Tag: Madeline miller

My Favorite Greek Mythology Books

Here are some of my favorite books that are based on Greek mythology!

  1. Circe by Madeline Miller
    This is probably one of my favorite books, both Greek mythology based and in general! The first glimpse I got of Circe was from the 2nd Percy Jackson book, where she is written as a minor antagonistic character. This was backed up by other Greek mythology books, but this book put it in a totally new perspective.
    Circe has never been pretty or melodious, like her siblings, but when she meets a fisherman and falls in love, then everything else falls away. She realizes he doesn’t reciprocate those feelings, instead loving Scylla. Seized by jealousy, she uses her knowledge of the plants that grow by her home to transform her, then steals away to live her own life. I loved this book and how it was beautifully written. I totally recommend this book to you!
  2. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
    This was another great novel written by Madeline Miller! Patroclus’ name means “glory of the father” which is ironic, since he’s anything but. When he accidentally kills a child of noble birth, his father exiles him to Phthia, where he meets Peleus and his son, Achilles. Achilles and Patroclus instantly form a bond when they’re kids, and become lovers when they’re older. Achilles, one day, receives a prophecy that he will kill Hector, but then die himself. Achilles doesn’t believe this, but prophecies always come true… This was such a great book and I totally recommend it to you!
  3. Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
    This was such an interesting book! Unlike the 2 previous books, this one is less of a retelling and more of what was actually done, but this time, through Ariadne’s perspective. Ariadne’s life has been stifling, to say the least. So when a handsome man shows up and promises to take her away, she believes him and helps him do whatever it takes. But when he abandons her, she has to learn how to live by herself and create her own life. I really enjoyed this book and how, even though it stuck more to the original myth, it was just as enthralling! I totally recommend it to you!
  4. The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
    This was such an interesting take on The Odyssey. In this retelling though, we get Penelope’s perspective, using choruses from the maids and a unique form of storytelling. In The Odyssey, there’s always been one unanswered question- What led to the hanging of the maids? This book answers that question in such a refreshing way and I loved how the book continued to flow. This is such a great book and I totally recommend it to you!
  5. Lore by Alexandra Bracken
    This was a Hunger Games- like story, with Greek Mythology based characters. Every year, 9 of the Greek Gods are forced to wander the Earth, danger at every step, since they could easily be killed and their immortality taken by the killer. Lore left that life many years ago when her family was killed. But when a childhood friend and Athena, the goddess of wisdom, come to her, looking for help, she decides to get revenge. I really enjoyed this book and the way that the story was written. I totally recommend this book to you!

What are some of your favorite books based on mythology?

Top reads of May

Here are my top reads of May!

  1. Aru Shah and The Nectar of Immortality by Roshani Chokshi
    This was the final book in the Aru Shah series. Aru and her friends are closer than ever to finding the maze, but they’re also farther than ever without their celestial weapons, especially as that’s the only way to open the labyrinth. The only other way is to find the Syamantaka gem, which has been split up. As the Potatoes work together to find the parts of the gem, they realize who they truly are and can be and make sacrifices they’d never known about before. I really enjoyed this series and totally recommend it to you. I cannot wait for the graphic novels!
  2. The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill
    This was a great book! The Mayor has always claimed to be an answer to all the problems in Stone-in-the-Glen. When a child goes missing though, the Mayor turns on the Ogress, who has been living at the edge of the town. The children in the Orphanage know that can’t be, especially since the Ogress is the one who leaves everyone in the town a gift every morning. As the town turns against the Ogress, the Orphans work with her to help save the town. This was such a wholesome read and I loved every minute of it. This is such a great book!
  3. Galatea by Madeline Miller
    This was such an amazing short story. In Greek mythology, there is the myth of Galatea, a sculpture who was granted life by the goddess Aphrodite after the carver begged to the goddess for her to become real. In the myth, life goes well for them after that, but in this short story, that changes. After Pygmalion, her husband, abuses her, she runs away, only for him to find her and put her in the hospital. The story picks up from there. I loved the descriptiveness of the story and the way that the original myth had been reimagined in a slightly darker way. It’s a great book and I totally recommend it to you.
  4. Girl Giant and the Monkey King by Van Hoang
    This was a great book inspired by Chinese mythology. Thom is really strong and at first, that wasn’t a problem. But now, whenever she wants to do anything, her strength comes out, unrestrained. When she goes to the temple that evening, she finds what looks like a pin. Curious, she picks it up…and releases the Monkey King, the trickster. Soon though, the Monkey King proves himself a good friend. But Kai, her neighbor, disagrees. I really enjoyed this story and its plot. I’ve also read and enjoyed the second book and I totally recommend this series to you!
  5. The Mysterious Benedict Society (reread) by Trenton Lee Stewart
    I’ve always loved this series and it’s like a classic to me. When Reynie Muldoon sees an ad in the paper asking for gifted kids, he decides to take the tests and try his hardest. Along the journey, he meets Kate and Sticky and forms a quick friendship. Soon they meet Constance and form The Mysterious Benedict Society. Their mission is to act as students at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened (LIVE) and pass along information to the team. Their journey starts off well, but as they discover new information, things change quickly. Again, I’ve always loved this series and it was a perfect re-read!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here

Top Reads of 2021

Here are my overall top reads of 2021!

