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Burning the Map
The choices Casey Evers has made in her twenty-six years aren't exactly making her happy. In fact, her life is so on course -- college, law school, boyfriend, job offer -- that it's actually off. So, before she slides into fourteen-hour days at a Chicago law firm, she heads to Rome and Greece with her two best friends for one last hurrah. The thing is, her best friends haven't really been all that close to her since she started seeing John two years ago, she hasn't been all that close to John lately, and she's awfully partial to Mediterranean men . . .
I rest my head against his shoulder. The scooter starts to fly again, and Rome whizzes by -- a myriad of fountains, marble statues, larger-than-life doors with gigantic handles, streets that look like alleys . . .
The rigidity that has settled in my bones and head over the past year seems to thaw a bit. Yet with the thaw comes an army of questions from some unused corner of my brain. What about John? Will you tell him about this little excursion, this man you are hugging? What happens when you get back, when you have to start work, when you can no longer escape the world? I lift my head and let the wind snarl my hair around my face, trying to forget these questions, the ones with rifles in hand that are waiting to fire holes in my flimsy curtain of contentment.
Set against the backdrop of sparkling beaches and old-world villages, Burning the Map ignites the fire within us all, to shine in unexpected ways . . .
I rest my head against his shoulder. The scooter starts to fly again, and Rome whizzes by -- a myriad of fountains, marble statues, larger-than-life doors with gigantic handles, streets that look like alleys . . .
The rigidity that has settled in my bones and head over the past year seems to thaw a bit. Yet with the thaw comes an army of questions from some unused corner of my brain. What about John? Will you tell him about this little excursion, this man you are hugging? What happens when you get back, when you have to start work, when you can no longer escape the world? I lift my head and let the wind snarl my hair around my face, trying to forget these questions, the ones with rifles in hand that are waiting to fire holes in my flimsy curtain of contentment.
Set against the backdrop of sparkling beaches and old-world villages, Burning the Map ignites the fire within us all, to shine in unexpected ways . . .
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2002
8 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
About the author
Laura Caldwell
31 books165 followersLaura Caldwell is a Chicago-based lawyer turned novelist. Her first book, Burning the Map, was selected by Barnes & Noble.com as one of The Best of 2002. Following that, A Clean Slate received a starred review from Booklist. The release of The Year of Living Famously and The Night I Got Lucky prompted Booklist to declare, “Caldwell is one of the most talented and inventive...writers around.”
Laura began publishing thrillers and suspense novels in 2005. Her debut mystery, Look Closely, received critical acclaim and The Chicago Sun-Times called The Rome Affair “Caldwell’s most exciting book yet…a summer must-read.” The Rome Affair, which centers around a Chicago society couple riding a roller coaster of infidelity, blackmail and murder, pulled Laura into a real-life, highly-profiled murder trial involving a 19-year old suspect forced into a confession and wrongfully jailed for a crime he did not commit. Laura became one of the attorneys who represented the suspect pro bono, resulting in a not-guilty verdict.
Laura's newest is an international thriller, The Good Liar. Bestselling author Ken Bruen calls it "a massive achievement." Publisher's Weekly lauds it as "a taut, enjoyable thriller." And New York Times bestselling author James Rollins said, "THE GOOD LIAR strikes like an assassin's bullet: sudden, swift, precise, deadly. Here is a taut international thriller certain to keep readers breathless and awake until the wee hours of the morning. Not to be missed." Her work has been translated into ten languages and published in over twenty countries.
Before beginning her writing career, Laura was a trial attorney, specializing in medical malpractice defense and entertainment law. She is published in the legal field and is currently an Adjunct Professor of Law at her alma mater, Loyola University Chicago, where she teaches Advanced Writing for Litigation. She recently received the St. Robert Bellarmine award for distinguished contributions to the profession and the Loyola School of Law. In the summer of 2008, she will be teaching International Criminal Law at Loyola's campus in Rome, Italy.
Laura is also a freelance magazine writer. Her work has been published in Chicago Magazine, Woman's Own, The Young Lawyer, Lake Magazine, Australia Woman's Weekly, Shore Magazine and others. Her work can also be seen in Everything I Needed to Know About Being A Girl I Learned From Judy Blume (Pocket Books, 2007), It's A Wonderful Lie: Truth About Life In Your Twenties (Warner, 2006), Girl's Night In II (Red Dress Ink, 2006) Flirting With Pride & Prejudice (BenBella Books, 2005) and Welcome to Wisteria Lane: On America's Favorite Desperate Housewives (BenBella Books, 2006).
