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Tag: Tangerines
Tangerines Gets Some Love on Reedsy
I found this thoughtful review of Tangerines on Reedsy and just copied and pasted it here. I hope the reviewer, Christine Rodriguez, is okay with that! It’s always nice when your books do the work for you and save you the time of writing posts. 😊
Tangerines by Tsvi Jolles is one of those rare books that truly captures the magic of childhood. Through gorgeous storytelling, Jolles blends magic and whimsy with deep, introspective themes. This is a novel that will linger in your mind long after you turn the last page.
At its core, Tangerines is a coming-of-age story told through the voice of a young narrator whose observations are both innocent and profound. The protagonist’s world is small but filled with wonder—centered around a beloved tangerine tree, a best friend named Oggy, and the bittersweet complexities of family and belonging. The book reads like a poetic diary, filled with entries that are at times funny, at times heartbreaking, but always beautifully authentic. The writing is lyrical, almost dreamlike, reminiscent of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros or The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
What makes Tangerines such an engaging read is how it captures childhood’s fluid, unfiltered thoughts. The narrator’s mind skips about—one moment pondering the nature of secrets, the next inventing words with Oggy, before seamlessly drifting into a heartfelt reflection on love, loss, and longing. It’s a deeply immersive experience that feels so real—like peeking into a child’s notebook filled with stories, sketches, and scattered daydreams.
I love books that encourage readers to see the world in new ways, and Tangerines does just that. It’s a book that would spark fascinating discussions about storytelling, memory, and imagination. The protagonist’s voice is so unique yet universally relatable—whether you’re an adult remembering the way childhood felt or a younger reader recognizing pieces of yourself in the narrator’s words.
If you enjoy poetic, thought-provoking, and magical books, Tangerines is an absolute must-read. It’s a story about love, loss, and the small but meaningful ways we try to make sense of the world around us. It’s the kind of book that reminds you why stories matter—because they help us remember, understand, and dream.
Highly, highly recommend!
Reviewed by
Christine is an 7-12th grade English teacher, a library assistant, and a bookworm with a passion for good literature. She has a keen eye for good literature and reads books across genres. Her favorites are dystopian lit, sci-fi, fantasy, and contemporary literature.
Magic Travels: A Gift for the Book Witches of Belfast
David and Samantha, the book-loving duo from Belfast, Ireland, were the first to review my debut novel, Leo and the Magic Guitar of the Ozarks, on NetGalley and Goodreads. As a thank-you, I sent them a paperback copy of Leo (they originally read the eBook) and included my latest release, Tangerines.
After their journey across the ocean from the USA to Ireland, the books arrived safely, and here’s their response on Instagram!
🎧 Settle In and Listen to the First Three Chapters of Tangerines
Sometimes a story feels even more magical when you can hear it. The first three chapters of Tangerines are now available to listen to, and I couldn’t be more excited to share them with you.
Close your eyes and let Gilly’s voice, brought to life beautifully by the talented Casey Montgomery, draw you into her world—where forests hold secrets, tangerine trees carry carved hearts, and questions about family and friendship linger in the air.
It’s a cozy little way to spend some time, whether you’re curled up on the couch with a warm drink or taking a quiet walk outdoors.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
A huge thanks to Casey for capturing Gilly’s voice so perfectly. I’d love to know how the story resonates with you—feel free to share your thoughts after listening.
Warmly,
Tsvi Jolles
When a Story Finds You: The Quiet Magic of Gilly
Here’s the thing: Tangerines is a mystery to me. It’s the only significant piece of writing I’ve created where I can’t pinpoint when I started it. Usually, my stories give me hints—details that tie them to a specific time in my life, a certain place or memory. But Tangerines? It’s different. I’m not sure if I wrote it 15 years ago, or 17, or maybe even 22. There’s no clear trail to follow. It feels like this story exists outside of time, and somehow that makes it feel so pure. Of course, I’m woven in there—a lot of me is—but in a way that’s more universal, more spiritual.
