The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (#107 in 2020)
Linus is forty years old and lives in a small house with his cat. He's a case worker for magical youth and is known for his meticulous recordkeeping and objective perspective of the orphanages he evaluates. When Linus is sent to Marsyas Island Orphanage, a highly classified secluded home for the most dangerous of magical youth, he fears the unknown challenges of this new task. Linus is, however, about to engage in some serious self-discovery while making a tough decision about the future of the orphanage.
I'm an English teacher, so I'm fairly critical of a writer's grasp on the conventions of the English language as well as technique and stylistic elements of the writing, itself. I cringe when I see my own typos (yes, mistakes do happen), and I silently correct the grammar of others (yes, @mary_reagans_books got me a mug that says this).
While there are a lot of great books out there with well-organized plotlines, witty dialogue, and creative twists and turns, what's really hard to come by is good writing. But here, my friends, is where TJ Klune steps in. Klune's storytelling is beautiful, his plots full of symbolism and his characters demonstrating such refreshing depth. Klune's writing, however, is what will blow you away. His style is adaptable; with The Extraordinaries, I found it blunt and angsty with a sarcastic tone, but The House in the Cerulean Sea contains writing that is just as whimsical as its setting and just as transformative as its characters.
I've heard a number of you say that upon finishing this book you gave it a big hug, but the truth is that this book hugged me instead. Klune provides special warmth that's needed in our current climate, and he sheds some serious light on society's misgivings in the most innocent of ways.
And if any of you have ever wondered for even two seconds what it’s like to be a teacher, read this book. It’s chaotic, frustrating, and weird (especially in middle school), but it’s also the funniest, most heart-warming profession you could ever imagine. This book captures all those emotions at once.
Lots of stars and big hugs for this one. ⭐️❤️
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