#tcpl

The Golden Enclaves is the third and last book in Naomi Novik’s Scholomance trilogy. I reviewed the first book, A Deadly Education, a few weeks ago. I did read the second book in the series, The Last Graduate, but I didn’t write a review for it before I read The Golden Enclaves. And to be honest, The Golden Enclaves was such a wild ride that I feel like I can’t properly do justice to The Last Graduate if I write a review for it now, so I’ll only be talking about The Golden Enclaves. This does mean that there will be some pretty major spoilers for both The Last Graduate and The Golden Enclaves, so proceed with caution!

The Golden Enclaves picks up right where the previous book left off. El and her friends have successfully executed their world-saving plan, made it out of the Scholomance, and killed off most of the monsters in the world, but at a cost: Orion is now trapped in the Scholomance, floating in the void. Grieving and traumatized, El turns around and marches right back into the Scholomance, but all is not how she left it, because being trapped in the Scholomance has changed Orion. El, Aadhya, Liu, and Liesel (the newest addition to their group) set off on an epic quest to find a cure for Orion. On her journey to save her friend, El uncovers terrifying truths about enclaves, the creation of maw-mouths, Orion’s past, and her own family. El and her friends must overcome all odds to prevent an all-out war between the enclaves of the world.

The Golden Enclaves was an absolute roller-coaster of an adventure. The plot twists and revelations one after the other as well as the gripping story made this book impossible to put down. It was so satisfying how Novik tied up loose ends, building on clues and connections from the first two books that I hadn’t noticed to lead to an absolutely thrilling climax. I appreciated how much Novik lives up to the old adage “Show, don’t tell.” Whereas some books rely on rambling monologues and inner turmoil to push the reader to feel certain emotions, The Golden Enclaves shows you how to feel perhaps a little too well. It was absolutely horrifying (to say the least) when I finally found out the secret behind enclaves, maw-mouths, and Orion’s family. Even though the book does explore El’s inner struggle, it’s never overdone or dragged on, leaving the reader to form their own emotional response. Because of how expertly the plot of this book tied into those of the first two books to build up to the final conflict, I wasn’t resentful at all at the happy ending. After everything the characters went through and discovered, I thought they deserved it. And after investing so much emotional energy into this series, I thought I deserved to see a happy ending as well.

Something I’ve come to appreciate over the course of this trilogy is the author’s ability to create powerful and morally gray characters. Even though El plays the role of the stereotypical chosen one, she is not painfully modest or self-deprecating and knows exactly what she’s capable of. I’ve read so many stories where the main character is either wracked with self-doubt or just doesn’t even acknowledge their own power, so it was refreshing to finally see a main character who is aware of their own capabilities. And despite El’s confidence in her powers, she’s never arrogant, she understands her own limits and shortcomings, and she knows to rely on her friends. This already sets her apart from many other fictional heroes and makes the entire book more mature and realistic, because as a reader, I always get super annoyed when the main character is unable to get out of their own head and be practical. El, on the other hand, is the epitome of practical. She is affected by grief and trauma just like a regular person, but she is also smart and able to think through her decisions—or at least choose to surround herself with people whom she can rely on to stop her from being reckless. The maturity with which this book approaches these ultra-powerful characters allows the author to explore the stickier, more complicated sides of the situation. When a character is already so powerful, whether or not to use their abilities become a question of morality, which El struggles with throughout the books. I loved how her mother is a huge influence on her development, and how El chooses to take the same path her mother did, despite the two of them being so different, because she finally realizes what she truly wants.

Speaking of morality aned ethics, this book also does a great job at dealing with morally gray characters. The main conflict of The Golden Enclaves is basically a magical reimagining of the trolley problem: given the choice, would you choose to sacrifice one person to guarantee the safety of your family? Or would you choose to take the moral high ground and watch as your children are slaughtered by monsters? There’s no one “bad guy” in this book, which makes it so much easier to become invested in the story. Ophelia Lake, the main antagonist of this book, has done some pretty unspeakable things, but her actions are still understandable, because she’s just doing what everyone else is—trying to survive and protect her loved ones. This is actually more relatable and understandable than the typical villain with a sad backstory, because most people would do anything to protect their families. 

