Book 17: Little Women

Author: Louisa May Alcott

Year of Publication: 1868 (Part One) and 1869 (Part Two)

Age First Read: 31 (Surprise!)

Memory

“Little Women” was one of the first ‘for sure’ titles when originally putting together the lists for this project. Or so I thought. In February, I posted a sad photo on Instagram of my books in storage and how they’re waiting for me. I got some comments that definitely missed the tone, but I also found engagement, asking if anyone had read any of the books you could see in the picture. As I zoomed in myself, I realized that right on top was the book I had been remembering and planning for. It was in fact, by Louisa May Alcott, but it was not “Little Women.” The book I’d been thinking of the entire time, another book inherited from mom, was actually “The Quiet Little Woman: A Christmas Story.”

I have decided to still read “Little Women” now because I grew up with the movie. I’ve seen it at least a handful of times and loved it with every rewatch. I haven’t seen but plan to watch the PBS miniseries and the Greta Gerwig remake. I know I had to read the book at some point, and I very well could have read it at this age. I just don’t remember.

I look forward to getting more details than the movie gives, and as with every other RoaAB book, seeing how it affects me now.

Review/ Experience

The copy of “Little Women” that I ended up with, after an hour spent on the library website deciding what version I needed, provided both education and inspiration. I painted my nails in red, yellow, white, and greens referencing the beautiful floral cover. From the back blurb I learned that aside from the first run selling out in 2 weeks, “Little Women” has never been out of print all these years.

I enjoyed the entire book, early on knowing this is the stuff I live for, and the stuff I want to read. I’m loving these classics written by women because of history and discrimination and all of the limitations they faced. So many of the first books I reread were written by men, which I have no problem with, but I’m glad things are evening out.

Reading “Little Women” during such a huge resurgence of girlhood, a revolution, was unplanned perfect timing. Not only does this book dive into the feminine, but all things human about girls and women. Our interests and ideas, hopes and dreams, which can be vastly different in the same family, but also very much the same. How our lives can simultaneously be pretty and devastating. It’s in fashion, hobbies, and especially pop culture. There’s something about reading this ‘girl’s story’ as a 31-year-old woman, in this age where we are reclaiming our youth and removing the boundaries of enjoying things that are often deemed lesser than just because little girls appreciate them. “Little Women” connects so deeply to me not only in this time in the world but in my life- of reconnecting with myself, remembering who I was, making peace with my past, and rediscovering what I love. It is magical how Louisa May Alcott beautifully illustrated and dissected being a woman in a way that is so timeless it hits me in my soul in 2024. It is layered, conflicting, and comprehensive. It is the most honest picture of girlhood I have ever read.

Though over 100 years old, I don’t want to give away everything as I think everyone should read “Little Women” at least once. Plus, I’ve always intended to write about these experiences without spoilers, even though I haven’t been successful yet. So, here are a handful of opinions, that you’ll get if you know:

I fully believe Jo had every right to still be devastated over her manuscript.
I can’t get over the canary. I am glad I continued forward and finished the book, but this was unnecessary and cruel.
I live for the moments of Meg finding her power in herself when falling in love.
I understand Jo’s arc of writing “sensational stories,” but a girl’s got to eat.

At some point I realized that I have actually not read “Little Women” before now. Unlike the dismay of reading “A Little Prince” and not much being familiar, this was a wonderful time. I had enough background from the movie to hunger for anything extra I was offered. I spent much more than a few hours with the characters, and when I wasn’t reading, I was often thinking about what I read.

This read almost acts as one of the Bookmarks of this project, as well as an early “wanted to read,” and a “should have, would have read.” I love the 90’s movie, but that has been my only reference until now. In the book, Jo’s wants and dreams are clear from the beginning, and sadly never included Laurie in the way he wanted. I ship them so hard in the movie but the events to come make so much more sense now. Reading the book offers more satisfaction and peace, though it still includes its fair share of devastation.

