camiandkitread's reviews
301 reviews

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

"Hook, Line, and Sinker" is the second book in Tessa Bailey's Bellinger Sisters duology and I liked this one a bit more than the first--and I really liked "It Happened One Summer!"

Like the first book, this is a small town romance but instead of opposites attract, this is a friends to lovers romance. Bailey kept the humor from the previous book, but introduced some heavier themes that helped differentiate "Hook, Line, and Sinker" from "It Happened One Summer."

Egyptology: Search for the Tomb of Osiris by Emily Sands

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

This book slapped when I was eleven and it still slaps twenty years later. I am also still ensorcelled by the jewel embedded on the front cover. Some things never change!

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

 "It Happened One Summer" was my first Tessa Bailey book, and it was absolutely delightful! It’s a charming, laugh-out-loud funny romance with the classic opposites attract trope.

Bailey crafted a fun and lighthearted first entry in the Bellinger Sisters duology. The book is full of beloved tropes and is an easy read, making it nearly perfect for what it aims to be. 

Interpreting Difficult History at Museums and Historic Sites by Julia Rose

informative slow-paced

3.0

 "Interpreting Difficult History at Museums and Historic Sites" is a tough yet essential read for anyone involved in public history or aspiring to work in this field. As part of the "Interpreting History" series, this book delves into the complexities of presenting sensitive and challenging historical topics to the public.

Unlike other volumes in the series, this book offers fewer practical strategies for integrating difficult subjects into tours and programs. Instead, it focuses more on sharing accounts of visitor reactions to challenging historical narratives at museums and historic sites. While many chapters cover similar ground and can feel repetitive, the book still provides valuable insights into how different audiences engage with and respond to difficult history.

Despite its occasional redundancy, "Interpreting Difficult History at Museums and Historic Sites" remains a good resource for understanding the nuances of presenting controversial and sensitive topics in historical contexts. It encourages readers to consider diverse perspectives and reactions, making it a worthwhile read for enhancing one's approach to interpreting complex histories. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Genocide, Racism, and Slavery

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 "Good Girl, Bad Blood" brings back beloved characters from "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" and introduces an urgent new mystery. This time, Pip must solve a missing person's case, racing against the clock to find someone who has vanished. The stakes are heightened as the missing person is the older brother of one of Pip’s closest friends. 

Holly Jackson skillfully references events from the first book and how they affected the characters, but keeps the focus on the new case. Her approach allows "Good Girl, Bad Blood" to stand on its own while continuing to evolve the characters based on their past experiences.

Though I didn't think the sequel packed quite the same punch as "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder," Jackson maintains a gripping sense of suspense. The ticking clock and escalating tension kept me engaged in the story and by the last few chapters I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the big reveal (which I wasn't smart enough to figure out)!

Beach Read by Emily Henry

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

 "Beach Read" is the third Emily Henry book I've read, and in my opinion, it’s the first one that really lived up to the hype. I found it to be incredibly funny and charming, with a romance that felt realistic. The banter between the characters and the premise of two writers with different styles competing against each other added a fun twist. The way Henry balanced humor, emotional depth, and romance made it a standout read for me. 

A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

"A Company of Swans" was one of my favorite Eva Ibbotson books as a tween/teen so I was excited to revisit it and see if it still held up.  While it would have been a five-star read for me, the adult/minor relationship in the story felt unsettling now that I’m the same age as the adult characters. 

Ibbotson has a real talent for writing dreamy historical romances, but  

her books are very much products of their time and often include uncomfortable—sometimes questionable—age gap relationships.

On the plus side, I appreciate how her villains always face some form of satisfying retribution, and "A Company of Swans" is no exception. Professor Morton's comeuppance, in particular, was gratifying, though readers have to wait until nearly the end of the book to see it unfold. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Confinement and Sexual content

Beasts of War by Ayana Gray

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I was obsessed with the first two books in Ayana Gray's "Beasts of Prey" trilogy, but I found the last book to be underwhelming. The quest seemed to drag on and on, and it wasn’t until the last 60 pages or so that the action picked up to address the conflict. In my opinion, that wasn't adequate time to resolve things and it left me wanting.

While I'd be interested in exploring a spin-off, I was left feeling somewhat disappointed by "Beasts of War." 

Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

adventurous sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Interpreting Slavery at Museums and Historic Sites by

informative slow-paced

4.0

"Interpreting Slavery at Museums and Historic Sites" is an excellent read for anyone working in (or planning to) work in the public history field. This book in the "Interpreting History" series focuses less on actionable suggestions and more on the importance of interpreting slavery. 

The inclusion of specific examples of how different locations interpret slavery, whether on tours or at special programs, is particularly interesting. There are examples not only from Southern locations but also Northern locations and a few Midwest examples as well.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Slavery