Best and Worst Books of 2023

This is it. My end of year book list, and my final post of the year. And in a long while, possibly.

I've had a very rough year. Full of anxiety, fear, dread and depression. Never before have I felt like this. Like, so sick and in mental health hell that I had to go to therapy.

I've tried to stay positive, and my normal self, and keep doing what I want to. Sometimes it works - getting out of my head is what I need - but mostly, I just don't feel up for anything anymore. There's not much to look forward to anymore. Especially when it comes to social media and the pop culture landscape. I'm definitely taking a break from those.

I don't believe in some of the things I used to. But hey, maybe I'll feel different in one of my better mood changes, which are in flux. I just can't seem to get my messed up mind out of its dark place permanently. If there is one thing I must believe in now, it's that this has to pass. I'll always try my best, and be the best, kindest and most caring person I can be.

When it comes to the books I've read in 2023, I've realised that there are in fact books I wish I'd never read, which my old self would have been appalled by. Knowledge, understanding and empathy are good things; I still stand by that. Though maybe there are things in the world, and in humanity, that my sensitive and overthinking and anxious self can't handle, after all.

But despite everything, I managed to read 241 books this year! I am shocked. I haven't read so much in a long time. Granted, many of them are rereads, graphic novels and picture books, but they count. Most of today's novels are terrible anyway. Loads of them are definitely overrated and overhyped. I won't be reading anything new, not if I can help myself, and resist temptation (I remain a reader at heart, so there's something to feel positive about, at least). When it comes to rereading my old novels, I no longer like a lot of them, and my bookshelf is now considerably low on content. In comparison, my graphic novel bookshelf has grown. I've recently given away around fourteen DVDs, too.

I gave away so much. I reread and rereviewed (and reassessed, even books I liked but have then taken issue with on a few points - such is time and hindsight - but may have not updated on in my reviews) so much.

For the sake of my mental health, and self-care, some distance and change is necessary.

But oh, I'm sorry, this post has become long and sad. This was meant to be a list! A list of the reading I did in 2023, and then close off in a hopeful light in the wake of 2024. Hope that I will feel better and life will get better (socialising and spending time with my family and friends has helped me).

I will start off listing the worst books I read in 2023, to get the negative out of the way before ending on the positive.

I won't count the rereads on the lists.

Right, let's not waste any more time! Here I go!:

Top 18 Worst Books of 2023

18. Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas

17. Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson

16. The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais

15. Starfell: Willow Moss & the Lost Day by Dominique Valente

14. The New Champion of Shazam! by Josie Campbell, (Writer), Evan "Doc" Shaner (Artist), Becca Carey (Letterer)

13. The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke

12. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

11. Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

10. Crystal Fighters by Jen Bartel, Tyler Bartel

9. Marvel-Verse: Shuri by Various

8. Marvel-Verse: Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider by Various

7. Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa (link to my review here)

6. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

5. Marvel Meow by Nao Fuji

4. Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

3. Wonder Girl: Homecoming by Joëlle Jones, (Author, Artist), Adriana Melo (Artist), Leila del Duca (Artist), Jordie Bellaire (Colorist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer), Pat Brosseau (Letterer)

2. Lucinda Belinda Melinda McCool by Jeanne Willis (Writer), Tony Ross (Illustrator)

1. Thumble Tumble and the Ollpheist by A.H. Proctor

Top 32 Best Books of 2023

32. A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin (link to my review here)

31. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (okay it's technically a reread, but it's a positive one, and it's of a book I haven't read since I was a kid, so I'm counting it) (link to my review here)

30. Rainbow Gey by Laura Ellen Anderson (link to my review here)

29. D&D: Dungeon Club, #1: Roll Call by Molly Knox Ostertag (Writer), Xanthe Bouma (Artist) (link to my review here)

28. Northranger by Rey Terciero (Writer), Bre Indigo (Artist) (link to my review here)

27. Coraline (the graphic novel) by Neil Gaiman, P. Craig Russell (Adaptor/Artist) (link to my review here)

26. A Spoonful of Frogs by Casey Lyall (Writer), Vera Brosgol (Illustrator) (link to my review here)

25. Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales by Melanie Gillman (link to my review here)

