The Book of Atrix Wolfe (1995) by Patricia McKillip

rating — 5/5 stars

genres — poetic fantasy, adventure

page count — 247

setting — fantasy world, two kingdoms called Pelucir and Chaumenard

thoughts — I reread this book because I've always associated it with autumn and because McKillip's prose has made her one of my top favorite authors. This narrative is complex and abstract at times, but it has a sorrowful, meaningful beauty that imbues every character, setting, and moment with a sense of profundity. This is McKillip at her finest and prose at its most lyrical, like a mysterious tapestry come to life.

Moon Mouse (1969) by Adelaide Holl

rating — 5/5 stars

genres — children's picture book, cozy anthropomorphic animal fantasy

page count — 34

setting — rural cornfield

thoughts — This is just too charming and adorable to even put into words! Following Arthur the field mouse as he sets out on a quest to find out if the moon is really made of cheese, Moon Mouse is a great little journey narrative that encourages kids to be curious and adventurous. The illustrations are precious, and the imagery is whimsical beyond words. Can't wait to have a kid one day to read this one to!

The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel (2010) by Gareth Hinds

rating — 3.5/5 stars

genres — graphic novel, adventure, epic fantasy, classic literature

page count — 248

setting — ancient Greece

thoughts — The Odyssey is, of course, one of my top pieces of literature of all time, and I enjoy any book that draws from it. Gareth Hinds' illustrations weren't as impressive as I had hoped, however, and I honestly didn't feel that he did enough with the graphic novel format to add anything new or interesting to the existing story. I liked a few of Hinds' choices but overall remained way more impressed with Homer's original storyline.

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (2015) edited by Chad Brand

rating — 5/5 stars

genres — Bible dictionary, reference text

page count — 1,800

setting — N/A

thoughts — This is the absolute go-to Bible dictionary, in my humble opinion. It's got over 6,500 articles and over 700 color photos, and it is simply brimming with informative articles, full-color maps and illustrations, and topics that range the full spectrum of biblical knowledge. It's dependable, concise, detailed, and comprehensive, and what's more it's just fun to read! A must-have if you're in any kind of Christian writing or editing job.

The Graveyard Book (2008) by Neil Gaiman

rating — 4/5 stars

genres — Gothic fantasy, coming-of-age

page count — 312

setting — modern era, fictional English town called Old Town

thoughts — I really enjoyed reading The Graveyard Book for its fun collection of characters, spooky yet sweet atmosphere, and quirky writing style. It was a little lacking in its cohesiveness at times, but I did find myself crying during that last chapter; I didn't realize how attached I had gotten to the graveyard and its inhabitants. This is a perfect read for kids who love the morbid-yet-charming vibes of stuff like The Nightmare Before Christmas!

Gallant (2022) by V.E. Schwab

rating — 4.5/5 stars

genres — Gothic fantasy

page count — 334

setting — 1920s, England

thoughts — I was enthralled with this book from start to finish! The Gothic storyline inspired by The Secret Garden and Jane Eyre made for a darkly atmospheric read that was perfect for spooky season. I was surprised by the ending and captivated by the themes, though I wish Schwab had spent a little more time developing the characters, relationships, and plot holes. Still, it's a compelling, stylish narrative and a quick, clean read!

The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether (1844) by Edgar Allan Poe

rating — 4/5 stars

genres — short story, dark comedy, mystery-thriller

page count — 30

setting — 1940s, provincial southern France

thoughts — My boyfriend recommended this story to me because he loves the Alan Parsons Project song based on it, and it turned out to be really fun and surprising! Poe tones down his usual gruesomeness and horror in favor of dark humor and irony, and the result is a fun, twisty tale that made me rethink my definition of sanity. I think the narrator should earn a prize for most clueless protagonist of all time (affectionate).

