Penny Haywood x MC- The way I see you
Game: Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery
A/N: This takes place in a universe where Bea didn't get snatched by the portrait curse and had a normal year
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A pair of beautiful blue eyes slowly opened and blinked a couple of times to adjust to the light of a new day
These were the eyes of someone who had just woken up in a mess of blonde hair and still managed to look so cute despite not being properly dressed
Making her way through the sheets, the young Hufflepuff sat on her bed, yawning and stretching when her mind brought her the sudden reminder
This was the day she was craving for
A big smile appeared on her face the minute this realization hit her
You see, this day marked the second year of Penny Haywood's formal relationship with Y/N L/N
Well, as formal as a relationship in Hogwarts can be
And speaking of, there was an object in her nightstand, something that's not supposed to be there normally
The blonde looked at the novelty in her piece and discovered a cupcake made of her favorite flavor with a small note attached to it
"To start your day the way you like it"
In order to contain her excitement, Penny grabbed her pillow and muffled her happy screams in it. Thankfully, not many were around to hear it anyway
She knew exactly who had left this gift. This day was already proving to be brilliant
Without further due, she changed into her robes and did her hair, taking less than a minute to do her iconic braids. So many times she had done them, it just came to her naturally
And so, she walked off to the common room, where she saw the house ghost looking at the plants
"Good morning, Friar"
The ghost turned around to look at her, a smile immediately appearing
"Good morning, miss Haywood. I trust you had a good sleep?"
She nodded eagerly, that's when the friar noticed the pastry in her hands
"Is that from who I think it is?"
She raised the object so her friend could get a better look at the freshly baked object
"It is! Today's the day"
A joyful laugh came from the Friar upon hearing the news
"Then allow me to congratulate you on your second year together! You two are the purest couple I've seen in decades"
Haywood found herself flattered by this comment. However, it wasn't the only one of its kind
Practically all of Hogwarts cheered on the two of them, some going as far as to call them the "power couple" of Hogwarts. It was funny how easy they warmed up to Y/N after being saved a couple of times
Some others were insistent that they could be a better suitor for Penny, or that hanging out with curse breaker would only result in tragedy. While things did get interesting, every situation could be handled by their combined effort
With the help of their friends too, of course
"Well, if you want to know where your lover is, try looking at the courtyard"
"Will do, thanks, friar!"
With that, she left the common room and headed straight to the place suggested to her
Penny was excited, not only because this date meant a lot to her, but her curiosity was piqued. Her relationship with Y/N was unique, and as some sort of tradition, one of the two would give a present to the other
The first year was an enchanted bracelet that Penny gifted Y/N that would bond them even at the distance. This year, however, the curse breaker insisted on being the one that gave her something, and judging by the way they talked about it, it would be incredible
Walking down one of the halls, the young Haywood was met by her sister, Bea
"I see you finally woke up! Thought I'd have to call Tonks to set up a prank on you"
"Good morning to you too, Bea"
They shared a laugh as they kept walking. Bea had just started her year at the school but she was adapting surprisingly well
While the Haywoods made their way to the courtyard, memories began to flood Penny's sweet mind
Memories of the night it all began, the Celestial Ball. Y/N agreed on setting up the dance and chose Penny to be their date for it
Little did she know, they had a surprise for her at the event. Gifting her a necklace, the star of Hogwarts asked her to be their partner in front of the people at the party
She almost teared up at the question, but it was a yes ultimately. Everyone cheered at this and the dance that followed was just as breathtaking
The sound of music and chatter brought Penny back to reality, seeing as they had reached their destination. However, her eyes sparkled when she found a certain someone not far away from her
"There you are!"
When they heard her voice, they welcomed her with open eyes
"Goldie! Good to see you!"
She ran towards her lover, who caught her in a hug and even spun them around in a playful manner
All the while, the other person that was with Y/N used a spell to conceal something. Bea saw what it was, but agreed to "look away"
"Tou liked the cupcake?"
"I loved it! Thank you so much"
She gave them a tender kiss on the cheek before breaking the hug to see what was Y/N doing in the courtyard. That's when she spotted an unusual figure there as well
"Badeea? Good to see you" she received a gentle smile from her
"Likewise, Penny, and congratulations"
She smiled and then gave her lover a curious look
"What are you doing here?"
"We're... "
They stopped to look at Badeea in hopes of getting some help, but she just shrugged
"...Working on something important. It's for later!"
"Can I see?"
Without losing their smile, Y/N shook their head
"I said it's for later, Penny. You'll have to wait"
A saddened Penny tried her best to bribe Y/N into confessing by making puppy eyes. It almost worked, if not for another voice to join the scene
One could argue that the whole scene was saved by...Tonks
"Finally, we were looking for you!"
