Shelf Control hosted by Lisa of Bookshelf Fantasies "is all about the books we want to read — and already own! Consider this a variation of a Wishing & Waiting post… but looking at books already available sitting right there on our shelves and e-readers."
Katwalk (Kat Colorado #1) by Karen Kijewski (St. Martin's Press, 1989; 232 pgs)
Katapult (Kat Colorado #2) by Karen Kijewski (St. Martin's Press, 1990; 275 pgs)
Kat's Cradle (Kat Colorado #3) by Karen Kijewski (Doubleday, 1991; 295 pgs)
Copy Kat (Kat Colorado #4) by Karen Kijewski (Doubleday, 1992; 377 pgs)
Kat Scratch Fever (Kat Colorado #8) by Karen Kijewski (G.P. Putnam, 1997; 355 pgs)
How I got them: I purchased these five books. I bought Katwalk at Barnes and Noble after receiving a recommendation from a fellow reader, Carole C.. Katapult, Kat's Cradle and Kat Scratch Fever I bought through E-Bay, and I bought Copy Kat at a used bookstore.
When I got them: With the exception of Copy Cat which I bought in April of 2005, the other books were added to my TBR collection in 2004, the first book in April and the others in December of that year.
Why I want to read the series: Karen Kijewski's mystery series caught my attention because the protagonist, Private Investigator Kat Colorado, lives in the city where I spent a good portion of my growing up years: Sacramento. I enjoy reading books set in places I have lived or visited--and Sacramento is not a common setting. At least not in my reading. There's also the fact that I cannot resist a good mystery series. You know how I love mysteries.
Have you read these books? If so, what did you think? Should I move the series up in my TBR pile?
Covers War is a meme hosted by Mariana of Book is Glee in which participants judge a book strictly by its cover, comparing different editions and deciding which one they like best."
While the cover is not the deciding factor in whether I read a book or not, it sometimes is the reason I decide to take a closer look at a book. Covers change between the hardcover edition to the paperback edition. And different covers are often chosen to represent the same book in different countries. I enjoy seeing the many different faces a book may wear, and thought it would be fun to take part in this meme today.
I admit this particular novel, Worlds of Ink and Shadow by Lena Coakley, didn't win me over (I didn't care for it), but I was taken in by the differences between the covers. The first, the Canadian version, speaks to the time period when its heroines and hero lived. There is a subtle eeriness which is offset by the flower at the bottom.
Canadian Version
The American version is much more bold, with the red lettering, the stark black background, and the paper flower spotted with ink. This particular cover speaks more to the story within the story contained in this novel. Or at least that is my impression.
USA Version
From either cover, would you expect a Young Adult fantasy novel about the young Brontë siblings crossing between their reality and the one in their imagination that has taken on a life of its own?
My verdict: I admit to being torn. The Canadian cover is easier on my eyes, with the muted dark colors, but I also like the American version with the inky paper flower. Ultimately, I think the Canadian version is more telling in terms of what you might expect from the novel, and so I will have to go with that one. I do like the U.S. version though . . . This was a hard one.
Which of the two covers do you prefer?
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The setting is an excellent reason to want to read them. I'm the same way. My interest rises the closer a setting gets to me or a place I'm familiar with.
ReplyDeleteChristy - It's fun to "visit" familiar places in books. Of course, it can be very obvious and sometimes annoying when an author gets something in the setting wrong . . .
DeleteI can’t say I read the Kat Colorado series or even heard of them. But they sound like a nice read. Especially if they are set in the city you lived in. I would definitely put them higher on your TBR list.. Maybe just the first one so you know if you like them at all.. But that TBR is a difficult one.. So many book to read.. so little time.
ReplyDeleteAbout those covers.. Hearing were this book is about.. I would definitely also go for the Canadian cover of Worlds of Ink and Shadows. Just because when I see that book I think of the time the Brontë sisters lived. But the USA version is prettier I think.
Maureen - To do sound fun, if a bit dated considering when they were published. I bought them back in the day when I wasn't so careful about buying multiple books in a series before I knew I liked it. Oh well. Live and learn, right?
DeleteI really like the USA version too. It was hard to pick between the two. I almost went with a tie.
I've never heard of this series. And right now, I'm pretty much fed up with cats! They are noisy and pushy, and I have to fight the furry creatures to work on the computer.
ReplyDeleteI like both covers, but prefer the US version--which is unusual.
Jenclair - Haha! I'm not sure how much of a role, if any cats play in this series, although I imagine with that nickname, Kat may at least like them.
DeleteI feel like I haven't spent enough quality time with my cats lately. We always seem to be on the go.
I haven't read the Kat series but it's been on my TBR for so long that I had forgotten about them until I saw this! I'll have to look for the first one. I kind of like the Canadian version of the cover better. I like the image on the skirt but they're both good.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - If I hadn't been looking over my old TBR list, I might have forgotten about them too! The books are tucked away in the spare bedroom, on the shelf in there.
DeleteI had totally forgotten about the Kat Colorado series. And I have read some of the books. Can I remember which or much of anything about them? No. I think it was probably in the 90's. Were you ever on the DorothyL list? I learned about so many, many mystery series there. Wonder if it is still active.
ReplyDeleteKay - There are so many books I've read that I've forgotten about . . . Hopefully you liked them when you did read them even if they aren't that memorable.
DeleteI don't remember being on the DorothyL list.
That was a hard choice between the two covers. I love the Canadian version because of the historical dress but I love the fancy font on the American version. Cool meme! And, I've heard of the Kat series as being a good one too but haven't checked it out yet.
ReplyDeleteIliana - They both are appealing in different ways, aren't they? It's a hard choice to make.
DeleteI've not heard of this series so I'll have to check them out.
ReplyDeleteI love both covers! It's a hard decision to choose as each conveys its own meaning to the story. :)
Melody - It's not one I have heard much about over the years. Maybe its a hidden gem. :-)
DeleteI agree, both covers represent different aspects of the book. It's hard to pick one over the other.
The Kat series looks interesting! You know, I live in California, but I don't think I've ever read a single book set in Sacramento. :)
ReplyDeleteLisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies
Lisa W. - I haven't read many set in Sacramento either. I really should!
DeleteIn regards to your "Shelf Control" post, I'm not a big fan of mysteries (my heart belongs to Sherlock Holmes), but this particular series does look interesting. Does it have anything to do with cats, or is it just that the female protagonist is named "Kat"? Anyway, I might try out at least the first book.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting book cover meme! While I sometimes compare covers on my own "Shelf Candy Saturday", I don't do so every single week. I like both of these covers! They both appeal to me in different ways. The Canadian one is more literal in terms of the story, and the American one, more symbolic. And, since the plot is about the Brontë siblings, I'm SOLD on this book!! I ADORE the Brontës!!! What a unique plot concept, too!!
Thanks for sharing, Wendy!! Hope you're enjoying your day!! <3 :)