Last night we went up to my sister-in-law's house to meet our newest niece. And in between oohing and ahhing over her indisputable adorableness, I got to take a peek at my oldest niece's bookshelves. Anna's twelve and a reader. The real deal. And I'll admit that I got a little thrill when I saw that she owns not one but two copies of Robin McKinley's Beauty. I had to take a pic of the one edition, because I've never actually seen a copy in real life, and, because, really, it's too spectacularly 80s for words:
I feel compelled to point out how appalled this particular Beauty would be at this representation of herself. But otherwise? Yup. Too spectacularly 80s for words.
If I'm being perfectly honest with myself, I've done a shamefully poor job of addressing my love for Cat Sebastian 's books around these parts. I've certainly noted each time her beautiful stories have appeared on my end-of-the-year best of lists, see: The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes , basically every book in The Cabots series , and of course We Could Be So Good . And the pull is, quite simply, this: nobody is as kind and gentle with their characters and with their hearts than Cat Sebastian. Nobody. I haven't always been one for the gentler stories, but I cannot overstate the absolute gift it is sinking into one of Sebastian's exquisitely crafted historicals knowing that I get to spend the next however many pages watching two idiots pine and deny that feelings exist and just take care of each other as they fall in love. I wouldn't trade that experience for the world. Not this one or any other. Only two things in the world people count b...
That's the same cover they had at the library when I first read this as a kid! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great book.
That cover is so romance-novelish feel! Too cute though that she had two copies. :) I haven't read this one in years, but I loved it so much that when I see young readers catch on to it again, it makes me very happy!
ReplyDeleteIs it just me or does the lovely scrollwork behind her head make her look like she has really long orange horns?
ReplyDeleteLol Melissa, I didn't notice that until you pointed it out! Dated covers are the best. ;)
ReplyDeleteSo true! The scene where she won't leave her room all dressed up is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteKristen, really? That's hilarious. I'm still sort of stunned at how . . . pink . . . it is.
ReplyDeleteBecky, isn't it? I wonder what they were thinking. I know what you mean, too. I'm still tickled that she owns two copies.
Melissa, HA! I hadn't noticed it until you pointed it out. But now? All I can see.
Holly, the BEST.
Misti, oh, yes! I adore that scene. Gah, I may have to go re-read right now.
I have two copies of Beauty too! But I love how vintage that cover looks. Also, I think it's awesome that your niece loves Robin McKinley. <3
ReplyDeleteThis brings me all sort of delight I cannot even describe.
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