Book and podcast reviews
A Scroll column where writer Ella Hayes posts reviews for books and podcasts she has recently read and listened to, and takes suggestions for more books and podcasts to review for future columns.
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young adult book rating and reviews
young adult book rating and reviews
by Ella Hayes
by Ella Hayes
Dear scroll readers...
Dear scroll readers...
Hello and welcome back to the Book Review column! First of all, I would like to thank everybody who submitted some book and author recommendations over the last couple of months! I have been reviewing and taking note of every recommendation, and you can expect to see those reviews over the next couple of months. For this issue, I just have an author (two books) and my current book I am reading to talk about. (As a side note, these two books are not the typical “young adult” novels I would typically review, but they were both great recommendations that I would still love to talk about!) I also have a few podcasts that I have been listening to, and some holiday/winter stories for December that I would like to talk about as well. As always, feel free to add suggestions of books OR podcasts for me to read or listen to and then review! Thank you for joining me this month, and merry Christmas to you all!
Ella Hayes; Writer and Reporter
Where i get my books (and podcasts)
Where i get my books (and podcasts)
Other than buying physical copies of books at local stores, I also check lots of books out online through the Josephine Community Library. Additionally, GPHS Library has great ways to get library books, as well. (See the library page on the GPHS website!)
I use the app "Overdrive," and use my local library card to sign in. (If you have a library card with the Josephine Community Library, you can do this, too!) The online library has thousands of books for you to choose from. It’s also easy to find exactly what you are looking for; using the search engine and filters, you can find books easily by their title, genre or format. You can check out books straight from your phone with the app, and read them on your phone, as well. If you prefer audiobooks, you can also check out audiobooks and listen to them with the app, too. If the book you want is unavailable, you can recommend the book or place a hold.
This is a great way to have access to many books for free (if you have a many books for free (if you have a library card)!
As for podcasts, I listen to every podcast on Spotify, though you can find any episode on each podcast’s website (linked down below).
Book Reviews/Author Review
Book Reviews/Author Review
One author that I was recommended to read was Mary Downing Hahn. After doing further research, I learned that she is a middle-grade fiction writer, specializing in mystery, fantasy, and the paranormal. I very much enjoyed reading two selections of her work: The Old Willis Place and Look for Me by Midnight, two chilling tales with fantastic original plot lines.
The Old Willis Place
The Old Willis Place
Title: The Old Willis Place
Author: Mary Downing Hahn
Rating: ✰✰✰✰ (4.5 stars)
Genre: Middle-grade, fiction, fantasy, mystery, paranormal
Quote: “The breadth and height of Mary Downing Hahn's work is extraordinarily special.” - C. on Goodreads
Review: In this novel, one of our narrators, Diana, and her little brother Georgie live on the grounds of Old Willis House, an infamously “haunted” house that used to inhabit an old woman, by the name of Mrs. Willis. When a new caretaker with his young daughter Lissa shows up to the manor to look after the abandoned place, Diana feels intrigued by her and the possible friendship, much to the dismay of her very cautious brother. Due to what Diana and Georgie refer to as “The Rules,” they are not allowed to interact with any person or reveal their presence to anybody else; however, Diana is determined to make new friends and she quickly introduces herself to Lissa. This quickly spirals, though, and Lissa begins to try and unravel the mystery of the appearance of Diana and Georgie.
This book was told from two perspectives, both Diana and Lissa. Despite the fact that I normally do not care for alternating narrators in a book, I thought this was very well-crafted by Hahn: this gives even more depth to the mystery, with Diana concealing secrets in her voice and Lissa trying to uncover them. Though the exterior conflict is obviously Diana’s pining for another companion, there’s still that mystery that remains for Lissa and readers alike: who are Diana and Georgie, anyway, and why are they at the Willis manor?
What I truly loved about this book is the very unique and original plotline. This story took many unpredicted turns and twists, and I was always on the edge of my seat, curious about what clues will be revealed next. Not only was the mystery part of this story wonderfully told, but the chilling and almost horror factor of this novel was very suspenseful and added to the well-roundedness of the book.
Overall, I believed that this was a great read, and I believe it even had some great moments and lessons for younger readers. The ending was very satisfactory for readers, and made for a well-paced plot line.
Look For me by midnight
Look For me by midnight
Title: Look For Me by Moonlight
Author: Mary Downing Hahn
Rating: ✰✰✰✰ (4 stars)
Genre: Middle-grade, fiction, fantasy, mystery, paranormal
Quote: "Hahn deftly creates the proper atmosphere for this spine chiller." - Kirkus Reviews
Review: In this Hahn story, 16-year-old Cynda reluctantly moves in with her father and new stepmother at a remote bed and breakfast in Maine. Despite her reservations about staying there with her father’s new family and her young stepbrother, Cynda quickly forgets about all this when a handsome older man arrives at the inn for a month’s stay. Cynda is immediately mesmerized by this mysterious stranger: she immediately desires to learn more about him and become close to him, causing concern for her in her father and stepmother. However, the closer that Cynda becomes to this peculiar visitor, the deeper she falls into his grasp. Once Cynda is finally able to recognize the obvious manipulation and lies that he tells, she is so lost within his power that it seems impossible to free herself or her family from his reach.