Laura began publishing thrillers and suspense novels in 2005. Her debut mystery, Look Closely, received critical acclaim and The Chicago Sun-Times called The Rome Affair “Caldwell’s most exciting book yet…a summer must-read.” The Rome Affair, which centers around a Chicago society couple riding a roller coaster of infidelity, blackmail and murder, pulled Laura into a real-life, highly-profiled murder trial involving a 19-year old suspect forced into a confession and wrongfully jailed for a crime he did not commit. Laura became one of the attorneys who represented the suspect pro bono, resulting in a not-guilty verdict.
Laura's newest is an international thriller, The Good Liar. Bestselling author Ken Bruen calls it "a massive achievement." Publisher's Weekly lauds it as "a taut, enjoyable thriller." And New York Times bestselling author James Rollins said, "THE GOOD LIAR strikes like an assassin's bullet: sudden, swift, precise, deadly. Here is a taut international thriller certain to keep readers breathless and awake until the wee hours of the morning. Not to be missed." Her work has been translated into ten languages and published in over twenty countries.
Before beginning her writing career, Laura was a trial attorney, specializing in medical malpractice defense and entertainment law. She is published in the legal field and is currently an Adjunct Professor of Law at her alma mater, Loyola University Chicago, where she teaches Advanced Writing for Litigation. She recently received the St. Robert Bellarmine award for distinguished contributions to the profession and the Loyola School of Law. In the summer of 2008, she will be teaching International Criminal Law at Loyola's campus in Rome, Italy.
Laura is also a freelance magazine writer. Her work has been published in Chicago Magazine, Woman's Own, The Young Lawyer, Lake Magazine, Australia Woman's Weekly, Shore Magazine and others. Her work can also be seen in Everything I Needed to Know About Being A Girl I Learned From Judy Blume (Pocket Books, 2007), It's A Wonderful Lie: Truth About Life In Your Twenties (Warner, 2006), Girl's Night In II (Red Dress Ink, 2006) Flirting With Pride & Prejudice (BenBella Books, 2005) and Welcome to Wisteria Lane: On America's Favorite Desperate Housewives (BenBella Books, 2006).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
May 15, 2014
*audiobook review*
One of the best things about Burning the Map is that it surprised me. I was expecting something that fell neatly into the Chicklit genre, and instead I found a story about real friendship, self-identity, and travel.
Casey Evans is a refreshing protagonist. Smart, gutsy, and refreshingly indecisive about her future, Casey is the proverbial dog who caught the bus. On a European trip to celebrate the completion of law school and her bar exam, Casey realizes that getting everything she wanted is a lot less satisfying that she imagined it would be. And as her future looms before her, her anxiety about what she wants and who she is intensifies.
Burning the Map is filled with descriptions of great destinations. Embedded within the story were authentic details about European locales that had me yearning for my own holiday. But ultimately, Burning the Map is really a story about friendships. It can be so hard to find a book about women that focuses on the importance of friendship (rather than romantic attachment) and showcases them in a positive light. The relationship between Casey and her best friends isn’t perfect; there are disagreements and hurt feelings and disconnection. But the message, both explicit and implicit, is that Casey’s friendships are important enough to prioritize over her romantic relationships.
I particularly enjoyed the fact that Casey and her friends had fully realized sex lives that were not used as barometers of their worth or value as human beings. Instead, these women were allowed to have sex without (or only a little) slut shaming. Caldwell does a nice job of capturing the breathless intensity of a new romance and there are a lot of funny and believable interactions as these young women meet people in their travels.
Despite being published twelve years ago, there were only a few moments when I was bumped out of the story with outdated technology. Notably, at one point, Casey pulls out her palm pilot to check her calendar (google it, young ‘uns) and there’s a distinct lack of cell phones and texting that is a bit jarring. But overall, I wasn’t particularly aware of the date or the lack of social media.
As this was an audiobook review, I will note that I didn’t think the narration was great. The narrator’s voice was often overly articulate and stilted. And there were inflections on some words that had me re-interpreting the text or the storyline. I’d also say that the plot may have been a bit too weight conscious for my liking. I could have done without knowing about Casey’s eggs whites on toast every morning and how much weight she’d lost on holiday (and really, who LOSES weight on holiday?) as some barometer of her search for meaning. But these were small points in an overall fun reading experience.
Burning the Map is about relationships that are messy and sometimes difficult, it’s about loving someone without knowing if they are the right person for you, and about finding out about you are, even if you don’t know what you want.
One of the best things about Burning the Map is that it surprised me. I was expecting something that fell neatly into the Chicklit genre, and instead I found a story about real friendship, self-identity, and travel.
Casey Evans is a refreshing protagonist. Smart, gutsy, and refreshingly indecisive about her future, Casey is the proverbial dog who caught the bus. On a European trip to celebrate the completion of law school and her bar exam, Casey realizes that getting everything she wanted is a lot less satisfying that she imagined it would be. And as her future looms before her, her anxiety about what she wants and who she is intensifies.
