Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Krysta

Krysta

Joined September 2016

Teacher, reader, writer, crafter, Canadian, pet-mom, wifey, nerd
review
Krysta
Rome in Love: A Novel | Anita Hughes
post image
Panpan

Very chick lit. It's not very well-written at all (that isn't a statement about chick-lit, just about this book) but the premise is cute and I like the descriptions of Italy. It was quick and okay.

review
Krysta
post image
Pickpick

After starting and stopping this book last year, I tried it again today and was happy I did so. Arden's voice is so sincere. It was a sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking honest and quick read and I was glad to spend a few hours watching a truly talented singer/songwriter grow up. (Plus, loved recognizing all the Alberta stuff!)

11 likes2 stack adds
review
Krysta
post image
Pickpick

Really liked this book. Some stories were better than others, but all were ready effective and honest and stuck with me.

quote
Krysta
post image

Just started this but really liking the collection so far

review
Krysta
A Man Called Ove: A Novel | Fredrik Backman
post image
Pickpick

Worth the hype. I'm not crying. It's just incredibly dusty in here.

blurb
Krysta
Warlight: A novel | Michael Ondaatje
post image

"Your own story is just one, and perhaps not the important one. The self is not the principal thing."

This holiday season some friends and I held a little book gift exchange. I got Warlight, which I am really enjoying today at last.

blurb
Krysta
The Sugar Queen | Sarah Addison Allen
post image

Selling my book, The Girl with the Empty Suitcase, at a market today. In the downtime I'm starting The Sugar Queen. A light read so far but nice cor this time of year and my start-and-stop reading this year.

Melissa_J I loved this book! 6y
Krysta @Melissa_J I'm enjoying it so far! 6y
10 likes2 comments
blurb
Krysta
Christmastime | Alison Jay
post image

Christmas came to my classroom today... (there is a tree too that didn't make it in the picture)

review
Krysta
'Salem's Lot | Stephen King
post image
Pickpick

Oh so good. Started it for Halloween but just finished it now.
King isnt perfect, but damn that dude can write. Especially when it comes to mood and suspense.
A perfect Halloween read that I had to finish on a bright sunshine day.

LittleBug Love the colours on that blanket!! 6y
KTOHARA King certainly can write. I wish he'd do more serious writing like his novellas and short stories. Shawshank was phenomenal. Then there was a story about a boy who had a Nazi neighbor Apt Pupil. Chilling story. I read it a long time ago but never have forgotten it. I mean, I've bought books that I've already read unknowingly! Some don't stay with me. 6y
Krysta @KTOHARA Shawshank and Apt Pupil were both in Different Seasons. That was the first thing I ever read by King 6y
See All 7 Comments
Krysta @KTOHARA you might enjoy reading The Green Mile if you like that style. And the short The Body. 6y
Krysta @LittleBug thanks! That's my grandma's crocheted handiwork. :-) 6y
LittleBug I think I may “steal” that combination for one of my next crochet projects😜 6y
Krysta @LittleBug awesome! 6y
9 likes7 comments
review
Krysta
post image
Pickpick

I really liked this one and am embarrassed to say it took me this long to read it. It is unflinchingly honest and sad and hopeful all at the same time.

I read it this morning outdoors, and was struck with the difference between my experience reading it and Maya Angelou's living it.

review
Krysta
post image
Pickpick

Gorgeous book. Definitely enjoyed this "new fairytale" that pays homage to traditional ones. Lovely. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

review
Krysta
post image
Mehso-so

Some parts were great, some were just okay. Hoping it inspires me for the week ahead...

blurb
Krysta
Sense and Sensibility | Jane Austin
post image

Today's prompt for #septinbooks18 is favourite fictional siblings. Another hard one to choose, but I do love Elinor and Marianne, the way they contrast and compliment one another.

@bookisglee #lovereading #bookish #booklove #janeite #austenite #readmore #classic

blurb
Krysta
Beautiful Ruins | Kazam Butur
post image

#septinbooks18 prompt today is #currentreadthruemojis @bookisglee

The book is: 😍😢😷🙎‍♀️🤰🤱👩‍👦🏃‍♂️😔👨‍🎤😈🤧😷👴👵👩‍💼🚣‍♂️🗺🏙🌅🎸📸🎥

Hehehehe and I am: 😍😍😍

10 likes1 stack add
blurb
Krysta
Girl with the Empty Suitcase | Krysta MacDonald
post image

For #septinbooks18 the prompt today was #beautufulcover

So I couldn't choose just one. I love the texture and tone of covers like In a Dark Dark Wood. And Night Circus is just beautiful. Plus I love the cover art for The Girl with the Empty Suitcase. The texture and colours are awesome. And yes, I am biased.

@bookisglee

9 likes1 stack add
blurb
Krysta
post image

For #septinbooks18 challenge, today's prompt is #writtenbyapocauthor

This classic is high in my #tbr pile, so it's the first one I reached for this morning. Can't wait to get to it.