Overall, the language isn’t stuffy despite the time period it was written in, and almost feels like slang sometimes. Or at least when Jo speaks, which reminds me of Shakespeare. I really enjoyed all the extras- the play, newsletter, storytelling, letters, and journals. These characters are not only talked about, but the author allows them to tell us about themselves in their own voices. I still connect to Jo most, but with over 500 pages I’ve found myself in all of the March sisters. I love this family and this story and will read the other books in the series someday too.

“But, you see, Jo wasn’t a heroine, she was only a struggling human girl like hundreds of others, and she just acted out her nature, being sad, cross, listless, or energetic, as the mood suggested. It’s highly virtuous to say we’ll be good, but we can’t do it all at once, and it takes a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together before some of us even get our feet set in the right way.”

Book 16: Stranger With My Face

Author: Lois Duncan

Year of Publication: 1981

Age First Read: 12-13

Memory

For me, Lois Duncan’s work has always been synonymous with a specific time in my life. Middle School introduced me to the Accelerated Reader program, which I enjoyed and excelled at, except for one part. My reading level was high, and I was given a wide range from which to choose my books. However, in both 6^th and 7^th grade, I was notorious for spending most of my time in the lower end of my range. I knew my teachers wanted me to shoot higher, read more difficult pieces. But I was still a preteen girl. I wanted to read the books my friends were into. I wanted to read the authors I’d found, to devour all of their books. I wanted to read what I wanted to read.

This is when I really got into the most mystery and suspense I’ve read. I still enjoy it, and that’s something I want to expand in my bookmarks and the epilogue. Back then, I was all about Lois Duncan. There are multiple of her books I could read, and that I will definitely reread eventually. “Stranger With My Face” is the main one I’ve remembered all these years. It’s a similar plot to some movies I like or that I’ll reference to friends or family. I don’t know fully remember the story though, so I hope this one will be a good reread, offering some surprises.

Review/ Experience

As I thought, my memory was a little skewed. I was picturing something more like other things I’d seen, though the general sense was the same. It was enough of a difference though that it almost held me back from enjoying it fully. Despite it being the central idea of the book, I hadn’t remembered the astral projection at all. I noticed it when reading the frontmatter- listed as a theme- and found that strange. It all makes sense now of course, after rereading “Stranger With My Face.”

What I was picturing was more the typical ‘evil twin’ coming in to take over the person’s life. It is and isn’t that, trying not to give spoilers, even though the book is 11 years older than me. I think part of me was clinging to my memory while reading, and also wanting specific things to happen. Eventually some of what I anticipated came about, and some did not.

I don’t know if I like the intro and outro- the main character is writing the book. Once again, I’m reading a story being told, a flashback, which I may be getting tired of. I do appreciate how Laurie spent her time at the end, focusing less on things going wrong and just spending time with her family, mostly her little sister and brother. I feel like in that situation in movies or other stories, the character is trailing around the imposter. Instead, it reminded me of Before I Fall.

The kind of happy, kind of haunting ending is fitting. Overall, I enjoyed “Stranger With My Face” and look forward to reading more Lois Duncan once the project is finished. I know I could have written more, but I don’t love the book report style of review I tend to fall in. Or maybe it’s not as bad as I think? Either way, this is my blog, and I’ve already begun the next book, which may also be the longest in Rehab of a Bookworm, or at least so far.

Book 15: The Cocooning

Author: Sue Anne Kautz

Year of Publication: 1985

Age First Read: 12

Memory

“The Cocooning” is the next ‘mom book’ I read. By this point the books were shelved, intermingled with my own collection. I was still judging them by their covers until curiosity won me over. I finally cracked this one open on a whim and I loved it so much.

I remember that it was older, emotional, and felt like it went along with everything else I was reading at the time. I remember the, to no one’s surprise, tragedy that occurs, so the shock value won’t be as high with the reread.

Review/ Experience

As you may or may not know, I first created The Rehabilitation of an Anorexic Bookworm in 2019. I came up with the concept, hashed out most of the book lists, and designed the first website. The books were color coded, reminding me what I still had and what I would need to borrow from the library. I wouldn’t start reading for a few more years but I tried to plan what I could.

