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charlesalexander's reviews
79 reviews
Pretend I'm Dead by Jen Beagin
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Jen Beagin does it again. (or for the first time, since this is her first book. also really wish she would release her birthday so I can know if we have the same zodiac).
I love this author's brain. what a beautiful year to be a neurodivergent freak.
something about Beagin's writing is so potent, so striking, never earthbound and yet always maintaining a laser-like focus.
truly masterful, almost holy.
if her and Melissa Broder ever were to collaborate that would be like the SWEAT tour for me.
I will never be able to properly describe the awe I feel getting to explore Beagin's writing but I do recommend it to as many other people as I can. there's nothing like it.
I love this author's brain. what a beautiful year to be a neurodivergent freak.
something about Beagin's writing is so potent, so striking, never earthbound and yet always maintaining a laser-like focus.
truly masterful, almost holy.
if her and Melissa Broder ever were to collaborate that would be like the SWEAT tour for me.
I will never be able to properly describe the awe I feel getting to explore Beagin's writing but I do recommend it to as many other people as I can. there's nothing like it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault
Moderate: Self harm
The Lost Village by Camilla Sten
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
this book was so okay. found it on a Midnight Mass thread.
flat characters. flat plot. whelming. did not care about a single person, there's no reason to read this whole book.
also don't know wtf was going on withtorturing an autistic woman . like ok š
did I think it was terrible? no.
will I ever think about it again? also no.
flat characters. flat plot. whelming. did not care about a single person, there's no reason to read this whole book.
also don't know wtf was going on with
did I think it was terrible? no.
will I ever think about it again? also no.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Blood, Murder
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
oh wow. I liked it! ya. it had me going. took me a while to plough through. now I'll watch the 3 hour movie and compare. š
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Sirens & Muses by Antonia Angress
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
what a brutal and utterly horrific book. will stay with me a long time. š
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Suicide
Minor: Death of parent
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
what an enjoyable book. enthralling! had a very good time. thank you Susanna Clarke š
All My Mother's Lovers by Ilana Masad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
thank god this book is over. it took forever to finish because of how boring it is. very 2016 vibes.
neither Iris or Maggie is interesting whatsoever. Maggie is a blank page of paper, white bread with no butter. okay, your family is upper middle class, your dad is supportive and your mom was a little weird about you being gay šš«± she has these random flashes of self-awareness of her own privilege which feel more like Masad trying to get brownie points for being aware of injustice in America.
itās like the Love, Simon movieā¦so what. your life is great. the āplot twistā at the endāI canāt even call it that. š¤·āāļø
switching back to fantasy because I canāt take contemporary anymore š
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Car accident, Death of parent
You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat
dark
sad
tense
slow-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
3.5
This book was hard to get through. help. really burnt out on books that are from the cheaterās perspective like idgaf.
Main character is the worst so itās like oh okay youāre cheating again. She doesnāt really ever grow or improve and the narrative just drags on with her falling for another terrible person. idk. kind of plotless. not to be a hater. I just wanted it to be over.
relate to her mom being emotionally abusive though. š
Main character is the worst so itās like oh okay youāre cheating again. She doesnāt really ever grow or improve and the narrative just drags on with her falling for another terrible person. idk. kind of plotless. not to be a hater. I just wanted it to be over.
relate to her mom being emotionally abusive though. š
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wow. this book was a whole messy meal. I liked it! didnāt like a single character but I think thatās the point. all of you suck!
it feels like both a love letter and hate mail to trans peopleācis people idk if your minds can comprehend.
other note: so wordy. I like learning new words but what did I read ā¤ļø gave up trying to look up the meanings about 50 pages in. kind of unnecessary.
it feels like both a love letter and hate mail to trans peopleācis people idk if your minds can comprehend.
other note: so wordy. I like learning new words but what did I read ā¤ļø gave up trying to look up the meanings about 50 pages in. kind of unnecessary.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Suicide attempt