The Ghost at Dawn's House (The Baby-Sitters Club, #9) (1988) by Ann M. Martin

rating — 3.5/5 stars

genres — middle-grades mystery

page count — 148

setting — 1988, Stoneybrook

thoughts — I hadn't read The Ghost at Dawn's House in maaaany years, but its spooky, cozy atmosphere seemed perfect for an October reread! I'll admit that it's lost a lot of its humor and appeal for me after all these years (the dialogue was a lot cornier and the plot a lot simpler than I remembered), but I gave it an extra half star because (1) it has some genuinely spooky moments and (2) it's super nostalgic for me!

Never Whistle at Night (2023) by Shane Hawk, Theodore Van Alst Jr., etc.

rating — 3/5 stars

genres — short story collection, horror, dark fiction, Native American culture

page count — 392

setting — various (mostly modern times, United States and Canada)

thoughts — I picked this book from my library's Halloween section because it sounded so interesting (and I'm always up for learning more about other cultures). Of its twenty-six stories, Never Whistle at Night has maybe five or six stories that I really enjoyed and would read again. The rest were either excessively horrific, poorly written, or not my style at all. I wouldn't recommend this collection unless you have a very strong stomach.

The Roquefort Gang (1981) by Sandy Clifford

rating — 4/5 stars

genres — children's illustrated book, adventure, anthropomorphic animal fantasy

page count — 78

setting — 1930s, New York City

thoughts — The Roquefort Gang features a storyline similar to The Rescuers and An American Tail, following the adventures of tiny anthropomorphic mice as they embark on a dangerous rescue mission. I loved Clifford's writing and illustrations, but I wished she had lengthened the page count to develop her worldbuilding and characters a little more. This would be a great read for kids who enjoy stories like The Three Musketeers!

The Erlking (1782) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

rating — 5/5 stars

genres — narrative poem, Gothic fantasy-horror

page count — 1

setting — 1700s, German forest

thoughts — Goethe's Erlkönig is a classic for a reason: it conveys supernatural dread, parental love, and atmospheric tension like few poets could in just eight short stanzas. The ambiguous, threatening, ethereal presence of the Erlking precedes great danger for the desperate father and his precious son, and the tragic ending of the poem is pretty hard-hitting. I'd love to see an animated or illustrated version of this story!

The Muppets Make Puppets! (1994) by Cheryl Henson

rating — 5/5 stars

genres — arts-and-crafts instructional book

page count — 112

setting — N/A

thoughts — I have loved this book ever since I discovered it in a basket of books at a beach house my family stayed in as a child! It's written by Jim Henson's daughter and simply chock-full of brilliant colors, vivid photos, fun instructions, creative ideas, and real-world examples. I love the variety of puppets Henson includes, the amount of household materials, and the little bios for each puppet. There's nothing not to love about this one!

We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962) by Shirley Jackson

rating — 4/5 stars

genres — Gothic suspense thriller, dark psychological drama

page count — 214

setting — 1960s, New England

thoughts — I'd heard great things about this novella and had been saving it for Halloween. It mostly lived up to the hype: it's an unsettling, sinister tale of psychosis, agoraphobia, and long-held family secrets, all unfolding in an eerie village and an uncanny manor. Jackson's writing is skilled and nuanced, though at times it felt a bit too slow and uneventful for my taste. Still, it's a very memorable, uneasy sort of story you won't be able to put down!

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1820) by Washington Irving

rating — 5/5 stars

genres — short story, humor, supernatural thriller

page count — 37

setting — 1790s, Sleepy Hollow

Berkshire Theatre Group plans events for 2016 February School Vacation Week

Berkshire Theatre Group Welcomes the Brand New Transformer Children’s Festival as Part of 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival Pittsfield, MA– Berkshire Theatre Group welcomes the brand new Transformer Children’s Festival, including family-friendly events for school vacation week: Kids Dance Party, Saturday, February 13; BTG PLAYS! on Tour presents Play Ball! Reflections on the Origins…