@bookisglee

blurb
Krysta
Crime and Punishment | Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky
post image

For today's #septinbooks18 challenge... I love lit fiction and classics probably the most... this summer I finally read Crime and Punishment. So good.

11 likes1 comment
review
Krysta
post image
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this one. Narrated by music itself, it tells like little puzzle pieces coming together, or perhaps more appropriately, little notes coming together to form a song. Lovely, and, despite its appearance, a quick read.

Blueberry LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. 6y
9 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
Krysta
Winnie the Pooh | A.A. Milne
post image

#septinbooks

For this prompt I was drawn to my childhood favourites, thinking of Anne and Diana, or Charlotte and Wilbur, or the March sisters, or Jess and Leslie, or the boys from the Outsiders or George and Lennie... but I've always loved Piglet, and this friendship, the very best. Plus I finally get to see the movie this week! Also, am thinking of maybe getting this image as a tattoo... hmm...

#favefictionalfriends @bookisglee

LittleBug Nice choice!! 6y
7 likes1 comment
blurb
Krysta
Beautiful Ruins | Kazam Butur
post image

I love #photochallenges and am looking forward to #septinbooks18
Today's prompt: anticipated September read.
These are next on my #tbr pile, but as September goes on I might pick up something more autumn-y, dark and creepy instead. Who knows. But for now, this is it.

@bookisglee #lovereading #bookish #bookstagran #booklove #readmore #bookworm #amreading

blurb
Krysta
September, September | Shelby Foote

September always has me goal setting. Must be the back-to-school vibes.
I haven't done a photochallenge in a while and would really like to try one this coming month. Does anyone have a great recommendation?

Thanks muchly. :-)

review
Krysta
Kill Shakespeare, Vol. 4: The Mask of Night | Conor McCreery, Anthony Del Col
post image
Pickpick

Love my signed copy! Didn't like it as much as the next one, but still good. I like Viola, who was always one of favourite Shakespearean characters.

review
Krysta
The Thief Lord | Cornelia Funke
post image
Pickpick

I dont really like YA books, but this one was pretty good. If I liked the age range more I'd have liked it. I enjoy magical realism and having just come back from Italy, loving Venice most of all, I enjoyed all those elements. I would say it was a so so for me but I am labeling it as a pick if you are the right audience.

review
Krysta
Under the Tuscan Sun | Frances Mayes
post image
Pickpick

I've seen the movie and always liked it, but I wanted to read the book before my recent trip to Italy. It didn't happen but I read it today, having just returned.

The book is COMPLETELY different from the movie. I liked it, but it did lose me a few times. Perhaps had I known more of what to expect, I'd have liked it more.

Still, beautiful and makes me miss Italy. Also, bonus: recipes! Yum.

Alfoster But hey, you got to Italy😍👏👏👏! 6y
Krysta That I did! 6y
8 likes2 comments
blurb
Krysta
Venice: A New History | Thomas F. Madden
post image

Liberia Acqua Alta in Venice.

This is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. I was in awe and so happy.

review
Krysta
post image
Mehso-so

Read this one this weekend lying by a river. Pretty straightforward; essentially I live my life this way already. Entertaining though.

blurb
Krysta
Kill Shakespeare, Vol. 4: The Mask of Night | Conor McCreery, Anthony Del Col
post image

I have not read anything in almost a month and it's upsetting. The end of my teaching year is in sight though. I figure I can at least handle a comic in the insanity of June. I love LOVE this series. I picked up 4 and 5 at a local comic con this spring and the author signed them. Excited to start this. :-)
Kill Shakespeare- such a cool series!

review
Krysta
post image
Pickpick

Just finished this one. I really enjoyed it!!! And even better - I got it signed since I bought it from the author :-)

This one follows Juliet after the events of Romeo and Juliet. She survives and is dealing with the loss of her love. I love the series and can't wait to read the next one. :-)

blurb
Krysta
post image

Picked these two up this weekend and even got the author to sign them! Really enjoying the beginning of Past is Prologue so far!

review
Krysta
Coal Black Horse | Robert Olmstead
post image
Mehso-so

I liked it but did not love it. Beautiful writing but it really felt like it was just trying too hard maybe. Can't put my finger on exactly what it is, but it just kind of fell short unfortunately. Perhaps the style of writing got my hopes up too high?

blurb
Krysta
Coal Black Horse | Robert Olmstead
post image

Powerful.

blurb
Krysta
Coal Black Horse | Robert Olmstead
post image

Starting a new one tonight! Very pretty writing so far.

review
Krysta
Olive Kitteridge | Elizabeth Strout
post image
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this. The snippet-style reminds me of my own writing, but of course way more poignant and beautiful and haunting. I kind of dislike phrases like "the human condition" but this book sure fits it. So well done. Not happy, but honest.

20 likes2 stack adds
review
Krysta
post image
Pickpick

I'm a fan of magical realism now... part love story, part cookbook, part folk tale, I enjoyed this book. I didn't absolutely love it, but did enjoy it.

