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bitchinbookclubb's reviews
410 reviews
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
1.0
Check on my full review on instagram at @bitchinbookclub_
The Southern Book Club’s Guide To Slaying Vampies by Grady Hendrix ⭐️If you are a fan of this book, do not read any further.
I’ll be honest, by page 20, I was in love with this book. It stopped being good shortly after. I’ve never read a more grossly misogynistic book in my life. This takes place in 1988, & for the few people that claiming historical accuracy, I ask you to leave that argument behind.
Number one, every single wife in this book has a horrible husband that doesn’t show one sign of respect. Two, they are all stay at home moms who’s children hate them and act horribly in front of their kids. There is a part where the dad keeps punishing the mom while in the middle of punishing their son. I don’t think husbands would have gotten away with that shit in 1920 nonetheless 1990’s. The black characters were just as poorly represented. All black characters live in poverty, get accused of drug use, and the cops blame them for everything. I mean this book came out this year and this is where we are taking this story? During the climax of this book, one woman starts talking about what everyone is getting their families for Christmas. Is this truly how this author thinks women react in times of crisis? Also at this same peak part, a woman catches a weapon and this is a direct quote, “for the first time in her life, (she) caught something thrown to her.” Seriously, on top of women being idiots we also have ZERO hand eye coordination??? At one point, in the middle of a woman being attacked, the author wrote she was feeling scared and slightly aroused. YEAH SURE JAN.
I will say I do not think the author personally feels this way at all. I do not think he is sexist or racist by any means. But I think that this book is dangerously “campy” in the sense that the sexism and racism neither propelled or affected the storyline in any way. I grew up on “scary movie” and 90s humor/horror movies so I understand how to take a campy character but it needs to have a purpose. This book was extremely frustrating to read. I’m so sorry to any one who loves this book.
The Southern Book Club’s Guide To Slaying Vampies by Grady Hendrix ⭐️If you are a fan of this book, do not read any further.
I’ll be honest, by page 20, I was in love with this book. It stopped being good shortly after. I’ve never read a more grossly misogynistic book in my life. This takes place in 1988, & for the few people that claiming historical accuracy, I ask you to leave that argument behind.
Number one, every single wife in this book has a horrible husband that doesn’t show one sign of respect. Two, they are all stay at home moms who’s children hate them and act horribly in front of their kids. There is a part where the dad keeps punishing the mom while in the middle of punishing their son. I don’t think husbands would have gotten away with that shit in 1920 nonetheless 1990’s. The black characters were just as poorly represented. All black characters live in poverty, get accused of drug use, and the cops blame them for everything. I mean this book came out this year and this is where we are taking this story? During the climax of this book, one woman starts talking about what everyone is getting their families for Christmas. Is this truly how this author thinks women react in times of crisis? Also at this same peak part, a woman catches a weapon and this is a direct quote, “for the first time in her life, (she) caught something thrown to her.” Seriously, on top of women being idiots we also have ZERO hand eye coordination??? At one point, in the middle of a woman being attacked, the author wrote she was feeling scared and slightly aroused. YEAH SURE JAN.
I will say I do not think the author personally feels this way at all. I do not think he is sexist or racist by any means. But I think that this book is dangerously “campy” in the sense that the sexism and racism neither propelled or affected the storyline in any way. I grew up on “scary movie” and 90s humor/horror movies so I understand how to take a campy character but it needs to have a purpose. This book was extremely frustrating to read. I’m so sorry to any one who loves this book.
This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens
4.0
Check on my full review on instagram at @bitchinbookclub_
Ohh I just loved this book so much. It was such a sweet story that really yanked at my heart strings. The beginning was slow but necessary. I was worried it was going to be like a NYE book where we are trapped in only learning about what the character did on NYE but that was definitely not the case.
It’s not a steamy read, it’s definitely like a Hallmark movie level. But since it’s holiday season and that’s all I watch right now, it was perfect for me.
I loved that the lead, Minnie, did not have her life together AT ALL. More often than not I feel like it’s perfect girl meets perfect boy and that was not the case here. Quinn, our male lead, is a great guy with a great head on his shoulders but also deeply flawed. I really liked how their paths always crossed but in the most genuine ways, which really kept me in the moment on their “true love finds a way” storyline.
Her BFF Lelia & her serious boyfriend Ian is also an ideal character. I think it’s important to normalize being friends with the most important person in your best friends life!!
I laughed out loud and cried halfway through the book. Always a good sign!
This book could totally be a killer box office hit. It had a little bit of everything and it had such great characters that were so unique.
Please go read this book!!
