Kaseys Korner

Stranger Things Happen

I dislike giving any book a one star rating. It's already making me cringe a little just seeing that single star sitting by itself at the top of my review.
But, I have to be honest or what's the point of writing one?? Maybe a one star rating shouldn't have a negative connotation but instead just mean "not my cup of tea??" I quite honestly didn't "get" the authors style. I can't figure out what the problem was either ~ am I not a sophisticated enough or intelligent enough reader to understand it?? Is your writing an "acquired taste" or could my imagination be deficient?? I don't know the answers to these questions?? There's 8 or 9 short stories within the covers and I only made it completely thru four. When I started the fifth, I threw up my hands (& perhaps even my kindle?!) in defeat. A truly rare occurrence for me.

The stories seemed very disjointed, it was difficult to figure out what was really happening. Discerning between what was real, what was imaginary, etc., escaped me. Ambiguity abounded ~ a quality I readily confess is not my strong suit. When we discussed it at book club I went so far as to say it might be best enjoyed under the influence ~ whether that be from alcohol or marijuana. Maybe I could have made more sense of it that way? Sorry Kelly Link. I tried. I really did!

The Pull of the Stars

"THE PUBLIC IS URGED TO STAY OUT OF PUBLIC PLACES SUCH AS CAFÉS, THEATRES, CINEMAS, AND PUBLIC HOUSES.
SEE ONLY THOSE PERSONS ONE NEEDS TO SEE.
REFRAIN FROM SHAKING HANDS, LAUGHING, OR CHATTING CLOSELY TOGETHER.
IF ONE MUST KISS, DO SO THROUGH A HANDKERCHIEF.
SPRINKLE SULPHUR IN THE SHOES.
IF IN DOUBT, DON’T STIR OUT."

Sound familiar????

Crazy that many of these same words have circled back around 100 years later! I did chuckle at the notion of kissing thru a handkerchief tho! Despite all the leaps in medicine and technology since 1918, our populations still remain humbled by these influenza viruses. I did not realize until reading 'The Pull of the Stars' that there were no vaccines against the flu until the 1930's. That the Spanish Flu killed 675,000 people in the United States alone was tragic until you fast forward and see the US is on a track to meet or exceed that number with Covid19. Have we really come very far??

In this book, no one realized where the flu originated ~ there was speculation that it arose from the mass casualties of war. Definitely the movement of troops helped spread it. I just kept getting a sense of "deja vu" when so many of the same techniques employed to try and stop it then are also the measures we're advised to use today. It's more than a little freaky to read this book while in the middle of another devastating and historic pandemic.

I knew from the book description that the story took place within a hospital but I guess I missed the part where it was primarily confined to one maternity room? Yes, room, not ward! I almost feel I could deliver a baby myself after reading. The birthing process was repeated several times over, very descriptively, and with varying results. If I were ever to find myself in a midwife situation, I could almost use it as a reference.

Nurse Julia's dedication to her patients and tirelessness in the face of an overly stressed medical environment, (working without supplies, etc.,) ever more significant and impactful because of the identical strains health care workers are under today. Doctors and nurses were the heroes of the day then (and in short supply) and that is also echoed now.

This quote from the book resonated with me because I'm instantly on "high alert" if someone coughs nearby:

"A man’s explosive cough on the bench behind me. Then another. Hack, hack, a tree being axed with too small a blade. The mass of bodies leaned away. That ambiguous sound could be the start of the flu or a convalescent’s lingering symptom; it could signify the harmless common cold or be a nervous tic, caught like a yawn just by thinking about it. But at the moment this whole city was inclined to assume the worst, and no wonder."

Apparently Emma Donoghue starting writing this novel in 2018 ~ I wonder what she thought after doing all the research only to find herself living in similar times??? It had to be an uncanny feeling... What a bleak period in history. The Great War in Europe simultaneously occurring with a pandemic, trying times, to put it lightly ~ and not that dissimilar to today!

 

The Beekeeper of Aleppo

 

"People are not like bees. We do not work together, we have no real sense of a greater good—I’ve come to realize this now."

All the way thru the book I thought the authors inclusion of bees was for a more noble purpose than I actually learned it to be (Ms Lefteri said, in the authors notes, their inclusion might have been inspired by just seeing one.) That was shocking as they were so integral to the story. Knowing the vulnerability of bee colonies and the connection of their health to human health, I assumed the novel was written from the outset with them as a central theme. To serve as symbols of hope ~ for an industrious new life, in an inclusive new country. Whether she stumbled upon the idea or cultivated it deliberately later, the indefatigably of bee colonies promoted that underlying theme throughout the book.

I've never had to emigrate so I honestly can't imagine being uprooted from everything familiar with nothing certain but uncertainty. If reading about it is difficult, living it must be horrendous. The atrocities in Syria are what force these families out of their country. Their experience of PTSD totally believable and understandable. I guessed what the truth was with both Nuri and Afra before it was revealed. What a heartbreaking journey, even as we know they're fictional characters, we can't escape the realization it's very REAL for others right now.

I thought it very commendable that the author volunteered at a refugee camp and that her experience was what inspired her to document some of the situations she encountered. For some reason tho I just couldn't be overly enthusiastic about the result?? Not because of the hard subject matter but rather the writing style felt disjointed and the story just didn't flow as smoothly as I wished. It also seemed more confusing than it needed to be?? I don't know that I could have done better, I just didn't come away powerfully affected...

Arabella

It seemed high time to finally read a Georgette Heyer novel! I mean she is the Mother of the historical romance genre and the Regency romances (in particular) that are currently experiencing such a resurgence in popularity. Thank you 'The Bridgertons!!!"  When the characters in Kate Quinn's 'The Huntress' were reading Heyer novels during their down time, I knew I couldn't put it off any longer!!

I have to say historical romance has come a long way since Ms Heyer conceived the idea! 'Arabella' was a harmless, fun romp thru an era that seems eons ago. As a sometimes reader of this genre, I can see how it's been expounded upon and made "sexier" shall we say??! HR's always serve up a happy ending. That's the particular brand of magical escapism they offer. They appeal to our romantic side. The characters meet, there's a 'moth and flame' dance then a satisfactory conclusion. In that respect, this book fulfills all the criteria. Thank you Georgette Heyer for blazing the way in this category of books.  Some of us would be desolate without you!!

The Book of Lost Friends

Here, my friends, is the perfect example of why I have a hard time giving up on a book. It took more than a few chapters to engage me, especially those about Benny/Miss Silva. If I'd been feeling impatient or churlish, I would have tossed it aside and moved on. Thank goodness neither of those were the case for that would have proved most unfortunate. As slow as the book starts, it finished equivalently strong. Something to keep in mind.

I'll wager that for most people, (myself included) the novel will be an introduction to the "Lost Friends" advertisements and just what exactly those were. It's not a spoiler to say the ads were not about "friends" at all but rather desperate attempts by former slaves to be reunited with family members who were sold off by their owners. Ms. Wingate inserted some of the real advertisements between chapters and as teeny tiny as the print on those are, they're worth the time of retrieving a magnifying glass (or enlarging the font) to read them. They're heartbreaking and exemplify the strength of family bonds ~ no matter what age the separation occurred or how much time passed, it never lessened the yearning to reconnect with a persons biological family. There's a lot in the book that illustrated the negative side of humanity; the treatment of slaves as chattel to separate, abuse, violate, etc., just one example but a singularly repugnant one that remains difficult to read about.

Hannie was a particularly strong character, I admired her tenacity and resourcefulness throughout the book. The old Gossett family plantation another fascinating part of the book. The grand antebellum house & grounds could have been covered more extensively for my liking tho that's my old house & garden fetish peeping thru!  It's library alone worthy of inciting sighs of longing in book lovers worldwide! Oh for a chance to be granted admittance and license to rummage (respectfully of course!) thru the floor to ceiling shelves of double stacked books!  Teachers will also find much to appreciate about Benny's efforts to engage her students.

Until almost the end, I questioned how on earth the author was going to connect the two timelines but she managed it with aplomb. Worthwhile read, especially for historical fiction buffs.

 

 

Whitney, My Love

Usually HR novels are my guilty pleasure and not a substantial part of my reading "diet;" however, when I looked back over my 2020 Reading List, there were a lot more of them on there than usual! Let's chalk it up to the year?!? I swear I'm going to get back to some more "weighty" literature in 2021!!!

Having said that, discovering Judith McNaught as a HR writer was one of the bright spots of my year. Is everyone hoarding all their copies?? Because why didn't they cross my radar before now?? This book was written in 1985 for God's sake!! Of course after I devoured the first one, I immediately ordered every HR book she wrote and have been lolling in Regency Era bliss ever since!! Somebody please slap me back into my time period because I keep expecting a carriage to roll up...

Anyway, if you're a fan of this genre, she writes a really great romance. It's likely you already know that!! You feel like smacking the men upside the head half the time (chalk some of that up to the time period) but otherwise they're immensely enjoyable and at some point (maybe in my dotage!) I plan to reread them!! One more thing, they aren't "read-in-one-night" volumes either, unless you don't require sleep. I happen to like repose so they're lengthy enough to draw out the pleasure for several evenings.

The Awakening

It's been a minute since I've read anything by Nora Roberts but she's still got some writing chops.
I think foraying into the fantasy genre is new for her?? or have I really stepped away from her for too long??

But oh, whyyyyyy do I do this to myself?

*sigh,* *sigh,**sigh.*

Starting a trilogy when only the first book is published ~ it's torture!!!!!!!!!!!! I want the second one STAT!! Especially since this book was like a preview for what's to come. Compare it to putting on your PJ's, getting the popcorn & settling into your favorite chair before the movie starts. Now that the scene's been set, we're ready for action ~ and I hope we don't go thru all our coke & popcorn before the feature's played!! Hurry up 'The Becoming!!'

Breen (the heroine) started out quite ordinary and almost uninteresting. Right??? She seemed so unexceptional it made me wonder if I have fairy wings hidden somewhere myself because if she's got all that ~ it's possible I do too?!! haha She was just getting interesting when Book One ended. Aaarggh!

Have I mentioned yet that the storyline unfolds in Ireland?? Oh yes!!! In a wonderful World called Talamh, the land of the Fey and endless possibilities!!! I could believe almost anything fantastical from that magical, green island so everything in the book just fed my imagination. If only I could find the portal....

True to Nora Roberts roots, she included a hot hero, Keegan, as "taoiseach" of the Fey & love interest of Breen. Nothing too steamy but enough her legions of fans should be happy.

Excellent, excellent start to 'The Dragon Heart Legacy' Series. 4.5 Stars