Thursday, August 29, 2019

Bookish Mewsings: Rosemary & Rue by Seanan McGuire & Enjoying a Book in Multiple Formats & Favorite/Least Favorite Abstract Covers



Along with my mini reviews, I am linking to both Book Beginnings, a meme in which readers share the first sentence of a book they are reading, hosted by Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader and Friday 56 hosted by Freda of Freda's Voice, in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading.


Rosemary and Rue (October Daye #1) by Seanan McGuire
DAW Books, 2009
Fantasy; 346 pgs

Book Beginning:
The phone was ringing. Again.

Friday 56 (excerpt from 56%):
I sighed. "Lily, being hast doesn't usually get you shot."
"I see. So I suppose you paused to think through whatever actions did lead to your being shot before you took them?"

Thank you again to all who voted for my June TBR List book. As usual, I am late posting my thoughts. I love Seanan McGuire’s Ghost Roads series and was eager to try one of her other books. Rosemary and Rue is the first in her October “Toby” Daye series, featuring a changeling who is half fae and half human. Toby has been trying to stay under the radar, avoiding everyone she knew from her past, the fae in particular. She just wants to be left alone. The murder of Countess Evening Winterrose, however, forces Toby back into the life she had left behind. Evening’s dying words, left on Toby’s answering machine, weren’t simply a cry for help, but a binding curse that will either end with Toby’s death or her finding Evening’s killer.

This dark urban fantasy set in San Francisco had me from the first page. McGuire has a way of creating a world I can feel myself in as I read, no matter how fantastical. In this one, she weaves the intricate details of fae politics and the fae interactions in the human world seamlessly throughout the novel. There are so many interesting characters and little mentions here and there of past events that has me eager to read more in the series. Toby is awesome. She is a knight with a backstory I hope I can explore further as well. I want to know everything! It wasn’t so hard to figure out who did what early on, although Toby isn’t in the know until much later. Full of magic, action, and twists and turns, great characters, and just an overall entertaining read, Rosemary and Rue is a winner in more ways than one.


Have you read this one? What did you think? If not, is it something you might like?




Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Have you ever enjoyed the same book in two or more formats (print, ebook, or audiobook)?

It does not happen often, admittedly. I am not a big re-reader. However, when I first began listening to audiobooks, someone recommended I start by listening to books I had already read in print. Especially since one of my biggest issues is being easily distracted by my constantly wandering thoughts. Knowing the book ahead of time, supposedly would make those moments a little less frustrating in the beginning.

I test drove that theory with Storm Front by Jim Butcher, a book I had read years ago and loved. The audio version, narrated by James Marsters, was enjoyable too. My family and I listened to the first Harry Potter book narrated by Jim Dale while on vacation this past summer. It was another book I have read in print form before--and loved. In the case of both, the Dresden Files and Harry Potter, I hope to continue listening to both series in audio finding it a perfect way to revisit the two series. I can see myself listening to other favorite series or books that I have read in either print or e-book form. I think it is a great way to experience a book in a different way.

The last time I read Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre was via e-book, although the multiple times I had read it before then was my print copy. It remains one of my all-time favorite books and did not suffer with the change of format. Honestly, I am not sure I noticed much, if any difference.

I have not really read a book in different formats during the same reading. The closest I came was with War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, I suppose. I started the print version and then broke down and got the e-book for convenience sake. I didn't finish either that time, but would later start again from the beginning with the e-book and read it to the end.

What about you? Have you enjoyed the same book in different formats? 


Everyone has a favorite and then we also have something we dislike. Like a coin, there are two sides to every question. Each week, Carrie at The Butterfly Reads and Laura from Blue Eye Books ask participants to list what they like and don't like about that week's topic.


This week's topic is Favorite/Least Favorite Abstract Cover



My favorite abstract cover of a book I have read belongs to The Story of a Brief Marriage by Aunk Arudpragasam. I love the simpleness of the design, the touch of colors, and the subtle way it connects to the book itself.




Then it may be no surprise that my least favorite abstract cover of a book I have read belongs to Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. The gray is so drab and even the red lettering of the title doesn't do enough to make up for it. 


What are your favorite and least favorite abstract cover? 


 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!


© 2019, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

50 comments:

  1. Great review! I really want to read Rosemary and Rue as well. It's been on my TBR for ages. I dislike the cover of Quiet as well but have always been curious to read it. Do you recommend it?

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    1. Lynn - Thank you. I hope you do get a chance to read it! I do recommend Quiet. It is worth reading, even despite the cover.

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  2. Interesting question! I like rereading but I normally do it in the same format. At most, it'll be ebook and/or print; I don't hop between audiobook and print or audiobook and ebook

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    1. Eustacia - Most of the rereading I have done is in the same format as well--not there's been a lot of that. :-)

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  3. I don't think I've ever experienced the same book in two different formats but I have toyed with the idea of listening to the Harry Potter books.

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    1. Kathy - I enjoyed the first book in audio quite a bit. I can't wait to listen to the rest.

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  4. I haven't read Rosemary and Rue, but I think it sounds fascinating. I agree about the cover of Quiet - a shame because I think it's an excellent book.

    Margaret @ BooksPlease (www.booksplease.org)

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    1. Margaret - I liked Quiet as well. I look forward to reading more in the the October Daye series.

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  5. I've read Rosemary and Rue- or at least, part of it. I admit I lost interest, but it's nothing against the book- it's just not my kind of thing- I don't care much for crime mysteries is all.

