is one of few he truly trusts. 

Story: The first of 8 books follows Artemis Fowl II as he discovers an underground world populated by high-tech, armed, and dangerous fairies. In an effort to try and restore the family fortune, Artemis decides to kidnap one of the fairies, with some help from his bodyguard, and demand a ransom. He decides to kidnap Holly Short, a captain of the Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance force (LEPRecon), which leads to a war between him and the fairy society. 

Reading experience: The thing that first dragged me in about this book was just how absurde the premise was. A 12-year old genius, who constantly wears suits, starts a war with gun wielding magical creatures over gold. It was too funny to not read. First time reading it as a kid, I got dragged into the action and thought the fairies were so cool and their society was intriguing with its mix of magic and technology. I’ve always had a bad sense of humor, so the mental image of a fairy with a gun was hilarious to me both then and now. 

The war between Artemis and the fairy society interested me with the way they showed both sides trying to outsmart the other. It kept escalating with the fairies trying harder and harder to get into Artemis mansion and break Holly free, and Artemis trying to keep Holly locked up and stay two steps ahead of the fairies. It's a surprisingly balanced battle between a 12 year old boy and his bodyguard, and the magical elf police.

Artemis as a character also intrigued me. He is very much the bad guy of the story, but you can't help but to root for him. He does do bad things and is shown to be ruthless in his manipulations to get what he wants, but he also has a kind of charm that you can only find in spoiled brat geniuses who are just so full of themselves. Part of the fun is to see him outside his element, struggling, like climbing a latter or doing any activity that makes one sweat, or being put in his place by other character who are annoyed by him. His journey of self improvement start in the first book and continue throughout the series, and it’s a fun story to follow. 

Reading it a second time, you feel a little bad for Artemis. As said before, he is very much the bad guy in the story, but he is also just a kid and very much the product of his family's business. He technically lost both his parents at around age 9, with his father missing, presumed dead, and his mom going insane following her husband's disappearance to the point where she doesn't even recognize her own son. The only adult and parental figure Artemis has after that is his bodyguard who has been him his whole life. Artemis was forced to grow up and take over the family business at age 11, basically tasked to save it since his father's shady investments, which led to his disappearance, has put the fortune in jeopardy. He might be a genius, but that is still a lot to put on a literal child. 

All of this does not excuse or vindicate his actions, but you still feel bad for him and hope that things turn out alright in the end. 

The book doesn’t have any illustrations, but it has cool symbols on the bottom of the pages, all unique patterns. 

I started reading it again since there is an upcoming movie based on the books that everyone seems to hate. All the talk about Disney making our rich trash boy a decent human being has made me miss him.

[nostalgicreading]

Small viking is happy doing the bare minimum to get through life, universe says no, gives him the chiwawa version of a dragon, and makes him a hero

Title: How to train your dragon

Author: Cressida Cowell

Genre: Fantasy, young adult fiction

Publication year: 2003

Main character: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third, a small and scrawny viking boy who’s a clever self taught dragon expert and dragon whisperer. He is the only son of the viking chief and thus the heir to the Hairy Hooligan Tribe, even though no one has much faith in him. He has no desire to be something special and is happy being ordinary and just doing the bare minimum to get through life, which is too bad since the universe has bigger plans for him. Most importantly, he has a good heart and would do anything to help people in need.

Story: There are 12 books in the series, but the first book is about Hiccup, and the other boys in the viking tribe, capturing and training dragons as a part of a traditional rite of passage that will determine if they will become full fledged members of the tribe, or be exiled. Hiccup manages to catch a dragon that he names toothless, a small, arrogant, whiny, and as the name implies, toothless dragon. He attempts to train him through his own methods that he has developed during his dragon studies, instead of the classical method of just screaming at the dragon. All he wants to do is pass the rite of passage, become a part of the tribe, and not disappoint his father, but as previously stated, the universe has bigger plans for him. 

Reading experience: First time I encountered this story was as an audio book. I got it a Christmas many years ago and listened to it everyday for nearly a decade, on long car rides, when I was playing in my room, and every night before going to sleep. I loved it so much and thought it was hilarious. It had its gross and bloody moments, but I still really liked it. There are still many jokes and quotes that both me and my family laughs at to this day. The illustrations aren't masterpieces, but they fit the book very well and gives it some personality. 

I recently decided to re-read the series since I never finished it when I was younger. It’s obviously for younger readers, but I still really like it and find it funny as an adult. I now also really identify myself with Hiccup just wanting to pass, not needing to be special, just being and doing enough to pass. It was funny when I was a kid and it's still funny as an adult, but it hits differently now. 

This revisit of an old friend has awoken so many memories and given me new appreciation for it. Even when I read it as a physical book, since I no longer own a CD player, I can still hear the storytellers telling the story, doing the different voices, singing, and really putting his all in it. Despite the audio book being in swedish and the book being in english, I memorized the audio book so well that I hear it when I read.

I have always loved magical being, especially dragon and I think this book series is a big reason why. It really peaked my interest in the fascinating creature and made me want more. It will always have a special place in my heart.