Tag: Fiction

Book Review: Small Admissions: A Novel by Amy Poeppel

Posted on by kaitsbookshelf in Fiction
Small Admissions
Cover Art is copyright of Atria/ Emily Bestler Books

I ran across Small Admissions on NetGalley, and the publisher stated that fans of Sophie Kinsella should enjoy this book. I do love Sophie Kinsella’s work and not just her Shopaholic series but her stand-alone novels as well for their fun, quirky, relatable characters. So I was excited to receive an early look at Small Admissions and hopefully discover a new favorite author.

Well, Ms. Poeppel has introduced some fun, quirky, and relatable characters of her own in what proved to be a light, enjoyable read that kept me entertained. I found myself relating to her main character, Kate, (and no, it’s not just because she has a fabulous name!) as well as her minor characters of Chloe and Maureen. This book was filled with familiar situations (who hasn’t had a broken heart or a rift with friends or been nervous starting a new job?) and relatable characters. Keep on Reading!

Book Review: Tales From the Haunted Mansion: Volume I The Fearsome Foursome As Told By Amicus Arcane

Posted on by kaitsbookshelf in Disney, Fiction, Middle Grade
Haunted Mansion
Cover is copyright of Disney Press and is pending final approval

As a grown-up Disney kid, it is my duty to keep a current list of my favorite rides and attractions at Disney Parks. The Haunted Mansion has long been a favorite of mine, and I was thrilled to receive an early copy of this new book from Disney Press!

As a book addict, my favorite room in the Haunted Mansion attraction is of course the library with the spooky, empty rocking chair and the assurance that the library is full of works by “ghost writers.” Well, in this book, I got to stop into the library and have the head librarian, Amicus Arcane, share some spooky tales with me. The Haunted Mansion is famous for welcoming “foolish mortals” through its doors and in the opening of this book, Amicus Arcane extends that invitation to “foolish readers.” Keep on Reading!

Book Review: Watching Edie by Camilla Way

Posted on by kaitsbookshelf in Fiction, Mystery
watching edie
Cover art is copyright of Penguin Random House

I received an advanced copy of this book from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. I was very excited to receive a copy of this book as it was marketed as a psychological thriller, a suspenseful novel for fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train. I found both of those books to be very suspenseful with psychological twists and was thrilled for a new book to keep me on the edge of my seat. Unfortunately, that is not what I received with Watching Edie.

This book not only shifts points of view but also shifts periods in time. Chapters alternate between “After” and “Before” leaving the reader to wonder “after and before what?” While this created curiosity and did keep me reading, it did not create the suspense that I believe was intended. Keep on Reading!

Book Review: Serafina and the Twisted Staff by Robert Beatty

Posted on by kaitsbookshelf in Disney, Fiction, Middle Grade
Serafina and the Twisted Staff
Cover art is copyright of Disney Hyperion

Let me start this post by saying a HUGE thank you to Disney Hyperion for an Advance Reader Copy of this book through NetGalley. I absolutely loved Serafina and the Black Cloak, and if you missed that review, you can read it here. I was so excited to get a sneak peek of the next adventure, and it did not disappoint!

*Please note: if you have not read the first book, spoilers lie ahead! Please come back to this post after reading Serafina and the Black Cloak!*

Serafina and the Twisted Staff picks up where the first book left off, three weeks after Serafina has defeated the Man in the Black Cloak. I enjoyed this timeline because I felt there was a lot of mystery still lingering at the end of the first book. For example, we now know the truth about Serafina’s mother – that she is a catamount! –  but what exactly does that mean for Serafina? Will she continue to remain with her Pa at the Biltmore Estate or will she embrace a new life with her mother? Like the first book, the action and adventure start right away and kept me guessing and anxious to keep reading. Keep on Reading!

Book Review: Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty

Posted on by kaitsbookshelf in Disney, Fiction, Middle Grade

SerafinaI am so excited that I have FINALLY had a chance to read this book! Let me start by saying that it surpassed my expectations and is one of the most original stories I have read in a long time. I was drawn to this book by two things. First, the cover. It is eye-catchingly beautiful with a silhouette of the young heroine against the night sky over the Biltmore Estate. Second, the Biltmore Estate itself. Having been born and raised in the southeastern United States, I recall a trip to the Biltmore Estate in my younger days and simply being in awe of this “castle.” No child has ever visited Biltmore Estate and not wondered what it would be like to live there, even in the basement, and be able to sneak around and have your run of the place at night. This story sounded like a wonderful adventure and childhood dream come true. Keep on Reading!

Book Review: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Posted on by kaitsbookshelf in Fiction

AJFikry

I happened upon this book at the library one afternoon. I stopped in to pick up a couple of requests that were waiting for me, and this book caught my eye as I breezed past the New Reads section. The cover was intriguing with a silhouette of books and a baby in a basket. The title was also intriguing…The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. Clearly, books played an important role in this story. Keep on Reading!