24. The Witch's Throne (Volume 1) by Cedric Caballes (link to my review here)

23. Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli (link to my review here)

22. The Girl Who Loves Bugs by Lily Murray (Writer), Jenny Løvlie (Illustrator) (link to my review here)

21. Juniper Mae: Knight of Tykotech City by Sarah Soh (link to my review here)

20. Hollow by Shannon Watters (Writer), Branden Boyer-White (Writer), Berenice Nelle (Artist) (link to my review here)

19. The Christmas Carrolls by Mel Taylor-Bessent, Selom Sunu (Illustrator) (link to my review here)

18. Billie Blaster and the Robot Army from Outer Space by Laini Taylor (Writer), Jim Di Bartolo (Artist) (link to my review here)

17. Once Upon a Witch's Broom by Beatrice Blue (link to my review here)

16. The Fairy Garden by Georgia Buckthorn (Writer), Isabella Mazzanti (Illustrator) (link to my review here)

15. Unfamiliar by Haley Newsome (link to my review here)

14. The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: 2 Fast, 2 Furious by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale (link to my review here)

13. Hellaween by Moss Lawton (link to my review here)

12. Death (Death of the Endless #1-2) (The Deluxe Edition) by Neil Gaiman (Writer), Various Artists (link to my review here)

11. Diana and Nubia: Princesses of the Amazons by Shannon Hale (Writer), Dean Hale (Writer), Victoria Ying (Artist) (link to my review here)

10. Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell (Writer), Faith Erin Hicks (Artist) (link to my review here)

9. Catwoman: Lonely City by Cliff Chiang (link to my review here)

8. The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz (link to my review here)

7. The Moth Keeper by K. O'Neill (link to my review here)

6. Heartstopper Volume Five by Alice Oseman (link to my review here)

5. Neverlanders by Tom Taylor (Writer), Jon Sommariva (Artist) (link to my review here)

4. Fix the System, Not the Women by Laura Bates (link to my review here)

3. That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brown (Writer), Nikkolas Smith (Illustrator) (link to my review here)

2. Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation by Ari Folman (Adaptor), David Polonsky (Artist), Anne Frank (Writer) (link to my review here)

1. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Little Women by Rey Terciero (Writer), Bre Indigo (Artist) (link to my review here)

So that's it.

I have no plans to read many books next year. Maybe five at most. I am not looking forward to much of anything. Hardly one yet-to-be-published book looks honestly good, or is catching my eye. I will not be fooled by new unoriginal and barely-proofread crap stuff anymore; I've learned my lesson.

I said that I won't read so much last year, didn't I? And look - 241 books. There's a cracking record. But for 2024, I am certain of my statement of reading significantly less. I will be rereading far less (I won't risk feeling any more disappointments and disillusionments), posting far less, and will be avoiding social media in general. Next year I am taking a long, relaxing break. I will be going out more. Living life. In society, in real life, with people.

It's not like anyone visits my blog anyway. Not like anyone cares to read my opinions and views.

At some point I will revisit Disney+ and other steaming services, but that's the best I'll do in terms of updating on my life. I realise I don't want to change that much, and I am in no rush.

Goodbye. For now.

I sincerely wish everyone a Happy New Year. A happy and better way in 2024. After a Happy Holiday. Like I say every year (*sigh*): Keep on hoping. Keep on caring, and be kind and brave.

Love you all.

🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

Happy Holidays 2023

Happy Christmas! - on Boxing Day! (Sorry I forgot to update yesters)

Love and care and festivities to all!

🎄🤶🎅⛄❆❅❄☃🎁🧚🟔🌠🌟⛸🍪

Book Review - 'The Christmas Carrolls' by Mel Taylor-Bessent, Selom Sunu (Illustrator)

How fitting that my final review of the year is of a Christmas book - that's set in September.

'The Christmas Carrolls' is all about spreading cheer, and living every day like it's Christmas Day; like it's the most magical time of the year. For Christmas cheer, joy, festivities, and charity and generosity are a feeling, as well as exterior things, and people and places. They are a magic that's not to be limited to a single day.