In early 2020 I loaned out some books, as we were unsure how long businesses (libraries) would be closed at the start of the pandemic. I swore I got them all back, but when I was packing away my life in 2022, I realized I no longer had “The Cocooning.” I didn’t think too much of it until I began to read and progress in the project. When I’m not reading, reviewing, or posting (here or Instagram) I’m typically looking at my lists, planning out what to request when, and seeing if I have a copy already.

I can’t rely on my original plans just yet as all my wonderful books are still packed up in storage. In preparation of starting “The Cocooning,” I searched the library and online only to learn that it was now Out of Print. To order it would cost over $100 so I figured I would cross that bridge when I got to it.

Flash forward to a few months ago when I was at my mom’s house, hanging out in her living room and admiring the bookshelves flanking the fireplace. They weren’t new to her, but new to the space, brought up from their previous life in the basement. She had styled them and put some of her books out. We were even talking about RoaAB when I spotted the green canvas, sans dust cover, on one of the shelves. “You have my book!” I said as I walked over and picked it up. “Well, it was my book first.” She responded. Somehow the book had ended up back with her, and therefore back to me.

So, luckily my first OOP of the project didn’t have much adventure as it found its way back to me. There are 2 more in this chapter that I will have to actually work for, but I love how this one worked out. After reading book 14 in one day, I wanted to start this the next day. I had some posts and reviews to work on as I was once again ahead. But when I did start a few days later, I was all in.

This one was definitely more character than plot driven, though maybe that’ s the case for many of the books I’ve read so far. It’s more about the internal changes, the shift as they live life. The way Ada breaks down inside her cocoon. The language is more poetic, in the way that life is described by the author and the characters. As with many of my rereads, “The Cocooning” is set outside and nature (whether that’s outdoors or human nature) is a main character.

In a way, you know the whole time what will happen, though you don’t expect it to be so gruesome, you expect it to be something like Ada imagined. Mr. Pearl always knew and did his best to prepare her, to tell her what he hoped for her. Which was both what she needed, and also inevitable in growing up, but that helped her to accept it when it was time.

“The Cocooning” is a coming-of-age story that really captures the emotions and challenges of being a preteen. It is mostly calm and almost longing in the way it describes life, but once it ramps up, it shoots off. If you can get your hands on a copy somewhere, I recommend it.

Book 14: Ella Enchanted

Author: Gail Carson Levine

Year of Publication: 1997

Age First Read: 12

Memory

“Ella Enchanted” was maybe the start of my interest in retellings, specifically of fairy tales. They provide the comfort of familiarity with dopamine from new twists and turns. I had experienced this in other forms unknowingly- such as the Lion King movies (Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet, for lions) and Clueless (Emma in the 90’s)- but I think this book was the first time I consciously chose it.

It had all the elements: magic, a curse, boarding school, which even if it wasn’t actually magical, still was because going away to school is such a foreign concept to American children. And again, the movie came out around the same time I read the book, so I was actively comparing them. I know that while I loved (and still do) Anne Hathaway, there were key elements missing from the movie that I had so loved in the book. I’m excited to dive back into it.

Review/ Experience

I unintentionally read this book in a day. I started it at work and continued in the evening before bed. I didn’t have to stay up super late but still got to feel that excitement of staying up to finish because you’re just so close to the end.

As usual, my memory wasn’t exact. What I remembered as a boarding school of some sort, probably confusing with another series or a certain book based on a musical, was actually a finishing school. Which obviously makes more sense for the setting and the story.

I had initially remembered Ella giving up her best friend as a really devastating event, but I think that was one thing the movie really sank into, so I was recalling that version. The book kind of steps around it so it wasn’t as heartbreaking. For the most part, the big moments aren’t as sensationalized as they are in the movie, which I know is fun in its own right, but the changed details are now obviously unnecessary. The book is more cohesive with both the new story and its foundation in Cinderella. I can now say for certain that I prefer the book, but I also see them as very separate entities. The choice (at the end, breaking the curse) is still intense because the outcome could be the same. There didn’t need to be a murderous uncle. Or a man in a book? There was still music, but it wasn’t a musical of course.

