Kaseys Korner

Love Lettering

Darn Amazon Prime for offering this book up to read for free. I abandoned it once, maybe I should have stuck with that status?? Somehow I managed to plow thru it on the second attempt but I almost jumped ship again a couple of times.

Quirky characters and a "romance" that feels very forced ~ if I met an uncommunicative, closed off man like Reid I would not repeatedly keep initiating contact with him. It seemed really "needy" and desperate (??) of Meg, who is supposed to be an accomplished young woman yet not above throwing herself at a man without much reciprocal encouragement. At least that was my take.

I have a fair share of experience with lettering fonts having worked in a creative field but even as original as building a story around that angle was, I couldn't ever get my heart to " L " it.

The Second Mrs. Astor

It doesn't matter how many articles/books I read about the sinking of the Titanic, I never fail to be overcome with the tragedy and sadness of that catastrophic event.

This book told from the POV of Madeleine Force Astor is an accounting of her courtship and very short marriage to John Jacob Astor IV. It's many historical references make it more than light reading but the personal nature in which it's written brings an intimacy to the experience. It portrays their relationship in a sweet manner which may very well be realistic due to Madeleines youth. The legendary John Jacob Astor IV is depicted as an honorable man and his loss (along with his dog ~ Kitty) feels even more devastating & impactful because of the personal nature of the retelling.

'The Second Mrs. Astor' lends a relatable aspect to the ultra rich that isn't always easy to achieve.
The cover is 5 Star!

The Unknown Beloved

I'm convinced Amy Harmon could pull a thread from any era in history and create an enrapturing story about it. In this case, the "thread" involved a little known (at least to me) man named Michael Malone during the time period of the Cleveland Torso Murders. I fell headlong into it from page one. It got only slightly draggy with the detailed descriptions of all the murdered people but the history behind it is fascinating and men like Mr Malone seem to be a disappearing breed these days.

I never miss a book by Ms Harmon and 'The Unknown Beloved' certainly was a continuation in her string of hits.

Book Lovers

I don't read too many contemporary romances (I prefer the HR genre for my romance "fixes") but this one was especially notable for the witty banter.
I can understand its popularity. It's a skill to write dialogue that makes the reader laugh and this author was so so good at it. It makes me wonder what she's like as a person!!!! My first book by this author but the positive experience would persuade me to read another.

Anyone looking for a light, fun romance should find 'Book Lovers' entertaining.

Other Birds

“There are birds, and then there are other birds. Maybe they don’t sing. Maybe they don’t fly. Maybe they don’t fit in. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather be an other bird than just the same old thing.”

Pretty much a fitting description of every character & POV in the book!

Sarah Addison Allen books are always light fun reads, full of magical realism & usually end on a happy note. 'Other Birds' followed the formula. The authors note at the end was very touching.
If you're familiar with this author and a fan of her work, most likely you will enjoy this latest release too.

 

 

 

 

House of Sky and Breath

WOW. I am completely and wholly thunderstruck by that ending!!!!!! It might take me more than a minute to process but I already know I can't wait to see how that BLINDSIDE plays out!!!!  Actually (now that I'm writing about it) I think I need to go back and reread the ending.  Maybe more than once??!!

When I first started reading this series, I thought maybe SJM was a little bit too verbose?! I know ~ what was I thinking???!! It was such a long and winding path to get engaged in this series ~ the thought crossed my mind "the way some people talk just to hear the sound of their voice, SJM writes because she's got a thing about words." Having finished 'House of Sky and Breath' all I can say is 'how lucky we are that she loves them, has dynamic command of them, invents even more of them, then shares all that mad talent with us!?!" Write as many words as you want ~ I'm going to read every single one!! Lesson learned. I will never ever think about giving up on one of your books again like I pondered doing with 'House of Earth and Blood.' I read book #1 & #2 back to back and instantly dropped right back into this wild world but now, SO MUCH was left hanging, it's going to be sheer agony waiting for book #3.

No way to deny it now, I'm a hopeless fangirl...

House of Earth and Blood

I don't even know what I just read!??! I liken it to one of those spinning top toys ~ at first laying on my side, motionless, just trying to plow thru the chapters, then suddenly someone (SJM) pulls the string and amps the velocity until I can't. read. fast. enough!!! Tears streaming down my face, crying about a girl (Bryce) who I wasn't even impressed with or sure I liked for the first half of the book. I might just have to reread that ending and try to keep dry eyes this time!!

Honestly, what a surprise because I almost dumped the book 30 - 40% in ~ it wasn't grabbing me AT ALL. I picked it up because I loved the 'A Court of Thorn and Roses' series so much I thought I'd try something else by this author. 'House of Earth and Blood' definitely didn't instantly reel me in like the first book of ACOTAR. Nonetheless, Ms Maas built a deep deep world herein and there's much more to be explored. I think it could be extremely exciting... If it takes too long to pick back up in book two, I'm out tho.

I'm rating 4 Stars because of how slow the book started but my advice ~ if you hang in until the ending, it's intense and absolutely redeeming. One thing the book blurb said I disagree with ~ the reference to a searing romance. Seriously?? "Searing" is not quite the correct adjective I would choose to describe it. Certainly there was a slow building attraction between the main characters but by no means searing. Maybe there are plans for that to pick up in book 2??? I've got it on hold so we'll soon find out!

The Cartographers

Old maps, a mystery and a premise so intriguing, I just knew I would love this one.

I don't know where it went left? I should have raced thru it but it took 10 days and half of that time I just didn't have the desire to get back to it.

I still LOVE the premise. The "phantom settlement" idea that the right map would provide an entry portal into a place no one could find without it, is nothing short of magical. In that way the book reminded me faintly of 'The Ten Thousand Doors of January' with it's hidden doors to other worlds. The fact that the town of Agloe actually existed for a period of time, simply because it was put on a map, was a brilliant jump off for a novel. Kudos to the author for being inspired by it.
I had never heard the term 'phantom settlement' prior to reading this book but as an artist familiar with protecting copyright, it makes sense cartographers would necessarily have to build in protections for their work too.

The story itself was interesting, it was just missing something?? I'm not sure if all the viewpoints were distracting, the main character Nell was too lackluster??? Maybe it will come to me??

If I was a teacher grading 'The Cartographers,' I'd certainly give it an "A" for originality/idea. "C" for execution. First book I've read by this author. I would definitely give another a try.
To me that equals 3.5 Stars.

Living with Blue & White

I LOVE all the books published by Victoria Magazine so of course I had to add this one to my collection. They're ALL beautifully photographed and styled. I appreciate so much the attention to detail they always exquisitely showcase. I feel like I could just copy & paste my glowing reviews for all their previous books onto here and they would be entirely accurate.

I particularly enjoyed the "plein air" section but the whole book is gorgeous. If you love blue and white, it's a "must have," or even if you just dabble in it (like me,) it's phenomenally inspirational.

Counterfeit

I picked up 'Counterfeit' solely because it was a Reese book club pick. I have to say I wasn't very impressed with it overall. There was a major surprise in the plot mid-way thru that I thought was clever but it wasn't enough to save the book for me.

Aside from that twist, I thought all the characters were pretty horrible and the message the book puts out (about learning to pull the wool over the eyes of consumers and corporations, how to out-maneuver law enforcement and picking a life of crime over legitimate employment) is nothing short of an endorsement/attempt to glamourize corruption. I can't get on board with that message even tho I'm cognizant it's presented in the form of fiction.

Very quick read but I would categorize it as a "miss" for Reese.