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    1. Jeane - I am sorry Rosemary and Rue didn't work for you, but I get it. Not every book will work for everyone. :-)

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  6. Ooh these all sound really interesting!
    I love the cover for Rosemary and Rue.
    Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/

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  7. I don't do a lot of re-reading so I can't really compare, but I can imagine it'd be a different experience with all the formats. For print and ebooks, we let our minds do the imaginations while we get sweep away by the narrator's voice for audiobooks. :)

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    1. Melody - Since I do not do a lot of rereading either, I am limited in what I can compare, but I do think there is a difference when I am being read to from when I am reading myself.

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  8. The Story of a Brief Marriage is a stunning cover! I've got to agree with you there.

    Thanks for linking up and I hope you have a great weekend!

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    1. Carrie - It's a beautiful book as well. Thanks for hosting, and I hope you have a great weekend too.

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  9. I really want to read something by McGuire. I have several books on my TBR and one day I''l actually get to one! I do love to reread but don't do it all that often. When I do I do enjoy rereading with an audio. It's a different experience while reading/listening but my brain seems to store the story exactly the same.

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    1. Katherine - Her series all seem a bit different from one another from what I can tell so far, but she's an amazing world builder.

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  10. Rosemary and Rue is one of my favorite books. I've reread it numerous times and could still read it again. Hope you enjoy the rest of the series! It's fantastic! Have a great weekend! :)

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    1. Ashley - I am sure I will enjoy the series. I really enjoyed Rosemary and Rue! I hope you have a great weekend too.

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  11. I'm curious for more! Happy Labor Day weekend!

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    1. Freda - I do recommend it! Happy Labor Day weekend to you too!

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  12. Hehe, this sounds like me. "Why is the phone ringing again?"... So distracting! lol. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Books in Bloom - It's why I don't use the ringer on my phone. :-)

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  13. Thanks for visiting my blog. I really love audiobooks and sometimes, like right now, I listen to the book when I am on my walk, then I come into the house and switch to the print version of the book. I know it isn't something most people would want to do, but it works for me.

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    1. Anne - I think it comes down to what works best for you. I am just glad we have so many options for taking in books.

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  14. On the Book Blogger HopYes, I have enjoyed several books in both audio and/or print/digital formats. Two easy-to-recall examples are The Silent Patient and The Lost Symbol.

    On the Abstract CoverBeing as though this is a book written for and marketed to the introvert, it is perfect! As an introvert, when I saw this book, I quickly purchased it and read it from cover to cover. Now the one about marriage, I actually like that one too. As a married woman, the fact that lines connect, grow apart, and later reconnect, touches me because of its accurate simplicity

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    1. Literary Apothecary - I would like to read more of my old favorites in audio format. I think it would be a great way to re-experience them.

      I am very much an introvert too, and while I enjoyed Quiet, I prefer a bit of color in my covers.

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  15. Seanan McGuire is one of those authors who does everything. I'm continuously impressed by her. Happy Sunday!

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    1. Alicia - I'm having fun discovering the many sides of Seanan McGuire's books. She really is impressive, I agree!

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  16. I've been thinking of trying the Toby Daye series for a while but just haven't yet. One of these days! Glad to hear this was good. It looks like a fun and unique urban fantasy series.

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    1. Greg - I hope you do give it a try. I think you would like it. Hopefully. :-)

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  17. You got me thinking too. For the last five years I've been reading books on my kindle as I stopped buying books. Occasionally I do get a book but I cannot say of a difference. No audio books yet though.

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    1. Mystica - I have heard there is a difference in retention when it comes to whether we read a physical print copy or an e-book, but I haven't really put that to the test. For me, so far, I haven't noticed a difference either.

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  18. I didn't have the best luck with my first Seanan McGuire book, but Rosemary and Rue is one I've been wanting to read so I'm really glad to hear you enjoyed it.

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    1. Suzanne - You read Middlegame, right? I haven't read that one yet.

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  19. Rosemary and Rue is on my tbr list. I hope to get to it soonish! I love to listen to books that I have already read. My audiobook library is filled with books that I already own in another format. I am also bad about buying ebooks of print books that I own. What can I say...I have book hoarding issues?

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    1. Carole - You and I have long TBR piles. :-) I hope you enjoy it when you get to it!

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  20. I'm totally with you on those covers. After reading a lot of reviews about Quiet I would like to read it but that cover would never have really called me to the book.

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  21. Hmm! Whilst there are aspects of Rosemary And Rue that appeal to me (namely the weaving of the intricate details of fae politics) I'm not sure that this is reason enough for me to add it to my Wanna Read list let alone my Wish List. Still, never say never, its not one I'd rule out reading altogether.

    I think abstract covers can be so eye catching ... I know I'm increasingly finding myself drawn to what at first glance may look like 'simple' covers but look again and wow. That said, perhaps too simple, neither of the two examples you shared caught my eye or shouted out at me.

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    1. Felicity - I went through all my recent covers to find ones that fit the abstract category and was surprised how few there were. I expected more, I guess.

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  22. I really need to read more Seanan McGuire. Sounds like this would be a good place to start!

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  23. Yes, I haven't been keeping up with ANYthing for months now *sigh* so I'm here late! Just wanted to say I'm not big on audiobooks (fiction), but have, in the back of my mind, eventually listening to Harry Potter, though will probably listen to the Stephen Frye version once I hopefully get to it :D I hope you're well, Wendy!

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    1. Donna Marie - I wish I was better with audiobooks. I do enjoy listening to them, but making time to do it is a real challenge for me.

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