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madelinemaesmith's reviews
610 reviews
Trust by Hernán Díaz
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
2.5
A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
5.0
5⭐️/5
Atmospheric, suspenseful, psychological, emotional, and haunting with questionable reliability of the narrator. Also a book I should NOT have read after dark
Atmospheric, suspenseful, psychological, emotional, and haunting with questionable reliability of the narrator. Also a book I should NOT have read after dark
Beach Read by Emily Henry
5.0
5⭐️ <-------- Hi, yeah I'm an idiot. This is a 5⭐️ read. I think about this book at least once a week, which means it's a winner. Changing my rating, apologies to the queen EH.
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4⭐️/5
Beach Read is NOT a beach read (we’ll get to that later), but it’s still the perfect slow-burn with captivating characters that make your heart swell (and make you grin like an idiot, my marker for an excellent romance).
I love a good meta-writers-writing-about-writing-who-write-about-writing, and if that’s ALSO your jam (or you were able to get through that sentence) than you might want to check this one out.
Emily Henry is smart. Her writing is sharp, self-aware, and extremely witty, which is why part of me wonders if the “cutesy” animated cover was intentional? Perhaps a nod to her MC who *also* writes about women and isn’t taken as seriously because of it (some excellent observations peppered throughout).
If this book were written from Gus’ perspective, I imagine we’d laud it for being a brilliant work of literary fiction that’s both humorous and features a man in-touch with his emotions. But women writing about women? Market it for the beach and call it a day.
I LOVED Gus and January. Loved. But the tone and subject matter mixed with the witty banter felt off in the first half of the book, and overall there were some frustrating miscommunication-moments. But the second half drew me in, which made up for the mismatch I felt early on, and why it’s still an enthusiastic 4⭐️.
Read if: you have a heart.
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4⭐️/5
Beach Read is NOT a beach read (we’ll get to that later), but it’s still the perfect slow-burn with captivating characters that make your heart swell (and make you grin like an idiot, my marker for an excellent romance).
I love a good meta-writers-writing-about-writing-who-write-about-writing, and if that’s ALSO your jam (or you were able to get through that sentence) than you might want to check this one out.
Emily Henry is smart. Her writing is sharp, self-aware, and extremely witty, which is why part of me wonders if the “cutesy” animated cover was intentional? Perhaps a nod to her MC who *also* writes about women and isn’t taken as seriously because of it (some excellent observations peppered throughout).
If this book were written from Gus’ perspective, I imagine we’d laud it for being a brilliant work of literary fiction that’s both humorous and features a man in-touch with his emotions. But women writing about women? Market it for the beach and call it a day.
I LOVED Gus and January. Loved. But the tone and subject matter mixed with the witty banter felt off in the first half of the book, and overall there were some frustrating miscommunication-moments. But the second half drew me in, which made up for the mismatch I felt early on, and why it’s still an enthusiastic 4⭐️.
Read if: you have a heart.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
3.0
Lucy Foley’s 2020 novel, “The Guest List” is a mystery/thriller that takes place on an island off the coast of Ireland for the wedding of handsome TV star, and all-too-perfect Groom, and his fiercely ambitious magazine editor Bride. Only, the island has an unsettling history, and everyone on it is plagued with secrets.
Foley ushers you into the minds of our five narrators: The bride - the plus one - the best man - the wedding planner - the bridesmaid. This switch in narrative perspective proves both jarring and revealing, but Foley manages to focus our attention exactly where it needs to be at any given moment. The book may begin at the wedding reception when the lights go out and a body is discovered, but our characters’ stories begin much earlier.
Resentments, petty jealousies, arguments, desires, dreams foregone, family ties, and, you know, a haunted bog full of bodies? (So the legends say), all make for a wildly gripping story.
Though, in a world ripe with obstacles (the setting, the history of the island, a WEDDING) it seems many of the obstacles these narrators face are actually themselves, or their lack of self. This perhaps is meant to be an insight on their character, their emotional immaturity, but it oftentimes made it difficult to invest in the main through-line of the story (Who is the victim? Who did it?)
