Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
blurb
KatieDid927
post image

Thanks for the fun #SpookySummerSwap package @LeslieO ! @paperwitchs

LeslieO 💜 2y
Chrissyreadit Hi friend! Hope you are well! 2y
CanetteArilleBooks Your chocolate looks delicious 😍😻😋 10mo
39 likes3 comments
review
KatieDid927
Cress | Marissa Meyer
post image
Pickpick

I liked it! Some of the romance storylines are a little more YA than I typically like, but the story is really picking up now! Plus it checks the box for this month‘s #FairyTaleReadingChallenge @Charityann

Jgacreations It‘s a great series. 2y
fredamans My favorite YA series of all time. 2y
38 likes2 comments
review
KatieDid927
The Shore: A Novel | Katie Runde
post image
Mehso-so

This has more depth than your typical summer beach read. I enjoyed the first 2/3 but the last 1/3 felt really drawn out. I also feel like we spent a disproportionate amount of time in the daughters‘ POV. By the end, that made the book feel like YA. I would‘ve liked to get to know Margot a little better and delve deeper into what she was going through. With her character it still felt fairly surface level for me.

#ARC pub date 5/24

review
KatieDid927
The Patchwork Girl of Oz | L. Frank Baum
post image
Pickpick

Somehow this is my first Baum? Which feels weird being so familiar with his work via film adaptations. Maybe I should‘ve started the series at the beginning but the #ChildrensClassicRead2022 had me intrigued. I liked the story, discovering new characters and seeing some familiar faces. Some of the illustrations reminded me of minstrel shows, which isn‘t great. But I like Baum‘s imagination. @TheBookHippie

TheBookHippie 🎉🥳 2y
bookishdawg That was my first Baum too ❤️ 2y
51 likes2 comments
review
KatieDid927
Scarlet | Marissa Meyer
post image
Pickpick

I liked it! Not quite as much as Cinder. It felt like it took awhile for the story to really get going. It took me a minute to be invested in Scarlet. I also don‘t love when I figure stuff out way ahead of the characters and have to wait for them to catch up. At least it ended well! I‘m stoked to see what happens to Cinder & co next.

review
KatieDid927
post image
Pickpick

I loved it! I saw the Hitchcock film in college, but it‘s been awhile. The book is an excellent psychological thriller. The movie actually changes quite a lot of major plot points. I rewatched it after reading. It holds up, but, the book is better. 🚊🎠

#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

58 likes2 stack adds
review
KatieDid927
The Cartographers | Peng Shepherd
post image
Mehso-so

The premise of this book is so good, but the execution is lackluster. Lots of other reviewers have used the word “mess”, which is accurate. There were too many characters to keep track of, and the romance storyline was terrible and unnecessary. Meh. #BotM

52 likes1 stack add
review
KatieDid927
post image
Pickpick

My last book for April was my second book for April‘s Cinderella #FairyTaleReadingChallenge. I‘m glad I finally started this series! I love the mythology and I liked the first installment even more than I thought I would. Looking forward to May‘s challenges! @Charityann

review
KatieDid927
post image
Pickpick

Super fun retelling of one of my fave Disney movies. I love this series! #FairyTaleReadingChallenge @Charityann

review
KatieDid927
post image
Panpan

This might be my most unpopular opinion yet, but I did not enjoy this at all. This was my second Boyne, and it‘s definitely my last. I didn‘t connect to the characters, I found it tedious and implausible. Boyne‘s style just does not resonate with me in the slightest. But! I‘m thankful for the #AuthorAMonth challenge as this has been sitting on my shelf for years, and I finally had an excuse to read it. @Soubhiville

Soubhiville Sorry you didn‘t like it, but glad it‘s off your TBR! 2y
CarolynM I agree with you. 2y
KatieDid927 @CarolynM Glad I‘m not alone! 2y
44 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
KatieDid927
The Book of Cold Cases | Simone St. James
post image
Mehso-so

Not my favorite Simone St. James. The whodunnit was predictable and revealed very early. I also felt like she relied on too many cliches and tropes with this one. Ah well.