Ella and Char have such great chemistry and banter, but it’s centralized around bits. They are always being funny together and I love that it’s such a part of her character with him- she is always trying to surprise him and make him laugh. It feels weird to say this about a ‘middle grade’ book, but it’s heavy on friends to lovers, and I ate up every second. They’re still very young, but I let it slide. The way their bond is built up is great, in interactions and then in letters. I’m a sucker for written correspondence. He fell first, she fell harder. Once again, I found myself kicking my feet and silently screaming in bed.

“Ella Enchanted” is a beautiful story and it gives a quintessential fairytale end, which still feels perfect for the retelling. This won’t be the last retelling or even the last Cinderella retelling I read in the RoaAB project, but I’m glad it was the first.

Book 13: Where the Red Fern Grows

Author: Wilson Rawls

Year of Publication: 1961

Age First Read: 11 or 12

Memory

I distinctly remember “Where the Red Fern Grows” as the first book that was spoiled for me. Well, partially spoiled. I was in Discovery, which is what we called the advanced classes in 6^th grade. Likely in Reading class (I had 2 or 3 Discovery classes) but there’s a chance it was a different one as I often read when I was done with my work. I was in the middle of “Where the Red Fern Grows” when a girl in my class came over and started talking to me about the book. I may have been more inclined to engage if she wasn’t interrupting a good story, or if she was a friend. I just stared at her, and she said something along the lines of, “Oh I love that book! It’s so sad!”

She was really emphasizing just how sad it was when I stopped her with a glare. But now I knew tragedy was coming that I hadn’t before. Maybe I could have inferred that from reading the excerpt, although my copy was tiny, and I don’t think it included the additional summary on the inside jacket of the version I’m going to reread. I was so mad at her. Now I look back and realize that she was probably just looking for a way to connect, and spotted someone reading a beloved book that we could talk about. If it happened as an adult I would still be annoyed, but with more empathy.

Review/ Experience

What a ride. Of course, “Where the Red Fern Grows” doesn’t hit the same the second time because you know what’s coming. I did not remember, though, just how dangerous the whole thing is. It’s rife with stress and near misses. It’s not a happy story about a country boy and his 2 dogs that blindsides you. Every move is worked for. It’s less intense at the start, with Billy trapping furs and selling veggies to buy his dogs. The challenges increase in complexity like surviving his first trip to town. But then with the hunting comes ever increasing injuries and near fatal accidents. It seems there is constantly some kind of pain or close call the whole book.

Billy’s love and his connection with his dogs is heartwarming, but the book never lets you forget the dangers. The challenges build, disaster strikes in another way, and maybe that’s how it puts you off. They work hard and through a lot to be triumphant and you think the bad stuff is done happening. Almost like in “Bridge to Terabithia,” the book gives you the highest peak, only to further the fall. I remembered the ending in a general sense but found it much more gruesome than expected. I was not prepared for that horror in conjunction with the devastation.

I do love that similarly to quite a few other titles in this project, “Where the Red Fern Grows” is told to the reader, as a story lived by the main character, some time ago. Of course, I don’t like the ending, but not just because of the tragedy. I don’t like the explanation for why things happened as they did. It is consistent with the rest of the book and the way people managed emotions. I know the constant “forget it” and “don’t think too much on it” are common for the time and place, but it made me sad that such a deeply emotional boy wasn’t guided through those feelings. At least his parents were good and kind and offered help when they could.

I wish there had been more justification or something for the way the story ends. I know, what could really justify it? Maybe it feels full circle, more “everything happens for a reason” when it’s new to you, but for me reading it a second time ~20 years later, it just felt like a lifelong heartbreak.

I’m ready for the next read as it won’t gut me like this did… if you know, you know.

