#between walls

#1, 2, & 3 - Between Walls, Between Cases, and Between Decisions by W.R. Gingell - 5/5 stars collectively (reread, audio)

Between Decisions remains my favorite of the series. Chills.

#4 - The Kestrel by Lloyd Alexander - 4/5 stars (reread)

I really had forgotten how sparse Alexander's writing is. And how many characters he juggles (and so well for such a slender volume). I got stuck on this one for a spell, but still loved it.

#5 - The Beggar Queen by Lloyd Alexander - 4/5 stars (reread)

And, as always, most of what I remember about this series happens in the final book. *weeps*

#6 & 8 - Between Family and Between Kings by W.R. Gingell - 5/5 stars collectively (reread, audio)

I am apparently still salty about this ending, lol. Definitely procrastinated on Between Kings. Funny how my opinion has changed from my original review of the finale.

While I have heard much praise for the sequel series, I'm still not sure I'm up for reading it myself.

#7 - Meet the Austins by Madeleine L'Engle - 5/5 stars ('25 TBR)

This is my first foray outside of the Murry family series of L'Engle stories (and I've only read the first four of those). It is also, somehow, only my second completed new read of the year....

Within ten pages I was Noticing the Themes in L'Engle's writing, and appreciating them immensely. And hhhhhhhh the way she writes grief.... Really hits home. Achingly beautiful.

Despite the grief, this was such a fun and cozy book. Parts of it were vaguely reminiscent of L.M. Montgomery (maybe Rainbow Valley) with it being a snapshot of an ordinary family and the adventures they get up to; but I don't think I've ever laughed so hard over a Montgomery story as I did with this. I was in tears at points.

As a side note: I appreciate that L'Engle always tells us specifically which books the kids are reading at any given time.

Currently Reading:

Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset, tr. Tiina Nunnally - I barely touched this in February. All of my grand plans of reading a bunch of tomes this year are slowly disintegrating. (I know, I know, it's only just March and it'll be ok.)

Keturah and Lord Death by Matine Leavitt - I just started this one and I'm not sure yet how I feel about it.