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alexandras_reads's reviews
100 reviews
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Good book, I hate clementine.
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The Marriage Portrait - Maggie O’Farrell
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The marriage portrait offers a fictionalized retelling of the short life of Lucrezia D’Medici, the youngest daughter of Eleanora and Cosimo. Somewhat of an outcast within the royal family, she is married off at the age of 15 and sent to live with her much older husband, the Duke Alfonso.
Lucre is stubborn and creative and imaginative, and cannot stand to be paraded around like a statue. After a year of a tedious marriage, she realizes that her husband is set to kill her. This story offers a complex and magical re imagination of lucre’s fate.
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I’ve never considered myself a fan of historical fiction but oh my god was this one of the most captivating stories I’ve read. O’Farrell has such a way with words as she is able to describe the most mundane details in such a mystical way. I highly recommend this to literally everyone, but just be aware of possible triggers!
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The marriage portrait offers a fictionalized retelling of the short life of Lucrezia D’Medici, the youngest daughter of Eleanora and Cosimo. Somewhat of an outcast within the royal family, she is married off at the age of 15 and sent to live with her much older husband, the Duke Alfonso.
Lucre is stubborn and creative and imaginative, and cannot stand to be paraded around like a statue. After a year of a tedious marriage, she realizes that her husband is set to kill her. This story offers a complex and magical re imagination of lucre’s fate.
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I’ve never considered myself a fan of historical fiction but oh my god was this one of the most captivating stories I’ve read. O’Farrell has such a way with words as she is able to describe the most mundane details in such a mystical way. I highly recommend this to literally everyone, but just be aware of possible triggers!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Animal death and Murder
The Family Next Door: The Heartbreaking Imprisonment of the Thirteen Turpin Siblings and Their Extraordinary Rescue by John Glatt
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
3.5
The Family Next Door - John Glatt
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Glatt investigates and covers the horrendous crimes of David and Louise Turpin against their 13 children. In this nonfiction book, readers are taught more about the case, the trials, and the details of what happened over the 10+ years of torture.
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This was a very challenging read for obvious reasons. Maybe I was living under a rock in 2019 but I had heard nothing of this case. Idrk how to recommend this, but if you are interested in learning about cults/ crime in the US, this is an informative read.
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Glatt investigates and covers the horrendous crimes of David and Louise Turpin against their 13 children. In this nonfiction book, readers are taught more about the case, the trials, and the details of what happened over the 10+ years of torture.
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This was a very challenging read for obvious reasons. Maybe I was living under a rock in 2019 but I had heard nothing of this case. Idrk how to recommend this, but if you are interested in learning about cults/ crime in the US, this is an informative read.
Honor by Elif Shafak
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Honor - Elif Shafak
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The eldest son of a Turkish-Kurdish family which immigrated to England from Türkiye kills his mother in an honor killing. Disgusted and disappointed in what he perceives as a betrayal of honor, Iskander believes a brutal act of violence against his mother was the only way to bring honor back to his family.
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This book was heart wrenching. With multiple perspectives of different family members, Shafak creates such a realistic perspective of the life of immigrants in London, the impact shame has on oneself, and the pain and suffering which family can inflict on each other. This was a difficult read in the sense that you grow to understand the perspective of each character. You understand Pembe’s pain, Iskanders anger and resentment, Esma’s coldness, and Yunus’s forgiveness.
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I will always and forever pick up a book by Elif Shafak. As the daughter of a Turkish mother and immigrant, reading her stories enacts a feeling of warmth and recognition that I have yet to had replicated in other books.
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The eldest son of a Turkish-Kurdish family which immigrated to England from Türkiye kills his mother in an honor killing. Disgusted and disappointed in what he perceives as a betrayal of honor, Iskander believes a brutal act of violence against his mother was the only way to bring honor back to his family.
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This book was heart wrenching. With multiple perspectives of different family members, Shafak creates such a realistic perspective of the life of immigrants in London, the impact shame has on oneself, and the pain and suffering which family can inflict on each other. This was a difficult read in the sense that you grow to understand the perspective of each character. You understand Pembe’s pain, Iskanders anger and resentment, Esma’s coldness, and Yunus’s forgiveness.
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I will always and forever pick up a book by Elif Shafak. As the daughter of a Turkish mother and immigrant, reading her stories enacts a feeling of warmth and recognition that I have yet to had replicated in other books.
The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
What the fuck did I just read??
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest, Sexual violence, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The secret history - Donna Tartt
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This book is widely known, so I won’t waste time summarizing it here. It took me so long to actually read this. I first borrowed it in 2021 and could not get past the first chapter. After being convinced to revisit it, I continuously extended my hold to avoid borrowing it and having to read it. However, now that I’ve read it, I’m glad I did so.
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I had a lot of expectations going into this novel. I had heard how captivating the professor, Julian was. How representative of “dark academia” this novel is. So many things. But honestly, I was underwhelmed with how little of a role Julian actually played throughout the plot. It seems more like he was a scapegoat for the group’s self-inflicted brain washing. Similarly, I think people who rave about this novel need to mention that it has a lot of weird things to it. Like … very odd stuff.
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Anyways. If you liked the goldfinch by Tartt, you’d probably like this!