Chapter Two

Middle School and Junior High: Ages 12-14

These are the books that made me a bookworm. When I read more popular titles, bonded with friends over books, and was in my Accelerated Reader Era. I discovered some of my favorite authors during this period.

These are the years I would begin to dive into series, but first we’re working chronologically through standalone books. The plan is to work up to the level of worldbuilding and story to remember when reading sequels and series, which will start in chapter four.

This is second chapter (of three) revolving around books I’ve already read. It also includes a few titles that are now out of print, which adds a layer of adventure as I hunt them down.

2023: A Year in Review

The first full calendar year of The Rehabilitation of an Anorexic Bookworm is complete! The anniversary of the project falls in July, which allows for 2 kinds of reflections a year. That one will be a review of the project and overall feelings about reading and writing. This annual end of the year post will be an analysis of the books I read through the year, sharing data from my StoryGraph.

2023 was a year of reading! This year I read 12 books, which averages out to 1 a month, even though there were months I wasn’t reading. That’s also the number of books in chapter one, which I completed this year as well. This year was really satisfying as I gained momentum.

As I said in my first Anniversary post, my StoryGraph will be a beautiful picture of my life as a reader once I finish this project. It will have data on most of the books I read, from childhood and on. But since I’m an adult and new releases and curiosity and passion happen; these annual analyses won’t be an accurate snapshot of what I read when I was first reading these books. That’s okay with me.

In 2023 I read:

The books I read this year were of course mostly young, but it wasn’t until I tracked my reads on StoryGraph that I realized how emotional they all are. This year brought a bit of variety, but I can’t wait to diversify my reads even more throughout my life.

My 2023 StoryGraph stats are below. Add me as a friend to follow along- Solalaliday. I look forward to seeing how it changes at the end of 2024.

Chapter One: In Conclusion

I completed Chapter One on 12/31/23. I have officially reread 12 keys books from elementary school, mainly those originally read from ages 9-10.

Chapter One is the first chapter of the project, and also contains other firsts. The first books I’d read in a very long time. Books that were my firsts- of series, of mystery, of science fiction, classics, book club, book fair, poetry. In a way, it’s a bit of all the chapters to come. The project started with these, and both intentionally and unintentionally focused on this age, this time, as I had a lot going on. Parents’ divorce, moving houses and schools, the death of a beloved grandparent. It’s no wonder I threw myself into the worlds between pages. I also tend to remember more around big events, so I have a lot of memories from ages 9-10.

Despite the occasional difficulty with reading only children’s books, this chapter taught me a lot. The reviews can be found on the blog page, with the newest at the top. Or you can click below to read specific reviews.

Chapter One Books:

As I’ve discussed before, I have an Instagram where I curate my reading journey in photos, but I also share Honorable Mentions there. I try to share a book I don’t re-read for every book I do. Those that I remember and those I’ve purchased for the littles. Some will be re-read, but not right now. I share them in the chapter they would fit in (or I try to) since that paints a chronological picture of my life in books. I am not as diligent about the timeline of the honorable mentions though, as I remember what I can, but in order to come up with a 1:1 sometimes they are just a throwback. Which is fine because after all, this project is founded on nostalgia.

Chapter One Honorable Mentions:

You can find all of the titles I’ve read and mentioned any time on my Bookshop.org affiliate page! Bookshop allows you the convenience of online shopping we’ve grown accustomed to, without supporting you know who. If you don’t want to shop online, you can use IndieBound to locate your local bookstore. If you don’t want to buy, support your local library!

Book 12: The Secret Garden

Author: Francis Hodgson Burnett

Year of Publication: 1911

Age first read: 10 years old

Memory

“The Secret Garden” was the first (and only?) story I ever ripped off. I specifically remember trying to write my own mystery, that blatantly stole elements from “The Secret Garden” and combined it with the cliché beginning I now know I learned from “A Wrinkle in Time.” I don’t recall much else, besides the story starting with “It was a dark and stormy night” and one of the characters was “Master Craven.”