The voice came from the pink-haired girl, who was accompanied by Tulip, both glad to see their blonde friend
This sudden change made Penny drop her act to welcome heir friends
"Girls? What can I help you with?"
"We need your help to choose some ingredients!
"Ingredients for what?"
"For a prank, of course!" Tulip chimes in
"Did we mention there is a discount on potion-making equipment?"
Upon hearing Tonks's words, Penny's eyes went bright like a kid in a candy shop
However, as good as this offer was, the memory of her agenda came back to haunt her
"It's tempting..."
Then, she looked back at her lover with a saddened smile
"But I wanted to spend the day with Y/N"
While the curse breaker was touched by this heartwarming statement, they smiled tenderly at her while putting a hand on her shoulder
"Oh Penny, don't worry, I'll be waiting for you!"
"Are you sure?"
She got a nod from them
"Just promise to have fun"
Penny was surprised by their attitude, but she appreciated that she wouldn't have to choose, so she approached them and gave them a quick peck on the lips
"You're the best"
With that, she walked out of the courtyard along with Tonks, Beatrice, and Tulip. All while Y/N waved them goodbye
Once they were out of sight, however, the kind smile turned into a sigh as they turned back and made the object reappear
"What do you think? Is it ready?" He asked Badeea
She approached it and inspected closely, with her hand on her chin
"I think it's almost done! Just cast the spell and then we wait for it to take effect"
They nodded and with their hand at the ready
"Capillum fluit"
Then, something started to move within the object, a graceful wave that was almost hypnotic
" It's beautiful, brilliant job, Y/N!" Badeea clapped
"Thank you!"
Y/N took one last look at this, their proudest achievement yet, aside from solving the vaults
"I just hope she likes it just as much"
...
Meanwhile, at Hogsmeade, Penny walked in the company of her sister, Tulip, and Tonks, the latter being the guide
"So, what prank are you going to pull?"
Penny asked deciding to break the ice. This question made Tulip and Tonks look at each other before nodding
"That may or may not be a lie, Penny" The redhead started
"We do need your help, but it's something much more akin to your expertise as a potion-maker!" Tonks added
They stopped to give Penny a small piece of paper containing a colorful add
"See, we heard that Honeydukes having a competition"
"It's to encourage students, but the reward sure is something!"
"What is it?" Bea inquired
"Six months' worth of chocolate frogs!"
There were gasps after hearing that. Those were some of the best treats Honeydukes had to offer! There would be more than enough to share with their friends
Penny looked away from the piece of paper and now focused on Tonks, with that determined look on her face
"And what do we have to do?"
Hearing this earned a smile from the girls, Bea even cheered a bit to see her big sister on board for this
"The team that creates the potion that smells the sweetest wins!"
"That's where you come in, you get to be our brilliant leader!"
"I don't know Tulip, I-"
"Too late! We've arrived!"
The sound of a nearby crowd ended the conversation. Those must be the other participants
Penny froze for a second, looking at all those people competing to get the same reward. She had won intern tournaments, but this was something else entirely
Then, she felt her robes being tugged, the cause being her younger sister
"Come on, it will be fun! Plus I want to see you in action"
"I...I don't know if I can do this"
" You're Penny Haywood! You knew most potions before they even taught them!
"Girl, you know how to do most of them on your sleep!"
"See? You got this, sister!"
The way the girls talked about her made Penny's cheeks turn red. Of course, she had received compliments before, but they just sounded so confident in this, even made it sound like it would be a walk in the park for her
It was true that she was one of the most proficient at school. Perhaps it would translate well into this competition?
Who knows, but it was an idea worth entertaining
"... alright, let's do this"
The girls cheered in unison before taking Penny to them to register their team for the upcoming challenge
Tonks got them a place in the contest, the last one available. While still unsure of this decision as the teams were announced, the blonde saw the look other people were giving her
Some seemed to recognize and were in awe, some others saw her as a rival to be dealt with. It was just like Hogwarts
So she would handle it as such
As soon as the competition started, Penny started barking orders to her teammates, making sure they understood what they were doing and most importantly, cheering on them
And so It begun, Tonks gathered the ingredients while trying her best not to drop any of them on accident
Tulip kept assisting Penny in the process of making the bomb. It was new for her, making something that wasn't intended to smell putrid
Bea followed in her sister's footsteps and acted as some sort of cheerleader while also assisting where needed...also keeping Tonks away from fragile things
While listening to what she was saying and how she was encouraging her teammates to do their best, one could see the indirect influence of a certain curse breaker
They were, after all, the most convincing person at Hogwarts. Who else could convince a student to fight a bloody troll?