These are lessons to be learned from the most Christmassy, cheery and infectiously jolly family in the world (or they aim to be), the Carrolls, in the UK. They are experts in (s)elf-help, (s)elf-care, (s)elf-love, and, wait for it, spreading cheer all around, all the time!

'The Christmas Carrolls' is endlessly warm, funny, creative, affectionate, cute, snowy, Christmas tree light-y and bauble-y. Get ready for huge, loud batches of gingerbread, ice cakes, tinsel, homemade aprons, snowflake confetti, Santa hats, antlers, stockings, inflatable snowmen, chocolate coins, snowiches, fireplaces, wrapping rooms, card writing, scarf knitting, sleds, singing (everything sings - not just a radio, but a backpack and a toilet!), and snow much more from this festive family! It's all hard not to read with a smile. Then feeling a little sadness near the end when things inevitably go south (pole) and suddenly not so positive for a bit.

It's just so nice to feel jolly and in the Christmas spirit; some much needed optimism, a reminder that there are good things in the world, you know? And good people. Happy people who want to spread that happiness to others wherever they go.

An additional Christmas cracker in the book: there are reindeer, and a donkey that thinks he's a reindeer.

Shed and stable pets!

Nick, Snow, their nine-year-old daughter Holly (our wonderful and delightful POV protagonist and star) and baby daughter Ivy, are the Carrolls. They once lived on a farm in the middle of nowhere, where they celebrated Christmas every day. Then they move to Sleigh Ride Avenue in a small corner in London, based on the name alone. It turns out it is nowhere near as fun and joyous as it sounds. Very soon little Holly learns that nobody else celebrates the happy holiday, and wishes everyone a merry day, the rest of the year, and certainly not in the summer, and in a heatwave. Nobody else seems to loudly sing carols spontaneously, and hide candy canes and Christmas pudding in their pockets for days, either.

But this is a new beginning, a fresh start in one of life's many journeys and challenges. Starting a new school and making new friends (she was homeschooled and only had her family before), Holly won't let anything or anyone stop her from following her parents' example, and she will spread Christmas cheer - always on, always happy and unselfconscious, wearing her Christmas heart on her bell-and-tinsel-covered, chocolate pocket hoodie sleeve.

Or will she? What about fitting in at school? What about not drawing attention to yourself? And risking making people uncomfortable or, worse, being laughed at? What about people who don't celebrate Christmas? Other cultures and traditions? What about people who can't celebrate, or have fallen on hard, depressing times that the simple act of spreading cheer can't fix?

So many new questions, feelings and complications are clawing their way in for this wide-eyed, innocent young girl.

Is Holly Carroll, the world's most Christmassy girl, merely embarrassing herself, fighting a lost cause? Will she eventually lose her confidence, her bright star optimism, and succumb to crashing, crushing reality and social peer pressure? Lose her beautiful, enchanting, inspiring, creative and fabulous Christmas spirit?

Fun, hilarious and lovely. 'The Christmas Carrolls' makes me believe in not just the magical feeling of Christmas, cheer, merriment and generosity, but also in the power, the unhindered imagination, and effort put into a lot of modern children's literature. In my opinion children's books are becoming much better than adult and YA books nowadays. Better written and edited, and more passionate, free and breezy, and with less suspicious censorship, at any rate.

Though between 'The Christmas Carrolls' and 'Rainbow Grey' and other kids' humour books, why have fart jokes suddenly come back in fashion, in abundance? What is up with that? Maybe that's just me? Maybe I'm a Scrooge when it comes to gross "humour" that really shouldn't be encouraged?

Some side characters, but especially school students besides Holly and her first friend Archer, needed development, as well. Things and events happen quickly, here.

But what the heck. I have fallen under the Christmas spell of 'The Christmas Carrolls'. I dare say I needed to read it. It's a fantastic, delicious, heartwarming, candy-and-cookie-covered, chocolatey, snowy wonderland treat - for any time of the year.

Bonus points for the Carrolls being a mixed race family.

A Christmas miracle? Read it and find out for yourself.

Thank you to Mel Taylor-Bessent, and Selom Sunu for his illustrations.