I believe these stories weren’t for class, but something I wrote after finishing my work when I didn’t have a book or didn’t feel like reading. I also think they were a precursor to the only fanfiction type writing I would ever do, a story that I’ve carried and evolved my whole life. Maybe someday I’ll put it out. It’s funny that there was a time I was doing a little of what ‘they’ all say to do: copy someone else to learn from them. One of the few things I took from college is that ‘good artists borrow and great artists steal.’

Review/ Experience

This is the final book of chapter 1! I had really been looking forward to it and it was everything I hoped for. I was able to finish it the morning of 12/31, concluding chapter 1 before the end of the year. I am grateful for these first books but also glad they are behind me.

At first, I kept coming back to the saying that’s been prevalent in my mind while reading the titles of chapter 1: “youth is wasted on the young.” I found myself jealous of the characters for the freedom of no responsibilities, believing that they lack the maturity to enjoy the possibilities and the adventure fully. Especially Mary, free to wander outside all day, every day. Exploring the gardens, the grounds. Everything taken care of for you. Though mostly fueled by ignorance, she is curious and learns every day. I think I was jealous of that the most, the ability to fully indulge curiosity, which I’m actually planning on making my Word of the Year for 2024.

The book takes its time setting up the characters, the mystery, so we get plenty of time with Mary. At around 100 pages in, I knew she would meet the others soon, but it was really nice to follow her along as she learned how to be a kid and figured out living at Misselthwaite. I really appreciate that she got to have wonder and determination and satisfaction and magic all on her own (and with her Robin) before getting into friendships. At a quarter through, Mary only just gets into the garden, but I still appreciate the build, and her character already developing so much to get to that point. I knew the garden would teach her so much, but she wasn’t ready for it yet.

Martha and Dickon’s mother is the MVP, and I wish we saw her more, but am grateful we do get the one meeting. She challenges the sometimes worn out but accurate portrayal of an angry, exhausted mother with too many kids and very little money. I love that the staff at the manor relied on her for advice about children- to know what to do with Mary- and how they respected her wisdom. She was shown as a caring parent with hard-earned knowledge about children’s psychology. The fact that she spent her time and money on a little girl she didn’t even know, when she didn’t have much to give, is incredible. When she sent Mary the jump rope, I teared up.

Then there’s Dickon. Despite not meeting him yet, the seeds are really being sown and tended to, the seeds of their relationship. He’s this figure that seems interesting and we learn is so kind and knowledgeable from literally everyone before he even shows up. I did find myself wishing for romance, maybe because of the movie, but also remembered they are kids, and how deeply I feel that platonic love and the breadth of relationships are not shown or explored enough in media. This is connection and family and found family. I love their bond and while I’d like to imagine how it develops as they grow up, I also don’t mind leaving it how it is.

I almost expected something terrible to happen but then remembered that all these characters had terrible things happen before, at the start and years prior, that it didn’t need anything. The story is moved by time and hard work and finding happiness. It is Magic and friendship and fondness and healing. There is mystery and tension and plenty of trauma that the characters are still reeling from.

My favorite line still stands. I remember it slightly different- the movie version- but the sentiment is the same.

Mistress Mary felt quite contrary. She pinched her lips together. “If they wished I would,” she said, “I wouldn’t.” (to her cousin Colin, lamenting about dying and everyone saying he will die.)

Her sass is incredible, and while it’s good she grows out of being so spoiled and “cross” all of the time, her character always resonated with me. I appreciate that she wasn’t healed in the sense that she lost all her fire. It obviously came in handy when she needed to put her whiny cousin in his place. That part had me cracking up, servants overwhelmed by a 10-year-old boy, so they bring in a 10-year-old girl that’s just a hardheaded to fight with him. I smiled every time she stamped her feet and shouted at him.

I only briefly thought of myself reading “The Secret Garden” the first time and more so felt content in the here and now. It reminded me of how much I love fresh air and long walks outside in the cool wind. How much I enjoy being outside though I personally am not inclined to keep up a garden. It made me think of the night clouds, and the little space I’ll have to fully enjoy them some day. Despite being a classic book for children, it is never childish, only earnest, curious, and diligent. Everyone should read it at least once.

