A must read.
When I started this book, I was ready to roll my eyes and DNF another pandemic fiction piece. But this book is not about the pandemic. Instead, it is a punch in the face and a reminder that hateful rhetoric can lead to violence. It is a grim reminder of the fear marginalized groups in the US live with every single day. Potent. Gut wrenching. Real.
When I started this book, I was ready to roll my eyes and DNF another pandemic fiction piece. But this book is not about the pandemic. Instead, it is a punch in the face and a reminder that hateful rhetoric can lead to violence. It is a grim reminder of the fear marginalized groups in the US live with every single day. Potent. Gut wrenching. Real.
I'll admit, when we met Rocky I almost DNF'd. Felt a bit cheesy. Glad I stuck with it. While this isn't my preferred book genre and space is usually a "don't bother picking it up" setting for me, I genuinely cannot think of a reasonable critique of this book, and for that reason: 5 stars.
This book had profound moments on occasion. No quotation marks is always something I find frustrating, but even more difficult for me was being an unwilling passenger on the various characters' trains of thought. The dialogue in this book was rough. The characters: uncompelling at best, painfully annoying worst. What I found most striking in this book were the Calivinist vibes from our lead character, Jill, who uses the "inevitable" nature of both her murderer and her charge as an excuse to extend grace.
The above grudges aside, I do appreciate the approach Saunders took in examining the difference one powerful individual can make on the climate, and by extension the world. Why is "accomplishment" often a measure of greed? What sins are forgivable? How can one seek atonement on the eve of death? And who is the arbiter of ascension?
"In accomplishing he brought harm" (p. 165)
"And it had all been accomplished. Not easily, but smoothly." (p.57)
The above grudges aside, I do appreciate the approach Saunders took in examining the difference one powerful individual can make on the climate, and by extension the world. Why is "accomplishment" often a measure of greed? What sins are forgivable? How can one seek atonement on the eve of death? And who is the arbiter of ascension?
"In accomplishing he brought harm" (p. 165)
"And it had all been accomplished. Not easily, but smoothly." (p.57)
At first it felt like the gimmick of this book (our MC's age) would get old fast, but it didn't. The humor, pacing, and gentle commentary on the status of the elderly in our society kept me engaged throughout, especially as the comedy of errors began. I listened to the audiobook and found myself giggling an "oh no!" at certain points during my commute.
The book was good. I really REALLY wanted it to grip me in a way that it just didn't.
I appreciate the earnest approach to write actual female characters in this one, and there are some fire quotes - two quick ones I enjoy:
"My lie is too great to build a love upon."
"Mortals who plan die a thousand times"
Will continue the series.
I appreciate the earnest approach to write actual female characters in this one, and there are some fire quotes - two quick ones I enjoy:
"My lie is too great to build a love upon."
"Mortals who plan die a thousand times"
Will continue the series.
Not at all what I expected. Definitely still processing.
- trauma of the body and mind are so intertwined
- the line between what we find acceptable for ourselves and our bodies is so fickle
- I feel so blessed to be in a culture that doesn't bind me to duty, but also disappointed that my bodily autonomy is under threat in different ways
- kafka
- why is every man a predator
- trauma of the body and mind are so intertwined
- the line between what we find acceptable for ourselves and our bodies is so fickle
- I feel so blessed to be in a culture that doesn't bind me to duty, but also disappointed that my bodily autonomy is under threat in different ways
- kafka
- why is every man a predator
Night by Elie Wiesel
This book gives us a very in-depth view of what exactly went on in the Death Camps during the holocaust. My classmates and I read it in our 9th grade English class and we could not put it down.
Darkening Song is a story we've read a thousand times. A journey to fame followed by inevitable downfall into depression and/or substance abuse.
This book tries to set itself apart by highlighting that no one gets where they are without help from others, and that includes rock bottom. Part of its mechanism for doing this is alternating perspectives between young star and singer Alora, and her new-to-role manager, Eva. With windows into each of their minds, the reader can easily pinpoint the moments where their decisions pave Alora's road to ruin at the hands of the entertainment industry.
Overall, the book is readable but it isn't saying anything that hasn't been said already. It's missing the emotional gut punch that would move the reader, and frankly there are Memoirs more engaging, jarring, and moving that do the job more effectively.
This book tries to set itself apart by highlighting that no one gets where they are without help from others, and that includes rock bottom. Part of its mechanism for doing this is alternating perspectives between young star and singer Alora, and her new-to-role manager, Eva. With windows into each of their minds, the reader can easily pinpoint the moments where their decisions pave Alora's road to ruin at the hands of the entertainment industry.
