alexandriaslibrary's reviews
196 reviews

Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

A gem! A star! Marie-Helene has crafted an achingly human about an alien named Adina.

Adina is born on the day Voyager 1 is sent into the Cosmos and must grow up as a human girl in Philadelphia. We follow her life as she reports back to her home planet (via Fax Machine) about the human condition. 

What a book to open 2024 with!

Goblin Mode: How to Get Cozy, Embrace Imperfection, and Thrive in the Muck by McKayla Coyle

informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

5.0

A genius part-nature part-cozy part-self-help guide about living Goblincore! Uplifting, a tad silly, and filled w crafts that I can’t wait to try :-) 

The Remains by Margo Glantz

reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

A stream of consciousness monologue of a woman attending her ex-husbands funeral. It was easier to read than I thought since there is no dialogue or plot, but a lot of the book focuses on classical music, and although I felt like I learned a little, someone with a musical background might gleam more from this. 

Travels with Charlie in Search of America by John Steinbeck

adventurous reflective medium-paced

5.0

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Every Drop Is a Man's Nightmare by Megan Kamalei Kakimoto

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

A collection of cohesive yet unique stories about womanhood, Native Hawaiian/Hawaiian Japanese identity, exploitation and queerness. Loved “Temporary Dwellers” about a mother and daughter who open their home to a teen refuge, “Some Things I Know About Elvis” about a cacophony of Elvis’s” and “Touch Me Like One of Your Island Girls: A Love Story” following a woman who agrees to be in a costumed adult film for a job.

Thank you Bloomsbury for the copy!

Love at Six Thousand Degrees by Maki Kashimada

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Sing to It by Amy Hempel

funny reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

Assia by Sandra Simonds

dark reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

A haunting, poetic novel that reimagines the life of Assia Wevill—the woman Ted Hughes had an affair with that led to his split from Sylvia Plath. 

I really appreciated how this piece contextualizes Asia’s journey outside of Plath and Hughes. 

This review does a great job!!
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/tight-wires-on-sandra-simondss-assia/