After thirty minutes, the alarm sounded, echoing through the establishment and forced everyone to stop what they were doing, but it also gave everyone a chance to catch their breath after such an exhausting experience
The judge approached every team and smelled every potion until he reached the girls' stand and took their potion. His expression changed for the better when he smelled it, he raised the vial and proudly proclaimed
"Everyone, I think we have a winner!"
They gasped when they heard that, they couldn't believe that their team effort had taken them that far. Claps from the other competitors and the crowds of spectators came their way
"We...we won..."
Penny stood breathless, adjusting to the news when she was suddenly hugged by Bea, then Tonks and sure enough, Tulip
"All thanks to our brilliant leader!" Stated her sister
"Thank you so much for your help, Penny!" Added the metamorhmagus
"Bringing you here was the best decision by far!" Tulip admitted as well
They hugged her as if they were a Quidditch team embracing their most important player after winning the finals. To think that it wouldn't have been like that if she hadn't chosen to tag along in the cursed vaults
Penny knew she was lucky to have so many true friends, and she hugged them back like so
After having their photograph taken, the announcer approached them and gave them a certificate that would serve as a trophy for them, but also ensure that they would get their prize.
Shortly after, they celebrated their victory at the Three Broomsticks, the first round being courtesy of Madam Rosmerta
It had been so much fun, it was so easy to forget that the group had spent two and a half hours away from Hogwarts
Tonks suggested going back to Hogwarts to make sure nothing would happen to the certificate, but that Penny would keep it since she had led the team to a smashing victory
And so, they boarded the train back to their welcoming school, chatting as they traveled
When they entered the main hall, however, the atmosphere drastically changed
"This way, hurry!"
Badeea's shaky voice echoed through the hall, catching the girls by surprise
Then, the artist herself came rushing at them with a worried look to her, and behind her, was Y/N being practically dragged by her
They rushed past the group, without even stopping to talk, but straight out the doors and out of Hogwarts, leaving the four students beyond astonished
Penny wasn't surprised to see that, Y/N would get into an adventure without even looking for one
What surprised her was the fact that they were holding hands
It wasn't that big of a deal
Right?
It was just Y/N hanging out with Badeea and solving something
Like the past three months that they've spent together working on something that she couldn't see
Again
"That was... unexpected" Tonks was the first one to break the silence
"Should we follow them?" Bea asked, preparing herself for another adventure
Tulip shook her head in disagreement
"I didn't even see where they went"
But then, they noticed the silent blonde, who stared at the door longingly
"Penny, are you alright?"
"I...I don't know. I was expecting Y/N to at least say hi."
The pink-haired girl then wrapped her arm around her
"You know how it is with Y/N, sometimes they have to go and save everyone with just seconds of anticipation"
"You're right..." A sigh followed this reply
"Don't be sad, sis, I'm sure Y/N will have something for you!"
"And we'll stand by you until they come back"
Tulip stood proudly in front of her, making the others nod in agreement. Penny couldn't help but smile at this display
"Thank you, girls"
And so they sat at the staircase, already chatting to find a way to keep themselves entertained in the meantime
It wouldn't be long before Y/N returned, right?
...wrong
Four hours later
Tonks had fallen asleep, Tulip was casting sparks of the top of her wand to keep herself entertained and Hagrid had asked Bea for her help with some Puffskeins
"Yeah, until they come back..." Penny whispered
Her voice made Tulip sit up, finally listening to something after so much silence. Wonder where everyone was at this time
"You know Tulip, you can go now if you wish, I don't want to keep you waiting here all night with me."
"Are you sure? It's not a problem"
She got a nod from the saddened blonde
"Yes, don't worry about--"
That's when the doors were heard again and this time, it was loud enough to wake Tonks up and make the rest of them stand up and at this person
It was Y/N, with their clothes dirty and tattered, scratches all over them, and even some small cuts
Penny hated a few things. Being late to a class, werewolves, and above all, seeing Y/N like that
"Hello, girls" Y/N smiled with whatever energy they had left
"What happened to you?" Tulip asked directly
"I... It's a long story. Do you mind if I steal Penny?"
This caught the Hufflepuff by surprise. Now they wanted to see her?
Their friends gave her a thumbs up and sighing, Penny looked back at Y/N
"Yes?"
