"Season"-ed Snack Size Review
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Rating: Fall
Gorgeous cover, inviting setting, somewhat painful plot. I found the descriptions, America's maids, and Prince Maxon's demeanor to be, overall, sweet. Aspen's behavior and the general self-centeredness of many of the characters were a little too sour for me. I'm intrigued by the series but not overly invested in it, especially because the whole scenario is rather frustrating.
Un-"season"-ed Snack Size Review
Old Time Noise by The Vogts Sisters
Creative album cover, great "old-timey" song selections, and lovely voices. Maggie and Abbey are both very talented - certainly musical artists to watch if you're a bluegrass fan! I love the sweetness and heart of the whole album. Current song favorites: "One More Dollar," "Lila Jean," "Acony Bell," and "Tear My Stillhouse Down."
Note: "Seasoned" or "unseasoned" is in reference to my book rating system. Thanks to Juju of Tales of Whimsy for the inspiration regarding mini reviews!
10 comments:
Uh oh, did my last comment post? If there are two delete one :) LOL! I pretty much said that I used the same words as you on The Selected except that I am invested in the story and must find out how it all ends since I have read two of the books already. Something I didn't say was that I am going to have to get the Vogt sisters cd for my husband! I think he would like their voices.
I LOVE The Vogts Sisters!!!
Amber, thank you so much for spotlighting them on your blog a couple weeks back! You gave me a sample of their music and I was hooked! Got their cd for Christmas and have been listening to it ever since :-)
I liked your un-"season"-ed snack size review! :-) Those are all my favorites, too! But I'd like to add to that list "Rainy Days" and "Cotton Waltz" (these are probably my top 2 followed by the others). And I think I read that Maggie wrote those? These sisters are so talented. My cousin was over the other night and was listening to them with me. We just love their voices! Wish I could sing...
Thanks again for introducing me to bluegrass music, my friend :-)
Praying you have a beautiful and blessed first weekend of this new year!
Blessings,
Amanda
ooooo a musical review! Nice. I like bluegrass.
Julie,
I'm sorry your first comment didn't make it! :( But I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts!
My thoughts are pretty mixed on The Selection. There were some really sweet things about it, but the overall self-centeredness kind of turned me off from it. And this is sad to confess, but I loved The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson - a contemporary romance where the heroine finds herself on this local show and has to choose between all the men vying for her affections - while I didn't care for this one as much. (Yes, it's sad that I can handle a girl picking from a ton of guys, but I have a harder time handling a guy picking from a ton of girls, LOL!) But one major difference is Aspen thrown into the whole mix. I just have a hard time sympathizing with America on that situation; Aspen frustrates me!
I appreciated your review of The Elite, by the way! It helped me know a little more about where the series was going, and I liked reading your opinion. :) I'm just not sure if I want to keep going with this series or not...
Anyhow, I'm really enjoying listening to The Vogts' Sisters CD - their voices really are so sweet and pretty! :) I hope your husband enjoys the CD, too, if you do get it for him!
~Amber
Amanda,
Oh, I'm so happy to hear that! As you know, I also asked for their CD for Christmas, and I've been loving it, too! It's the type of music I really enjoy. :)
"Rainy Days" and "Cotton Waltz" are great songs! I think Maggie also wrote "Lila Jean." :) Definitely a very talented duo!
I'm thrilled that you've come to love bluegrass music, too - how awesome is that?? It truly is one of my favorite genres of music. Love it!!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend, as well, and thank you for stopping by!
~Amber
Juju,
Thank you! Isn't bluegrass music great? :)
~Amber
Sorry you didn't much care for 'Selection.' I thought it was far (far!) better than 'Hunger Games.' :)
Rissi,
Aw, I still found it entertaining and interesting - I just don't think I was challenged as much by it or got as much out of it as I did The Hunger Games. I think I was frustrated by the mostly selfish attitudes regarding love... Although Maxon came close to winning me over. ;) But the whole set-up is just so aggravating!!
As far as being dystopian, perhaps as the series goes on with the rebel attacks (etc.), it will make more of a statement or something. Right now, it just feels like the "dystopian"-type setting is more of a background to the love triangle than a compelling thing in and of itself, if that makes any sense!
~Amber
Thanks for the review on the girls' cd, Amber. So glad you enjoyed their music. Many blessings to you and your readers.
Deborah,
No problem! I really am enjoying the CD - it was a great Christmas present. :) Wishing the best for all of their future endeavors (and yours, as well)!
Thank you for stopping by!
~Amber
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