It’s time for another roundup of my favorite reads of the last few months. You can always follow me on Goodreads to see everything I’ve read!
Middle grade reads:
Princess Mononoke: The First Story, by Hayao Miyazaki
So this isn’t technically a middle grade book, but it is one that would be appropriate for middle grade readers who are fans of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki. This is an illustrated book with watercolor art that showcases the original story concept for what eventually became my personal favorite movie, Princess Mononoke. This version of the story is extremely different from the movie; it’s more of a Beauty and the Beast meets Japanese folklore tale. However, there are definitely elements that carry over into the actual movie, and the Mononoke’s design definitely feels like a mix of Totoro and the Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro. It’s a quick read, but I would definitely have watched a full-length movie of this!
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest, by Aubrey Hartman
I’m usually not one for Newberry-type books, but the premise of this one caught my eye with its slightly macabre setup. Clare is an undead fox who serves as a spirit guide for deceased animals, directing them to the appropriate afterlife realm. Clare’s routine is interrupted by the arrival of the badger Gingersnipes, who can’t leave the Deadwood. Their adventure to uncover why this has happened has a good mix of humor, adventure, and heartfelt introspection. It’s definitely not your typical “animal” middle grade book, in the best way possible.
X Marks the Haunt, by Lindsay Currie
Another year means another spooky middle grade story from Lindsay Currie! Will loves helping his mom at the Graceland Cemetery, even though he’s somewhat embarrassed about sharing this part of himself with anyone besides his best friend. However, after a class field trip to Graceland, Will is pressured to letting other kids sneak into the cemetery, resulting in the loss of an ancient crypt key. Trees start to wither, the water in the lake is mysteriously draining, and Will is getting haunted by a menacing figure. I liked this book overall, though I found some elements similar to last year’s It’s Watching, which I personally preferred. Still, this is a fun read with plenty of spooky moments! If you’ve liked Currie’s other books, you’ll enjoy this one, too.
For adults:
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Hound and Other Stories, by Gou Tanabe
Just like last year, I started my reading off with a manga adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft by Gou Tanabe. The Hound and Other Stories features three H.P. Lovecraft short stories — “The Hound,” “The Temple,” and “The Nameless City.” These aren’t necessarily Lovecraft’s most well-known (or best) stories, but the adaptations themselves are solid, with Tanabe’s great artwork and approach. A good quick read for those looking for some cosmic horror.
Deceived, by Tyson Abaroa
Tyson is a good friend of mine who writes mystery and suspense books, and his most recent release, Deceived, is his best one yet! This book follows Enrique Miller as he returns to his Arizona hometown after his father’s mysterious death. His father’s legacy as a famous amateur detective looms over Enrique as he grapples with his relationship with his father, while also trying to unravel who could be responsible for the murder. The story moves at a good pace while also doing a good job of balancing Enrique’s efforts to solve the mystery with his personal challenges.