Crystalblu I loved the way she talked about cooking. 7y
Krysta @Crystalblu Me too. Makes me want to cook more. 7y
20 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Krysta
post image
Pickpick

Perhaps the most wonderful and awful book I've ever read. Incredible, but it hurt my heart. Important.

15 likes1 stack add
blurb
Krysta
post image

Starting a new book this morning!

9 likes1 stack add
review
Krysta
post image
Pickpick

So so well done. Bought it for my students in the GSA group at my school. It's just as awesome kids' book though. Very well done.

13 likes1 stack add
review
Krysta
post image
Pickpick

A tentative pick depending on the person. This made me uncomfortable but really affected me. A lot rings true and that made me sad. I hate the protagonist but I think that's the point...

blurb
Krysta
post image

I should be writing but cuddled up with a new book and cup of tea instead. A lot of mixed reviews about this one. I'm curious.

Starting with Atwood is strong, though.

review
Krysta
The Diplomat's Wife | Pam Jenoff
post image
Pickpick

Liked it overall. I mean, I figured it out early, and the writing was okay, but it was quick-paced and I liked the historical time frame. This is book 2 in a series and I never read book 1 and it was fine. 3.5-4 stars / 5

review
Krysta
The Pilot's Wife | 3M Company
post image
Mehso-so

It was very okay. It was fine... nothing awful, nothing great. I wanted to care about the characters more. Just... okay.

blurb
Krysta
post image

"Odd, she thought, how intensely you knew a person, or thought you did, when you were in love - soaked, drenched in love - only to discover later that perhaps you didn't know that person quite as well as you had imagined. Or weren't quite as well know as you had hoped to be."

review
Krysta
Outlander | Diana Gabaldon
post image
Pickpick

My copy was a hand-me-down. (Can you tell?)
I just finished it. Trigger warnings for sure, but overall I really enjoyed it. Of course, having married tall man of Scottish ancestry who looks awesome in a kilt, I may be terribly biased....
I don't have a burning desire to read the rest of the series, but I definitely enjoyed this one. Writing is surprisingly good, it's rich in history, and the romance sticks with you.
Need to see the show now.

MandaChittles I preferred the tv series. 7y
Krysta @MandaChittles ooh, interesting. I'm going to have to give it a try! 7y
ReadingOver50 I read Outlander but never read any more of the series 7y
18 likes3 comments
blurb
Krysta
Looking at Pictures | Robert Walser
post image

So fun for #litsyavatar !
My avatar I picked when I first signed up for Litsy. I just looked happy. There's something about holding something emitting light that seemed to fit books... but it's actually a sparkler. Every year since we were broke college kids, my husband gets me an Oreo McFlurry and just as the clock strikes 12, making it officially my bday, I get it with a sparkler. This one's from my 30th, a few years ago now.

AndreaReads I love this picture and tradition! Super cool! 7y
Smrloomis That‘s so sweet 😁! 7y
19 likes2 comments
blurb
Krysta
Outlander | Diana Gabaldon
post image

Saw this and thought I'd join in if that's okay.

1. Yes. Don't follow. Only NFL we watch all year (yay CFL). We watch for the snacks and commercials.
2. -6 C with a wind warning of 110 km/hr. Not sure what any of that is in Fahrenheit and miles...
3.Outlander. Just restarted last night after setting it aside last year.
4. So many. There's a trip through western Europe stopping at famous literary spots. That one.
5. ✋
#friyayintro
@jesshowbooks

jhod 🙋 7y
heidisreads 🙋🏼‍♀️ hooray for Super Bowl snacks! 7y
TrishB 🤚🏻 7y
13 likes3 comments
review
Krysta
The Hobbit | J.R.R. Tolkien
post image
Pickpick

I first read this book in grade 4. When did you read it?

Read my full review: http://bit.ly/2ncYKMg

15 likes1 comment
review
Krysta
Mary Green | Melanie Kerr
post image
Pickpick

Just realized I hadn't posted my review for this yet. Excellent read if you like Austen and other Regency works.
Read my full review here:
http://bit.ly/2DvUBKj

review
Krysta
It | Stephen King
Pickpick

I liked it. Say whatever you want about certain things, but overall I liked it. Nah, scratch that. I loved it.
This was my first Stephen King horror novel, and I'm annoyed at myself for waiting so long. His characterization and writing style fits so perfectly. Yeah it was scary - But that isn't the whole story. Love the question of all the monsters we face.

Will probably post a full review when done. Right now, the contentedness of finishing it.

blurb
Krysta
It | Stephen King
post image

Happy Sunday.

I set this book down months ago to finish off some reading lists. How did I ever do that? And how did I ever fall asleep during that time?

Returning to it to finish it today. Wow.

6 likes1 stack add
blurb
Krysta
Girl with the Empty Suitcase | Krysta MacDonald

Anyone want to enter a goodreads giveaway for my book?
I don't mean to self promote, just thinking someone might like the chance to win a free book. :-)

bit.ly/2CWxxDm