About two years ago, I stumbled upon Tangerines while digging through old files on my computer, hunting for forgotten writing. And there it was. The moment I started reading, I was drawn in by the voice of Gilly. Over the years, I’ve created hundreds of characters—through short stories, novels, everything. But Gilly is different. Right away, I felt a deep sense of pride. Pride in her, and pride in myself as a writer. It was like meeting an old friend and realizing their magic is still there, untouched by time.
Gilly has a voice is that is raw and authentic, full of curiosity and imagination. She’s introspective and quirky, a little playful, but deeply thoughtful. As I read, it felt as if she were right beside me—alive, waiting all these years to be rediscovered. That sense of creating someone so real and vivid is one of the most rewarding parts of being a writer.
Yet Tangerines isn’t just Gilly’s story—it’s about navigating life’s mysteries, holding onto wonder, and finding meaning in small, everyday moments. It’s a quiet kind of magic, but a powerful one. At the heart of it all is Gilly, but she’s not alone. There’s Oggy, her loyal best friend, Orti, the tangerine tree covered in tiny carved hearts, and the yanaka—a furry, quirky creature existing only in Gilly’s forest. They’ve all been waiting in these pages, patiently, to be rediscovered. And for that, I’m both grateful and humbled.
In many ways, these characters also helped me navigate the darkest parts of winter—the short days and cloudy skies. This year, I published two books during the season. The timing wasn’t random; I needed the creative spark to counteract the gloom. (A spontaneous trip to New Orleans didn’t hurt either.) And you know what? It worked.
Because Gilly’s spirit is so steady and hopeful, I found I didn’t feel much anxiety when launching Tangerines. Despite being only ten years old on the page, she somehow anchored me. Then the first reviews came in, right around the time snow started falling here in Cumming, Georgia. Temperatures dipped into the teens, but there’s nothing quite as warming as a kind review—especially for a story you may have started two decades ago.
And that leads me to the perfect way to wrap up: I received a new review just today, moments before sitting down to write this post. It reminded me why I do this—why I write, and why I keep rediscovering stories I thought I left behind. Sometimes, we think our creations are lost in time, but the truth is, they’re often just waiting for the right moment to return and light up our lives.
More reviews just in
Review by
Brynn B. – New Zealand
Last updated on Jan 27 2025
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own
One of the plagues modern entertainment faces is unoriginality. It’s becoming more and more common for stories to be predictable, generic, and cliche. Tangerines is anything but.
Tangerines is told through the perspective of a 10-year-old girl Gilly, following the adventures of her and her best friend, Oggy. I expected this book to be a witty, charming read targeted towards kids. After reading it, I am completely blown away by how much this book makes me think. Tangerines is clever and fun, but it’s also much more meaningful of a book than I anticipated.
The prose is one of the stars of this book. Tsvi Jolles has truly captured the thinking and mannerisms of a 10-year-old. Nearly all of the prose is witty; however, I do think at times it veered into the territory of being different to be different. There were only a few instances of this, though, and overall, it was very well-written.
This book (…) offers a unique experience to readers. It’s definitely worth the quick read, and I will be checking out Jolles’ other works.
Review by
Suki F – Great Britain
Last updated on Jan 22 2025
We follow Gilly, a ten year old who lives in the forest with her mother, and has a tangerine tree growing in her back garden. The whole book is told from her point of view, and steeped with the innocence and magic of childhood. Her father has left and she spends a lot of the book planning on going through the forest to find him. I found it very interesting to see what she and her childhood friend think is happening, compared to what is actually going on, and the central mystery kept me reading.
At times my interest did wane, and it did sometimes feel to me that she was a child much younger than her years, however as a whole this was quite a charming story.
Review by
Rhoda S. – United States
January 26, 2025
I have a fondness for off-beat, fun, and imaginative children’s literature. I loved this book. It’s a wonderful fantasy as well as a thoughtful look into the mind of a young girl.