Burning the Map is filled with descriptions of great destinations. Embedded within the story were authentic details about European locales that had me yearning for my own holiday. But ultimately, Burning the Map is really a story about friendships. It can be so hard to find a book about women that focuses on the importance of friendship (rather than romantic attachment) and showcases them in a positive light. The relationship between Casey and her best friends isn’t perfect; there are disagreements and hurt feelings and disconnection. But the message, both explicit and implicit, is that Casey’s friendships are important enough to prioritize over her romantic relationships.
I particularly enjoyed the fact that Casey and her friends had fully realized sex lives that were not used as barometers of their worth or value as human beings. Instead, these women were allowed to have sex without (or only a little) slut shaming. Caldwell does a nice job of capturing the breathless intensity of a new romance and there are a lot of funny and believable interactions as these young women meet people in their travels.
Despite being published twelve years ago, there were only a few moments when I was bumped out of the story with outdated technology. Notably, at one point, Casey pulls out her palm pilot to check her calendar (google it, young ‘uns) and there’s a distinct lack of cell phones and texting that is a bit jarring. But overall, I wasn’t particularly aware of the date or the lack of social media.
As this was an audiobook review, I will note that I didn’t think the narration was great. The narrator’s voice was often overly articulate and stilted. And there were inflections on some words that had me re-interpreting the text or the storyline. I’d also say that the plot may have been a bit too weight conscious for my liking. I could have done without knowing about Casey’s eggs whites on toast every morning and how much weight she’d lost on holiday (and really, who LOSES weight on holiday?) as some barometer of her search for meaning. But these were small points in an overall fun reading experience.
Burning the Map is about relationships that are messy and sometimes difficult, it’s about loving someone without knowing if they are the right person for you, and about finding out about you are, even if you don’t know what you want.
July 23, 2025
Наче в кінці книги і є сенс, але нуднувато
March 23, 2020
Old review: I adored this book, and I wanted it to be longer so badly - I was sad when I was finished! I could feel Greece on my skin, like I can in the fabulous Greece scenes in Mary Stewart's novels. Some parts of the characters were a bit one-dimensional, but I felt like they all got fleshed out well by the end, and the main character always felt real and flawed and human. Highly, highly recommended - Laura Caldwell is one of my favorite authors.
Updated: I still enjoyed it but more from a “nostalgic books I loved” place than a “favorite novels of all time” place. Moving to 4 stars because it did really speak to me all those years ago and it was a fun book to re-read. Definitely some spoiled princess vibes from all 3 girls (they’re really not women yet) and it all ties up a bit simplistically - but for Red Dress Ink (I miss them!!) it’s just perfect.
Updated: I still enjoyed it but more from a “nostalgic books I loved” place than a “favorite novels of all time” place. Moving to 4 stars because it did really speak to me all those years ago and it was a fun book to re-read. Definitely some spoiled princess vibes from all 3 girls (they’re really not women yet) and it all ties up a bit simplistically - but for Red Dress Ink (I miss them!!) it’s just perfect.
August 4, 2011
I really wanted to like this book. The back cover sold me completely, but the book just never hooked me. I suppose it didn't help that I absolutely loathed the main character, Casey. All her complaints were so trivial and naive that I had a hard time believing she had a brain.
This story could have had so much potential. Why did Kat and Sin act the way they did? Why is Casey's mom into plastic surgery? Why is John such a sap (especially when he's portrayed as cold & callous throughout 90% of the book).
Big disappointment.
This story could have had so much potential. Why did Kat and Sin act the way they did? Why is Casey's mom into plastic surgery? Why is John such a sap (especially when he's portrayed as cold & callous throughout 90% of the book).
Big disappointment.
March 27, 2017
Started well, but grew persistently ecchhhh.
November 7, 2011
If you want to read about people laying on the beach and getting drunk and being dissatisfied with their lives but doing nothing about it, read this book.
May 31, 2019
This is the second time I've read this book. The first time was in 2007, and I just re-read it as I needed a light book for a trip to the Mediterranean. Since I hadn't read this in over 12 years, I figured it would be just the thing :)
I really enjoyed this book, both the first time and the second. It was maybe a little more elementary the second time around as my reading preferences have matured, but I still enjoyed it and felt the overarching message remains the same.
Being a traveler myself, I can relate to the concept of yearning to escape to another place, with the sole purpose of finding yourself (however strange that may sound!). This line from the book seemed to sum it up nicely:
"...Travel and time alone isn't about escape, but about the learning curve - finding out what you're made of, finding yourself ..."
I have been to many countries, and with each new place and each new experience, I find a bit more of myself that was there all along, just under the surface. Travel has a way of doing that, and each of the three girls in this story are all able to recover pieces of themselves and mend a friendship that has gone out-of-sorts.
