Why did you read this book? I can’t remember why I put it on my To Read list, but I’m glad I did.

Has Jeremy read it? No.

42-word review: Told mostly in flashback to the year when Tillie’s mother disappeared, this heartbreaking portrait of a child trying to make sense of the world captures the blurred edges between childhood reality, imagination and misinterpretation. Bonus: the plot’s almost as compelling as Tillie.

Overall rating:  5 ruby cups (out of 5)

Why did you read this book? I put a hold on this at the library because it was in the Tournament of Books, and it ended up winning.

Has Jeremy read it? No.

42-word review: The adventures of abolitionist John Brown, narrated by a cross-dressing young ex-slave. The final raid was exciting, but it was slow going to get there. Its comic tone wasn’t actually amusing, and the juxtaposition with the serious story didn’t work for me.

Overall rating:  3 good-luck charms (out of 5)