Wild Dark Shore

Wild Dark Shore, by Charlotte McConaghy

58/60 | Started 11.06.25 • Finished 11.18.25 | 4 stars

I saw this floating around on must-read lists and finally decided to give it a go after seeing it recommended on Patti Callahan Henry's substack. It did not disappoint. A unique arctic adjacent setting, in a future time when the survival of man and nature seems to be under threat, provided an unexpected beauty. McConaghy really made the land and sea come alive. The Salt family has been tasked with evacuating the seed banks on Shearwater Island when a woman washes up on shore. It's clear that something has happened on the island, but the reader is left in the dark. I can't quite put my finger on it but I did really like this book. Despite rolling my eyes at the romantic thread in the story, I did not see the ending coming, and that, along with McConaghy's writing style, had me turning pages.

The Door in the Wall

The Door in the Wall, by Marguerite de Angeli

57/60 | Started 10.31.25 • Finished 11.17.25 | 5 stars

This classic Newbery Medal winner kept Carolyn engaged and interested in a period of time she isn't all that familiar with. Young Robin becomes ill during the time of the plague and loses the use of his legs. Abandoned by his caretakers, but taken in by a young monk, Robin goes on to take part in the saving of the castle of Lindsay.

Henry and Ribsy

Henry and Ribsy, by Beverly Cleary

56/60 | Started 10.27.25 • Finished 11.12.25 | 5 stars

This book is about Henry Huggins and his adventures and escapades with his dog Ribsy on the way to catching a chinook salmon.

“My favorite story was the one about the garbage. I gave this book 5 stars because I liked the ending. I also liked that it was funny.”

Carolyn, age 8