Yesterday I received a spankin’ new copy of ‘Kaspar Prince of Cats’ by Michael Morpurgo.
I stared at the cover for awhile and thought ‘huh. A middle grade book…About a cat.’ --My thirteen year old sister tried to get me into the ‘Warriors’ series but it didn’t take so I don’t know why I would order a book featuring a cat. And the honest truth is,
I didn’t order it.
At least not to my recollection.
After a moment I put the book down and studied the order form. My name was under the ‘customer name’. I double checked my amazon.fr ordering history. Nothing there. I looked at my bank statements. Nothing there either.
Huh.
The book cover and the description sounded vaguely familiar. I’d swear one of the blogs I follow did a review recently. Maybe I won a copy?
So I tried looking it up on blogger, google, googlereader, etc…nothing.
And I couldn’t for the life of me remember where I’d seen it. I remember seeing the cover. And I think there was a description complementing the historical aspects of the story. And then…black hole.
‘Black hole’ is a syndrome I’ve had since I was a kid. I’ll pick something up with the intention of putting it in a ‘better place’. Then later on, when I go looking for it, I have no idea where I put it. I’ll wrack my brain, trying to remember. I’ll see myself picking up whatever it was and walking towards…boom! black hole.
It’s frustrating to say the least.
SO, what does any normal writer do when they receive a free book?
Yeah, I finished it in about an hour.
It was a really cute story. I’m not familiar with a lot of middle grade but it was written in very clear, concise language. The main characters were likeable and I did love the historical aspects about the Titanic.
SO if someone sent me the book, thanks! And if it was only a mistake made by some distributing company…well, I’m a firm believer in destiny. I’ve wanted to start bulking up on my middle grade for quite some time now and this was a great way to begin!
Happy Wednesday!
*CQG*
Awesome, a MG book about a black cat and the Titanic, I am so in. Must get my hands on this ASAP. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI'm laughing. Sorry. Kaspar the Prince of Cats looks like my neighbor's cat, Uranus (YES! THAT IS HIS NAME), only twenty pounds lighter. Maybe the universe sent you a gift? Maybe you're supposed to write a review?
ReplyDeleteCan't turn down a free book, right? I'm open to them too. :)
ReplyDeleteI would read it but to my kids. They love stories about cats because they are so adventurous and mishcevious,
ReplyDeleteNothing like a little good Karma return!
ReplyDeletethe universe smiles upon you and gives you a free book and you want to question it?
ReplyDelete: )
-- Tom
Nice! Cats or no cats, free books = happiness. (I tried Warriors, too. Not so much...)
ReplyDeleteWow!! What a mystery!!!! I hope you discover who sent it - just out of curiousity!!!! Well = good for you and you enjoyed reading it and it's got a pic of a cat on it's cover so it's all GOOD stuff!!! Yay!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
Aww! It looks like a very cute book. Can't go wrong with cats. :D And, who doesn't like free books?
ReplyDeleteHow nice, a surprise book! And love the black hole thing; that happens to my brother alot but he calls it THEM. They moved his keys, wallet, cell phone, you name it. And black cats do rock; I have one and he is the best.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! And you finished it in about an hour? You rock!
ReplyDeleteOooh, it's a sign. You're going to be an author of MG (and YA) books. :D
ReplyDeleteI won a signed copy of a young MG book. I still haven't read it. My 8 yo wasn't too impressed with it (though I thought it sounded funny). Maybe I'll read it to my 6 yo.
That's hilarious! Well, never look a gift horse, er, free book in the mouth, or something like that. Glad you enjoyed the book :)
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not the only one with black holes in their memory.
ReplyDeletehow shall we ever solve this mystery? maybe someone was playing a prank on you, did u ask your family?
ReplyDeleteWow!!! I wish I had free books ringing on my door like that!
ReplyDeleteAnd MG, huh? Thats a pretty great idea Kd, I think you could do really well at it as well as you do in YA!
Seriously you are the like the coolest chick in my entire life. I love that you ALSO have moments of insanity like me!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe novel looks awesome and I sort of want to buy it only beacuse you don't know how you came across it.
The one I can't figure out: Bangkok Blondes... I got it in the mail, addressed to me AND MY HUSBAND (that's the weird part) I can't remember if I ordered it, if someone talked about it. Where it came from.
The title sounds dirty so I have yet to read it... the synopsis is not dirty. Hmm... now you've got me wondering where I got it from again!
Never question a gift book!
ReplyDeleteAnd if it makes you feel better, I'd never remember who sent it either.
Awesome. I've been meaning to read some MG books myself lately.
ReplyDeleteI'd start to worry when the mailman starts delivering your brand new encylopedia brittanica. :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha! I hate BHS! (black hole syndrome) But glad I'm not alone in having it. Total deer in headlights moment when people ask me where stuff is sometimes...Duuhhuuuhhh...?
ReplyDeleteAnyway! Glad it was a cute free book! Score 1 novel universe!
Wasn't me....not this time anyhow! I love getting surprises in the mail. Ummm, let me qualify that--I love getting GOOD surprises in the mail. Bad news/bills, stay away
ReplyDeleteHahaha. At least you get a free book. :-)
ReplyDelete*snicker* Glad you enjoyed it anyway! My memory has those moments, too--I call it writer's brain. Too much going on in there for reality to take much room...
ReplyDeleteHow strange-- I suffer from BH Syndrome too!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a winner though and oh yeah BB, the destiny thing!
How funny and strange all at the same time. At least it was a good read! =)
ReplyDeleteAh, a free book is awesome. I'd read it, and seeing as its a MG, I'd make my 12 year old read it. He likes cats too.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting book. Glad you got it.
I have my own black hole moments. I can find anything, as long as I'm not looking specifically for it. Once my brain wraps itself around "Yeah, I've seen that . ." I may as well give up until I don't need that thing anymore.
Have a good week CQ.
.......dhole
I remember the whole Owls and Cats 'Warriors' thing...my daughter loved them. I think I prefer Watership Down. 0_o
ReplyDeleteEdge of Your Seat Romance
Not a bad idea for a book actually...
ReplyDeleteThats the sort of mystery package I like - did you ever find out who sent it?
ReplyDelete