This is a good read, for anyone who likes chick-lit or just a quick easy read that will transport you to the sunny shores of Italy and Greece.
I really enjoyed this book, both the first time and the second. It was maybe a little more elementary the second time around as my reading preferences have matured, but I still enjoyed it and felt the overarching message remains the same.
Being a traveler myself, I can relate to the concept of yearning to escape to another place, with the sole purpose of finding yourself (however strange that may sound!). This line from the book seemed to sum it up nicely:
"...Travel and time alone isn't about escape, but about the learning curve - finding out what you're made of, finding yourself ..."
I have been to many countries, and with each new place and each new experience, I find a bit more of myself that was there all along, just under the surface. Travel has a way of doing that, and each of the three girls in this story are all able to recover pieces of themselves and mend a friendship that has gone out-of-sorts.
This is a good read, for anyone who likes chick-lit or just a quick easy read that will transport you to the sunny shores of Italy and Greece.
December 7, 2021
I found this book so relatable!!! I wish I could go on an overseas journey with my friends and we could all find ourselves. I feel a lot like Casey did... where adulthood seems rather dull and just like something you feel you have to achieve to get this or that...and you end up losing yourself, and often friendships or relationships due to being busy or tired or any number of things. I loved the descriptions of the traveling...I have always wanted to go to Italy and Greece...my big bucket list items...and this made me feel (a little) like I was there. Such an emotional and exceptional journey!
August 19, 2017
Quick read - 20 something college grad on summer trip with girlfriends before she starts working for a living. Spoiler ALERT.. she doesn't - stupid ending- she stays in Greece with NO money ( on credit) , owing her law school loans but happy to find her real self. YEP
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2021
Well written and I enjoyed some of it particularly the issue around commencing a career where one works and works and doesn't enjoy a balance in life. However the kind of lifestyle portrayed by the young women who are on vacation is just not that appealing to me.
October 9, 2022
...un libro che mi ha ridato l'entusiasmo in un periodo in cui non ne avevo proprio. Un'iniezione di speranza...leggerlo è come quando qualcuno ti alza la testa e ti dice : Hey, c'è un mondo da vivere là fuori e ti sta aspettando...
June 23, 2025
I love travelogues and when I read the author’s end note saying she made everything up I got very disappointed and felt duped. Plus, her comparing a crowded ferry ride for pleasure to that of a refugee from Cuba left a bad taste in my mouth.
October 11, 2017
Typical, yet enjoyable. I whipped through it very quickly and love the idea of just jetting off to Greece like the main character. Fun escapist fiction.
Want to read
February 6, 2021UI Alum
September 28, 2021
This was a really good book about self finding journey, friendships and traveling. Definitely enjoyed reading it!
January 26, 2022
This book was exactly what I was looking for…a winter escape to Greece and Italy. Cute read about a getaway from it All!
May 24, 2015
It’s hard to say if I liked Burning the Map or not. One one hand, I identified with the characters; on the other, they sort of annoyed me and I never really came around to liking the protagonist.
Casey Evers is one of those lucky post-post-grads who gets to take time off between grad school and Starting Real Life to poke around Europe while the rest of us slave away at Corporate America, eking out our livings so we can read about people like her. (I’m not bitter.) She’s on this fun jaunt with her two friends, Lindsey and Kat, to rekindle their sort-of crumbling friendship and maybe rediscover herself, too.
But (bitchy) girls will be (bitchy) girls and much of Burning the Map is really about jealousy and the inevitable fallout when you ditch your friends for a boy you meet in Rome (and/or Ios). I’m not saying I didn’t like it, because it was overall an interesting okay story, but much of the time was spent going over their same struggles time and again, and after a while, I was able to tune out of the audio and still know where in the story I was. It didn’t grab me and I really didn’t feel that intimate connection I love to have so much with characters.
The back-and-forth between Casey, Kat and Lindsey got old and fast because it was very repetitive. I found myself thinking that Lindsey was a giant hypocrite and Kat was kind of a whore (no, a slut – whores get paid), and yet both of them openly – and often – criticized Casey for even having feelings for someone other than her longtime boyfriend she isn’t even sure she wants. Bitches, please. Aren’t you her friend?
Speaking of the boys. Casey meets two. She spends a lot of time thinking and talking about the first one and I felt like as a reader, I was lead to believe that he was who she would end up with, or she would at least go after him. Which doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, because more page time and character-building is dedicated to guy #2. Who I actually liked more, so maybe I’m biased. Nah, not me…
I was not a fan of the ending. I think it was a cop-out, because it ties up none of the loose ends Caldwell left dangling throughout the story. I know some authors do this to let readers imagine what comes next, but in chick lit, I don’t really think it’s necessary. I’m reading this because I want a real happily ever after, I want to know how things work out and in Burning the Map, I’m just left wondering what happens to Casey and if she really ever achieves that. I assume she does based on the way it ends, but I can’t really know. I only know she likes wine and cheese. WHO DOESN’T LIKE WINE AND CHEESE?