  1. Circe by Madeline Miller
    Circe is such a great book. I loved the reimagining of the original tale of Circe and how we got to see this sorceress as a main character. In many Greek Mythology stories, Circe is shown as the villian of her tale, but in this story we see her as her own, bright character. If you like mythology or re-imagined fairy tales, then ou’ll definitely love this book!
  2. The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman
    4 siblings and none of them alike, yet they have to journey together to find the mythical Ivory Key. They each have different reasons for wanting it, but if they fail, they could all lose everything. I love the characters so much and the plot twists along the way. If you like fantasy or mythology, this book is perfect for you!
  3. The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
    This book is filled with plot twists and riddles, secrets and hidden compartments that you never would’ve seen coming. I’ve really enjoyed reading the first two books in this triology, though I especially loved the second book. Avery has grown so much, though she’s still as stubborn and plucky and she was in the first book. The plot is entertaining, but it’ll leave you wanting more. I can’t wait to read the final book!
  4. The Pronoun Book by Cassandra Jules Corrigan
    I really love this book. It’s sweet and simple and explains pronouns and identities in a way that’s easy to understand. The illustrations are cute and match the text perfectly. Anyone, regardless their age, can understand this book and take to using its tips and tricks. I love this book!
  5. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
    This is another great mythology book. The Trojan War is probably the subject I know least about, but this book definitely helped with that. While it focused more on Achilles and Patroclus’ relationship (one of the best ones I’ve ever heard of), it still got a close look at the Trojan War. The writing style is so delicate and at any given time, I feel like I’m actually in ancience Greece. This book is definitely one of the best.
  6. King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
    I’ve only read the first book so far, but this duology is off to a great start. It focuses on Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina- characters in past books, now starring in their own. Their problems are like no other and they require a new solution that is bold and brave and only heard of in myths. I loved this story and the characters from the beginning to the end. It is such a new, but ownderous story and I really enjoyed it.
  7. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
    This book has consistently popped up on my Instagram and so I decided to give it a try. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I love all the characters and their unique personalities. They are unique but they all work together to make a diverse cast of characters. I haven’t ever met a group of characters who I’ve loved as fiercely as Kaz, Inej, Nina, Matthais, Jesper, and Wylan. This two-book series is packed with twists and turns and will have you crying and laughing at the same time. I totally recommend it to you.

What were your top reads of 2021? Did you read/like any of these books?

Top Reads of October

Here are my top books for October!

  1. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
    This is such a great book. The Iliad/The Trojan War is my weakest subject in Greek Mythology and I’ve always wanted to learn about it. I found this book so sweet and perfect in the way that it doesn’t focus too much on the war, instead focusing on the love between Patroclus and Achilles. I love the way this book (and Patroclus and Achilles’ friendship) developed and I found the plot perfect. The ending was one of the saddest things I’ve ever read. I love this book so much!
  2. Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea by Ashley Herring Blake
    Hazel is a young girl who has just moved to Rose Harbor in Maine. When her mom (known as Mama) runs into an old friend, Claire, past feelings emerge again. She meets Claire’s daughter who’s obsessed with the legend of the Rose Maid, a 150 year old mermaid. Hazel finds herself getting swept up in the story and starts to open her heart to the magic in life. This is such a great book. I loved the way it talked about trauma and LGBT+ perspectives. None of it felt forced and all of it just molded into one story.
  3. Da Vinci’s Cat by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
    This is a beautiful book about time travel and friendships. Federico is a hostage to the Pope living in the 1500s and Bee is a young girl who has just moved to a new house. The book starts off with Federico following a kitten who leads him to a closet. The kitten goes inside, then emerges as a full grown cat with someone named Herbert Bother. The two become close friends and rely on each other, until Herbert doesn’t come back. Then, a girl named Bee steps out of the closet. She has her own motives and secrets and is trying to understand what to do to get on with her life. This book is such a great read and I love it so much!
  4. King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
    This is the first book in the duology that focuses on Nikolai, a side character in both Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows. I love this book and the perspectives it is told from. Zoya is a Grisha (someone who can do magic). She’s been working with the king to help him battle his mysterious new ailment and the way it’s been affecting him while grappling with her own past. Nikolai is doing his best as a young king, trying to keep down the beast inside of him and be a good leader. When a cult for the Darkling rises, all of this gets challenged. Nina is trying her best after Matthias’ death. She is on a quest with two other Grisha. As she meets a new friend, she understands how to embrace her new power and how to work smart. I totally recommend this series to you!
  5. Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia
    This is the second book in the Tristan Strong series. Tristan is back at his grandparents’ farm, but he’s been hearing whispers asking him to save the speaker. No one else seems to hear them, so he dismisses them until his Nana is kidnapped and the main man behind it, The Shackle Man, comes to the farm. He finds a way back to Alke, the mystical and magical world where African myths are real. He gets the help of his old friends Ayanna and Gum Baby and makes a new ally, Junior. This is such a great book and I can’t wait to read the last book in the trilogy!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of May: click here
Top Books of June: click here
Top Books of July: click here
Top Books of August: click here
Top Books of September: click here

