In the Lives of Puppets

By TJ Klune,

Book cover of In the Lives of Puppets

Book description

From New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, In the Lives of Puppets is a queer retelling of the Pinocchio tale, inviting you deep into the heart of a peculiar forest and on the extraordinary journey of a family assembled from spare parts.

'A deeply stirring journey through a world…

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Why read it?

1 author picked In the Lives of Puppets as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I totally took a risk when I bought this book. Robots? Gay romance? Dystopian future? Not my usual pick, but I had a feeling about it. Boy, am I glad I listened to my spidey-booky-senses, because this was so unique that I still find myself thinking about it.

Firstly, the characters were so fleshed-out that I feel as if I know them. In fact, I miss them. I miss imaginary characters. How bizarre is that? I laughed and I sympathised – a rarity for most characters.

The contrast between high-tech beings living in a secluded, untouched forest provided interesting imagery…

The Woodland Stranger: A Fairy Tale with Benefits

By Jane Buehler,

Book cover of The Woodland Stranger: A Fairy Tale with Benefits

Jane Buehler Author Of The Ocean Girl

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Storyteller Introvert Romantic Norm avoider Backyard birdwatcher

Jane's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Burne’s been hiding out in the forest since deserting the King’s Guard. Each time he tries to return to the village, he begins to panic. And then one day, he encounters a handsome stranger picking flowers and hides behind a tree instead of talking.

He wants to be braver—and he’s about to get another chance. Because the stranger is Gray, a fairy and master of illusions who’s now following Burne home. And Gray’s got more on his mind than talking. Would a fairy that beautiful ever want someone like him? Stranger things have happened.

The Woodland Stranger: A Fairy Tale with Benefits

By Jane Buehler,

What is this book about?

Whoever said, Don't talk to strangers?


Burne hid behind a tree. He wanted to talk to the handsome man picking flowers at the edge of the forest, but he'd only flub it if he tried-he'd stumble over his words and blush bright red. And now the man is gone.


He tries to continue on to the village, but the same thing happens as always: his hands start shaking and panic wells up inside him. What if he runs into the bullies who tormented him in the King's Guard last spring? Ever since he deserted, he has hidden out in the…


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