From Z to A: Sabriel by Garth Nix

Dear Aly,

I’m finally making progress on my summer TBR pile!

I picked up Sabriel by Garth Nix primarily because I fell in love with the cover of the upcoming Clariel, the prequel to the series. I love that these new covers really show off a cool design while still paying homage to the decade in which the series was released. They feel new but still, somehow, very 90s.

Sabriel follows title character, Sabriel on a journey to find her father. She believes he has been trapped in Death and needs to find him and bring him back. Along the way she encounters Mogget, a talking cat, and Touchstone, a man trapped in Death as well, and his body has been turned to wood. She frees Touchstone and he becomes her companion. But something bigger, something Dead, is coming and Sabriel will need all the help she can get to defeat it.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sabriel. The novel went a little slow at some points, but I kind of actually enjoyed that. I like taking my time on first books, especially if they’re fantasy, because it takes me a while to get used to the world and understand all the components.

Sabriel is a really strong character. She has a lot of growing up to do in a really short amount of time, and I think she handles it well. There is a bit of romance, but it takes a backseat to the bigger problems presented, and I appreciated that. Everyone who’s been into YA for a while has read and recommended this series, even the girl who rang me up at Barnes & Noble when I picked up Sabriel and Lirael, the second book in the trilogy. I must say, everyone is right!!! I loved Sabriel.

Overall, such a solid read!!! I like the mix of a more modern world and the Old Kingdom, it makes for a cool contrast and allows us as the reader to learn about the world along with Sabriel. I can’t wait to read the next one, it’s already sitting on my shelf J

Happy reading,

Zoe

Indie Bookstore Featurette!

Dear Aly,

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve had time to visit the amazing indie bookstores in my area, and with my beloved neighborhood Barnes & Noble closing (after 21 years!!!), I figured it’s time to see what else is out there. I’m totally devastated by my favorite hangout going the way of the dinosaurs, but never fear! I found some totally amazing and unique bookstores. These are spread out along California’s coast, all the way up to Santa Barbara, so if you’re in the area, check em out!!!

 

1. The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles, CA – It’s not an indie bookstore post without The Last Bookstore!!! Located in the arts district of LA, this amazing store sells new and used books, as well as gifts and LPs. The YA section holds so much nostalgia, and there’s even a section for local NYT bestsellers (Tahereh Mafi and Marie Lu top that list!!!). The classics section has some amazing finds, and even has all the beautiful Penguin Classics editions you could ever want. Above the store is the Labyrinth: containing independent vendors, the sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books, and in the back, the $1 bargain stacks. If you’re looking for a deal, this place is the best!! For the bookiest of us, The Last Bookstore is heaven!
2. The Book Den, Santa Barbara, CA – Another used and new bookstore. This place has a unique feel and some of the most beautiful classics books I’ve ever seen. You need this place in your life if you love quaint bookshops. It’s actually pretty well-stocked, and they buy books, so it’s perfect if you’re clearing out your shelves and want to fill em right back up! Haha
3. Granada Books, Santa Barbara, CA – A beautiful indie bookstore that has the coolest, most unique selection of books. They’ve only been open for about a year, but I can see them becoming a Santa Barbara staple. I found an amazing copy of Jack Kerouac’s On The Road that I couldn’t resist, and they were the only bookstore I found that actually had The Song of Achilles that I had been hunting for for weeks! The staff was so nice, and I think I kind of made their day – I was darting around the store for a good 30 minutes marveling at all the books. I even found the gorgeous Penguin editions of all of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s books (they’re amazing in gold and silver on white backgrounds).
4. Chaucer’s Books, Santa Barbara, CA – Possibly my favorite place on Earth. Chaucer’s Books would appear in an encyclopedia if you looked up “bookstore.” They have so many books to sell that a lot of them are stacked up on the ground around the shelves. They’ve got everything, or they can get it for you. The YA section is tremendous!!!! Every book I could think of was there, even the oddly-elusive Raven Cycle books by Maggie Stiefvater that I check for at every store. What really wowed me though was the middle grade section. Most stores have maybe two or three shelves of middle grade books, well, Chaucer’s has a whole wall!! I found my beloved Children of the Lamp series (which I was surprised to find has 7 books in it now!!), as well as some middle grade and children’s classics! Oh, and an annotated Phantom Tollbooth, so cool!!!
5. Bay Books, Coronado, CA – Another cool and unique bookstore with a view!! It’s super close to The Hotel Del in Coronado, and the beach is just a few minutes walk. I love the atmosphere and how low key this store is. There’s always people milling about, and they have a lot of books to choose from.

Here’s a list of books I picked up recently on my vacation!

 

On The Road by Jack Kerouac

Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence

The Glass Sentence by S. E. Grove

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Champion by Marie Lu

Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen by Garth Nix

 

Look for reviews for all these coming up soon!!

Happy reading,

Zoe