Overall, it’s not a terrible book. It’s not a great book. I think some readers will adore it and others may absolutely hate it if they are very character-driven.
Casey Evers is one of those lucky post-post-grads who gets to take time off between grad school and Starting Real Life to poke around Europe while the rest of us slave away at Corporate America, eking out our livings so we can read about people like her. (I’m not bitter.) She’s on this fun jaunt with her two friends, Lindsey and Kat, to rekindle their sort-of crumbling friendship and maybe rediscover herself, too.
But (bitchy) girls will be (bitchy) girls and much of Burning the Map is really about jealousy and the inevitable fallout when you ditch your friends for a boy you meet in Rome (and/or Ios). I’m not saying I didn’t like it, because it was overall an interesting okay story, but much of the time was spent going over their same struggles time and again, and after a while, I was able to tune out of the audio and still know where in the story I was. It didn’t grab me and I really didn’t feel that intimate connection I love to have so much with characters.
The back-and-forth between Casey, Kat and Lindsey got old and fast because it was very repetitive. I found myself thinking that Lindsey was a giant hypocrite and Kat was kind of a whore (no, a slut – whores get paid), and yet both of them openly – and often – criticized Casey for even having feelings for someone other than her longtime boyfriend she isn’t even sure she wants. Bitches, please. Aren’t you her friend?
Speaking of the boys. Casey meets two. She spends a lot of time thinking and talking about the first one and I felt like as a reader, I was lead to believe that he was who she would end up with, or she would at least go after him. Which doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, because more page time and character-building is dedicated to guy #2. Who I actually liked more, so maybe I’m biased. Nah, not me…
I was not a fan of the ending. I think it was a cop-out, because it ties up none of the loose ends Caldwell left dangling throughout the story. I know some authors do this to let readers imagine what comes next, but in chick lit, I don’t really think it’s necessary. I’m reading this because I want a real happily ever after, I want to know how things work out and in Burning the Map, I’m just left wondering what happens to Casey and if she really ever achieves that. I assume she does based on the way it ends, but I can’t really know. I only know she likes wine and cheese. WHO DOESN’T LIKE WINE AND CHEESE?
Overall, it’s not a terrible book. It’s not a great book. I think some readers will adore it and others may absolutely hate it if they are very character-driven.
December 19, 2015
‘Burning The Map’ is about Casey who goes on a vacation with her friends Kat and Lindsey. However, not everything is as rosy as it sounds due to their somewhat estranged friendship, her doubts about her relationship with John and her apprehension regarding her new job as a lawyer.
I wanted to like this book as I’d really enjoyed a few books by Caldwell that I’ve read so far but it was a major disappointment. I didn’t like how Casey could cheat on John just like that and despite her internal monologue about missing how they used to be, I just never got the impression that she felt genuinely guilty. However, my dislike for Kat and Lindsey outweighed that. I was frustrated with Casey for giving a damn about her “friends”. All Kat does is run around with the next hunk she sees while Lindsey is simply put, a bitch.
To make things worse, the two of them turn against her, saying that she’s “not who she used to be”. For goodness’ sake, she might seem less fun and more stressed out than before but it only makes sense because she has problems of her own yet those two selfish “friends” are too preoccupied to notice. Then whenever Casey decides not to spend time with them going to clubs or whatever, they become hostile. It’s ridiculous, coming from Kat who deserts them the moment she finds a guy and from Lindsey who’s just snappy all the time – who’d want to be in her company? Besides that, Caldwell alternated between “Lindsey” and “Sin” (her nickname) and that was distracting.
I couldn’t even be interested in Casey’s romantic developments. She had no chemistry with Francesco or Billy. Caldwell tried to write it like those were genuine interests and they had something deep going on but none of it was convincing. Then there’s John who was portrayed as distant but when he finally shows up, he becomes this sentimental guy. In the end, I didn’t agree with most of Casey’s decisions especially the one pertaining to her job. I understand that the message is about pursuing what you want but it’s also important to be logical and plan things, not just make spontaneous decisions that could alter your life.
Overall, it was a dull book filled with unlikeable characters.
I wanted to like this book as I’d really enjoyed a few books by Caldwell that I’ve read so far but it was a major disappointment. I didn’t like how Casey could cheat on John just like that and despite her internal monologue about missing how they used to be, I just never got the impression that she felt genuinely guilty. However, my dislike for Kat and Lindsey outweighed that. I was frustrated with Casey for giving a damn about her “friends”. All Kat does is run around with the next hunk she sees while Lindsey is simply put, a bitch.