Happy Christmas, everyone.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Book Review - 'Rainbow Grey' by Laura Ellen Anderson

Well, what a pleasant surprise this turned out to be.

A kiddie book with weather-themed magical girls and a farting cloud-cat in it? I'd put off reading it for a long time, one reason being I really didn't like the author's previous work, 'Amelia Fang'. But I couldn't get it out of my mind, and it looked cute, colourful and harmless enough, so I finally caved in and gave it a go.

'Rainbow Grey' is actually a very creative, funny, dynamic and exciting book, that can be read in a day. I would definitely recommend it to any child. There are typos and other editing issues, but they are few and minor compared to the content.

A quick and to-the-point writing style, memorable characters, simple but fun and juicy and sparkly worldbuilding, wonderful creativity with all the weather inventions, devices, props, and naming conventions, and a literal earthshattering, stormy climax. What a tense battle it is for a book for eight-year-olds. Stormy and cathartic, with tornadoes and sunshine - rays of hope.

'Rainbow Grey' isn't all fun and playthings, however. It also contains important messages about self-confidence, never giving up, and always persevering towards your goal no matter what obstacles get in your way. And nobody is perfect. The protagonist Ray Grey embodies these life-affirming lessons to a T. What a stalwart, flawed, determined and reckless young heroine. Started out with no weather-based powers, unlike nearly all the other Weatherlings in her home in the clouds, the Weatherlands, in the City of Celestia, but of course she finds rainbow magic (on earth, on a dare) and transforms into the most powerful, and literally most colourful, Weatherling in the world. She is Rainbow Grey!

Her parents, Cloudia and Haze, are really cool, too, as are her two best friends, Snowden and Droplett (who is very funny, with many running gags to her character). Her exploding/farting cloud-cat Nim is a cute pet, transport, and additional friend in need.

Love - the love from her friends and family - is what will make Ray strong and a hero at the end, as well as her ancient, almighty weather powers she had just received.

Forgiveness and seeing the best, and the potential, in people is another surprising thing I did not expect from 'Rainbow Grey'. In context it is subversive, relieving and, again, cathartic, after everything that has gone down towards the end of the story.

It is all rather cheesy and obvious (it is still kids' lit), but Ill take it. It's cute, dramatic, and touching - what a combination 'Rainbow Grey' manages to achieve!

On to the flaws!:

I already mentioned the typos and unproofread editing in the placement of words in a few pages. There is the unresolved and forgotten issue of Ray, Snowden and Droplett, the main child Weatherling trio, stealing from the British Museum (called the Britolian Museum here, amusingly). The book is listed on some readers' LGBTQ+ shelves, probably because of the whole rainbow motif - rainbows are important in a lot of the story's aspects - and speaking of LBGTQ content, I think an opportunity was missed in not making Snowden, the effeminate, gender-nonconforming boy of Ray's trio of friends, trans or nonbinary. Think of that kind of rep in a children's book. But maybe actual queer content will be present in the sequels? I don't know.

In the world of 'Rainbow Grey', there exist exciting adventures and people with magical weather powers - they're superheroes, practically, and there are thousands of them - but they are ordinary citizens going about their lives in the Weatherlands in the clouds; hidden from humans, who have no idea where their weather - and eclipses and other phenomenon - really come from. There also exist unicorns, dragons (formed from the elements, mostly), duck-nadoes (seriously), knicker-nadoes (seriously, I adore this book), a posh talking pigeon, and, apparently, mer-pires. Mer-pires. As in, mermaid vampires? Holy snowflake-ity splosh. They're named but don't appear in the book. WHY?! I hope they do appear in the sequels. Otherwise, what is this series doing?!

'Rainbow Grey' - silly, cute, hilarious, chuckle-worthy, sweet, tender, compassionate, explosive (in nearly every sense), galvanic, and exhilarating. Reading it is like moving towards a giant storm - not knowing quite where the wind is going to blow next - and in the end, after enduring the deceptively-quiet-and-predictable eye of the storm, what remains is relief and tears of joy. And a lot to learn going forward.

What a sizzling yet soft rainbow treat! I'm glad to have read it.

Rain must come before the rainbow.

