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alexamidala's Reviews (235)
I did not like this book. It sounded like my perfect book, but it did absolutely nothing for me. I disliked it so much that it put me into a reading slump. I did not care for any of the characters, the world building was poorly executed, and the main conflict doesn't appear until way too late in the novel. It's clear to me that Cho was trying to drag out this novel so she can develop it into a saga, but I was so bored by the first novel that I don't think I'd ever be interested in returning to this series, which is a shame!
Jobs for Girls with Artistic Flair is a fun novel about a young woman trying to become a tattoo artist in the '80s. I love tattoos and tattoo culture, so it was really interesting to read a novel about this topic. I think Gervais did a wonderful job describing how difficult it is for women, queer people, and people of color to become respected in the tattoo industry. While the opening of this novel was really light-hearted for the most part, it becomes extremely emotional really quickly, so definitely check the trigger warnings for this one. Ultimately, if the tattoo industry is something that interests you, I think you will have a really good time with this novel.
A Magical Girl Retires was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024, but somehow it still exceeded my expectations. I was delighted by all of the references to magical girl troupes, as well as Kim Sanho's gorgeous illustrations that appeared throughout the novel, but the reason why this is a five star novel is how heartfelt it was. There is a bit of sorrow lurking in this whimsical novel, and I like that Seolyeon didn't shy away from some of the bitter aspects of womanhood and modern life. Despite some of it's dark topics, A Magical Girl Retires is ultimately an uplifting and hopeful novel. "The first battle a magical girl must fight is the fight to save herself," is a quote that will stick with me for a long, long time.
Only Say Good Things is an extremely emotional, complex memoir. I grew up watching The Girls Next Door, and I remember thinking that living in the Playboy mansion seemed like such a dream, but Crystal Hefner really pulls back the veil and reveals just how disturbing life was for the playmates. Hugh Hefner's legacy is a complicated one, and you can really feel Crystal grapple with that fact throughout this memoir. I was not expecting to cry multiple times while reading this book, but I really couldn't stop myself. Crystal Hefner has experienced more trauma than any person should, and her memoir was brutal, honest, and inspiring. Women are so strong.
Also, fuck Dr. Phil.
Also, fuck Dr. Phil.
The Teacher was like a Lifetime movie in many ways: the characters were dumb, the writing was really bad, and it was only mildly entertaining. I don't have much to say about this book, but I was looking for something stupid to read, and this definitely fit the bill. If you are also looking to read something that is laughably bad, this is the book for you. But just know that it is eighty chapters long, and 90% of them end in a corny cliffhanger. It's also 400 pages long for no reason at all. Enjoy.
Received this one from my bestie! Thanks again, Kaitlyn! Now, on to the review...
Wow! Mexican Gothic was an absolutely phenomenal novel by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, who is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. I devoured this novel in 24 hours because I seriously could not put it down. Mexican Gothic has so much going for it, I hardly know where to start. The setting was deeply unnerving, and include all the rot and ruin you would want in a story revolving around a haunted mansion. Noemi was such a unique, loveable heroine, and the entire cast of characters were extremely realistic and well-written. The plot was absolutely wild with its twists and turns, and the final few chapters had my heart racing! On top of all of that, the themes of colonialism and sexism are deeply thought-provoking, and effortlessly weaved into the horror aspects. Mexican Gothic is a smart, masterfully written novel that has something to offer to almost all readers.
Wow! Mexican Gothic was an absolutely phenomenal novel by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, who is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. I devoured this novel in 24 hours because I seriously could not put it down. Mexican Gothic has so much going for it, I hardly know where to start. The setting was deeply unnerving, and include all the rot and ruin you would want in a story revolving around a haunted mansion. Noemi was such a unique, loveable heroine, and the entire cast of characters were extremely realistic and well-written. The plot was absolutely wild with its twists and turns, and the final few chapters had my heart racing! On top of all of that, the themes of colonialism and sexism are deeply thought-provoking, and effortlessly weaved into the horror aspects. Mexican Gothic is a smart, masterfully written novel that has something to offer to almost all readers.
3.5 rounded down. Mostly Dead Things tells the story of Jessa, who must take over her family's taxidermy business after her father's suicide. I really liked the topics this novel discussed, such as grief, sexuality, queerness, and familial trauma, but unfortunately it left me wanting more. What I loved about this book was how brutal the writing was. Arnett did not hold back when describing the taxidermy process, but the grittiness really came from the setting. Dirty family homes with old French fries under the fridge and dog hair on the couch. Cars littered with empty beer cans and crumpled fast food receipts. Humid Florida lakes full of algae and disease-causing amoebas. This dirtiness of these descriptions was so realistic and relatable. It felt like growing up in Florida with a dysfunctional family. Despite the fact that I loved Arnett's writing, I wish more came from all of the topics she presented. This is a weird book, it's a gross book, and most of all it's a sad book. It's not perfect, but it's definitely worth a read, especially if you're a weird girl that grew up in Florida.
The Vanishing Half is an extremely though-provoking novel about generational trauma, racism, and colorism. This book is beautifully written, and despite characters questioning their own identities, you get a deep sense of who they truly are. The pacing is a little slow at the beginning of the novel, but after the opening chapters it becomes a page turner. This novel is absolutely stunning and definitely worth all of the hype!
Over 400 pages of a rich socialite deciding if she wants to date a cheating, misogynistic, violent drug addict or a rich, kind pilot that looks like Thor.