I also read Holes when I saw Kristen talking about it on Bluesky and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I'm going to extra second Ella Enchanted, one of my favourite novels of all time. Just marvelously clever (and the movie is maybe the worst book to film adaptation of all time, not even the delightful Anne Hathaway could rescue it.)
Okay I knew you were my type of person from following you on social media, but this list proves we would be friends. Eva Ibbotson! The Mysterious Benedict Society! The audiobook of Ella Enchanted! It’s like you plucked the defining books from my childhood.
Holes is part of the Australian high school curriculum! I got to watch the movie in class! (Also appreciate the shout out to us Aussies about to move into winter and darkness).
I am constantly chasing the thrill a good book gave me as a teenager - recently I read my way through a series of perfectly fine historical fiction by Tea Cooper. I am eagerly anticipating the release of the next book in the Nevermoor series - it's a series for older kids that is the perfect blend of Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter (all the good parts at least). Three books are out so far, the fourth launches in September!
Nevermoor is so good! It got me out of a depressive slump during grad school. I agree that it’s a mix of the three books you mentioned, plus Willy Wonks vibes. It feels like this next book is taking forever!
My kids have read Holes and I somehow have not. Will rectify that. I loved Mixed up files as a kid and my kids do not love it as much as I want them to (but will keep working on that).
YES!!! Holes really is the best book ever, and the movie doesn't dissapoint. This is all such a fantastic list! I love Ella Enchanted too and all these others. I've been reading Matt Haig's books lately and those have been quite successful. Also anything by Frederick Backman.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond is an all time favorite. I probably read it ten times in elementary/middle school and recently re-read it with my 10 year old. So good. And Holes is one of the books on her constant re-read shelf!
I also read Holes when I saw Kristen talking about it on Bluesky and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I'm going to extra second Ella Enchanted, one of my favourite novels of all time. Just marvelously clever (and the movie is maybe the worst book to film adaptation of all time, not even the delightful Anne Hathaway could rescue it.)
STANLEY YELNATS FOREVER
Okay I knew you were my type of person from following you on social media, but this list proves we would be friends. Eva Ibbotson! The Mysterious Benedict Society! The audiobook of Ella Enchanted! It’s like you plucked the defining books from my childhood.
I ADORE Emily of New Moon! (Side note: 8 Cousins and Rose in Bloom are Alcott's better works, even though I still have Little Women in my soul.)
Holes is part of the Australian high school curriculum! I got to watch the movie in class! (Also appreciate the shout out to us Aussies about to move into winter and darkness).
I am constantly chasing the thrill a good book gave me as a teenager - recently I read my way through a series of perfectly fine historical fiction by Tea Cooper. I am eagerly anticipating the release of the next book in the Nevermoor series - it's a series for older kids that is the perfect blend of Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter (all the good parts at least). Three books are out so far, the fourth launches in September!
Nevermoor is so good! It got me out of a depressive slump during grad school. I agree that it’s a mix of the three books you mentioned, plus Willy Wonks vibes. It feels like this next book is taking forever!
My kids have read Holes and I somehow have not. Will rectify that. I loved Mixed up files as a kid and my kids do not love it as much as I want them to (but will keep working on that).
YES!!! Holes really is the best book ever, and the movie doesn't dissapoint. This is all such a fantastic list! I love Ella Enchanted too and all these others. I've been reading Matt Haig's books lately and those have been quite successful. Also anything by Frederick Backman.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond is an all time favorite. I probably read it ten times in elementary/middle school and recently re-read it with my 10 year old. So good. And Holes is one of the books on her constant re-read shelf!