brittanyreads Reading this now. It's my first by her. What were some of your favorites? 2y
See All 7 Comments
brittanyreads Oh perfect! I own both already! Haha @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 2y
KatieDid927 @BrittanyReads I agree with @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ! I liked both tagged books a lot more than this one, personally. 2y
brittanyreads Cool! I'll have to move those up my list. I also own 2y
52 likes1 stack add7 comments
blurb
KatieDid927
post image

1. ✔️

2. A little bit, insomuch as I won‘t typically read, say, Elin Hilderbrand novels in autumn or Christmas/winter centric stories in summer. That kinda thing.

3. 🌷🌱

@Chrissyreadit @sprainedbrain @j9brown @wanderinglynn

#ThoughtfulThursday @MoonWitch94

BookwormAHN Good book! 2y
AmyG Loved this book! 2y
wanderinglynn Thanks for the tag! 😘 2y
MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing 🌷☺️📚 2y
36 likes4 comments
blurb
KatieDid927
Perrault's Fairy Tales | Charles Perrault
post image

Pulled my gorgeous Folio Society edition of Perrault‘s Fairy Tales off the shelf for this month‘s #ChildrensClassicRead2022. Not my fave fairy tale, but still lovely. @TheBookHippie

TheBookHippie What a beautiful edition!!! How fun! 2y
KatieDid927 @TheBookHippie It was gifted to me in a swap a few years ago by a Litten who no longer has an account. I love it so much! 2y
TheBookHippie @KatieDid927 I have those kind of gifts too! Makes it so special! 2y
tpixie @KatieDid927 wow! How special!! 2y
43 likes4 comments
review
KatieDid927
post image
Pickpick

I love Rupi Kaur‘s poetry and enjoyed this collection.

#NationalPoetryMonth

CherMoreBooks This is an excellent collection! 2y
41 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
KatieDid927
post image
Pickpick

Finished this up over the weekend. This book is a collection of academically researched essays about the intersection of Black and Native identity in both the historical and present United States. It‘s a section of history that I‘m fascinated by, especially as it‘s so often erased.

45 likes3 stack adds
review
KatieDid927
Coraline | Neil Gaiman
post image
Pickpick

So glad I finally read this! It‘s very different from the movie, which I knew going in, but still. I like both a lot! Also, special thanks to Mr. Gaiman for officially pulling me out of my slump. #ReadSpooky2022 @teebe

54 likes1 stack add
blurb
KatieDid927
post image

Thank you so so much @AFrostCauseReads for such a fun #SSS package! I love it all so much. Happy Spring! And a special thanks to @Avanders for hosting! #SpeculativeSpringSwap

AFrostCauseReads Yay! Happy spring! 😊 (edited) 2y
Avanders 😍😍🔮🧬🦠 2y
38 likes2 comments
review
KatieDid927
Bird Box: A Novel | Josh Malerman
post image
Mehso-so

Took me awhile, but finally finished this last night. I liked the mythology of the creatures, but otherwise it was a middle of the road post-apocalyptic thriller for me. I started it in March so I‘m still gonna count it for that month‘s #ReadSpooky2022 @teebe

blurb
KatieDid927
post image

Shipped this puppy off today, scheduled to arrive on Tuesday! @Avanders #SSS

Avanders Yay! 👏🏽👏🏽🔮🦠🧬🧞‍♂️♥️ 2y
Littlewolf1 Yay…received it today… looking forward to Sunday 2y
36 likes2 comments
blurb
KatieDid927
Trail of Lightning | Rebecca Roanhorse
post image

Just got home from being out of town for a bit and this was waiting for me. Thanks @AFrostCauseReads ! Can‘t wait!