To make things worse, the two of them turn against her, saying that she’s “not who she used to be”. For goodness’ sake, she might seem less fun and more stressed out than before but it only makes sense because she has problems of her own yet those two selfish “friends” are too preoccupied to notice. Then whenever Casey decides not to spend time with them going to clubs or whatever, they become hostile. It’s ridiculous, coming from Kat who deserts them the moment she finds a guy and from Lindsey who’s just snappy all the time – who’d want to be in her company? Besides that, Caldwell alternated between “Lindsey” and “Sin” (her nickname) and that was distracting.
I couldn’t even be interested in Casey’s romantic developments. She had no chemistry with Francesco or Billy. Caldwell tried to write it like those were genuine interests and they had something deep going on but none of it was convincing. Then there’s John who was portrayed as distant but when he finally shows up, he becomes this sentimental guy. In the end, I didn’t agree with most of Casey’s decisions especially the one pertaining to her job. I understand that the message is about pursuing what you want but it’s also important to be logical and plan things, not just make spontaneous decisions that could alter your life.
Overall, it was a dull book filled with unlikeable characters.
October 15, 2012
Now if you know me, you know I love to travel - so this book was right up my alley (even my friend noticed)! Even if I haven't been to Rome or Greece, or anywhere international (aside from a few islands), after reading this book, I felt like I was there. Immediately, I was able to identify with Casey, feeling like an outsider with friends, in her case with Kat and Sin; fortunately for me, I never went on vacation with friends that made me feel like that. However, this book helped me see both sides, and helped me feel how my friends might've felt when I ditched them for a guy (yes, I'm sure we're all guilty of that).
Their first stop was Italy, and the details Caldwell included made me want to go there... travel the world, taste different food, learn multiple languages. Next up was Greece, another country I've wanted to travel to - it was amazing how much I was able to identify with not only this book, but with Casey. She panics at the smallest of changes in their travel plans - like leaving Ios to go to Mykonos earlier. She likes the "ease of simplicity and repetition" (pg 180). However, as time passes, I've learned to welcome changes - as does Casey - eventually.
As I flip page after page, I grow accustomed to Casey and her friends, and I even think that their vacation is becoming simple, too simple, until Caldwell throws a twist into the mix - and I am shocked, literally shocked. I hoped it would end in a certain way, and it did; while it was shocking to say the least, I half expected it, and I'm happy with Casey and the choices she made. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I hope that Caldwell writes more books filled with passion and traveling to find oneself. Now who wants to travel the world with me?
"While the possibilities may seem endless, the time sure isn't" (pg 273).
Their first stop was Italy, and the details Caldwell included made me want to go there... travel the world, taste different food, learn multiple languages. Next up was Greece, another country I've wanted to travel to - it was amazing how much I was able to identify with not only this book, but with Casey. She panics at the smallest of changes in their travel plans - like leaving Ios to go to Mykonos earlier. She likes the "ease of simplicity and repetition" (pg 180). However, as time passes, I've learned to welcome changes - as does Casey - eventually.
As I flip page after page, I grow accustomed to Casey and her friends, and I even think that their vacation is becoming simple, too simple, until Caldwell throws a twist into the mix - and I am shocked, literally shocked. I hoped it would end in a certain way, and it did; while it was shocking to say the least, I half expected it, and I'm happy with Casey and the choices she made. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I hope that Caldwell writes more books filled with passion and traveling to find oneself. Now who wants to travel the world with me?
"While the possibilities may seem endless, the time sure isn't" (pg 273).
October 8, 2014
I found this book both enjoyable and frustrating at the same time. I find that I can really relate to the main character Casey as she questions what she wants out of life. Casey just finished law school and has been in a relationship with her boyfriend for 2 years and life seems to be stalling. I felt this way after working at the bank forever. Something needed to change. Casey goes on vacation with her two estranged best friends, bickering for quite a while on their three week vacation between Rome and Greece before things finally cool off. I found this very frustrating to be bickering constantly with friends while on vacation. But finally the air cleared and their friendship strengthened by the return of their honesty towards each other. Casey struggles with some major issues in her life that she needs to face before she move forward with her life. This was relatable for me as well because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life working in a bank in the middle of the country. I just had to escape. The book didn't end at all like I thought it would. I thought the book was going to be very predictable, but I like how in the end, she chose to change herself rather than give into the pressures of what life expects you to do.
I would recommend reading this book if you want to hear about Rome, Italy as well as Ios and Mykonos, Greece. I loved her descriptions about the surroundings and the people, the party scene. You really felt like you were there with Casey and her friends partying it up in Greece and zooming through the streets of Rome on a Vespa. This book has only further enhanced my desire to get to Greece!