5 Books on my TBR

I recently did a post on the book series that I have in my To Be Read, so I thought that I’d also do one on the stand-alones that I want to read. Some of these series are YA (young adult) and some of them are Mg (Middle Grade). They’re all books which seem really good and I can’t wait to read them (hopefully soon).

  1. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
  2. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
  3. Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly
  4. Lore by Alexandra Bracken
  5. The Stepmom Shake-up by Niki Lenz

Have you read any of these books?

April’s Top Books

Here are my top book of April!

April’s Best Books:

  1. Circe by Madeline Miller

    As you know, I love Greek mythology, so when I heard of this book, I was really excited to read it. I was captivated from the moment I started reading. Circe is so brave and I love the way that we were able to see both the soft, motherly side of her and the hardened warrior side. I love the way the author took the tale of Circe, who is usually one of the villains, and made her the best type of heroine. She’s brave and strong, but just like humans, has to work up to getting there. I learned about heroes that I had never heard about or seen before and how certain villains had formed. This was such a great book and I can’t wait to read another book by this author!
  2. Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan

    Echo is a spell-binding tale of three musicians, who are connected by their deep love of music and a harmonica…… The book starts out with Otto, a young boy playing Hide and Seek. While playing, he meets three sisters (Eins, Zwei, and Drei) whom he has read about. Suddenly, he becomes entangled with a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica. The book cuts to Friedrich, a young boy living in WW2. He loves to play harmonica, especially a special one with an 𝓜 written on it. His tale ends with a shocking cliffhanger, and we get introduced to another character, Mike. This tale is also set during WW2, but that isn’t focused on. Mike also encounters this special harmonica, and like the previous scene, ends with a bang. The last character we meet is Ivy, a girl who lives during WW2. She loves playing the harmonica, and happens to have a special one with an 𝓜 painted on it (yes, it’s the same harmonica). As the others do, it ends shockingly. The end is such a good tie-up and I enjoyed it a lot. I totally recommend it to you!
  3. Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera

    Cece Rios is a young girl who has been “cursed” with a water soul, which isn’t very accepted in the community where she lives (Tierra del Sol, or Earth of the Sun). One day, her sister gets kidnapped by a Dark Criatura. Cece knows that the only way to get her back is to become a bruja, a witch, but when she sees how the criaturas that the brujas command are treated, she knows that she can’t be a full bruja. Instead, she pretends to be one, and lets her criaturas do the work. I loved the final battle, and how Cece realized that her “curse” was actually a blessing. This book was so good and I think that you should read it!
  4. The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James by Ashley Herring Blake

    Sunny has just gotten a heart transplant, and she has a list of everything she wants to do with her new heart. Then one day, she meets a girl named Quinn. Quinn and her instantly connect and they do everything together. She also meets her mother, who she hasn’t seen in a long time and a bond forms between them. While Sunny navigates all of this, she also is figuring out her feelings about other girls. I love how this book includes so many feelings, and how fun it is in some parts. It’s such a great book!
  5. Paolo Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia

    This book was about Mexican mythology. Paolo Santiago has always grown up hearing her mom’s tales about La Llorona and other mythological figures, but never believed them. Once her friend Emma suddenly disappears, she realizes that maybe her mom’s stories are more than stories. I loved reading about her adventures and how she rose up to the challenge of defeating La Llorona. She’s such a brave character and I love how her friends inspire her. I also love her attitude. I can’t wait to read the next book!
  6. How to Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby

    This touching story about depression and how it feels is so heartwarming. Pluto is a girl who has been diagnosed with depression. She doesn’t have any good friends, until one day she meets Fallon, who wants to help her. Fallon and Pluto bond soon enough and are great friends, even on days when Pluto isn’t feeling the best. While also wondering if she should live with her mom and dad, working with her tutor (who shares the same last name as Christa McAuliffe), and dealing with friend problems, Pluto is such a great character. Even through her ups and down, her good and bad days, I loved reading about her life and how she adjusts to living with depression.
  7. Undercover Princess by Connie Glynn

    I loved this first book in the series! Lottie is such a fun and bright character and I love her relationship with Ellie and Jamie. The plot was amazing and I loved how the character were developed and the background information for each of them. Every part of the book was well thought out and I loved making the connections between different parts. This is the first book in the series and I can’t wait to read the others.

Top books of January: click here
Top books of February: click here
Top books of March: click here