My Recent Reads – Fairy Tale Edition

I just realized its been over a year since I’ve shared my favorite recent reads with you! To narrow down my picks, I’m excited to share my favorite fairy tales I’ve read so far in 2021.

When it comes to picking books lately, I’m finding myself having trouble concentrating and feeling the weight of decision fatigue. When this happens, I gravitate toward my favorite genre: fantasy.

I keep finding myself coming back to fairy tales or books with elements of fairy tales. I think it’s been a helpful escape with so much going on in the world as well as all the challenges I’m continuing to face with my health. Fairy tale worlds feel both excitingly new and welcomingly familiar.

Fairy tales are my book comfort food.

Feeding the imaginative part of my brain has helped me to find a balance so I can read more challenging nonfiction and apologetics books lately too.

Not that fairy tales can’t be deeply thought-provoking. Quite the contrary.

There is a lot of beautiful truth to be unveiled in stories with talking animals and enchantments, heroes and magic.

Sound like your cup of comforting tea? Here are mini book reviews of some of my favorite recent reads.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small portion of sales, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog through your purchase!  

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
Jessica Day George

This beautiful fairy tale is a mix of Norse folk lore and reminded me of Beauty and the Beast. Fans of Robin McKinley take note! The main character, called the Lass by her family, can understand animals, but she herself is often misunderstood by those around her. Then a gigantic isbjorn (polar bear) seeks her out and offers to make her family rich if she will come live in his ice castle. In her new home/prison, she discovers mysteries, and she soon realizes, danger.

Howl’s Moving Castle
Diana Wynne Jones

This is one of my absolute favorites this year. When Sophie’s sisters set out to seek their adventures, Sophie finds herself cursed by a witch and turned into an old woman. Her only hope is to seek the feared Wizard Howl at his castle, which is always on the move. I really love the funny, complex characters in this book as well as all the twists and turns and fairy tale magic.

The sequels are wonderful: Castle in the Air and House of Many Ways.

Also, I finally watched my first Studio Ghibli movie this summer, and I’m looking forward to watching their take of Howl’s Moving Castle.

The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase)
Rick Riordan

I’m cheating on this one a little because it’s mythology inspired vs. fairy tale inspired, but I’m including it because I love Rick Riordan’s books so much. Magnus has been living on the streets of Boston since his mother’s death, and he doesn’t believe his uncle when he shows up to tell him he’s the son of a Norse god. That is, until he encounters a fire giant, and then is tasked with finding a missing weapon to prevent Ragnorak. Full of humor and imaginative takes on mythology, this is a great start to the new series and I’m looking forward to checking out the next books.

I highly recommend the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series too!

The Witch’s Boy
Kelly Barnhill

I shared in another post how much I love Barnhill’s book The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Once again, I loved her powerful storytelling and poetic writing. The story starts with Ned, the quiet son of the village witch. After the death of his twin brother, everyone agrees that “the wrong boy” died. But when a bandit king comes to steal magic from his mother, Ned’s courage will be tested, and it will be up to him and the bandit king’s daughter to prevent a terrible war. I kept thinking of this book long after I read it because of the themes it explores so beautifully.

My Lady Jane
The Lady Janies: Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows

This book is a really fun reimagining of Tudor England, one where some people have the magical ability to turn themselves into animals! I really enjoy English history, so it kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what this story had in store for Lady Jane Grey, also known as the 9 days queen. Jane finds herself preparing for a sudden arranged marriage and wondering who to trust as schemes to put her on the throne are put in place. There’s lots of humor, political intrigue, magic, and romance.

The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame

If you’re looking for a book that is like a trip though the English countryside, then this is the perfect book. I haven’t read this book since I was in elementary school, and I’m really enjoying rereading it. It follows the adventures of Mole, Ratty, and Toad, who always come home to cozy places and lots of inviting food. (And that’s making me want to read Redwall again too!)

 

I hope you enjoy these books as much as I have!

Be sure to check out your library’s selection of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for free reading material. If there are long wait lists for the titles you want to read, you can sign up for a free trial of Kindle Unlimited.

What genre is your book comfort food?
What have you been reading lately? Share your reading recommendations in the comments!

PS like fairy tales? I have a fairy tale themed board on Pinterest!
Also, check out my bookish inspired board.

Pin it:

Other posts you might enjoy:
My Recent Reads posts

 

Follow