Overall, this book was an absolutely wild and amazing conclusion to the Scholomance trilogy. The story is original, well-paced, and gripping, and the characters are just as snarky, smart, and fun as they have been for the first two books. Novik has created an incredible fantasy world with a magic system that is unique, intriguing, and oddly realistic. The Golden Enclaves was a truly fitting end to this unforgettable trilogy. 

“What are you looking for?” 

This is the question that the seemingly mystical librarian Sayuri Komachi poses to five very different people who are all, in some way, lost. 

Michiko Aoyama’s 2020 novel, What You Are Looking For Is in the Library, traces the stories of five ordinary people in modern-day Tokyo, all of whom are searching for something. These characters lead very different lives, but they are all drawn to a small library located in the community center of their Tokyo Suburb. There, they meet the fearsome, unmoving librarian of the community center: Ms. Komachi, who resembles a fairy-tale witch characteristic of a Studio Ghibli movie. Whether it is a magazine editor struggling to balance motherhood and work, a disillusioned art major, or a newly retired cookie factory worker, each character comes to the library and leaves with a book recommendation (and a felted trinket, courtesy of Ms. Komachi) that will change their lives forever. 

Translated from the original Japanese by Alison Watts, this is the first of Aoyama’s many celebrated novels available to English readers. Aoyama’s distinct voice shines through the five chapters, manifesting in a light and comfortable tone, resembling a conversation with your best friend. These characters are smart and snappy; they tell it like it is, a welcome diversion from the flowery, descriptor-heavy prose I’m used to reading. 

Don’t be deceived by the casual atmosphere, though. This book explores the intricacies of life and dreams with such tender care that you’ll be taken aback. I certainly was—at the sheer empathy that is steeped in these pages. This book slips you into its characters’ minds and dreams effortlessly. It’s easy to become invested in these characters’ lives. My heart ached for their troubles and pined for their happiness—whether that was for Tomoka, a young retail worker, to get unstuck in life, or for Ryo, an anxious accountant, to work up the courage to pursue his love for antiques—and when each character’s story ended and the next began, it was as if I were saying goodbye to an old friend.

The beauty of these five stories is how ordinary they are. These people are not superheroes; they’re not saving the world (at least in the conventional sense). They are office workers and comic book fans and mothers and fathers. There’s something beautiful about the familiarity of these characters’ lives. Real life is not always an exciting adventure, but this book shows how even the most ordinary of days can become meaningful in their own ways. Aoyama has created an ode to the beauty of the little things, like how only a reader can understand how these five characters, complete strangers, can lead lives that are linked in many unexpected ways. 

Still, Aoyama’s characters are far from ordinary. Faced with the hardships of ordinary life, they are just like the rest of us—they get stuck, unmotivated, uninspired. But they keep going. They are empathetic and communicative. They never stop thinking and searching, and eventually, they are led to the library, and something resembling inner peace. My personal favorites of the five were the first story, about a young retail worker who finds joy and motivation through baking castella (cake) from a children's picture book; and the last one, about a retired elderly man who finds new purpose through his daughter and a book of poetry. It's hard to put into words how these stories make you feel. Rewarded? Triumphant? Inspired? All of the above.

I believe that these characters represent the best qualities in all of us. Maybe we all have the potential for a happy ending, if only we look in the right places. Like a library. 