I would recommend reading this book if you want to hear about Rome, Italy as well as Ios and Mykonos, Greece. I loved her descriptions about the surroundings and the people, the party scene. You really felt like you were there with Casey and her friends partying it up in Greece and zooming through the streets of Rome on a Vespa. This book has only further enhanced my desire to get to Greece!
November 28, 2013
Reading this book for me was a case of knowing which side my bread is buttered on. The author is related to [someone important to my job]. So being able to discuss the book coherently is a Good Thing.
Surprisingly, it's not a bad book (although frankly, I'm not sure I could bring myself to discuss much about it with The Relative; it's pretty risque for that kind of conversation). We follow Casey as she hooks up with her Best-Friends-Since-College-Days, Sin (Lindsey) and Kat and heads off to Rome and Greece for one last fling before she settles down at her job in a Big Law Office in the Loop. Which she is dreading.
Before most of us would have recovered from jet lag, the girls pick up 3 Roman guys--may I add stereotypical Roman guys: scooters, gorgeous, etc.. etc. Even though Casey is practically engaged to John back home in Chicago, she has a mild makeout session with one of these guys. Off to Greece where she once again finds herself in lip-lock with someone. And then the worst possible person shows up...
The book is actually pretty chaste, and the descriptions of Italy and the Greek islands are bang-on. The characters themselves are a little cardboard-y, but you can't help but like Casey--even as you want to bash her upside the head for being so dopey through 99% of the book. Having been that dopey oneself at that age, however, keeps one from getting furious at the poor girl.
All in all a nice read, especially for airplanes or beaches. Rather fluffy, but it sure made me want to head back to just about anywhere in the Mediterranean. And be 25ish again. [sigh]
Surprisingly, it's not a bad book (although frankly, I'm not sure I could bring myself to discuss much about it with The Relative; it's pretty risque for that kind of conversation). We follow Casey as she hooks up with her Best-Friends-Since-College-Days, Sin (Lindsey) and Kat and heads off to Rome and Greece for one last fling before she settles down at her job in a Big Law Office in the Loop. Which she is dreading.
Before most of us would have recovered from jet lag, the girls pick up 3 Roman guys--may I add stereotypical Roman guys: scooters, gorgeous, etc.. etc. Even though Casey is practically engaged to John back home in Chicago, she has a mild makeout session with one of these guys. Off to Greece where she once again finds herself in lip-lock with someone. And then the worst possible person shows up...
The book is actually pretty chaste, and the descriptions of Italy and the Greek islands are bang-on. The characters themselves are a little cardboard-y, but you can't help but like Casey--even as you want to bash her upside the head for being so dopey through 99% of the book. Having been that dopey oneself at that age, however, keeps one from getting furious at the poor girl.
All in all a nice read, especially for airplanes or beaches. Rather fluffy, but it sure made me want to head back to just about anywhere in the Mediterranean. And be 25ish again. [sigh]
February 18, 2012
Love, love, loved it! Casey is fresh out of law school, and before starting her career at a big firm, she embarks on a European vacation with 2 of her best friends. She seems to have it all: great friends, loving boyfriend, great job. But Casey isn't happy with her life. This is something she discovers as she and her friends explore Rome and Greece. She has important decisions to make, and this trip seems to be just what she needs to take her life back. This book really spoke to me. We all get a little caught up in life, following the path we think we should follow. But it's not always what will make us happy. This is something I am experiencing in my professional and personal life. I don't love my job...I don't have passion for it anymore. I've grown apart from my friends, and all I do is work and go to the gym. This book inspires me to take control and make changes to make me happy. I don't quite know what that means yet, but I hope I end up as happy as Casey in the end.
Side note- I am so jealous of Casey, Lindsey, and Kat. I dream of being able to travel Europe and see all the places the author describes in this book. Maybe one day...
Side note- I am so jealous of Casey, Lindsey, and Kat. I dream of being able to travel Europe and see all the places the author describes in this book. Maybe one day...
June 12, 2010
I have absolutely no idea how I heard of this book, but I'm glad I did. The author grew up in Crystal Lake, and I'm a librarian at the Crystal Lake Library, so I must have heard of Laura Caldwell via work somehow, but none of my friends have read / reviewed this book, so I'm still clueless where or when I added it to my "to-read" list.
Burning the Map is a cute little romance novel that would appeal to any twenty-something woman who's confused about her personal and professional future. The characters were interesting without being caracitures, the situations were realistic, and I was easily able to visualize the setting, based upon their description. I think I would have enjoyed it more 20 years ago, since it's been a long time since I felt confused in my personal relationships, but I agree with Casey's British friend when she advises her that when you've met the person you're supposed to be with forever, you just know. I liked this book.