This isn’t an annual review, but it is the end of something. I think it might replace my previously determined favorites but maybe not. I loved them all in my own way, for that they were and what they gave me. Overall, this was a beautiful book to end the first chapter, and a a high note to end a less than beautiful year.

Book 11: Holes

Author: Louis Sachar

Year of Publication: 1998

Age first read: 10 years old

Memory

“Holes” by Louis Sachar is another book I originally read in 4^th grade. As I said in a previous review (either AWIT or TMATM) that was the first year I switched classes. We’d switch with our entire class though, so each teacher taught their subject and their home room. That meant of course we were all reading the same book (for school) at the same time.

It just so happened (or more likely was meticulously planned by our teacher) that we read “Holes” right before the movie came out. And then they surprised us. Not only was my 4^th grade year filled with the most field trips I’d had in one grade (3 or 4 total) but some of the best- COSI, the Columbus Zoo, and seeing “Holes” in the theater. I remember being so excited because while I loved reading, I was also beginning to really enjoy going to the movies. The entire 4^th grade went together, and I don’t remember much else from that experience aside from not liking the standard drink they gave us. I thought Fruit Punch was gross (it still is) but wasn’t allowed an alternative. In retrospect, it had as much sugar as pop, but I understand what they were trying to do.

I’ve seen the movie a handful of times over the years, and online commentary has solidified how good it is, and how true to the book it is. I think I’ve read the book at least one other time, but it’s obviously been a while. I’m curious to see if it’s true, and to see if I can find any differences as I’m sure most of what I remember of the story is from the movie more than the book.

Review/ Experience

I didn’t love the copy I got of “Holes” from the library- it’s smaller so the book is thicker, and it seems quite new. Which meant the book was still really stiff when I was trying to read it. The print was also a little smaller than I would have liked. But once I was in it, I got used to it. I think I owned a copy at one point, but maybe it was part of the hoard I sold off the one summer in college that I didn’t have a job.

From the start, I felt like the way the story was broken up and flashing between the back stories was like a cut scene. It read the way it would be edited for the screen. It was only briefly confusing before I decided that I liked that aspect. There are author’s notes at the end, which provide great reasoning for that. It’s a way to include the backstory, all the beautiful layers that come together, and whenever we’re transported to the past, it’s while Stanley is digging. “There were only so many times I could write, “He dug his shovel into the dirt.” It makes perfect sense and allows for so many details to be inserted.

Most of the time, I had the song from the movie in my head. Just like I’d seen online, there wasn’t much difference between the page and the screen (at least from my memory.) However, there are still tiny details that emphasize moments, adding something you don’t get from the movie, so I still recommend reading it.

There’s a lot of history. In 100 pages you get the curse and hints here and there but then it comes to Kissin Kate Barlow’s story finally. And of course, Sam the Onion Man. I’ve always loved Sam, especially the way Dulé Hill portrayed him. I have always gravitated to the romance in a story, or if there are multiple, I usually am all in on just one of them. Here it’s not just a forbidden romance and a devastating murder, but the beginning of another curse. I love how it’s never stated that Katherine and Sam were in love, but it’s shown through their actions. And when they kissed! I audibly gasped at the first, “I can fix that.” One of the most romantic lines of all time.

A heartbreaking detail that I didn’t remember and is not in the movie, spoiler alert, is that Katherine was in the boat with Sam when he was shot. She was sitting next to him as he was murdered. And what really got me was the next sentence, the way Lous Sachar put it.

“Katherine Barlow was rescued against her wishes.”

So much anguish. She wanted to die on that boat with him and in 3 days she was reborn. Sam was the blueprint of a good man, and Kate became ‘one of the most feared outlaws of the west.’ While their story is background for the present day, it is foundational to everything that is currently happening. The rest is so good because of these details. “Holes” is fun, sad, and scary (those boys at the camp are more dangerous than I remember them being) and overall, a great story.

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