Never give up. Find your inner rainbow.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Hollow' by Shannon Watters (Writer), Branden Boyer-White (Writer), Berenice Nelle (Artist)

Yeah. I really should have read this in October.

But better late than never, especially when it comes to Samhain. And pumpkin spirits.

I'd put off reading 'Hollow' for too long, but I'm glad to have finally given it a chance. It is well written, the main characters are fully realised and three dimensional (one more so than the others, but I'll get to that), and the art is bold, soft and colourful. It's like 'Scooby-Doo', and any monster buster media you can think of involving a young trio or squad. It's like a better version of 'Nancy Drew: The Palace of Wisdom'. The mystery in 'Hollow' isn't mindblowing, surprising or really clever either, but it's still the far superior comic, with the advantage of the spooky Halloween theme and vibe. It sure sates my thirst for the occult, autumn, and pumpkins.

'Hollow' centers all around 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' (the novella of which I haven't read), set in the modern era. High schooler Isabel "Izzy" Crane (last name a coincidence?) is new in the little town of Sleepy Hollow, which is potently obsessed with the headless horseman book and legend. But especially when Halloween is coming up. Scientifically-and-mathematically-minded Izzy wants nothing to do with the whole nonsense.

And neither does fellow student Victoria "Vicky" Van Tassel, the direct descendant of Katrina Van Tassel. Vicky is made to perform for, and make all sorts of obligations to, Sleepy Hollow, because of its claim-to-fame namesake and theme, and she's sick of it. She wants to rebel, and tries to by wearing different types of clothing all the time (and even smoking once, which is a weird add-on in the comic), but she is still stuck in her assigned role she never asked for.

Izzy and Vicky form a bond - reluctantly on Vicky's part initially, due to Izzy's last name. A romantic bond. The school prankster jock Oscar "Croc" Byun tags along to make up their trio of teens who end up dealing with the supernatural.

Because, of course, it turns out that the legend of the headless horseman isn't nonsense. It's real. Ghosts are real. A vengeful spirit that's been roaming Sleepy Hollow for over two hundred years is out to kill Vicky because she's a Van Tassel. It's up to her, Izzy, Croc, and other, subversive help, to stop it, once and for all.

My favourite character has to be Vicky. She feels the most well rounded and real out of everyone. In my opinion, she is given more development than Izzy the protagonist. Not to mention she almost receives as much panel time as her. Not that Izzy isn't a good, well developed character - she is - but I guess I felt more for Vicky and her problems. Both girls are smart, but Vicky ranks powerfully higher for being boldly stubborn, temperamental, unpredictable, sassy, and funny, and she refuses to be the stereotypical pretty damsel in distress, even at the bitter end. She changes her clothing and hairstyle every day. You haven't seen a blonde, blue-eyed and slightly curvy girl in comics like her before.

I like that 'Hollow' also contains not one but two prominent mother-and-daughter relationships; for Izzy and Vicky and their mums. How Vicky and her mum develop together marks another of the subversive turns this story takes, and it is laudable and lovely. Very well done.

Diverse rep includes: Izzy is half-Hispanic and masculine presenting; she and Vicky are in an explicit sapphic relationship; Croc is Asian; his buddy Leon is Black; and there's a witch character, Marjorie, also a student, who uses crutches. Loads of side players and background people are POC, too.

'Hollow' - it's not perfect, it's not too exciting or original, but it has great characters, and Halloween, graveyards, woods, ghosts, magic, and did I mention pumpkins?

Good stuff.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Unfamiliar Volume 2' by Haley Newsome

'Unfamiliar Volume 2' - another fun, girly and witchy little manga-esque comic.

It continues where the previous volume left off, and is quite satisfactory. The main mystery - that is, concerning Planchette's haunted house and its ghosts - and other plot threads and characters - are mostly resolved. It's surprisingly touching and life-affirming as well as comical and colourful, especially in regards to the relationship between Babs and Sun, and their own individual issues. Those two girls are very well developed.

Warning: Depression, low self-esteem, self-image issues, and toxic family members are themes here. Sad ghosts and sad doctors are also present.

Yet 'Unfamiliar' never loses its quirky, cute and funny edge.