"I need to show you something"
Y/N took their hand and tried to move but was stopped by Penny herself
"No, you need to tell me what happened with Badeea and to you"
"I will, but in private. Please"
They locked eyes for a moment, her stern gaze couldn't hold against Y/N's subtly pleading eyes and that simile, that smile she couldn't deny
"...fine"
So she allowed herself to be taken away by Y/N. She was a bit mad because Badeea took them away, and by the hand nonetheless
It didn't help that they frequented each other quite a lot recently
But also because they were away for so long. Penny at least remembered she had something special today
But her thoughts were met with a heartwarming reveal. It was Y/N's bracelet, the one gift she had given him
As they were holding hands, she could get a clear view of it. Despite Y/N's roughed look, this accessory still looked as good
It was as if it had been enchanted with a protective spell every day
This didn't align with her theories, why would Y/N keep it and take care of it so dearly if they were with the other girl so much
The doors of the secret room took Penny out of her thoughts and by the time she knew it, she was in that special room that Y/N's brother used as a headquarter before disappearing
Y/N themselves would use it whenever they needed to review something in private
However, they had changed quite a few things. They organized the notes that were just scattered all over the floor and even managed to sneak in a bed for those times that they were too tired to reach the common room
Once they were in the area, Y/N let go of her hand to stand in front of Penny, scratching the back of their neck
"First, I'm incredibly sorry I arrived so late here"
"I'm sure there is quite a story behind that" The blonde answered with her arms crossed
"There is, but first, I want to show you this"
Y/N took a couple of steps back and turned towards something covered in a gray cloth
"I've done a few brilliant things in my time here, but this one is my favorite one by far"
They grabbed the cloth and removed it to reveal a portrait of Penny herself, enchanted so that her beautiful blonde hair would continuously flow as if blessed by a gentle breeze
Her blue eyes sparkled with hope and her tender smile was enough to turn any bad day into a good one
Penny's eyes went wide and she covered her mouth when she saw this painting in front of her. She tried to study every detail of this sparkling portrait but found herself too distracted by the fact that she was looking at a depiction of herself
"You...you made this?"
She asked almost breathless. Y/N was eager to hear her voice again
"Yes, and that's when the story chimes in."
Penny moved her gaze slightly so that she was now looking at the curse breaker, without losing her shocked expression
"You see, Badeea offered to tutor me in this painting when I told her that I wanted to give you something big, that's why we spent so much time together, we even invented a spell for this specific portrait"
Then, Y/N sighed, recalling the next part of the story
"But then Peeves stole it and we ended up going to the Forbidden Forest to get it. I had to duel an Acromantula to get it and--"
Y/N found themselves unable to finish their story due to Penny's soft lips crashing into them, she even brought their head closer with her hands
Of course, they returned the kiss as soon as they were able to process what was going on
"You went through all of that trouble, just for me"
Penny thought out loud, in awe of what she had just heard. This boosted Y/N's confidence, and they moved her hair to the side while looking at her in the eye
"I...I wanted you to see yourself the way I do"
This time it was Y/N who leaned in for a kiss, getting a taste of her warm lips that just craved theirs
"Although I'm sad that it took all day to show you. There was so much I wanted to do"
The curse breaker admitted with a hint of shame, making Penny giggle. It was astounding how they could be incredibly confident to steal a kiss and then be as cute as a child just seconds later
Then Penny looked at the bed beside them, an idea immediately came to mind
"Well, we can always cuddle"
And cuddle they did. It was a good thing that they didn't have classes the next day, so they could spend a bit more time in each other's warm company
Penny Haywood had it all, beauty, intelligence, unrivaled charm, and yet, she couldn't help but feel like she was the lucky one
And as she snuggled against her lover's chest, she allowed herself to rest, knowing that even if she might fear from time to time that someone could take Y/N away from her...
...They would always find a way back, always
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Books Read In 2020: The Why
In a tradition I accidentally started for myself in 2016 and now quite enjoy, at the end of the year I look back at my reading list and answer the question, why did you read this particular book?
Below, my 100 reads of 2020 are split into groups by target readership age, plus nonfiction at the end, now with a bonus note about how I heard of it. Which I probably won’t continue to do next year, but it was fun to try.
ADULT FICTION
I read each of these books because...
A Glitter of Gold - Liz Johnson. 2019.
It had me at "her pirate tour business," but between the shipwreck & the museum-director love interest it was like BLOOD & TREASURE ROMANCE AU LET'S GOOO.
How I heard of it: a book blog
The Last Woman in the Forest - Diane Les Becquets. 2019.
Recommended by a dog lover; I'm down for a thriller about a woman who has a dream dog-inclusive job like this.
How I heard of it: a book blog
Good Omens - Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman. 1990.
I really enjoyed the miniseries and wanted to see if the book everyone loved so much was as good (for the record: it was not. at least not if you’ve seen the miniseries first; otherwise they are probably equal).
This Is Home - Lisa Duffy. 2019.