Overall, the book is readable but it isn't saying anything that hasn't been said already. It's missing the emotional gut punch that would move the reader, and frankly there are Memoirs more engaging, jarring, and moving that do the job more effectively.
Absolutely nailed the college experience. I really appreciate how classy many of of the more violent scenes in this book were handled. While all the characters are traumatized, it didn't feel like trauma porn. I do wish Eason was a little bit more fleshed out. Of course, he has a tragic back story and his life is more interesting than Minnie's, but I can't help but feel like we got more of his /backstory/ than we did /him/.
Overall an excellent book with a lot of moments that shine brightly. I love the connection drawn between girlhood and fandom, as well as the empathy for those who find community online vs in person. It made me re-evaluate how I see people whose primary friends are online, and people whose primary interest is K-Pop.
Overall an excellent book with a lot of moments that shine brightly. I love the connection drawn between girlhood and fandom, as well as the empathy for those who find community online vs in person. It made me re-evaluate how I see people whose primary friends are online, and people whose primary interest is K-Pop.
There is always someone who must bear the cost of a utopia, and more often than not, that burden falls on women. While the book is historical fiction, it masterfully explores how 'blessed femininity' can come at the expense of a woman’s personhood.
Another feature I enjoyed is the exploration of the relationship between memory, identity, and the healing of trauma—particularly the ethics of removing it.
I loved the Stepford Wives energy the book gives off in its early stages, but even more than that, I appreciated the raw rage of the ending. I'm not normally a crier, but Holmes had me tearing up.
Thanks to Mareas Books / Bindery for the ARC.
Another feature I enjoyed is the exploration of the relationship between memory, identity, and the healing of trauma—particularly the ethics of removing it.
I loved the Stepford Wives energy the book gives off in its early stages, but even more than that, I appreciated the raw rage of the ending. I'm not normally a crier, but Holmes had me tearing up.
Thanks to Mareas Books / Bindery for the ARC.
Well done. I especially enjoyed the parts about the origins of so much of our behavior and why USA folks have a unique predisposition to be cultish. This book also comes down hard on MLMs and Fitness Studios.
While it's generally good stuff, I don't feel like I learned anything from reading this book that I couldn't have concluded independently.
While it's generally good stuff, I don't feel like I learned anything from reading this book that I couldn't have concluded independently.
"What was I made for?"
This book immediately captured my attention and didn't let go. Sarah Gailey has a way of making the clinical feel incredibly intimate. I loved the scenes in the lab.
This book immediately captured my attention and didn't let go. Sarah Gailey has a way of making the clinical feel incredibly intimate. I loved the scenes in the lab.
This book was so fun. It introduces a lot of controversial takes (like mayonnaise on Thai food). Jokes aside -- I felt weird reading this book. Usually books with a celebrity protagonist are trying to bring a level of humanity, trying to say "Hey, celebrities are people too" and "Look what fame and always being observed does to people!" Cruelty Free features these themes to an extent, but about a hundred pages in, all that gets thrown out the window in favor of spectacle. "Look at this unhinged celebrity? Can u believe how crazy she is?"
Cruelty Free /could/ have taken the "people become the monsters we expect them to be" route. Respectable. Common. Instead, readers are treated to hijinks and murder and a near-final-page twist. This book reminded me of "Dead to Me" on Netflix. I haven't decided if that is a positive or negative.
Cruelty Free /could/ have taken the "people become the monsters we expect them to be" route. Respectable. Common. Instead, readers are treated to hijinks and murder and a near-final-page twist. This book reminded me of "Dead to Me" on Netflix. I haven't decided if that is a positive or negative.
Grief is a strange beast. While it doesn't excuse all behavior it certainly enables Grace. "Just Watch Me" left me quietly suffering acid reflux and thankful I shut down my Twitch channel when I did.
Hooked, I finished this book less than 24 hours after greedily snatching it off the bookstore shelf on release day.
Hooked, I finished this book less than 24 hours after greedily snatching it off the bookstore shelf on release day.
I was skeptical about this book because I don't usually care for zombie stories, but One Yellow Eye really broke the zombie survival story mold. This book is really more of a pandemic fiction.
In terms of characters, I really love that Kesta and Dudley are structured as natural foils for the first half of the book, challenging where the line in the sand is with science and what it means to play God. Kesta's surname being Shelley is also a cute nod to the similarity to both her and Frankenstein's circumstances.
The book features strong themes about grief, love, and the nature of life.
"Living was an experiment she couldn't control and wouldn't try to."