May I just start by saying: this book hooked me from the very first page. In fact, I finished this novel between first period and lunch on a particularly slow school day! Though this was a quick read, I would say it is far from light. Similarly to Hahn’s book The Old Willis House, this novel is another mystery, though it is told in a much more horror-type way. This was definitely directed toward older readers than Hahn's typical audience, though you can tell it is a little dated. (The book was published in 1995.) Though the obvious conflict is for Cynda to become more comfortable and happy with her father’s new family, this new complication of a stranger living in the same house clearly disrupts things and puts everyone on edge. In addition to this, I would like to note that there is a paranormal factor to this story just like The Old Willis House, though I am hesitant to reveal much more to that as to not reveal any spoilers!
Further research after finishing this book revealed that it was based on a poem by Alfred Noyes: The Highwayman. After reading the hauntingly beautiful poem for myself, I could understand why. Feel free to check out this poem for yourself, thanks to the Poetry Foundation, here.
All in all, I loved this book: its chilling messages, combined with Hahn’s beautiful imagery, really captured this frightening tale that keeps readers captivated throughout the entire novel.
Current Read
Current Read
Right now, I am reading a fantastic recommendation made to me: The Body Double by Emily Beyda. As of now, I am about 50% of the way through.
The Body Double is certainly unlike anything I have ever read before. For starters: readers do not learn the narrator’s name. In fact, we learn next to nothing about the narrator of the first-person story, which definitely sets an interesting scene for an entire book. In this novel, our narrator is recruited to completely take the place of a very famous celebrity who, at the time, was unfit for any sort of public appearance. This means our narrator has to completely ditch and forget her old life working at an old movie theater to totally commit to her role as the celebrity, Rosanna. Though our narrator is obviously hesitant to sign her old life away, the prospect of the incredible salary and a chance to start anew convinces her to commit to the impersonation job.
Though this novel isn’t exactly meant to a chilling or horror tale, this novel encompasses suspense, thrill, and mystery in such a way that I can’t help but feel deeply curious about the real meaning behind the need for a celebrity impersonator. Though I haven’t quite finished this book, I have very high expectations for the turning point in the plot, and I’m excited to see how this one ends.
Be looking out for a review in the next article!
podcast reviews
podcast reviews
Recently, along with reading books, I have started to begin listening to various podcasts in several different genres. I figured that, along with reviewing books for my column, I would also talk about some podcasts I have been listening to in order to provide opportunities for all different types of learners!
Though I typically prefer listening to non-fiction podcasts and fiction books, there are also many types of fictional podcasts that include topics such as poetry or short stories. For example, one fiction podcast that I have heard of is Phoebe Reads a Mystery, a podcast where our narrator reads a chapter a day from various mystery novels. Though I have not had a chance to listen to that one yet, I hope to soon!
Here are three podcasts I have been mainly listening to in the last month. (Feel free to send me some of your favorite podcasts as well… I’d love to hear back from you all!)
Office
Office
Ladies
Ladies
Crime
Crime
Junkies
Junkies
Title: The Office Ladies
By: Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsley (with EarWolf)
Focus: Television
Review: To all of my fellow The Office fans, you can imagine how excited I was when I realized that co-stars Angela Kinsley and Jenna Fischer (characters Angela and Pam) were doing a podcast just to talk about behind-the-scenes moments on the show! In their podcast, these two former co-workers discuss what it was like to film every episode of The Office, and exactly how much work and detail was put into every aspect of the show. This podcast has really helped open my eyes into the world of acting and producing and, every time I listen, I am amazed by the amount of work that goes into every single tiny detail of the classic show. If you are a fan of The Office, this is certainly the podcast for you!
Title: Crime Junkie
By: Ashley Flowers and Brit
Focus: True Crime
Review: Though I am a lover of The Office, I am also a big fan of anything “true crime”. In this podcast, hosts Ashley and Brit discuss many crime cases across the country: unsolved, and cold cases alike, with their own theories and thoughts about each story. Ashley and Brit’s incredible voices and storytelling abilities set the stage for suspenseful and thrilling stories that leave listeners wanting more. If you are a true crime lover just like me, I highly recommend Crime Junkie as a source for any true crime story.
Meet Crime Junkie Podcast Host
TED Radio Hour
TED Radio Hour
Title: TED Radio Hour
By: Manoush Zomorodi
Focus: Science
Review: Chances are, you have heard of TED Talks before. But perhaps you haven’t heard of TED Radio Hour: a podcast where our host Manoush Zomorodi teaches listeners about a wide variety of subjects with some of the world most highly renowned experts and scientists. In each episode, Zomorodi tackles a new big idea that is explained with the help of live TED Talks and exclusive interviews with experts in the field. I have learned so much from this podcast, and anybody can find episodes that interest them from this podcast!
Holiday and winter reads
Holiday and winter reads
In honor of Christmas quickly approaching, I wanted to include some bonus book recommendations from me to you! Here are some quick and light holiday stories to read while sitting by the fireplace with Christmas music playing ❤️.
Snowed In
Snowed In
By Rachel Hawthorne
decked with holly
decked with holly
By Marni Bates
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