I highly recommend 'Unfamiliar Volume 2' if you enjoyed the first volume. It's short but sweet. Creepy and clever. No characters, and no character traits and arcs, are forgotten about. The art manages to look messy but beautiful and bold at the same time. It's all purposeful. The tone is a little darker and sadder, but that counts as progress story-wise, along with its explicit LBGTQ content.

Plus, the reveal of this world's personification of Death is worth the price alone. Absolutely hilarious.

The 'Unfamiliar' series, as well as being like 'Adventure Time', is also like the 'Cucumber Quest' comic series, except it doesn't go completely off the rails, doesn't become too dark for its own good, and it has an ending. Everyone is satisfied, except the villains.


My review of Volume 1.


Final Score: 4/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Heartstopper Volume Five' by Alice Oseman

Everybody needs more 'Heartstopper'.

A nice - and, again, breezy, can-be-read-in-under-an-hour - continuation of one of the most wonderful series in contemporary times, starring Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson, the most precious cinnamon rolls in the universe, who deserve all the love in the universe.

The 'Heartstopper' comic series can be read anywhere at anytime (every page is a blessing), like in a library or a café. But maybe it is best read in your favourite jumper in the comfort of your room and soft bed. Favourite beverages are definitely a bonus.

This volume's themes are mostly about identity, self-development, finding your inner strengths, and the future. Nick and Charlie are learning more about themselves, and who they are independently, not just who they are when they are with each other. It addresses co-dependency in relationships, and long distance relationships, and putting yourself and your happiness in your future first.

Coming out and stepping out, the lot is here.

The progress - in characters, relationships, and growing up - is slow and steady, but it is such a sweet, cosy, gentle, gradual, touching, real progress.

Hugs and cuddles and snuggles all the way!

I had thought that Volume Five was the final one, but actually there will be a Volume Six and that is the final volume. I hope it won't be like the 'Nick and Charlie' novella, with the long distance angst and pointless breakup BS. But I will read Volume Six regardless. Because it's 'Heartstopper'. Alice Oseman's magnum opus deserves to be loved and cherished and read in schools until the end of time.

Love and appreciate the sort-of redemption given to Charlie's mother, too.

And Tori revealing her sexuality on a Ferris wheel.

I might finally like Michael.

Little Oliver is too adorable.

Thank you for showing the importance of therapy. Always.

And for saying that virginity isn't real, and that any "base" and "level" of sex counts.

Only legit negative to this volume: we need to see more of Nick's dogs!


My review of Volume One.

My review of Volume Two.

My review of Volume Three.

My review of Volume Four.


Final Score: 5/5

Top Animated Films with Female Protagonists (2023) Update

Here is my updated version of Top 37 Animated Films with Female Protagonists (2023) from earlier this year, if you wish to see it.

Book Review - 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' by L. Frank Baum

Wow witches, am I surprised.

Am I glad to have given this book another chance after so many years.

Maybe I'd unfairly compared it to the iconic 1939 film adaptation (incidentally my second favourite film of all time) when I was a younger reader. I knew whilst reading L. Frank Baum's original 1900 fairy tale in the current day that I found it hard not to picture Dorothy as looking like Judy Garland. I gradually got over this compulsion as I read further on, invested as I was in its own unique brand and flavour of whimsy, but at the beginning I had to keep reminding myself that Dorothy is a little girl of eight or so. Like, focus only on the book and use your imagination, Artemis, for you are a reader!

Overall, I read 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' in one day, and it is rather smashing (not in the breaking people made of china kind of way). It is entertaining, creative, clever, relatively random, and delightful. It is the ideal wondrous fantasy book to read to children. It is an adventurous fairy tale with a female child lead, from 1900 - then there's Toto, her cute dog, and her loyal, supportive, grateful, brave, quick-thinking, and oddball companions and friends, with their own goals, by her side.

The real journey is the friends we make along the way, indeed!

