Mini Book Reviews: The Enchanted Greenhouse, A Land So Wide, Goblin Mode

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized

Hello everyone!! I have an odd mix of books to review today! But I guess I always do.

Let’s start with The Enchanted Greenhouse.

This book was the very perfect book to read to kick off the end of spooky season! It is about Terlu, the librarian who was turned to wood for making a sentient plant – Caz, if you read The Spellshop. She winds up in an Enchanted Greenhouse, brought there by the letters to the capitol from the shy, slightly grumpy gardener, who is all alone on this island, other than his greenhouse. Which is gigantic, and in need of help, hence his pleas to the capitol for said help. He gets Terlu. This book is so cozy and charming, with lots of homemade soup and bread and honey cakes, eaten in a snug little house surrounded by snow, and lots of plants. I wanted to move there as well! It just made me feel happy and warm, just reading it!

You guys, I was so excited to read this one that when it came in, I dropped everything else like a hot potato. And I absolutely devoured it! However, I didn’t love it as much as I wanted to. I loved the first half, I loved the characters and the setting but then, I disliked the final ending. Erin Craig let me down! It felt rushed and hurried, and well, sort of dumb. I feel like she had so much wrapped up in this story but then when it came time to wrap it up, she lost her way, which was a bummer because it was awesome until then. Sigh.

And finally, Goblin Mode. I picked this up randomly when we went to the library to grab A Land so Wide, and I am glad that I did. I needed a pick-me-up after that one, and this was just such a fun, silly read. I loved it. And I learned that me and my friend Kelly are goblins. Who knew? It is sort of about embracing who you are, being the person who is a bit quirky and out there, who might like weird nature items and collect lots of acorns and leaves and stuff them in their pockets on walks, or fill their houses with little collections of items, or have lots of hobbies. There is also a bit about what your Goblin companion is, and I learned that Billy’s is a frog, and mine is a turtle. It was just a little easy happy read, and I really enjoyed it! It was just a silly little fun book.

So two books I really loved, and one that was ok. Not too bad!

19 thoughts on “Mini Book Reviews: The Enchanted Greenhouse, A Land So Wide, Goblin Mode”

  2. I have to admit that I didn’t feel the same about The Enchanted Greenhouse. It was too repetitive for my taste. Yet another greenhouse, yet another bowl of soup. I finished it, but I rolled my eyes a lot and I was glad I didn’t buy it.

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    1. Lol! I get it. It really was like that, I agree. I am soothed by repetition which is why I am guessing it didn’t bother me. I think I could happily live on an island surrounded by snow and plants and just eat soup. Kind of sounds like me in the winter actually! Did you like The Spellshop?

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    1. Isn’t it such a fun book? Lol! I checked it out from the library but I think it is one I want to just have. I am non-minimalist goblin, and I have all sorts of nature collections around my house, and in the fall I always have acorns and leaves in my pockets. That is awesome that you grow your own mushrooms! I have always wanted to do that.

      Frog is such a good one! My husband is super chill too!

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      1. Oh yes, we also collect zillions of gorgeous leaves in the fall. On display on our dining table right now.
        I shared on instagram 2 weeks ago, now there are more: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQfFa6AknFU/
        Yes, a fun book to have for sure!
        Check around, I am sure you can find mushroom farms around you, and they sell kits. It’s in a cardboard box, super easy, just follow the directions, and enjoy! They taste so so good

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  6. marsha57's avatar marsha57

    Do you sometimes think that authors have a number of words they have to get to? Then, once they get there, no matter where they are in the storyline, they just slap an ending on it. I feel that way about lots of books. I’m going to have to read that Goblin book just to see if I’m a Goblin or not…I kinda think not, but who knows! I love the cover of the first book. That would have gotten me right off the bat!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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      1. marsha57's avatar marsha57

        Oh, my gosh! This is such a good book! I want to be a goblin, but I don’t think I am unless there’s a fancy type goblin. But, there are lots of bits that are totally me. But, I’d love being a dragon! I haven’t finished the book yet, but so far, I am really enjoying it!

        https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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