Attractive cover + I flipped it open to a random page and just liked the writing style.
How I heard of it: library
Dear Mr. Knightley - Katherine Reay. 2013.
I'd had this on the back burner for a while because the MC sounded like me, and one day I got sick of not being able to find any fluffy contemporary romances with beta male heroes and decided Matthew Gray Gubler was gonna star in this one. (spoiler alert: it is a good book but that did not work)
How I heard of it: a book blog
Rubbernecker - Belinda Bauer. 2013.
Criminal Minds sent me into a tailspin so I went hunting for books to cast Spencer Reid in again; the Asperger's/case-solving/difficult relationship with mother combo sounded promising. (spoiler alert: the med-student element + his social cluelessness proved too strong and I was only able to picture the kid from The Good Doctor)
How I heard of it: Googling keywords
The Swiss Affair - Emylia Hall. 2013.
I got a random hankering for a student/teacher novel, and after scrutinizing the library catalog this was the only one that fit my parameters for gender, lack of adultery, and focus on romance over sex.
How I heard of it: library
Love At First Bark - Debbie Burns. 2019.
I was trying to cast Wes/Jules [Dollface] in a romance novel, so I browsed through a Goodreads friend's "dog-romance" shelf and accidentally landed in a Jeid AU [Criminal Minds]. Which may or may not have been a large part of what turned me into a Jeid shipper (outside canon only).
The Mermaids Singing - Val McDermid. 1995.
One final attempt to cast Reid in a novel -- a user in a Reddit post asking for this very thing suggested this, and "profiler with idiosyncracies" certainly fit.
The Wire in the Blood [and 9 subsequent novels] - Val McDermid, spanning 1997-2019.
Turns out aside from being British, Reid paints onto Tony Hill EXCEPTIONALLY well, and I accidentally found myself with a little Jeid AU in the process, so obviously I read the entire series. Good crime-solving fun and all that.
Horse - Talley English. 2018.
Random library pull because I connected with the writing style and it appeared to actually focus on horses.
How I heard of it: library
A Sparkle of Silver - Liz Johnson. 2018.
I liked the author's other book and this was pretty much a remix of the same story, but now with a cool mansion/estate setting.
How I heard of it: looking up other books by this author
Everyone Is Beautiful - Katherine Center. 2009.
Went looking for stories about strong marriages, found this on a Goodreads list of "second chance marriage" books, tripped into something like a season 9 Jim/Pam scenario.
How I heard of it: Googling keywords
The Lost Husband - Katherine Center. 2013.
Loved the previous book of hers I read, and the "starting life over on a goat farm" angle sounded like an ideal life to try on.
How I heard of it: looking up more from this author
The Shadow Year - Hannah Richell. 2013.
Fixing up an old house?? I am THERE. Doing this in two timelines, one of which involves off-the-grid homesteading, is even better.
How I heard of it: used book sale
Mandrake Root - Janet Diebold. 1946.
I needed a non-library book to bring on vacation, and after spinning in circles over what I thought would appeal to my mood in that setting, my brain randomly said "reread this one."
How I heard of it: estate sale
Path of the Jaguar - Vickie Britton & Loretta Jackson. 1989.
Bought cheap for cheap thrills: a Yucatan adventure/mystery. Read now so I could get rid of it.
How I heard of it: library sale
Burying Water - K.A. Tucker. 2014.
The library didn't have The Simple Wild, but they DID have a book w/ an equally pretty cover that talked about a badly beaten young amnesiac (!) recovering on a horse farm (!!). What is: my top romance trope (hurt/comfort, bonus points for animals and rural setting).
How I heard of it: library
Happiness for Beginners - Katherine Center.
Established quality author + summertime hiking inspiration.
How I heard of it: looking up more from this author
The Visitors - Simon Sylvester.
Cool cover + setting, and a teenage protagonist usually makes adult fiction more accessible.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
Becoming Rain - K.A. Tucker. 2014.
I was in this companion novel solely for mentions of Alex and any people by the last name of Wells, but figured I might as well read all of it to ensure I didn't miss any.
How I heard of it: looking up more from this author
The Guest List - Lucy Foley. 2020.
Honestly, it just sounded like a cool thriller (and cool setting).
How I heard of it: a book blog
You Deserve Nothing - Alexander Maksik. 2011.
Fell down a Will/Rachel [Glee] rabbit hole and ravaged the student/teacher keyword in my library catalog again to scratch the itch.
The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson. 1959.
Mom's been trying to get me to read this for years, and this time when it came up in conversation it was the right time of year, so I randomly decided to give it a shot.
