What Am I Reading Wednesday (05/26/2021)

I took last week off from blogging, because I wanted the Lemon Friday interview and giveaway to stay front and center a little longer. Also, I used that spare time to get some reading done!

Let's kick things back off with a new What Am I Reading Wednesday:

Title: Lost in the Never Woods

Author: Aiden Thomas

First Reading: Yes. This one has been on my radar since I read Aiden's debut novel, Cemetery Boys.

Initial Impression: We all know by now what a sucker I am for a good fairytale/folklore retelling, how could I not pick this one up?

Final Thoughts: This was a creative and unexpected twist on the Peter Pan narrative. It also touched on how we process our fears and what it means to each of us to grow up.

*****

Bookshop.org Synopsis:

It's been five years since Wendy and her two brothers went missing in the woods, but when the town's children start to disappear, the questions surrounding her brothers' mysterious circumstances are brought back into the light. Attempting to flee her past, Wendy almost runs over an unconscious boy lying in the middle of the road...

Peter, a boy she thought lived only in her stories, asks for Wendy's help to rescue the missing kids. But, in order to find them, Wendy must confront what's waiting for her in the woods. 

(BUY LINK)

*****

Author Bio:

Aiden Thomas is a trans, Latinx, New York Times Bestselling Author with an MFA in Creative Writing from Mills College. Originally from Oakland, California, they now make their home in Portland, OR. Aiden is notorious for not being able to guess the endings of books and movies, and organizes their bookshelves by color.

(Bio & photo source: https://www.aiden-thomas.com/aiden)

 

 

*****

Additional note, for anyone who is curious:  

I didn't mention the more disturbing parts, and problematic language, of the original Peter Pan story written in 1902 by J.M. Barrie, because Thomas was able to write a well-done retelling without referencing any of that material.