This genre is wildly oversaturated, which means shock value can be difficult (and generally, twists often borders on the ridiculous), so if you’re a regular mystery/thriller reader, then you may feel a bit deflated at some of the “reveals,” but I still found the pace of the story and the knitting together of all the moving parts to be worth the read. I hope you enjoy!
Foley ushers you into the minds of our five narrators: The bride - the plus one - the best man - the wedding planner - the bridesmaid. This switch in narrative perspective proves both jarring and revealing, but Foley manages to focus our attention exactly where it needs to be at any given moment. The book may begin at the wedding reception when the lights go out and a body is discovered, but our characters’ stories begin much earlier.
Resentments, petty jealousies, arguments, desires, dreams foregone, family ties, and, you know, a haunted bog full of bodies? (So the legends say), all make for a wildly gripping story.
Though, in a world ripe with obstacles (the setting, the history of the island, a WEDDING) it seems many of the obstacles these narrators face are actually themselves, or their lack of self. This perhaps is meant to be an insight on their character, their emotional immaturity, but it oftentimes made it difficult to invest in the main through-line of the story (Who is the victim? Who did it?)
This genre is wildly oversaturated, which means shock value can be difficult (and generally, twists often borders on the ridiculous), so if you’re a regular mystery/thriller reader, then you may feel a bit deflated at some of the “reveals,” but I still found the pace of the story and the knitting together of all the moving parts to be worth the read. I hope you enjoy!
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
5.0
Easy five stars. RF Kuang became an auto-buy author for me after The Poppy War, but this takes her writing to a whole different level. Clever, weird, refreshing, and SCATHING look at publishing, cancel culture, racism, cultural appropriation, and what it means to be a writer. I know it sounds dark, but it's funny? It's difficult to explain, but her observations are so sharp and witty that it felt like she wrote this book with a knife. I don't think this book is for everyone, but if you can stomach unlikable characters in stressful situations with dark humor then this book is for YOU.
PS the audiobook is INCREDIBLE. Highly recommend.
PS the audiobook is INCREDIBLE. Highly recommend.
The Maid by Nita Prose
5.0
5⭐️/5
I can see how this book isn’t for everyone, but if you want a lighter version of “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” (lighter meaning, there’s a murder! But idk the tone is lighter) than this is the book for you!
Molly, our lovable and quirky MC, was such a joy to spend time with. Not every book elicits the elusive “laugh OUT loud” instead of a measly “lol,” but there were moments where Molly’s perception of the world had me chuckling and the mystery kept me guessing!
Despite its comedic relief and curious happenings at The Grand Hotel, the emotional pull and exploration of the relationship between Molly and her Gran was the center of the novel for me.
Read this series if:
1. You like a quirky MC who is surrounded by a unique group of characters
2. You enjoy a cozy mystery from time to time or lean more into the Thursday Murder Club/Finlay Donovan series
3. You enjoy character-driven novels (but these don’t languish, they’re short and well-paced)
4. You like flashbacks and dual timelines and don’t mind suspending disbelief for the sake of the vibe
5. You need a highly addictive and fast read!
I can see how this book isn’t for everyone, but if you want a lighter version of “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” (lighter meaning, there’s a murder! But idk the tone is lighter) than this is the book for you!
Molly, our lovable and quirky MC, was such a joy to spend time with. Not every book elicits the elusive “laugh OUT loud” instead of a measly “lol,” but there were moments where Molly’s perception of the world had me chuckling and the mystery kept me guessing!
Despite its comedic relief and curious happenings at The Grand Hotel, the emotional pull and exploration of the relationship between Molly and her Gran was the center of the novel for me.
Read this series if:
1. You like a quirky MC who is surrounded by a unique group of characters
2. You enjoy a cozy mystery from time to time or lean more into the Thursday Murder Club/Finlay Donovan series
3. You enjoy character-driven novels (but these don’t languish, they’re short and well-paced)
4. You like flashbacks and dual timelines and don’t mind suspending disbelief for the sake of the vibe
5. You need a highly addictive and fast read!
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
3.0
10/10 for themes and questioning sexality and gender!!!
0/10 for plot and way too many names and terms and definitions that made this feel like a textbook
0/10 for plot and way too many names and terms and definitions that made this feel like a textbook