How I heard of it: Mom
The Walker in Shadows - Barbara Michaels. 1979.
Gothic ghost story + beautiful architectural details in a historic house = yeah!
How I heard of it: Goodwill
YOUNG ADULT
People Like Us - Dane Mele. 2018.
Needed an audiobook; a girls' boarding school murder mystery seemed most likely to hold my attention of the limited options.
How I heard of it: Library
The Possibility of Now - Kim Culbertson. 2016.
I will read anything by this author, and girl having a meltdown over a test = me.
How I heard of it: looking up other books by this author
Rob&Sara.com - P.J. Petersen & Ivy Ruckman. 2004.
Mostly I wanted to go back to my high school days and enjoy the format of a novel written in emails, but also, I like Ruckman.
How I heard of it: used book sale
For Real - Alison Cherry. 2014.
Fictional Amazing Race!! + awesome summery cover + sisters
How I heard of it: library sale
The Summer After You + Me - Jennifer Salvato Doktorski. 2015.
The awesome summery cover, mostly.
How I heard of it: a book blog
You'd Be Mine - Erin Hahn. 2019.
Gorgeous cover + the chance to vicariously follow a budding young country music star on tour for the summer.
How I heard of it: a book blog
Juniors - Kaui Hart Hemmings. 2015.
The neat setting(s): a live-in guest on a wealthy estate in Hawaii.
How I heard of it: Dollar store
Lion Boy's White Brother - Alden G. Stevens. 1951.
Bought cheap because vintage juvenile book in a unique setting. Read now to see if I could get rid of it (NOPE).
How I heard of it: used bookstore
The O.C.: Spring Break - Aury Wallington. 2005.
I keep meaning to finish this short series, and it was an easy title to count for my Mount TBR challenge.
How I heard of it: used book sale
Echo Island - Edward Karlow. 2017.
Bought cheap because of the beautiful summery cover; easy read for Mount TBR so I could get rid of it.
How I heard of it: library sale
Confessions of a High School Disaster - Emma Chastain. 2017.
Read because of THE SUPER CUTE SUMMERY COVER (and diary format).
How I heard of it: Dollar store
Kentucky Daughter - Carol J. Scott. 1985.
Working my way down the “Inappropriate Student/Teacher Relationships in YA" list because I'm in that kind of mood this year; chose this because 80s books tend to deliver the subject best*, the character reminded me of the girl in Send No Blessings, and Open Library had it.
*this one was just blatant sexual harassment, though, and belonged very literally on that list
How I heard of it: Goodreads
What They Always Tell Us - Martin Wilson. 2008.
I sorted the library catalog to see the oldest contemporary YA novels they still have before they get weeded, and "loner being taken under the wing of his older brother's (male) friend and falling in love with him" hit a couple of good tropes.
How I heard of it: library
Bobby's Watching - Ted Pickford. 1993.
Browsing around on OpenLibrary and saw they FINALLY had a copy of this book that scared me too much to finish as a kid, and which I've wanted to revisit ever since I remembered what it's called (Interlibrary Loan doesn't have it and it's Not Cheap to buy).
How I heard of it: library
Powwow Summer - Nahanni Shingoose. 2019.
Always interested in modern-day Indigenous girls connecting w/ their heritage, especially if they're from my home state's tribe.
How I heard of it: a book blog
The Princesses of Iowa - M. Molly Backes. 2012.
Appealing cover + heft suggesting a solid Midwestern contemporary, plus I liked the student teacher element (without a slash this time, as in "college student who is almost a teacher")
How I heard of it: library
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares. 2001.
The Second Summer of the Sisterhood - Ann Brashares. 2003.
Long-intended reread of a college fave because I wanted see Mike Vogel in the movie, and it was summer so the stars aligned. Continued because the first book was as good as I remembered. (I would have kept going but Life distracted me for a bit and by the time I was back on track, it was no longer summer)
How I heard of it: I...can't remember. Am the worst!
The Distance From Me To You - Marina Gessner a.k.a. Nina de Gramont. 2015.
Hiking inspiration + an appealing-sounding romance.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
Where Have All the Tigers Gone? - Lynn Hall. 1989.
Will read any of her books, but specifically read this one because it seemed fairly autobiographical, and I read it NOW because it seemed durable enough to take on vacation.
How I heard of it: looking up books by this author
And Both Were Young - Madeline L'Engle. 1949 (text of 1983 edition w/ material from original manuscript added back).
Something reminded me of its existence and I requested it because it was the only non-animal-focused vintage teen novel I could physically get my hands on before Interlibrary Loan opened back up, and I had a craving for just that.
How I heard of it: library
The Other Side of Lost - Jessi Kirby. 2018.
