Recent Reads 📖📚

I picked this book up by chance at the airport last week because it had a pretty cover, didn’t even read what it was about.

It follows a recent college graduate, still dealing with her father’s death and who was rejected from all of the PhD programs she applied to. She lands an internship at the Met in New York, but as soon as she gets there, they basically fire her before she even starts. By chance she lands a job at The Cloisters Museum for the summer, which allows her to stay in New York and avoid dealing with her grief at home.

While she is working there, she is stumbles onto ground breaking research, gets into a relationship with the gardener, and finds a friend in her coworker Rachel. As the summer continues, she gets caught up in all the drama and mysteries at the museum, and later works to uncover a murder. 👀

I feel like this book had great world building but was also a slow burn. Everything and nothing happened at the same time, I honestly don’t know how else to explain it. I didn’t expect the ending of the book completely, which was great.

⭐️Overall rating: 3.8/5

#books 🫶🏼 #Lemon8Diary #BookReview #bookwormsoflemon8 #book recommendations #reads #lemon8challenge

2024/8/4 Edited to

... Read moreOkay, so let's talk about book covers for a second, because that's genuinely why I picked up 'The Cloisters' by Katy Hays in the first place! You know how it is – you're browsing, and a book just calls to you. For me, it was that striking dark blue cover with those intricate gold decorative elements. It immediately screamed 'mystery' and 'history' to me, even before I knew anything about the plot. There's a certain allure to a cover that feels a bit old-world, almost like a relic itself, which perfectly sets the tone for a story set in a museum like The Cloisters. I've always been a sucker for good cover art. It’s like the first handshake with a story. This one, with its elegant typography and subtle hints of gothic charm, promised something intriguing and perhaps a little dark. And seeing that 'Read with Jenna' sticker? That's always a good sign for me, signaling a book that's likely to spark conversation and offer a solid read, usually in the contemporary fiction or suspense realm. Plus, knowing it's a 'New York Times Bestseller' adds another layer of credibility, making you feel like you're in for a treat. Beyond just the aesthetics, the cover of 'The Cloisters' really does a fantastic job of hinting at the atmospheric depth inside. The story itself is steeped in the history and mysteries of the museum, and that dark blue and gold motif just perfectly captures that vibe. It made me imagine dusty halls, ancient artifacts, and whispered secrets even before I turned the first page. It's a testament to how powerful cover design can be in setting expectations and drawing readers in. When you're looking for your next read, don't underestimate the power of a beautiful cover. Sometimes, it's the perfect pre-indicator for the kind of world-building and slow-burn suspense you're about to dive into. If you're someone who appreciates books that blend academic intrigue with a touch of the macabre, and you love a story where the setting itself feels like a character, then this cover is definitely signaling your next obsession. It promises a journey into a hidden world, much like the one the protagonist finds herself in. It's not just a pretty face; it's an invitation to a compelling narrative. The choice of a dark blue, almost midnight hue, evokes a sense of solemnity and ancient secrets, which is so fitting for a story unfolding within the walls of a historic institution like The Cloisters. And those gold decorative elements aren't just pretty; they subtly hint at the precious, sometimes dangerous, artifacts and knowledge that the characters are so deeply entwined with. It's a visual metaphor for the hidden treasures and dark academic themes explored within the pages. For anyone who loves a book where the setting is as much a character as the people in it, the cover of 'The Cloisters' instantly conveys that promise. It makes you want to explore every nook and cranny of the museum alongside the protagonist. It's a perfect example of how a book's packaging can communicate its essence, drawing in readers who are specifically looking for that kind of immersive, atmospheric mystery. So, next time you're browsing, remember that sometimes, the book you pick up just because 'it had a pretty cover' can turn out to be your next unforgettable journey!

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Ceaira Elzey

I’ve gotta read that now. You’ve piqued my interest. Thank you

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