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This book is widely known, so I won’t waste time summarizing it here. It took me so long to actually read this. I first borrowed it in 2021 and could not get past the first chapter. After being convinced to revisit it, I continuously extended my hold to avoid borrowing it and having to read it. However, now that I’ve read it, I’m glad I did so.
-
I had a lot of expectations going into this novel. I had heard how captivating the professor, Julian was. How representative of “dark academia” this novel is. So many things. But honestly, I was underwhelmed with how little of a role Julian actually played throughout the plot. It seems more like he was a scapegoat for the group’s self-inflicted brain washing. Similarly, I think people who rave about this novel need to mention that it has a lot of weird things to it. Like … very odd stuff.
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Anyways. If you liked the goldfinch by Tartt, you’d probably like this!
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Cultish - Amanda Montell
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I finally read Cultish! I have been wanting to read this since it came out... the cover captivated me and like Montell describes, many people including myself are enamored by the mystery surrounding cults. Throughout this book, Montell discusses the linguistics behind cult-ish language and attempts to understand why people are victimized by so many different cults. She makes the important distinction that while we may say a workout boutique is a 'cult', the risk of ruining your life, losing all your money and family/friends, and becoming indoctrinated is far less than the cult of scientology.
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I really enjoyed this read. I think Montell makes an already-interesting topic so much cooler by offering linguistic analysis and interview material with former cult members. If you are in the mood for a short non-fiction, or are interested in learning more about cults and linguistics, def pick this up asap!
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I finally read Cultish! I have been wanting to read this since it came out... the cover captivated me and like Montell describes, many people including myself are enamored by the mystery surrounding cults. Throughout this book, Montell discusses the linguistics behind cult-ish language and attempts to understand why people are victimized by so many different cults. She makes the important distinction that while we may say a workout boutique is a 'cult', the risk of ruining your life, losing all your money and family/friends, and becoming indoctrinated is far less than the cult of scientology.
-
I really enjoyed this read. I think Montell makes an already-interesting topic so much cooler by offering linguistic analysis and interview material with former cult members. If you are in the mood for a short non-fiction, or are interested in learning more about cults and linguistics, def pick this up asap!
Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Counterfeit - Kirsten Chen
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What would it take for you to sell super-fake purses? That’s what Counterfeit’s main character, Ava, asks herself when her college roommate Winnie mysteriously reappears in LA. This novel follows Ava’s confession and interview with an FBI agent regarding her participation and role in a huge counterfeit handbag operation. Chen introduces the perfect unreliable narrator that at first read draws feelings of pity and empathy but midway forces you to reevaluate your morals.
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This was a fun listen! I enjoyed the constant questioning of which character is in the wrong, who should be trusted, and if their scheme was largely “that bad”. Chen introduces a mix of characters and offers a fun, mysterious read about a woman’s journey to self-discovery (although I feel like she could’ve discovered her purpose without committing several felonies)
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If you like somewhat-mysterious and adventurous fiction novels with strong (albeit unreliable) female leads, you should definitely check out Counterfeit!
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What would it take for you to sell super-fake purses? That’s what Counterfeit’s main character, Ava, asks herself when her college roommate Winnie mysteriously reappears in LA. This novel follows Ava’s confession and interview with an FBI agent regarding her participation and role in a huge counterfeit handbag operation. Chen introduces the perfect unreliable narrator that at first read draws feelings of pity and empathy but midway forces you to reevaluate your morals.
-
This was a fun listen! I enjoyed the constant questioning of which character is in the wrong, who should be trusted, and if their scheme was largely “that bad”. Chen introduces a mix of characters and offers a fun, mysterious read about a woman’s journey to self-discovery (although I feel like she could’ve discovered her purpose without committing several felonies)
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If you like somewhat-mysterious and adventurous fiction novels with strong (albeit unreliable) female leads, you should definitely check out Counterfeit!
The Club by Ellery Lloyd
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The school for good mothers - jessamine chan
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Wow. What an interesting plot filled with pain and love. In her novel, chan introduces Frida, a mother who had a very bad day and is sent to a “school” for other mothers who had a very bad day. Frida undergoes intense, unfair training in the school which is run by a police-like CPS system. Mothers are given a life like doll to train, dolls that have human emotions.
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This book covers a lot. One of the most interesting parts is the differentiation between the fathers school and mothers school. The fathers have significantly less training, less labor, less punishment for having a bad day. Another striking aspect is that frida is the daughter of immigrants. The difference in her upbringing compared to mothers who were raised by American parents is so concise and in many aspects relatable.
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I really loved this book - I couldn’t put it down. I was caught by the cover and I am so glad it fulfilled what I was hooked on originally. I wish it ended differently, but doesn’t everyone?
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Wow. What an interesting plot filled with pain and love. In her novel, chan introduces Frida, a mother who had a very bad day and is sent to a “school” for other mothers who had a very bad day. Frida undergoes intense, unfair training in the school which is run by a police-like CPS system. Mothers are given a life like doll to train, dolls that have human emotions.
-
This book covers a lot. One of the most interesting parts is the differentiation between the fathers school and mothers school. The fathers have significantly less training, less labor, less punishment for having a bad day. Another striking aspect is that frida is the daughter of immigrants. The difference in her upbringing compared to mothers who were raised by American parents is so concise and in many aspects relatable.
-
I really loved this book - I couldn’t put it down. I was caught by the cover and I am so glad it fulfilled what I was hooked on originally. I wish it ended differently, but doesn’t everyone?