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Katharine's March books
Apr. 2nd, 2019 04:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
katharhinoThe Secret Lives of Color, Kassia St. Clair - I heard the author of this book interviewed on the podcast 99% Invisible and I immediately ordered the book on ILL because it sounded right up my alley. It is divided up into color families (the book is very beautifully designed with color gradients along each section) and gives a historical and social overview of the color and how it has been used and the significance it has carried - whether its symbolism and associations have changed over time and/or influenced the way we think. The following pages profile individual pigments such as lead white, Tyrian purple, vermilion, etc and offer tidbits and anecdotes about their discovery and use. As such the book covers art history, political history, social history, and scientific history among other topics. I knew some of the art history especially but it was still well-written and interesting and I read the whole thing cover to cover. [4/5 stars]
The Moffats, Eleanor Estes - This children's novel I remembered from my childhood is another I have been reading aloud with my daughters. It's a slightly rambly book about the lives of four children in a New England family in the 19-teens. Although they are poor they are warm and loyal and stick together. It's very charming and funny and both my girls loved it. [5/5]
A Study in Scarlet Women, Sherry Thomas - As the title suggests, this is a well-written and creative genderswapped Sherlock Holmes novel, the first in a series of retellings that reference the original series but with a twist. Charlotte Holmes is something of a loner, a severely introverted young woman who feels isolated by her own mental abilities. In order to escape the limited options offered by her high-society family she arranges the ruin of her own reputation so she will no longer be marriageable. But in this version, Charlotte/Sherlock does not seem as infallible as the original. While she's every bit as intelligent and courageous, she lacks the resources and education that a male Sherlock would have and requires help from others who eventually come together to form a team allowing her to solve crimes. I found the background and situation convincing and was eager to move on to the next in the series. [4/5]
Second Impressions, Pepper Basham - I got a trial subscription to Kindle Unlimited in order to download the art book I was really wanting to read, and meanwhile I impulse-downloaded this cutesy romance as well since I was in the mood for something lighter. It's a Jane-Austen-related contemporary but not a straight retelling, fortunately. I say fortunately because the author goes for a Mr. Darcy/Lizzy like misunderstanding at first, but it's a little forced. The story actually works better when she lets the Bath, England setting and Jane Austen allusions weave through the story without being too heavy-handed. The plot is mostly fluff and I found the characters a little shallow, and their relationship predictable. It was enjoyable enough, however. [2.5/5]
A Conspiracy in Belgravia, Sherry Thomas - This second installment in the "Lady Sherlock" series is still well-written and Charlotte's continued dilemmas as she attempts to navigate the limitations of her gender are believable. However, I had a hard time following the mystery itself and it felt contrived. It's clearly setting up a Moriarty Big Bad character for a multiple-book arc, which is not something I find myself excited about. I realized that I prefer the character of Sherlock Holmes in episodic style to the mega drama of an archnemesis showdown. I like mysteries more for character than plot, I guess. I still want to read the next book when I can get it but I'm a little more cautious than I was after the first. [3.5/5]
The Moffats, Eleanor Estes - This children's novel I remembered from my childhood is another I have been reading aloud with my daughters. It's a slightly rambly book about the lives of four children in a New England family in the 19-teens. Although they are poor they are warm and loyal and stick together. It's very charming and funny and both my girls loved it. [5/5]
A Study in Scarlet Women, Sherry Thomas - As the title suggests, this is a well-written and creative genderswapped Sherlock Holmes novel, the first in a series of retellings that reference the original series but with a twist. Charlotte Holmes is something of a loner, a severely introverted young woman who feels isolated by her own mental abilities. In order to escape the limited options offered by her high-society family she arranges the ruin of her own reputation so she will no longer be marriageable. But in this version, Charlotte/Sherlock does not seem as infallible as the original. While she's every bit as intelligent and courageous, she lacks the resources and education that a male Sherlock would have and requires help from others who eventually come together to form a team allowing her to solve crimes. I found the background and situation convincing and was eager to move on to the next in the series. [4/5]
Second Impressions, Pepper Basham - I got a trial subscription to Kindle Unlimited in order to download the art book I was really wanting to read, and meanwhile I impulse-downloaded this cutesy romance as well since I was in the mood for something lighter. It's a Jane-Austen-related contemporary but not a straight retelling, fortunately. I say fortunately because the author goes for a Mr. Darcy/Lizzy like misunderstanding at first, but it's a little forced. The story actually works better when she lets the Bath, England setting and Jane Austen allusions weave through the story without being too heavy-handed. The plot is mostly fluff and I found the characters a little shallow, and their relationship predictable. It was enjoyable enough, however. [2.5/5]
A Conspiracy in Belgravia, Sherry Thomas - This second installment in the "Lady Sherlock" series is still well-written and Charlotte's continued dilemmas as she attempts to navigate the limitations of her gender are believable. However, I had a hard time following the mystery itself and it felt contrived. It's clearly setting up a Moriarty Big Bad character for a multiple-book arc, which is not something I find myself excited about. I realized that I prefer the character of Sherlock Holmes in episodic style to the mega drama of an archnemesis showdown. I like mysteries more for character than plot, I guess. I still want to read the next book when I can get it but I'm a little more cautious than I was after the first. [3.5/5]