Established quality author + throw me ALL the thru-hike novels!
How I heard of it: Goodreads
The Vow - Jessica Martinez. 2013.
Perfect scenario to run an Abed/Annie [Community] AU!
How I heard of it: I want to say...an article on a book website (not personal blog this time) back in 2013.
Moon and Me - Hadley Irwin. 1981.
Was just in the mood to read an 80s teen novel and this one helped me knock off a title for the Mount TBR challenge. From an author I like, w/ bonus horse content.
How I heard of it: used book sale.
Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls - Lynn Weingarten. 2015.
I bought a blind bag at the library sale and this was one of the only contemporary YA novels in it; figured I might as well read it since I'd liked a previous book of hers.
How I heard of it: Library
History Is All You Left Me - Adam Silvera. 2016.
With the Glee rabbit hole came a Klaine spiral; this was my season 4 Tragic AU dream for them and I've been saving it for a Klainey day ever since it was published. (No I am not sorry for that horrid pun.)
How I heard of it: googling keywords
The Museum of Heartbreak - Meg Leder. 2016.
The cool cover/concept of a "museum" of items reeled me in; I bought a copy a while ago 'cause the library didn't have it. Read now to see if I could get rid of it (NOPE).
How I heard of it: Goodreads
Me & Mr. J - Rachel McIntyre. 2015.
Student/teacher novel that looked especially appealingly tame so I'd been saving it, but then Open Library notified me it was now only available in 1-hour increments, and I got paranoid it would disappear altogether (it's not cheap to buy or available via ILL), so I wanted it in my brain.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
Dear Evan Hansen - Val Emmich w/ Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul. 2018.
Fell in love with the DEH soundtrack. Play's summary sounded good -- getting to experience it in YA novel form?? Amazing.
How I heard of it: Wikipedia
Saddle a Thunderbolt - Jo Sykes. 1967
Bought a while ago because vintage horse story. Read now specifically to alleviate my pre-homesickness about moving by imagining living in an even more beautiful place than home.
How I heard of it: either a used book sale or a used bookstore...
Learning to Breathe - Janice Lynn Mather. 2018.
This was mentioned on a lost-book forum and "girl with unplanned pregnancy supports herself by getting a job cleaning" piqued my interest; the setting (Bahamas) and cover made it better.
How I heard of it: Reddit
Everglades Adventure - James Ralph Johnson. 1970.
Standard vintage boys' adventure-in-nature story; I like those.
How I heard of it: Goodwill
CHILDREN’S/MIDDLE GRADE
Little Women - Louisa May Alcott. 1868.
Seeing the new movie and falling head over heels was what it took to FINALLY convince me to reread this childhood fave.
How I heard of it: can't remember; I was a kid
A Little Princess - Frances Hodgson Burnett. 1905.
I was perusing a lot of books about classic children's books and it started to bug me that I had skipped this appealing-sounding one as a kid.
How I heard of it: can't remember; I was a kid
Little Men - Louisa May Alcott. 1871.
LW sparked a fandom revival and I wanted more detail about the Marches' adult lives (esp. Jo & Bhaer), even on the fringes.
How I heard of it: library
Lady and the Tramp - Ward Greene.
I saw a quote from the new movie under a gifset on Tumblr that sounded like it came from a book, and upon Googling out that one existed, I obviously could not allow the book version of a beloved childhood animal-movie fave to go unread. Especially after finding out it was super rare so reading it would be a privilege.
The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett. 1910.
Read for the same reason as A Little Princess. Can’t have one without the other, you know.
How I heard of it: was a kid; can't remember
The Mother-Daughter Book Club - Heather Vogel Fredericks. 2007.
Much Ado About Anne - Heather Vogel Fredericks. 2008.
Always thought the series looked cute/reminded me of The Teashop Girls, but the fact that the first book they read is Little Women gave me the impetus to finally read this one. First book was darling so I continued to the next (but failed to continue beyond because COVID shut the library down until I was out of the mood).
How I heard of it: library
Nature Girl - Jane Kelley. 2010.
I wanted walking inspiration.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
From You to Me - K.A. Holt. 2018.
Mistook it for a similar-looking book I'd seen at the same time (See You On A Starry Night), but figured I'd give the 8th grade bucket list idea a shot once I had it.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
Semiprecious - D. Anne Love. 2006.
Cute cover + I'm starting to be a big fan of what I call "contemporary historical," for stories set mid-20th century.
How I heard of it: library
Dandy's Mountain - Thomas Fall. 1967.
Vintage horse-inclusive children's book in a rural setting, I'm sold. Not to mention, love reading a summer setting in summer.