In terms of characters, I really love that Kesta and Dudley are structured as natural foils for the first half of the book, challenging where the line in the sand is with science and what it means to play God. Kesta's surname being Shelley is also a cute nod to the similarity to both her and Frankenstein's circumstances.
The book features strong themes about grief, love, and the nature of life.
"Living was an experiment she couldn't control and wouldn't try to."
I had an excellent time reading this book -- I turned it into a multi-day movie marathon with my husband where we would watch the film the chapter was about, then read the chapter. That said, i DO NOT recommend reading the book this way, as much of the chapter wordcounts are spent recapping key scenes in the film.
At times, it feels like Johnson is reaching a little far to make her point, but in much of the book her points are succinct and clearly aligned with the public consciousness. My favorite part of Scream With Me is actually the introduction, where Johnson introduces the context in which the book was written, but also defines the terminology used throughout the piece in order to ensure readers are on the same page. I will definitely be seeking out more of Johnson's work, and I will also be seeking out similar books that bundle films thematically, because that was a super fun marathon!
At times, it feels like Johnson is reaching a little far to make her point, but in much of the book her points are succinct and clearly aligned with the public consciousness. My favorite part of Scream With Me is actually the introduction, where Johnson introduces the context in which the book was written, but also defines the terminology used throughout the piece in order to ensure readers are on the same page. I will definitely be seeking out more of Johnson's work, and I will also be seeking out similar books that bundle films thematically, because that was a super fun marathon!
This book is about capitalism and how women play the cards they are dealt to survive it.
Masterpiece - Huang has secured her seat as my favorite author
I wanted to love this more, but A Game in Yellow didn't grip me. It’s a book that spends a lot of time wandering through a fixation on age and sex before it finally decides to give you a plot around the 30% mark.
If you’re a fan of the King in Yellow play references, stick to the physical book. They are a great nod to the mythos, but they unfortunately don't land well in the audiobook format.
If you’re a fan of the King in Yellow play references, stick to the physical book. They are a great nod to the mythos, but they unfortunately don't land well in the audiobook format.
I love a good story with themes surrounding autonomy. Often, we read about forfeiting womens' autonomy of their bodies as their only way out of a tough situation. In The Graceview Patient, the body is what puts our protag, Meg, in the position of losing her autonomy as a patient in a shady treatment for her condition. The desperation for a cure and extreme medical expenses bacj her into a dangerous corner, and that's the real horror of this book if you ask me.
Fans of unreliable narrators, intimate & empathetic perspectives, and medical settings will adore this book.
This book may be a tough read for people with Nosocomephobia, people who are grieving, people with medical trauma, and people with chronic illness or incurable conditions.
On a personal note, I suffer from a condition that remains uncured. Recently, a potential cure for my condition was recognized as a viable option! After years of suffering, I excitedly received treatment. The treatment failed. While my condition is nowhere as severe as Meg's, her determination to be rid of her ailment deeply moved me, and I will be seeking another round.
Fans of unreliable narrators, intimate & empathetic perspectives, and medical settings will adore this book.
This book may be a tough read for people with Nosocomephobia, people who are grieving, people with medical trauma, and people with chronic illness or incurable conditions.
On a personal note, I suffer from a condition that remains uncured. Recently, a potential cure for my condition was recognized as a viable option! After years of suffering, I excitedly received treatment. The treatment failed. While my condition is nowhere as severe as Meg's, her determination to be rid of her ailment deeply moved me, and I will be seeking another round.
Itch! by Gemma Amor
ITCH! features a fascinating blend of old-religion lore, crime drama, and personal trauma. The binding agent for these ingredients is ants. Fans of creepy crawly body horror will get a kick out of this book, but so will fans of personal growth and confronting trauma. I truly enjoyed the amazing setting and characters!
Contained within the estate, Hazelthorn bursts with rich imagery and undeniably cool aesthetics. I enjoyed Laurie and Evander's dynamic, as well as the gentle twists and turns. While the earlier portion of the book felt a bit slow, it finds its rhythm and finishes strong.
Sometimes I feel like the messaging of the book gets lost in the prose but the cathartic final act makes up for this.
Sometimes I feel like the messaging of the book gets lost in the prose but the cathartic final act makes up for this.
I really liked the themes in this book. It's not every day we have a YA novel trying to tackle what it means to be an artist and how far someone should go in pursuit of their craft. I think there's also something to be said for teaching young people that you can't trust the opinions of everyone, even if they are your hero.
I will say there were many moments I found myself bored that is the main reason for my rating.
I will say there were many moments I found myself bored that is the main reason for my rating.