Kaseys Korner

The Silver Music Box

This wasn't the best or the worst book I've read that takes place during the WWII period. It actually even touches on both wars as it starts at WWI. However the bulk of the story revolves around the WWII timeline and events that transpired during those years . No matter what book it is, stories about this war and the atrocities that occurred then, never fail to make me cry. What a devastating period in history. I get why there are so many books ~ there are just so many stories and each and every one relevant and poignant in their own right.

Not a very long book and very readable just not as powerful (to me) as some others.

The Scent Keeper

** spoiler alert ** The writing in this book is utterly lyrical. It took me less than two sentences to fall under its spell. It's a dream of mine to sit down and read, uninterrupted, all afternoon & evening with the exception of maybe having someone "at the ready" to refill my drink & keep the atmosphere comfortable. 'The Scent Keeper' is definitely a book that would fit neatly into that scenario. Settled into a comfy chair, the writing and story could easily swallow up the day.

I want to be that "weird" girl now ~ like Emmaline ~ who was so in tune with the smell of absolutely everything! Like it or not, I feel like I'm the same as most people in the world, going thru life completely incognizant of the effect of scents on my behaviors and reactions. I mean, I do know when something smells good or terrible, etc. but for the most part, I'm pretty sure I under-utilize this powerful sense. In our defense, unlike other animal species, it isn't necessary for us to use it or rely on it. I was trying to decide if Emmaline was born with superior olfactory glands or if they became extraordinary simply because she was taught to use them?? Her father definitely honed them, exceptional gift or not, starting at an early age. AND he was able to do so because he had her in an environment that was completely under his control and devoid of typical life distractions. Interesting to think about.

The few things I didn't like in the book, I'm willing to overlook or excuse. Like Emmaline constantly staging disappearing acts without telling anyone what she was doing or where she was going. I chalked those up to her youth and her unconventional upbringing although it was still annoying. But the whole bear killing Cleo incident and them being on an island so isolated and remote, without any way of protecting themselves ~ I did not like or get. I'm not a card carrying member of the NRA but if I was going to live somewhere like they did, I would definitely be packing something. Things happen (like the bear) people happen (Fisher's father) so it boggled my mind that they'd be so vulnerable and defenseless.

Very interesting concept to build a character and world around scents outside the more familiar notion of a perfumer. So many similarities (top notes, middle notes and base notes) but completely novel way of getting to them. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to my reading friends or as a book club choice.

 

 

Such a Fun Age

** spoiler alert ** I'm struggling to see what all the hype and excitement was about this book??? It *maybe* had potential in that it started off with an easy fun writing style and two main characters that could have evolved in interesting ways. Too bad that's where they topped out.

When we're first introduced to Alix Chamberlain, she seemed like a woman on top of her game. The further into the story we got, the more psychotic she became. I mean what's up with a married woman (a mother of two young children) stalking her babysitters phone, reading her texts & emails, wanting to be "friends" with her, drink wine & kiki with her, impress her, etc., etc.? It was so creepy and uncomfortable. Combine those things with her still being hung up on her high school boyfriend and harboring such venom toward him and you come full circle from thinking she's a "together" woman to learning she's an unstable, villainous mess. Did she even love her husband?? I came away thinking everything about her was contrived.

And Emira (the babysitter) ended the novel the same way she began ~ still finding her way in life. Yes, she had a bit better job but was it really what she wanted to do or what just happened to be convenient? I was left feeling like she was still drifting along, rudderless ~ a passenger in her own life. It was definitely relatable that she didn't know exactly what she wanted to do but she wasn't being proactive about figuring it out either. She certainly wasn't stupid or lacking talents so what held her back?? At times I felt her friends were more compelling characters than she was. I did like the relationship she had with Briar and that little girl was the one who lost out when her Mom ruined the employment situation. I didn't necessarily agree with Emiras' reasoning for dumping Kelley tho?? Anybody else think he could still have been a positive part of her life??

I picked this book up because it was a Reese Witherspoon book club pick but I think it might have been her first "miss??" It certainly was for me. I can't say I feel any smarter, happier, or better for having read it.

 

 

The Kingdom of Back

** spoiler alert ** I totally, totally loved this book. It was such a great escape considering everything going on in the world right now ~ such an interesting combo of historical fiction paired with fantasy. The author did a remarkable job marrying those two genres.

I knew who Wolfgang Mozart was at the outset, because of his music, but not much else beyond that. I suppose having an equally gifted sister shouldn't be that much of a surprise considering talent often runs in families. But that they really imagined a magical Kingdom (exclusive to themselves) was the big surprise and delight of the book.

Wolferl (Wolfgang) was truly a child genius. Composing at a tender young age and being such an engaging child and man are the components of superstardom. He had so much talent, what an enormous loss his early death was for the world. Nannerl Mozart, his sister, was a mixed bag for me. I had a lot of compassion for her that she wasn't afforded the same opportunities as her brother simply because she was born a female. It's mind-blowing how much talent the world has missed out on because of that ridiculous notion. I understood her frustration and why she would be jealous of her brother. But only to a point. Too bad the saying 'don't hate the player, hate the game' wasn't in the vernacular of the period because it was absolutely applicable in her case. Be mad at the rules of society, be mad at the unequal treatment bestowed on the siblings by their father, but don't be mad at her fragile, younger brother who seemingly adored her. That part of her story I didn't care for so much. Thank goodness she came around by the end.

'The Kingdom of Back' was as enthralling as it was foreboding from it's very inception. I sensed Hyacinth was up to no good but the escape into his world of upside down trees, crumbling castles, trapped queen, ogre and fairies was all just so, so captivating. I dare anyone to read this book and not get sucked into it.

4.5 stars. It would have been a 5 star read for me if it hadn't taken the dark twist of sister pitted against brother. If Wolferl and Nannerl could have adventured more together into 'The Kingdom of Back' (like they did the first time) I think I'd be delirious right now.  But that would be a whole other story....