How I heard of it: used book sale
Littler Women: A Modern Retelling - Laura Schaefer. 2017.
The only way to make the Little Women MORE magical is to make them younger, modern, and written by a proven quality author.
How I heard of it: a book blog
Behind The Attic Wall - Sylvia Cassedy. 315 pg/1983.
A Goodreads friend strongly recommended it as similar to but better than Mandy, and reading about it in 100 Best Books For Children sealed the deal. Read now for the Mount TBR challenge.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
The Jigsaw Jungle - Kristin Levine. 2018.
I am a COMPLETE sucker for books told in non-traditional/scrapbook-esque format.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
Runt - Marion Dane Bauer. 2002.
Wolf story by a quality author. Read now after owning it for a decade to see if I could get rid of it.
How I heard of it: used book sale
The King of the Cats - Rene Guillot. 1959.
Bought cheap for a quick read because vintage animal story. Read now so I could get rid of it.
How I heard of it: used book sale
Just The Beginning - Betty Miles. 1976.
Found cheap; always down to read a vintage book about an average girl (and I wanted to know how she'd cope with her mom being "a cleaning lady in a town full of classmates who HAVE cleaning ladies").
How I heard of it: used book sale
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling. 1997.
Been meaning to reread the series for a while now; finally got motivation to check out the illustrated edition 'cause Christmastime.
How I heard of it: originally Mom; a book blog for this edition
Echo Mountain - Lauren Wolk. 2020.
Almost entirely because of the incredible clipart cover, promising me nature and a dog (and because I could get it as an e-audiobook from the library).
How I heard of it: a book blog
Knock Three Times - Cressida Cowell. 2019.
I needed another audiobook for bedtime/walks and I know that David Tennant will provide.
How I heard of it: more by this author (more accurately, narrator)
NONFICTION
The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming A Life Through The Pages Of A Lost Journal - Lily Koppel. 2008.
I'm kind of obsessed with the concept of historical 5-year diaries -- and finding one like this is The Dream.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life - Anne Bogel. 2018.
Attractive and compact book about the pleasures of being a reader? A headspace I want to be in.
How I heard of it: library
100 Best Books for Children - Anita Silvey. 2004.
I'm big on looking at lists of books for children this year. These are the kind of books I know, love, and want to hear people talk about, now that I know books about these books exist.
How I heard of it: library
The Coming of Saska - Doreen Tovey
Originally bought because it was cheap and featured animals, I needed a non-library book to bring on vacation, and this one is a durable ex-library copy in plastic wrap that featured a similar setting to where I was going, so: thematic.
Cats in the Belfry - Doreen Tovey. 1957.
Wanted more of her books, and lo and behold the library had the first one.
How I heard of it: more by this author
Sorry Not Sorry - Naya Rivera. 2016.
I'll read anything the Glee kids write, and this doubled as an easy number for the Mount TBR challenge.
How I heard of it: entertainment news websites
Living Large in Our Little House - Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell. 2016.
I love tiny houses. And this one specifically mentioned living with dogs. And had color photographs.
How I heard of it: used bookstore
I'm Your Biggest Fan: Awkward Encounters and Assorted Misadventures in Celebrity Journalism. - Kate Coyne. 2016.
Found cheap at a library sale -- loved the chapter headings and the fact that they were all about celebrities I knew.
Adrift - Tami Oldham Ashcraft w/ Suesea McGearheart. 1998/2018 edition.
The movie was so awesome that I couldn't wait for more details about the real story in her own words.
I'll Be Gone In The Dark [NF] - Michelle McNamara. 2018.
Been reading a lot of true crime write-ups on Reddit lately; decided it was time to pick up this well-received one.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
Dear Evan Hansen: Waving Through A Window - Steven Levenson. 2017.
Much like The Grimmerie for Wicked, once I fell in love with the DEH soundtrack and looked up the plot summary, I wanted to read the musical's detailed background/behind the scenes story + libretto before I watched it.
How I heard of it: Wikipedia
Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune - Bill Dedman & Paul Clark Newell. 2013.
Love me a story about a mansion (or three). Or the reclusive and insanely wealth heiress who owns them, that works too.
How I heard of it: Goodreads
JUVENILE NONFICTION
Mascots: Military Mascots from Ancient Egypt to Modern Korea - Fairfax Downey. 1954.
Animal book from an author I like; read now to see if I could get rid of it (yes).
How I heard of it: secondhand bookstore
Come on, Seabiscuit - Ralph Moody. 1963.
Bought because vintage kids' horse book; read now to see if I could get rid of it (and to count it towards my Mount TBR challenge 'cause it was short).
How I heard of it: secondhand bookstore
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