@Avanders I still have to ship mine out, will ship priority this week. #SSS

AFrostCauseReads Yay!!! 📚 2y
Avanders 🤔 this never tagged me 🤷🏽‍♀️ But glad you got your pkg!! 🦠🔮🧬♥️🧞‍♂️ 2y
28 likes2 comments
review
KatieDid927
post image
Panpan

Finished this Mulan retelling last week for March‘s #FairytaleReadingChallenge. The premise of Mulan‘s character being non-binary was really interesting, but I found the execution to be flawed. The story was transparent and tedious. In fact, this book sent me into my first major slump of the year and I have yet to find my way back out. But at least I completed the challenge for March! @Charityann

j9brown Pretty cover though 😍 2y
KatieDid927 @j9brown Very true! 2y
44 likes2 comments
review
KatieDid927
Easy Beauty | Chlo Cooper Jones
post image
Pickpick

“I am in a bar in Brooklyn, listening to two men, my friends, discuss whether my life is worth living.” This is not always an easy read, but it‘s a really lovely memoir about disability, womanhood, motherhood, patriarchy, travel, philosophy and beauty standards that forces us to examine ourselves and our perceptions. I think this‘ll be one of the big memoirs of the year.

#ARC pub date 4/5

45 likes4 stack adds
review
KatieDid927
post image
Mehso-so

I can be picky about historical fiction. I think traumatic and violent historical events should be used cautiously when writing fiction for entertainment, and I don‘t feel like the author was thoughtful enough here. The story of Jeju is fascinating and heartbreaking, but I‘m not okay with using real history to maximize the emotional manipulation of the reader. I would‘ve preferred a non-fiction book on these topics. #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

AmyG I‘m reading this now....a bit of a struggle if I am going to be honest. 2y
KatieDid927 @AmyG It's a fine line, but I think there are ways historical fiction can be done REALLY well (for me The Sympathizer is a great example). I just don't feel like it was here. In the middle the story lost all momentum to make way for historical exposition, and it dragged. Then there was a moment I almost bailed, but I pushed through to the end as I was over halfway through. Did not enjoy it overall. 2y
AmyG I am about a fifth of the way in and I may just bail and call it a day. Not a fan of this author at all as I already bailed on Dreams of Joy. 2y
KatieDid927 @AmyG Oh man, and it only gets worse haha. I actually liked the first fifth. 😬 2y
48 likes4 comments
review
KatieDid927
Recitatif | Toni Morrison
post image
Pickpick

The story is brilliant. I do have a massive issue with the intro by Zadie Smith. I‘m glad I read other reviews that said to skip it. It‘s completely inappropriate as an introduction, and epitomizes why I hate intros. Smith gives away the entire plot and then analyzes it to death. It strips the reader of any enjoyment in actually experiencing the story and interpreting it themselves. Her essay is an interesting read only AFTER reading the story.

TheBookHippie I never read intros until after I‘m done with the book or I skip it entirely 😅. 2y
KatieDid927 @TheBookHippie A good plan of action. I sometimes read them for non-fiction books, but that‘s pretty different. 2y
53 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
KatieDid927
post image
Pickpick

Really fun story, I dig this author.

44 likes1 stack add
blurb
KatieDid927
A Tale of Two Cities | Charles Dickens
post image

1. Recitatif by Toni Morrison, Confounding the Color Line: The Indian-Black Experience in North America edited by James Brooks

2. Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne for the Children‘s Classic Reading Challenge

3. Tagged!

#WeekendReads @rachelsbrittain

review
KatieDid927
Now We Are Six | A. A. Milne
post image
Pickpick

This was a sweet little book. I would‘ve liked a higher percentage of Pooh, but I‘m glad to finally have read this after it‘s been sitting on my shelves for years. #ChildrensClassicRead2022 @TheBookHippie

TheBookHippie 💙🧸🐻 2y
EvieBee 🥰😍😍 2y
49 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
KatieDid927
The Blacker the Berry | Wallace Thurman
post image
Pickpick

First published in 1929 during the Harlem Renaissance, this was the first book to take on the issue of colorism within the Black community and show the toll that internalized anti-Blackness can take. It‘s heartbreaking, but a well-written story.