Goerge Orwell’s classic, 1984 follows one man’s nightmare odyssey through a world where freedom is slavery, war is peace, and ignorance is strength. Winston is a minor party functionary who struggles day and night with intrusive thoughts of hatred towards Big Brother and all that he represents. These thoughts he must keep concealed, for if the Thought Police have any inkling of his disdain for the party and the principles of Ingsoc they will send him to be tortured in the Ministry of Love, a fate worse than death. Along the way, Winston meets a woman, Julia, who he falls deeply in love with. They organize to meet regularly in a small room above an antique store in the poorer quarters of Oceania, where the proles live and the only place where there are no telescreens. However this euphoric and almost adolescent romance doesn’t last long, as the Thought Police detain them and they’re both sent to the Ministry of Love. Winston is put through torture so extreme and continuous that he starts to question the difference between his own thoughts and the ones that are being forced upon him. At the time when it was released, 1984 became an instant classic for its nuanced and poignant criticism of authoritarian regimes. The book can be interpreted as a warning for what may become our reality should we lose sight of the freedoms that we so often take for granted. 74 years after the books publication, Orwell’s vision of this dystopian world is still relevant to modern readers, as many of the elements of Oceania’s totalitarian party can be seen in the authoritarian regimes of the 21st century (i.e. China, North Korea). For a book’s message to still ring true and be apropos three quarters of a century later speakers volumes to its genius and cements its place in literature as a classic.

I stumbled upon this remarkable book in an unremarkable way: by scrolling through a booklist on my local public library’s mobile app. Intrigued by the pretty cover art and the summary’s promise of a spooky fantasy adventure, I downloaded it and dove right in. 

To use the author’s words, this “haunting Japanese-inspired folktale” follows Miuko, a teenage servant girl in the land of Awara, and her journey to reclaim her humanity and return home after she is cursed to transform into a demon. She must bargain with the God of Stars, defeat a legendary evil demon, and resist the curse that threatens to turn her into a mindless killer, all as a girl in a strictly patriarchal society. Along the way, she makes friends with Geiki, a trickster magpie spirit; Senara, a clever human girl; Nogadishao, a cranky forest spirit; and many more quirky characters. In the end, Miuko must learn to trust her abilities and find peace in who she is in order to save herself, her father, her new friends, and the entire kingdom of Awara.

This book was nothing short of an epic adventure. The land of Awara is vivid and magical, filled with shapeshifting spirits, vengeful demons, and sled-riding monkeys, but also painfully steeped in reality. The challenges that Miuko faces come from demons and curses but also from the sinister depths of the human experience: the oppression and objectification of women, the desire for power and subjugation, the fear of ones who are not like us. The way human society intermingled with spirit society and the flaws of each were believable and realistic, and this is one of the things that made this book so appealing to me: when the character or the world is obviously not real but is still undeniably so. 

The distinct atmospheres of this book that Traci Chee created -- the eeriness of the verge hour, the bustle of the Doctor’s casino, and even the fiery destruction of Nihaoi -- made me want to step into the story for a front-row seat. I loved getting to know all of the weird and wonderful creatures of Awara, each with their own distinct personalities, and laughing at their interactions. I got so attached to the colorful cast of characters that by the end of my five hours spent reading this book, I was ready to bawl if any of them died. My personal favorite moments were when I got to witness the friendship between Geiki and Miuko, which was genuinely hilarious and wholesome. 

Despite this being a fantasy novel based on mythology, Miuko’s personality was so real. Her actions reflect her determination to protect herself and her friends while also staying true to her background -- her uncertainty from being told her entire life that she couldn’t amount to anything because she was a girl. Because of this, Miuko’s personal transformation over the course of the story was so well-done and amazing to experience. Her growing confidence and gradual acceptance of herself made me so happy. Her character growth came naturally, and the turning point when she realizes the true nature of her curse was shocking but also absolutely fitting. 

A Thousand Steps Into Night was an absolute delight to experience. You’re taken on a fun, magical adventure and meet all sorts of creatures from Japanese folklore while also thinking about deeper themes of independence, family, and humanity. As the author put it, this book is at once a “silly Ghibli-esque adventure” and a “critique of American patriarchy in the guise of an escapist fantasy.” An unexpectedly enjoyable combination, in my opinion, to which this brief review review can’t do justice. I recommend this for those who are interested in spooky fairy tales, coming-of-age stories, social justice, and everything in between.