As well as the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion, there are characters who turn up randomly and, after a couple-to-a-few-pages, disappear just as quickly; such as a Stork, field mice (led by their Queen), other talking animals, the Good Witch of the North, Boq the rich Munchkin (my jaw dropped when I saw his name in this book, as I'd thought he'd been invented only for the 'Wicked' novel and musical, but nope! he's here in the very first 'The Wizard of Oz' story!), people made of china, Hammer-Heads, and a few authority figures in the Emerald City. The Munchkins, Glinda, and even the Wicked Witch of the West only appear in one chapter each. And those poor Flying Monkeys who are slaves to a Golden Cap.

Wild, magical, inventive, funny, witty, and literally colourful and bright, with a few plot holes and plot blunders (*ahem*), the classic 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' is indeed a classic. A beloved, treasurable children's tome for anywhere that has a bookshelf. I am happy to have a newfound look at and appreciation for it, as its own thing, separate from all its media adaptations and the impact it's had on the cultural osmosis for over 120 years now.

So, here it is: the original, the wonderful 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', will finally have the honour of sharing space on my bookshelf, along with 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'...just as soon as I buy my own copy and return the one I read to my local library (another thing to be glad of, since that copy unfortunately has a terrible and ugly cover).

Iconic and fantastical. Love you, Dorothy, and all you Witches who deserve so much better! Especially away from the selfish, cowardly, scheming, greedy, manipulative, murderous, insecure, fragile and small humbug patriarchal figure of Oz!

Final Score: 3.5/5

Happy Halloween 2023

You can never not enjoy Halloween! 

Here is me today! Guess what film I'll be watching tonight:

Also, here are some Halloween-y stuff in my room to celebrate:

Finally, from a post from last year, my favourite Halloween films:

23. Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)

22. The Craft: Legacy (2020)

21. Black Christmas (2019)

20. Till Death (2021)

19. Jennifer's Body (2009)

18. Dracula's Daughter (1936)

17. Assassination Nation (2018)

16. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)

15. Crimson Peak (2015)

14. Daphne & Velma (2018)

13. The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

12. Interview with the Vampire (1994)

11. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

10. Carrie (1976)

9. Mary Shelley (2017)

8. Ghostbusters (aka Ghostbusters: Answer the Call) (2016)

7. Black Swan (2010)

6. Corpse Bride (2005)

5. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

4. Return to Oz (1985)

3. Coraline (2009)

2. The Love Witch (2016)

1. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Happy Samhain! 👻👽👾⚸💀🩸🧛

October 2023 Update

I think there will be less updates from me from now on. There's just not much going on at the moment, and not much to look forward to next year. And this year has been hell for my mental health. I must be stronger than I thought if I haven't had some kind of breakdown yet. I don't think I've known real fear, anxiety and depression until 2023; at least, I've never been trapped in my own messed up, obsessive head like this, for this long. It's so scary how my own mind can be my worst enemy. Like replacing one type of fear for another, in a cycle, a spiral, as it were.

So less time down the rabbit hole that is social media, and the world at large (meaning politics), has been good for me. I've found that I am easily influenced and susceptible to things I read, watch, hear, and possibly process. Is this due to me getting older? Is this true adulthood? Worrying constantly, paranoia and multiple crises? And loneliness? I just need to clear my head, and be more grounded in reality. I find I can be happy and relaxed sometimes, when I am with people and loved ones. They help.

What doesn't help is that I have few reasons to be happy right now. I've failed at important things I've tried, for years in fact. I've found I am lacking, and never good enough for anything. I'm stuck, and empty. But I won't give up. After a break, I won't give up on my adulthood (and independence and freedom) goals.

In current pop culture news, at the cinemas I have seen and liked Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken and Barbie (I'm getting the DVDs!). I have been resubscribed to Netflix for a couple of months before cancelling again, and throughout everything, the main highlights during that period have been Nimona, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, True Spirit, Love and Monsters, and in terms of TV series' I hadn't seen before, there's Twelve Forever and Scaredy Cats. Sadly I didn't end up loving Wednesday (I hate love triangles and toxic boy drama), and I couldn't finish The Worst Witch and Supernatural Academy. I rewatched She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Hilda, Arcane, Dead End, and The Cuphead Show!. Next year I'll go back to Disney+ for a short time, too.