42 likes3 stack adds
review
KatieDid927
The Winter Sister | Megan Collins
post image
Panpan

The story was way too predictable and the characters were too flat.

review
KatieDid927
post image
Pickpick

Absolutely essential reading.

S3V3N I loved it! 2y
47 likes4 stack adds1 comment
blurb
KatieDid927
post image

@riversong153 thank you so so much for such a beautiful #BlitsySwap package! I‘ve wanted to read the tagged book so badly for awhile now. The necklace is beautiful and I love Maya Angelou! The pencils and stickers are so fun. Everything is lovely, thanks again! 🤗 And special thanks to @Chelleo for hosting one of my favorite swaps!

riversong153 I‘m so glad you like it! 2y
Erinreadsthebooks One Armed Sister is SO good! 2y
Chelleo Those stickers!! 🤩🤩🤩 2y
54 likes3 comments
review
KatieDid927
Uprooted | Naomi Novik
post image
Pickpick

I loved it! After this and Spinning Silver I‘m really looking forward to reading The Scholomance novels for Author a Month in October! #FairyTaleReadingChallenge @Charityann

review
KatieDid927
post image
Mehso-so

There were some great sections of this book, but other sections left me scratching my head. The chapter on spirituality was thinly veiled Christian sermonizing with no critique of that particular patriarchal structure. I was also deeply uncomfortable with the victim blaming of Nicole Brown Simpson & slut shaming of Monica Lewinsky. There were a lot of inaccurate and judgmental views on poor folks as well. I missed the “love” in those sections.

nanuska_153 I agree, the treatment of both Simpson and Lewinsky is disgusting. Lewinsky has made a career out of her experience with the backlash after the afair,trying to raise awareness against bullying. I'm surprised not only of her words against her (and after mentioning the ill effect of the patriarchal society in relationships and the power dynamics and difference of age) but also that she hasn't bother to rectify it with an afterword as years went by. 2y
KatieDid927 @nanuska_153 Yeah it was shocking. With Nicole Brown Simpson she was literally like, people call it victim blaming, but she shouldn‘t have stayed. The only reason she did was because she liked all the stuff. Then later talks about being stuck in her own abusive relationship. Like, what? SOOO much judgment based on gross generalizations and zero research to back any of it up. Also drenched in the superiority complex certain Christians have. 2y
nanuska_153 Yes, the Nicole Simpson didn't deserve to die but stayed because of the money was SO bad. The "all about love" is basically "my way of loving as a Christian is the only way of loving". She leaves all the rest out as people who can't really love. You could think the implication was an accident if it wasn't because of the nasty comments about Nicole Simpson and Lewinsky 2y
See All 6 Comments
KatieDid927 Yeah and I hated the comments about poor folks as well and making really judgmental assumptions. Is she really in a place to critique someone else‘s materialism if she “needs” multiple homes? I found it all very hypocritical and as a former Christian, that specific flavor of hypocrisy is a little triggering for me. 2y
nanuska_153 Exactly, I think her insistence criticising others assumed materialism reflects her own materialism. She really doesn't do Christians any favours by putting herself on a pedestal to preach against everyone 2y
37 likes6 comments
review
KatieDid927
An Old-fashioned Girl | Louisa May Alcott
post image
Pickpick

I really liked it! It started out pretty slow for me, but once the characters reached adulthood I was along for the ride. It‘s different from Little Women, but that‘s a good thing. #ChildrensClassicRead2022 @TheBookHippie

TheBookHippie I enjoyed this! 2y
61 likes1 comment
review
KatieDid927
The Changeling | Victor LaValle
post image
Pickpick

This has been on the TBR for aWHILE so I‘m glad I was able to use #ReadSpooky2022 as an excuse to finally sit down and read it. I did have some issues stylistically and with pacing, but overall it‘s a really heart-wrenching yet beautiful story. There are elements that I‘ll keep coming back to. @teebe

GondorGirl The cover is STUNNING! 2y
KatieDid927 @GondorGirl Right? I love it. 2y
BookBr On my pile too! 2y
55 likes3 comments
review
KatieDid927
The Snow Child | Eowyn Ivey
post image
Pickpick

I really really liked it. Definitely worth it for those like me that are into atmospheric novels set in Alaska.

blurb
KatieDid927
post image

This is out the door and on the way! Should arrive on Monday. @Chelleo #BlitsySwap #BlitsyHistoryMonthSwap

Chelleo Exciting! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 2y
34 likes1 comment
blurb
KatieDid927
post image

This arrived today! Thank you @riversong153 !!