Ohh I just loved this book so much. It was such a sweet story that really yanked at my heart strings. The beginning was slow but necessary. I was worried it was going to be like a NYE book where we are trapped in only learning about what the character did on NYE but that was definitely not the case.
It’s not a steamy read, it’s definitely like a Hallmark movie level. But since it’s holiday season and that’s all I watch right now, it was perfect for me.
I loved that the lead, Minnie, did not have her life together AT ALL. More often than not I feel like it’s perfect girl meets perfect boy and that was not the case here. Quinn, our male lead, is a great guy with a great head on his shoulders but also deeply flawed. I really liked how their paths always crossed but in the most genuine ways, which really kept me in the moment on their “true love finds a way” storyline.
Her BFF Lelia & her serious boyfriend Ian is also an ideal character. I think it’s important to normalize being friends with the most important person in your best friends life!!
I laughed out loud and cried halfway through the book. Always a good sign!
This book could totally be a killer box office hit. It had a little bit of everything and it had such great characters that were so unique.
Please go read this book!!
How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams
5.0
Check on my full review on instagram at @bitchinbookclub_
Professor Naya Turner recently got out of an abusive relationship and with the help of her friends, has decided to get back out there and try again. Insert Jake. The immediately likable funny guy that would do anything Naya asked. This rom-com had so much cheesy banter but I absolutely loved it. I think the cheesiness was important because of Naya’s past, it helped Jake feel safer and more child like rather than intimidating. This covered so many important topics of life and love. I loved the premise of learning how to start again and fall back in love with life. I will say this did left me feeling a little sadder than most romances do at the ending. It was such a whirlwind dreamy romance that went through so many ups and downs and it kind of ended on a low point. I think that just means it calls for book #2.
Professor Naya Turner recently got out of an abusive relationship and with the help of her friends, has decided to get back out there and try again. Insert Jake. The immediately likable funny guy that would do anything Naya asked. This rom-com had so much cheesy banter but I absolutely loved it. I think the cheesiness was important because of Naya’s past, it helped Jake feel safer and more child like rather than intimidating. This covered so many important topics of life and love. I loved the premise of learning how to start again and fall back in love with life. I will say this did left me feeling a little sadder than most romances do at the ending. It was such a whirlwind dreamy romance that went through so many ups and downs and it kind of ended on a low point. I think that just means it calls for book #2.
Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker
3.0
Check on my full review on instagram at @bitchinbookclub_
This book was difficult for me to get through and I'm not sure why. It seemed to read more fiction than thriller due to the way the story was laid out. Walker always has an insane twist ending, and this story was no different. I will say the ending made up for the slow start. It definitely gave me "Big Little Lies" vibes. Overall, I would say if you like family focused fiction books, this is the one for you. It was less of me being on the edge of my seat and more so me trying to figure out the characters angles and back stories. This would be a great way to get your fiction friends interested in thrillers!
This book was difficult for me to get through and I'm not sure why. It seemed to read more fiction than thriller due to the way the story was laid out. Walker always has an insane twist ending, and this story was no different. I will say the ending made up for the slow start. It definitely gave me "Big Little Lies" vibes. Overall, I would say if you like family focused fiction books, this is the one for you. It was less of me being on the edge of my seat and more so me trying to figure out the characters angles and back stories. This would be a great way to get your fiction friends interested in thrillers!
Girl With No Job: The Crazy Beautiful Life of an Instagram Thirst Monster by Claudia Oshry
5.0
Check on my full review on instagram at @bitchinbookclub_
If you know me, you know I have a deep deep obsession with @themorningtoast. I was so excited when Claudia announced she was dropping a book and this honestly exceeded every expectation I had. Celebrity memoirs are really hit or miss, especially for people like Claudia who is an open book to her audience 5 days a week. This book was true to who Claudia was while keeping me interested and I loved being able to truly know her heart. Within the first page I was crying with just how vulnerable and honest she was. She covered everything from celebrity parties, to cancel culture, to her fathers untimely passing. Even if you are not a fan of the morning toast, you should absolutely pick this book up. Toasters; do not wait to pick this up! Truly everything of the sort!
If you know me, you know I have a deep deep obsession with @themorningtoast. I was so excited when Claudia announced she was dropping a book and this honestly exceeded every expectation I had. Celebrity memoirs are really hit or miss, especially for people like Claudia who is an open book to her audience 5 days a week. This book was true to who Claudia was while keeping me interested and I loved being able to truly know her heart. Within the first page I was crying with just how vulnerable and honest she was. She covered everything from celebrity parties, to cancel culture, to her fathers untimely passing. Even if you are not a fan of the morning toast, you should absolutely pick this book up. Toasters; do not wait to pick this up! Truly everything of the sort!
Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon
4.0
Check on my full review on instagram at @bitchinbookclub_
I listened to this on audiobook.. whew it was a journey at 15 HOURS. It was so worth it. I loved the audiobook switching between male and female narrators and the use of accents. This is the first audiobook I've listened to where it had more than one! This story is based on a real person – Nancy Wake Fiocca, an Australian woman who moves to France and is determined to drive the Nazis out.
I only gave this 4 starts because, while I love historical fiction, I definitely think there were large parts of the story that could have been edited down to make this story easier to digest.
I listened to this on audiobook.. whew it was a journey at 15 HOURS. It was so worth it. I loved the audiobook switching between male and female narrators and the use of accents. This is the first audiobook I've listened to where it had more than one! This story is based on a real person – Nancy Wake Fiocca, an Australian woman who moves to France and is determined to drive the Nazis out.
I only gave this 4 starts because, while I love historical fiction, I definitely think there were large parts of the story that could have been edited down to make this story easier to digest.
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
5.0
Check on my full review on instagram at @bitchinbookclub_
Throwback Review! This book has stuck with me for awhile and will probably remain in my library permanently. Hawley hops back and forth from before the crash, to after. Normally, going back and forth in the story drives me nuts but this was so well done. The more you look back the more the story comes together. The one complaint I have was that this complex read was tied up a little too perfectly. I was definitely expecting the ending to leave me more in shock than it did. But overall, I highly recommend this book!
Throwback Review! This book has stuck with me for awhile and will probably remain in my library permanently. Hawley hops back and forth from before the crash, to after. Normally, going back and forth in the story drives me nuts but this was so well done. The more you look back the more the story comes together. The one complaint I have was that this complex read was tied up a little too perfectly. I was definitely expecting the ending to leave me more in shock than it did. But overall, I highly recommend this book!
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
3.0
Check on my full review on instagram at @bitchinbookclub_
I really struggled with this book. I just don't think contemporary fiction is for me. Turn this into a romance and I would have loved it. Eleanor is so socially awkward it's painful, but behind closed doors she is the most lovable character. She just can't get a grip on life until she meets the IT guy at work Raymond. This awkward friendship was so moving. This book seriously makes me want to give everyone a hug. I wish the ending gave me more and I would have loved this book. I just feel like this went nowhere.
I really struggled with this book. I just don't think contemporary fiction is for me. Turn this into a romance and I would have loved it. Eleanor is so socially awkward it's painful, but behind closed doors she is the most lovable character. She just can't get a grip on life until she meets the IT guy at work Raymond. This awkward friendship was so moving. This book seriously makes me want to give everyone a hug. I wish the ending gave me more and I would have loved this book. I just feel like this went nowhere.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
5.0
Check on my full review on instagram at @bitchinbookclub_
This is a throwback review for me! I did not like historical fiction until this book, and it made me obsessed with this genre. I have a select handful of my top 10 favorite books of all time and this made the cut. This is absolutely the most heartbreaking book. (first time crying at a book was THIS.) For those select few of you that have not read the book yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? Please, go get this book. P.S. For those non-readers, the movie is coming out next year with the Fanning sisters!!
This is a throwback review for me! I did not like historical fiction until this book, and it made me obsessed with this genre. I have a select handful of my top 10 favorite books of all time and this made the cut. This is absolutely the most heartbreaking book. (first time crying at a book was THIS.) For those select few of you that have not read the book yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? Please, go get this book. P.S. For those non-readers, the movie is coming out next year with the Fanning sisters!!
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
3.0
Check on my full review on instagram at @bitchinbookclub_
unpopular opinion: I didn’t like the book or the show. I’M SORRY. it had no point to me. It was a tale of motherhood with no start and no finish. It had no resolve. If you had to ask me, what was the point of this being written, I honestly couldn’t tell you. I loved the writing style and the characters but at the end I just didn’t feel like this was a story worth telling. Also, do you completely disagree with me?? Please tell me why I’m dumb and missing this. What unpopular opinions do you have???
unpopular opinion: I didn’t like the book or the show. I’M SORRY. it had no point to me. It was a tale of motherhood with no start and no finish. It had no resolve. If you had to ask me, what was the point of this being written, I honestly couldn’t tell you. I loved the writing style and the characters but at the end I just didn’t feel like this was a story worth telling. Also, do you completely disagree with me?? Please tell me why I’m dumb and missing this. What unpopular opinions do you have???