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The Story of the Tsarinas who Came Before Catherine the Great
In The Tsarina's Daughter, Elizabeth Petrovna Romanova is the daughter of Tsar Peter the Great of Russia. Delighting in the Russian winter and the luxuries of court, Elizabeth lives during a time of great turmoil: her father has killed his son, leaving the Russian throne with no male heir to inherit.
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This Woven Kingdom: A Persian Cinderella Story
The traditional Cinderella character is portrayed with few personality traits, but those two--hard work and kindness--are the backbone of the character. My main issue with traditional Cinderella stories (as well as Disney) is that the prince falls in love with her without seeing her two defining characteristics--the things that make her worth falling in love with. In Mafi's novel, Alizeh shows the prince her character on many occasions. While she is beautiful, it is these qualities that first catch his eye (in fact, she's wearing a veil the first time he sees her), and these qualities, as well as her brilliance, that hold it.
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Stray: a Fairytale Every Girl Needs to Read
Elissa Sussman's intricate world building and delicate way of weaving together the story's threads personally made the novel's themes of women, emotion, and power far more poignant. Full of subtle and not-so-subtle allusions to modern patterns, Sussman effectively uses fantasy to explore our real world.
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Colorful Camden: Sea Winds, Mountain Views, and Lobstah!
The last stop on our weeklong trip to Maine was the coastal town of Camden, Maine. We rolled into Camden after a long day of driving through inland Maine. We were too hungry to park at our hotel and walk, so we drove downtown. It was dark, but we could smell the sea off to our left and see the rows of cute shops and restaurants.
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To the Main! –Heading Inland like the Fishermen of Old
My parents and I greatly enjoyed our time in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, and I would return in a heart beat to climb the Iron Ladder Trails and explore along the rocky coast like kid explorers again. However, there is so much more of Maine to see, so we departed from Bar Harbor early one morning--and headed to the main!
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I love ME…I mean Maine!
After a busy month of work, hunting, and visitors, my parents and I jetted off to enjoy the easternmost state in the Union. We choose Maine because none of us had been before, and the idea of rugged coastlines, mountainous forests, and stunning fall foliage sounded like an excellent way to spend a week. Even as the plane circled the coast above Portland, I could see hints of reds and yellows in the trees.
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Waiting on Wapiti: a Lifetime Hunt for a Bull Elk
When every one else is getting ready for Pumpkin Spice lattes and scarves, my family welcomes fall in a different way. September is archery hunting season. Being part of a hunting family includes some oddities. For example, the first time I ate a steak at a restaurant when I was 10, I leaned over and told my mom the meat tasted funny. This is because I grew up eating elk steak and elk burger. One elk feeds my family for a whole year and it’s my family’s go-to protein. Additionally, I never went through the ‘where does meat come from?’ phase, nor the shock that beef comes from cows and…
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A Dream like Magic, A World Like Poetry: the Strange the Dreamer Duology
Strange the Dreamer and Muse of Nightmare are two titles in a brilliant, poetic, and intriguing duology by Laini Taylor featuring a lost city, a librarian with a dream, and the half-human children of gods. This is the kind of book that haunts you...in every perfect way.
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Invictus: the Best Time Travel Novel I’ve Read in Ages
Invictus by Ryan Graudin is a brilliant non-stop adventure filled with sassy characters, sweet friendships, and high stakes. This is one of the best time-travel novels I have ever read.
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The Weight of Ink: A Feminist and Jewish Masterpiece
The Weight of Ink whisks you from the present to the past, and guides you on a path (paved by strong, intelligent women) through Jewish history and faith.