I still have to wrap and ship my package, but I have everything ready. Hoping to ship this week. @Chelleo #blitsyswap #blitsyhistorymonthswap

riversong153 Wow, that was fast! I thought it would at least take 2 days! 2y
Chelleo 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 2y
37 likes2 comments
review
KatieDid927
post image
Pickpick
Cathythoughts Lovely book 💫 2y
41 likes1 comment
review
KatieDid927
You Love Me: A You Novel | Caroline Kepnes
post image
Mehso-so

For me, this book is where the series went off the rails. Not sure I‘m interested in a fourth installment.

review
KatieDid927
post image
Pickpick

Super fun story about an aging female assassin in South Korea.

#ARC U.S. pub date 3/8

48 likes1 stack add
review
KatieDid927
post image
Pickpick

Part dictionary of new terms, part philosophy, part self-help, part poetry… and a wholly unique experience. Certain parts touched me more than I was prepared for.

50 likes2 stack adds
review
KatieDid927
Hidden Bodies | Caroline Kepnes
post image
Pickpick

I liked it! I did feel like it meandered more than You did, but I‘m still very interested in seeing what happens in You Love Me.

52 likes1 stack add
blurb
KatieDid927
post image

January wrap-up

j9brown 😮 nice! 2y
45 likes1 comment
review
KatieDid927
post image
Mehso-so

I‘ve had a run of unpopular opinions lately, and I‘m about to add another one to the pile. I didn‘t connect to this book at all. I love the premise, and there were some moments in the book that I enjoyed, but overall it lacked the cohesiveness and depth I was hoping for. I didn‘t relate to the author at all. It just wasn‘t for me.

review
KatieDid927
Snow, Glass, Apples | Neil Gaiman
post image
Pickpick

I couldn‘t let Snow White month go by without a reread of my fave retelling. #FairytaleReadingChallenge @Charityann

40 likes2 stack adds
review
KatieDid927
You | Caroline Kepnes
post image
Pickpick

I really liked it, and found it strangely addicting. Interested to see what Joe is up to next.

Booksarelifeaddict I really enjoyed the show as well! 2y
KatieDid927 @Booksarelifeaddict I need to check it out! I might finish the other two books before I start it. 2y
47 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
KatieDid927
I Capture the Castle | Dodie Smith
post image
Mehso-so

Unpopular opinion o‘clock! I loved the first half. I absolutely hated the second half.

39 likes1 stack add
review
KatieDid927
Flight Behavior | Barbara Kingsolver
post image
Mehso-so

Not my favorite Kingsolver. I didn‘t like Dellarobia at all, and never connected with her. The characters felt too much like caricatures for me than flawed people. I also felt the climate change story, while it rang true, it was also heavy-handed and overly preachy. There was some unnecessary fatphobia and the book felt overly long. I liked Prodigal Summer so much more. #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

review
KatieDid927
post image
Pickpick

Disney‘s Pinocchio is one of my favorite films of all-time. I‘ve had this edition on my shelf for awhile, and #ChildrensClassicRead2022 was the perfect excuse to finally pick it up and read it. I loved it! It‘s even darker than the movie, which I enjoyed. Apparently this edition is annotated for younger readers, so I‘ll have to track down the full edition eventually. @TheBookHippie

TheBookHippie 💚💚💚💚💚 2y
TheBookHippie I love your Jiminy cricket! 2y
KatieDid927 @TheBookHippie Thanks! He‘s my absolute fave. I had a whole collection to choose from haha. 🦗 2y
42 likes3 comments