I've decided to take a break from reading, or more specifically, rereading, as there are no new novels I am interested in in the slightest at the moment. I have been disappointed too many times. Do I even enjoy reading anymore? I like to think I do. If they're good and engaging, they keep my mind from wandering to bad places. There are eight novels left that I plan on rereading this year.

I've given up on and given away so much.

Finally, since it is Halloween, and I still like to get into the spirit of these things, I may watch some horror and horror-themed films, if my mental state can handle them. I hope I can go to a Halloween party, or go out with friends on a trip, if my work in retail allows me (at this time of year, though...). Some escapism isn't so bad.

I'll try to take care of myself. Self-care, and I'll hopefully get past this. I'll remember to be real, be grounded, be relaxed (even laugh at it), and that it's all in my head. Sleep more. If it gets worse I'll have to go back to therapy.

You all take care as well. Remember you are loved.

Love and peace to everybody ☾🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘🌛🌜🌝🌙🥮☾⚸

Book Review - 'The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: 2 Fuzzy, 2 Furious' by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale

I finally decided to check out the sequel to the Hales' 'The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World' novel, and holy acorns, it is adorbs! And funny as chitter-y heck, too. The wordplay and sentimentality are too precious!

Who knew that a children's Marvel book about an evil opening mall could be so delightful and sweet? For it is also about the dangers of propaganda and advertising, the importance of kindness and finding common ground with troubled people, nonviolent solutions to conflicts and problems, friendship, loving and supportive family, middle school angst, animals, and overcoming fears with the help of a close-knit (preferably fuzzy) group.

And Squirrel Girl/Doreen Green is at the centre of everything, so the book is an instant win.

Shannon Hale and Dean Hale write her voice and actions so well; that are so true to her character. She really is a fuzzball of goodness and light personified, even at fourteen-years-old, and struggling to survive middle school.

Tippy-Toe and her family of heroic and intrepid squirrels are great. Like any good 'Squirrel Girl' story, there are hundreds of the fuzzy little rodents present, saving the day either unnoticed, or by attacking and covering bad guys who cower at their mercy, or by covering Squirrel Girl herself for dramatic hero posturing.

Squirrel Girl's best human friend, Ana Sophia Arcos Romero, is given equal page time, and her own chapters from her viewpoint. She is wonderful - a fully-rounded, three-dimensional Hispanic deaf girl who may also be on the autism spectrum. What a brave young teen. Squirrel Girl learns a lot from Ana Sophia, as Ana Sophia learns a lot from Squirrel Girl. Empathy, listening and understanding are key to any healthy, lasting friendship.

How fun! I read '2 Fuzzy, 2 Furious' in two days. Delectable! Bonus: It ends on a 'Squirrel Girl' minicomic! Anything with Squirrel Girl in it is fun, cheery and charming; I shouldn't have been surprised, and I should have read it sooner. This girl is an optimistic, peppy pick-me-up pill with a bushy tail and buckteeth.

However, the novel sequel only mentions Captain Marvel in one Avenger group chat chapter, disappointingly. Same goes for She-Hulk. I wish those two would have been actually, physically present, and not merely in texts. Thor (Odinson) is the only Avenger who participates in the story (discounting the minicomic). A couple of spoilerific cameos at the end are cute, though. And there's a mistake where one of the Squirrel Scouts - they're the middle school group of fans of Squirrel Girl, plus LARPers, who're kind of useless, annoying and not-so-supportive, aka whiny interferers and nuisances - Janessa, is called Lanessa once.

One big point of criticism: In the scene where Squirrel Girl incapacitates a cat woman villain, Mistress Meow, by using a laser pointer (which she got at the beginning of the story from a Laser Lady...it's Squirrel Girl, so why not?) to lure the cat-person-hybrid out of a supermarket and towards the authorities...why doesn't she keep using it, as Mistress Meow proceeds to wreck havoc outside in traffic, endangering far more people?

Oh well. Those things don't tarnish this nugget gem of a sequel, starring one of the greatest superheroines of all time.

Experience joy by reading it, like I did!

Sidenote: '2 Fuzzy, 2 Furious'? They really missed a grand opportunity in the pun game by naming the book '2 Fuzzy, 2 Furrious' instead.

Read my review of the first book here.

Final Score: 4/5