Burning the Map is a cute little romance novel that would appeal to any twenty-something woman who's confused about her personal and professional future. The characters were interesting without being caracitures, the situations were realistic, and I was easily able to visualize the setting, based upon their description. I think I would have enjoyed it more 20 years ago, since it's been a long time since I felt confused in my personal relationships, but I agree with Casey's British friend when she advises her that when you've met the person you're supposed to be with forever, you just know. I liked this book.
December 21, 2012
On my last day of vacation, I read two books, and this was the second one. When my first chick lit vacation book ran out right after I got to the airport to go home, I started this one. It lasted my whole long airport wait, my short little more than an hour flight, and getting ready for bed. In the morning, I finished up the last chapter before work. Yup, it was THAT quick. This is a junk food type chick lit book, about three friends on a trip to rome and Greece, and one of them learning about herself. I thought it was just ok, because I'm not a total fan of those books/movies about women traveling to Italy and Greece and the like. Plus, not much happened in it. They go out and party. I do that in real life, I don't need to read about it. Still, not bad for an airplane book, go ahead and read it. :)
March 26, 2011
Me esperaba más de todo. Más locuras, más aventuras, más. El libro está bien pero tampoco es para dar saltos de alegría. Nos cuenta la historia de la protagonista y como un viaje con sus amigas marcará el rumbo de sus decisiones.
Las amigas la hacen caso cuando las da la gana y ella aún así "cree" notar que las cosas entre ellas no van bien. No hay que ser un genio con las contestaciones que recibe. Su novio es un aburrido de tomo a lomo y en este viaje se desmelena, y se da cuenta que aunque hay cosas que le siguen gustando de él, no está contenta ni con él, ni con su futuro trabajo como abogada.
Las amigas la hacen caso cuando las da la gana y ella aún así "cree" notar que las cosas entre ellas no van bien. No hay que ser un genio con las contestaciones que recibe. Su novio es un aburrido de tomo a lomo y en este viaje se desmelena, y se da cuenta que aunque hay cosas que le siguen gustando de él, no está contenta ni con él, ni con su futuro trabajo como abogada.
July 18, 2012
La vicenda, narrata in prima persona da una ragazzina fresca di laurea e spaventata dal futuro, tratta le avventure di tre zoccoline americane in giro per l'Europa; la narrazione parte dai giorni, che le protagoniste, hanno trascorso a Roma, dove vengono snocciolati uno dietro l'altro tutti i clichè sulle abitudini italiane possibili ed immaginabili (ed alcuni totalmente falsi tengo a precisare), poi ci trasferiamo in Grecia, classica meta per far sognare qualsiasi adolescente in cerca di risposte, fino ad arrivare alla fine del libro dove ci troviamo davanti una conclusione piuttosto scontata.
Una letturina senza tante pretese destinata ad un target di lettori decisamente più giovane ...
Una letturina senza tante pretese destinata ad un target di lettori decisamente più giovane ...
August 19, 2009
I really enjoyed the story. The descriptions of Italy and Greece were captivating. I was a little surprised at the way the book ended. Though I enjoyed the book overall, I would have liked to have seen a different ending. I liked the Billy character and I would have liked to have known more about how Casey makes out. One thing that I found interesting was that this book was spurred from a trip the author made to Italy and Greece after she graduated from law school. Hmmmm.....I wonder how much of this story is autobiographical.
July 4, 2011
Good summer read. Ever second guess your life path? Who you are with, the job you are doing, where you live? Ever think you would benefit from making changes to your career, changes to your relationship? Well, if so this book is for you. We get so tied up in the stress of our routine sometimes it takes a mental vacation to unwind it all and to grasp on to what needs to be changed in order to make things better. This was a good read. It can definitely be reality in some minds. The reviews on this book were very mixed and I could see why. Over all I enjoyed it.
March 14, 2010
Casey heads to Rome and Greece with her two best friends. She hopes to rekindle their friendship and get a little vacation before she starts her new job at a law firm (does she really want to be a lawyer and work all of those hours?) and return to her boyfriend John (does she want a future with him?). It's awfully hard to commit to girl-time when these foreign men pose a constant distraction.
Cute story.
Cute story.
May 9, 2014
I read this book in 2006(!). My journal entry from Bookcrossing:
A good read. I have liked all of Ms. Caldwell's books that I have read. I was interested in reading this one in particular because the characters visited the two places I hope to visit some day: Italy and Greece.
The girls were great characters, although Sin could kind of be a bitch at times. I'm glad that Casey figured things out and decided to follow her heart at the end.
A good read. I have liked all of Ms. Caldwell's books that I have read. I was interested in reading this one in particular because the characters visited the two places I hope to visit some day: Italy and Greece.
The girls were great characters, although Sin could kind of be a bitch at times. I'm glad that Casey figured things out and decided to follow her heart at the end.
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