Suggested Reading is an amazing novel about friendship, perseverance, queso, and of course books. Clara is a book nerd to the max, her love of books has inspired her creation of the Tiny Little Libraries that have made her a Founders’ Scholarship finalist and the proud creator of a non-profit called LitHouse. As she starts her senior year off with an allnighter to read her favorite author’s newest book, “Don’t Tread on Me”, she’s optimistic about her future. But her last first day is nothing compared to what she hoped it would be. As she heads to her one true home, the library, she finds the librarians, Mr. Caywell’s, open email with a letter from the principal with a list of prohibited media, aka fifty newly banned books “Don’t Tread on Me” among them. As Clara protests civilly her complaints fall on deaf ears. So she does what any self-respecting book lover would do she starts a contraband library in her locker. With the help of new friends and unlikely allies, Clara will discover that our lives create filters that change how we see the world and the books we choose to let change us.

—SPOILERS—

This book is incredible. I knew from the moment Clara started narrating I would love her. I find so much of myself in her character I can’t even describe how close to home this book hits. The idea of banned books or ‘prohibited media’ as LA puts it makes me want to burn the world down and start over. Who in their right mind would ver prohibit someone from reading a book? A point that Clara makes many many times is the fact that books have changed her life so many times, much as they have mine, for all book lovers this book truly carries a piece of your heart. Also the idea of starting tiny libraries and a contraband library in her locker? Genius, I’m so intrigued by this idea and I wish id thought of it first. Also this book? “Don’t Tread on Me”? F***ing phenomenal, I’m literally losing my mind, this idea of Panem et Circenses is really getting me to question everything, I feel exactly like Clara at this point. I took Latin for three years and I know about the culture and the source of this idea and it’s really messing with my head. I wish this book was real, I would devour it. On a totally different topic, Prince Walsh can kiss my butt. He’s such an awful person, like wtf? LiQui is amazing tho, bless her sweet student government heart. Also, I want a queso book club. This book is what I want my life to be, y’all have no clue. But about halfway through the book the vibe totally changes. A little quote from me,

“Okay, so I’m writing this at 264. This book was good but now it’s really hitting different I can’t even tell you, I almost started crying up in the library because this is actually so heart-wrenching. This is what I’ve been feeling my whole life this book is the pure pain of what it feels like to find yourself, the good and the bad in the books you read, knowing they’re not real and feeling like there is no one in this world who also feels this, only fictional characters.”

