An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

Title: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

Author: Hank Green

Publisher: Dutton 2018

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 352

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf; Popsugar - Debut; Dancing with Fantasy and Scifi - Alien

The Carls just appeared.
 
Roaming through New York City at three a.m., twenty-three-year-old April May stumbles across a giant sculpture. Delighted by its appearance and craftsmanship—like a ten-foot-tall Transformer wearing a suit of samurai armor—April and her friend, Andy, make a video with it, which Andy uploads to YouTube. The next day, April wakes up to a viral video and a new life. News quickly spreads that there are Carls in dozens of cities around the world—from Beijing to Buenos Aires—and April, as their first documentarian, finds herself at the center of an intense international media spotlight.
 
Seizing the opportunity to make her mark on the world, April now has to deal with the consequences her new particular brand of fame has on her relationships, her safety, and her own identity. And all eyes are on April to figure out not just what the Carls are, but what they want from us.

Finally picked this one up and enjoyed every page of it. I loved the not-relatable main character of April May. She’s not likable and that’s okay. I really enjoyed following her descent into fame along with the unraveling mystery of the Carls. I loved the puzzles and games. This reminded me a bit of Ready Player One. The one thing I don’t like: the ending. Seriously Hank Green!?!?! How could you do that? At any rate, this was such a fun book.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton

Title: The Clockmaker’s Daughter

Author: Kate Morton

Publisher: Atria 2018

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 485

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf; Women Authors; Dancing with SciFi and Fantasy - Ghosts

In the summer of 1862, a group of young artists led by the passionate and talented Edward Radcliffe descends upon Birchwood Manor on the banks of the Upper Thames. Their plan: to spend a secluded summer month in a haze of inspiration and creativity. But by the time their stay is over, one woman has been shot dead while another has disappeared; a priceless heirloom is missing; and Edward Radcliffe's life is in ruins.

Over one hundred and fifty years later, Elodie Winslow, a young archivist in London, uncovers a leather satchel containing two seemingly unrelated items: a sepia photograph of an arresting-looking woman in Victorian clothing, and an artist's sketchbook containing the drawing of a twin-gabled house on the bend of a river.

Why does Birchwood Manor feel so familiar to Elodie? And who is the beautiful woman in the photograph? Will she ever give up her secrets?

I’ve enjoyed a few of Morton’s previous works, so I had to have this one when it came up for Book of the Month last October. I finally picked it up to dive in last week and immediately fell into another world. I love how Morton creates an entire atmosphere surrounding her setting. The house is just fantastic and beautiful and mysterious and enchanting. I love how Morton connects all the different characters and ad time periods to create one epic story. The murder mystery was actually one fo the least interesting aspects. I really wanted to hear more about many of the other characters like Ada and Leonard. In fact, I think Ada was my favorite character. Overall, I took my time with this book and loved every page of it.

Next up on the TBR pile: