Kaseys Korner

A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

Cute book but when did Reese Witherspoon start a YA book club??? I totally missed that! I follow her picks and hadn't read one in awhile so I downloaded this without even noticing it was in the YA category.

It's clearly aimed at that age group and although I'm not so old I can't remember confronting similar issues as Lila, I doubt I would have read if I'd realized it in advance. Having said that, I'd recommend in a heartbeat to anyone interested in this genre and/or in this age group. The story is full of insight into the Cuban culture, family and food, food, food. So much talk about food that I wanted to either eat or bake something myself! I was no where near as focused or passionate about a career as Lila (when I was her age) but her large family support group could have helped guide her too.

The story settings could not be more opposite either ~ Miami and England! No matter what continent tho, YA issues are the same every where as this book illustrated. The author mixed customs from the two countries handily. Easy read and sweet ending.

Silent in the Grave

I enjoyed the Veronica Speedwell series so much in the summer of 2020, I've decided to dive into the 'Lady Julia Grey' series this summer.

'Silent in the Grave' is a light, fun, no brainer read, set in the Victorian era. Perfect. Just what I need right now. It has the same components as the Veronica Speedwell books ~ a progressive, unorthodox woman protagonist and an intriguing male counterpart with depths of character I'm excited to plumb.  Why change a successful formula?!

Definitely enjoyed book one and moving on to the 2nd in the series.

 

 

Kingdom of Shadow and Light

My friend Jenny introduced me to this series and I immediately fell hard for Barrons (who wouldn't???) & the complicated world of the Fae that KMM comprehensively built. MacKayla (Mac) Lane was always a seesaw for me. A girl who possessed unlimited abilities but had the sketchy judgement of her teenage self (no deeper than the tan she always described working on.)  It seems (even tho I skipped books 6-10) in this 11th book she STILL hasn't gotten much smarter other than obtaining a few more magical abilities, think sifting. If Barrons hadn't had her back, she'd have been finished in Book 1, and fast forward ten books ~ nothing's changed.

I'm honestly not sure why the books didn't stop after the fifth one? Those five were magical and even to a reluctant reader, as addictive as any drug. I guess, with this final book, everything is wrapped and we can breath a sigh of relief that all is well in the land of the Fae. Let's leave it that way and never, ever think of resurrecting the series.

The House by the Sea

When the charming Italian villa is the best thing about the book, you know you're in trouble.

I think another old house reeled me in ~ they get me every time!
So basically I loved reading about the house and the gardens but could NOT get excited about the main characters at all. They had a sad history which the protagonist brought up ad nauseam. Talk about holding onto anger! Her ex husband seemed a tad bit more likeable but he never got fleshed out fully.

So many predictable elements to the story. I'm a terrible guesser at "who dunnit's" but even I knew a third of the way in who the sinister culprit was.

Wish I could have liked it better. I'm going to be generous here and round up to 3 stars but really wavering over clicking two. Maybe it would be better on the beach??

The Art of Flowers

If you never thought flower arranging was an art, break open the cover of this book and prepare to do an about face. It most certainly is! From selecting the container, to the colors and forms of flowers that are going to reside in it, it's quickly apparent (from the fabulous creations within these pages) that it's nothing short of a creative skill set! Not all the designs are elaborate either, some are fairly simple but elegant and easily duplicated!

This book is the same quality level as all the other books the editors of Victoria magazine have published. There is no end to the beauty they are able to assemble and bind together. Lovely, lovely book whether you garden or not but for sure if you love flowers and appreciate incorporating them into your life. I plan to spend countless hours poring over the pages, examining the vases ~ many of which are antique and unique ~ and the way the flowers are assembled therein.

These books are automatic "buys" for me and I've never once been disappointed.