This was the scene where Jack comes out to Clara. It hit me so hard, it put into words a feeling that many queer youths have, finding yourself in a piece of music, an artist, or a book can be life-altering and it can hurt because you don’t know what to do with it. This scene totally shifted the vibes for the rest of the book. But not too far after this another totally interesting thing happened, Mr.Caywell was put on paid leave because he wasn’t conforming to the change. But the fact that he encouraged Clara and gave her the courage to keep going with her UnLib, it really pushed me that much more into loving him, I wish I had such a wonderful librarian. Side note I love LiQui, she is so cool, also I love that a book inspired her to want to become the president and go to school for political science. Also small thing, the fact that Ashton has been running the GSA for years even before Jack was out, amazing, I love the fact that Clara is able to face her biases and come to terms that these people care for her and are her friends. And the boom in people wanting books is inspiring, even though its fiction, I love that people love to read. And then we’re at the football scene. It’s such a pure wonderful moment. Friends hanging out and being silly together, Jack is laughing and having a good time and things are all starting to look up, everything is good! And then everything crashes. As soon as she picked up her phone I knew. I knew and it hurt. The thing I think that hurt most of all though is the fact that Jack’s suicide attempt made her question her faith in books. But I think it also gave her much needed perspective for later in the novel. I don’t think that, if this hadn’t happened, she would’ve had the ultimate courage to stand up to withstand everything that was pressing against her because she finally figured out what she wanted to achieve through distributing these books. But then they suspend Ashton and call an emergency meeting, like what the hell is that? But it was inspiring that these people were willing to stand and fight the system with her, it was truly a powerful moment. And then we’ve reached the point, the ultimate end goal of all of her TLL’s and LitHouse. The Founders’ Scholarship dinner. And there’s Jack’s mother. This woman ought to be fully and completely ashamed of herself for everything. And the sad thing is, there are people exactly like that in the real world doing the exact same things. I think honestly that is the scariest part of this book the fact that it has and continues to happen all around the world. But I also want to give her the tiniest sliver of credit where it’s due, thanks to Mrs asshole for giving Clara the confidence and the inspiration to give a powerful speech on a topic that is something she really truly cares about. Then we get the first of the two ultimate plot twists in this book, Principal Walsh? Not so much of an asshole, after all, it really started to bring it all together. And then we’re at graduation, she made it with an amazing group of friends in toe. The fact that Jack was able to come out and escape his oppressive home life, I was so hoping something like that would be there for him. And this book ends so well on such a high note and was left with one last plot twist to fill our hearts with joy. Jack’s little brother Emerson? He’ll keep the UnLib going until the rule is forgone and there are no longer prohibited books. And that in the end, filled my heart with so much joy. I was hoping for a happy (non-romanticized) ending for this book and this really brought it all together in a nice bow. This book was phenomenal, I highly recommend it to all readers, avid ones especially.

Deja and Josiah are at an end. Not them specifically but their time at the beloved patch, a fall job they've both been working for years but as childhood runs out and college creeps ever closer so does the nostalgia. Since their time at the patch is coming to an end Deja convinces Josiah to ask out the cute girl he's been mooning over for years before its too late. We follow these two friends on a path to love though massive quantities of fall food, corn fields, and good times as these two pumpkin heads take advantage of their last day at the patch. 

--SPOILERS--

this was such a cute book! I love Rainbow Rowell already so when I saw that she was coming out with a cute fall themed graphic novel? I knew I had to read it. This is such a genuine heartfelt story, its very cute and relatable. I kind of knew from the beginning that they were going to fall in love I could see Deja dropping hints the entire time. The art was fantastic you could fully see the characters emotions and it such filled me with pumpkin spice feels. I love how even though we didn't see any flashbacks we got to learn about their story and their histories at the patch as they went from place to place. I also love deja’s obsession with fall themed food, I think we all kind of feel that. Josiah seriousness about his role at the patch is probably the most comical thing about this book, its just laughable how dedicated he is. My last and probably most favorite thing is that Deja is bisexual? Pansexual? Who knows! Because they don't make it her only defining characteristic! Yay!! Sorry, geeking out over accurate and adorable POC and LGBTQ+ representation. Anyway, overall this story was just an adorable quick fall read that I think everyone should stick their noses in for a bit. 

Gregory (Scotland Yard detective): “Is there any other point to which you would wish to draw my attention?”

Holmes: “To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.”

Gregory: “The dog did nothing in the night-time.”

Holmes: “That was the curious incident.”

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Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. And he detests the color yellow.

Christopher is a 15-year-old boy living in Swindon, England with his father and memories of his dead mother. He self-identifies as “a mathematician with some behavioural difficulties.” (And yes, “behavioural” is spelled correctly, if you’re British.) One day Christopher finds his neighbor’s dog, Wellington, dead in the lawn. Mrs. Shears, the dog’s owner, calls the police, believing that Christopher killed the poodle. When the police arrive, Christopher begins to act out and punches the police officer after the officer reaches out to touch his arm. He is taken into custody and later released with a stern warning. 

Despite his father’s warnings to stay out of other people’s business, he begins to chronicle his search for the dog killer in a journal - the book we are reading, which he refers to as “a murder mystery novel.” His investigation leads to some startling discoveries and truths that leave Christopher and his family reeling.